Guide to the Association of Council Secretaries Records

Descriptive Summary

Title

Association of Council Secretaries Records

Inclusive Dates

1915-1971

Call Number

NCC RG 24

Quantity

5.00 cubic feet (5 boxes)

Language

Materials in English

Restrictions on Access

Open for research

Repository

Presbyterian Historical Society, 425 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147-1516 USA

Biographical Note / Administrative History

Administrative History

he Association of Council Secretaries (ACS) "was a professional organization of paid employees of ecumenical agencies..." Formed in 1940 by the merger of two earlier organizations, the Association of Executive Secretaries of Councils and Federations of Churches and the Employed Council Officers' Association, the purpose of ACS was "to provide creative relationships among persons serving professionally in the ecumenical ministry of the church by enriching their fellowship as committed Christian workers in this specialized field, encouraging mutual support, and promoting personal and professional growth."

ACS sponsors a national summer conference and seven winter regional conferences. It also publishes the quarterly, ACS Journal, "which deals with ecumenical questions and policies of concern to council executives and shares new developments in council programs." The Association develops standards and guidelines for its members in their work relationships and assists in the recruitment, training, and placement of personnel.

The Association in its early years worked closely with the Federal Council of Churches and the International Council of Religious Education. After 1950 ACS was closely related to the Department for Councils of Churches of the NCC, which provided staff, editorial, and secretarial assistance to the Association.

In 1971, ACS reorganized to become the National Association of Executive Staff.

Collection Overview

The Association of Council Secretaries, 1915-1971, files date primarily from 1940 to 1970. The papers are chiefly those of John B. Ketcham, director of field administration of the International Council of Religious Education and later executive director of the NCC's Department for Councils of Churches. There is also a small amount of material from the files of H. Conrad Hoyer, associate executive director of the Department for Councils of Churches. Both Ketcham and Hoyer were ex-officio members of the Executive Committee of ACS. In addition there is a small amount of papers belonging to Walter R. Mee, president of the Association of Executive Secretaries.

The files are arranged alphabetically by subject, name of individual, or name of organization. Items within the files are arranged chronologically by year, month, and day. Partially dated material is placed at the end of the month or year; undated material is placed after all dated material. Enclosures are placed after their letter of transmittal. Newspaper clippings, unless enclosed with correspondence, are placed at the end of subject files.

The files consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence, memoranda, minutes, reports, constitutions, bylaws, financial statements, budgets, press releases, personnel records, membership lists and applications, citations, newsletters, bills, programs, pamphlets, leaflets, and newspaper clippings.

The files detail the history and activities of the Association. There are extensive documents concerning the annual conferences of ACS, including correspondence, minutes, and reports. There are also files relating to the regional conferences of ACS.

There are files containing correspondence, minutes, and reports which concern the Association of Executive Secretaries and the Employed Council Officers' Association. Several files contain the draft of the "Research Notes" for Ross W. Sanderson's book, Church Cooperation in the United States.

Because of the close working relationship of ACS and the Department for Councils of Churches and its staff, the researcher is also referred to the files of that department.

Administrative Information

Processing Information

The archives of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America were processed in 1980-1984 through two grants awarded to the Presbyterian Historical Society by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Work under the first grant was performed by Dr. Alan Thomson and under the second grant by Donald L. Haggerty.

The archives of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America have been dated from 1950 to 1972; however, there is material dating from before and after this time period. Documents from the predecessor organizations date from as early as 1839. There is also a small amount of material found in the files from as late as 1975. The year 1972 was selected as a cutoff date for the archives because of the major reorganization which the NCC underwent at this time. The archives are arranged in the following record groups:

NCC RG 1: Planning Committee for the NCC, 1941-1951
NCC RG 2: General Assemblies, 1952-1972
NCC RG 3: General Board, 1950-1972
NCC RG 4: General Secretary, 1950-1973
NCC RG 5: Deputy General Secretary, 1947-1975
NCC RG 6: Division of Christian Life and Mission, 1945-1973
NCC RG 7: Division of Home Missions, 1950-1964
NCC RG 8: Division of Overseas Ministries, 1914-1972
NCC RG 9: Division of Christian Education, 1897-1974
NCC RG 10: Division of Christian Unity, 1935-1973
NCC RG 11: Office of Administration, 1938-1973
NCC RG 12: Assistant General Secretary for Executive Operations, 1950-1966
NCC RG 13: Washington Office, 1951-1966
NCC RG 14: Office of Planning and Program, 1943-1973
NCC RG 15: Department of Information, 1951-1974
NCC RG 16: Broadcasting and Film Commission, 1923-1974
NCC RG 17: Special Topics, 1951-1970
NCC RG 18: Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America, 1894-1952
NCC RG 19: International Council of Religious Education, 1839-1953
NCC RG 20: Missionary Education Movement of the United States and Canada, 1901-1952
NCC RG 21: National Protestant Council of Higher Education, 1911-1951
NCC RG 22: United Stewardship Council, 1917-1950
NCC RG 23: Inter-Council Field Department, 1935-1950
NCC RG 24: Association of Council Secretaries, 1915-1971
NCC RG 25: Church Executive Development Board, 1960-1974
NCC RG 26: Home Missions Council of North America, 1903-1951
NCC RG 27: Foreign Missions Conference of North America, 1887-1951
NCC RG 28: Scrapbooks, 1915-1963

Catalog Note
In the society's electronic catalog, all 28 NCC record groups are cataloged together as the records of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

Collection Inventory

Box	Folder	Description

1	1	Guide to NCC RG 24
1	2	ACS Journal, September 1962-December 1968
1	3	ACS Journal, September 1968-[1970?]; n.d.
1	4	ACS News Letter, Jan 1943-June 1947
1	5	Correspondence, Jan-Oct 1945
1	6	Annual Banquets, Feb 1944-June 1970; n.d.
1	7	Annual Conference, 1940, July 1940; n.d.
1	8	Annual Conference, 1941, May-June 1941; n.d.
1	9	Annual Conference, 1942, June-Aug 1942; n.d.
1	10	Annual Conference, 1943, June-July 1943
1	11	Annual Conference, 1944, April-July 1944; n.d.
1	12	Annual Conference, 1945, Oct 1944-July 1945
1	13	Annual Conference, 1946, Dec 1945-July 1946; n.d.
1	14	Annual Conference, 1947, Jan-June 1947
1	15	Annual Conference, 1948, Jan-June 1948; n.d.
1	16	Annual Conference, 1949, Sept 1948-July 1949; n.d.
1	17	Annual Conference, 1950, May-June 1950
1	18	Annual Conference, 1951, June-Oct 1951; n.d.
1	19	Annual Conference, 1952, May-June 1952; n.d.
1	20	Annual Conference, 1953, June 1953; n.d.
1	21	Annual Conference, 1954, June 1954
1	22	Annual Conference, 1955, March-June 1955
1	23	Annual Conference, 1956, June 1956
1	24	Annual Conference, 1957, June 1957
1	25	Annual Conference, 1958, June 1958
1	26	Annual Conference, 1959, May-June 1959
1	27	Annual Conference, 1960, June 1960
1	28	Annual Conference, 1961, May-June 1961
1	29	Annual Conference, 1962, April-June 1962
1	30	Annual Conference, 1963, Dec 1962-Jan 1964
1	31	Annual Conference, 1964, June 1963-Sept 1964; n.d.
1	32	Annual Conference, 1965, July 1964-May 1965
1	33	Annual Conference, 1965, June 1965-Feb 1966
1	34	Annual Conference, 1965, Undated

2	1	Annual Conference, 1966, July 1965-June 1966
2	2	Annual Conference, 1966, June 1966-April 1967; n.d.
2	3	Annual Conference, 1967, June 1966-July 1967
2	4	Annual Conference, 1967, Undated
2	5	Annual Conference, 1968, Jan-Aug 1968; n.d.
2	6	Annual Conference, 1968, Undated
2	7	Annual Conference, 1969, Oct 1968-Oct 1969; n.d.
2	8	Annual Conference, 1970, April 1969-Aug 1970; n.d.
2	9	Annual Conference, 1971, April 1969-July 1971
2	10	Annual Report, 1961-Sept 1964
2	11	Associate Members, June 1964-Aug 1967; n.d.
2	12	Association of Executive Secretaries of Councils and Federations of Churches, Dec 1915-June 1929
2	13	Association of Executive Secretaries of Councils and Federations of Churches, Jan 1930-April 1935
2	14	Association of Executive Secretaries of Councils and Federations of Churches, May 1935-April 1936
2	15	Association of Executive Secretaries of Councils and Federations of Churches, May 1936-Aug 1940; n.d.
2	16	Association of Executive Secretaries and Employed Council Officers' Association Joint Conferences, July 1937-July 1938
2	17	Auditor's Reports, Sept 1960-Oct 1963
2	18	Board of Directors, May 1969-June 1971
2	19	Books, Jan 1962-Dec 1966; n.d.
2	20	Boy Scouts of America, Oct 1964-Sept 1970
2	21	Budget and Finance, Jan 1945-1962
2	22	Budget and Finance, Jan 1963-Dec 1964
2	23	Budget and Finance, Jan 1965-Oct 1970; n.d.
2	24	Correspondence, Feb 1955-June 1965
2	25	Church Cooperation in the United States Research Notes," 1960
2	26	Church Cooperation in the United States Research Notes," 1960
2	27	Church Cooperation in the United States Research Notes," 1960
2	28	Church Cooperation in the United States Research Notes," 1960

3	1	Church Cooperation in the United States Research Notes," 1960
3	2	Church Cooperation in the United States, Research Notes," 1960
3	3	Citations, July 1957-[1970?]; n.d.
3	4	Conference on Emerging Needs of State Councils, April-May 1968; n.d.
3	5	Conference Point Camp, 1942-1966
3	6	Constitution and Bylaws, June 1940-June 1968
3	7	Council Officers Training School, July 1937-July 1940
3	8	Directories of Executives of Church Councils and Federations, Aug 1934-Sept 1937
3	9	Ecumenical Studies Committee, Sept 1961; n.d.
3	10	Employed Council Officers' Association, Membership (A-Y), 1934-1940
3	11	Employed Council Officers' Association, Minutes, July 1934-July 1937
3	12	Employed Council Officers' Association, Minutes, Sept 1937-Dec 1940; n.d.
3	13	Executive Committee, 1940-Dec 1963
3	14	Executive Committee, May 1964-Oct 1970
3	15	Fellowship Dinner, Feb-March 1941
3	16	Geneva Point Camp, 1965-1968
3	17	Goddard, Alice L., Feb 1940; n.d.
3	18	History of Association of Council Secretaries, June 1944-April 1966; n.d.
3	19	History Publication Fund, April 1959-June 1960; n.d.
3	20	Hartman, Grover L., July 1961-July 1962
3	21	Holt, Harvey E., Nov 1942-April 1947
3	22	Institute on Ecumenical Leadership, Boston University, July 1965-March 1969
3	23	Ledgers, June 1944-June 1952
3	24	Ledgers, Oct 1952-Aug 1956
3	25	Ledgers, Sept 1956-Sept 1959
3	26	Ledgers, 1959-1960
3	27	Ledgers, 1960-1964
3	28	Life Members, 1965-March 1971; n.d.
3	29	Littell, Franklin, Dec 1967-Jan 1968

		LOCAL ECUMENICAL HISTORIES COMMITTEE

3	30	Correspondence, Nov 1960-Aug 1966; n.d.
3	31	Printed Matter, June 1957-Jan 1962
3	32	Printed Matter, Feb 1962-April 1963
3	33	Questionnaire, May 1962
3	34	Questionnaire, June 1962-April 1963; n.d.

4	1	Locations and Facilities Committee, May 1963-May 1969; n.d.
4	2	Lowder, Virgil E., Oct 1946-[1969?]; n.d.
4	3	Membership and Dues, Nov 1940-June 1962
4	4	Membership and Dues, July 1962-April 1966
4	5	Membership and Dues, May 1966-March 1967
4	6	Membership and Dues, April 1967-Jan 1968
4	7	Membership and Dues, Feb-March 1968
4	8	Membership and Dues, April-June 1968
4	9	Membership and Dues, July 1968-March 1969
4	10	Membership and Dues, April-June 1969
4	11	Membership and Dues, July 1969-[1970?]; n.d.
4	12	Memorial Fund for Lois Ketcham, June 1968-July 1969
4	13	Memorials, 1941-[1955?]
4	14	Memorials, Feb 1956-[1957?]
4	15	Memorials, April 1958-[1962?]
4	16	Memorials, Jan 1963-1964
4	17	Memorials, Jan 1965-[1969?]
4	18	Metropolitan Executives, Aug 1967-Jan 1968
4	19	Metropolitan Executives Seminar, June 1968
4	20	Miami Luncheon, Nov 1966; n.d.
4	21	Miscellaneous, June 1935-May 1962
4	22	Miscellaneous, June 1962-July 1970; n.d.
4	23	National Conference of Interdenominational Secretaries, July-Aug 1939
4	24	New Executives, Sept 1968-[1961?]
4	25	Nominating Committee, 1950-May 1971
4	26	Obituaries, April 1949-Jan 1955; n.d.
4	27	Officers, [1949?]-Dec 1970
4	28	Operations Committee, Nov 1964-1967; n.d.
4	29	"Our Historical Perspective: The Development of the Councils of Churches Movement," Feb 1955
4	30	Our Protestant Future, Aug 1950-June 1951
4	31	Personnel Codes and Practices Committee, Jan-April 1963
4	32	The Philosophy of Church Cooperation Committee, Dec 1942-June 1944; n.d.
4	33	Professional Standards Committee, Aug 1961-June 1963; n.d.
4	34	Program Committee, 1944-June 1971; n.d.

5	1	Quick, Joseph F., Aug 1955-Oct 1962; n.d.

		REGIONAL CONFERENCES

5	2	East North Central Region, Nov 1966-March 1971
5	3	Midwest Region, June 1945
5	4	Northeastern Region, Dec 1946-March 1971
5	5	Northern Great Plains Region, Aug 1967-March 1971
5	6	South Central Region, Feb 1967-Sept 1970
5	7	Southeastern Region, March 1968-June 1969
5	8	Upper Mississippi Region, Aug 1967-Oct 1969
5	9	Western Region, Jan 1967-March 1971; n.d.
5	10	Relations with the NCC Committee, March 1962-July 1971
5	11	Significant Developments in Councils of Churches, 1956-May 1966
5	12	Standing Committees, 1960-Dec 1970; n.d.
5	13	Study Committee, June 1957-Sept 1960; n.d.
5	14	Timmerman, Donald, April 1946-Jan 1964; n.d.
5	15	Toward Christian Unity, Jan 1958
5	16	"What's New in Interdenominational Work," June 1948-June 1949
5	17	"What's New Locally," May 1952; n.d.
5	18	Vietnam War, June-July 1971

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Guide to the Association of Council Secretaries Records