The meeting was called to order by President Hadden at 12:30, Oct. 27. He noted the new council members, Thomas Gannon and Reginald Bibby, and he thanked the outgoing council members Eileen Barker
and John Seidler. There was a moment of silence in memory of Dwight Culver.
The 1983 minutes were corrected and approved.
Executive Secretary's Report.
Hart Nelsen noted high registration for the meetings and also the quality of the program.
Membership is up, being 1277 in 1982,1321 in 1983, and 1399 in 1984. 1218 libraries subscribe to the Journal.
The 1984 budget included a $30,000 deficit; unexpected income and lower than expected expenses gave a real deficit of $10,000. Given rising costs, he noted that a dues increase would be necessary in 1986.
Nelsen also reported a new consitution has been written and the by-laws revised. The major change is substituting the office of President-Elect for Vice-President. It will be voted on by the members.
On future meetings, Nelsen announced that the '85 meeting will be held at the Hyatt in Savannah, Oct. 24-27. In 1988 we will be returning to the Bismarck ( Chicago ) --low guaranteed rates. The contract has not yet been signed for the '86 meetings. The '87 meeting site has yet to be determined. Suggestions are most welcome.
Media Report.
David Roozen reported that there are signs that our efforts here are paying off. More members of the press are at the '84 meeting than ever before and increasingly he is being contacted by the press during the year.
'84 Meeting.
President Hadden said he was pleased with the '84 program and thanked the program chair, Dean Hoge, for his fine work. He also thanked the local arrangements chair, Steve Warner, for his contribution.
Research Awards.
Phil Hammond reported that in the last year $12,000 was awarded to six applicants. One flaw in the procedure is that an early deadline makes it difficult for foreign applications; the deadline will be moved back to avoid this. Next year $6000 will be available ($8000 if the budget looks strong).
JSSR Report.
In Don Capps absence, Hadden briefly noted the high quality of articles. Submission rates remain constant as do acceptance (15%) and "revise and resubmit" (23%) rates. He thanked Capps and Bob Wuthnow for their fine work on the Journal.
'85 Program Report.
Andy Shupe, the '85 Program Chair, announced the theme: "Religion and the Political Order." He encouraged members to propose symposia, seminars, and sessions.
Endowment Fund.
Clark Roof gave a progress report on the endowment fund approved at the '83 meeting. While no revenues have been secured, an ad hoc committee has been formed to develop future plans and strategy. Some of the long term goals are funding research, convening special conferences, and communicating research findings to the general public.
Monograph Series.
James Wood reported that Bergesen's The Sacred and the Subversive is now available and that Blizzard's The Protestant Parish Minister will soon be sent to the printer A third manuscript, Mobilizing Social Movement Organizations by James Davidson, has been accepted end will go to the printers in the spring.
Treasurer's Report.
David Roozen stated that after several years of unsuccessfully attempting deficit spending (in order to reduce the assets which increased in recent years),we finally succeeded. A deficit of $10,000, combined with the relatively poor performance of the investment portfolio, resulted in a net decline. (End 1983 assets: 146,000; end 1984 assets: 144,000.)
We had budgeted a $31,200 deficit based on a cash flow income of $72,000 and cash flow expense of $103,000. Actual income was about 15% over budget (new memberships, library renewals, dividends/interest) and actual expense was about 12% less than budgeted resulting in a $10,000 deficit.
Roozen noted that Council had accepted an 84-5 budget of $84,750, which assumes a slight deficit. The motion passed to accept the report.
Roozen also reported Council's resolution to increase dues in 1986--$4 for individual memberships, $5 for institutional subscriptions and $2 for student and emeritus memberships. After two amendments, the motion on dues passed-membership and individual subscription: $24; student and emeritus remaining at $10; and institutional subscription: $35.
SSSR Fellows.
Hadden reported that Council had established the "Fellows" program and elected its members. Eligibility requires that an individual be a member of SSSR for 25 years.