| President's Report | November 8, 1990 |
To: RRA Board of Directors
From: Jim Davidson
Re: President's Report
Date: November 8, 1990
I begin by asking the members of the board to remember Connie Jacquet in your prayers. As one of the major contributors to RRA's growth over the past four decades, Connie is greatly responsible for the association's vitality, its importance in the academy, and its role in the church. Connie also was a beloved friend to many of us. He will be missed, but in mourning his loss, we should rededicate ourselves to his dream that RRA would be a place where religious researchers could come together, share ideas, and work to strengthen the churches' role in society.
RRA has made progress toward these goals during the past year. Membership and finances seem stable, our committees have performed their duties, and we have taken several steps in new directions which I think will benefit the association for many years to come.
I want to concentrate on what might be the final stages in our consideration of the new directions we have been exploring during the last two years. A revised summary of these new directions is enclosed. We need to review the changes which have been made since our spring meeting.
If we agree that these changes are acceptable, or if we achieve consensus regarding new language, I would like us to adopt the recommendations and take them to the membership for a vote as soon as possible.
Assuming for the moment that the membership approves the proposed changes, they would be phased in gradually. The board might begin its search for a new executive officer as soon as the votes have been tabulated. A nominee could be approved at next fall's board meeting. With that person in place, the reallocation of duties could begin in fall 1991. The new executive officer could conduct the 1992 election, take over publicity, develop the 1993 budget proposal for the 1992 board meeting, start writing newsletters, prepare for the spring board meeting, start working with committees and SSSR's executive secretary, sign contracts, and act as our liaison with other groups. He/she could take on the responsibilities for the 1993 membership drive after Andy Shupe completes his term as chair of the development committee in fall 1992.
If the membership vote were completed early enough in spring 1991 (e.g., February or March), the 1991 and 1992 elections could take the changes into account, so the new officers, board members, and committees could be elected in accordance with the recommended changes.