Annual Reports/1959-1960/Text

Annual Reports/1959-1960

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BAHÁ’Í ANNUAL REPORTS 1959-1960

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NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES

Wilmette, Illinois [Page 2] ​​ [Page 3]

BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES

1959-1960

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Secretary’s Report	4
Treasurer’s Report	6

INTERNATIONAL WORLD CRUSADE

Africa	7
Asia	8
Europe	8
Western Hemisphere	9
Hawaii	10

HOUSE OF WORSHIP

Temple Worship	10
Guides	11
Public Meetings	11

PROCLAMATION COMMITTEES

National and Area Teaching	11
American Indian Service	21
Interracial Teaching	22
College Bureau	23
Youth	23
Child Education	26
United Nations	27
Service for the Blind	27
Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá	28

SERVICE COMMITTEES

Archives	29
Bahá’í News	29
Publishing Trust	29
Audio-Visual Education	30
Bahá’í Sales	30
Legal	31
Bahá’í Press Service	31
National Reference Library	32
National Library Service	33
Reviewing	33
Radio Service	34

SCHOOLS

Blue Ridge	34
Davison	35
Southwestern	35

TRUSTEESHIPS

Bosch Trustees	36
Eggleston Trustees	36
Wilhelm Properties	36

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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY

Members: H. B. Kavelin, Chairman; Charles Wolcott, Secretary; Charlotte Linfoot, Assistant Secretary; Edna M. True, Recording Secretary; Arthur L. Dahl, Treasurer; Katherine True, Ellsworth Blackwell, Florence Mayberry, David S. Ruhe, (Horace Holley, member and secretary to December 25, 1959).

The current Bahá’í year has been marked by a number of striking developments in the prosecution of the World Crusade, not the least of which was one intimately affecting the American Bahá’í Community. In a cablegram, November 5, 1959, from the Hands of the Cause resident in the Holy Land came this startling message: “Announce all National Assemblies selection Horace Holley John Ferraby members body Nine Hands Holy Land . . .” A few short weeks later on Saturday evening, December 19, 1959, more than 200 Bahá’ís gathered in Foundation Hall of the Mother Temple of the West to bid farewell to our dearly-beloved Hand of the Cause Horace Holley and his wife Doris Holley.

H. Borrah Kavelin, chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly, who served as spokesman for the gathering commented on the coincidence of the facts that Shoghi Effendi served in his unique capacity as Guardian of the Cause of God for thirty-six years, and that Horace Holley also served for the same number of years as secretary and member of the National Spiritual Assembly. Paying tribute to Mr. Holley’s services as secretary, to the value of the advice he was able to give to the National Assembly in his capacity as Hand of the Cause, Mr. Kavelin concluded, “Mr. Holley is frail of body but his spirit is leonine, and we pray that his unparalleled services may long continue to enrich the annals of Bahá’í history.” In this prayer we all concur.

The significance of this action by the Hands of the Faith to draft Mr. Holley’s services was disclosed when their Third Annual Message dated November 4, 1959 was received. With reference to the two-year period since the passing of the beloved Guardian as a time during which successive events reflected the marvelous protection vouchsafed this Holy Cause, the message revealed its vital importance with the statement by the Hands that the Annual Conclave had formulated a “plan of action which will enable the Bahá’í world to establish the Universal House of Justice in 1963 . . .” Looking back a year to the Second Annual Message dated November 30, 1958, we can sense the planting of the seed of this plan, “. . . we must face the fact that the years ahead may well prove to be the crucial turning point of the entire Crusade . . . The number of national and regional assemblies which must be elected before the end of the Crusade, . . . is no less than thirty-eight . . . Upon these national and regional assemblies which we must now raise up, has been conferred the sacred privilege of electing the members of this Universal House of Justice.”

These messages from the annual conclaves of the Hands of Bahjí provide us with spiritual reinforcement and guidance. Throughout the intervening months communications from the World Center delineate the progress of the Crusade in various parts of the Bahá’í world and suggest plans, projects and arrangements to stimulate and bolster our efforts. Prior to the 1959 Convention two such communications, February 11 and February 24, proposed a joint effort to be made by Persia and America designed to increase the flow of pioneers to the Latin American, European and Oriental areas under our jurisdiction.

The 1959 Convention Message received from the Hands in the Holy Land, reinforced by a cable received during the convention, quoted Bahá’u’lláh’s exhortation: “Center your energies in the propagation of the Faith of God. Whoso is worthy of so high a calling, let him arise and promote it. Whoso is unable, it is his duty to appoint him who will in his stead, proclaim this Revelation . . .” The message went on to say: “ . . . this great joint undertaking, the first of its kind between the East and the West, has been set in motion whereby the friends in the Cradle of the Faith (Persia) can deputize their Bahá’í brothers and sisters who are, as the Guardian said, the spiritual descendants of the Dawn-Breakers, to go forth and help win the Crusade.”

The friends in Írán received a similar appeal for generous support of the deputization project at their convention and have responded in an overwhelming manner. It should be noted also that an increasing number of contributions to this fund have been received from the American believers.

Concluding the message, the Custodians stated: “It is, we firmly believe, the supreme duty of all national and regional assemblies to concentrate their undivided attention during this particular year of the Crusade on procuring new pioneers and settling them with no delay whatsoever in those spots where their presence in the chosen objectives abroad or in the goal cities of the various home fronts will enable new assemblies to be formed next Riḍván. There can be no doubt that upon the success of such steps taken immediately depends the fortunes of our Guardian’s Crusade . . .”

Subsequent messages from the Hands of Haifa included the cable dated June 8, 1959 highlighting the imposing progress being made in the global crusade, particularly in Persia, Central East Africa and Indonesia. Announcement of the identification and successful transfer of the remains of the cousin of the Báb, one of the most difficult goals of the world crusade, was received in a cable dated June 15, 1959. Another difficult and important goal, the removal of the remains of Mírzá Buzurg, father of Bahá’u’lláh, with Bahá’í burial and reinterment in the vicinity of the Most Great House in Baghdád was announced in a cable from Haifa, October 9, 1959.

With the receipt of the Third Annual Message from the Hands of the Cause, the Bahá’í World Community learned of the plan of action to establish the Universal House of Justice in 1963. This momentous message issued the “call for the election in Riḍván 1961 of the twenty-one National Spiritual Assemblies of Latin America . . .” (The Hands in Haifa explained that Jamaica, B.W.I. was added by Shoghi Effendi to the countries under the jurisdiction of the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Greater Antilles and therefore must have its national spiritual assembly also by 1961, making a total of twenty-one independent national spiritual assemblies to be formed); continued by citing the difficult and challenging steps that must be taken to achieve the formation of “the eleven independent national spiritual assemblies which must, in accordance with the Plan of the Guardian, be established in the European continent before the end of the Cru- [Page 5] sade . . . ” thus compelling the Hands to “. . . set the date for the election of these European national bodies for Riḍván 1962 . . . ” and added “The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Ceylon will likewise be elected in 1962.” The message further stated: “We are also happy to announce that another milestone in Bahá’í history will be reached with the election of the International Bahá’í Council during Riḍván 1961. The embryonic institution . . . will thus enter its final stage preceding the election of the Universal House of Justice.” Immediately thereafter, in consultation with the American Hands, the National Assembly took action to implement the directions from Haifa. Although the Joint Deputization Fund was steadily growing and the flow of pioneers increasing, the National Assembly called in the chairman and secretary of the Western Hemisphere Committee for consultation. All the pioneer plans for Latin America were carefully examined in the light of reports which were steadily streaming in from Hand of the Cause William Sears who was visiting all the goal cities in Latin America. To aid the four regional assemblies of South and Central America to meet the accelerated schedule for establishment of their twenty-one national spiritual assemblies, the Hands in the Holy Land sent four Hands to serve in the western hemisphere.

The intensive homefront campaign which was launched on August 1, 1958, followed by the National Spiritual Assembly-sponsored conferences in October of that year resulted in an upsurge of teaching activity. To maintain this “spiritual re-invigoration” program, the National Assembly continued to plan and send additional outlines covering all aspects of teaching activities. The second series of National Spiritual Assembly-sponsored conferences took place, June 27 and 28, 1959 in twenty-seven localities with some 1600 believers in attendance. The third series of conferences held on January 30 and 31, and February 6 and 7, 1960 in twenty-eight localities attracted over 1500 of the friends. This conference agenda, while stressing teaching needs on the homefront, administrative principles and the apparent lack of “communication,” renewed the call for pioneers abroad.

Throughout the year, the Faith has received a tremendous amount of publicity—a few attacks, some vitriolic, but the vast majority of items in the press and on radio and television were informative, instructive and sympathetic. For example, the Chicago Sun-Times for April 27, carried an illustrated interview with Miss Charlotte Linfoot on the subject of the Temple; a column in the Bergen Evening Record of Hackensack, N.J. entitled, “It Was Today,” on July 9, 1959 included a reference to the Martyrdom of the Báb on July 9, 1850; “The Old Grow Young at Bahá’í,” by Sarah Boyden, an illustrated feature in Sunday-Midwest Magazine, published with the Chicago Sun-Times on October 18 was an intensely interesting article on the Bahá’í Home in Wilmette. Too numerous to mention are dozens of items which have been referred to in both the BAHÁ’Í NEWS and the U.S. SUPPLEMENT.

Twice during the Bahá’í year, in October and in March, a report of the current status of the World Crusade objectives subject to our responsibility is sent to the Hands in the Holy Land. As of March 1, 1960, the following tasks still remain to be completed by the American Bahá’í Community before the conclusion of the Ten-Year Plan:—

Three virgin areas to be opened: Ukraine, Sakhalin Island, and Easter Island.

Eleven national spiritual assemblies to be formed in Europe: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Holland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

Twenty-one national spiritual Assemblies to be formed in the Western Hemisphere: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Thirty-three national spiritual assemblies are to be incorporated. On the homefront one hundred and five local assemblies are yet to be formed and eleven additional local assemblies are to be incorporated. While enormous strides have been taken toward the accomplishment of the tasks, there is no question but that the shortness of time left to us will allow no cessation of effort. Pioneers will be needed in Europe, and teaching activity on the homefront must be increased.

The U.S. SUPPLEMENT of ‎BAHÁ'Í NEWS BAHÁ’Í NEWS‎ for September, 1959 presented in detail the plan for home front teaching. Pointing up the need for the American Bahá’ís to bring into being fifty additional local spiritual assemblies in April, 1960 and fifty more in April, 1961, in addition to holding all those now in existence, the National Assembly explained the responsibilities of the newly-appointed American National Teaching Committee, and offered the services of Auxiliary Board Members, circuit teachers, extension teaching and area teaching committees. A list of “preferred goals” accompanied the article with an explanation of why these particular groups were chosen. As of this date the American National Teaching Committee has reported the strong possibility that 35 communities could attain assembly status by Riḍván. At the same time, several assemblies face possible dissolution! To these communities the National Assembly sent an urgent plea for community consultation and action on this matter. The bounty of being an active, teaching Bahá’í at this particular time is so very, very great—and now is the time. It has been said there is just so much time in this world of ours but it is evenly divided. No one has more time than someone else. The difference is that one person uses it wisely while another uses it foolishly and wastes it. The peculiar and unique thing about time is that you can lose it but you can never find it. To be a Bahá’í at this hour is a privilege none of us can understand or realize.

Details of the World Crusade pioneering efforts can be found in the annual reports of the Intercontinental Teaching Committees for Latin America, Africa, Asia and Europe. A brief summary shows 209 pioneers in the Western Hemisphere, 60 in Africa, 48 in Asia, and 66 in Europe for a total of 383 adults. Among these are 95 Knights of Bahá’u’lláh from the United States.

In connection with the United Nations the Bahá’í International Community represents the national spiritual assemblies all over the world. [Page 6] It is accredited to the United Nations Office of Public Information and has a permanent international observer who attends briefing sessions at the United Nations Headquarters in New York and other functions called for non-governmental organizations. When invited to participate in NGO conferences we send the number of delegates allowed. Such a conference was convened by the World Association of World Federalists in Paris on November 27-28, 1959. To represent us at this Round Table Discussion, we asked Mme. Lea Nys of Belgium and Joel B. Marangella of France to attend. An interesting account of this meeting can be found in BAHÁ’Í NEWS for February, 1960.

With the passing of that stalwart, indefatigible worker Jesma Herbert, a vacancy was created on the Auxiliary Board for Protection. Shortly thereafter, the American Hands announced the appointment of Amoz E. Gibson to the Board. Some years ago, Mr. Gibson left his position in Washington, D.C. and taking his family went pioneering among the Indians in Arizona. At the time of the appointment, the Hands took occasion to express their grateful appreciation of Mrs. Herbert's years of ardent and fruitful service as a member of their Protection Board. The National Assembly also recalls her many years of service on Regional and Area Teaching Committees as well as secretary of the American National Teaching Committee during the early years of the World Crusade.

Five additional local assemblies have been incorporated this year: Beverly Hills, Calif., April 10, 1959; Long Beach, Calif., April 20, 1959; South Bend, Ind., May 26, 1959; Flagstaff, Ariz., July 29, 1959; San Antonio, Texas, January 18, 1960 making a total of 89. In the process of incorporating are San Jose, Calif., and Salt Lake City, Utah.

The American Bahá’í community at this time is composed of 195 local Spiritual Assemblies, 713 groups and 658 isolated centers constituting a total of 1566 localities where Bahá’ís reside. 120 new centers have been opened in the United States and 55 settlers are established in goal cities. Since Ridván 1959, five summer schools held sessions ranging from one to eleven weeks; National Spiritual Assembly-sponsored Conferences numbered 56, area teaching conferences 60, and 128 circuit teachers assisted in more than 200 circuits and week-end visits. The Youth held one national conference, October 25-26, 1959 on the subject, "The Function of Youth in the World Crusade" and there were two series of area youth conferences held in twelve localities.

At the November meeting of the National Assembly, Horace Holley tendered his resignation as secretary and member to take effect at the time of his departure for Haifa in December. Charles Wolcott was elected secretary. Acceptance of this post required Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott to move from Los Angeles, Calif., to Wilmette. To fill the vacancy on the assembly created by Mr. Holley's transfer to Haifa, the delegates to the 1959 National Convention voted by mail and Dr. David S. Ruhe of Prairie Village, Kansas was elected.

This report began with a reference to the farewell meeting held in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Horace Holley. It is only fitting that it should end with these words spoken by Mr. Holley that memorable evening:

"We, the Bahá’ís of this day, have a great mission—first, to understand the purpose of the Bahá’í Faith, and then to scatter the seeds of the new civilization proclaimed by Bahá’u’lláh. People who become Bahá’ís in the future will not have to go through the dark days of the passing of the Master and of the Guardian. We have collectively won that victory for the human race."

"Our present task now is to live the Faith day by day, to teach and to apply everywhere in life the spiritual laws and principles that come from the living God. You and I, as Bahá’ís, are prepared not only to understand the victory of the Faith, but are privileged to live in a day of unspeakable glory."

"It is one of the great miracles of God," he said, "that He has used us to grasp and to proclaim the new vision of God and mankind across the earth." "Let us be concerned in these crucial days, not with our petty differences, but with the glorious opportunities that are ours to help establish the beginning of the Kingdom of God on earth."

REPORT OF THE TREASURER 1959-1960

At the start of this, the Sixth Year of the World Crusade, the National Spiritual Assembly was confident that the budget unanimously adopted at the national convention could be met from regular contributions from individuals, assemblies, and groups. In the first place the budget amounted to $400,000, a reduction of $50,000 from the previous year. Contributions for the last five months of the previous year had averaged close to the $33,000 monthly average called for in the new budget. This was taken as evidence of a growing awareness on the part of the American Bahá’í Community that we are in a most critical phase of the Crusade, one calling for the utmost outpouring of sacrificial effort. The passing of time has demonstrated a growing momentum of response generated by the cumulative effect of the National Spiritual Assembly's deepening program and the spirit released by the magnificent team effort to achieve the goals on the pioneering and the home front.

The results have fallen short of expectations, but not seriously so, and our overall financial position is considerably better than it was at this time last year. From May through January monthly contributions have varied from a high of $30,970.65 in July to a low of $22,211.68 in August. For the nine months our contributions have totaled $233,559.79 for an average of $25,951.08 per month, which compares with a pro rata monthly average of the budget of $33,333.33.

However, in addition to the above regular contributions, we have received certain large non-recurring contributions totaling $33,475 and also bequests from estates of $27,488.82 When we add in interest received on government obligations from the investment of earmarked funds, we are just barely meeting the budget with nothing to spare. This is hardly an ideal condition. The large special gifts should be available for special purposes, and bequests from estates which are also non-recurring and cannot ever be counted on in any given period should not have to be used to take care of current expenses. However, it is gratifying that at least we are [Page 7]

Holland	8	2	6
Belgium	4	2	2
Luxembourg	4	1	3
Switzerland	12	5	7
Italy	12	5	7
Portugal	8	3	5
Spain	8	9	—

With the establishment of at least three and possibly five new local spiritual assemblies, which seem assured for this coming Riḍván, the above picture will soon be changed somewhat but the need of pioneers in Western Europe, for the next two years will remain both pressing and acute. To the committee it seems also of great importance that experienced believers, who can do so, settle in these countries and become permanent and active members of these new communities whose establishment has, of necessity, been quickly accomplished, to help in the sustaining deepening of the friends and to assist in their growth and development into the “firmly-grounded and well-functioning” segments of the Bahá’í Administrative Order, so earnestly desired by the beloved Guardian.

WESTERN HEMISPHERE TEACHING

Membership: Mr. William de Forge, Chairman; Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin, Secretary; Paul C. Ioas, Mrs. Maurine Kraus, Sam Kraus, Mrs. Nura Mobine, Nurollah Mobine, Mrs. Mary Sawicki, William Towart, Mrs. Viola Turney Wood.

Latin American Goals: The primary emphasis this year has been to assist the four Latin American Regional Spiritual Assemblies in their task of establishing 17 new local assemblies in the national assembly goal countries. Work toward this objective was markedly stepped up on receipt of the Third Annual Message from the Hands of the Cause to the Bahá’ís of East and West, in which they called for the achievement of this goal this Riḍván, as the necessary bedrock for the establishment next year of the twenty-one Latin American National Spiritual Assemblies. The specific number of these goals was established by the beloved Guardian at the start of the Crusade. One of the tasks he gave to the Regional Assemblies of Latin America was to double in each Republic the number of local assemblies then in existence. As the number ranged from one to four in the different countries, the goal too varies. In seven Republics the minimum requirement is only two assemblies; in two it is eight.

The chief function of the Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee has been to expedite pioneer projects, subject to the approval of the National Assembly and with the assistance of the Joint Deputization Fund initiated last Riḍván by the Hands in the Holy Land. As of March 3rd, twenty pioneers from the United States have settled in goal cities, and nine in critical assemblies. Seventeen more are either en route to their posts or expect to be before early April.

In addition to these North American pioneers, many Latin Americans have arisen and a number of Persians. There are at least twenty-eight already at their posts, and twelve planned to settle in goals. Nineteen of these are projects worked out under the Joint Deputization Fund. (This number does not include the many Persian pioneers already settled in South America, chiefly in Brasil.)

Besides the many new declarations in the goals, another factor enabling this task to be accomplished is the transfer of thirty-seven United States pioneers already in the field to the goal cities or critical assemblies.

Assistance has also been given to the travelling teaching missions, including a few United States Bahá’ís who volunteered their services.

Bolivian Indians: The most spectacular development has been the phenomenal spread of the Faith among the Indians of Bolivia. Starting with two brothers who found the Faith in 1956, there are now over 900 Indian believers in that country. The promises that people would enter the Cause in troops have begun to be fulfilled in the Western Hemisphere, with as many as 80 declarations made at one time. There are more than twenty localities with more than nine Bahá’ís. But they are coming in faster than they can be taught. The tiny number of teachers is pitifully inadequate. So the Hands in the Holy Land have sent instructions that local assemblies are to be formed only in those places where the believers know the rudiments of the Administration.

Other Responsibilities: While the tremendous effort to accomplish our primary task has necessarily required most of our attention this year, there have been developments in other areas. Ten pioneers from the United States have been settled in such areas. Three have gone to posts where their arrival released others for goals; two are in the virgin territory of Key West; one settled in Alaska; and four went to Latin American localities other than goals.

A significant settlement was that of an Alaskan Youth, Boyer T. Brown, in Puerto Rico, because he is the first native Alaskan Bahá’í to pioneer in a foreign field.

The translation made last year of “Blessed is the Spot . . .” into the Aleut language has been published in an attractive pamphlet.

The first Summer School in the history of the area has been planned by the Hawaii Teaching Committee for the July 4th week-end.

As of March first there were a total of 204 United States pioneers settled in various Crusade goals of the Western Hemisphere, thirty-nine having gone out this year between May first and March first. Six more were en route to their posts, and eleven scheduled to depart by early April. Seven pioneers returned to the United States, two because of the termination of the husband’s Navy assignment.

Tasks Ahead: At the writing of this report, reaching this year’s primary objective, the establishment of the minimum required number of local assemblies in Latin America, seems sure. Our hearts are full of gratitude to all who have put forth such strenuous efforts to win this victory, first to the Hands of the Cause travelling in Latin America, Hermann Grossmann, Ugo Giachery, and William Sears, whose inspiring leadership and example have stimulated the entire area, then to the Regional Assemblies and Auxiliary Board members, the teaching committees, the pioneers and all the other workers. Still the task of consolidating the victories, strengthening and broadening the twenty-one bases of the twenty-one Pillars to be established next year is tremendous. For instance, six goal countries will have only two local assemblies, many too many assemblies are not functioning as they should, and some are critically weak. Among the tasks in the Six- [Page 8]

ASIA TEACHING

Members: Rouholah Zargarpur, Chairman; Miss Charlotte Linfoot, Secretary; Mrs. Lorana Kerfoot, Mrs. Eleanor Metz, Robert Metz, Mrs. Myrtle Wendler.

With nearly all of the World Crusade goals in Asia and the South Pacific originally assigned to the United States now incorporated in the areas of the National Spiritual Assembly of Northeast Asia and the Regional Spiritual Assemblies of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific, the work of the Asia Teaching Committee has been greatly reduced. Most of its activities during the past year has consisted of keeping in touch with pioneers in the field and answering questions and inquiries from individuals interested in pioneering in the Asia area. Because of the more urgent needs for American settlers in Latin America and Europe no particular effort has been made to increase the number of American pioneers in Asia and the Pacific areas. Only two new pioneers have been placed since last Riḍván, both in southeast Asia.

The most significant accomplishment was the brief opening of Hainan Island. Unfortunately the pioneers could not remain.

The dedicated, self-sacrificing pioneer from India in Tibet has suffered even greater hardships this year in his efforts to plant the banner of Bahá’u’lláh in that isolated and barren land.

Dutch New Guinea, opened in the early months of the World Crusade, has been without Bahá’ís for more than two years. Continuous efforts are being made to find replacements.

Although often discouraged because progress is so very difficult and slow, the pioneers in the Caroline Islands are continuing their efforts without cessation to win natives to the Faith. While interest has been shown to a considerable degree by several, only one actual enrollment has been completed. The transient nature of the contacts makes it very difficult to follow up their interest when they return to their home islands.

The number of Americans in the Asia and Pacific areas on March 1, 1960 was 48, of which 28 are in goal areas of the United States and 20 in countries under other national and regional assemblies.

EUROPEAN TEACHING COMMITTEE

Members: Edna True, Chairman; Katherine True, Gertrude Henning, William Henning, Flora Hottes, Clara Wood.

The past administrative year, since Riḍván 1959, has been completely devoted to the propagation of the Faith, in the Western European countries, with all efforts concentrated on working towards the establishment of the number of local spiritual assemblies required to fulfill the goals of the Ten-Year Crusade, so quickly drawing to its close.

In most of the other countries, the beloved Guardian had called for the “doubling” of the then-existing number of assemblies. From the fairly new believers in Western Europe, Shoghi Effendi asked for the “quadrupling” of those communities in existence at the time of the launching of his Global Crusade in October, 1952. The urgency and immediacy of this task received fresh emphasis in the Third Annual Message (November, 1959) from the Hands of the Cause, in which a precise timetable for the achievement of the Crusade objectives was set. By Riḍván 1961, the stipulated number of local ‎spiritial spiritual‎ assemblies must be established and by the following Riḍván, 1962, the eleven independent national spiritual assemblies for these countries must come into being as pre-requisites to the erection of the divinely-ordained Universal House of Justice, the final consummation of the Ten-Year Global Crusade.

The national teaching committees, working under their respective regional national spiritual assemblies, constantly encouraged and inspired by the Hands of the Faith and frequently assisted by the members of the Auxiliary Board for Europe, have carefully devised their teaching plans, emphasizing of “Firesides” and “study classes,” supplemented by organized extension teaching circuits, carried out by the native believers and pioneers.

The European Teaching Committee has been concentrating its efforts, particularly, on fortifying those regional national spiritual assemblies with as much teaching assistance as possible. Since May 1, 1959 and up to March 1, 1960 the following American pioneers have been placed in the Western European area:

Scandinavia:

Norway

Amelia Bowman

Berdyne Halse

Sweden

Milton Lundblade

Benelux:

Holland

Theodore Ruys

Olga Michalchik

(Now Mr. and Mrs. Theo. Ruys)

Margaret Dettling

Mary Bode

Edward Bode

Belgium

Florence Bagley

Stanley Bagley

Carol Bagley

Luxembourg

Virginia Orbison

Honor Kempton

Frances Wells

Italo-Swiss:

Switzerland

Myrtle Robinette

Benjamin Schreibman

Eleanor Hollibaugh

Italy

Ettore Simoni—who, unfortunately suffered several serious heart attacks soon after arriving at his post and who passed away in Rome, on February 8.

Ned Blackmer

Farrukh Ioas

Iberia:

Portugal

Loretta Scherer

Carl Scherer

In addition, several of the most experienced Bahá’ís in the countries themselves, were enabled to devote their full time to pioneering in some needy goal cities. The European Teaching Committee is happy to report that at least seven more American pioneers will be on their way to European goals, in the very near future.

The statement below gives a quick glimpse of the present stage reached by the Western European Countries, toward establishing the number of local spiritual assemblies requested by the Guardian in those areas.

	Total Number Required	Now Existing	Still Needed
Norway	4	2	2
Sweden	4	2	2
Finland	4	1	3
Denmark	4	2	2

[Page 9]

Holland	8	2	6
Belgium	4	2	2
Luxembourg	4	1	3
Switzerland	12	5	7
Italy	12	5	7
Portugal	8	3	5
Spain	8	9	—

With the establishment of at least three and possibly five new local spiritual assemblies, which seem assured for this coming Riḍván, the above picture will soon be changed somewhat but the need of pioneers in Western Europe, for the next two years will remain both pressing and acute. To the committee it seems also of great importance that experienced believers, who can do so, settle in these countries and become permanent and active members of these new communities whose establishment has, of necessity, been quickly accomplished, to help in the sustaining deepening of the friends and to assist in their growth and development into the “firmly-grounded and well-functioning” segments of the Bahá’í Administrative Order, so earnestly desired by the beloved Guardian.

WESTERN HEMISPHERE TEACHING

Membership: Mr. William de Forge, Chairman; Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin, Secretary; Paul C. Ioas, Mrs. Maurine Kraus, Sam Kraus, Mrs. Nura Mobine, Nurollah Mobine, Mrs. Mary Sawicki, William Towart, Mrs. Viola Turney Wood.

Latin American Goals: The primary emphasis this year has been to assist the four Latin American Regional Spiritual Assemblies in their task of establishing 17 new local assemblies in the national assembly goal countries. Work toward this objective was markedly stepped up on receipt of the Third Annual Message from the Hands of the Cause to the Bahá’ís of East and West, in which they called for the achievement of this goal this Riḍván, as the necessary bedrock for the establishment next year of the twenty-one Latin American National Spiritual Assemblies. The specific number of these goals was established by the beloved Guardian at the start of the Crusade. One of the tasks he gave to the Regional Assemblies of Latin America was to double in each Republic the number of local assemblies then in existence. As the number ranged from one to four in the different countries, the goal too varies. In seven Republics the minimum requirement is only two assemblies; in two it is eight.

The chief function of the Western Hemisphere Teaching Committee has been to expedite pioneer projects, subject to the approval of the National Assembly and with the assistance of the Joint Deputization Fund initiated last Riḍván by the Hands in the Holy Land. As of March 3rd, twenty pioneers from the United States have settled in goal cities, and nine in critical assemblies. Seventeen more are either en route to their posts or expect to be before early April.

In addition to these North American pioneers, many Latin Americans have arisen and a number of Persians. There are at least twenty-eight already at their posts, and twelve planned to settle in goals. Nineteen of these are projects worked out under the Joint Deputization Fund. (This number does not include the many Persian pioneers already settled in South America, chiefly in Brasil.)

Besides the many new declarations in the goals, another factor enabling this task to be accomplished is the transfer of thirty-seven United States pioneers already in the field to the goal cities or critical assemblies.

Assistance has also been given to the travelling teaching missions, including a few United States Bahá’ís who volunteered their services.

Bolivian Indians: The most spectacular development has been the phenomenal spread of the Faith among the Indians of Bolivia. Starting with two brothers who found the Faith in 1956, there are now over 900 Indian believers in that country. The promises that people would enter the Cause in troops have begun to be fulfilled in the Western Hemisphere, with as many as 80 declarations made at one time. There are more than twenty localities with more than nine Bahá’ís. But they are coming in faster than they can be taught. The tiny number of teachers is pitifully inadequate. So the Hands in the Holy Land have sent instructions that local assemblies are to be formed only in those places where the believers know the rudiments of the Administration.

Other Responsibilities: While the tremendous effort to accomplish our primary task has necessarily required most of our attention this year, there have been developments in other areas. Ten pioneers from the United States have been settled in such areas. Three have gone to posts where their arrival released others for goals; two are in the virgin territory of Key West; one settled in Alaska; and four went to Latin American localities other than goals.

A significant settlement was that of an Alaskan Youth, Boyer T. Brown, in Puerto Rico, because he is the first native Alaskan Bahá’í to pioneer in a foreign field.

The translation made last year of “Blessed is the Spot . . .” into the Aleut language has been published in an attractive pamphlet.

The first Summer School in the history of the area has been planned by the Hawaii Teaching Committee for the July 4th week-end.

As of March first there were a total of 204 United States pioneers settled in various Crusade goals of the Western Hemisphere, thirty-nine having gone out this year between May first and March first. Six more were en route to their posts, and eleven scheduled to depart by early April. Seven pioneers returned to the United States, two because of the termination of the husband’s Navy assignment.

Tasks Ahead: At the writing of this report, reaching this year’s primary objective, the establishment of the minimum required number of local assemblies in Latin America, seems sure. Our hearts are full of gratitude to all who have put forth such strenuous efforts to win this victory, first to the Hands of the Cause travelling in Latin America, Hermann Grossmann, Ugo Giachery, and William Sears, whose inspiring leadership and example have stimulated the entire area, then to the Regional Assemblies and Auxiliary Board members, the teaching committees, the pioneers and all the other workers. Still the task of consolidating the victories, strengthening and broadening the twenty-one bases of the twenty-one Pillars to be established next year is tremendous. For instance, six goal countries will have only two local assemblies, many too many assemblies are not functioning as they should, and some are critically weak. Among the tasks in the Six- [Page 10] Year Plans given by the beloved Guardian to the Regional Assemblies in 1957 ‎was were‎ an increase in the number of travelling teachers from the United States.

The challenge of teaching our brother Bahá’ís on the Altiplano of Bolivia must be met.

There are ten virgin territories in the Hemisphere with no pioneers, four of these with no Bahá’ís at present, and one which has not as yet been settled at all—Easter Island.

Many other objectives of the World Crusade in the Western Hemisphere are still to be accomplished. With the impetus let loose this year we pray and trust all will be victoriously accomplished.

HAWAII TEACHING

Members: Dr. Larry M. Beers, Chairman; Mrs. Dorothy G. Beers, Secretary; Mrs. Elizabeth Hollinger, Fin Hollinger, Albin E. Kubala, Mrs. Shirley Lombard.

Meetings — Ten regular committee meetings have been held. Four bulletins have been issued with one more to be issued before the end of the year, and special notices in letter form as required.

Conferences: Two conferences were held this past year, one in June 1959 and one in December preceding the state convention. Both were held in Honolulu. The need for a summer school was discussed at both of these conferences to be held at a place other than Honolulu. Plans have been made for the first Hawaii Summer School to be held June 30-July 4, 1960 on the Island of Kauai. The program has been formulated and teachers from the mainland are being sought.

Circuit Teaching: Three circuit teaching trips were arranged this year. In May, Mrs. Margery McCormick returning from the formation of the RSA of the South Pacific, held fireside and public meetings in Hilo, Maui and Kauai as well as Honolulu. Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh made the same circuit in July. On Kauai the local radio station made a tape of Mrs. Mottahedeh’s talk which was repeated several times due to the many requests for it. Mr. Norman Gauerke conducted firesides on Hawaii and Kauai in August. Miss Gertrude Garrida goes regularly to Hilo once a month and while there assists with the firesides. Dr. and Mrs. Beers went to Kauai in November and assisted with firesides. Mr. Fin Hollinger was the speaker for World Religion Day on Maui and also helped with the firesides there.

The Hilo Group prepared an exhibit on the Bahá’í Faith for a booth at the Hilo Junior Chamber of Commerce sponsored County Fair in November. Much interest and curiosity was aroused and 170 pamphlets given out to people who stopped to ask questions. Regular firesides with interested seekers are being held and it is hoped that within the coming year this group will reach assembly status.

Youth: The only youth outside of Honolulu will be leaving for college at the end of the school year. However, under the Honolulu Assembly a University Club has been formed at the University of Hawaii and it is hoped that the young people attending school there will be able to return to their homes in the goal areas and assist with the teaching efforts.

Prospects: Assistance is needed on the Islands of Kauai and Molokai where groups have been established in the past; Lanai, a privately owned Island, needs someone to pioneer who is able to get a job either with the pineapple company that owns the island or as a teacher in the public school system. There is evidence of increased activity in all phases of teaching activities on the islands but since the only means of transportation is plane travel, settlers are needed for these areas who can remain.

TEMPLE WORSHIP

Members: Mrs. Lorana Kerfoot, Chairman; Mrs. Gertrude Henning, Vice-chairman and Treasurer; Miss Hortense Bredehorst, Secretary; Herbert Baler, Mrs. Mabel Eastman, Mrs. Esther Glauder, Mrs. Frances Hannen, Mrs. Mary Lou Martin, Mrs. Harriet Terry.

The Temple Worship Committee was appointed to assume full responsibility, under the general direction of the National Spiritual Assembly, for planning and conducting (1) six anniversary programs, (2) weekly programs of devotions and a cappella music in the Auditorium of the House of Worship. The devotional programs are held at 3:30 p.m. every Sunday, lasting about forty minutes.

The work of the committee includes the planning of new programs and constantly revising the current ones. Each program shows how the same spiritual truths are to be found in all of the Holy Scriptures. Much study, research and consultation go into these compilations. In addition, during the past year the committee has tried a new type of program, one in which no central theme has been developed. The readings are selected to create an attitude of meditation and devotion. Scheduling and producing these weekly devotions means having each Sunday’s program printed, selecting readers (usually three) who read clearly and with understanding, as the Guardian requested, and selecting a committee member to monitor. The selection of choral numbers is determined in consultation with the director of the Bahá’í House of Worship A Cappella Choir, Lloyd Cousins, who is also Director of Music, National College of Education, Evanston, Ill.

Several new musical compositions, arranged for a cappella choir, were submitted by Bahá’ís, and after consultation with Mr. Cousins, have been accepted by the committee for use in the Temple programs.

In order to find, encourage and help readers the committee holds a workshop the second and fourth Sunday of each month at 4:30 p.m. at the House of Worship. These workshops are designed for all readers, new and old.

During the past year the members of the committee have conducted fifty-two weekly devotional programs and the following anniversaries:

Naw-Rúz	March 21
Feast of Riḍván	April 25
Declaration of the Báb	May 23
Birth of the Báb	October 20
Birth of Bahá’u’lláh	November 12
Day of the Covenant	November 26

Anniversary programs have been conducted as public meetings which began with devotional readings in the Auditorium and were followed by a meeting downstairs in Foundation Hall at which there was a Bahá’í talk on an appropriate theme. Light refreshments have also been served at each anniversary celebration during this Bahá’í year. [Page 11]

TEMPLE GUIDES

Members: Mrs. Dotha Cooper, Chairman; Mrs. Dorothy Redson, Secretary; Robert Bartlett, Mrs. Wilhemina Becker, Mrs. Minnie Hadley, Mrs. Helen Hobbs, Mrs. Leona Jackson, Mrs. Alvena Lange, Frank Peter.

One of the chief responsibilities of the Temple Guides Committee is to secure qualified guides to conduct visitors through the Temple.

A new narrated tape which is synchronized with the colored slides was made this past year by Ken Nordine, a Chicago radio announcer.

The Guide Manual was revised and new copies were printed. The Manual is a necessary aid to acquaint the guides with the procedure and rules set up by the Guides Committee and the N.S.A. It includes information pertaining to the history of the Faith, many questions that are asked by visitors and the references where the answers may be found.

The number of visitors for the past three years is as follows: in 1957 the total was 87,451; in 1958 the total was 98,895 and in 1959 it was 88,947. The greatest number of visitors was during June, July, August and September, the total for these four months being 54,987.

We have requests for tours from many groups and organizations: garden clubs, church groups, Y.M.C.A. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, high school clubs, university classes, foreign students, women’s clubs, discussion groups and youth groups. The Conference of Christians and Jews sponsor tours for many organizations, and the Bahá’í House of Worship is included in their itinerary. The Portland Cement Company sends groups out regularly during the year and they are eager for us to emphasize the spiritual aspect of the Faith as well as the architectural beauty of the building.

During the summer months, May 15-September 30, the entire building is open from 10:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. each day. This schedule and the number of requested tours make it necessary to maintain at least five guides each day, in order to carry out the routine smoothly. Many guides volunteer to serve one day every week.

The Committee wishes to express its appreciation to the faithful guides who contribute so many hours of their time to help in this important teaching work. It is imperative that we secure new qualified guides and we hope any who wish to participate will contact the committee.

TEMPLE PUBLIC MEETINGS

Members: Mrs. Gene Bernstein, Chairman; Miss Lauretta E. Voelz, Secretary; Miss Hortense Bredehorst.

The Temple Public Meetings Committee was appointed to conduct meetings for the proclamation of the basic principles and essential verities of the Faith in Foundation Hall. Such meetings were held regularly on the third Sunday of each month at 4:15 p.m.

The programs for the year have been as follows:

Date: May 17, 1959 Speaker: Vivian Fellows Subject: “This Radiant Century” Chairman: Robert C. Bartlett

Date: June 21, 1959 Speaker: Margarite Ullrich Subject: “The Power of the Holy Spirit” Chairman: Clarence Ullrich

Date: July 19, 1959 Speaker: Rouholah Zargarpur Subject: “The Promised Day is Come” Chairman: Gene Bernstein

Date: August 16, 1959 Speaker: John Bustard ‎Subect Subject‎: “Religion in the Modern World” Chairman: Hortense Bredehorst

Date: September 20, 1959 Speaker: Dr. Harrison M. Langrall Subject: “The World Faith of Bahá’u’lláh” Chairman: Lauretta E. Voelz

Date: October 18, 1959 Speaker: Elizabeth E. Lower Subject: “The Spiritualization of Mankind” Chairman: Terrance Boland

Date: November 15, 1959 Speaker: Hugh E. Chance Subject: “A Pattern for Future Society” Chairman: Anne Floyd

Date: December 20, ‎1950 1959‎ Speaker: Eleanor Sweney Hutchens Subject: “A Faith to Restore Faith” Chairman: Richard C. Thomas

Date: January 17, 1960 Speaker: Fred M. Sudhop Subject: “Mankind’s Religious Unity” Chairman: Gene Bernstein

Date: February 21, 1960 Speaker: Dr. B. W. Streets Subject: “The Changeless Faith of God” Chairman: Lauretta E. Voelz

Date: March 13, 1960 Speaker: Laurence LaRocque Subject: “The New Day of God” Chairman: Lorana Kerfoot

Date: April 17, 1960 Speaker: Dan C. Jordan Subject: “Unity—the Principle of Growth” Chairman: Hortense Bredehorst

Throughout the year, the committee has had the valuable assistance of Mrs. Agnes Mitchell in the mailing of the programs to the communities in the area and the lists provided.

NATIONAL TEACHING

Members: Hugh E. Chance, Chairman; Mrs. Velma Sherrill, Secretary; Paul M. Moon; Lloyd R. Sherrill.

Functions: To promote the attainment of the Crusade goal of 300 local spiritual assemblies; to stimulate teaching activities leading to mass conversion; to supervise and coordinate the work of the area teaching committees; to arrange area circuits and settlement projects; to collaborate with the Indian Service and Interracial Teaching Committees.

Objectives: Focusing attention on the home front goal for the United States in the World Crusade, i.e., 300 “firmly grounded, well informed, actively functioning communities” by 1963, the American National Teaching Committee met early in the year in consultation with the National Spiritual Assembly. A plan of action was formalized calling upon the American Bahá’ís to bring into being fifty additional local spiritual assemblies in April 1960 and fifty more in April, 1961, in addition to holding the “spiritual prizes” already won. This achievement would leave two years (1961-1963) in which to concentrate upon consolidation and the important task of taking the Faith to the masses.

To reinforce this objective the following steps were taken:

1. As a result of recommendations from the area teaching committees the National Spiritual Assembly in consultation with the American National Teaching Committee compiled a list of goal groups upon which concentrated teaching assistance was focused throughout the year.

The services of Auxiliary Board Members, circuit teaching, extension teaching by local spiritual [Page 12] assemblies, and settlers enhanced the efforts made by the groups themselves.

2. Early in the Bahá’í year, representatives of the American National Teaching committee met in consultation with most of the area teaching committees to determine effective means of lending every possible assistance to the goal groups and small Bahá’í communities.

3. Area teaching committees were, in turn, urged to arrange consultative visits to the goal groups and small Bahá’í communities to encourage and assist them in setting up annual teaching plans geared to assure assembly status by Riḍván.

4. Circuit Teaching: A National Spiritual Assembly approved list of some 128 circuit teachers was compiled and made available to area teaching committees to assist in servicing the goals. Press material, including glossy prints and biographical data was obtained on most of the circuit teachers and made available to area teaching committees.

A reference outline guide for the assistance of circuit teachers in preparing and conducting deepening meetings for “Bahá’ís only” was developed and approved by the National Spiritual Assembly for distribution to all circuit teachers. Reports indicate this teaching aid was used extensively and adapted effectively by the circuit teachers.

Report forms were developed for the use of circuit teachers in reporting their visits to the goal cities, thus enabling the American National Teaching Committee to obtain and share with the area teaching committees vital facts and recommendations stemming from the various visits.

As of March 1 more than 200 circuits and consecutive week-end visits had been arranged by the American National Teaching Committee in cooperation with the area teaching committees. This number is exclusive of visits initiated by Auxiliary Board Members and intra-area teaching projects arranged solely by the area teaching committees.

As one measure to assure no loss of teaching momentum throughout the summer months of 1960, area teaching committees were requested to set up regular circuit teaching schedules prior to April 21 through September 1, 1960 covering all goal groups and small Bahá’í communities.

The American National Teaching Committee is deeply appreciative of the dedicated, effective teaching efforts projected by the circuit teachers. Their assistance to the goal cities has done much to enhance the labors of the friends serving valiantly on the local level. It is the hope of this committee that many more capable teachers will arise and offer their services for this important work during the balance of the Crusade. For purposes of winning and consolidating the goals there is an increasing need for a continuous stream of traveling teachers to visit the areas where Bahá’ís reside throughout the United States.

5. Extension Teaching: Area teaching committees reported many extension teaching projects in process, some of which it is felt were directly responsible for the maintenance of assemblies listed as in jeopardy, as well as newly formed assemblies.

6. Conferences: In addition to the National Spiritual Assembly-sponsored conferences projected throughout the United States, a goodly number of area conferences were arranged. However, at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly area conferences were not emphasized this year. Rather, area teaching ‎ocmmittees committees‎ were urged to concentrate upon arranging consultative meetings with goal groups and small Bahá’í communities to encourage teaching on the ‎lacal local‎ level.

7. Settlers: Reports to March 1, 1960 indicate that approximately 55 settlers are at their respective posts in goal cities, or en route. March 1, 1960 reports also indicate that 35 or more goal groups should attain assembly status by Riḍván.

A pre-convention conference is scheduled by the American National Teaching Committee for April 27, 1960 at which all area teaching committees and circuit teachers will participate. The overall purpose of this meeting is to consult together in the spirit of Bahá’í love and fellowship, arriving at recommendations and conclusions that will better enable the American National Teaching Committee, the area teaching committees and the circuit teachers to more effectively coordinate teaching efforts toward total victory of the homefront Crusade goals.

The American National Teaching Committee wishes to conclude this report with a special word of love and appreciation for the services of the Beloved Hands of the Cause and their Auxiliary Board Members; for the guidance and support of the National Spiritual Assembly throughout the past year; for the wholehearted cooperation shown by the fourteen area teaching committees; for the response on the part of the local spiritual assemblies to the need for extension teaching assistance; and to the individual believers on the homefront upon whose dedication and action the ultimate victory of the Crusade primarily depends.

NORTH NEW ENGLAND STATES

(Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont.)

Members: Paul A. Meade, Chairman; Mrs. Juliette Meade, Secretary; Mrs. Beryl Kendrick, Jr., Recording Secretary; Mrs. Sara Ellen Fultz, Fred Kendrick, Jr.; Mrs. Hazel Owen; Miss Alta Wheeler.

The committee has met about once a month. We have enrolled 5 adults, one youth, and now have one youth’s application for enrollment in process.

One of the first projects of the committee was to send out to all Bahá’ís in the area questionnaires to determine those who could re-settle in goal cities and those who could do circuit teaching work within the area.

Teaching Circuits were planned for Mrs. Ruth Moffett and for Mrs. Mildred Mottahedeh. Mrs. Moffett presented the Faith on radio stations in Nashua and Portsmouth, N.H., and in Portland, Maine. Mrs. Mottahedeh spoke at public firesides and meetings at Portland, Maine; Portsmouth, Concord and Hinsdale, N.H.; and at Burlington, Vt. She was interviewed on the radio at Burlington.

Other Bahá’ís who have come into our area for circuit teaching include Dr. Elmer Kenneally of Mass.; Monroe Michels of Conn.; Benjamin Kaufman of New Jersey; and from [Page 13] Canada, Albert Rakovsky and Rowland Estall.

On July 11th, the Cathedral Of the Pines program was held in Rindge, New Hampshire. Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh was the speaker, Mrs. Ruth Silva, the soloist, and Mrs. Juliette Meade, the chairman. From 300 to 500 people were present, many of them tourists who just happened to be there and who heard the message for the first time. 1500 pieces of literature were handed out. The Divine Art of Living was presented to the Cathedral library.

An area teaching conference was held in conjunction with the ATC for the southern New England states at Green Acre, Maine, during the weekend of August 22-23.

Bulletins have been sent out regularly.

Books have been placed in public libraries throughout the area by individual groups and communities as well as by this committee.

Publicity throughout our area has been excellent, both in newspapers and on radio. As an example, in Brattleboro, Vermont, Jack Benjamin begins every Sunday morning on-air time on a local station with a Bahá’í prayer, and he uses Bahá’í quotations and readings several times each weekend. Nashua, N.H., had a prominent display of a Juliet Thompson portrait of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the public library with a photographic reproduction in the local newspaper. In Burlington, Vt., Bahá’í Feasts are listed in the newspaper, at the public library and at the university along with religious services of other religious groups. Hinsdale, N.H., receives publicity on activities in both Hinsdale and Brattleboro, Vt., papers. This is just an example of the work going on throughout the area.

As a result of teaching, library literature and publicity, there is a growing awareness of the Faith in all three states. Several requests for literature and for more information have come to this committee. We have sent out literature with follow-up correspondence and have made direct contact.

The teaching work has been active and dedicated in the preferred goal groups as well as other groups and assemblies. However, there is a great need for settlers to come into our area which is made up of three states, only one of which has assemblies.

SOUTH NEW ENGLAND STATES

(Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut.)

Members: Dr. Sam McClellan, Chairman; Mrs. Ethelinda T. Merson, Secretary; Mrs. Barbara E. Archung; Theodore C. Lucas; Mrs. Leonora P. Norman; Charles W. Vale Jr.; Miss Katherine Walker.

The Committee met 23 times. We have enrolled 10 Bahá’ís. Seven new centers were opened in Massachusetts and 3 in Connecticut.

Conferences: A two day joint conference with the ATC of the North New England States was held at Green Acre in August. The first day was devoted to "Suggested Study Methods," the second day to "Teaching the Faith" (a) making contacts, (b) mechanics of teaching. The Youth put on a wonderful panel. We met with the Beverly Community and followed this meeting with a conference with the Bahá’ís from the surrounding area. We publicized the two NSA-sponsored conferences and urged attendance.

Circuit Teaching: This committee developed a series of fireside talks, in outline form, designed for presentation at five consecutive firesides to the same audience. Fourteen well qualified speakers were recruited from the area who gave one of the talks two or three times during the three months covered in the plan. In this way the entire series was presented, more or less consecutively, at seven different locations, including the five goal groups which are to become assemblies. The way in which the various aspects of the Faith were covered was as follows:

(1) The Bahá’í Faith: An Overview of Its Distinguishing Features.

(2) Fundamental Beliefs and Principles of the Bahá’í Faith.

(3) The History of the Bahá’í Faith.

(4) The Bahá’í Faith as a Way of Life.

(5) Accomplishments of the Faith: Development of Bahá’í Administrative Institutions.

Other Activities: We arranged for radio and television programs for Hand of the Cause William Sears in Boston, Mass., on July 18 and 19, as well as publicized the public meetings and meetings for Bahá’ís only.

At New Haven, Conn., we met with representatives of Greenwich, New Haven and Stamford LSAs to discuss and clarify the relationship between LSAs and ATCs and to consult about extension teaching in Hartford.

At the Connecticut Picnic in Stamford, we discussed extension teaching and teaching possibilities in the area. We have consulted with individuals, at their request, on various problems. Members of this committee have spoken at public meetings and at firesides throughout the area.

Representatives of this committee have consulted with the Youth and helped with their conferences by providing speakers and supplying meeting places.

Bulletin: We have sent out a monthly bulletin in which we have publicized conferences, conventions, and other information sent by other national committees and ATCs as well as other information about activities in this area which would encourage further activity.

NORTH ATLANTIC STATES

(New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania.)

Members: Dr. Leslie Marcus, Chairman; Mrs. Florence C. Steinhauer, Secretary; Mrs. Mary C. Burnet, Dr. and Mrs. Roberts E. Fuller; Mrs. Audrey Marcus and Harold Perdue. Mrs. Nancy Mondschein resigned in early 1960 because of accruing personal responsibilities.

Meetings: 23 meetings have been held to date and four or five additional meetings are planned.

Bulletins: Nine bulletins have been issued and two more are to be released.

Conferences: This committee endeavored to fully publicize the NSA-sponsored conferences of June 1959 and January 1960 and had personnel ATC representation at each of the January conferences in this area at the request of the NSA. Committee sponsored conferences were held in Essex County, N.J. in July, and in Philadelphia, Pa., in November.

Activities: Personal conferences were held with the following goal groups and assemblies: Huntington Twp., L. I., New York City, N. Hempstead Twp., L.I. and Yonkers, N.Y.; E. Orange, Englewood, Hackensack, Montclair, Springfield and Teaneck, N.J.: and Philadelphia, Pa. [Page 14] The purpose of these meetings was to consult on their problems, if any, ascertain results of their teaching efforts and discuss ways in which ATC could be of assistance with primary emphasis on circuit teaching. Discussion of dispersal and extension teaching was basis of the meetings with the LSA’s of New York, Philadelphia and Teaneck.

Round robin fireside circuits were initiated whereby a local spiritual assembly was made responsible for assisting, coordinating and planning regularly scheduled firesides to be held by weak assemblies, groups and isolated believers in that immediate vicinity. Two assemblies have the plan in operation and two more are in the planning stage.

This committee is continuing to sponsor the Institute and children’s classes held every Sunday morning at Evergreen Cabin, W. Englewood, N.J.

Circuits: Individual assignments of single days and short or extended week-ends were set up for most goal groups and weak assemblies utilizing the services of the following circuit teachers: Miss Elizabeth Brooks, Hugh E. Chance, N. M. Firoozi, Dr. Roberts E. Fuller, Charles H. Gaines, Mrs. Dorothy Holmlund, Mr. and Mrs. Ala’i Kalantar, Ben Kaufman, Mrs. Martha Kavelin, Dr. Leslie Marcus, Mrs. Beatrice Thigpen and Allan L. Ward.

Mrs. Katherine McLaughlin, Auxiliary Board member has given this committee invaluable assistance by visiting the distant goals to conduct firesides, speak at public meetings, personally follow up contacts and, most important of all, inspire and activate the Bahá’ís in those communities. This ATC is grateful to the Hands of the Cause in America for assigning Mrs. McLaughlin to this area and is most appreciative of her efforts.

Youth: The Area Youth Committee held 20 meetings to date and several more are planned. Activities of the AYC during the year have included the following: planning and executing an area-wide youth meeting in Buffalo, N.Y., the purpose of which was to become acquainted with the various problems youth have encountered in this area; sending a panel of youth committee members to the Chautauqua, N. Y. Conference to discuss general AYC functions and responsibilities; initiating a regular program of meetings with area groups and assemblies to discuss specific duties of AYC in this area; planning three NBYC sponsored conferences; planning and executing, in collaboration with the Buffalo LYC, a youth conference for National Bahá’í Youth Week; having speakers available for youth firesides, comparative religion classes, etc.; and recommending the formation of local youth committees to those communities who do not have them. The AYC through consultation has become increasingly aware of the problems of youth and is attempting to assist and encourage them as much as possible in their endeavors to promote the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

Enrollments: Seven adults and five youth have been enrolled to date.

Prospects: Two assemblies are to be restored and we are hopeful of the formation of three goal groups into local spiritual assemblies.

SOUTH ATLANTIC STATES

(Florida, Georgia, South Carolina.)

Members: Col. C. B. Cleveland, Chairman; Mrs. Nina Nadler, Secretary; Mrs. Lenore P. Cleveland, Mrs. Elizabeth Fiedler, Harry Fiedler, Miss Zilpha Sawyer.

Conferences: Six conferences were held on September 20, 1959 three in Florida, two in Georgia, and one in South Carolina. Members of the Area Teaching Committee acted as coordinators for the three conferences held in Florida, and appointed individuals to act for them as coordinators for those in Georgia and South Carolina.

One conference was held in Florida on December 5 at Miami Beach just prior to the state convention there.

Four National Spiritual Assembly-sponsored conferences were held within this area—one in Augusta, Ga., and one in Atlanta, Ga., in 1959 and two in Florida, at Tampa and Miami, in 1960.

Meetings: Beginning in May 1959 there has been a regular monthly meeting. Two other meetings held by a quorum of the committee handled matters which could not wait for the regularly scheduled meeting.

Bulletin: The first issue of the bulletin came out in June 1959. Seven issues have been prepared; one for the months August-September, and one for the months December-January.

Circuit Teaching: One circuit was arranged to cover the preferred goal groups of Dunedin and Sarasota, Fla. Because of its location between these two towns, St. Petersburg community was included in the circuit. One circuit was arranged for the preferred goal groups of Augusta, Ga., and North Augusta, S.C. Because of proximity, Jacksonville and Duval County, Fla., were included in this circuit.

Weekend teaching circuits have been held in various cities, with special emphasis on the four preferred goal groups of the area. These are still being carried on and are being conducted both by people from other areas, as well as by isolated believers, and members of groups and communities in this area. Mr. Curtis Kelsey, Auxiliary Board Member, spent a week in each of the goal group cities of Dunedin, and Sarasota, Fla., and five days in Augusta, Ga., and North Augusta, S.C.

Extension Teaching: Four communities have extension teaching programs in progress. Active groups have been most helpful in cooperating with smaller groups nearby and including isolated believers in their activities.

Bahá’í Books in Libraries: Starting in September 1959, with an announcement at the area conferences, and then including items in the area bulletin, a partial survey has been completed showing the Bahá’í books available in the public libraries throughout the area. With the increased number of inquiries for Bahá’í literature, this is proving very helpful.

Other Teaching Activities: The calendar of special events for proclaiming the Faith to the public has been an excellent incentive to activity. Each of the dates has been celebrated in each state of the area. The communities and the preferred goal groups have especially emphasized these dates. Because of a very active student at the University of Florida, it was possible to arrange three public meetings at the Florida Union Building at the University. Material was sent for a [Page 15] special program at Florida Normal College, but a report has not yet been received on this program. Emphasis has been placed on having the youth participate in all Bahá’í conferences and other activities. A youth conference—workshop type—is being planned for the spring vacation period, as well as some special activity for Bahá’í World Youth Day on March 25.

New Members: Four adult believers have been enrolled and one youth, and one adult and one youth have written their letters for enrollment.

EAST CENTRAL STATES

(Indiana, Michigan, Ohio)

Members: Michael Jamir, Chairman; Mrs. Ona Koppe, Secretary; Mrs. Alice Bryant, Mrs. Helen Eggleston, Robert Gaines, Marvin Hughes, Marvin Nochman. Frank and Hazel Meese, originally appointed to the committee, pioneered to a foreign field in the fall and were replaced by Mrs. Eggleston and Mr. Hughes. Mr. Meese was chairman while on the committee.

Meetings: Twenty regular meetings have been held and expect to hold three more before Riḍván. Over the year, we average two absent. Eight special meetings were held with groups and/or assemblies and/or extension teaching committees; besides special consultation with American National Teaching Committee Chairman, Hugh Chance, and Auxiliary Board Member, William deForge.

Bulletins: One special and ten regular issues have been mailed with two more planned. Many letters have been received expressing appreciation for the bulletin, some isolated believers explaining it is their only link with the Faith besides BAHÁ’Í NEWS. Interest in the bulletin is evidenced by frequent activity reports from the group correspondents and small communities.

New Members: Twelve adults and two youth with six applicants in process. In spite of greatly increased teaching activity in the area, this is four less enrollments than last year.

Conferences: Two National Spiritual Assembly sponsored Conferences with William Sears, Hand of the Cause, (one in Michigan and one in Ohio) and one each with Auxiliary Board Members William deForge and Mrs. Velma Sherrill (both in Ohio).

Four area teaching committee sponsored conferences were held before the request to curtail this type of activity, (two in Michigan, and one each in Indiana and Ohio) using an agenda theme “Power of the Creative Word.” These conferences were successful in bringing realization to the believers of the individual responsibility in teaching the Cause and inspired renewed dedication and increased activity.

Seminars on “Trustees of the Merciful” have been held with three local spiritual assemblies (two in Michigan and one in Ohio).

Eleven national convention reports were given by delegates (three in Indiana, three in Ohio, and five in Michigan).

Extension Teaching: Ten communities continue extension teaching work, five of them having definite sustained projects with goal groups.

Circuit Teaching: Mr. William deForge, member of the Auxiliary Board to the Hands of the Cause, has been assigned to this area for the duration of the World Crusade and has assisted greatly in the teaching efforts and re-invigoration of the believers. He has made special visits for this purpose to Toledo, Cincinnati, and Mansfield, Ohio; Highland Park and Niles, Mich.; and included towns surrounding these points in some cases.

Marvin and Lois Nochman offered their services during the summer vacation period and, besides speaking in several cities, spent a week in July at Lansing, Mich., for concentrated teaching.

Mrs. Ruth Moffett, was in the Detroit metropolitan area in August for a week of concentrated teaching.

Mr. Allan Ward, and Mr. Cal Rollins presented an outstanding compilation on consultation on a circuit during the Christmas holiday season through Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio; the Detroit metropolitan area; and the Davison Bahá’í School winter session.

Besides the above, the goal groups of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and Niles, Mich., as well as the secondary goal of Marysville, Mich., and Youngstown, Ohio, were each visited once during the year by a circuit teacher. Several more such visits are being planned.

Highland Park, Mich., will have used approved circuit teachers for seven weekends by the end of the year. The local spiritual assemblies of Ferndale, Royal Oak, and Detroit have also been visited by several circuit teachers when in the territory. This committee has also assisted Highland Park in procuring Bahá’í speakers from nearby towns for some of their weekly public firesides.

Toledo, Ohio, has had public firesides approximately twice a month beginning last October, five of these meetings conducted by approved circuit teachers with two more in the planning, and using Bahá’í speakers from adjacent towns for the remainder.

Niles Township, Mich., has had regular monthly public firesides beginning in November for which this committee has furnished speakers, including three approved circuit teachers.

Muskegon, Mich., began concentrated teaching on alternate weekends in January with both firesides and public meetings for contacts, using approved circuit teachers. This will total seven weekends by Riḍván.

Besides those already mentioned, the following circuit teachers have assisted ‎with with with‎ the work in this area; Robert Bartlett, Fred Sudhop, Paul and Sara Harris, Dr. William Love, Ellsworth Blackwell, Dr. Harrison Langrall, Laurence LaRocque, Mrs. Eleanor Hutchens, Mrs. Florence Holsinger, A. S. Petzoldt, Mrs. Hazel Langrall, and Mrs. Thelma Allison.

Goals: Concentration on certain cities has had beneficial results in this area in the way of re-dedication of the believers. Also, they have experienced better consultation among themselves, have had more public meetings and discussion groups, reaching a greater number of contacts. The pattern of circuit teaching has filled a gap in our teaching needs as there are not always enough local teachers available to sustain such a teaching tempo. Association with these believers from different cities and states has intensified the spirit of fellowship and broadened the horizons of the local Bahá’ís to the world aspect of their Cause.

Highland Park and Niles, Mich., expect to achieve assembly status this year, and Toledo, Ohio, feels that they can only do so by pioneers moving in to fill the ranks as all their [Page 16] enrollments have been in adjacent townships.

We have five assemblies in jeopardy, two of which now seem to be assured of maintaining their assembly status and another which is hopeful.

Pioneers: We feel it is fitting to close this report with a list of those who have gone forth during the year from this area to foreign fields: Betty Jane Walker, Doree Thomas, Frank and Hazel Meese, Joanne Blecha, Thomas Simmons, Camilla White, John and Madalyne Byers.

CENTRAL STATES

(Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa)

Members: Elmer Schwandes, Chairman; Annalean Schwandes, Secretary; Dr. Irma Brown, Mrs. Janis Jacobs, Hal Nickel, Michael Reimer, Clarence Suhm, Herbert Suhm, Mrs. Arden Thur Lee, Mrs. Vivian Fellows.

The committee has held fourteen regular meetings. There was also one special meeting with a representative from the ANTC and one with the Milwaukee LSA as well as two meetings with the Brookfield LSA and the Waukesha group to set up extension teaching work. We held four meetings at the Temple with the representatives from Northern Illinois LSAs and four at the Milwaukee Center with LSA representatives from Wisconsin. We feel these meetings are very helpful because it draws the Area Committee closer to the believers in discussing teaching methods and ways and means of developing the Faith.

Our committee sponsored four area conferences:

St. Charles, Illinois on September 19th, Duluth, Minnesota on September 26 and 27, Des Moines, Iowa on October 10 and 11, Urbana, Illinois on October 24 and 25.

We used both the workshop method for discussion at these conferences as well as asking various believers to key note subjects. We chose material from the “Advent of Divine Justice” as the basis for our discussions.

We were very fortunate to have Marguerite Sears give us her time in October. She spoke at many of our goals in Wisconsin: Green Bay, Manitowoc, Fond du Lac, Greenfield, Kenosha and Waukesha.

Vivian Fellows made a circuit in Southern Illinois. She spoke in Quincy, Melrose Twp., Peoria Heights and Richwood Twp. She also taught in Northern Illinois as well as all through the state of Wisconsin.

Margery McCormick, Auxiliary Board Member, has been assigned to our area by the Hands. She has covered completely all the goals and small communities, giving each two days—one meeting for Bahá’ís only and one public fireside. She has been very helpful and has truly inspired each group she has visited.

We have not been successful with extension teaching this year. In spite of letters to each community in our area very little has been done. However, Chicago LSA has done a good job working with Park Ridge and Elmhurst. Several attempts have been made by various communities to do extension work but with no cooperation from the groups chosen to work with. There seems to be a lack of understanding by all believers as to the purpose and function of extension teaching work.

This year there has definitely been an increase of activity all through our area. Attendance at state conventions was better, attendance at NSA-sponsored conferences was better. There is much more activity, particularly in small communities.

We enrolled eleven adults and two youth.

GULF STATES

(Louisiana, Texas)

Members: Lt. Col. S. A. Pelle, Chairman; Miss D. Thelma Jackson, Secretary; Paul R. Pettit, Robert L. Pickering, Jr., Mrs. Mary Rublee, Mrs. Patricia Sheppard.

In addition to carrying out the regular functions of an area teaching committee, such as transmitting to groups and isolated members information and communications from the Hands of the Cause of God and the National Spiritual Assembly, publishing a bulletin, arranging teaching circuits, planning conferences, encouraging extension and interracial teaching, the following goals were adopted at the beginning of the year:

1. Assist in establishing two new assemblies in the area; namely, Austin and Odessa, Texas.

2. Give assistance to strengthen the three newly formed local spiritual assemblies of Riḍván 1959.

3. Build and strengthen four centers containing isolated believers or groups.

4. Enroll forty new believers in the area—twice as many as were enrolled last year. This figure was selected as a minimum to attain the two new assemblies, strengthen or build other groups and send pioneers who volunteered to go outside the area.

5. Encourage participating in the continued Spiritual Reinvigoration program given by the National Spiritual Assembly.

Twenty-five committee meetings were held through February 29, 1960, including the organizational meeting of May 17, 1959. One of these was with Mrs. Margery McCormick, one with Mrs. Velma Sherrill, and one with Dr. Sarah M. Pereira.

Nine area bulletins were issued in the same period of time.

Teaching circuits include the following. Miss Musette Christian visited Shreveport, Pineville, Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana; and Houston, Galveston, Austin, San Antonio and Odessa, Texas, on a two-week circuit in June and July. Miss Pearle Easterbrook spoke at two public meetings in Fort Worth, Texas, and Mrs. Ruth Moffett spent a few days in the Dallas-Fort Worth area immediately following the summer school session in September. Mr. and Mrs. A. K. Kalantar, pioneers in Guadalajara, Mexico, visited San Antonio, Corpus Christi, University Park, Houston, Galveston and New Orleans in May 1959. Another circuit was given by Mr. and Mrs. Kalantar in December when they visited San Antonio, Austin, University Park, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio. Mrs. Terah Cowart-Smith visited El Paso, Odessa and University Park during a ten-day circuit in Texas in February. Mrs. Florence Mayberry stayed a week in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and three days in University Park in February.

Also, an over-night visit during which a public meeting was held in Odessa was given by Mr. Dale Allen; and Mrs. Patricia Sheppard, member of this committee, made two trips to Odessa and Monahans, Texas.

A project to assist in inter-area circuit teaching is nearing completion. [Page 17]

ANNUAL REPORTS

Plans are being made at the present time for a two-week circuit in Louisiana by Mr. George N. Clark, an extended week-end visit by Dr. Sarah M. Pereira in Baton Rouge, and a week-end visit by Mr. Paul R. Pettit to Odessa.

Two series of conferences, one in early summer and one in late fall, were held in each of the nine cities having local spiritual assemblies. These were meetings of consultation with the members of the assemblies and representatives of this committee for the purpose of evaluation, by both the local spiritual assemblies and the area teaching committee, of each local situation, coordinating efforts throughout the area, gaining a closer relationship and understanding, and making plans for accomplishment of the goals—new assemblies and new members. Also, the committee members stressed the importance of the communities participating in the nation-wide Spiritual Reinvigoration program. These conferences were well attended and the accomplishments were encouraging.

Three of the nation-wide conferences sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly were held in the area, the June conference being in Shreveport, and the January-February conference in Houston, Texas, and New Orleans, Louisiana. Attendance was good; however, less than fifty per cent of the membership was represented.

Extension teaching projects were adopted by five communities. Houston selected Prairie View and Odessa to assist; Fort Worth chose Arlington and Weatherford; Dallas continued its offer of assistance to the young assembly in University Park; San Antonio gave assistance to Austin; and Shreveport helped Bossier City. In addition to these definite projects, all of the communities in Louisiana worked closely with the nearby groups and isolated members.

The area teaching committee in conjunction with the extension teaching committee of the San Antonio Community carried out a teaching project with the Austin group lasting over a period of several months at which time the group had attained its goal toward assembly status. This project included two to three weekly firesides, at least one public meeting per month, a concentrated advertising campaign, and a mailing project which the group itself is carrying out at the present time. Three members have been enrolled in Austin, two settlers arrived, and one other transfer was made into the city.

A public reception was given on the evening preceding the state convention of Texas, in Austin, with a short program of Haifa pictures. There were several table exhibits on various Bahá’í subjects prepared by the communities of the state which were the source of much attention and many questions on the Faith.

In addition to what is reported above regarding Odessa, the other goal city, books and pamphlets have been supplied and assistance given to the group in advertising. When Odessa was selected as a goal city there were six members in the group; later two of these transferred to a city a short distance away and the work in the two cities had been very closely associated.

This committee and the Houston Community furnished Bahá’í pamphlets for seven to eight hundred packets of pamphlets given to that number attending an Inter-Faith Workshop, this project being through the efforts of the Bahá’í group of two in Bellaire, Texas.

Among the miscellaneous activities, the area teaching committee encouraged a greater degree of communication between the isolated members, through correspondence, the exchange of ideas and encouragement in teaching and study efforts.

Two of the local spiritual assemblies of the area were incorporated this year.

Various other local and isolated projects were carried out by this committee, and in addition to these committee activities, the assemblies and many of the groups and isolated friends have themselves accomplished other successful teaching projects including some fine inter-racial work, all of which are necessarily not included in this report.

One example, however, is a visit for one week by Mr. George N. Clark in Prairie View, Texas, where he worked with approximately twenty contacts made up of faculty and students at the Negro college there. All arrangements were made by the isolated Bahá’í in Prairie View, a member of the faculty. This localized initiative and activity, as well as the enthusiastic and willing cooperation given to the area teaching committee plans by the entire area, and the prayerful and dedicated life of the friends, are deeply appreciated and have been invaluable in encouragement and accomplishment.

Three members of the area went as pioneers to Latin America, in response to the call of the Hands of the Cause of God to raise a second army of pioneers.

Twenty-three new members have been enrolled in the area; seven others are in the process of or preparation for enrollment; two additional applications were received by the committee but the applicants left the area before they could be enrolled.

It is possible, even yet, with continued effort and prayers, that another city, whether the second goal city or another group, may attain assembly status by Ridván, and that the goal of forty new enrollments may be accomplished.

SOUTH CENTRAL STATES

(Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska)

Members: Henry Weil, Chairman; Mrs. Naomi McCord, Secretary; Mrs. Mildred Birkett, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Esther Cochran; Lacy McCord; Mrs. Clarice Weil; Ben Weil.

Meetings: Regular meetings have been held twice monthly.

Bulletin: Nine bulletins have been issued with two more to follow. The emphasis in recent bulletins has related the teaching activities and the teaching aids to the goals of the Ten-Year Crusade. Included in each bulletin was a special reminder of the importance of voting at state conventions.

Enrollments: 16 adults and 2 youth have been enrolled this year.

New Centers: 12 new centers opened and 8 lost this year, leaving a total of 4 additional centers.

Conferences: Besides the NSA conferences, there was one committee-sponsored conference. The committee spread the development of the agenda and the monitoring of the consultation tables among the friends throughout the area with the result that greater interest was evoked by the wider participation. One workshop session was divided into consultation tables according to classification of believers as (1) Isolated Believers (2) Groups (3) LSA’s (4) Youth. Another session was divided according to states to pro- [Page 18] mote intrastate cooperation and community of interests.

Assemblies: Much work has been done to assure the maintenance of assembly status in Little Rock, Arkansas and Lincoln, Nebraska. Lincoln is assured with the moving of two settlers within our area. We are hopeful that the sustained circuit teaching efforts will result in the maintenance of assembly status in Little Rock. Spirited teaching activity within the groups at Lawrence, Kansas and Webb City, Missouri should place both on the preferred goal list for next year. Webb City is being given teaching assistance by Joplin, Missouri.

Teaching Activities: Within the area ten U.N. Day kits were distributed to groups and isolated believers with corresponding activity. Oklahoma City participated in the Oklahoma State Fair with a display booth and the distribution of several hundred pieces of literature. As a result of cooperation with the World Affairs Council of Greater St. Louis, one suburban group was asked to participate in the local U.N. Day luncheon where the Faith was listed as a cooperating organization on the program and large visual displays were prepared and set up throughout a public school system. Individual members were asked to participate in several additional U.N. Day observances. Through this cooperation an ‎opprtunity opportunity‎ was presented to display and distribute Bahá’í ‎lituerature literature‎ over a period of five weeks at the local showing of the film, “On The Beach.” The “Around-The-World” public forums, held jointly by two communities monthly and now in the second year, have grown in momentum and regularly attract audiences from 30 to 60. This year these forums have featured the living religions of the world. Special correspondence was sent to each isolated believer keyed to stimulate (1) teaching activity (2) spiritual reinvigoration and (3) a sense of belonging. One Bahá’í college student at Park College, Parkville, Mo., capitalized on the presence in her vicinity of two circuit teachers to organize a series of meetings at which the Faith was presented to both students and professors. In the preparation of conference agendas, special consideration was given to include participation by the youth. Don Newby, who spent his summer vacation in Honduras as a pioneer teacher, used this experience to present the Faith by showing slides of Honduras and presenting the Bahá’í message in many communities in four states in the area, making this effort pay in the teaching done in Honduras and in our area.

Child Education: The committee has encouraged the development of children’s classes by offering assistance in supplying material, teaching aids, etcetera. We believe that growth has been shown in this field of teaching. Children’s classes have been reported in Eureka Springs, Ark., Macy, Neb., Webster Groves, Mo., Wrightsville, Ark., Kansas City, Kan. and Kansas City, Mo.

Circuit Teaching: Regular circuit teaching has been carried on in Lincoln, Neb., Little Rock, Ark., plus a 6-week teaching project in Little Rock. In addition, Hannibal, Mo., is being assisted by Quincy, Ill., and Eureka Springs, Ark., by Rogers, Ark.

TENNESSEE VALLEY

(Kentucky, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi)

Members: Mrs. Erma Hayden, Chair-man; Miss Thelma Wenzel, Secretary; Mrs. Georgia Miller, Treasurer; Roy Miller, Mrs. Laura Eiler, Cal Rollins, Mrs. Maude Barnes.

During this past year the Tennessee Valley States Area Teaching Committee focused its attention upon increasing its youth membership; sponsoring youth activities for teaching the Bahá’í Faith; upon extension teaching to its goal cities and to promising groups, and to developing circuit teaching throughout the area.

With the coming of Dr. Sarah M. Pereira, Member of the Auxiliary Board of the Hands of the Faith of the Western Hemisphere, a powerful impetus was given for teaching the Bahá’í Faith to the college groups in the Nashville, Tenn., area. Dr. Pereira, Professor of Romance Languages of the Tennessee A & I University in Nashville, sponsored the following youth activities: A Bahá’í Club was organized at the Tennessee A & I University during the summer. Within a few days, five Bahá’ís and five faculty members developed a membership of twenty-five with the students. With the cooperation of the university, a Bahá’í institute was held November 21 in the library of the school, sponsored by the Bahá’í Club. An enthusiastic audience of 55 persons was entranced with the development of the theme, “One World, One Universal Faith, the Dawn of the Age of Unity.” The Bahá’í exhibit in the entrance hall excited the interest of every visitor.

The summer activities of the youth included an area conference in Nashville for the purpose of polling this locale. With Dr. Pereira as consultant, ten youth of Nashville with the visiting youth went out in small groups to make calls in the neighborhoods of the following schools: Peabody College for Teachers, Vanderbilt University, Scarritt College, Fisk University, Tennessee A & I University, and Belmont College. This paved the way for introducing the Bahá’í Faith to many new listeners, some of whom afterwards attended firesides and Sunday Devotions at the ‎Baha’i Bahá’í‎ Center. This effort was so fruitful that other assemblies over this area have requested that this program be repeated in their cities next summer.

Noting that there were Bahá’í youth attending summer classes at four of the largest colleges in Nashville, Dr. Pereira helped to plan a series of five lectures with the following speakers: Erma Hayden and Allan Ward at the Tennessee A & I University; William Hatcher and Dr. Pereira at Peabody College for Teachers; Robert Hayden at Vanderbilt University; Jan Carlisle and Cal Rollins at Fisk University, and Winston Evans at the Bahá’í Center.

The youth activities reached their climax on Home-coming Day of the Tennessee A & I University, when in the large parade appeared the beautiful float of the Bahá’í Club, featuring its interracial theme, representing different races—white, colored, and Japanese.

The emphasis on youth activities spread over the entire area. Huntsville, Ala., came to the foreground when Dundee Rae Himes and her co-workers gave an integrated picnic for the students on the campus of the college for colored students in Huntsville, attended by believers from over the area. The Huntsville Group also formed an International Bahá’í Club in Huntsville to teach English to the foreign students, representing twenty-one nations, assembled for training in the nearby Ord- [Page 19] nance Guided Missiles School in Huntsville.

Extension teaching was carried out in this area, with emphasis on youth activities as never before. Jackson, Long Beach, and Gulfport, Miss., stepped up their efforts with such enthusiasm that the latter is developing the light of a goal city, and indeed, may become one before long, with its daily firesides.

To promote extension teaching, this committee sent out teachers to the following cities: Jackson and Meridian, Miss., Huntsville and Birmingham, Ala., Louisville, Ky., and to the two goal cities, Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tenn., and to some small groups and isolated believers along the way.

Enrollments: Through the Area Teaching Committee: five adults, through the local spiritual assemblies: one adult, four youth.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN STATES

(Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico)

Members: Mrs. Gladys Roberts, Chairman; Mrs. Mary Creitz, Secretary; Mrs. Florence Holsinger, Mrs. Esther Morrill, Tom Morrill, Dr. Walter Peterson, Mrs. Alice Sinclair, Dale Sinclair.

The objectives for this new committee this year were to become acquainted with the area, its promises and problems, to establish assemblies in the localities outlined by the ANTC, and assist assemblies who had fallen below status. The committee met monthly, issued bulletins each month, and several hundred letters were written. Survey sheets issued by the ANTC were distributed and evaluations made. Members of the committee developed the material sent by the ANTC for circuit teachers for “Bahá’ís only” meetings. This material was presented by the circuit teachers and the committee members to a number of assemblies and groups.

Progress: Statistics on new and re-established local spiritual assemblies and groups show completion by April 21. Possible new assemblies—Santa Fe and Gallup, N.M.; re-established local assembly—Suburban Colorado Springs, Colo.; two assemblies in Wyoming, Casper and Laramie, were endangered but expect to be re-established by April. One organized group at Farmington, N.M., was lost through transfer. Transfers in—25. Transfers out—17. New enrollments—25 adults and 3 youth. Deaths—3, making a net gain of 10 adults and three youth in this area.

New Centers Opened: Taos and Shiprock, N.M.; Trinidad, Colo.; and Carpenter, Wyo.

Conferences: Three national conferences were held. Plans are being made for 3 convention reports. The youth have been very active with conferences. The Pueblo, Colo., Assembly sponsored the “Rye Conference,” the first weekend in September, which is proving very successful.

Campus Activities: The College Bureau sent a speaker to the University of Colorado for “Religion and Life Week,” February 1960. The report of this meeting is very favorable.

Circuits: A number of circuits were made to help strengthen goal groups and assemblies. Plans are being made for circuits which will assist isolated believers and groups. A ten weeks course on “Consultation” was given by members of the committee of a goal group.

SOUTHWESTERN STATES

(California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah)

Members: Francis Johnson, Chairman; Mrs. Loraine Johnson, Secretary; Miss Edith Goranson, Kenneth Myers, Mrs. Rhoderoi Myers, Carsten Schmidt, Mrs. Anne Shoals.

Meetings: Bi-weekly meetings have been held regularly, twenty-four to date (March 1), with nearly full committee attendance, represented by over 300 pages of minutes.

Objectives: Text of the 1959 Convention Message from the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land was the incentive for a concentrated teaching campaign through such channels as the area bulletin, correspondence and teaching circuits, with special attention being directed towards bringing to assembly status the twelve selected “preferred” goal groups and other subsequent potentials, and maintaining all existing local spiritual assemblies. To this end, we tried to encourage various teaching activities and regular deepening study by the believers, guided the friends toward a greater unity, assisted in questions of functioning, called for settlers while at the same time urging believers to remain in the small communities and goal groups, and encouraged extension teaching by the stronger assemblies.

At the suggestion of the National Spiritual Assembly, several of the committee members were able to plan consultative meetings with the larger groups and endangered assemblies, following a carefully planned agenda. Twenty-two such meetings have already been held, with more planned as time and finances permit. Expressions of appreciation for this type of consultation have been received from nearly all centers visited.

Approximately forty names of prospective students of the Faith were sent to the committee for follow-up. Our contacts representative either corresponded with these prospects direct or, where possible, put them in touch with nearby believers. Results have been most gratifying, with four of these already enrolled, and others studying.

Details of committee functioning also include a “policy” file—an index to articles in Bahá’í News and correspondence from the National Spiritual Assembly which gives us ready reference to oft-asked questions on teaching, functioning, the institutions, etc.

Speakers Bureau: One of the major objectives realized by the committee this year was the concentrated development of the Speakers Bureau, the prime objective being that of sending teacher and/or speaker assistance on a sustaining basis to preferred goals, endangered assemblies and promising groups.

This committee function began with an appeal to all known speakers and teachers, asking about their availability for assignments within a given radius of travel miles and whether or not they could undertake at least one long circuit trip a year for the benefit of those objectives geographically isolated in relation to Bahá’í travel. Response was so overwhelming that full time service to this function was required of a committee member.

Further scope was developed with the initiation of the American National Teaching Committee’s circuit teacher list and the policy of inter-area teacher exchange handled by that committee. To date, ten circuits [Page 20] utilizing teachers from other areas have been processed providing assistance to each of our four states. This has been in addition to regular scheduling of ANTC and ATC teachers/speakers resident within the area.

An active file is maintained on each teacher which includes schedule of availability, travel distance, biographical data and in most instances pictures for news releases. Record is kept of titles of talks, specialized phases of teaching, such as firesides, deepening studies, administration, etc., so that requests of groups and assemblies can be filled promptly.

No less than fifty centers have received circuit teaching assistance. comprising over one hundred meetings devoted to some phase of promulgating the Cause. In addition, anticipating several new assemblies, thirteen scheduled series of study classes designed to prepare group members for assembly service have been processed.

Speakers Bureau service has been further implemented through the cooperation of the Members of the Auxiliary Board. Five different circuits have been developed for the two members assigned to assist the southwest area, ranging in time from several days to an entire month.

Groups and assemblies have facilitated the function of Speakers Bureau by careful pre-planning, advance advertising and, equally important, follow-up firesides to sustain the interest of non-Bahá’ís. Their generosity in offering hospitality has been a major factor of this successful effort as almost all our teachers have been able to cover other expenses, and through this mutual cooperation there has been a minimum reliance on Bahá’í funds.

Bulletin: The committee publishes a four-page monthly bulletin with an average circulation of 835 copies. It consistently presents the status of the "preferred" goals and endangered assemblies in this area. The membership of all these centers is presented with the hope that believers in large communities or isolated status will be encouraged to move to one of the goals to help with the consolidation work. The bulletin has carried all pertinent materials from the National Spiritual Assembly and its committees which has been sent to the committee for reproduction.

Special inserts have been released with certain issues of the bulletin covering statistical information on all preferred goals and endangered assemblies. In addition to the above, each issue carries a report of:-

Enrollments: To date there have been 46 adult and 5 youth enrollments completed by the committee plus 1 youth who reached the age of twenty-one and requested voting status. There are also 8 adult declarations which are in various stages of being processed.

New Centers Opened: There have been 41 this year to date. Unfortunately, about half of this number have been vacated. How thrilling it. has been to see one or two believers move into a virgin center and then witness this center become an organized group and the beginning of the first Bahá’í administrative function.

28 New Groups Formed: Several of these group I have initiated active teaching programs, excellent group studies and maintain their Feasts with nearly 100% attendance. These well-functioning new groups may become the "spiritual prizes" next year. There are now 138 groups in the area, 100 of which have elected correspondents.

The committee regrets the lack of space in its bulletin to convey to the friends the amount of sincere, dynamic and dedicated teaching work that is reported throughout the area.

Current status and expectations: There are at present 55 local assemblies in these four southwestern states, five of which are endangered and one in question at this time; settlers are on their way to two of these, and others which fell below minimum membership during the year have already been strengthened through settlers and other means. Of the large groups, only four have the requisite number for an assembly at this date, though many others are close, needing but one or two, with seekers preparing for enrollment, and additional settlers needing only to arrive. A total of eighteen settlers have already been placed, and correspondence continues with others who have offered to assist in this way. One of the primary problems in placing settlers is, regrettably, the number of cities in which the Negro is yet unable to find housing open to him.

While we would like to quote a figure of expected new assemblies, nothing is finalized until sunset of April 21. We can say with assurance that the friends generally have put forth much effort toward the accomplishment of the goals.

NORTHWESTERN STATES

(Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana)

Members: Kenneth Bovee, Chairman; Helen Wilks, Secretary; Marjorie Bovee, Virginia Martig, Hazel Mori, Goldie Neffew, Thomas Sousa.

Committee meetings: Nineteen meetings with an average of 8 hours each were held, reviewing some 690 letters received, consulting with applicants for enrollment, prospective pioneers, planning circuits, advising area representatives who would be visiting the goals to give them encouragement and guidance, making statistical reports, evaluating the status of goals and praying for the success of the home front teaching. 420 individual letters were written plus several hundred form letters to the entire area when special events called for prompt announcement.

Area Bulletins: The flow of communication in this area was enhanced by 7 bulletin issues of four pages each, sent to a mailing list of 341. The prompt and consistent reports received from the many localities is responsible for the spiritual tone and inspiring news stories of activity.

Conferences: Three productive conferences were held in Salem, Ore.; Kirkland, Wash.; and Pendleton, Ore., prior to instructions from the National Spiritual Assembly that emphasis be concentrated on preferred goals and weak communities. These conferences were of two and three days duration, each giving special attention to the subject of Bahá’í education, keeping in mind the child, preparing youth for enrollment and teaching the adult through the child. The development of this subject matter in conference actually served also to train Bahá’ís in the technique of guiding their contacts in the independent investigation of truth. Several enrollments have proved this [Page 21]

ANNUAL REPORTS

approach to be fruitful. Credit for the success of these three conferences goes to the host communities for their hospitality, excellent programming and the wonderful spirit engendered by their ability to utilize the talents and efforts of all Bahá’ís as well as friends of the Faith. There was fine attendance and good participation by the youth, and at all conferences there were sessions so conducted as to be a service to and attract participation by interested contacts.

New Believers Enrolled: Adults, 11; Youth, 3.

Convention reports totaling eleven in number, served as a spring board for the energetic teaching campaign which prevailed throughout the area. The spirit of the teaching effort received added regeneration with the glowing reports of the Faith in the Holy Land as conveyed by the recently returned pilgrim, Mrs. Helen Wilks. Friends assembled in Salem, Ore.; Spokane, Krkland, Lake Stevens, Everett, North King County, Anacortes, and Seattle, Wash., to share in the love and devotion which was carried to them from the Hands and friends of the Cause in Haifa.

Circuit Teaching: The entire area has been serviced regularly by local circuit teachers who have given freely of their vacations and week ends, to a total of one-hundred days. Tom Sousa made a 21 day circuit in the state of Montana, visiting goals and many isolated believers. The state of Idaho was visited nine days by Hazel Mori and later John Morgan spent five days in the Lewiston area with the friends, contacts and speaking to business and professional groups about the Faith. Many one and two day trips were made by Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Bovee, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Neffew, Mr. and Mrs. William Wilks, Mr. and Mrs. Prudencio Mori, Mrs. Virginia Martig, and Tom Sousa, in Washington and Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. Victor de Arouja of Yakima made a series of week end teaching trips to the Spokane area. Mrs. Amelia Heaton of Great Falls, Mont., en route home from a circuit in Utah, assisted in Pocatello, Ida., and was instrumental in getting the Faith on the air for a period of four consecutive weeks. Mrs. Birdella Mundy of Lewiston, Ida., visited the various centers of Montana during the first week of the Fast. In addition, two out-of-area circuit teachers assisted. Pocatello, Ida., and Billings, Mont., were favored by a series of visits by Leslie Hawthorne, of Logan, Utah, who has at times been accompanied by Mrs. Hawthorne and Mr. Mahmoudi, who assisted.

The most concentrated teaching effort was the outstanding service by Mrs. Kay Zinky, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, in Western Washington and Oregon, January 31 theough February 28: Eleven formal public meetings, firesides, two and three times a day, whenever a contact arrived, and innumerable deepening sessions with Bahá’ís to a total of over 220 hours. Her services included visiting the ill Bahá’ís and those who had been unable to get out to meetings. She stimulated new interest in the Koran, in Bahá’í history, the Covenant and the essential verities of the Faith.

As a result, one additional Seattle preferred goal has developed and in most localities pre-Bahá’ís are now studying for enrollment.

Mrs. Clair Kuhnle of Marysville, Wash., travels 180 miles a week to Olympia to help with the new students there studying for enrollment. The fact that anyone would come so far to help the students impressed them very much and created a deeper interest.

Mrs. Hazel Mori was the invited speaker at two colleges. In May she spoke on the Bahá’í Faith before two classes on "Living Religions" at Wilamette University and in January addressed two classes of the Department of Philosophy of Religion at Oregon State College in Corvallis.

Extension teaching: We owe much to the community of Ada county for the untiring teaching effort expended in Pocatello, Ida., and surrounding area. How one can do extension teaching has been demonstrated by the efforts of Kenneth Muir of Plymouth, Ida. With the aid of the Boise LSA and the blessing of the area committee a series of successful meetings was staged in Ontario, Ore., resulting in one studying for enrollment. Salem, Ore., reports opening the new town of Albany to the Faith as well as teaching in the group of Woodburn. They report good publicity and books placed in the library.

Yakima, Wash., takes a two-hour jaunt to assist the friends in Pasco and Franklin county, Wash. Recently Pendleton, Ore., has joined Yakima in extension teaching in this area, helping each other with an exchange of speakers. Kirkland, Wash., itself a critical community, gained strength by serving another community in need. They chose Everett. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Craig hold a weekly fireside in a home where one member is a potential Bahá’í. As a result of this teaching effort another inquirer who attended the fireside has enrolled in a third community, thus releasing two of its members to a goal which will form an LSA this year. Seattle continues to assist in many communities supplying personnel for various functions.

Settlers and Pioneers: Thirty-seven friends have arisen answering the call to aid on the home front by moving to a goal or weak community.

We consider the national conferences scheduled by the NSA a special bounty and assistance to our area teaching. Four Auxiliary Board members, William de Forge, Mildred Mottahedeh, Margery McCormick, Amoz Gibson, and NSA members Arthur Dahl and Charlotte Linfoot helped generate the understanding and spirit essential for fulfilling our goals.

AMERICAN INDIAN SERVICE

Members: Francis Johnson, Chairman; Mrs. Nancy Phillips, Secretary; Beatrice Bechtold, George Bechtold, Robert McKusick, Theresa Schmidt, Alice Tyler.

Eighteen American Indian tribes are presently represented within the Faith with additional enrollments from the Sioux and Navajo in the last year. To date, teaching contact has been made with fifty tribes. Now that translations of the Writings into three Indian languages have been completed and initial contacts with leading tribes accomplished, the efforts of pioneers and the American Indian Service Committee from this point on will be concentrated on an increase in the number of Indian enrollments.

Since the last annual report, four new pioneers have entered the Indian teaching field. Mr. and Mrs. Ted Claus moved from New Jersey to Ft. Defiance, Ariz., and Mr. and Mrs. Walter Jones from California to Gallup, N.M. Three pioneers, hav- [Page 22] ing established residence in Indian areas earlier in the Crusade, had to leave their posts. There is now a total of thirty-one pioneers in the Indian field in thirteen localities on or adjacent to the Cherokee, Hopi, Navajo, Sioux, Chippewa, Apache, Cheyenne, Omaha and Yakima reservations in the states of North Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, Nebraska and Washington.

Bahá’í groups motivated by a primary concern for Indian teaching are now established in the Hopi village of Hotevilla, Ariz.; in Tuba City, Window Rock, and Indian Wells on the Navajo reservation in Arizona; at Gallup, N.M., the world's "Indian Capital"; at Aitken, Minn.; outside Globe, Ariz., and Cherokee, N.C.

Bahá’í Indian Centers are maintained by resident pioneers in Cherokee, in Gallup; and in Macy, Neb., on the Omaha reservation where a dedication program took place last summer. Public meetings for World Religion Day were held on the Cherokee and Hopi reservations.

Outstanding in cooperative group activity are the monthly meetings held by members of the Bahá’í groups on the Navajo and Hopi reservations and at Gallup when pioneers, Indian friends and believers gather together for fellowship and study. During workshop sessions which are a part of the study program, a statement of the Bahá’í principles in simplified terms is being prepared for teaching among Navajos with limited understanding of English. On the weekend of February 27-28 the Window Rock Group as host to the most recent monthly gathering planned in conjunction with this a public meeting on the subject of "Brotherhood," with speakers including a Navajo Agency Relocation officer, Ted Claus (Bahá’í pioneer), and Amoz Gibson, Auxiliary Board member.

Regular group activities at Window Rock include weekly study classes, firesides, special events and daily contacts. Window Rock is the center of Navajo tribal government as well as the agency for the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs.

At Tuba City, also a Navajo reservation community, the pioneers report regular firesides as well as the following special events shared with traditional Navajo friends: commemorations of the Birth of the Báb and of Bahá’u’lláh, Thanksgiving Day (at which the pioneers were hosts to forty Navajo friends at a dinner cooked over the campfire), Intercalary Day festivities, and assistance at the dedication of the new Navajo Community Center, a predominantly Indian affair.

On the weekend of October 9-11 members of the American Indian Service Committee in an eight hundred mile trip visited each Bahá’í group on the Hopi and Navajo reservations and at Gallup for valuable consultation on problems to be solved and opportunities to be realized in the accomplishment of the Indian teaching goals of the Crusade. Among the measurable and continuous results of this experience may be counted an increased sense of unity between pioneers and the committee, a new vision of our task, and a redoubling of efforts to accomplish it.

To contribute to this same close relationship between committee and all pioneers across the country, a news Bulletin called "Talking Leaves" was mailed twice during the year to pioneers and those closely associated with Indian teaching. Containing for the most part excerpts from letters of pioneers, "Talking Leaves" is a way of sharing experiences and capturing the spirit of our total effort.

In recent months the American Indian Service Committee has made special efforts to attract additional pioneers to several areas of great importance in Indian teaching. Appeals for pioneers to the Cherokee and Hopi reservations as well as to the Indian areas of northern Minnesota appeared in December and January BAHÁ’Í NEWS and brought an immediate response, so that the outlook for an increase in the number of pioneers is now very bright. Another promising factor is that employment opportunities on a number of Indian reservations are on the increase. In this respect it should be made clear that the committee considers for pioneering only those who can leave their community without numerically jeopardizing its assembly status.

No report on Indian teaching would be complete without mention of the dedicated and successful efforts being made by a small number of individuals, groups, and assemblies across the country, proof of the fact that often a substantial contribution can be made to this important task without moving to an Indian reservation.

In this regard, special mention should be made of the valuable contacts among the Seminole people developed by Mr. and Mrs. Chester Davison of Miami Shores, among the Piute Indians by the Bahá’í communities of Boise, Idaho and Sparks, Nevada, on the Makah reservation in the state of Washington by the Area Teaching Committee for the Northwestern States and Bahá’ís of Bremerton, Issaquah, North King County, Seattle, and Shelton, and in Ann Arbor, Mich., and Cleveland, Ohio.

The American Indian Service Committee is currently making a study of the American Indian Relocation Program as it relates to eleven communities within the United States, in an effort to work more closely with members of those communities who have obvious opportunities for Indian service and teaching as yet not fully realized.

BAHÁ’Í INTERRACIAL TEACHING

Members: Mrs. Etta A. Woodlen, Chairman; Mrs. Mary M. MacKay, Secretary; Grant Hadden, Mrs. Belle Halpern, Mrs. Annamarie Honnold, Mrs. Louise McCorkle, Mrs. Beatrice Thigpen.

A Bahá’í Interracial Teaching Guide for 1959-60 was published and sent out to the nation, and the committee received many compliments on its usefulness. We received reports of the various ways in which assemblies and groups commemorated United Nations Day, Human Rights Day and Race Amity Day. There seems to be an awakening, for these reports indicated that people are more receptive and open-minded than they have been in the past. This was also reflected in the fact that the amount and kinds of publicity we have received is wider than ever before.

The Governor of the State of Wisconsin proclaimed Human Rights Day, and a public meeting was held in Madison, Wis. The Bahá’ís of Charleston invited a clergyman, who had stood up for justice and integration in Little Rock, Ark., to be their speaker in celebration of Human Rights.

Many ways have been used in reaching our Negro friends. Programs were taken to such places as [Page 23]

ANNUAL REPORTS

a Negro old folks' home, Negro community centers and churches; and articles printed in Negro publications and newspapers. In October a lengthy and informative article, What Is the Bahá’í Faith, as well as a picture of the Temple in Wilmette, appeared in the Negro History Bulletin, which has a wide distribution, and copies of this periodical have reached behind the Iron Curtain. Ft. Worth, Texas, has had wonderful publicity for the Faith, through a Negro newspaper, with a circulation of about 5,000. This newspaper has published articles (many taken from the talks of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá) weekly. Many kinds of social functions have been successful in bringing together integrated groups. In Ann Arbor, Mich., the friends, through affiliation with a Council of Churches Housing Project, have aided Negroes in finding homes. A new community in West Hollywood, Fla., has been successful in drawing a good many people, including members of the Negro and Philippine races, to meetings in spite of the obstacle of unfavorable racial attitudes in that area. Another individual reported that they had had no way to reach members of the Negro race but by obtaining Negro speakers were able to make this contact.

Requests have come to this committee for speakers for such occasions as Religious Emphasis Week on a college campus, and, as a result, there will be Bahá’í participation at a Negro College in West Virginia.

Because of the urgency of the times and their desire to further teaching work, members of this committee have served, almost one hundred per cent, the area teaching committees and the American National Teaching Committee in circuit teaching in the south or on speaking engagements. Some going south have been very hospitably received, including overnight accommodations in both Negro and white homes. Others are holding firesides and study groups regularly, and many races and non-Bahá’ís are represented in these meetings.

Reports from the nation, of all occasions and meetings which result in reaching and teaching the Negro, are needed and appreciated by this committee. We can better serve with ideas as we receive them in your reports, and consequently this committee has sent a request, to be printed in each of the area teaching committee bulletins, asking for your reports. Through consultation and prayer the ways for our endeavors will open up.

BAHÁ’Í COLLEGE BUREAU

Members: Dwight Allen, Chairman; Mrs. Hazel Littman, Secretary; Mrs. Carole Allen, Keith Dahl, Lee Irish, Mrs. Molly King, Fred Littman, Glenn Lissner, Mrs. Lois Lissner, Miss Judy Phillips, Mrs. Amy Raubitschek, Frank Wilson.

The National Spiritual Assembly established the Bahá’í College Bureau to compile and coordinate all available information concerning Bahá’í activities in colleges and universities during recent years; to plan contacts and carry out teaching projects using a panel of Bahá’í teachers approved by the National Spiritual Assembly.

During the past year the College Bureau sponsored two Institutes. The May Institute was held at eight college locations on the topic of "Prayer and Fasting" and "How to be a Chairman." Reports received indicated that a good balance between practical and spiritual subjects was achieved, enabling the participants to answer questions more adequately and discharge more competently the function of chairman for various occasions. Participating colleges were: Michigan, Kansas State Teachers College, U. of Illinois, U. of Oregon, Santa Ana College, Southern U., San Jose, and Duke U. The last named group used a different topic: "Ways to Attract Christian Youth" and "Ways to Attract Negro Youth in the South."

The fall meeting, held during October and November at Tulane, Monterey Jr. College, Utah State U., Tenn. A. & I., and Ann Arbor, was on the theme "Dare to be Different," emphasizing the rewards and responsibilities of being a Bahá’í in present day society.

The College Bureau also issued a bulletin which was sent to the members of the Speaker's Bureau and beginning with the last issue to Bahá’í college students as well. The purpose of the bulletin is to keep the students informed of Bahá’í activities at other colleges and of any plans the College Bureau may have. It was decided not to have a spring Institute; instead, participation of college students in World Youth Day activities was encouraged. During the Fast a special deepening class was planned for the College students for which the College Bureau provided study materials.

Each member of the Speaker's Bureau was asked to work with two colleges in his area and encouraged to contact appropriate members of the staffs with information about the Faith. Though the Speakers showed enthusiasm in their response, more detailed planning on the part of the College Bureau will be necessary to continue this program.

The College Bureau is planning a pre-Convention meeting of all members of the Speaker's Bureau present on the day preceding the Convention to consult with them on their plans, ideas, and concerns for next year.

Our plans for next year include obtaining a bibliography of college texts on comparative religion. We will then try to interest the authors in including material on the Faith in future editions. We are also planning to develop stock displays which could be sent to colleges, isolated centers, and groups in support of teaching activities.

NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í YOUTH

Members: Zahrl Schoeny, Chairman; Mrs. Nancy Jordan, Secretary; Larry Cooper, Mrs. Vivian Fellows, Glory Fraser, Dan Jordan, Amy Konishsi, Donald Streets, Joanna Thomas.

General: The committee met 21 times during the year; published 6 issues of the Bahá’í Youth Bulletin; sponsored three national youth conferences, national Bahá’í Youth Day on March 25, and National Bahá’í Youth Week during the last week in November. All activities were implemented through the area youth committees.

New Bahá’ís: Letters of welcome were sent out to 55 newly enrolled youth and 32 letters to youth who have transferred to the United States from foreign countries.

Area Youth Committees: Eleven area youth committees were appointed this year as compared to nine last year. In an effort to facilitate the operation of these committees, the National Bahá’í Youth Committee sent to each area youth [Page 24] committee a permanent binder file containing an explanation of their functions and their relationship to the National Bahá’í Youth Committee, statements of policy concerning conferences, handling of funds, area coordinating and bulletin reporting, etc. Throughout the year additional material was regularly sent to be added to this file. It is hoped that this file, handed on to each successive committee will insure functional continuity. Communication breakdown between the National Bahá’í Youth Committee and its area youth committees became apparent after a few weeks of functioning. In response to this situation, as many of the committee members as possible visited the following areas: Vivian Fellows: Tennessee Valley area once, Central States area once; Larry Cooper: East Central States area 5 times; Zahrl Schoeny: East Central States area once; Dan and Nancy Jordan: North Central States area once; Jeanna Thomas: South Central States area once and Central States area twice. We learned a great deal from these contacts which were made possible through personal finance. Further contact which is badly needed was not possible due to lack of funds.

Conferences: Three national youth conferences were sponsored throughout the year, two of which were carried out by the area youth committees and the convention conference by the National Bahá’í Youth Committee. The first conference held on October 24-25, 1959, was entitled "The Function of Youth in the World Crusade." The second conference, held on February 20-21, 1960, was entitled "Success in Teaching." The third conference is to be held at the YMCA Hotel, Chicago, on April 29, 1960. The conference will be devoted to area youth committee reports and discussion and consultation on plans for next year. In addition to the conferences the committee sponsored, several of the area youth committees held their own conferences. Agendas for the conferences were sent out two months in advance insuring plenty of time for adequate preparation.

Youth Bulletin: Six issues of the Youth Bulletin were published in conformity with the recommendation of the National Spiritual Assembly. Since the former secretary printed the Bulletin on his own press, his departure for South America made it necessary for the Committee to find a printer who could print it for a price within our budget.

Special Activities: Following are some of the special activities of the committee: It sponsored and organized the curriculum for the Junior Youth weekend at the Davison Bahá’í Summer School; provided a panel from its own members to present a program entitled, "Religious Freedom and Thanksgiving" at the Bahá’í Centre in Milwaukee in celebration of National Bahá’í Youth Week; provided a panel of speakers for Bahá’í World Youth Day at the Temple on March 25; donated books to the Piney Woods School for use in their library; established cordial relations with several Christian youth groups in the Chicago area (Inter-Faith Fellowship Group, Unitarian Group on U of C campus, Congregational Group; Episcopalian Group); established relationship with, and are on permanent mailing list of, World Affairs Institute Inc.; supplied speakers for various meetings; supplied on request Bahá’í youth study outlines to youth in Australia, Africa, Korea, and United States.

NEW ENGLAND STATES AREA YOUTH

Members: Charles Moore, Chairman; Carole Greenway, Secretary; Roy Mottahedeh, Terry Taylor and Vida Yazdi.

The Area Youth Committee of the Bahá’ís of the New England Area has sponsored two youth conferences this year. The first, October 24 and 25, 1959, was held at the Boston Bahá’í Center, Boston, Mass., with a fireside held at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Sam McClellan on Saturday evening, October 24. The theme, which was the World Crusade, was discussed in relation to our part in it as youths. It was first defined, and then methods of promoting it were suggested and weighed. There was a large group present, representing states from Maine to New Jersey.

The second conference, held on February 27 and 28, 1960, had a slightly smaller attendance but was, if anything, even more productive. Saturday morning and afternoon meetings were held at the Phillips Brooks House at Harvard University and were led, respectively, by Moujon Khadem and Nicky Peters. "Building and Crossing the Bridge to the Contact" were the dual themes, and some excellent suggestions were offered. The negative aspects—the don’ts—were also mentioned, and extracts from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Paris talks were read. Certain other questions (such as the Bahá’í in relation to military service and politics) were brought up and resolved. The meeting was led by Dr. McClellan. After the fireside, a dance was held. The second morning, February 28, the youth met with the adults at the Boston Bahá’í Center, and Dr. Newman talked on methods of teaching, and answered questions. The leadership was excellent and on the whole the conference was highly successful. The youth of Boston and environs also attend firesides held Friday nights at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Sam McClellan.

NORTH ATLANTIC STATES AREA YOUTH

Members: John Yates, Chairman; Miss Sue Wooster, Secretary; Jack Cotten, David Czerniejewski, Bonnie Pringle, Mrs. Jean Smith, J. Morley Smith, Gregory Wooster, Jr., Mrs. Pearl Yates.

The North Atlantic Area Youth Committee, newly relocated in the Western New York area this past year, began its term of office by consulting at great length on the printed material, "Functions, Responsibility, Procedure and Operations of Area Youth Committees in the United States," sent to us by the NBYC. The AYC has held 19 meetings to date, and one special meeting at which time the former AYC transferred its records and gave its recommendations to the newly appointed committee.

After serving for only a short period, it became apparent that neither the adults nor the youth in the area were familiar with the functions of an AYC, nor were they aware of the ways in which they could best utilize such a committee. For this reason, a large portion of our activities for the year have been centered around remedying this situation. Thus, an area-wide youth conference was held in Buffalo, N.Y., and a panel of AYC members later attended the Chatauqua Conference to attempt to bring forth an awareness of the actual duties and responsibilities of our committee. To follow this through, many communities in the area were asked [Page 25]

ANNUAL REPORTS

to meet with the AYC for the same reasons. These communities were: Amherst, Buffalo, Hamburg, Jamestown, and Niagara Falls, N.Y., and Erie, Pa. In addition to the general discussion, the AYC also recommended the formation of local youth committees to all communities that had not formed them. From these meetings the AYC was able to glean a great deal, and felt that it was much better prepared to meet the needs of the area in which it was serving.

The AYC planned three NBYC sponsored conferences for the year in Syracuse and Buffalo, N.Y. and Teaneck, N.J. Only the Teaneck conference was executed because of the poor cooperation we received in relation to many aspects, including the weather. The AYC worked in conjunction with the LYC of Buffalo, N.Y. to plan an area conference for National Bahá’í Youth Week, which was attended by 58 youth and adults, most of them non-Bahá’ís. Another similar program is scheduled for World Youth Day.

A large project involving the mailing of invitations to 200 churches, youth fellowships, and religious organizations, introducing the Bahá’í Faith and inviting them to a public meeting with a dynamic youth speaker, was instituted. Follow-up meetings were scheduled and a large Bahá’í display was set up, along with publicity in all of the area newspapers. When the committee is able to sufficiently evaluate the success of this project, it should prove to be a great source of further ideas for activities of this type on a much larger scale.

Suggestions for placing the name "Bahá’í" out in the open were brought out, and following numerous discussions of utilizing expensive media such as regular newspaper space, the committee came up with the following idea. It suggested the setting up of Bahá’í "Welcome Booths" in all local bus depots, railroad stations, and airports, and making available Bahá’í pamphlets at these booths to interested passers-by. These booths would be established each time a conference, etc., was scheduled, and Bahá’ís would man these booths for a few hours before the conference to welcome incoming Bahá’ís. Procedures to obtain permission for this project were promptly undertaken.

Because of the apparent misunderstanding of the youth, on the part of the adults, the AYC suggested a compilation of youth ages, to throw some light on the importance of the youth in the completion of the Ten-Year Crusade. Were each community to realize the number of youth who would reach the age of 21 in each successive year, steps might be taken to prepare these youth for functioning on LSAs. It seems that with the full cooperation and support of the adult believers, the youth could become well versed and equipped to work on committees and assemblies, and readily accept their responsibilities as adult believers. It is the duty of the youth to assert themselves and show that they are capable of accepting responsibility, but the adults must also fulfill their responsibilities in relation to the youth.

In conclusion, the AYC has become very much aware of the difficulties that youth encounter, and has attempted to assist and encourage them as much as possible the past year. The committee feels that youth and adults must not be separated, for age cannot be a barrier in the Bahá’í Faith. The youth must gain in confidence and self-assertion, and the adults must not hinder the expression of the youth, for then unity cannot be established. The committee feels very sincerely that only through the endeavors of a united youth and adult community can the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh be promoted.

CENTRAL ATLANTIC STATES AREA YOUTH

Members: Ouida Coley, Chairman; Marian Parmelee, Secretary; Perry Gawen; Ronald Knowles; Sharon Stewart.

The committee's efforts in May, June, and July of 1959 were centered around planning the youth activities at Blue Ridge Summer School in North Carolina, including a study of Christ and Bahá’u’lláh, and the evening activities such as charades, square and folk dancing, talent night, and a community sing. Since only three of the committee members expected to attend Blue Ridge, we wrote to Bahá’í youth in the area, asking them to volunteer to help with these activities.

Youth Meetings: The committee sponsored fireside-type youth meetings which were held weekly during the summer. The attendance was encouraging, sometimes ten non-Bahá’í youth. A planned discussion was followed by dancing and games. Also, two picnics were planned and carried out in Arlington, Va., and Montgomery County, Md., the attendance being about twenty at both. In the Fall, the attendance at the meetings was reduced, due to school studies. The class was switched from Tuesday to Sunday. It is now held the third Sunday of each month.

Area Teaching Committee: The committee met with the area teaching committee on January 24th in order to exchange ideas on procedure, and revise our lists of area Bahá’í youth. This meeting was very encouraging. It is hoped that we will keep in closer contact with the ATC for further guidance, and meet with our area coordinator more often.

Conferences: All the nationally-sponsored conferences were carried out in this area. The most successful of these was the February 20th and 21st, held in Alexandria, Va. This was due to the attendance, (15 youth, 8 of whom were declared Bahá’ís) and to the excellent speeches and guidance given by Mr. Harvey Weiner and Mr. Hugh Chance. From this conference, the committee learned that it is best to (1) notify by mail all Bahá’í youth and interested youth, giving the exact details of subject, time, and place, (2) provide sleeping accommodations and meals so that those who live far away can at least make an effort to come, and (3) have some evening activity and a speaker to add variety and stimulate discussion. Although these ideas had been suggested to the committee, some didn't always seem feasible. Now we know that it is worth this effort to have a well-attended conference.

CENTRAL STATES AREA YOUTH

Members: Mrs. Marita McClymonds, Chairman; Mrs. Louise Vorndam, Secretary; Mrs. Virginia Eilers, Mrs. Barbara Hanawalt, Ellis Hanawalt, Aden Lauchner, Jr., Mrs. Mary Lou Lauchner, Clarence McClymonds, Leslie Vorndam. Assisted at various times during the year by: Judith Anderson, Karl Anderson, Joyce Hockgraver, Erich Schmidt and Margie Vorndam.

Conferences: Conferences sponsored- [Page 26] sored by the National Bahá’í Youth Committee were held in Peoria, Ill., and Milwaukee, Wis., on October 24-25; and in Urbana, Ill., and Madison, Wis., on February 20-21. A locally sponsored conference was held in Waterloo, Iowa on November 28-29. An area sponsored conference picnic was held September 20 at Lake Storey near Galesburg, Ill. An area conference for March 26-27 is planned for four cities. The committee has attempted to open new conference locations after studying maps on which the youth were located. This, for the most part, was unsuccessful.

Meetings: The committee held five regularly scheduled meetings, and five specially called meetings during the year.

Correspondence: During the year the committee kept in close touch with the National Bahá’í Youth Committee, our area coordinator (with whom we had a very enlightening personal consultation), and the various active local youth committees. 186 questionnaires were mailed to augment the mailing list, stimulate the formation of local committees, assist the College Bureau and to offer assistance in various ways. Only forty replies were returned to our committee, and the information received did not indicate the desired amount of interest in youth work in this area, and did not improve the coverage of the mailing list to any degree.

Circuit Teaching: There were four circuit teachers, and one panel available to this area this year. The panel from Waterloo and Castle Hill deserves special mention for its efforts in teaching in various locations this year.

Local Youth Committees: Fifteen local youth committees are registered with the area committee this year.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN STATES AREA YOUTH

Members: Betty Crietz, Chairman; Natalie Morrow, Secretary; Larry Creitz, Gil Grasselly.

Conferences: Area Youth Conferences were held in Aurora, Colorado Feb. 22-23, 1959; Aurora, April 4-5, 1959; Pueblo, Colorado May 1-2, 1959; Boulder July 18-19, 1959, Canon City, Colorado Aug. 22-23, 1959; Colorado Springs October, 1959; Denver, Colorado Feb. 13-14, Jan. 1-2 and March 12-13, 1960.

The following Youth became declared during the 1959 year: Larry Creitz, Colorado Springs, Colorado; Donald Kirby, Colorado Springs, Colorado and Natalie Jean Morrow, Boulder, Colorado. Jila Mottahedeh of an Iranian Bahá’í family has resided in the Rocky Mountain Area this year.

The Rocky Mountain Youth goal has been first to establish a unity between the Youth from all parts of Colorado and Wyoming as well as New Mexico; second to gain a well-rounded background into the background of the Bahá’í Revelation. Our goal for 1960 is to continue along this way and also to project our teaching more into community and public life and begin to take part in civic affairs as representatives of the youth of our Faith.

SOUTHWESTERN STATES AREA YOUTH

Members: Andrew Montwill, Chairman; Sandra Woodead, Secretary; Jane Montwill, Recording Secretary; Larry Denise, Adult Advisor; Sylvian De Oro; Jeanne Garcia, Adult Advisor; Mohabatullah Subhani; Marc Towers, Adult Advisor; Carol Worth, Adult Advisor.

Conferences: Nov. 5th—Held in Long Beach and Berkeley, Calif. 44 Bahá’ís in total attendance. Nevada attended California conferences; no conference in Utah or Arizona. Agenda provided by N.B.Y.C. with stress on Bahá’í Youth in the World Crusade.

Feb. 20th—Held in Berkeley, Calif., Sat. afternoon; 33 Bahá’í present. N.B.Y.C. agenda with stress on pioneering and teaching. Sat. night social 125 Bahá’ís and contacts attended. No report received from Phoenix, Ariz.; no conference held in Utah.

Feb. 20th—Held in Los Angeles, Calif., Sat. afternoon, a special production in two acts called "Song of The World." 49 Bahá’ís attended (9) youth). Organized by SWAYC with theme on pioneering and teaching. Sat. night social, 70 Bahá’ís and contacts attended.

Feb. 21st—Held at Los Angeles, Calif., all day conference; morning Bahá’í only, afternoon Bahá’ís and contacts. 20 in total attendance (4) youth). Discussion on pioneering and problems of teaching.

Circuit Teaching: Presented youth panels in Long Beach, Hermosa Beach, Ventura, Redondo Beach (2), and Whittier J.D. (2). Individual speakers sent to Redondo Beach on two occasions. Presented social musical evening for Alhambra youth and their contacts. Commencing May, 1960, this will be a monthly project for SWAYC. The ultimate goal is to organize a youth fireside in Alhambra.

Special Projects: 1. Met with 16 local spiritual assemblies outlining SWAYC’s functions in an effort to stimulate youth activities, the forming of youth committees, and more participation at youth conferences. All assemblies visited have appointed active youth committees. 2. Appointed four youth liaisons to personally assist SWAYC in areas under our jurisdiction so that we may function more efficiently in setting up conferences. 3. Beach Party planned with Beverly Hills Community, 16 attended. 4. Box lunch fireside conference held with Mildred Mottahedeh on Aug. 2nd. 57 Bahá’ís and contacts (45 Youth and Young adults). General theme was "Youth’s Responsibility to the World." 5. Assisted Los Angeles Community with Intercalary Days celebration by organizing on Friday night, Feb. 26th, an intercommunity youth night with comedy, drama, and music. 100 Bahá’ís and contacts attended. 6. Bahá’í Spectacular consisting of 6 weeks of continuous work and preparation for show "Song of the World" presented at Feb. 20th youth conference. 7. Youth speaker presented the Faith to group of Quakers at the Los Angeles Hazíratu’l-Quds.

NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í CHILD EDUCATION

Members: Laurence LaRocque, Chairman; Mrs. Elizabeth B. Whitney, Secretary; Mrs. Minnie Hadley, Mrs. Jean Hutchinson, Mrs. Janet R. Kaye, Miss Gwili Posey, Mrs. Jean Rankin.

Functions: To survey and evaluate Bahá’í material prepared for teaching children; to prepare and recom- [Page 27] mend new child education material for different age groups; to prepare and distribute a child education bulletin; to promote child education activities in local communities; to conduct classes in Temple Foundation for children of different age groups.

The Child’s Way, (a guide for Bahá’í parents and teachers) continues to mirror the progress and activities of the Child Education Committee. In the past year, through the medium of this bulletin, we have offered stories, discussion guides, music, and editorial discussion of the Bahá’í philosophy of education. It served also as a forum in which our readers exchanged ideas relating to their children’s classes.

The materials and suggestions offered in this magazine are attempts to work within the framework provided by the Bahá’í teachings on education. All editorials are so focused; specific statements of clarification of the goal of Bahá’í education have been presented, and study guides have been offered as suggested material for class discussion throughout the year, along with correlated stories, charts and illustrations. All materials and ideas are evaluated in the light of the principle of independent investigation of truth; and the goal: to develop an understanding of the oneness of all existence.

In Bahá’í Temple School, despite the handicaps of small numbers and irregular attendance, we use materials from The Child’s Way as much as possible, and also experiment with new ideas and techniques before recommending them to others. During the past year, the pre-school class explored some of the more elementary aspects of the unity of existence. Through games, songs, and brief discussions they learned something of man’s emotions, and the knowledge to be gained from the use of the five senses.

The primary class, with the aid of guidebooks, learned something of the oneness of mankind. Stories were our chief materials for stimulating discussion, and the story characters were of the type with which the children could easily identify themselves. This class is now attempting a study of the lives of the Manifestations.

The intermediate class (ages 10 to 12) began a study of progressive revelation, using a historical-cultural approach to aid in understanding the unity of religions, with the aid of guidebooks. Presently, this class is studying comparative ethics from the same perspective.

The junior youth class (ages 13 to 15) began with the “What is Truth?” outline from The Child’s Way, which deals with the unity between physical and spiritual law. Due to the small size of the class, and the age differences, we found it difficult to follow, and instead went on to develop individual “philosophies of life” through an understanding of spiritual laws relating to the self.

In all classes our approach this year was principally through the social sciences rather than the natural sciences, and our experience here has pointed up the need for a specific curriculum of study for each age group. This problem of curriculum is now under study by the committee, and we hope to be able to present some ideas in this connection during the coming year.

A book of stories for children, and a narrative on “The Kingdoms of God” are now awaiting action by the Publishing Trust.

UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE

Members: Mrs. O. H. Blackwell, Chairman and National Observer to the United Nations; Miss Isabelle Silk, Secretary; Robert Adams, Mrs. Mary Burnet, Mrs. Lola Donaldson, Mrs. Hildegard Doty, Lional Gonzales, Mrs. Audrey Marcus, Mrs. Hortense Sawyer, Charles Wragg.

The main activity of the 1959-1960 U.S. United Nations Committee was to compile and publish a study kit on the principles of concordance between the Bahá’í Faith and the United Nations. This year the kit contained an introduction and six sessions: Organization, The Specialized Agencies, Technical Assistance, Human Rights Declaration, Status of Women and International Auxiliary Language. These sessions were printed on standard loose-leaf pages, and the plan is to add at least one new session each year to this course and, when warranted, revisions will be sent to keep the kit up-to-date. Although it was compiled principally for use in United Nations and Human Rights Day celebrations, it can be used at any time during the year.

This material was very well received by the communities throughout the country and the National Spiritual Assembly.

The committee is happy to note that publicity and advertising for United Nations Day and Human Rights Day totalled in column inches 35 per cent more than last year, according to the Public Relations Committee.

Assistance was given by the committee to Petersburg, Alaska, in forming a chapter of A.A.U.N. This action was inspired by the Bahá’í work for United Nations in that area.

Five members of the committee participated in a panel discussion on the United Nations and the Bahá’í Faith at Green Acre, last July, before an audience of about 100, and later, in October, the panel was repeated for a church group in East Orange, N.J., before an audience of about 50 persons. Members of the committee spoke at various public meetings and lead fireside discussions on the United Nations.

At a large public interfaith meeting at Garden State Plaza, Paramus, N.J., the committee furnished UN literature for free distribution to the public, and one of our members was on the organizing committee for this activity.

In response to a committee invitation to out-of-town visitors, about 25 friends were escorted on a personal tour of United Nations headquarters and shown suitable hospitality.

In order not to duplicate other reports, we are not listing the extensive activities of the many communities throughout the nation in connection with United Nations celebrations, but we wish to make known our deep appreciation to the individuals and communities who have cooperated with the committee so magnificently.

SERVICE FOR THE BLIND

Members: Mrs. Amédée Gibson, Chairman; Mrs. Mary Francis Baral, Mr. Irvin Bobo, Dr. John Jensen, Mrs. Melba King.

Our main objectives in the first years of the Ten-Year Crusade have been to produce Bahá’í literature for the blind to be placed in all the regional libraries for the Blind listed by The Library of Congress and in important libraries abroad; to publish also such titles as would be most needed by the friends for teaching work; and to transcribe and bind [Page 28] additional titles for our lending library.

Release of The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh as a talking book, in the closing month of the year 1958-1959 was announced at the National Convention and the distribution of gift copies to The Library of Congress, Division for the Blind, and to no less than 33 libraries for the blind was completed during Riḍván. Letters of thanks and of inquiry were received early in May, and the interest of librarians and friends was most rewarding. Further announcement of this distribution was published in the U.S. Supplement of the BAHÁ’Í NEWS of July 1959.

Production

This year we concentrated our efforts on the binding of all unbound manuscripts, on hand and the transcribing and binding of many titles needed for our lending library. It was also posible to publish a new pamphlet in Braille and bring out another talking book.

Hand-copied Braille

The following titles have been transcribed in standard English Braille:—Prayers and Meditations by Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’í Prayers, Prescription for Living by Rúhíyyih Rabbani, A Tribute to Shoghi Effendi by Amelia Collins, The Covenant and Administration, Suggestions for the Conduct of Institutes on the Covenant and Administration, Christ and Bahá’u’lláh by George Townshend, Trustees of the Merciful, and Bahá’í Teachings for a World Faith. In Spanish Braille: Las Palabras Ocultas de Bahá’u’lláh and La Unidad Religiosa.

New Braille Publication

A Braille edition of The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh: A World Religion, By Shoghi Effendi, with a new preface by Horace Holley has just been published by Bahá’í Service for the Blind. For the convenience of readers this new pamphlet is offered in the same size as our Braille copies of Communion with God.

New Talking Book

The Mission of Bahá’u’lláh, and excerpts from Aims and Purposes of the Bahá’í Faith by Horace Holley, have been recorded in the studios of the American Foundation for the Blind, reader Alexander Scourby. This talking book consists of one double-face 12-inch record with reading time of twenty-seven minutes per side. It is to be released by Naw-Rúz.

Bookbinding

All the unbound manuscripts on hand at the beginning of this Bahá’í year and most of the manuscripts recently transcribed have been bound in book form, giving us more than 22 newly bound books.

Distribution

Through the courtesy of the Director of the National Library for the Blind in London, England, our gift of the talking book, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh was placed in the Nuffield Talking Book Library for the Blind. This library which is situated on the outskirts of London, reported 5,400 readers in April 1959. Braille copies of The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, The Bahá’í House of Worship ard The Renewal of Civilization by David Hofman, were placed in the Braille Section of the Tucson Public Library. Ready for shipment are a copy of Christ and Bahá’u’lláh by George Townshend, in two volumes, for the National Library for the Blind in London, and a copy of The Renewal of Civilization for the Braille Library of the Valentin Hauy Association in Paris, France. This library has many readers of English Braille and 400 foreign subscribers.

Lending Library

The Bahá’í library for the blind has titles in English and in Esperanto Braille. Seven titles (15 volumes) have recently been added to our collection and three more titles consisting of no less than 14 bound volumes should be added before Naw-Rúz.

The library has a large collection of Bahá’í books which are not available through the facilities of the regional libraries for the blind and cannot be purchased from the committee. These books may be borrowed by blind readers; this service is free. Books are mailed in special containers which are easy to handle and protect the books. Correspondence is also carried on in Braille.

Sales have increased and more requests for information and for price lists have been received. The friends are contacting many more blind people.

In carrying out our functions many more contacts have been made with business and trades people. One member who in addition to the transcribing and binding of her books who is holding a Braille class and teaching different groups the many steps needed to shellac, collate, fold and sew brailled pages and then bind them into a book has made many contacts and created much good will.

New price lists will be available shortly and Bahá’í Service for the Blind will have a display at the Convention. This display will show the whole process of getting together a Braille book.

The committee is hopeful that the friends will take advantage of the literature which has been specially prepared for the blind. Such books as Communion with God, The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, will give new light and new hope.

SOUVENIR OF ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ

Members: Donald Vahid Kinney, Chairman; Mrs. Blanche Kaufman, Secretary; Mrs. Maud Gaudreaux, Joseph Ioas, Mrs. Harriet Kelsey, Mrs. Joan Kinney, Mrs. Estelle Rouse, Ray Rouse, Robert Schmitz, Mrs. Amie Wright, Paul Wright.

The 47th Annual Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was observed on the last Saturday in June (Anniversary Day) June 27, 1959, at the Bahá’í Center, West Englewood, N.J., where the original Unity Feast was held in 1912 when the Beloved Master Himself served a large crowd that had gathered there to see and hear Him. Nearly 400 people were present, Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís, of all ages, representing many different faith and cultural backgrounds.

Preceding the program, friends and guests shared luncheon and greetings at tables spread beneath the pleasant shade of the West Patio trees.

The program was as follows:

Music: Ralph de Anievas, Pianist

Greetings and Prayer: Lee Blackwell, Chairman

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’ Address Given in 1912: Harriet Morgan Kelsey

Speaker: William B. Sears

Theme: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the Servant of God

Commemorative Service in the Grove: Rouhieh McComb

Color slides were shown in the eve- [Page 29]

ANNUAL REPORTS

ning through the courtesy of the Audio-Visual Education Committee. Supervision and entertainment of the children was provided by the committee.

In his address, William Sears spoke of the unique Station of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Who was the spiritual link to Bahá’u’lláh Himself through Whom the outpouring of love from Almighty God to mankind was channeled down for the future. He spoke of the great tributes that were paid to Him by those who stood on the side of God's Holy Mountain, Carmel, near the Cave of Elijah, during the burial of this Servant of God, quoting from such persons as Sir Herbert Samuel, Professor Yone Noguchi, and Professor Granville Browne.

Of this very spot in the Grove, and of all the other places visited by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Mr. Sears quoted Bahá’u’lláh Who once said: "Blessed, doubly blessed, is the ground which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá's footsteps have trodden, the eyes that have been cheered by the beauty of His Countenance, the ear that hath been honored by hearkening to His call, the heart that has tasted the sweetness of His love."

All those who were present on this occasion could not help but feel that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was there in their midst in spirit.

NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í ARCHIVES AND HISTORY

Members: Myrtle Wendler, Secretary, Mineola Hannen, Carl Hannen.

The National Bahá’í Archives and History Committee continues its privileged work of organizing the material and articles received for the Archives. The sorting of the Sacred Relics has been completed and they have been placed in their special vault for preservation.

The committee is working closely with the National Spiritual Assembly in the gathering and sorting of the beloved Guardian's letters, which have been requested by the Hands of the Cause in the Holy Land.

The members of the committee, aware of the great importance of the Archives as the sacred reservoir for posterity, keep ever before them their special task of proper organization and preservation of Bahá’í relics and other items.

BAHÁ’Í NEWS EDITORIAL

Members: Mrs. Eunice Braun, International News Editor; Miss Charlotte M. Linfoot, National News Editor; Richard C. Thomas, Managing Editor.

The Committee has striven to fulfill the objective of BAHÁ’Í NEWS as a news organ reporting the current activities of the Bahá’í World Community. Dependent as we are upon the services of national and local spiritual assemblies, intercontinental committees, and individual correspondents in reporting to us their newsworthy activities and in forwarding suitable photographs, we hope that, within these limitations, we have presented an informative, inspiring, and good-looking publication. The pages of BAHÁ’Í NEWS and its U.S. SUPPLEMENT themselves should be the measure of our endeavor.

BAHÁ’Í PUBLISHING TRUST

Mrs. Eunice Braun, Managing Director

The Bahá’í Publishing Trust is completing its fifth year of publishing and distributing the Sacred Writings, and numerous other books and pamphlets prepared for the purpose of assisting Bahá’ís in proclaiming the Faith and confirming new believers. The Trust now catalogs approximately one hundred and eighty titles in the English language, including some titles purchased from other publishers, and over seventy titles in foreign languages. The pamphlet literature covers a wide range in price and content to meet a great variety of teaching needs.

This past year the Publishing Trust has endeavored to help Bahá’ís become better acquainted with their literature and to find more effective ways of putting it into use, and also to better understand the administrative principles involved in the publishing and distributing of Bahá’í literature. As this report is being written a new illustrated brochure, Bahá’í Literature and You, is about to be mailed to each Bahá’í—its purpose being to help each one to make more effective use of the teaching literature in the remaining months of the World Crusade; also to encourage greater interest and enthusiasm on the part of the literature representatives (librarians) who are engaged in the important service of literature distribution in the local community. The format for this brochure was arranged by Mrs. Margaret Hawbaker of Inglewood, Calif.

With a further view to expanding the individual's knowledge and use of literature, an attractive literature portfolio was produced, containing thirty current individual, teaching pamphlets, arranged for an attractive display, if desired, at a fireside. The portfolios have also been made available without enclosures, to allow a personal selection of items to be inserted for a prestige presentation of Bahá’í literature. There are spaces to fill in names for the presentation.

A special article concerning Bahá’í literature and explaining some of the principles involved in producing and distributing it was prepared by the Publishing Trust at the request of the National Assembly and published in the September 1959 issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS. Early in the year the National Assembly itself sent a bulletin to the communities explaining the privileges and obligations of each assembly, group, summer school, or individual in observing and applying these principals. A number of book reviews on important Bahá’í books have been appearing in BAHÁ’Í NEWS also, contributed by various people on the theme of Know Your Bahá’í Literature. A study course by this same name, used in several summer school courses, was published. It explains how Bahá’í literature is classified, what constitutes authentic texts and translations, and has a section devoted to analyzing the teaching literature with suggestions for its use.

Inexpensive Literature for Mailing Campaigns: The Trust considers that one of its best contributions to the teaching work has been the growing list of inexpensive folders prepared as self-mailers, making it possible to carry on wide-scale mailing campaign with a minimum of work and expense. These now include: I am a Bahá’í, The Christian Century Reprint; also the newly revised and redesigned Oneness of Mankind and The Principle of Child Education in the Bahá’í Faith. These self-mailers, along with such very inexpensive leaflets as Basic Facts of the Bahá’í Faith, One Universal Faith, What is [Page 30] a Bahá’í, and Pattern of Future Society make possible an extensive coverage through the mails and at public meetings, (or with literature racks in depots and approved public places) with a minimum of expenditure. The new, double-purpose mailing card further aids in efficient handling of mailing lists. This card invites the contact to check whatever type of information or service he may want concerning his interest in the Faith, and also has space to include an invitation to a fireside, public meeting, or to make an announcement of a radio talk. The card carries an appealing quotation taken from a Bahá’í book in the local public library.

Other New Materials: As this report is written, the revised American edition of Release the Sun by William Sears (with jacket design by Wm. Musler) is in process for both cloth and paperbound editions. A talk script, The World Crusade: 7000 Years in Retrospect by Allan Ward is about to be published, and a new introductory pamphlet especially requested by the College Bureau and written by Arthur Dahl is going into production. A new, revised edition of The Open Door has just been released, with envelopes to match for easy mailing, and with a presentation page for filling in names if desired. The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh: a World Religion, by Shoghi Effendi, was reissued with a completely new design and format, sized to fit the standard No. 8 business envelope, with a new preface by Horace Holley and with statistics updated by footnotes. The Tablets of the Divine Plan now appears in an attractive new printing and includes a photograph of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as a frontispiece. The new 1960 Calendar was made available over two months ahead of time to accommodate the many communities outside of the U.S. in receiving it by the first of the year. The small Pocket Calendars have been so popular that an increased amount were printed this year (1960-61), and were available by February 20 so they also might reach any place in the world in time for the national cnnventions.

The Publishing Trust wishes to express deep gratitude to Conrad Heleniak of Green Bay, Wis., whose special talent and assistance in designing and preparing many of our layouts again this year has been of inestimable value to the work. This contribution on his part has not only helped to improve the appearance of many of our pamphlets, but has also assisted in the economy of their production.

AUDIO-VISUAL EDUCATION

Members: Nathan Rutstein, Chairman; Archie Tichenor, Secretary; Juan Caban, William DeForge Jr., Burton Diezendorf, Lionel Gonzales, Allan Kelsey, Jack Remignanti, Hasan Tarafdar, Paul Wright.

During the past year the Audio-Visual Education Committee has been completely reorganized. There is a separate department for each type of product that the committee puts out, such as slides, tapes, etc., and each department head is responsible for the distribution of his particular item, thus freeing the secretary to a very great extent for other vital responsibilities. The committee has striven to establish AVEC field representatives in all Bahá’í groups and assemblies in order to lessen the correspondence burden of the committee. After two appeals published in BAHÁ’Í NEws, requesting that each community select a representative, only 73 communities have responded. We plan to repeat this appeal in an effort to get 100 per cent representation. Our representatives are kept up to date on most committee activities through our bulletin which publicize the materials that are available, projects that will soon be completed, plus tips on the care and use of audio-visual materials.

Achievements

We have worked in close connection with the National Bahá’í Press Service, creating radio and TV news releases, spot announcements and features for publicizing and promoting certain Bahá’í special events, such as Bahá’í Proclamation Day, World Religion Day and Race Amity Day. We have also worked with the Press Service in drafting suggestions for radio and TV promotion for the 50th anniversary of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to America.

Arrangements have been with the Radio Service Committee whereby we will make copies of their tapes. In the past this was done by commercial firms.

We have placed more emphasis on records than tapes this year in order to benefit a greater number of the friends. Our first record, "The Divine Institutions," an hour-long talk by Hand of the Cause William B. Sears has already sold 250 discs. Though the original tape was recorded under adverse conditions and the technical quality leave much to be desired, the content fits in perfectly with the National Assembly's program of reinvigoration on the home front. The second record, the talk given by Mr. Sears at the Riḍván Feast at the Bahá’í Temple last year, has recently been released. This record describes the Riḍván Feast and tells the moving story of Christs's return and explores the theme of progressive revelation. It is suitable for meetings where there are non-Bahá’ís. A number of communities have found that it has created sincere interest.

The committee has made ten copies of a packaged TV program which is a half hour long. The show includes scripts, slides, balops, direction instructions, etc. It will be available on a loan basis to all communities that have TV stations. This show, produced by Dr. David Ruhe, has been presented in Oklahoma City.

Projects Being Developed

Film of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, 15-minutes long, with narration track on film, entitled "American's Greatest Day.". This film can be shown on TV or used in the home or for public meetings. Three new slide sets—(1) Temple set with script; (2) set on the Holy Land; (3) set depicting the universality of the Faith. A new record entitled "Seven Thousand Years in Retrospect."

BAHA’I SALES

Members: Robert C. Bartlett, Chairman; Mrs. Margarete Robinson, Secretary; Mrs. Lillian Cloonan, Miss Lynne Hutchinson, Mr. George H. Lange, Miss Gladyce Linfoot, Mrs. Agnes Mitchell, Mr. M. D. Roach, Mr. Marshall N. Tyler, Mrs. Carolyn Tyler.

General: This report covers period from March 1st, 1959 up to March 1st, 1960 while this committee continued to maintain the book counter in foundation of the Temple and fill mail orders from Bahá’ís as well as others desiring to purchase items for sale. During this period this committee lost its long-time chairman. [Page 31]

ANNUAL REPORTS

Mr. Harry Walrath, whose absence was a challenge to other members of this committee.

Activity: Gross sales during these twelve months totalled $10,563.72 from across-the-counter purchases in the Temple and mail orders from Ecuador, Alaska, Canada, Finland, Belgium, Ethiopia, Canal Zone, Mariana Islands, India, Hawaii, Haiti, Laos, Denmark, Mexico, and Morocco in addition to the 48 United States. Items sold over-the-counter and by mail include postcards, photographs, picture portfolios, rings, ringstones, Greatest Names, Temple models, etchings, and slide viewers. Bahá’í literature and slides were sold over the counter only, since mail orders for these two items are handled by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust and Audio-Visual Education Committee.

Counter Workers: Bahá’í Sales Committee wishes to express appreciation to those friends who have assisted this committee by serving behind the counter during convention time and the busy summer season. Their services are badly needed. Cooperation from Temple Guides Committee played a major role in manning the book counter during the summer months.

LEGAL SERVICE

Members: Charles Wolcott, Secretary; H. B. Kavelin; Arthur L. Dahl; (Horace Holley, secretary to December 25, 1959).

The Legal Committee functions for the National Spiritual Assembly in an advisory capacity, carrying out the projects or attacking problems assigned to it from time to time. It also advises local assemblies in the preparation of incorporation papers, in the determination of areas of jurisdiction, and of procedures to secure authority to conduct legal Bahá’í marriages and for seeking recognition by school systems of Bahá’í Holy Days.

Local incorporations achieved by assemblies since April 1959 include: Beverly Hills, Calif., April 10, 1959; Long Beach, Calif., April 20, 1959; South Bend, Ind., May 26, 1959; Flagstaff, Ariz., July 29, 1959; and San Antonio, Tex., January 18, 1960. The total number of incorporated local spiritual assemblies in continental United States is now 89. Eleven more are needed to achieve the Crusade goal of 100 incorporated assemblies by 1963.

Bahá’í marriage service performed under authorized conditions has legal status in 28 States (including Washington, D.C.) on the continent, as well as in the State of Hawaii. Recognition by school systems of Bahá’í Holy Days was achieved in the Fort Worth Independent School District, September 1959; in Linwood, N.J., October 1959; in Healdsburg High School District, Healdsburg, Calif., October 1959; in Woodland, Ill. and Community Consolidated School District No. 50, December, 1959. These additions bring the number of localities where Bahá’í children may be officially excused from school for religious observances to a total of 55, plus the entire States of Rhode Island and Louisiana.

At the request of the National Assembly, the Legal Committee prepared and submitted amendments to certain by-laws of the local spiritual assemblies for consideration and approval. Action was taken at the July 1959 meeting of the National Assembly to adopt the amendments as submitted. The amendment to Article III clarifies the former ambiguity concerning the right of a local spiritual assembly to deprive a member of its community of his voting rights. It should be noted that for some years this right has been vested exclusively in the National Assembly. Article XIV was amended by deletion and substitution of new text. This was done in recognition of the fact that since the by-laws of local assemblies are standard throughout the country, a superior body common to all must initiate changes in such by-laws to avoid chaos and confusion. The complete texts of the amendments can be found in BAHÁ’Í NEWS for October 1959.

NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í PRESS SERVICE

Members: Alfred B. Reed, Chairman; Dorothea M. Reed, Secretary; Elizabeth Discavage, Arthur Elliott, Barbara Elliott, Marcia Hathorne, Homer Winans and Vi Winans.

Our service, based primarily on the schedule of special events approved by the National Spiritual Assembly, for the purpose of carrying on a systematic-nation-wide publicity campaign, consisted in the preparation of releases and ads for the following: Naw-Rúz, National Convention, Declaration of the Báb, Race Amity Day, Martyrdom of the Báb, Bahá’í Proclamation Day, United Nations Day, Bahá’u’lláh’s Birthday, Human Rights Day and World Religion Day; releases only for state and national conventions and World Youth Day.

Releases and spot announcements for radio and TV were contributed by the Audio-Visual Education Committee for Bahá’í Proclamation Day and World Religion Day. This committee also prepared radio and TV tips for press representatives which were sent to our mailing list.

The National Reference Library Committee compiled appropriate readings from the Bahá’í Writings for each of these occasions, with the exception of the state and national conventions. These quotations are used at public meetings, firesides and Feasts.

The Bahá’í Publishing Trust filled requests for the literature recommended for distribution in connection with special events.

The BAHÁ’Í NEWS Editorial Committee published the schedule of special events in the July issue of BAHÁ’Í NEWS and carried notices in subsequent issues on each of the events prior to their dateline. They also assisted our committee with the sale of World Religion Day and Race Amity Day posters by reproducing and promoting them through the media of the BAHÁ’Í NEWS.

The Radio Service Committee issued scripts and tapes for radio, public meetings and other uses for World Religion Day, Naw-Rúz and World Youth Day.

In cooperation with the American National and Area Teaching Committees, every effort was made to encourage local spiritual assemblies and "goal" centers not on our mailing list to appoint press representatives. A special promotion kit of our service was sent to each; results have been most encouraging.

Publicity on the Bahá’í Temple, introduced last year was repeated again this year. An ad which read "Going to Chicago? Visit the Bahá’í House of Worship," was sent to our press representatives suggesting that it be run Spring, Summer and Fall, taking advantage of the Temple as a great teaching medium.

One of the most outstanding pieces of publicity this year, was the coverage given by the press, radio and [Page 32] TV to the appointment of Charles F. Wolcott as secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly. A thousand reprints of the Chicago Tribune and Chicago American articles on this memorable occasion were distributed to all the press representatives for reproduction in their local papers. The results have been most heartwarming, showing that the sacrifice of material gain is overwhelmingly newsworthy in our materialistic society.

Our committee had the honor of assisting the beloved Hand of the Cause, William Sears, with the promotion of his visit to 32 communities in the United States. Several meetings were held to work out the plans with him. These communities were furnished with publicity releases, ads, promotion letters, photos and matrices of Mr. Sears. The Audio-Visual Education Committee prepared releases, spot announcements, and covering letters for radio and TV. A poster and brochure were prepared and approved by the National Assembly for public meetings, but were not produced due to the partial cancellation of Mr. Sear’s trip. A press clipping book for the National Assembly and the Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land, has been prepared.

In addition to the World Religion Day and Race Amity Day posters; "Gleanings For The Press" or "Words For The World," Series III; Radio and TV Tips; the Press Letter, which accompanies all releases, we issued the booklet, Is Your News Showing?, designed to help the press representatives size up a newsy situation.

We are grateful to the members of our committee who have worked so diligently in preparing the "Clipping Books" for display at the National Convention and for the archives, and the monthly reports on publicity and advertising coverage which the Faith received this year. This enabled us to keep the press representatives informed of our progress. So far we can report over 83 million in circulation for special events, as compared to 79 million last year; in column inches we show a gain of almost 2,000. In events other than special events, we have. 130 million in circulation, last year's final figure was 135 million; a gain of 2,000 in column inches. These figures do not include the publicity on Charles Wolcott or William Sears, which will be included in our final report. There is every indication that we shall exceed last year's coverage by several million circulation.

In addition to serving some 500 press representatives in this country, we also served, by request, the following Bahá’í communities outside of the United States: Alaska (8); Bahamas, B.W.I.; Benelux Countries; Canada (5); El Salvador; Paris, France; Hawaii (5); British Honduras; Bombay and New Delhi, India; Korea; Monrovia, Liberia; Mexico; Puerto Rico; British Guiana and Vietnam.

National releases were sent to Associated Press, United Press International, Associated Negro Press, a selected list of Negro papers, as well as a number of special news agencies. Some 25,000 pieces were mailed out by this committee.

A report on World Religion Day observance was written for BAHÁ’Í NEWS. A conference for press representatives attending the National Convention was held in Wilmette giving us an opportunity to exchange experiences, which proved most beneficial.

We wish to express our gratitude to all the press representatives for carrying on the work with increasing enthusiasm, and for their many letters of appreciation for the service, too numerous to acknowledge individually; to the national committees mentioned above for their cooperation and thereby enriching the experience of all; to the United Nations and Interracial Teaching Committees, as sponsors for United Nations Day and for Human Rights Day and Race Amity Day; and to the National Spiritual Assembly for their direction and encouragement.

As we conclude this report, the feeling uppermost in our hearts is that of the growing sense of cooperation and unity between the committees contributing to the proclamation of the Faith in America.

NATIONAL REFERENCE LIBRARY

Members: Mrs. Gene Crist, Chairman; Mrs. Marian Crist Lippitt, Secretary and Treasurer; Miss Garnet Crawford, Dr. C. Gordon Fleming, Mrs. Doris Goodrick, Mrs. Marjorie Greenway, Mrs. Mariam Haney, Miss Pearl Pohl, Miss Alma Sothman.

Requests for Reference Answered

Most important of these was from the National Spiritual Assembly, for compilations on three subjects for the Hands of the Faith in Haifa. This 51 page compilation included quotations in full from our current literature and all issues of BAHÁ’Í NEWS, of every reference to The Universal House of Justice, The Hands of the Cause of God, and The International Bahá’í Council.

Completed also by Mrs. Gene Crist, and accepted by the National Spiritual Assembly, was a 36-page compilation of references to the Aqdás with a 9-page index of subject matter.

In addition, 29 requests from individuals for special reference material were answered; and references were supplied each month for the National Bahá’í Press Service bulletins for recommended use in celebration of the special events of that committee's calendar.

Mimographed Material Supplied

The outline of "Historical Events Relating to the Bahá’í Cause in America" previously prepared by Mrs. Juliet A. Cole, was mimeographed by her and made available to this committee for distribution at 35c per copy. Orders for 83 copies were filled. The set of 4 articles prepared by Mrs. Gene Crist as a "bridge" from Christianity to the Bahá’í Faith have continued to be sold at 75c per set (orders for 70 sets were filled); as has her compilation on "Teaching the Bahá’í Faith" (65 copies of which were sent out).

Preparation of Future Library Reference Material

Work on the Concordance has been completed with the exception of checking a small portion. This year the committee has completed the combining of its various parts (prepared in past years by about 50 volunteer workers) into one large body of reference material that has been checked, and a smaller one that has not. This Concordance covers all of Bahá’u’lláh’s Writings and some of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s. Its headings, alphabetically arranged, are all of the nouns and verbs found in these Writings, and under each heading all the phrases or sentences in which that word is found.

The Master Index Project has been given much study. Although the plan for this work was approved some [Page 33]

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years ago, its execution depends on volunteer workers learning and performing the work. The problem was how to teach the indexing process by mail. The committee in past years has made two unsuccessful attempts: feeling that the instructions must be brief, it produced instruction material that was over-condensed and far too abstract, with the result that people grew discouraged in the attempt to follow or understand what was given them.

This year, with the addition to the committee of Dr. Fleming who has had practical experience in preparing successful correspondence courses, the problem was considered from an entirely new angle. It was learned that a good correspondence course must be lengthy and repetitious, easy to "take," and definitely not abstract. Therefore, such a course was attempted, with detailed explanations authenticated by many quotations from our Writings, and exercises bringing the abstractions down to specific practice. There were misgivings as the material lengthened. On the other hand, the knowledge essential to performing the indexing process is only what every Bahá’í should possess and that would accrue from a thorough study of spiritual verities of our Faith; plus a very brief indoctrination in abbreviations used in the index. This indexing is largely a matter of placing ideas under the classifications of reality that Bahá’u’lláh has established. The project, then, became more than an indexing effort—it became a study of spiritual verities. And something happened to those who were preparing the course—an electrifying discovery that learning to place ideas in this way has a definite effect on a person's consciousness, for it teaches him to view things as they really are instead of as he has always seen them.

Because the indexing plan involves using the abstract over-all picture of reality that Bahá’u’lláh gives us, the course represents a summary of the realities of existence, according to the only material on earth that attempts such an explanation, and to what we know to be the only Truth available to man. It begins with the three worlds of existence, and presents every subject that people can think or talk about. Therefore, it is believed that when an approved form is ready for distribution, it can be as interesting to non-Bahá’ís as to Bahá’ís, and serve as valuable teaching material. Every effort is being made to complete this course for approval of the National Spiritual Assembly in the immediate future.

Meanwhile, several workers have been preparing summaries (one sentence per paragraph) of different books, and lists of short verities from Shoghi Effendi’s Writings, so that when indexers are available, these sentences will be ready to be indexed. The one in charge of the project is doing sample indexing in each of the Bahá’í books, in accordance with the new instructions, to determine the difficulties and unsolved problems. It is sincerely hoped and believed that next year should see very definite progress in the preparing of the Master Index, as well as a contribution made to techniques of deepening and teaching for those who participate. One of the big handicaps of this committee is the fact that all consultation has to be carried on by mail, most members never having even met one another.

Housing of the books and pamphlets of the future National Library: Miss Pearl Pohl has again served as custodian of literature that has accumulated to date for the future Library, a responsibility complicated this year by her need to change her living quarters. All material has been properly inventoried and cared for by her.

NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE

Members: Miss Flora Emily Hottes, Chairman; Mrs. Mary Millican, Secretary; Mrs. Elizabeth Lower, Mrs. Lucile Taylor.

An increase of 97.9 percent in library placements was recorded for 1960 over 1959. A total of 372 books were placed: of these, 206 went to public or state libraries, 49 to universities and colleges, 4 to other educational institutions, and 113 to special libraries.

A home for the aged, a children's home, a community center, a synagogue, a newspaper, several hospitals, military establishments, churches, and even ships received Bahá’í materials to read.

Throughout the year, interesting experiences were shared by people with enthusiasm for contacting librarians, arranging book displays, and using books in the broad plan for teaching. BAHÁ’Í NEWS has carried notes and pictures of some unusual placements.

A request for year-end reports was relayed by the area committees, with gratifying response. (Any items turned in after this summary will be included in 1960-1961). Believers showed donations in 27 different states: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Five states had more than 20 donations apiece: Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Oregon, and New York, with a combined total of 215 books; Hawaii alone reported 98.

The bulletin of suggestions for library service has been sent to new goal cities and groups. Copies are still available upon request to those wishing them.

Our warmest thanks to go to those who have taken the trouble to write of their experiences, and to the area committees and Bahá’í News for their spirit of helpfulness.

REVIEWING

Members: Mrs. Alice S. Cox, Chairman-Secretary; Dr. Garreta Busey, Miss Ruth E. Dasher, Miss Zoe Meyer.

Fifteen manuscripts were reviewed this year at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly, two of which were designed almost exclusively for the edification and assistance of Bahá’ís in the progress of the Ten-Year Crusade. One of these was an outstanding effort on the part of the National Bahá’í Youth Committee to gather into one compilation the many Bahá’í materials directed to Bahá’í Youth in particular. The other was an illuminating survey of how the Ten-Year Crusade has unfolded as part of the process of centuries of religious evolution.

Work was completed on review of the book-length manuscript of Release the Sun, written by William B. Sears. This is a dramatic and inspiring abridgment of The Dawn-Breakers with added explanatory materials in appendix form.

Five manuscripts with accompany- [Page 34] ing musical score were reviewed for style and accuracy in verse and then forwarded to the National Spiritual Assembly for professional review of the music itself.

The committee exercised no responsibility for approval, but followed the request of NSA to report on all manuscripts for grammatical and composition structure, spelling, and paragraphing and accuracy of quotations from Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í sources. Accuracy of exposition and narration of Bahá’í themes as well as general readability were given attention, and, in addition to these factors, a general critique or summary of views concerning quality and value of each manuscript as to use in the Ten-Year Crusade was furnished to the NSA.

Reviews were completed for the following manuscripts: Release the Sun by William B. Sears; Story of the Life of Bahá’u’lláh, with musical score, by Marian Wilcox; The Institution of the Nineteen-Day Feast, Heart of the Bahá’í Community by Kay Zinky; The Miracle of Tabriz by Don Hawley; The Bahá’í World Faith and the International Language by Evelyn Bivins; The Ten-Year Crusade: Seven Thousands Years in Retrospect by Allan Ward; Science and Religion by Janet Rodgers Kaye; Education, a compilation by Bahá’í Youth; The Incredible Paradox (revised since earlier publication) by Vinson Brown; songs: The Kingdom of God, Song of Brotherhood, Spiritual Springtime and O Glory of Glories, with musical score, by Frank A. Fredericks; a chart showing prophecies in the Book of Daniel and how they relate to this "latter Day," by Henry G. Curry; An Interpretation of the World Crisis by Seymour Weinberg.

Two other manuscripts, these received directly from the authors, were forwarded to the NSA for directives concerning review of them: Creative Power, a compilation by the East Central States Teaching Committee, and My Pilgrimage to the Twin Holy Cities of Haifa and ‘Akká by Terah-Cowart Smith.

The committee wishes to emphasize that all manuscripts to be reviewed should first pass through the hands of the National Spiritual Assembly and not be mailed directly to the Reviewing Committee. It is important that all writers consider and observe the fundamental rules of proper manuscript preparation: typing, double-spaced; first copy, not a carbon copy; correct spelling and marking of Bahá’í words; and exact notation in text, or at the end, of original sources from which each quotation used has been taken.

National Radio Service

Members: Shinji Yamamoto, Chairman; Mrs. Charlotte Keefrey, Secretary; Mrs. Virginia Fries, Mrs. Catherine Gedko, Miss Helen Svendsen.

The Radio Service Committee had thirteen meetings to date. This committee functioning with a completely new membership began by reviewing and editing all scripts and tapes received from former committee and prepared a catalog with a description, the uses, etc., of each, also reprinting eleven old scripts. Seven new scripts were introduced, these coming from various Bahá’ís who had prepared and used them locally. An old bulletin of suggestions was also brought up to date.

Seventeen recuts of old tape recordings were made, 24 sold and six rented. Approximately 1,180 scripts, catalogs and bulletins were sold. The response from the listings in the BAHÁ’Í NEWS under "Special Bahá’í Events" usage was very good. The new series "Bahá’í Viewpoint, 1, 2, 3 and 4" had such a favorable response that it is evident a continuity in scripts is of interest to the Bahá’ís. In view of this the committee recommends a series be prepared, geared to the basic teaching points: 1. Progressive Revelation; 2. Cyclic Evolution of Society; 3. Three Worlds of Existence (soul, mind and spirit); 4. The Effect of Revelation Upon the World (Adam through Bahá’u’lláh); 5. Central Figures of the Bahá’í Faith; 6. Major Institutions of the Bahá’í Faith. There is also a definite need for scripts geared specifically to the special Bahá’í events. The committee will welcome any scripts on the above subjects for review.

Over 50 letters pertaining to requests, orders, etc., were written, and over 25 to the National Spiritual Assembly on business. The committee is a self-sustaining one.

Blue Ridge Bahá’í School

Committee Members: F. Kimball Kinney, Chairman; Mrs. Gail Curwin, Secretary; Mrs. Corrine Bowman, Gerald Curwin, Jack Davis.

The Blue Ridge Bahá’í Summer School for 1959 was in session for six days from August 22 to 28. 124 persons attended, of whom 89 stayed for the full time.

Because the time was so limited, effort was made to utilize every moment. Each day began with devotions at 7:30 a.m. The daily schedule of study consisted of four courses running simultaneously in the morning, with two of them repeated simultaneously in the afternoon and the other two in the evening with the same teachers. Under this arrangement it was possible for everyone to take three of the four subjects offered, and almost everyone did so. The four courses and teachers were as follows:

"The Covenant and the Individual"—Cal Rollins and Allan Ward; "Principles of Bahá’í Administration"—Charlotte Linfoot; "Living the Bahá’í Life"—Harvey Wiener; "Teaching the Faith"—Raymond Rouse.

These classes ran for an hour and forty-five minutes and were all lecture and workshop so that the students were able to put into practice what they had learned.

Twenty youth were in attendance. In the morning they studied together the book, Christ and Bahá’u’lláh and many of them joined the adults in the afternoon and evening classes.

The courses for children were held in the morning and afternoon. Miss Kay Potter and Mrs. Hoberta Hilke were the teachers for the five through eight year old group; Miss Elah Cowart for the nine through twelve group, and Mrs. Betty Fiedler the thirteen and fourteen-year olds.

Following the evening classes there were special programs consisting of taped recorded talks by Hand of the Cause William Sears and by Miss Flora Hottes; and films by Mrs. Ludmila Van Sombeek. Miss Linfoot explained various aspects in the operation of the National Spiritual Assembly; Edward Struven, who had met ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, recalled stories about the beloved Exemplar.

There was ample opportunity for recreation which consisted of swim-

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ming, dancing, singing, hiking and games.

On the last morning, Miss Charlotte Linfoot, member of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, gave an inspired parting address. She surveyed events leading up to the World Crusade, gave the status of the present, and projected into the future with goals yet to be accomplished.

In every case the teachers were well qualified and cooperated in every way for the success of the session. Everyone in attendance took full opportunity for intensive study, meditation, prayer and fellowship. This was the second summer school for the southeastern area and from the enthusiastic interest and sizable increase in attendance over the first year, it is evident that this school is filling a very great need in the lives of the Bahá’ís of the South.

DAVISON BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL

Committee Members: Stanley Brogan, Chairman; Elizabeth Brown, Secretary; Etta Catlin, Shirley Baldwin, Wallace Baldwin, Phyllis Hall, Marvin Hughes, Lois Nochman, Betty Weston.

The 1959 Summer Session at Davison Bahá’í School was planned for two weeks of Junior Youth and five Family sessions, with separate programs for the week-ends, beginning July 20 through the Homecoming Weekend, September 5-7.

Junior Youth Sessions (July 20- July 31).

Three classes covering the subjects of conduct, administration, science and religion were offered for this 10-14 year old group. In addition to the regular classes and recreation and craft periods there were the following activities: A music program given by Miss Esther Wilson; choral work on Bahá’í music; special trips to the Flint planetarium; archery instruction, stone polishing, and the showing of educational films.

The week-end program of July 25 and 26 was handled by the National Bahá’í Youth Committee who sent Miss Joanna Thomas and Dan Jordan to lead the classes and recreation. The children were very enthusiastic about the program these young people presented.

Family Sessions (August 3-September 4).

There were five Family Sessions of five days each with study devoted to such subjects as: The Covenant, Administration, Teaching, Conduct, and the Creative Word. In many classes extra assignments for out-of-class research were given for reporting back to the class. Programs were presented each evening. Many of the teachers and students brought slides of their travels to be shown.

The first night of each session was devoted to study of the Message from the Hands of the Cause, and to the Summer School folder. Miss Brenda Yougis of Ann Arbor served for the entire season as our children's teacher. Junior Youth from the area helped her each week-end.

There were no reservations for the fourth session so classes were cancelled for that five-day period.

Week End Courses: The capsule courses presented each week-end were well attended. Sunday afternoon public meetings were also held, with communities in the area providing hospitality.

Special Events: These included a National Youth Committee week-end; the visit of Hand of the Cause William B. Sears; an area teaching conference on the week preceding the opening of the schools devoted to the study of "The Covenant," and the annual Homecoming week-end. The youth played a prominent part in the latter event, leading the Saturday morning class, preparing and reading a script dealing with the life of Bahá’u’lláh, and giving an excellent musical program Saturday evening. On Sunday Miss Violet Wuerfel led a workshop period on the subject of America's spiritual mission. An inspiring addition to the program consisted of reports from pioneers Mr. and Mrs. Sherman Rosenberg, Mrs. Roberta Christian, Mrs. Wilma Thomas, and others. Mr. Winston Evans closed the session Monday morning with an inspiring address entitled "Make a Beginning."

Attendance: The attendance for the five weeks of the school was 192, with 359 more on week ends. One hundred eighty-four enrolled for the Homecoming.

SOUTHWESTERN BAHÁ’Í SCHOOL

Members: John Thomas, Chairman; Mrs. Betty J. Hopkins, Secretary; Leo Squires, Treasurer; Jack McCants, Mrs. Allene Squires, Raul Walls.

From the early stages of planning to the closing bell of the session, the atmosphere of study and deepening surrounded the entire program of the Southwestern Bahá’í Summer School, held in Dallas, Texas, August 29 to September 5, 1959. With the students, faculty and the committee all grateful to our Beloved Guardian for permitting the establishment of this school in the Southwest, every opportunity was seized to utilize to the fullest the services, experience and knowledge brought to the school by a faculty composed of Auxiliary Board Members, National Spiritual Assembly members and experienced national Bahá’í teachers. The daily classes and faculty indicates the intensive caliber of instruction received: "Teaching the Faith," Mrs. Velma Sherrill; "Living the Life," Mrs. Florence Mayberry; "Covenant and the Individual," Miss Pearl Esterbrook; "Principles of Bahá’í Administration," Mr. Ellsworth Blackwell; "Special Events," Mrs. Ruth Moffett. Special Events provided programs entitled "An Evening with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá," "The Guardian and the World Center," and "God's Divine Plan for the Universe," as well as two public meetings with Mrs. Florence Mayberry speaking on "The Bahá’í Faith" on one occasion, and later a visitor, Mayor of Langston, Oklahoma, Dr. Tolston speaking on "Communications with Minority Groups."

One of the more interesting developments of this past year's school was the extreme success of the children's program. With visiting children running the classes up to 36 students at a time, one must marvel at the tremendous interest and desire to learn Bahá’í living shown by the children and the manner in which this knowledge manifested itself in their conduct and deportment during the session. The children's program consisted of a Bahá’í study class, arts and crafts, supervised swimming lessons, Bahá’í conduct class and supervised recreation. The following staff of five ably coordinated the children's program: Mrs. Betty

[Page 36] Hopkins, Mrs. Dorothy Cook, Miss Pauline Hanson, Miss Patricia Squires, and Mr. Frank Bethune. Registration showed growth over the previous year with registrants from ten states as well as all local spiritual assemblies in Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas. Final registration figures are: full-time students (adult) 47; full-time children 23; daily visiting Bahá’ís 30; daily visiting non-Bahá’ís 17. This is a total of 117 using the school facilities.

The 1959 session marked the notable establishment of a portable library of Bahá’í books for the Southwestern Bahá’í School. The first contribution to the library was Bahá’í World Volume I from the first Bahá’í in the state of Texas, Miss Anna Reinke of Austin, Texas.

For the first time Bahá’í books were available for purchase at the school. This was arranged through a consignment procedure with the Publishing Trust, resulting in the sale of over $200.00 worth of Bahá’í books during the week.

WILHELM PROPERTIES MAINTENANCE

Members: Benjamin Kaufman, Chairman; Mrs. Grace Weiss, Secretary; John Behrens, Allan Kelsey, Don Kinney, Robert Schmitz, Richard Suhm, and George Zempoluch.

From March 1, 1959 to February 28, 1960, the Maintenance Committee was responsible for the operational maintenance of Evergreen Cabin for the following events:

Adult classes ......Sunday morning.. 51 Children's classes. .Sunday morning..208 Youth classes Sunday morning.. 51 Deepening classes 40 Teaneck L.S.A. Meetings. 8 Teaneck Feasts 19 Picnics, Parties, Socials 8 Work days 4 Public meetings 12 Holy day observances 6 Special observances 3 Conferences and Conventions 5 Committee Meetings: Visual Aids 15 Institute 4 Children's 4 Maintenance 6 Special Events: Marriages, etc., 2 Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá 1

Exterior: Trim painted, puttied. and complete repairs on storm and screen windows; painting of chains; unusable wood and tons of debris hauled away; gutters cleaned; several dead trees removed; thorough inspection of grounds to determine repairs of an emergency nature; caulking; power lawn mower purchased; trees braced and guyed wired; removal of rose arbor that was broken; a hedge of barberry and assorted flowers planted.

Interior: Purchase of gas range for caretaker's apartment; purchase of proper recepticles for use at Souvenir; installed radiators in caretaker's apartment; toilets repaired; children's classrooms painted and brass numbers put on doors to identify classes; unused kitchen converted to a classroom and painted; removed one radiator and installed in caretaker's apartment.

Projects Pending: Peeling of bark outside Cabin walls and preservative spraying; paint mezzanine deck; painting of interior where necessary; installation of fire prevention equipment.

BOSCH TRUSTEE

Members: Dwight Allen, Chairman; Mrs. Mary Ellen Zamzow, Secretary; John de Victoria, Richard Groger, Fred Littman, Barry Matteson, James Morgan, Iraj Radpour, Mrs. Beatrice Rinde, Irvin Somerhalder, Adolph Wielk, Frank Wilson, Manouchehr Yavrom, James Zamzow.

The summer school was operated for 11 weeks, from June 21 to September 6, 1959. During this time 406 people were registered.

Three of the eleven weeks were work-study weeks, during which the friends had an opportunity to help with the physical maintenance of the school facilities. Though participation was small, much was accomplished: A new water main was laid, solving the chronic water pressure deficiency; the dishwashing facilities at the cafeteria were improved by the installation of a dishwasher and a larger water heater; many minor jobs were accomplished, such as painting of blackboards, building shelves in bathrooms, installing an intercom system on campus; the main driveway and parking area were resurfaced through the efforts of local Bahá’ís at a minimum cost.

In an effort to improve the climate in the cafeteria, removable bamboo shades were installed outside the west windows, and curtain brackets were installed on the inside.

The office working space was improved by the construction of an information counter in the cafeteria; this project was donated by a local Bahá’í.

The roof of the pump house was repaired. It now serves as a store house for excess equipment, making another building available for other uses.

The Maintenance Committee was also involved in investigating the alternatives raised by the location of a new freeway across school land and in making appropriate representation to the Highway Commission. This resulted in heightened awareness of the existence of the School, and the Faith, in the neighboring communities.

EGGLESTON TRUSTEES

Members: Robert Z. Willson, Chairman; Miss Mae Mallory, Secretary; Fred Dillingham, Robert Hammond, Mrs. Marjorie Johnson, Harold Johnson, Miss Lee Mallory, John Nash, Clint Weideman, and Mrs. Barbara Willson.

Nine meetings were held during the course of the year. The following things were accomplished in the maintenance of the Davison Bahá’í School: new roof on the Main House completed; storm door purchased for front entrance Main House; three picnic tables added and four trash receptacles; new drapes were purchased for the Auditorium and the interior was painted; new glass-lined water heater purchased to replace outmoded water heater in the Louhelen Building; two beds added and six mattresses to replace old ones; pullman floor retiled with Armstrong linoleum; general house cleaning of all buildings and premises, plus necessary repairs made for 1959 Summer School Session; driveway entrance to the school was cleared of trees for a distance of approximately 200 feet to eliminate accident hazard on the busy highway; drainage system dug up and repaired.