Society for the Scientific Study of Religion

Council Meeting Minutes

November 13-16, 1986


PRESENT: Capps, Davidson, Gannon, Hadaway, Hammond, Ingram, McGuire,

Nelsen, Poloma, Robertson, Roozen, Tipton, Umansky, Wallace.

1. CALL TO ORDER: President Hammond called the council meeting to order at 7:50 p.m., November 13, 1986.

2. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Nelsen asked members to check the directory of council members and to provide home addresses.

3. MINUTES: It was moved (Robertson) and seconded (Davidson) that the minutes of the 1985 council meeting be approved. The motion carried.

4. IMPLEMENTING COUNCIL DIRECTIVES. 1985 Council had requested a mailed ballot polling members on the following issues: (1) moving the office and using Catholic University as an address; (2) approval of Stan Gaede as SSSR monograph editor; and (3) meeting jointly with the Religious Education Association. All three were approved unanimously.

A motion was made (Hammond) and seconded (McGuire) by Council to make the term of the monograph editor the same as that of the journal editor, namely four years. After some discussion noting that this specified length of term is an "expectation" rather than any "compulsion," the motion carried.

5. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY REPORT: Nelsen provided registration figures for the 1981 through 1985 meetings, with special note of the success of the Savannah meetings (341 registered). He also reminded members of the 1987 meeting site of Louisville (Seelbach Hotel) and the 1988 site of Chicago (Bismarck Hotel).

Nelsen reported that Capps' and Wuthnow's terms as editor and book review editor, respectively, end with the publication of the last issue of the JSSR in 1988. Announcements calling for the nomination or application for the editorship of JSSR are appearing in the September and December 1986 issues.

The year financially has been a good one and membership figures show an increase. Nelsen reported membership figures of 1475 and a library subscription rate of 1234 for 1986. This increase is due to his active solicitation of new members from the American Academy of religion, RRA, and ASR. Wallace congratulated Nelsen for this increase in membership which showed a small increase over the 1975 peak figures. Some discussion was held over Nelsen's concern about the predominance of sociologists in SSSR and about the importance of attracting members from other disciplines.

6. '86 PROGRAM CHAIR REPORT: Larry Ingram reported that he started out with certain goals, most of which he felt he met. In providing an interesting program, Ingram sought a tie-in with the capitol setting (a venture in which he reported "moderate success") and cooperation with RRA (which went smoothly). He reported 61 sessions in the 1986 program, just over his goal of 60 and just under the 62 sessions in Knoxville. Ingram was able to work in all the persons who wanted to participate. The commitment he was unable to keep was deadlines--"I set eight of them and met none." President Hammond commended Ingram for the fine work he did as Program Chair.

7. MEDIA RELATIONS REPORT: David Roozen reported the media coverage of the Savannah meetings was exceptional. Two contributing factors were expanding the mailing list to just over 300 names and the press conference surrounding the release of new empirical findings on the size of religious television audiences. He said he expected equally good press coverage of the 1986 meetings.

Among the "new initiatives" (i.e. things he wished he had time to get done) he would like to see implemented Roozen suggested: (1) putting out a press release about the SSSR annual book award; (2) putting out press releases on each issue of the journals; and (3) having the memberships select a short list of the "most significant religious events of the year" which could be circulated to the press.

A discussion followed about sending copies of the journals to more than the seven religion editors who presently receive them. It was generally felt that this is less effective for the average religion editor than press releases on select journal articles. Roozen was asked to talk with Bill D'Antonio to see what the ASA does to promote journal articles.

8. ADVERTISING / SUBVENTIONS: Nelsen reported the advertising to be a bit better this year. It also appeared that the book exhibit might be bigger this year.

9. ADVANCE REGISTRATIONS / MOVING SSSR TO D.C.: The SSSR office was moved to its new location at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. on July 1. Lorraine D'Antonio reported that 251 person had preregistered for this year's meeting. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. on Friday.

10. RESEARCH AWARDS: The Grants Awards Committee (McGuire, Wuthnow, and Fenn) received 22 proposals (up from last year's 17). Two of these were received several days after the deadline and not considered. Eleven applications were from "junior" researchers, and a total of eight awards, ranging from $500 to $1500 were made. One recipient returned the grant because of a new employment situation and that grant was awarded to the next candidate in line.

The final recipients were: Lee Kirkpatrick, Richard Lachmann, Roberto Cipriani, Lewis Carter, Maren Carden, James Hunter, Mary Jo Neitz, and Margaret Poloma.

Two specific recommendations regarding the grant award process are: (1) The awards should be formally limited to persons who have been members of SSSR at least one year prior to the application deadline. (2) The process of application and followup should be routinized and simplified, including a standardized, simple way of following up on the appropriate use of the money and whatever research productivity resulted.

Robertson suggested that the list of awards include the name of the recipient, the title and purpose of the project, and the amount of money. This information should be put in the report. Gannon felt the name of the recipient and the project title should be reported in the newsletter. It was moved (Gannon) that McGuire's two recommendations be adopted along with Robertson's suggestion of including the recipients' names and project titles in the newsletter. The motion was seconded (McGuire) and carried.

11. JOURNAL EDITORS' REPORTS: Donald Capps reported 126 submissions to the JSSR from September 1, 1985 through August 31, 1986. Of these 54% were rejected, 14% were invited resubmissions, 5% accepted subject to revision, 24% were accepted for publication, and 3% were currently under review. Capps also briefly reported on a symposium on Sunden's role theory. Hjalmar Sunden is a well-known (in Europe) Swedish psychologist of religion. Four articles in the September issue will focus on his work, giving an international thrust to the journal through the symposium.

Robert Wuthnow's report noted that 50 book reviews were published in the journal during the past year. Several double-length reviews were solicited for books deemed to be of special interest or importance. No review essays were published, although several unsolicited essays were received.

12. NEW FELLOWS: Hammond noted that four new Fellows were be announced at the business meeting.

13. 1987 PROGRAM CHAIR'S REPORT: 1987 Program Chair Ellen Umansky made a call for assistance, requesting persons to help organize sessions and provide ideas for plenary sessions.

14. FUTURE MEETING SITE: Nelsen provided information on the location of meetings since 1974 along with the room rates. The following locations were discussed as possible sites for the 1987 meetings before the selection of Louisville: New Orleans, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, and St. Louis. In attempting to select a site for 1989, he supplied hotel rates for the following sites: Salt Lake City, Hilton Head Island, Boston, Hartford, Minneapolis, and Cincinnati. Salt Lake City was selected for the 1989 meetings, with 7 in favor and 3 opposed.



The meeting broke off at 10:20 p.m., October 13, and resumed the next morning, October 14, at 8:30 a.m.



PRESENT: Bibby, Capps, Davidson, Gaede, Gannon, Hammond, Ingram, McGuire, Mauss, Nelson, Poloma, Roof, Tipton, Wallace.

15. TREASURER'S REPORT: Armand Mauss began his report with "four happy observations": (1) the operating budget was nearly balanced; (2) the organization made almost $10,000 in interest on the total stocks and bonds portfolio; (3) SSSR made $20,000 in profit on the sale or turnover of holdings in the portfolio (about four times last year's profit; and (4) the General Fund Balance (or Net Worth) is $144,000, the highest ever.

Some discussion was held about possible unused research award funds, with the suggestion that a deadline be given for an award's use. McGuire will make note of a provision of a three-year maximum time provision in future letters to recipients.

Wallace suggested a panel of research award recipients be scheduled on next year's program to allow members an opportunity to see the types of projects funded and some of the results.

16. MONOGRAPH SERIES: Stan Gaede reported some difficulties in the transition of editors. Gade's term did not begin until well into 1986, leaving a significant hiatus between the terms of the two editors. This break in the review process caused some loss of manuscripts.

Gaede did announce the acceptance of a seventh monograph in the SSSR series: Leaving Cults: The Dynamics of Defection byStuart A. Wright. He reported pleasure with the monograph but expressed a concern that virtually all of the monograph submissions are in the sociology of religion. Gaede requested suggestions from Council for securing more interdisciplinary works.

17. SSSR COORDINATED TRAVEL: Clark Roof proposed that the SSSR sponsor an educational tour of China that would focus on China's religion, during the spring or early summer, 1988. Such a tour could be organized by William Powell of the University of California, Santa Barbara. The Council deliberated and then approved Roof's proposal with the understanding that SSSR is not assuming any economic liability in assuming this sponsorship.

18. GALLUP OMNIBUS RELIGION SURVEY: Council discussed the possibility of accepting Gallup's invitation to be involved in an annual thermometer reading of the religious health of the nation. George Gallup is seeking approximately $20,000 from various organizations which would be used to collect additional data on religion and which would be available for analysis by participants. Roof asked about quality control, and it was suggested that Wuthnow might be willing to monitor the surveys.

Following this brief introduction to the project, George Gallup arrived to present his needs, the greatest appearing to be input on measurement by scholars of religion. He proposed that, should SSSR be interested in the survey, he would bring representatives to Princeton to facilitate working on the project. Gallup noted the similarity between this proposed project and two previously undertaken by the Gallup Organization: TheUnchurched American and The Electronic Church.

The proposal seemed to involve two stages: (1) a $1000 "entry fee" which would provide an opportunity for input and allow access to the data set and (2) a contribution of $4000 which would permit persons to include four or five of their own questions in the national survey.

Nelsen suggested that SSSR budget $5000 to participate, with $1000 as the "entry fee" and the remaining $4000 to serve as a research award for a scholar submitting an acceptable proposal for stage two. Persons who expressed an interest in working with the Gallup Organization included Hadaway, Nelsen, Poloma, Bibby, and Roof. McGuire as Chair of the Research Award's Committee will announce the project at the business meeting to learn of other's possible interest.

19. BOOK AWARD COMMITTEE REPORT: Stan Weed reported that his committee received six nominations for the book award. Stark and Bainbridge's The Future of Religion was selected in part because of its general scope. This award will be announced at the business meeting.

Discussion was held and recommendations made regarding how best to secure early nominations of books for this award. It was recommended that Bob Wuthnow be approached to head the committee as book review editor or at least to ask him to serve as a referral for potential awards. The newsletter will also contain an announcement requesting nominations be sent to Hart Nelsen.

20. BUDGET FOR 1986-1987: It was moved by Davidson and seconded by Bibby that the monograph budget be increased to $8800 (up from $8300) to allow $500 for copy editing. Motion was approved.

Mauss moved the acceptance of the 1986-87 budget; Nelsen seconded. Motion carried.

21. NEW BUSINESS / RESOLUTIONS: Hammond noted that Nelsen's term as Executive Secretary is scheduled to end in December, 1987 if the change in the constitution limiting the term to four years were applied. Applying the "grandfather clause," however, would allow it to end in 1988. Regardless of whether it ends in 1987 or 1988, it is time to start thinking about good candidates for Executive Secretary.

Wallace expressed some concerns about academic freedom in studying religion, particularly in light of the dismissal of theologian Charles Curran from Catholic University. Discussion indicated that Council was reluctant to pass a resolution reprimanding the actions of a particular religious denomination, but some were concerned about the larger issue of academic freedom with regard to the scientific study of religion. Wallace in turn proposed the adoption of the following resolution:

"While as scholars of religion we are pleased to see attention given to religion, we note at the same time with alarm the frequency with which such attention is couched in emotional and/or political terms. We reaffirm this Society's commitment to the free and scholarly study of religion." The motion was seconded (McGuire) and passed, with 9 in favor and 4 abstaining.

21. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 11:30, October 14

Respectfully submitted,
Margaret M. Poloma
Secretary

1986 Business Meeting - Minutes

The meeting was called to order by President Phillip Hammond at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 14. He introduced new council members and thanked outgoing members.

The minutes of the October 26, 1985 business meeting were approved.

Executive Secretary's Report: Hart Nelsen noted the success of the Savannah meetings for which 341 individuals registered. This figure is in line with the 290 registrants in a "moderately successful" year and 340 in a "good year." Nelsen reported 370 persons were registered for the present meeting.

Nelsen noted that SSSR journal editor Capps' and book review editor Wuthnow's terms end in 1988. New editors are to assume responsibility in June, 1988. Council and members approved Stan Gaede as the new monograph editor.

SSSR's business office has relocated in Washington, D.C. Nelsen reported an increase in members to 1475 as well as an increase in library subscriptions to 1234.

Hart Nelsen's term as Executive Secretary is coming to an end. Names of candidates are being sought.

Research Awards Committee: Meredith McGuire announced the names of eight recipients of this year's award in amounts ranging from $500 to $1500. The recipients were: Lee Kirkpatrick, Richard Lachmann, Roberto Cipriani, Lewis Carter, Maren Carden, James Hunter, Mary Jo Neitz, and Margaret Poloma. $8000 has been budgeted for next year. Forms are available from McGuire.

McGuire informed members that Council had approved establishing a committee to work with the Gallup Organization on establishing barometric measures for religion in America. Interested persons should contact her no later than December 3. In subsequent years SSSR will give an award to a researcher allowing the recipient to submit two or three questions on this national poll.

JSSR Report: Editor Donald Capps noted the journal received 126 submissions, 24% of which were accepted for publication. He also announced the symposium on Swedish psychologist of religion, Hjalmar Sunden's role theory which will appear in the September issue.

Treasurer's Report: Armand Mauss reported a balanced budget for the period ending in August, 1986, with a surplus of only $400. $10,000 was earned in interest on the portfolio and $20,000 in sales or turnover of portfolio holdings. SSSR has a net worth of $144,000 and is in healthy shape.

Program Chair 1986: Larry Ingram commented that the program booklet was a self-evident report. He was happy to facilitate all persons who wished to participate.

SSSR Business Meeting - Page 2

Ingram announced the two winners who had tied in the student paper competition. They were Anne Hendershott of The University of Akron/Kent State University and Conrad Kanagy of Wheaton College.

Program Chair 1987: Ellen Umansky announced the program theme as"Religion and the Persistence of Identity." She urged members to contact her at the Department of Religion, Emory University, Atlanta, GA30322, to create sessions, roundtables, multimedium presentations, etc. The deadline for submission of session proposals is January 15, 1987 and abstracts or papers, February 16, 1987. Deadline for letters of acceptance or rejection of papers is March 16, 1987.

Future Meeting Sites: The 1987 meeting site is Louisville, Kentucky at the Seelbach Hotel; 1988, in Chicago at the Bismarck, and 1989 in Salt Lake City.

There was an appeal made for a Canadian meeting site. President Phillip Hammond asked that the minutes show the request for a Canadian city to appear on the list of potential sites.

New Fellows: Five persons who have been members of the SSSR for 25 years were received as new Fellows and awarded certificates.

Distinguished Book Award: Stan Weed announced the recipient of the book award, chosen from six books nominated this year. Rodney Stark and William Bainbridge's Future of Religion was selected for its broad and expansive approach, contrasting with the more focused approaches of recent past selections.

Other Business: Clark Roof will bring together information on a Spring or Summer 1988 proposed trip to China for interested SSSR members. Watch the newsletter for further developments.

It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried.

Respectfully submitted

Margaret M. Poloma, Secretary