November
5, 2000
Atlanta,
Georgia
MINUTES FROM LAST YEAR'S MEETING
The minutes from last year's meeting were posted on the
APRRE website prior to the meeting. No questions or comments were raised. The
minutes were adopted.
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP REPORT
The following data was distributed as part of the meeting
agenda.
|
1992-93: 276
members 1993-94: 264 1994-95: 287 1995-96: 303 1996-97: 342 1997-98: 305 1998-99: 302 1999-00: 299 2000-01: 215
as of 10/31/00 |
1991 Chicago 144 1992 Indianapolis 134 1993 Ft. Worth 103 1994 Chicago 141 1995 Chicago 156 1996 New Orleans 176 1997 Oakland 126 1998 Orlando 173 1999 Toronto 132 2000 Atlanta 133
pre-registered |
Memorials and retirements
The life of Ken Stokes was remembered through Bill Lord's
reading of selections from a memorial prepared by Barney Kathan. The
membership requested that APRRE correspond with Ken Stokes' widow stating that
his passing was recognized and honored at the meeting.
Bill Lord's retirement was honored by Wenh-In Ng, Lorna
Bowman and Allen Moore. Ng described Lord as an educating, enabling, wonderful
and congenial colleague/mentor/pastor. She shared vignettes of times when Lord
invited her into various forums on Christian Education, faith developments
studies, learning styles, etc. Bowman described him as generous with his time
to be in classes. He has great professional clarity, generosity of spirit and
pastoral ability. Despite the distance he was present at the funeral of her
father. Allen Moore described Lord as one of the more faithful members of
APRRE. He was the director of the continuing education program at Toronto and a
member of sacem. Moore always
looks forward to seeing him so that he can learn from Lord's wisdom. Lord's
wife is retiring also. They make a terrific teaching team. Lord is the adult
guarantor of Rebecca, daughter of the Moores.
An invitation was made for other retirements or memorials.
Iris Cully is having hip replacement surgery and needs everyone's prayers. A
request was made that a note be sent to the Warren family regarding their loss
and indicating they were remembered at the meeting.
Masters degree student
participation
The following motion was presented to the membership from
the Executive Committee:
That APRRE allow and encourage
interested Masters level students attend APRRE Annual Meetings, but that
younger scholars and doctoral students be given priority in travel grants.
Masters level students who are planning to go on to doctoral work may apply for
travel grants, with a supporting letter or recommendation from an APRRE faculty
member that they are indeed on the path to the profession. [text was printed in
the meeting agenda]
Groome asked for status of the Travel Fund. The response was
that it stands at approximately $11,500. Groome encouraged the membership to
make the fund part of their philanthropy. Groome spoke against the motion in
light because it is in tension with putting a priority on doctorial students
and the fact of limited resources. Lucinda Huffaker suggested that funds could
be available to masters level but limit grants to minority students. The
following amendment was made: travel grants to masters made be made on occasion
but such grants are limited to ethnic minority students. Seconded by Groome.
Vote was taken on the motion as amended and it passed.
JOINT APRRE-REA DISCUSSIONS
Jack Seymour reported that liaison committee is being
established to discuss the relationship between APRRE and REA. There are
various transitions occurring in both organizations that make this an opportune
time to discuss issues of coordination, programming, and administration.
Next year's meeting
Wenh-In Ng reported on plans for next year's meeting. It
will be held in Minneapolis at the Marriott City Center on November 2-4, 2001.
The theme will deal with education in an age of globalization. Globalization
refers to the whole phenomena of world markets, world migration, instant
communication, cultural homogenization, and being forced to face other
ethnicities. How do we as teachers of theology and religion and as
practitioners face this? What is the impact on curriculum and practice?
Pan-African scholars are working together to have a segment of the theme.
Chuck Melchert described some of the planned arrangements.
The hotel is downtown and has enclosed skywalks through several city blocks.
There will only be one banquet in next year's program and its cost will be
rolled into the registration fee so as to distribute the burden and not have
two levels of participation. Melchert explained that there is a connection
between having planned meals in the hotel and receiving good room rates in
negotiating with hotels. The REA may choose to have a separate banquet but
would be an elective meal for the general APRRE membership.
ELECTION OF NEW EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Seymour explained that Melchert's time of service as
Executive Secretary is coming to an end. He will finally have the extra time to
pursue other interests. The membership gave Melchert an enthusiastic standing
ovation for a good period of time. He was praised for his good stewardship and
wise leadership of APRRE. APRRE will forever be in his debt.
Russ Moy reported on behalf of the search committee. He
explained the process taken to develop a job description, conduct a search and
plan for an overlap period with Melchert.
Randy Litchfield was presented for election as Executive Secretary. The
nomination was accepted and passed.
Litchfield's election created a vacancy in the position of
Recording Secretary. Seymour announced that Bill Lord has been appointed to the
position for a two-year term.
Budget and financial reports
Copies of the financial report were distributed to the
membership. A statement of the level of reserve funds was not included. The
reserves function as a cushion in the event of a bad attendance year. Net worth
is $18,900, which includes $10,500 in the travel fund. Net worth now—_________.
Travel grants are paid from current year contributions and interest on the
fund's principle. The increase in dues to $65 passed last year does not go into
effect until next year. That makes the actual income under budget but expenses
were under budget as well. A motion was made to accept the report. It was
seconded and passed without dissent.
The proposed budget reflects the $65 rate for membership and
is based on the current registration numbers for this meeting. Melchert
highlighted that $400 was being budgeted for a financial audit and $2,000 for
Executive Secretary transition expenses. He explained that the $2,000 included
sending Litchfield to meeting planning seminars and joint site visits to select
the 2002 meeting location within the next 6-8 months. The official transition between
Melchert and Litchfield will take place on July 1, 2001 with the new budget
year. The budget also reflects per diem funds to compensate for time committed
prior to July 1. Chuck Foster moved to accept budget. It was seconded and
passed.
election of New officers
It was explained that one-third of the Executive Committee
is replaced each year and that the Vice-President proceeds to become
President-Elect and then President. Thanks were given to Bill Lord, Evelyn
Parker and Catherine Siejk for their work on the Committee over the last three
years. Sara Lee could not be present so Melchert gave the report of the
nominating committee. Nominees for the Executive Committee included Jerome
Berryman, Mary Hess, and Lucinda Huffaker. The nominee for Vice President was
Anne Streaty Wimberly. The vote was unanimous in favor of the slate of
nominees.
EXPRESSIONS OF APPRECIATION
Seymour expressed thanks to Tom Groome for his continued
service as Past President, applause. He also thanked Sara Lee for her contributions
to make aprre such a strong
organization. It was unfortunate that she could not be present. Seymour
asked that a letter of thanks be sent to Lee. She was given applause in
absentia. Thanks were also given to Seymour for a great program this year, applause.
The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Randy Litchfield
Recording Secretary