The minutes of the October 27, 1984 business meeting were approved.
Executive Secretary's Report:
Hart Nelsen noted the success of the Savannah meeting by giving registration figures, deemed high, and he noted the complete booking of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. He thanked Anson Shupe, program chair, for such a fine meeting.
Nelsen noted that the increase in dues has had no negative effect on the number of members or subscribers. SSSR membership remains stable at about 1400 members. Membership turnover continues to range between 10-15%.
Concerning the revision of the constitution and bylaws, Nelsen reported that it passed overwhelmingly. The voting was as follows: 260, or 90.3% voting for the revision; 19, or 6.6% abstaining; and 9, or 3.1% voting against.
The 1986 annual meeting will be held at the Hyatt-Regency Hotel, Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., November 14-16.
Research Award Committee:
Phil Hammond reported that 8 research awards were given last year, with the amounts varying between $500 and $1500. While no recipient was funded fully, a greater number received awards than in years past. He was pleased with the number and quality of applications.
JSSR Report:
Jeff Hadden reported in Don Capps' absence. He announced that two special symposia will be forthcoming: "Religious Orientation Typologies" and "Augustine Update." While the quantity of subsmissions is down just a bit, the quality remains high.
Monograph Report:
Jim Wood announced that Blizzard's The Protestant Parish Minister is just off the press. A second mongraph, Mobilizing Social Movement Organizations, by Jim Davidson, will be out very shortly.
Treasurer's Report:
David Roozen reported that the financial condition of the Society is stable and, thus, good. Using the unaudited figures, total actual income for the 84-85 fiscal year was $86,054, exceeding slightly an expense total of $83,768. The portfolio, moreover, is now valued at about $129,000, up nearly 10% over last year.
Once again, a balanced budget has been proposed for next year. Just over $100,000 will be budgeted for expenses in 1986. The motion was made and passed to accept the Treasurer's report.
Media Report:
David Roozen noted that the 1985 Meetings have received more media attention than ever before. At least 20 representatives from the press will attend. This interest results from a significant increase in publicity efforts (preliminary programs and abstract books were sent out this year to selected press representatives) along with an expanded mailing list of over 300 press people. Roozen said he was pleased with the results.
1986 Program:
Larry Ingram, next year's program chair, issued a call for papers for the Washington, D. C. Meeting. The theme will be "The Sacred and the Public Realm."
1987 Meeting:
Hart Nelsen announced the Council's decision to meet in Louisville in 1987. Hotel accommodations have not yet been finalized but we have good price quotations from both the Seelbach and the Hyatt Regency Hotels. Louisville should be an excellent site for the meetings.
Distinguished Book Award:
Jeff Hadden reported on the initiation of the Distinguished Book Award last year, noting that the first recipient was Meredith McGuire. This year's winner will be announced at the Presidential Address later this afternoon. [At that later time the announcement was: Distinguished Book Award to Eileen Barker for her The Making of a Moonie, Oxford and New York: Basil Blackwell, 1984.]
SSSR Fellows:
Last year, the Society initiated a fellows program. To be inducted, an individual must have been a SSSR member for at least 25 years. Those inducted this year are: Robert A. Embree, Charles W. Estus, Russell Haddendorf, Richard A. Hunt, James A. Knight, Donald S. Marshall, James B. Sadler. Russell Heddendorf was present to receive his certificate.
It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried.
Respectfully submitted
S. D. Gaede, Secretary