With about 2 dozen members attending, President Eister called the meeting to order. The previous minutes were accepted as published in the Journal.
The retirements of Ted Mills as Treasurer and Phil Hammond as Secretary were announced, as were their successors, Russ Dynes and Dean Knudsen. The changes in Council, resulting from the recent elections were also noted: Bryan Wilson and Dean Hoge to replace Jeff Hadden and Morton King.
The Executive Sec'y. offered his report (elsewhere published in this Journal). He wanted it known that Morton King deserves credit for instigating the practice whereby up to half of the Society's General Fund can be invested in stocks, a practice which has helped enormously during recent years. He also noted his sadness at stepping down from the Executive Secretaryship, a para-academic job from which he has d(e)rived more pleasure than any since he was a wrestling coach. This, he said, was owing to the fine quality of the SSSR members.
Treasurer Mills' report (elsewhere published) noted a 12% increase in the 1975-76 general fund. He reaffirmed the Council's hope to reach a General Fund equal to one year's operations costs. Sam Klausner's urging in 1969 that dues be raised to $15.00 has aided in this aim, but as Mills pointed out, with increased income matching increased outgo, we have not raised dues since 1969, and no raise is anticipated. Mills indicated his happy anticipation at switching from Treasurer to Executive Sec'y.
Journal Editor Gorsuch's report (elsewhere published) indicated his aim of meeting a 90-day turnaround time. Generally, this is met. He thanked members who help in reviewing mss.
Book Review Editor Hadden explained why fewer reviews have recently appeared. This is by design, he said, and projected more review symposia and Heritage reviews. The problem of tardy (and even promised-but-unreceived reviews) was mentioned, but no public chastisement is now planned for delinquent members.
Eister announced the Ad Hoc Committee on Publications (see Council Minutes).
Dean Hoge, Program Chairman for 1976, told of his pleasure at receiving such cooperation. Led by Hadden, the group joined in accaliming Hoge's job. Barbara Hargrove said that she was empowered to convey RRA's gratitude at being able to meet once again with SSSR.
D 'Antonio announced the 1977 meeting site as Chicago, the 1978 site as Boston or Hartford, and invited suggestions for 1979.
The annual Southwestern meeting of several organizations (was) announced for Enid, Oklahoma in Spring 1977, and the AAAS meeting was announced for February in Denver. Eister indicated the excellence of the last AAAS meeting, Section on Religion, at which Paul Pruyser delivered the address, and Don Ploch and and Richard Fenn were discussants.
The Special Award to Meredith McGuire was announced, as was the availability of another competition for a $1500 award.
One member announced the creation of the Section on World Conflict of the American Sociological Association and urged SSSR members to join.
Hart Nelsen read the following Memorial:
I have been asked to speak in memory of Samuel Wilson Blizzard,
1914-1976. His undergraduate work was done at Maryville and his doctorate at Cornell. His seminary work was completed at Princeton Theological Seminary; and he served pastorates in Roselle, New Jersey, and Long Green and Ashland, Maryland. He did post graduate work at Mansfield College, Oxford University.
Following his graduate study he taught at Wooster, Pennsylvania State, Union Seminary, and finally, Princeton Theological Seminary where he held the Maxwell H. Upston Chair of Christianity and Society. In 1975 he retired due to illness.
He was director of the Russell Sage Foundation's Training for the
Ministry Project from 1953 to 1960 and the National Council of Churches'
clergy Research Project from 1957 to 1958. He is best known for his
seminal work on clergy role. His activity in professional associations
included being a member of the council of this society.
His teaching informed and influenced countless students and he helped shape the research interests of many of those who had the chance to study with him. More importantly, his students received from him concern, patience, insight into both career and self and an image of a scholar both wise about academe and church and at peace with self and vocation.
A B.D. student of Sam's from 1960 through 1963, I received from him training that well-suited both my own background and gave insight into areas fruitful for research. Shortly after his death I received a note from his widow Harriet who wrote that "it was hard not to idealize the man because he was truly a great person...quiet, with an innate sense of what was real and what was only a wishful figment of our desires." Sam knew his students well and he brought out the best in us.
Hart M. Nelsen
Professor and Chair, Sociology,
Catholic University of America
****
At this point, President Eister noted that, as with any organization our size, deaths of members are not infrequent. This year, for example, the Society notes with regret the passing of Juan Pearson, J.A. Franquiz, W.B. Blakemore, Arthur Gilbert as well as Samuel Blizzard. The Council however, had voted to memorialize only those members who had in some extraordinary way been involved organizationally in SSSR.
The resolutions, as follows, were then read and approved by applause:
To thank Professor Dean Hoge and the members of his advisory committee (listed in the program booklet) for having organized a splendid scientific program that has truly lived up to its title:
"Taking Stock of our Traditions - Religion in America and the Analytic Study of Religion"
and has been an occasion for a spirited and amicable gathering of three learned societies.
To thank Professor Samuel Klausner and his committee for having made the practical arrangements for the Society's sojourn in this city of love- which was blessed during the meeting with visits by both the outgoing and the incoming President of the United States.
To thank Ms. Susan Miller for the splendid work she has done with Mrs. Lorraine D 'Antonio and others to make a smooth process of registration and other administrative details of this annual meeting.
Lastly, for the magnificent work of the outgoing Executive Secretary Dr. William D 'Antonio. The Society's current excellence, scope and fiscal viability are very much the product of this gentleman from Connecticut!