Society for the Scientific Study of Religion

Business Meeting Minutes

1971

October 23, 1971     Bismarck Hotel, Chicago, Illinois

The Meeting was called to order by President Fichter at 11:30 a.m. About 70 persons attended.

The minutes of the 1970 meeting were accepted as printed in the Spring issue of the Journal.

The Secretary announced the 1971 election results as follows:

President James Dittes
Vice President Samuel Klausner
Council Members    Samuel Blizzard
 David Moberg


The Executive Secretary, William D'Antonio, presented his report for 1970-71. Record-keeping, including membership lists, has been computerized, he said. Membership now stands at 1,503 plus 1,074 library subscriptions to the Journal, a slight drop in total from 1970. A membership drive is planned for this year focusing on the disciplines of anthropology, psychology, and sociology.

The Journal's publication has been moved to the University of Montana Press, which means lowered cost as well as faster service.

325 have registered for the 1971 meeting, but that does not include 52 who appear on the Program. D'Antonio urged the latter to register or be prepared to respond to a bill.

Most importantly, judging from the round of applause following the announcement, the Society has reduced its $11,000 debt of last year to zero. The Executive Secretary's report was accepted.

Benton Johnson, new Journal editor, reported that he is receiving manuscripts at a rate of about 15 per month. He asked that all members be prepared to help with the editorial task. Report accepted.

The Treasurer, Edgar Mills, was absent owing to his son's health (reported as progressing nicely by President Fichter). In his absence D'Antonio reported that the Society this year has a net worth of about $35 but by next year may have net income of perhaps $5,000, which will mean possible innovation in the Journal or in the Annual Meeting. The help of Ralph Burhoe (the prior Treasurer) was acknowledged by Mills. The report was accepted.

The report of the Committee on Relationships with Other Societies was summarized by the Secretary, Phillip E. Hammond, in form statements reflecting both Committee and Council actions:

(1) The sense of the SSSR Council, and the advice to its President and the Committee on Relationships is to go slow on questions of merger but to explore feasible cooperation with such other organizations in the form of joint meetings.

(2) The Executive Secretary is instructed to pursue a joint meeting in 1972 with the Religious Research Association, with the understanding that, SSSR being larger in membership, it provide the overall program chairman.

(3) $500 is budgeted for associate membership for the year in the Council on the Study of Religion.

(4) The Committee on Relationships is to continue for another year.

President Fichter (asked) Dean Knudsen and James Davidson (who are Program Chairmen for 1972) to present their plans for the 23rd Annual conference. They distributed a tentative Program outline, built around the theme of religion in the 70('s), and stated that April 15, 1972 is the deadline for papers and abstracts.

Thomas Imse was announced as the Local Arrangements chairman for the 1972 Boston meeting, while Charles Y. Glock will serve in that capacity for the 1973 meetings in the Bay Area.

Mention was made of two books: (1) Beyond the Classics?, being edited by Charles Y. Glock and Phillip E. Hammond on behalf of the Society, and (2) Research on Religious Development, a long term project now published by the Religious Education Association.

Samuel Z. Klausner was introduced as Chairman of the SSSR section of the 1972 International Conference on Religion to be held in early September in Los Angeles. Over 50 SSSR members from overseas have asked for subvention in attendance, and about two dozen U.S. members have shown a desire to be on the Program. Klausner invited additional requests.

Jefferey K. Hadden was announced as the new SSSR representative to the American Academy for the Advancement of Science.

D'Antonio then spoke of the forthcoming membership drive, focusing on the national associations of psychologists, anthropologists, and sociologists. He asked, however, that any other organizations that might serve as channels to new members be brought to his attention. The goal for 1972 is 200 new members.

Charles Y. Glock presented the following resolutions of recognition and appreciation,:

  1. to Allan Eister and his Program Committee for the 1971 Program.
  2. to Waldo Burchard for heading the 1971 Local Arrangements.
  3. to the Bismarck Hotel for their cooperation.
  4. to James Dittes as outgoing Journal editor and to Paul Gustafson as outgoing Book Review Editor.
  5. to William Newman and Arnold Dashefsky for editing the 1971 Convention Abstracts.
  6. to Joseph Fichter as retiring President for his two years of devoted service to SSSR.
  7. to the President of the University of Connecticut for that university's assistance to the SSSR.

These were approved.

It was announced that, hereafter, membership on the Nominating Committee be staggered so as to allow for continuity in knowledge of who has been contacted.

Following some announcements of meetings during the final hours of the 1971 Convention, the Business Meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Phillip E. Hammond
Secretary

PEH:egs