The Annual business meeting of the society for the Scientific Study of Religion was called to order in the Assembly Room, Center for Continuing Education, the University of Chicago, at 8;30 a.m., October 29, 1966, with Peter L. Berger presiding.

Minutes of the previous meeting of the Society were read and approved.

The Executive Secretary of the Society presented a report, giving an informal review of the history of growth of the Society, and analysis of changing patterns of registration at annual meetings, and other information about the development of the organization. From about 350 members in 1960, the Society grew to over 1100 in 1964 and to over 1600 members at present. Growth in membership has been paralleled by income which rose from just under $900.00 in 1960 to about $10,000 in 1964 and about $25,000 in 1966. The report concluded with warm words of appreciation for the diligent work for the Society being done by Mrs. Delores Kidwell. This commendation was endorsed by officers and members present, and the Secretary was instructed to record these expressions of appreciation in the Minutes of this meeting.

Mr. Burhoe presented the Treasurer's Report, which included a statement about the budget which the council has accepted for 1967. This represented, he announced, an overall increase of about 10% over the budget of the previous year. He also announced that the fiscal year had been changed (to begin on September 1, instead of October 1 and to continue through August 31) and that reports of the financial condition of the society would be rendered on an accrual basis in the future rather than simply on a cash basis. The fund raising appeal authorized last year to provide additional money for publications has failed to produce the amount sought. The Society presently finds itself with a small cash balance of approximately $400 and current obligations or commitments to the amount of approximately $10,000. Income from this conference as well as from dues, subscriptions to the Journal, and gifts and other sources are expected to cover these obligations currently outstanding and to meet the provisions of the 1967 budget as well. He considers $10,000 a reasonable "target" for fund-raising efforts of the Society suggesting that with this amount in hand the Society would be in a strong position to move rapidly ahead. It was moved, seconded and voted to accept the Treasurer's Report.

Reporting for Mr. Joseph Bram, chairman of the Membership Committee, Mr. Klausner described the procedure by which applicants for membership are presently "screened" and described work by the committee to promote a continuing increase in membership of the society. The present goal is approximately 2100 members and 900 journal subscribers.

Mr. Dittes, incoming editor of the Journal, reported for the Publications Committee in the absence of J. Paul Williams, chairman. Mr. Dittes described his plans and hopes for the Journal, speaking about the problems in selecting manuscripts and expressing his gratification over the generous help he has received from leading scholars in their fields when he has asked for evaluations of papers. He also thanked the retiring editorial board, and introduced Paul Gustafson as his associate editor and also incoming book review editor of the Journal.

Mr. Angelo D'Agostino reported that $1405.25 had been received as a result of the effort of the Fund-Raising Committee thus far and that the committee expected to continue its effort to reach a minimum target of $3000 this year. He welcomed suggestions from members.

Mr. Burhoe, when asked to report, as Program Chairman for the current meetings, suggested that the conference was, in effect, "reporting itself." He wished to cite the special contribution made by his secretary, Miss Lanzetta, and the Secretary of the society was instructed to record in these Minutes formal expression of the thanks of the society. Mr. Clark proposed a vote of thanks also to Mr. Burhoe.

Mr. Berger announced the election of Benjamin Nelson and Kenneth Underwood for three-year terms as Council members and also the appointment of Daniel J. Callahan as program Chairman for the 1967 annual meetings of the Society which will be held in Atlanta, Georgia the last weekend in October.

Other items of business included the mention by the Executive Secretary of suggestions being received in his office concerning possible expansion of the functions and services of the Society to include, perhaps a periodic report (which might be undertaken jointly with the American Academy of Religion) on the "status of religious studies" in colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and other activities. It was announced by the President that an Ad Hoc Committee had been named to examine into these and related questions.

Mr. Eister conveyed a request from the Research Committee on the Sociology of Religion (a working group within the International Sociological Association) which met recently at the Sixth World Congress of Sociology (Evian, France) for a list of sociologists who are members of the Society, together with notations as to their research publications and interests. The information would be compiled in a central reference file by Dr. Jean Seguy of the Groupe de Sociologie de Religion in Paris. Secretary of the International committee on the sociology of religion is Professor Norman Birnbaum. It was agreed that SSSR participate.

Plans for a joint regional conference of SSSR and the Religious Research Association in Minneapolis April 8 were announced by David O. Moberg. A similar regional meeting will be held in the southwest -- at Southern Methodist University, on February 27-28, 1967.

The question was raised from the floor whether attempts had been made to interest more historians and political scientists in membership in the society. The Executive Secretary said that some efforts had been made bu that he and the Membership Committee would welcome suggestions and help for further action. The question was also raised about possible over emphasis upon sociology and psychology in the Society (as reflected in the current sessions) to the possible oversight of potential contributions from the physical and biological sciences and from the philosophy of science. There was some discussion regarding the historical reasons within the society for this, but it is understood definitely not to be the intention of the officers or Council of the Society, as presently constituted, to discourage others than social scientists from participation. In this connection, Mr. James Gustafson spoke of the need for 'locating ourselves" more clearly in relation to other associations concerned with the study of religion.

Following general discussion, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted

Allan W. Eister, Secretary