My report at lat year's spring meeting devoted a great deal of space to the need for innovation in the Religious Research Association and stressed the point that although the situation in the Association was very comfortable, we shouldn't rest on our laurels but rather continually strive to make our organization more responsive to the needs of the membership. I think it's fair to say that progress has been made on this score and that the first new project completed last year, The 1985-86 Catalogue of current Religious Research and Researchers has received a well-deserved favorable appraisal from the membership. This survey cost the RRA some money but it certainly was worth it in my opinion. I am certain that the membership will look forward to the next edition of this useful resource.

The second innovation for the RRA, the establishment of the RRA Research Grants Program, is another example of how the RRA can be of service to its membership and more completely fulfill its mission as an organization dedicated to the field of research. This grants program can play a very important facilitating role in the production of research in the scientific study of religion both in the academic and applied settings. And I look forward with great expectations to the first fruits of this program in 1987 and to results in the years beyond.

Innovative suggestions were made relating to the Review of Religious Research regarding the development of periodic reports on research underway in churches, denominations and councils of churches which would appear in a special section of the Review.

These three innovations will, I believe, fill in the gaps in our knowledge of, and support for, religious research which is the main goal of the Association.

Of course, the RRA should continue to look for new programs to initiate for the benefit of the membership, but in view of the fact that there is no "free lunch," our enthusiasm must be tempered by fiscal sobriety. The new initiative in the research grant area will take practically all of the earnings from our investment funds and so perhaps we should wait and see if there are additional funds in the future to pay for new programs.

Since the Savannah meetings last October, I have been primarily engaged in correspondence and communication with those inside and outside the RRA and have sent out the President's Letter to members of the Association, convened a meeting of the RRA Research Grants Committee, and made plans for the Spring meeting.

I continue to be impressed with the functioning of the Association in which each player of a special instrument blends with others to form an impressive symphony of activity which keeps the RRA moving forward year after year.

Constant H. Jacquet, Jr.

April 3, 1986