(a) The 70th anniversary of the first meeting was commemorated this year by a reception hosted by Paul Gooch, President of Victoria University in the University of Toronto, complemented by a visit (directed by Sol Nigosian) to the Senior Common Room of Victoria’s Burwash Hall, the site of the first CSBS meeting on May 2 and 3, 1933. The society offers special thanks to Paul and Victoria University for this generosity. The 75th anniversary of the first meeting is scheduled for the meeting in 2007; the Executive encourages members to suggest to them ways to celebrate this upcoming event.
(b) Congratulations go to Ken Penner, from McMaster University, and Matthew Mitchell, from Temple University, for having captured this year’s student essay prizes. Long may they write and continue to be honoured!
(c) The innovative “Feminisms, Culture and the Bible” seminar will metamorphose next year into an ongoing “Reading Bible, Gender and Theory” seminar, still chaired by Fiona Black (fblack@mta.ca) and Erin Runions (er529@columbia.edu). Suggestions for panels and topics are encouraged and should be sent to them.
(d) Bill Morrow announced the creation of a new three-year, multi-society seminar to begin in 2003, on the study of religion and violence. The goal is to encourage discussion, research and publication on violence and religion by Canadian scholars. (Bill has, um, spearheaded this project and will be the CSBS representative on the steering committee.) The CSSR and the CTS will name their representatives, and CSBS members will be kept informed. Bill welcomes all inquiries, as well as paper and panel proposals for the 2003 meeting (morroww@post.queensu.ca).
(e) Richard Ascough (rsa@post.queensu.ca) reminded members of the grant and professional development opportunities offered by the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion (http://www.wabashcenter.wabash.edu/index.html)
(f) Our special guest this year is Dr. Johannes Vorster, who comes to us from UNISA (South Africa). He will participate in a joint session on Women, War and the Interpretation of Scripture (organized by Fiona Black and Erin Runions), and give a plenary address.
(g) The CSBS’s links with the Canadian Corporation for Studies in Religion continue to be strong and fruitful. Key members of the CCSR continue to be CSBS members, including: Willi Braun, who served as the Managing Editor of Studies in Religion for six years (1995-2001 volumes) and steps down at this meeting; Bill Arnal, recently appointed as the new English-language editor of SR; Margaret MacDonald, the CCSR president; Theo de Bruyn, the CCSR’s Book Publications Officer; and Nicola Denzey, the CCSR’s webmaster.

Peter Richardson noted recent publications in the CCSR-sponsored book publications series, Études/Studies in Judaism and Christianity: John Marshall’s Parables of War: Reading John’s Jewish Apocalypse (ESCJ 10), Jack Lightstone’s Mishnah and the Social Formation of the Early Rabbinic Guild (ESCJ 11), and (forthcoming) Harry Maier’s The Social Setting of the Ministry as Reflected in the Writings of Hermas, Clement and Ignatius (ESCJ 12; reprint from the now-defunct WLUP series “Dissertations SR,” 1991). Peter added that we can expect several more volumes over the next two years.

Some key CCSR-related points:

• Studies in Religion continues to encourage high-quality article submissions from CSBS members; before submitting, do revise your papers with a view to engaging a wider academic audience (please contact SR’s new English-language editor, Bill Arnal; warnal@hotmail.com).
• Note the appearance of a new category in SR, “Oeuvre en vue,” which allows for book discussions and multiple reviews of a single book. The new English-language Book Review Editor is Herb Berg (bergh@uncwil.edu).
• Recent issues of SR (vols. 28-30, 1-2) are now fully digitalized, searchable, and available on-line for a trial period. You will find a link on the CCSR website (www2.ccsr.ca). WLUP and the CCSR expect that the journal will soon be available to subscribers in both electronic and paper forms.
• Peter Richardson encourages you to consult with him about publishing your manuscript in the series ESCJ. (prchrdsn@chass.utoronto.ca)
• Nicola Denzey encourages CSBS members to consult and contribute to the CCSR website (www2.ccsr.ca). Please note in particular the “job openings” page (send your contributions for posting), and do not hesitate to send her departmental news and other short pieces that are likely to be of interest to your colleagues (ndenzey@bowdoin.edu).

(h) The CSBS’s links with the Humanities and Social Sciences Federation of Canada also continue to be strong. The Federation represents more than 24,000 researchers in 68 learned societies (including ours) and 69 universities and colleges across Canada (http://www.hssfc.ca/). What we see (“get”) most visibly for our participation in this group is the opportunity to meet with other societies at the HSSFC-sponsored Congress. What is not so evident is a range of other valuable elements. You will find a full range of information on their website (http://www.hssfc.ca/); these include: (a) the Aid to Scholarly Publications Program managed by HSSFC (and funded by SSHRCC), which is responsible for subsidizing about 140 books per year, including most in our ESCJ series; (b) the lobbying done by HSSFC on our behalf with the Federal politicians (e.g., Breakfasts on the Hill, ongoing support for learned journals), and with SSHRCC (for new money for research, and to keep Congress travel grants); and (c) funding for special speakers, such as Johannes Vorster this year, whom we were able to bring in from South Africa.

5. Student Member-at-Large’s Report
Colleen Shantz touched on five points:

(a) Her position on the Executive has undergone a name change, from “Student Member-at-Large” to “Student Liaison Officer.” Her responsibilities remain the same, i.e. sensing and representing the pulse of the students in the society, and contributing actively to the ongoing work of the Executive.
(b) She encourages student members to keep in touch, update their email addresses with her, and suggest how the society might be able to serve them even more effectively than it already does (milshntz@istar.ca).
(c) The orientation (to the society) lunch held the previous day for students and new members was a success; she expects to repeat the process next year and welcomes suggestions.
(d) She thanks those who contributed their time and energy to participating in this year’s Special Session for Students, on Job Candidacy: Richard Ascough, Alicia Batten, Wayne McCready and Adele Reinhartz.
(e) Student membership continues to be strong (76/281 members).

6. Vice-President’s Report and Nominations
On behalf of the rest of the Executive, Fred Wisse submitted the following slate for Executive positions: Gary Knoppers (Penn State University) as Vice-President (2002-2003), John McLaughlin (continuing) as Communications Officer (2002-2005), and Colleen Shantz (continuing) as (the renamed) Student Liaison Officer (2002-2003). With no other nominations coming from the floor, and following a motion that nominations close (Van Seters/Horman), the three were elected by acclamation, then thanked for their willingness to serve + continue to serve the society.

7. Programme Coordinator’s Report
Glen Taylor offered several remerciements:

(a) To those who contributed the number and quality of the paper proposals this year (do keep them coming next year!)
(b) To Paul Gooch and Victoria University for hosting the special 70th anniversary reception
(c) To Principal George Sumner and the staff of Wycliffe College for their help
(d) To Richard Ascough, Fiona Black and Erin Runions for their expert handling of the on-going seminars
(e) To Lucian Turcescu for putting together this year's Combined Congress Program and sending it to CSBS members.

Ehud thanked Glen for his hard work in successfully putting together his first program.

8. Communications Officer’s Report
John McLaughlin reported on the following issues:

(a) He encouraged members to consult the society and Corporation websites (www2.ccsr.ca/csbs/; www2.ccsr.ca), noting that he welcomed feedback on the society website that he manages. Thanks to the translation efforts of Paul Dion the CSBS website is now fully bilingual.
(b) He currently has the email addresses of about 92% of the current CSBS membership and encourages members to keep him updated on address changes.
(c) He also urged members to continue to send him news to distribute to others via the society email list, and to ensure that he receive changes in people’s email addresses.
(d) He noted the publication and distribution of this year’s CSBS Bulletin, welcoming, as always, suggestions for changes in next year’s edition.
(e) He encouraged members to recommend outstanding books in Christian origins for consideration for the upcoming Beare Award, and outstanding books in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and Ancient Near East, with formal notification of the awards to go out in the Fall in the First Mailing. Self-nominations are accepted, as are ongoing financial donations earmarked for these prizes.

9. Treasurer and Membership Secretary’s Report
Dietmar Neufeld, acting as Membership Secretary and as Treasurer, touched on the following nine points:

(a) The membership base has remained stable over the last four years, rising slightly from 277 (1999) to 281 (2002) - during a time when most other societies have experienced mild to severe declines in membership. CSBS is now by far the largest Canadian academic society for the study of religion.
(b) Renewal rates are up from last year. Please continue to renew promptly when the reminder comes in the Fall.
(c) Student essay prizes have risen this year from $150 to $250, marking the significance the society places on student participation and the society’s financial health.
(d) It was a banner year for new members, 33 in all. Diet read the names, asking those present to stand, then welcoming the group to the society: Stanley Porter, James Rives, Matthew Mitchell, Karee Kamis, Barry Levy, David Miller, Dennis Stoutenburg, Lily Vuong, Stephen Andrews, William Gilders, Sherry Pember, John Kessler, Mary Elizabeth Sutherland, Anthony Ricciuti, Elizabeth Danna, Marc Debanne, Gerhard Visscher, Jean-Sébastien Viard, Lincoln Blumell, Erich Engler, Azayr Saloojee, V. Philips Long, Mesfin Atlaye, Jay Cowsill, Clinton Branscombe, Murray Watson, Sarah Dille, Chemaine Yin-Mei Chan, Tim Elston, Grace Ko, Cameron Boyd-Taylor, John Harvey and Susan Kennel Harrison.
(e) The society remains thankful to SSHRCC for renewing the travel grant to help subsidize those who attend the Congress ($4755 this year, some of which was banked to increase support for what is likely to be costlier travel next year to Halifax).
(f) The society also thanks members who donated money to help support a variety of projects. Donations were up last year, from $2329 in 2000-2001 to $2738 in 2001-2002. A reminder: the CSBS is registered as a charitable organization, so donations can have tax benefits.
(g) This year’s auditor’s report indicated that finances continue to be in good order. A copy is available from the Treasurer for those interested in exploring the details.
(h) Projected Expenses for 2002-2003 are likely to balance with Projected Revenue. The second of two rate increases for full members ($67 to $72) comes into effect this coming year (student members have been exempted from these increases, with their rates remaining at $35), and will help keep the books in order. Records now show an anticipated deficit of $785 (out of total expenses of $16,485) but this should be made up with the introduction of some cost-saving measures (e.g., sending the First Mailing electronically).
(i) Wayne McCready, as usual, reviewed the history of the Endowment Committee’s work (chaired by himself, and also including Peter Richardson, Harold Remus and William Klassen): investing $56,425 with Merrill Lynch Canada in 1998, to ensure long-term financial health. The Society has a 30 year investment strategy that is reviewed annually by the Society’s Executive on the recommendation of the Endowment Committee. Features of the investment plan include: (a) a commitment to long-term investment strategies for endowed funds; (b) a conservative approach to investment for an income and growth portfolio; (c) and a judicious use of interest from the investments. The portfolio market evaluation in May 2000 was $65,601; this May it reached $71,567, despite the rocky road of investments since September 11 and the number of scandals that have rocked the financial community. In addition to growth in the principal invested, these funds have provided the Society on average $4,000 per annum in extra income. This year we transferred our investments from Merrill Lynch Canada to Jennings Capital Inc., to follow our able investment advisor, Frank Walker.

The Treasurer thanked the Endowment Committee for their work, then moved (Neufeld/Wisse) that his report be received and approved.

On behalf of Society members at large, Ehud Ben Zvi thanked the Treasurer for his ongoing work and diligence.

10. Other Business
Ehud Ben Zvi thanked everyone for their participation, the members of the Executive for their work, and the society at large for their support.

11. Adjournment
Peter Richardson moved (seconded by John Van Seters) that the meeting be adjourned.

(Minutes prepared by Michel Desjardins, July 14, 2002)

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