Some 24 persons gathered for the business session chaired by President Jim Davidson. After introductions the 1988 annual business meeting minutes were distributed and approved. Election results were reported by the Nominating Committee as follows:

Suggestions for the next slate should be sent to Adair Lummis or Eileen Barker.

 Book Editor.

Paul Chalfant distributed the tally on book reviews, said the backlog is now worked through and he is actively soliciting books. He also urged people to apply for becoming book reviewers, lest the current ones be overworked. There is a need for reviewers of non-Western religion materials.

 1989 Program Chair.

Marge Royle called attention to innovations in this year's program and asked for feedback. Registration has gone beyond expectations--over 400, and there was a record number of pre-registrations (320). She expressed thanks for cooperation and participation of RRA members.

 1990 Program Chair.

Virginia Beach is the site of the Nov. 9-11 meeting in 1990, announced Ruth Doyle. She encouraged sharing ideas for the special theme, Varieties of Religious Research: Reconsidering Theoretical and Applied Religious Research," designed to promote dialogue between church based and academically based researchers.

 Development Committee.

Kirk Hadaway doesn't know why membership is up, but it is--no thanks to a monstrous mailing to a group list (SCOPE) that produced no results! H. Paul Douglass lecture contributions are good, and letters for support are being sent out in November. There is no nervousness about the future.  

Archives.

Constant Jacquet will be retiring from his National Council post in another year, and the RRA is grateful for his long-standing service to the organization.  

MOTION; To send a letter of appreciation for the Yearbook to the NCC General Secretary, to urge continuation of it after Constant Jacquet's retirement, and to offer the unique expertise of RRA in helping perpetuate it. (Motion carried. Jim Davidson will write the letter, with a copy to Martin Bailey of NCC Communication unit.)

 Research Awards.

Not all money has been given away, with only one award (Ed Lehman) made. The RRA packet includes publicity on the awards. Sheila Kelly of UCC Board is the contact person now.

 Treasurer's Report.

Dave Roozen announced a favorable balance, despite transfer of $5000 to HPD lecture fund, and no dues increase is needed. The 89/90 budget is almost identical to the prior year. A CPA audit. is available for anyone interested . 

Editor's Report.

Before the arrival of Ed Lehman, Jim Davidson praised his meticulous, hard-working, financially-sound five year editorship of the Review. Among several strong candidates, Doyle Paul Johnson was chosen as his successor. Both Ed and Paul, who had been conferring, spoke to the group, expressing their appreciation for the privilege of serving RRA in this capacity. Paul expressed the desire to be responsive to membership ideas, interests, wishes for the journal. He will be writing to several persons for help as associate editors, a position he has held. Begin sending manuscripts to Paul now.  Paul Chalfant will continue as book editor.

 President's Report.

Jim discussed the exploration of the role of the president as possibly becoming more honorary, with administrative duties being handled by an executive director. This idea is still exploratory over the next year, and constitutional changes might be required. The concentration of researchers and offices in New York has shifted elsewhere, thus making this concern more relevant. 

Secondly, Jim noted that the desire for an interface between church and academic based researchers was an old concern, is an important purpose of RRA, and will be addressed in the program theme at Virginia Beach. We need to continue to explore how to bring them more creatively together. 

Calling attention to important events still on the Salt Lake City agenda, Jim announced the following upcoming annual meeting locations:

Finally, Dave Roozen expressed appreciation to the Mormon Research Office, especially Stan Weed, Dave Bradford, Ray Briscoe and Perry Cunningham, for extraordinary local assistance. Financial and logistical support were evident in many ways--the subsidized banquet, the loan of audio-visual equipment, the bountiful reception at church headquarters, for example.

 Peggy Shriver, scribe