Bahá’í News/Inserts/Issue 412/Budget Message 1965-1966/Text
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Dearly Beloved Friends:
The position of the National Fund is far brighter now than twelve months ago. Amounts ceived during the year were sufficient not only to cover expenditures, but also to repay more than $88,000 of the $125,000 deficit sustained during the previous two years. A summary of the unaudited figures follows.
it was re Regular Contributions:
Assemblies and Groups ....$227,719 ANGUV AGU ATS! 5 oc: tcc wie ba 4 ae 208,840 OLN era ne es ee 19,924 ROCA Ra atu fiat, meer ete $456,483 Special Contributions: 122,091 Total Contributions ...... $578,574 Estate Bequests: 100,737 Total Contributions & BeEGueStS, Sire qcns ater is $679,311 Les Expenditures ............ 591,180
Balance applied to deficit ....$ 88,131
Restraints on Optimism
Before joy reigns unrestrained, two facts should be pointed out:
1. Expenditures for the year were $58,820 below the budget. This was partly through conscious reduction of planned activities in the face of the disastrously rising deficit in the early months. To a considerable extent, however, it was due to the fact that the two home front teaching committees did not reach full staff until late in the year. This is a non-recurring condition; from now on these activities will be carried on at full strength.
Moreover, the international teaching activities were and continue to be in
the process of organization and some rising cost is anticipated.
2. There is still a tremendous gap between the regular contributions
NATIONAL BAHA’I FUND
Nine Year Plan—Second Year
Budget Message 1965-1966
from assemblies, groups and individuals and our monthly needs. With a monthly budget last year of $64,583, the largest total from regular sources was $49,618 in December, followed by $42,476 in January and $42,080 in October. No other month exceeded $40,000. Obviously, we are still to a very significant extent dependent upon large special gifts and estate bequests. A good part of the success of last year was because of very substantial receipts from these two sources. However, we can not count on a similar experience every year. For example, special gifts increased 53% over the previous year, and estate bequests a tremendous 164%. Of the $122,091 special gifts, $53,000 came from one individual, $10,106 from another, and still others $10,000, $7,764 and $4,956, with a goodly number of others in excess of $1,000. In addition, there was a total of $5,311 received from the conferences conducted by Hand of the Cause William Sears. Of the $100,737 from estate bequests, 79% came from three estates which were exceptionally substantial. It would be unusual for this to be repeated in two successive years.
Room for Encouragement
There is, nevertheless, room for encouragement in the results of last year. All of the principal categories of regular contributions showed significant improvement
% Increase or
(Decrease) over previous year Assemblies and Groups ... 23.5% IndivictialsS Pater 3 sewn. 28.5 State Conventions ........ (29.2)
Earmarked contributions . (52.0)
Total Regular ContriDUtIONS# ene ere eae eh 18.0%
If we can continue to improve at
this rate from these major sources of our receipts, this should compensate for any declines which might occur in special contributions and estate bequests. And we would approach closer to the ideal condition where the budget can be financed entirely by regular and special contributions. Estate bequests, which are really out of capital, can then be used for more permanent or long-range objectives.
Factors of the 1965-66 Budget
In analyzing the needs of the year ahead, several facts were evident to the National Spiritual Assembly
1. The bulk of the deficit of the previous two years was repaid last year. The remaining deficit of almost $37,000 should be made up this year.
2. Inevitably there will be an increase in international and home front teaching expenditures over the actual outgo of last year, though not necessarily over the budget.
3. It appears that the Baha’i Home has reached a much higher average level of occupancy and will, therefore, require only a small annual subsidy.
4. Some realignment seems desirable in the various categories of expense to make them more easily understood by the friends.
At the National Convention the National Spiritual Assembly proposed,
and the convention unanimously and
enthusiastically adopted, a budget of
$700,000 for the coming year. In subsequent consultation, the National
Spiritual Assembly decided that this
should be increased $15,000 to provide a first allocation for the newly
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established International Deputization Fund. The Universal House of
Justice has indicated that the bulk of
the support for this fund must come
from the believers in the United
States and Iran. A method is being
sought whereby believers can earmark contributions for this Fund, yet
have them deductible for income tax
purposes. So far it has not been possible to work this out. However, since
we have included a special allocation
of $15,000 for these purposes, additional contributions to the National
Fund over and above those regularly
intended could be considered to apply to this special allocation, and the
objective will be achieved.
Therefore, we present on page 4 the budget of $715,000, or $59,583.33 per month. Though this is down from last year’s budget, it is still $35,689 more than was actually contributed last year from all sources. If special contributions and estate bequests are the same as last year—a rather optimistic assumption — regular contributions must increase 7.8% to make the new budget. If the other two sources decline, there must be a proportionately greater increase in regular donations. In any case it represents an important challenge to the generosity of the American Baha’i Community to maintain the momentum of growth which has been set in motion during the past twelve months.
Analysis of Budget
Because of the increasing need of the Universal House of Justice to handle its varied worldwide responsibilities, the World Center Budget was maintained at $100,000, in addition to the newly created allocation of $15,000 for the International Deputization Fund. In response to a request from the National Spiritual Assembly, the Universal House of Justice provided the following analysis of its financial needs:
“The largest single use is undoubt edly assistance to those National Assemblies whose work, particularly in the mass teaching areas, greatly exceeds their possibility of raising funds from their own communities.
“In the Holy Land funds are used for the care of the gardens and for their expansion as befitting settings for the two holiest spots in the world; the repair and maintenance of the various Holy Places and buildings (there are some twelve of these, many of them about a century old); the living expenses of the believers serving at the World Center; hospitality to pilgrims; and the office and secretarial expenses of the House of Justice.
“The International Fund must also meet the needs of such emergencies as the Moroccan case, and has to assist in such international undertakings as the holding of oceanic and intercontinental conferences and the erection of Mashriqu’l-Adhkars.”’
A regular reading of Baha’i News will reveal the tremendous worldwide accomplishments which are stimulated by the leadership from the World Center.
The allocation to the Continental Fund of the Hands of the Cause in the Western Hemisphere has been increased to $12,000, giving recognition to the larger number of Auxiliary Board members and their expanded programs of teaching and protection.
This year the budget for international teaching, instead of being broken down by continents, is divided between those goals given to us in the Nine Year Plan, and the maintenance of our goals achieved in the previous World Crusade. We have been instructed by the House of Justice not to jeopardize any of our past goals through the premature removal of pioneers. Since many of the pioneers during the Crusade were financed to some
Universal
degree, it has been necessary for
these budgets to continue until there are sufficient local believers to assure the continuity of the goals. We are bringing these Crusade pioneers home or moving them to new areas as fast as possible. The annual budget includes $115,000 for those still holding Crusade objectives at the start of this Baha’i year.
Because we emphasize the achievement of Nine Year Plan goals by self-supporting pioneers, we are allowing a substantial part of the $40,000 international teaching budget for office and staff expenses of the committees which will recruit the necessary number of self-supporting believers to perform this vital task. We believe that in the long run this method will be more effective and economical.
Another $25,000 has been budgeted for the acquisition of property abroad with the cooperating National Spiritual Assemblies under the Nine Year Plan. It is possible that far more will be spent this critical year but the excess can be advanced from reserve funds, to be repaid in future budgets.
The home front teaching allocations are based upon a close estimate of the total needed by each committee to develop and administer a hardhitting, effective teaching program aimed at restoring lost local assemblies and establishing new ones in sufficient quantity to maintain a steady pace toward our goal of 600 by 1978.
National administrative expense represents a modest increase of $5,000 from last year; increases are inevitable because of the greater volume of work as our membership increases and because of the rise in many costs.
This year we have included all
those committees concerned with activities in and around the House of
Worship under Trusteeships, using
the heading “‘Temple Activities.’’ The
expenditures for the physical reha[Page 3]
bilitation of Green Acre must be continued at least until the properties
are brought up to minimum standards. Similar rehabilitation on a
more modest scale is required at
Davison.
The allocation for Public Relations covers not only the cost of free literature requested by mail, but also the part-time help of a skilled public relations adviser to take advantage of special publicity opportunities as they occur. If done astutely, this can often result in publicity worth many times its cost.
The Budget Is Within Our Means
The National Spiritual Assembly is firmly convinced that this budget is entirely within the means of the American Baha’i Community. It requires an average donation of only $100 ($8.33 a month or about $2.00 a week) from 7,150 believers, or 58% of our known membership. The average for the entire membership is only $58 a year. If we really believe our Faith has an impact, vitality and importance, we can demonstrate this in our response to the appeals for the National Fund, the fund which is the driving force behind all our activities at the national and international levels.
Let us continually keep in mind the principles given to us by the beloved Guardian:
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 Baha’i.
4. Every single Baha’i 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.
The Importance of Wills
It is particularly urgent to remember the beloved Guardian’s admonition that all Baha’is should make wills, so that their property may 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 indifferent when it comes to the equally important protection of this property at death. A will is particularly essential if we desire the Baha’i Faith to share in our capital as it has in our income; without a will the disposition of our estate is handled under state laws based on principles of inheritance which in no case would permit the carrying out of our wishes regarding bequests to the Faith.
Except in instances when one’s assets consist solely of personal property of small value, it is desirable to consult an attorney when preparing a will. Because of the great variations in state laws, the help of an attorney is the only way to be sure that, under one’s particular set of circumstances, personal intentions will be realized. This can be done at a modest cost. 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 should be
given a copy of all wills in which it is named as a beneficiary. For more details refer to The Baha’i Community, p. 45.
A Joyous Opportunity
The American Baha’is are indeed fortunate. We live in the most affluent country of the world and can furnish a major part of the resources needed to promulgate the Faith of Baha’u’llah to all the peoples of the world and to capitalize on the tremendous momentum that has already been generated by the Nine Year Plan from the Universal House of Justice. By doing so we can experience to the fullest, the deep and abiding joy of giving for such a glorious Cause, and a great sense of purpose and accomplishment as we assist in the achievement of these vital goals.
There is evidence that the fine contributions now being received represent truly sacrificial efforts from many dedicated and hard-working Baha’is, but many others have not yet achieved this degree of dedication. One of our tasks is to reach the hearts of these friends and awaken an awareness of the great opportunity they are missing. Another is to increase vastly the number of believers so that many more will be available to help with the tasks that lie ahead.
If we do this we can not fail to achieve another great triumph, and we shall be able to accomplish well in advance all of the Nine Year Plan goals assigned to us. Thus we shall maintain unimpaired the spiritual primacy which is the greatest heritage of the American Baha’i Community.
Faithfully, NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
PLEASE KEEP THIS MESSAGE AND STATEMENT
AND STUDY IT FREQUENTLY DURING THE YEAR!
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SECOND YEAR — 1965-1966
Worlds Genter Witin cert. tices Wha. eet emery veaep ate es $100,000.00 International, Deputization Fund <..0.4-..0.s sess e+ aces 15,000.00 Continental Funds: Western Hemisphere ............... 12,000.00 International: World Crusade Goals .................... $115,000.00 SCA CHIN Dinettes ha neiy Fetee seer iy aie eee bare ks 4 40,000.00 155,000.00 ACGUISIHONVOLR Pe LODEGty, 4.002 os vane ates oe ee oe ie 25,000.00 Homefront Teaching: National Teaching Comm. ....... 50,000.00 Community Development Comm. 20,000.00 American Indian Service ........ 10,000.00 Youth Projects & Human Rel. ... 1,500.00 81,500.00 Nation ala Adminis tratiOmbie 1). acral aieies Usinaserer sales 130,000.00 Trusteeships: Temple Maintenance ......:...:. $80,000.00 SCELVITICS on. . 5 cs sear be Duns > 25,500.00 105,500.00 Schools r+ = Geyserville 2. ck cee ees 1,500.00 DANESONS he et weer seers 6,000.00 GreencAcnre: <6 iieweik teesss 16,000.00 23,500.00 Wilhelm Trustees .........-.. 1,500.00 Baraca Om eee | epee 3,000.00 133,500.00 TSU ATIGE se arte, Aree a tree ape se Rees teal Pease 8,000.00 Bibl eyRelatOn Se. sees co. lom.pecle. oeestetens Bueaeidmasiaeteop men Bead 5,000.00 Miscellaneous National & International Committees ..... 3,200.00 Contin eencyieinuncs mae one clcg ss sheietewis (ey in ce Ae eae 11,800.00 ULE) LTC ieee tee ae ro teem cere ae oc, aaah te niga tee Goh vel atiee e-cuaeetcers 35,000.00 MEO Let later teeh 82s oe, RP ee oc a eat cg ee $715,000.00 Mon thilyarequimenientus vo. tty ike sete yas eae ee < als $ 59,583.33
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SENDING CONTRIBUTIONS
INTERNATIONAL BAHA’I FUND: Every believer is privileged to send a contribution directly to the Universal House of Justice for the support of the World Center. Such a contribution may be in the form of a regular bank check or draft payable to ‘International Baha’i Fund.’’ It should be addressed as follows: The Universal House of Justice, Baha’i World Center, P.O. Box 155, Haifa, Israel.
NATIONAL BAHA’{ FUND: Contributions should be made directly by every individual, assembly and group in the United States, payable to: National Baha’i Fund, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091. The amount of such contributions should be related to the size of our national budget which is reported regularly in Baha’i News.
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 Baha’i Fund, Zikhru’llah Khadem, Trustee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091.
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.
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