The Religious Research Association
President's Report
1968
THE PRESIDENT'S REPORT
As is the case whenever there are a series of committee reports to follow, a President's Report always runs the risk of "stealing the thunder." Let me try, therefore to escape this entanglement by outlining (1) the main areas- of effort of your officers and Board of Directors during the past year and (2) suggest the probable areas where this coming year's work will have to be done.
A rather high proportion of the effort of the Board of Directors this past year has had to be devoted to consolidating and stabilizing strengths as well as making significant attempts to correct emerging deficiencies. The Board of Directors has found it necessary to hold double the number of meetings compared to the immediately previous years. And, yet, even this has not been enough. The Board is cognizant of the necessity for prompt decisions concerning the future of the Religious Research Association. However, it has been impossible to move with enough dispatch in the interval of one year to take advantage of the many opportunities which are open and unique to the RRA.
To any persons who have been related to the functioning of the Association in any significant way, it is well known that the organization has functioned over the years on the subsidy of time, effort and money of many individuals and often their employing organizations. A few years ago, the sum of $600 was placed in the budget for Administrative Expense; this was to be divided equally between -the Treasurer, the Circulation Manager-Business Manager-Membership Secretary, and the Editor of the Reviewof Religious Research. It was an inauspicious beginning, but nevertheless a beginning. During the past year, it became patently clear that we could no longer function on this basis and therefore, further assistance was provided to the person functioning as Circulation Manager-Business Manager-Membership Secretary.
It must be remembered, however, that probably 3/4 of all secretarial time for the RRA is still donated. May I therefore, take this opportunity to express both an official and a personal word of thanks to all the individuals and organizations who so generously make this kind of support available. -
During the last year, organizational stabilization also involved the replacement of leadership. Dr. Widick Schroeder requested that he be relieved of the editorship of the Review of Religious Research and the Chairmanship of the Publication Committee with the publication of The Review of Religious Research Vol. 9 #2. Dr. David Moberg now assumes this role. Also, Dr. John Shape found it necessary to resign as Chairman of the Nominating Committee. The Board of Directors selected the Rev. Joseph Grandlienard to fill the unexpired term. As he was one of the remaining Nominating Committee, this selection provided continuity. The ballot to be presented, returns the Nominating Committee to full strength.
As you are all well aware from the dues notices, an increase in the dues structure has been effected. At last year's annual meeting of the RRA, authorization was given to increase the dues. The Board decided to defer implementation until the 19681969 fiscal year. -
Another area of effort has been the attempt to improve internal and external communication. No small part of the effort revolves around the additional assistance which was authorized. Yet, this is really only part of the solution. Two basic structural revisions are contemplated. The first is the placing on the Board of Directors of the person holding the Circulation Manager-Business Manager-Membership Secretary functions. This person who is in charge of a large volume of detailed information has not been a member of the Board. There are historical reasons why this was so constituted, such as at one time, three persons were involved. The second is the combination of the Membership and Development Committees because of the constant inter-relatedness which often leaves the initiation of efforts unclear. The Nominating Committee, through the Ballot, will submit one person as Chairman of the Joint Committee. These two changes demand a re-writing of a major portion of the by-laws. Time has not-permitted this complete re-working. A blanket revision incorporating these changes and probably others is anticipated for the 1969 meeting.
We have attempted to "tool up" for the year we have now entered so that we can provide closer liaison with our constituency. Membership Cards--an on and off again procedure-will be re-instituted to acknowledge the payment of dues. A President's Letter or its equivalent Is anticipated about four times during the year. Other communication attempts will also be made. -
I have already alluded to the large amount of Board time demanded by our official journal, The Review of Religious Research. Our journal is published basically under volunteer leadership; it Is financially solvent--a uniqueness among journals in the same category. We are Indebted to Dr. Schroeder (retiring Editor and Chairman of the Publications Committee), to Dr. Knudten (Book Review Editor) and to various guest editors. We must note the yeoman work of the Managing Editor of The Review, Dr.-Scherer.
We expected that our 1968 H. Paul Douglass Lecturer would be Dr. Gordon Allport. We are especially grateful to Dr. James Dittos for filling this role at such a late date. The Chairmen of the Program Committee, and of the Development Committee have been able to secure commitments for the 1969 and 1970 H. Paul Douglass Lectures.- The development Committee will make an announcement concerning the funding of the H. Paul Douglass Lectures; this begins to fulfill a 15 year dream.
Another area of concern this past year has been consideration of the membership survey of the RRA and preliminary thinking on goals for the future. In response to the Board concern and the concern expressed at the annual business meeting, two committees were appointed, viz,
Survey of Membership: Dr. James Davis, Dr. Everett Perry, Dr. Lauris Whitman
Goals for the Future: Rev. George Kaslow, Dr. Merton Strommen Dr. Oscar Cohen, Dr. Ronald Johnstone A report from each of these committees will be given on Saturday morning at 11 A. M. The Board of Directors believes this procedure will help it make appropriate recommendations to the annual meeting in 1969.
What emphases for the coming year? The Board of Directors will build on the accomplishments of the past year. Our objectives must be: the clarification of the future direction of the RRA and the related re-structuring; the Review of Religious Research--its scheduling and possible re-designing and continued improvement in communication.
To the Board of Directors and to all who have helped this year, I give a special word of thanks. I issue a challenge to all RRA members to help us face the future frankly and positively. The RRA is your organization; and the Board tries to reflect your desires and hopes. However, the Board must hear these hopes and desires. without a doubt, this year will be the most demanding year of any in the history of the Religious Research Association.
Respectfully Submitted,
George W. Kaslow Jr.