The meeting was called to order in the refectory of Union Theological Seminary at 1:45 p.m., October 27, 1962, Horace Friess presiding. Minutes of the 1961 Annual Meeting were read and approved. The report of the Secretary-Treasurer was received .
Mr. Friess reported the following actions of the Council: Creation of a special committee to prepare a report defining the functions of the central office of the Society and of the position of the executive secretary. Tentative plans for the location and themes for future annual meetings as follows, 1963 annual meeting to be held October 25-26 in Cambridge or Philadelphia, possibly on the theme of "Contrasted Approaches on the Relation of Religion and Culture." 1964 annual meeting to be held in New York or a western location such as Chicago. He pointed out the awareness of the Council of the need for balanced and varied program sessions. The plans of the Society to apply for affiliation with the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
It was moved seconded and voted unanimously to amend Article 4 of the Constitution. (The entire constitution, including Article 4 as amended, is appended to these minutes.)
It was moved seconded and voted to instruct the Council to proceed with the study of the possibility of the incorporation of the Society and to proceed with such incorporation if the Council deems it desirable.
The report of J. Paul Williams, Chairman of the Publications Committee was received.
The report of Allan Eister, the Society's representative on the Committee supervising the Washington conference on Sociology of Religion, was received.
It was moved seconded and voted to express appreciation to the Inter Church Center, The Bureau of Research and Survey of the National Council of Churches, Union Theological Seminary, for providing facilities for the Annual Meeting. It was moved seconded and voted to express appreciation to Peter Berger, the Program Chairman and participants in the program.