Society for the Scientific Study of Religion
Business Meeting Minutes
1975
The meeting was called to order by President Pruyser. About 50 persons attended. The 1974 minutes were accepted as printed in the Journal. President Pruyser announced that his term as president and the term of Gillian Lindt as Vice President have come to a conclusion, and that the newly elected president is Allan Eister and vice president, Benton Johnson. Terms on the council have concluded for Glenn Vernon, Max Stackhouse, and Joseph Fichter, and newly elected members of the council are Barbara Hargrove and Sister Marie Augusta Neal.
William D'Antonio then presented his annual Executive Secretary's report (elsewhere published in this Journal). Edgar Mills then presented the Treasurer's report (elsewhere published in this Journal). He noted that while the financial situation of SSSR is healthy once again, the expense curve is approaching the income curve, and in the future they no doubt will meet. He offered the 1976 budget, noting a few changes that the Council had made. This budget is elsewhere published in the Journal.
Journal editor Gorsuch then reported. He explained the slight delay that has been occurring in sending issues of the Journal. (Other elements of his report are contained in the minutes of the Council meeting.) He requested of the membership additional suggestions for reviewers of manuscripts. Book review editor Hadden reported that a review symposium on Robert Bellah's work is forthcoming, with another symposium on Peter Berger's work the following year. He also announced to the membership his plans for a "heritage" series, reviews of classics, reprinted books, or overlooked works, and so forth.
The program chairman for 1975, Vatro Murvar, thanked all who helped in
putting together this program. His successor, Dean Hoge, program chairman for 1976, announced next year's theme and its location in Philadelphia. He requested suggestions from members for topics and participants.
President Pruyser then discussed the monograph series. Several manuscripts, he said, had been submitted, but none was judged adequate. The series continues however, and subvention money is available for deserving manuscripts. Hammond reported on the research reward granted to William Silverman in 1975 and announced that a similiar award would be given in 1976.
Pruyser then expressed his gratitude and the society's gratitude to William D'Antonio for his service. There followed a standing ovation. Edgar Mills was then introduced as the incoming Executive Secretary.
President Pruyser then presented the resolution of thanks to Program Chairman Vatro Murvar and his assistant, Thomas Pilarzyk, and their universities for help on the program. Gratitude went also to David Moberg and his assistants, William Everett, Sr. Agnes Pertzborn, for local arrangements, and to Wayne Youngquist for publicity. Thanks were expressed also to Gillian Lindt for her liaison work with AAAS.
James Dittes then presented a memorium to Horace Friess. He (in collaboration with Ralph Burhoe) reminded us of Professor Friess' presidency of SSSR in 1964. Friess was, Dittes reminded us, the last "philosopher" to head our society. He was a teacher at Columbia, a leader in The Ethical Culture Society, and a faithful member of this Society. Dittes read briefly from a text, Religion in Various Cultures, that Friess wrote in 1932. The passage revealed Friess' prescience, Dittes said, noting the scientific nature of his outlook. Not only did he help found SSSR, but his enthusiasm was shown in his insistence on serving as his own Program Chairman during
his term as President. Far from indicating a sense of "self-promotion," however, it instead showed his capacity to deal intently on whatever person or idea captured his attention.
The Business Meeting having drawn to a close, President Pruyser declared adjournment, and the attending members rose in response and applauded their retiring President
Respectfully submitted,
Phillip E. Hammond
Secretary