Bahá’í News/Inserts/Issue 363/World Crusade Budget National Baha’i Fund/Text

World Crusade Budget - National Baha’i Fund
Ninth Year 1961-62

WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET — NATIONAL BAHA’I FUND

Dearly beloved Friends:

The dominating impression received from the National Convention just con- cluded was a sense of urgency and dedi- cation on the part of all who attended, delegates and visitors alike, a realization that the climax and finale of the World Crusade are fast approaching, that sev- eral major goals remain unfulfilled, and that they must be successfully completed or the last chance of carrying out direct- ly the specific wishes of the beloved Guardian will be irretrievably lost.

Nowhere will the friends face this challenge more squarely than on the financial front. On top of the already large budget necessary to carry on the widespread activities and meet the var- ied responsibilities of the American Baha'i community, three new demands have been added which result in a sub- stantial increase in the size of the mone- tary burden our believers are being asked to shoulder. These result from the stepped-up tempo on the homefront, the inerease in the cost of maintaining our pioneers in Europe and Latin America because their number reached its maxi- mum in the last quarter, and the re- cently announced need for assistance in meeting the heavy cost of constructing the Mother Temple of Europe at Frank- furt, Germany.

Last year’s budget totalled $375,000, Actual expenditures were approximately $358,000. Most categories of expenditure were quite close to the budget. The prin- cipal items for which spending was less were Intercontinental Teaching (because of pioneer budgets charged to the Joint Deputization Fund) and the subsidy for the Baha'i Home, which by the end of the year was almost full. These were par- tially offset by unexpectedly large costs of renovations for the Trusteeships, in- cluding the National Office and the sev- eral summer schools.

Regular contributions from assemblies, groups and individuals, including those earmarked for the Frankfurt Temple, totalled $268,000, a decline of $34,000 from the previous year. On the other hand, non-recurring special gifts of $56,000 represented an increase of $8,000, while miscellaneous income of $4,000 was down about $1,000.

NINTH YEAR — 1961-1962

The significant fact is that income from regular sources fell short of expenses by about $30,000, ‘This has been paid from the $12,000 operating surplus the previous year, plus $18,000 taken from amounts received from estates and trusts. Thus we have not had to deplete our reserve funds this year, but neither would we have been able to add to them significantly had we not received, at the very end of the year, the proceeds amounting to about $36,000 from the sale of a property re¢eived earlier from an estate. So once again we are not paying our way from income, but are relying on capital funds from estates, the continuity of which can never be depended upon.

However, it should be noted that in addition to the contributions listed above, American believers gave $100,000 to the Joint Deputization Fund, some $41,000 in regular donations and almost $59,000 in special large gifts (including $25,000 from Hand of the Cause, Amelia Collins). Nevertheless, even when combined with the munificent gift of $100,000 from the National Spiritual Assembly of Iran, this income was $23,000 short of the $223,000 expended from the Fund during the year. ‘The balance in the Fund at the end of the year was $111,250.

The delegates at the National Conven- tion unanimously approved for adoption for the 1961-1962 year a budget of $550,000, which was subsequently adopted by the National Spiritual Assembly and is outlined in detail on the last page. This represents an increase of $175,000 over last year’s budget, entirely accounted for by provisions of $125,000 for the Joint Deputization Fund and $50,000 for the Frankfurt Temple. The other major in- crease of $17,000 in the amount provided for the U.S. National Teaching Commit- tee, because of the vast expansion of teaching effort necessary to meet the goals on the homefront, is offset by de- clines in the budgets for the Bahé’{ Home, the Trusteeships and the Con- tingency Fund.

Actually, the increase in requirements is not as large as the budget increase because last year the friends were asked to contribute separately to the Joint Deputization Fund, partly because at that time its exact requirements were not

subject to estimate because of the fluid- ity of the pioneering program. Now prac- tically all of the pioneers are at their posts in Europe and Latin America, and our problem is to keep them there for the balance of the World Crusade. Since more exact estimates of cost can now be made, it seems better to include a specific allocation for this purpose in our budget.

At the moment there are 178 pioneers in the field whose support is being paid partially or wholly from the Joint Depu- tization Fund, 112 in Europe and 66 in Latin America. The annual living budgets for these 178 pioneers total $255,000- $175,000 for Europe (where living costs are higher) and $80,000 for Latin Amer- ica, In addition, it will be necessary to pay transportation charges for the return of these pioneers after Ridvin, 1963. If the teaching effort abroad is successful and enough native believers are brought into the Faith to assure the maintenance of strong communities, it may be pos- sible to bring some of these pioneers home early and thus reduce the charges against this Fund, but this cannot be counted upon and in any case it will most likely take place in the last year of the Crusade, Thus the maximum charge against the Fund during the next two years will be $510,000, plus the cost of return transportation, against which there is a current balance of $111,250.

In each of the past two years, the Na- tional Assembly of Iran has contributed $100,000 to this vital Fund, which was regarded by the Hands of the Cause as a joint venture of our two communities. We understand that the friends in Iran are facing unusual financial demands from several Baha'i sources, and we have had no word from them as yet as to whether their contribution this year will be as large as in the past. Assuming that it is, we felt that we could apply $30,000 of the present cash balance against this year’s needs, leaving $81,250 for next year’s needs, transportation charges and contingencies. That would leave $125,000 to come from the United States to meet the annual requirement of $255,000; therefore this amount is in- cluded in our budget for the Joint Depu- tization Fund. �[Page 2]The needs for the Frankfurt Temple were outlined at the National Convention by Hand of the Cause Paul Haney. This was one of the original basic goals of the World Crusade, but accomplishment of it has been delayed by the efforts, suc- cessful until recently, of religious opposi- tion to prevent the Baha’is from securing a building permit, Now the path has been cleared but in the meantime Germany has become the most prosperous country in Europe and costs have skyrocketed.

Originally the beloved Guardian had agreed to a cost of $350,000 for this Tem- ple, and the plans now being used for the construction were approved by him, The Hands of the Cause, trying to follow the intent of the Guardian’s wishes as closely as possible, felt that it would be per- missible to increase the original estimate by 40%, the amount by which costs have risen in Germany since the time of the Guardian’s passing in 1957, giving a total of $490,000. The beloved Guardian had pledged a third of a million dollars for the three Temples specified in the World Crusade, of which $133,000 remains un- spent. Also, there are unpaid pledges from the friends at the Frankfurt Con- ference, mostly from Iran, amounting to about $100,000. When these are paid, an additional $257,000 will be needed to secure the required $490,000.

The Hands of the Cause, after long consultation, decided that this require- ment could be distributed fairly by ask- ing Iran for $100,000, the United States for $100,000, and the rest of the Baha'i world for the remaining $57,000, all to be paid over the next two years. Thus we included $5,000 in our budget last year, $50,000 this year, and will include the balance of $45,000 next year.

However, Mr. Haney made clear that the figure of $490,000, which is all the Hands of the Cause feel they can ask the Bahé’i world for at the present time, will not build the entire Temple under today’s conditions following the plans approved by the beloved Guardian. The actual cost will exceed this figure by more than $200,000 according to a survey. made quite recently by one of the Hands in consulta- tion with the German National Spiritual Assembly, the building committee, archi- tects and contractors. Thus if this Cru- sade goal is to be fully realized in the allotted time, and the extra costs of work interruption avoided, not only must our budgets be met in full, but these addition- al funds must be found somewhere. This is truly a stern but rewarding challenge.

To relate this year’s budget to last year’s contributions, the $550,000 total is 75% greater than the regular contri- butions from assemblies, groups and

individuals to both the National Fund and the Joint Deputization Fund last year exclusive of the large, non-recurring spe- cial gifts, and is 36% greater than the same total including the special gifts (except for that of Mrs. Collins), This is the measure of the additional response needed, since the National Spiritual Assembly hopes that the budget can be met from contributions from these regu- lar sources, leaving the estate funds free to meet the unusually large number of contingencies we are facing at present.

The box on the opposite page gives in- formation concerning the various Funds to which the Baha’is are invited to con- tribute, It is simplified this year by the inclusion of an allocation for the Joint Deputization Fund in the budget of the National Baha’i Fund. Contributions sent to our Treasurer’s office earmarked for the Joint Deputization Fund or the Frank- furt Temple Fund will be included in income for the National Fund but will be allocated against our budgets for those Funds. If the total received during the coming year earmarked for either Fund is greater than the budget for that Fund, the excess will be carried forward to apply against the Fund's budget for the 1962-1963 Baha’i year. If at the end of that year the total contributed for the Frank-

‘furt Temple is in excess of the $100,000

asked for by the Hands of the Cause, the excess will also be paid over for the construction of the Temple. Disposition of any excess amounts in the Joint Depu- tization Fund after all needs are filled will be determined by the National Spirit- ual Assembly in consultation with the Hands of the Cause. If, on the other hand, the amounts contributed during the coming year earmarked for these two Funds are less than the amounts budg- eted, the difference must be made up from the General Fund, for it is impera- tive that the full budgeted amounts be paid over during the year.

More than ever, such a severe finan- cial challenge requires that all devoted Baha'is ponder deeply and often the principles laid down by the beloved Guardian regarding Baha’i giving:

1, The Fund is the bedrock of ail of the institutions we are laboring so hard to construct.

2. Contributions to the Fund are com- pletely and totally voluntary.

3. Contributions are a sacred obliga- tion of every individual Baha’f.

4. Every single Baha’{ should parti- cipate by giving to the Fund, no matter how small the amount.

5. Regularity of giving is an essential consideration.

6. To be truly meritorious, contribu- tions to the Fund should involve some element of self-sacrifice.

7. The Fund should be a regular sub- ject of consultation at Feasts and assembly meetings.

In addition, one should remember the beloved Guardian’s injunction that all Baha'is should make wills, so that their property will be disposed of in accord- ance with their wishes after their pass- ing. We take great care of our assets while we are alive, but are sometimes careless, or diffident, when it comes to the equally important protection of this property at death, A will is particularly essential if we desire the Bahd’i Faith to share in our capital as it has in our income, for without a will the disposition of the estate is handled under state law, which in no case would permit our wishes regarding bequests to the Faith to be carried out. Except in instances when one's assets consist solely of personal property of modest value, it is desirable to consult an attorney when preparing a will. The cost should not be great, and because of the great variation in state laws, the help of an attorney is the only way of being sure that, under one’s particular set of circumstances, one’s intentions will be realized. Wills, once made, should be reviewed periodically, particularly if one moves to a new state or if there is a change in family or business cireum- stances. The National Spiritual Assembly would appreciate receiving a copy of all wills in which it is named as a beneficiary.

It is evident that the national budget is the crux of our participation in this climactic phase of the World Crusade. The three great remaining goals: three hundred assemblies on the homefront, consolidation of the work in the pioneer- ing field, and completion of the Frank- furt Temple, all require money—lots of it. One can say without exaggeration that the Crusade in these last two years will be won or lost on the financial front, Time is running out, If we miss the op- portunity there will be no second chance. But the American Baha'is are not accus- tomed to failure, We are known for suc- cess in jobs which require organization, productivity, creativity. ‘The National Spiritual Assembly is deeply confident that if the nature, the importance and the magnitude of the task are thoroughly understood and appreciated by the Amer- can Baha'is, they will respond so over- whelmingly that the winning of these goals will become one of the truly bright pages of Bahé’{ history.

Faithfully yours, NaTIoNaL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY �[Page 3]

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SENDING CONTRIBUTIONS (Keep handy for reference)

INTERNATIONAL FUND:

Every believer is privileged to send a contribution directly to the Hands of the Faith for the support of the World Center. Such a contribution may be in the form of a regular bank check or draft and should be addressed as follows:

Baha’i Custodians’ Fund P.O. Box 155 Haifa, Israel

NATIONAL BAHA’i FUND

Contributions should be made directly by every indi- vidual, assembly and group in the United States, payable to:

National Baha’i Fund

112 Linden Avenue

Wilmette, Illinois The amount of such contributions should be related to the size of our national budget and the scope of the World Crusade tasks given to us by our beloved Guardian. Contributions can be earmarked for the Frankfurt Temple Fund and the Joint Deputization Fund.

CONTINENTAL FUND FOR THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE:

Contributions to this fund are encouraged from all believers and local funds. They should be made pay- able to:

Continental Baha’i Fund Zikhru’llah Khadem, Trustee 112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, Illinois

LOCAL FUND:

Believers under the jurisdiction of a local spiritual assembly or group should contribute to the Local Fund through the local treasurer. Such contributions should be added to and not take the place of contri- butions made directly to the National Fund. A por- tion of local funds should also be sent to the National Fund, the International Fund and the Continental Fund.

�[Page 4]NINTH YEAR — 1961-1962

WORLD CENTER FUND

FRANKFURT TEMPLE FUND

CONTINENTAL FUNDS

Western Hemisphere ........... $ 7,500.00 Other Four Continents GRU ea) Aes ee 2,000.00

ASSISTANCE TO NATIONAL AND REGIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES

WORLD CRUSADE TEACHING

Intercontinental Africa - $10,200.00 Asia -. 6,000.00 Bunope. < .\<cide's0)- shy 15,100.00 Western Hemisphere ...... 32,900.00 64,200.00 Homefront: U.S. National .. . 35,000.00 American Indian Service ... 1,200.00

50,000.00

Interracial Teaching 1,200.00 37,400.00 101,600.00

INTERNATIONAL—MISCELLANEOUS

U.S. United Nations Committee 500.00 U.S. United Nations Observer . 100.00 Intl. United Nations Observer - 100.00

NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION

TRUSTEESHIPS Temple Maintenance ....... 57,000.00 Capital Improvements ... 12,000.00 69,000.00 Bosch Trustees (Geyserville) ...... 1,000.00 Eggleston (Davison).. 1,000.00 Green Acre 2,000.00 Wilhelm 1,000.00 5,000.00

NATIONAL COMMITTEES

Audio-Visual 500.00 Baha’i Press Service 7,500.00 Baha’i College Bureau . 600.00 Baha'i World Editorial ......... 250.00 Child Education ................ 500.00 Library Service .......2.......5 50.00 Reference Library Service ..... 150.00

Service to the Blind Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Baha

Summer School Programs . Temple Worship & Music Temple Guiding ................

Temple Public Meetings ........ 375.00 INSURANCE PUBLIC RELATIONS Free Literature ........4+...+66 1,500.00 Proclamation™: 021. 2)... 2... aa 1,500.00

CONTINGENCY FUND

TOTAL WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET 1961-1962

74,000.00

21,350.00

3,000.00

�