The Religious Research Association

President's Report

1983


Novenber 4-6, 1983
President's Report


There are several aspects of the past year and concerns for the future which deserve mention:

  1. A major accomplishment has been the employment of Lorraine D'Antonio as Business Manager and the move of the business affairs of the Association to Storrs, Connecticut. That process is now complete and, from my perspective, its wisdom has been proved in terms of improved efficiency and consolidation of several aspects of our work into one position and place. Deep appreciation is due Alan LaPayover, who previously handled office duties for the Association and whose assistance in the move was invaluable. He has been thanked formally on behalf of the Association. Appreciation is also due to Connie Jacquet, Mary Mattis, and Everett Perry, who, along with the President, served as a Transition Committee.

  2. The By-Laws revisions have been accomplished and approved by the membership. Special appreciation is due to David Moberg, who chaired the By-Laws Revision Committee, with James Davis and myself as committee members. A major feature of the revision has been the move to a two year term for President which should give greater continuity of leadership to the Association. There is probably need for further revision to be made regarding the roles of Treasurer and Finance Committee Chairperson in relation to the newly created position of Business Manager.

  3. The financial health of the Association is good, as the Treasurer's report will show. We have healthy, if not super-abundant reserves. This is cause for rejoicing but not complacency.

  4. The membership picture, however, does indicate cause for concern. As of September, there were 63 fewer members (of all categories) than the total for 1982-83. Institutional and individual subscriptions to the Review were down by 37. That is just over a ten percent decline overall in members and subscribers which, as Lorraine D'Antonio tells me, is typical unless recruitment efforts are made. While some additional memberships may have come in since September, the situation points to a need for serious and continuing effort at membership recruitment and promotion of the Review to libraries and other institutions. I have asked the Development Committee Chair to propose a plan to accomplish this, but it clearly needs the attention of us all.

  5. I would like to express deep appreciation to all Officers and Board Members for jobs well done. In particular I express gratitude to those whose term of office ends at this meeting. I especially call attention to the long and faithful service of Everett Perry, outgoing Treasurer. Everett has served the Association well not only as Treasurer, but in many roles over the years. No doubt he will continue to do so in the future.

Jackson W. Carroll
President