Society for the Scientific Study of Religion
Business Meeting Minutes
1978
The meeting was called to order by President William D'Antonio at 11:30 A.M.
- Minutes: It was moved that the minutes of the last year's meeting be approved as printed in the Journal. Motion passed.
- Obituaries: The deaths of SSSR members Hei Chu Kim and Oliver Whitley were noted.
- New Council: D'Antonio welcomed Robert Wuthnow and James Richardson to the SSSR Council and thanked Marie Augusta Neal and Barbara Hargrove for their years of service.
- Executive Secretary Report: The Executive Secretary Report was given jointly by Ted Mills and Clark Roof who became executive officer on August 1.
- Events of the past year included a slight drop in membership, the presentation of the research award to Peter Takayama for a study of religious organizations, the publication of the first monograph in the SSSR monograph series, a change of JSSR editor to Phil Hammond, continuation of a financially sound operating budget and a division of administrative tasks with the Business office going to the University of Connecticut under Lorraine D'Antonio and the Executive office to the University of Massachusetts.
- The SSSR Archives are now located in the Marquette University library under the direction of a trained librarian.
- There is no membership directory due to insufficient subscriptions and excessive costs.
- Program for 1978 is excellent with 345 registrants. Thanks are due to Gillian Lindt for development of the program.
- Executive Secretary Roof also thanked Bill and Lorraine D'Antonio and Ted Mills for assistance during the transition of office.
- Bill D'Antonio expressed appreciation to Ted Mills on behalf of the Council and SSSR for his last two years of service.
- Treasurer's Report: The Treasurer's report was given by Russell Dynes. During 1977-78 the budget was overspent but income exceeded expenditures. A deficit is projected for 1978-79 of about $3,000, largely due to expenses associated with the development of the monograph series.
- Program Chair Report: The Program Chair report was given by Gillian Lindt. Special thanks was expressed for her work.
- Future Meetings: The 1979 meeting will be in San Antonio, October 26-28. For 1980, Washington, D.C., Cincinnati, Baltimore are under consideration. The decision concerns costs of hotel rooms and travel, but a final decision will be made soon.
- Program Chair: Program Chair for 1979 is Newton Maloney. Theme is "Lifestyle and Faith: Implications for Personal and Institutional Religion."
- Journal: Journal editor Richard Gorsuch reviewed the past four years, during which 576 articles were submitted and 111 published. A mixture of disciplines have been represented, but the great need continues for theoretical articles. Jeff Hadden reported briefly about books for review and, Phil Hammond was introduced as new JSSR editor.
- Monograph: Monograph editor William Newman reported the publication of the first monograph by Richard Fenn, Toward A Theory of Secularization.Two more monographs are in preparation for next year.
- Awards: The research award is being suspended temporarily in an effort to control costs for the coming year.
- Publications: Publications Chair Bernard Spilka reported on council actions: the length of JSSR is being expanded to 104 pages; a price differential policy has been established for libraries at 150 percent of individual price to be reached within five years; monographs will be differentially priced for members and for non-member/library orders; and there will be no process fee for manuscripts submitted.
- Nominations Committee: Nominations Committee for 1978-79 is Don Capps, Chair, Barbara Hargrove, and Dave Roozen. There are now separate ballots for President and Vice-President. Nominations for office can be made by 25 member signatures with a deadline of February 15.
- CSR & AAAS: SSSR will continue its affiliation with CSR and its activities with AAAS.
- Adjourned: Meeting was adjourned at 12:30 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Dean Knudsen,
Secretary