Society for the Scientific Study of Religion

Business Meeting Minutes

1968

October 24 - 26th, 1968     Montreal, Quebec, Canada

BUSINESS MEETING:
Saturday, October 26th - 1:00 - 2:30 P. M.
Viger B -- Le Chateau Champlain

AGENDA


CHAIRMAN: President Charles Y. Glock

  1. Minutes of 1967 Business Meeting - Benton Johnson
  2. Report of Executive Secretary - Samuel Z. Klausner
  3. Report of Treasurer - Ralph Wendell Burhoe
  4. Report of Journal Editor - James E. Dittes
  5. Liaisons with other Religious Studies Associations - Samuel Z. Klausner
  6. Report of Program Chairman - Noel Mailloux
  7. Report of Local Arrangements Committee - Norbert Lacoste
  8. Discussion on Intellectual Purposes and Goals ofthe Society - Peter L. Berger
  9. Report of Election Results - Benton Johnson
  10. 1969 Meeting in Boston, Program Chairman - Phillip Hammond

MINUTES
ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING OF THE
SOCIETY FOR THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF RELIGION

Saturday, October 26, 1968
Le Chateau Champlain, Montreal, Canada


The meeting was called to order by President Charles Y. Glock at 1:10 p.m. Thirty-four members were present.

In absence of Secretary Benton Johnson, the Minutes of the previous meeting were read by Mrs. Pritel, Administrative Assistant.

Ralph W. Burhoe commented on his pleasure in hearing the historical account of the SSSR included in the Minutes and offered a correction. The original name was "Committee for the Social Scientific Study of Religion." The previous secretary, Allan Eister, agreed. Mr. Friess moved to approve Minutes as read; Mr. Nelson seconded. They were unanimously approved.

The Executive Secretary, Samuel Z. Klausner, presented a report and commented on the increase in Catholic membership. Paul Gustafson moved to approve. Mr. Stackhouse seconded. It was unanimously approved. Mr. Friedrichs asked how regional meetings were set up. Glenn Vernon's Committee explained that anyone could propose one to the central office.

The Treasurer's Report was given by Ralph W. Burhoe who commented that the Society was flourishing not only in terms of members and subscribers but also in terms of debt. He explained that last year's deficit was paid, in part, representing a reduction of debt.

He explained a weakness in the budget in that it counted on contributions of $ 6, 000. He stated that the Council would meet in the near future and explore ways to reduce the deficit.

Mr. Burhoe moved to have membership approve the budget. This was seconded by Father Mailloux. The President asked for comments, suggestions and criticism. Mr. Burhoe asked members present to investigate sources that might contribute. A vote was then taken on motion. Passed unanimously.

President Glock announced that Mr. Burhoe had been appointed for another two-year term as Treasurer.

Mr. James Dittes reported on the Journal. He spoke of challenging and rewarding interaction with writers, both published and unpublished. Interaction with editorial consultants was personally rewarding.

He learns in the process of editing, and welcomes papers, articles, manuscripts as well as consultants to read them.

The Journal has been first choice for publication of manuscripts in the field. One out of seven or eight of manuscripts submitted is accepted.

Paul Gustafson--Book Review Editor, shares Mr. Dittes' enthusiasm. Some 400 books are received per annum. Happy intellectual experience--enjoys wide variety of reviewers who participate. He asked for those who would like to review to contact him.

Bernard Lazerwitz asked about the reason for rejection of Journal articles. Mr. Dittes answered that very seldom were they rejected because of quality. One to two percent are rejected because of theoretical speculation or too little data. Mr. Burhoe added that budget limitations guage the amount of material accepted. Mr. Dittes agreed but looks for areas of discovery and advance, highly empirical interpretations based on his "gut" feelings there and shifting expectations of what a Journal ought to be. Always glad to see most of submissions, writes back to author and gives suggestions on acceptibility.

Mr. Seward Salisbury asked how do people get to be on Editorial consultant's staff. Mr. Dittes answered: By asking.

Mr. Vatro Murvar commented that Mr. Dittes is most unusually helpful to authors. Also, the American Sociological Review of which he is a consulting editor, has a much higher rejection rate. Mr. Murvar said that 80 percent of the submissions are so poor that he was angry and embarrassed. Mr. Glock said that high quality of Journal is a tribute to Jim Dittes. A motion was passed to accept Editor's report by unanimous vote.

Mr. Glock then referred to the Executive Secretary's Report on Committee on Long-Range Goals.

Samuel Z. Klausner: Committee on Long-Range Goals was established to explore relations with other organizations in religious field. Under a grant from the Danforth Foundation, the ACLS (American Council of Learned Societies) called a meeting in Princeton. They wanted a large organization and debated for three days. Finally, it was recommended that a Joint Council (with SSSR as representative) be established to deal with overlapping interests in such areas as employment, public relations, etc. The AAR and SSSR should cooperate more because of their complementary talents and interests. The annual meeting in Boston will coincide with that of AAR. We plan a sponsored shuttle bus and a single joint session. (Package membership deals are being considered.) Paul Gustafson moved to approve. Sam Blizzard seconded. Allan Eister questioned whether American Catholic Sociological Association and American Sociological Association were approached. The President will explore. Motion accepted unanimously.

Father Noel Mailloux, Program Chairman, reported that he had received a large amount of papers. It rejected those outside scope of interest of the group. He said it was rewarding and easy job because of the quality of the submissions. Correspondence with authors was almost impossible at strategic time because of strike. Student unrest situation is such at this time that attendance was cut down particularly of theologians. Gave thanks to Central Office for helping him.

Paul Gustafson moved to accept the report. Ben Nelson seconded and a resolution suggested by Mr. Glock to formally thank Father Mailloux and Father Lacoste was passed.

Mr. Glock read the names of the Arrangements Committee and commented on how well planned things were. Mr. Nelson moved to thank Father Lacoste and members of the Committee by resolution. Mr. Burhoe seconded. Passed by unanimous vote.

Result of Election: Albert C. Outler and Nicholas J. Demerath, III, were elected to fill vacancies on the Council.

Phillip E. Hammond will be the 1969 Program Chairman. Suggestions from the floor were requested regarding the theme of the next meeting which will be the twentieth anniversary meeting.

Mr. Glock announced the death of Dr. Kenneth Underwood-the Council voted to express their sympathy to Mrs. Underwood.

Old Business: none
New Business: none

Mr. Burhoe moved to adjourn--Father Oldfield seconded. Motion passed. Adjourned at 2:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Jayne Pritel
Administrative Assistant