Bahá’í News/Inserts/Issue 375/World Crusade Budget National Baha’i Fund/Text

World Crusade Budget National Baha’i Fund Tenth and Final Year 1962-63

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TENTH AND FINAL YEAR—1962-1963

Dearly beloved Friends:

In recent memory, no other National Convention has reached such heights of inspiration, challenge and excitement as the one just concluded. The delegates and friends who attended were elated time and time again by reports of unprecedented accomplishments in all fields of activity relating to the World Crusade goals. There was a realization that we were truly close to achieving a glorious victory, and that a terrific forward momentum on many fronts had been generated in all parts of the country. There was also a sober understanding that, having come so close to our objective, we must let nothing stand in the way of its final consummation, we must nurture this new spirit and encourage its growth and development so that we will not only achieve all the goals but exceed them by a substantial margin.

One of the most dramatic of all the victories was attained in the field of the budget. After permitting a deficit of over $107,000 to accumulate by the end of November, the friends responded in the most dramatic way possible to the strong and challenging message of the Hands of the Cause from the Fifth Annual Conclave and the grim figures reported by the national treasurer at the State Convention. Not only was the deficit made up, but by the end of the fiscal year an operating surplus of $16,614 was generated, largest in recent years. We have been able to add this surplus, as well as proceeds from estates and interest earned, to reserve funds and thus enhance our financial integrity at this critical time.

We must recognize that we are still dependent to an important extent upon large or non-recurring special gifts. Of the $564,344 total contributions received during the year, $185,566 or almost one-third were of this type, and 80% of this total came from four families and one local spiritual assembly. Nevertheless, the dramatic increase in the last five months of the year was broadly participated in by the American Bahá’í Community. Regular gifts from assemblies, groups and individuals, which averaged only $26,106 for the first seven months, jumped to an average of $38,628 in the last five months, an increase of 48%. At least one contribution was received from every local spiritual assembly in the country. For the year as a whole, contributions from regular sources increased 40% over the previous year, while special gifts gained 233%. The 72% increase in total contributions over the previous year was truly a remarkable accomplishment.

Expenses for the year of approximately $548,000 were about $2,000 less than the budget. Naturally there were variations between individual categories, since the budget is an estimate which must make allowance for numerous contingencies. Nevertheless, the total expenditure represents a satisfactorily close approximation to the original estimate.

The National Spiritual Assembly realizes that, although we have taken long steps toward attaining our home front goals, the process of consolidation to safeguard our prizes, of intensified teaching to increase the number of local spiritual assemblies, and of mass proclamation on a broadening scale are all expensive activities, yet are essential if fullest advantage is to be taken of the momentum that has been created. Therefore it proposed, and the delegates to the National Convention unanimously adopted, a budget for the 1962-1963 fiscal year of $625,000, an increase of $75,000 or 13.6% over the previous year. To partially offset the effect of this increase, the friends should remember that the American Bahá’í population gained more than 7% last year, and that we confidently expect a stepped-up rate of enrollments in the months ahead, with the objective of doubling our membership during the course of the year. This is indeed "the year of the ten thousand." Because of this emphasis, most of the increase in the budget falls in the field of home front teaching. Details are given on the last page. The budget does not include the cost of publishing the new pamphlet Convincing Answers by William Sears, which is being underwritten by a local spiritual assembly.

What does a budget of $625,000 mean to each individual Bahá’í? Because of the great variation in personal circumstances, it is dangerous to generalize. However, if 5,000 Bahá’ís would save and contribute 34 cents per day every day of the year, we would exceed our budget without any other gifts. In terms of the numerous small items we purchase casually, it would seem that this figure could be attained without too much hardship if enough of the friends kept the need of the Fund constantly in their minds, gave it the priority it deserves, and systematically set aside and contributed to the various Funds amounts in keeping with their ability and means.

The response of the American Bahá’í community to the Fund during the final five months of last year shows that its capacity to give is much greater than its response in the past, and is probably much greater than it realizes. The monthly average of the new budget is $52,083. If regular contributions are increased 35% over the average for the last five months, we would make the budget without any special gifts. If they are kept at the same level, they will total about 75% of the new budget, leaving the balance to come from special gifts and other sources. This should be a minimum objective, since several of the special gifts last year were extraordinary in nature and could not be expected to be duplicated.

In planning participation in this great joint effort, each believer and administrative body should keep this report, refer to it and ponder its significance frequently, and keep clearly in mind at all times the principles laid down by the beloved Guardian regarding Bahá’í giving: [Page 2] 1. The Fund is the bedrock of all the institutions we are laboring so hard to construct. 2. Contributions to the Fund are completely and totally voluntary. 3. Contributions are a sacred obligation of each Bahá’í. 4. Every single Bahá’í should participate by giving to the Fund, no matter how small the amount. 5. Regularity of giving is an essential consideration. 6. To be truly meritorious, contributions to the Fund should involve some element of sacrifice. 7. The Fund should be a regular subject of consultation at Feasts and assembly meetings.

In addition, consideration should be given to the several Funds to which each Bahá’í is privileged to contribute, and which are listed on page 3. Each believer is free to determine as he sees fit the division of his total contributions between the several funds, since the beloved Guardian encouraged direct donations to all. Please bear in mind that gifts meant to go to the International Fund over and above the allocation in our budget should be sent directly to Haifa, since they are not tax deductible even if sent to our Treasurer's office.

Also, the friends should remember the beloved Guardian's injunction that all Bahá’ís should make wills, so that their property will be disposed of in accordance with their wishes after their passing. 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 Bahá’í 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. Wills can also be used to record our wishes with respect to Bahá’í burial, proper disposition of Bahá’í literature and files of records, and Bahá’í education for our children. 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 to be sure that, under one's particular set of circumstances, one's intentions will be carried out. 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 circumstances. The National Spiritual Assembly would appreciate receiving a copy of all wills in which it is named as a beneficiary.

We are facing a year with the greatest potential for constructive accomplishment in recent American Bahá’í history. The increase in the number of local institutions and active believers, plus the new spirit and enthusiasm which have been generated in all parts of the country, offer unprecedented opportunities for attracting new Bahá’ís and focusing the attention of an harassed American public on the healing, unifying power of the Faith it so sorely needs. Let us make certain that we provide the material resources to enable the newly aroused and motivated army of Bahá’u’lláh’s workers to take full advantage of every opportunity. If we do this, we can meet at the World Congress in London secure in the knowledge that we have met every test laid down for us by the beloved Guardian, accomplished everything he asked of us, and in full measure. Then we can face a new era in the Faith, an age of dynamic growth and expansion under the guidance of the Universal House of Justice, with complete confidence.

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:

Bahá’í Custodians’ Fund

P.O. Box 155

Haifa, Israel

NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í FUND:

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

National Bahá’í 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 payable to:

Continental Bahá’í Fund

Zikhru’lláh 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 contributions made directly to the National Fund. A portion of local funds should also be sent to the National Fund, the International Fund and the Continental Fund. [Page 4]

TENTH YEAR — 1962-1963

WORLD CENTER FUND ....................$ 40,000.00 JOINT DEPUTIZATION FUND .................... 125,000.00 FRANKFURT TEMPLE FUND .................... 45,000.00 CONTINENTAL FUNDS Western Hemisphere ............$ 7,500.00 Other Four Continents ($500 ea.) ............ 2,000.00      9,500.00 ASSISTANCE TO NATIONAL AND REGIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES .................... 23,150.00 WORLD CRUSADE TEACHING Intercontinental Africa ............$ 8,000.00 Asia ............ 2,000.00 Europe ............ 10,700.00 Western Hemisphere .... 32,000.00    52,700.00 Homefront: U.S. National ..... 100,000.00 American Indian Service .. 4,000.00 Interracial Teaching ....... 2,500.00    106,500.00    159,200.00 INTERNATIONAL — MISCELLANEOUS U.S. United Nations Committee    500.00 U.S. United Nations Observer ...    100.00 Intl. United Nations Observer ..    100.00      700.00 NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION .................... 100,000.00 FIRST DEPENDENCY (Home for Aged) .................... 7,500.00

TRUSTEESHIPS Temple Maintenance ..... 60,000.00 Bosch Trustees (Geyserville) ..... 1,000.00 Eggleston (Davidson) ....... 1,000.00 Green Acre ........ 2,000.00 Wilhelm ........... 1,000.00      5,000.00      65,000.00 NATIONAL COMMITTEES AdHoc Public Media ........... 500.00 Public Information Service ... 6,350.00 Bahá’í College Bureau ....... 600.00 Bahá’í World Editorial ....... 250.00 Child Education ............. 500.00 Library Service ............. 50.00 Reference Library Service ... 150.00 Service to the Blind ......... 400.00 Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá .... 75.00 Summer School Programs .... 1,400.00 Temple Worship & Music ..... 6,700.00 Temple Guiding ............. 3,500.00 Temple Public Meetings ..... 750.00      21,225.00 INSURANCE .................... 10,000.00 PUBLIC RELATIONS Free Literature ............. 1,500.00                                              607,775.00 CONTINGENCY FUND .................... 17,225.00 TOTAL WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET 1962-1963 .................... $625,000.00