Bahá’í World/Volume 20/The National Spiritual Assembly
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THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
1 . INTRODUCTION
IN this Day a greatfestival is takingplace in the Realm above; for whatsoever was promised in the sacred Scriptures hath been fulfilled. This is the Day ofgreat rejoicing.1
The primary mission of the Bahá’í Faith is the establishment of a Divine Civilization the Kingdom of God on earth. “For Bahá’u’lláh,” Shoghi Effendi wrote,
...has not only imbued mankind With a new and regenerating Spirit. He has not merely enunciated certain universal principles, or propounded a particular philosophy, however potent, sound and universal these may be. In addition to these He, as well as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá after Him, has, unlike the Dispensations of the past, clearly and specifically laid down a set of Laws, established definite institutions, and provided for the essentials of a Divine Economy. These are destined to be a pattern for future society, a supreme instrument for the establishment of the Most Great Peace, and the one agency for the unification of the world, and the proclamation Of the reign of righteousness and justice upon the earth.2
1 Bahá’u’lláh, T ablets of Bahá ’u 'lláh Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (Haifa: Bahá’í World Centre, 1978), p. 78.
2 'Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, Selected Letters (Wilmette: Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1982), p. 19.
National Spiritual Assemblies are among the pillars of the evolving edifice of the Bahá’í World Order and were first elected in response to a letter written by Shoghi Effendi on 12 March 1923 to the followers of Baha’u’llah throughout America, Great Britain, Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Japan and Australasia:
.. it is of Vital importance that in every country, Where the conditions are favorable and the number of the friends has grown and reached a considerable size, such as America, Great Britain and Germany, that a “National Spiritual Assembly” be immediately established, representative of the friends throughout that country. Its immediate purpose is to stimulate, unify and coordinate by frequent personal consultations, the manifold activities of the friends as well as the local Assemblies; and by keeping in close and constant touch with the Holy Land, initiate measures, and direct in general the affairs of the Cause in that country. It serves also another purpose, no less essential than the first, as in the course of time it shall evolve into the National House of Justice (referred to in ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Will as the “secondary House of Justice”), Which according to the explicit
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text of the Testament will have, in conjunction with the other National Assemblies throughout the Bahá’í world, to elect directly the members of the International House of Justice, that Supreme Council that will guide, organize and unify the affairs of the Movement throughout the world.2
The response to the Guardian’s direction was immediate. The National Spiritual Assemblies of the British Isles, Germany and Austria, and India and Burma were recognized by him in 1923 as having fulfilled the electoral requirements for formation. The first National Assembly of Egypt and Sudan was formed in 1924, and the National Assemblies of the Caucasus, Turkistan, and the United States and Canada were established in 1925.
In 1927, the members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís Of the United States and Canada adopted a Declaration of Trust, with its attendant by—laws, which was recognized under common law to give substance and character to the institution and the administrative processes embodied in the Bahá’í teachings. This Declaration of Trust became the model to be followed, with adaptions as local laws and circumstances required, by other National Spiritual Assemblies.
The years following the election of the Universal House of Justice witnessed a great increase in the number of National Spiritual Assemblies (from 56 in 1963 to 165 by Riḍván 1992) and the House of Justice itself provided a model document, largely based on the one devised by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, to be followed as closely as possible by all new National Spiritual Assemblies. as they become
2 Shoghi Effendi, Bahá’í' Administration (Wilmette:
Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 1960), p. 39.
incorporated. It is this model document which is printed below.
Bahá’í administration is an evolving structure, however, as Shoghi Effendi counselled the friends in a letter written on 21 March 1930:
It should also be borne in mind that the machinery of the Cause has been so fashioned, that whatever is deemed necessary to incorporate into it in order to keep it in the forefront of a11 progressive movements, can, according to the provisions made by Bahá’u’lláh, be safely embodied therein.3
That the Spiritual Assemblies of today Will be replaced in time by the Houses of Justice, and are to all intents and purposes identical and not separate bodies, is abundantly confirmed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Himself... For reasons which are not difficult to discover, it has been found advisable to bestow upon the elected representatives of Bahá’í communities throughout the world the temporary appellation of Spiritual Assemblies, a term which, as the position and aims of the Bahá’í Faith are better understood and more fully recognized, Will gradually be superseded by the permanent and more appropriate designation of House of Justice. Not only will the present—day Spiritual Assemblies be styled differently in future, but they will be enabled also to add to their present functions those powers, duties, and prerogatives necessitated by the recognition of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh, not merely as one of the recognized religious systems of the world, but as the State Religion of an independent and Sovereign Power.4
3 The World Order of Bahá’u ’lláh, pp. 22—23. 4 ibid., pp. 6—7.
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2. A MODEL DECLARATION OF TRUST AND BY-LAWS FOR A NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
FOREWORD
THE 1926—27 National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís Of the United States and Canada completed a task which, while pertaining to the outer and more material aspects of the Cause, nevertheless has a special Significance for its spirit and inward sacred purpose. This task consisted in creating a legal form which gives proper substance and substantial character to the National SpiritualiAssemblies and the administrative processes embodied in the Bahá’í teachings by a form of incorporation recognized under common law. This Declaration of Trust, with its attendant By-Laws, became the model to be followed, with adaptations as local laws and circumstances required, by other National Spiritual Assemblies. The years following the election of the Universal House of Justice witnessed a great increase in the number of National Spiritual Assemblies (from 57 in 1963 to 135 by Riḍván 1983) and the House of Justice itself provided a model document, largely based on the one devised by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, to be followed as closely as possible by all new National Spiritual Assemblies as they became incorporated, which they were required to do under the Nine Year Plan.
Careful examination of the Declaration and its By-Laws will reveal the fact that this document contains no arbitrary elements not features new to the Bahá’í Cause. On the contrary, it represents a most conscientious effort to reflect those very administrative principles and elements already set forth in the letters of the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, and already determining the methods and relationships of Bahá’í collective association. The provision both in the Declaration and in the By-Laws for amendments in the future will permit the National Spiritual Assemblies to adapt this document to such new administrative elements or principles as may at any time be given forth. The Declaration, in fact, is nothing more nor less than a legal parallel of those moral and spiritual laws of unity inherent in the fullness of the Bahá’í Revelation and making it the fulfilment of the ideal of religion in the social as well as spiritual realm. Because, in the Bahá’í Faith, this perfect correspondence exists between spiritual and social laws, the Bahá’ís believe that administrative success is identical with moral success, and that nothing less than the true Bahá’í spirit of devotion and sacrifice can inspire with effective power the world-wide body of unity revealed by Bahá’u’lláh.
DEgLARATION OF TRUST By the NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHA’ts OF
WE,
duly chosen by the representatives of the Bahá’ís of at the Annual Meeting held at ..., on ..., to be the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of ..., with full power to establish a Tmst as hereinafter set forth, hereby declare that from this date the powers, responsibilities,
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rights, privileges and obligations reposed in said National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of by Bahá’u’lláh, Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, its Interpreter and Exemplar, by Shoghi Effendi, its Guardian, and by the Universal House of Justice, ordained by Baha’u’llah in His sacred Writings as the supreme body of the Bahá’í religion, shall be exercised, administered and carried on by the above—named National Spiritual Assembly and their duly qualified successors under this Declaration of Trust.
The National Spiritual Assembly in adopting this form of association, union and fellowship, and in selecting for itself the designation of Trustees of the Bahá’ís of ..., does so as the administrative body of a religious community which has had continuous existence and responsibility for In consequence of these activities the National Spiritual Assembly is called upon to administer such ever—increasing diversity and volume of affairs and properties for the Bahá’ís Of ..., that we, its members, now feel it both desirable and necessary to give our collective functions more definite legal form. This action is taken in complete unanimity and With full recognition of the sacred relationship thereby created. We acknowledge in behalf of ourselves and our successors in this Trust the exalted religious standard established by Bahá’u’lláh for Bahá’í administrative bodies in the utterance: Be ye T rustees Of the M erciful One among men; and seek the help of God and His guidance in order to fulfil that exhortation.
(Signatures Of the nine members) Date
ARTICLE I The name of said Trust shall be ‘the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís Of ...’
ARTICLE II
Sharing the ideals and assisting the efforts of our fellow Bahá’ís to establish, uphold and promote the spiritual, educational and humanitarian teachings of human brotherhood, radiant faith, exalted character and selfless love revealed in the lives and utterances of all the Prophets and Messengers of God, Founders of the world’s revealed religions-and given renewed creative energy and universal application to the conditions of this age in the life and utterances of Baha’u’llah~we declare the puiposes and objects of this Tmst to be to administer the affairs of the Cause of Baha’u’llah for the benefit of the Bahá’ís of according to the principles of Bahá’í affiliation and administration created and established by Baha’u’llah, defined and explained by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, interpreted and amplified by Shoghi Effendi, and supplemented and applied by the Universal House of Justice.
These puiposes are to be realized by means of devotional meetings; by public meetings and conferences of an educational, humanitarian and spiritual character; by the publication of books, magazines and newspapers; by the construction of temples of universal worship and of other institutions and edifices for humanitarian service; by supervising, unifying, promoting and generally administering the activities of the Bahá’ís of in the fulfilment of their religious offices, duties and ideals: and by any other means appropriate to these ends, or any of them. ' ‘
Other purposes and objects of this Trust are:
a. The right to enter into, make, perform and carry out contracts of every sort and kind for the furtherance of the objects of this Tmst With any person, firm, association, corporation, private, public or municipal or body politic, or any state, territory or colony thereof, or any foreign government; and in this connection, and in all transactions
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under the terms of this Trust, to do any and all things Which a copartnership or natural pers on could do or exercise, and which now or hereafter may be authorized by law.
b. To hold and be named as beneficiary under any trust established by law or otherwise or under any Will or other testamentary instrument in connection With any gift, devise, or bequest in which a trust or trusts is or are established in any part of the world as well as in ...; to receive gifts, devises or bequests of money or other property.
c. All and whatsoever the several purposes and objects set forth in the written utterances of Baha’u’llah, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, and enactments of the Universal House of Justice, under Which certain jurisdiction, powers and rights are granted to National Spiritual Assemblies.
d. Generally to do all things and acts Which in the judgement of said Trustees, i.e., the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of ..., are necessary, proper and advantageous to promote the complete and successful administration of this Trust.
ARTICLE III
SECTION 1. All persons, firms, corporations and associations extending credit to, contracting with or having any claim against the Trustees, i.e., the National Spiritual Assembly, and the members thereof, of any character whatsoever whether legal or equitable and Whether arising out of contract or tort, shall look solely to the funds of the Trust and to the property of the Trust estate for payment or indemnity, or for payment of any debt, damage, judgement or decree or any money that may otherwise become due or payable from the Trustees, so that neither the Trustees nor any of them, nor any of their officers or agents appointed by them hereunder, nor any beneficiary or beneficiaries herein named shall be personally liable therefor.
SECTION 2. Every note, bond, proposal, obligation or contract in writing or other agreement or instrument made or given under this Trust shall be explicitly executed by the National Spiritual Assembly, as Trustees, by their duly authorized officers or agents.
ARTICLE IV The Trustees, i.e., the National Spiritual Assembly, shall adopt for the conduct of the affairs entrusted to them under this Declaration of Trust, such by-laws, rules of procedure or regulations as are required to define and carry on its own administrative functions and those of the several local and other elements composing the body of the Bahá’ís of ..., not inconsistent With the terms of this instrument and all in accordance With the instructions and enactments of the Universal House of Justice.
ARTICLE V The central office of this Tiust shall be located in .
ARTICLE VI The seal of this Trust shall be circular in form, bearing the following inscription: National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís Bf .
ARTICLE VII This Declaration of Trust may be amended by maj ority vote of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of at any special meeting duly called for that purpose, provided that at least thirty (30) days prior to the date fixed for said meeting a copy of the proposed amendment or amendments is mailed to each member of the Assembly by the Secretary.
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BY—LAWS OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
ARTICLE I
THE National Spiritual Assembly, in the fulfilment of its sacred duties under this Trust, shall have exclusive jurisdiction and authority over all the activities and affairs of the Bahá’í Cause throughout ..., including paramount authority in the administration of this Trust. It shall endeavour to stimulate, unify and coordinate the manifold activities of the Local Spiritual Assemblies (hereinafter defined) and of individual Bahá’ís in and by all possible means assist them to promote the oneness of mankind. It shall be charged With the recognition of such Local Assemblies, the scrutiny of all membership rolls, the calling of the Annual Meeting or special meetings and the seating of delegates to the Annual Meeting and their apportionment among the various electoral districts. It shall appoint all national Bahá’í committees and shall supervise the publication and distribution of Bahá’í literature, the reviewing of all writings pertaining to the Bahá’í Cause, the construction and administration of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár and its accessory activities, and the collection and disbursement of all funds for the carrying on of this Trust. It shall decide Whether any matter lies Within its own jurisdiction or Within the jurisdiction of any Local Spiritual Assembly. It shall, in such cases as it considers suitable and necessary, entertain appeals from the decisions of Local Spiritual Assemblies and shall have the right of final decision in all cases Where the qualification of an individual or group for continued voting rights and membership in the Bahá’í body is in question. It shall furthermore represent the Bahá’ís of in all their co-operative and spiritual activities With the Bahá’ís of other lands, and shall constitute the sole electoral body of in the election of the Universal House of Justice provided for in the sacred Writings of the Bahá’í Cause. Above all, the National Spiritual Assembly shall ever seek to attain that station of unity in devotion to the Revelation of Baha’u’llah which Will attract the confirmations of the Holy Spirit and enable the Assembly to serve the founding of the Most Great Peace. In all its deliberation and action the National Assembly shall have constantly before it as Divine guide and standard the utterance of Bahá’u’lláh:
It behooveth them (i.e., members of Spiritual Assemblies) to be the trusted ones of the Merciful among men and to regard themselves as the guardians appointed of God for all that dwell on earth. It is incumbent upon them to take counsel together and to have regard for the interests of the servants of God, for His sake, even as they regard their own interests, and to choose that which is meet and seemly.
ARTICLE II The Bahá’ís of for Whose benefit this Trust is established shall consist of all persons of the age of 15 years or over resident in Who are accepted by the National Spiritual Assembly as possessing the qualifications of Bahá’í faith and practice required under the following standard set forth by the Guardian of the Faith:
Full recognition of the station of the Báb, the F orerunner; Of Bahá’u’lláh, the Author; and of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the True Exemplar of the Bahá’í religion; unréserved acceptance of, and submission to, whatsoever has been revealed by their Pen; loyal and steadfast adherence to every clause of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s sacred Will; and close association with the spirit as well as the form of Bahá’í Administration throughout the world.
Those residing in the area of jurisdiction of any Local Spiritual Assembly recognized by the National Assembly may declare their faith to, and be enrolled by, the Local Spiritual Assembly; those living outside any such area of local Bahá’í jurisdiction shall be enrolled in such manner as shall be prescribed by the National Assembly.
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Upon attaining the age of 21 years, a Bahá’í is eligible to vote and to hold elective office.
ARTICLE III The National Assembly shall consist of nine members chosen from among the Bahá’ís of ..., WhO shall be elected by the said Bahá’ís in manner hereinafter provided, and Who shall continue for the period of one year, or until their successors shall be elected.
ARTICLE IV The officers of the National Spiritual Assembly shall consist of a Chairman, Vice—Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as may be found necessary for the proper conduct of its affairs. The officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the entire membership of the Assembly taken by secret ballot.
ARTICLE V The first meeting of a neWIy-elected National Assembly shall be called by the member elected to membership by the highest number of votes or, in case two or more members have received the same said highest number of votes, then by the member selected by lot from among those members; and this member shall preside until the permanent Chairman shall be chosen. All subsequent meetings shall be called by the Secretary of the Assembly at the request of the Chairman or, in his absence or incapacity, of the Vice—Chairman, 0r of any three members of the Assembly; provided, however, that the Annual Meeting of the Assembly shall be held at a time and place to be fixed by a majority vote of the Assembly, as hereinafter provided.
ARTICLE VI
Five members of the National Assembly present at a meeting shall constitute a quorum, and a majority vote of those present and constituting a quorum shall be sufficient for the conduct of business, except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, and With due regard to the principle of unity and cordial fellowship involved in the institution of a Spiritual Assembly. The transactions and decisions of the National Assembly shall be recorded at each meeting by the Secretary, Who shall supply copies of the minutes to the Assembly members after each meeting, and preserve the minutes in the official records of the Assembly.
ARTICLE VII
Whenever in any locality of ..., the number of Bahá’ís resident therein recognized by the National Spiritual Assembly exceeds nine, these shall on Apri12lst of any year convene and elect by plurality vote a local administrative body of nine members, to be known as the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of that community. Every such Spiritual Assembly shall be elected annually thereafter upon each successive 21st day of April. The members shall hold office for the term of one year or until their successors are elected and qualified.
When, however, the number of Bahá’ís in any authorized civil area is exactly nine, these shall on April let of any year, orxin successive years, constitute themselves the Local Spiritual Assembly by joint declaration. Upon the recording of such declaration by the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, said body of nine shall become established With the rights, privileges and duties of a Local Spiritual Assembly as set forth in this instrument.
SECTION 1. Each newly-elected Local Spiritual Assembly shall at once proceed in the manner indicated in Articles IV and V of these By-Laws to the election of its officers, Who
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shall consist of a Chairman, Vice—Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and such other officers as the Assembly finds necessary for the conduct of its business and the fulfihnent of its spiritual duties. Immediately thereafter the Secretary chosen shall transmit to the Secretary of the National Assembly the names of the members of the newly-elected Assembly and a list of its officers.
SECTION 2. The general powers and duties of a Local Spiritual Assembly shall be as set forth in the writings of Baha’u’llah, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, and as laid down by the Univers al House of Justice.
SECTION 3. Among its more specific duties, a Local Spiritual Assembly shall have full jurisdiction of all Bahá’í activities and affairs Within the local community, subject, however, to the exclusive and paramount authority of the National Spiritual Assembly as defined herein.
SECTION 4. Vacancies in the membership of a Local Spiritual Assembly shall be filled by election at a special meeting of the local Bahá’í community duly called for that puipose by the Assembly. In the event that the number of vacancies exceeds four, making a quorum of the Local Assembly impossible, the election shall be held under the supervision of the National Spiritual Assembly.
SECTION 5. The business of the Local Assembly shall be conducted in like manner as provided for the deliberations of the National Assembly in Article VI above.
SECTION 6. The Local Assembly shall pass upon and approve the qualifications of each member of the Bahá’í community before such members shall be admitted to voting membership; but Where an individual is dissatisfied With the ruling of the Local Spiritual Assembly upon his Bahá’í qualifications, such individual may appeal from the ruling to the National Assembly, Which shall thereupon take jurisdiction of and finally decide the case.
SECTION 7. On or before the lst day of November of each year the Secretary of each Local Assembly shall send to the Secretary of the National Assembly a duly certified list of the voting members of the local Bahá’í community for the information and approval of the National Assembly.
SECTION 8. All matters arising Within a local Bahá’í community Which are of purely local interest and do not affect the national interests of the Cause shall be under the primaiy jurisdiction of the Spiritual Assembly of that locality; but decision Whether a particular matter involves the interest and welfare of the national Bahá’í body shall rest With the National Spiritual Assembly.
SECTION 9. Any member of a local Bahá’í community may appeal from a decision of his Spiritual Assembly to the National Assembly, Which shall determine Whether it shall take jurisdiction of the matter or leave it to the Local Spiritual Assembly for reconsideration. In the event that the National Assembly assumes jurisdiction of the matter, its findings shall be final.
SECTION 10. Where any dissension exists Within a local Bahá’í community of such character that it cannot be remedied by the efforts of the Local Spiritual Assembly, this condition shall be referred by the Spiritual Assembly for consideration to the National Spiritual Assembly, Whose action in the matter shall be final.
SECTION 11. All questions arising between two or more Local Spiritual Assemblies, 01' between members of different Bahá’í communities; shall be submitted in the first instance to the National Assembly, Which shall have original and final jurisdiction in all such matters.
SECTION 12. The sphere of jurisdiction of a Local Spiritual Assembly, With respect to residential qualification of membership, and voting rights of a believer in any Bahá’í community, shall be the locality included Within the recognized civil limits.
All differences of opinion concerning the sphere of jurisdiction of any Local Spiritual
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Assembly or concerning the affiliation of any Bahá’í or group of Bahá’ís in shall be referred to the National Spiritual Assembly, Whose decision in the matter shall be final.
ARTICLE VIII
The members of the National Spiritual Assembly shall be elected at an annual meeting to be known as the National Convention of the Bahá’ís of This Convention shall be held at a time and place to be fixed by the National Assembly. The National Convention shall be composed jointly of representatives chosen by the Bahá’ís of each under the principle of proportionate representation, and the members of the National Spiritual Assembly.
Notice of the annual meeting shall be given by the National Assembly sixty days in advance in the Convention Call Which sets forth the number of delegates assigned to the various electoral units in proportion to the number of Bahá’ís resident in each such unit, to a total of delegates for the Bahá’ís of .
SECTION 1. All delegates to the Convention shall be elected by plurality vote. Bahá’ís Who for illness or other unavoidable reasons are unable to be present at the election in person shall have the right to transmit their ballots to the meeting by mail. The meeting held in each for the election of delegates shall be called by the National Spiritual Assembly and conducted by the Bahá’ís present under Whatever procedure may be uniformly laid down by said body. Immediately after the meeting a certified report of the election containing the name and address of each delegate shall be transmitted to the National Spiritual Assembly.
SECTION 2. All delegates to be seated at the Convention must be recognized Bahá’ís and residents of the . . . represented by them.
SECTION 3. The rights and privileges of a delegate may not be assigned nor may they be exercised by proxy. ‘
SECTION 4. The recognition and seating of delegates to the National Convention shall be vested in the National Spiritual Assembly.
SECTION 5. Delegates unable to be present in person at the Convention shall have the right to transmit their ballots for election of the members of the National Assembly under Whatever procedure is adopted by the National Assembly.
SECTION 6. If in any year the National Spiritual Assembly shall consider that it is impracticable or unwise to assemble together the delegates to the National Convention, the said Assembly shall provide ways and means by which the annual election and the other essential business of the Convention may be conducted by mail.
SECTION 7. The presiding officer of the National Spiritual Assembly present at the Convention shall call together the delegates, Who after roll call shall proceed to the permanent organization of the meeting, electing by ballot a Chairman, a Secretary and such other officers as are necessary for the proper conduct of the business of the Convention.
SECTION 8. The principal business of the annual meeting shall be consultation on Bahá’í activities, plans and policies, and the election of the nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly. Members of the National Assembly, whether or not elected delegates, may take a full part in the consultation and discussion but only delegates may participate in the election of Convention officers or in the annual election of the members of the National Assembly. All action by the delegates, other than the organization Of the Convention, the transmission of messages to the World Centre of the Bahá’í Faith, and the election of the National Assembly, shall constitute advice and recommendation for consideration by the said Assembly, final decision in all matters concerning the affairs of the Bahá’í Faith in being vested solely in that body.
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SECTION 9. The general order of business to be taken up at the Annual Convention shall be prepared by the National Spiritual Assembly in the form of an agenda, but any matter pertaining to the Bahá’í Faith introduced by any of the delegates may upon motion and vote be taken up as part of the Convention deliberations.
SECTION 10. The election of the members of the National Spiritual Assembly shall be by plurality vote of the delegates recognized by the outgoing National Spiritual Assembly, i.e., the members elected shall be the nine persons receiving the greatest number of votes on the first ballot cast by delegates present at the Convention and delegates whose ballot has been transmitted to the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly by mail. In case, by reason of a tie vote or votes, the full membership is not determined on the first ballot, then one or more additional ballots shall be taken on the persons tied until all nine members are elected.
SECTION 11. All official business transacted at the National Convention shall be recorded and preserved in the records of the National Assembly.
SECTION 12. Vacancies in the membership of the National Spiritual Assembly shall be filled by a plurality vote of the delegates composing the Convention Which elected the Assembly, the ballot to be taken by correspondence or in any other manner decided upon by the National Assembly.
ARTICLE IX Where the National Spiritual Assembly has been given in these By-Laws exclusive and final jurisdiction, and paramount executive authority, in all matters pertaining to the activities and affairs of the Bahá’í Cause in ..., it is understood that any decision made or action taken upon such matters shall be subject in every instance to ultimate review and approval by the Universal House of Justice.
ARTICLE X Whatever functions and powers are not specifically attributable to Local Spiritual Assemblies in these By-Laws shall be considered vested in the National Spiritual Assembly, Which body is authorized to delegate such discretionary functions and powers as it deems necessary and advisable to the Local Spiritual Assemblies Within its jurisdiction.
ARTICLE XI
In order to preserve the spiritual character and purpose of Bahá’í elections, the practice of nominations or any other electoral method detrimental to a silent and prayerful election shall not prevail, so that each elector may vote for none but those Whom prayer and reflection have inspired him to uphold.
Among the most outstanding and sacred duties incumbent upon those Who have been called upon to initiate, direct and co—ordinate the affairs of the Cause as members of Local or National Assemblies are: ' 3
To Win by every means in their power the confidence and affection of those Whom it is their privilege to serve, to investigate and acquaint themselves With the considered Views, the prevailing sentiments and the personal convictions of those Whose welfare it is their solemn obligation to promote, to purge their deliberations and the general conduct of their affairs of self—contained aloofness, the suspicion of secrecy, the stifling atmosphere of dictatorial assertiveness and of every word and deed that may savour of partiality,
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self—centredness and prejudice; and While retaining the sacred right of final decision in their hands, to invite discussion, ventilate grievances, welcome advice and foster the sense of interdependence and co—partnership, of understanding and mutual confidence between themselves and all other Bahá’ís.
ARTICLE XII These By-Laws may be amended by majority vote of the National Spiritual Assembly at any of its regular or special meetings, provided that at least fourteen days prior to the date fixed for the said meeting a copy of the proposed amendment or amendments is mailed to each member of the Assembly by the Secretary.
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3. A PROCEDURE FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE ANNUAL BAHA’t CONVENTION
ARTICLE VIII of the Model Declaration of Trust and By-Laws of a National Spiritual Assembly (see pp.702—703) presents the essential elements Which govern the election, functions and authority of a National Bahá’í Convention, the body Which constitutes the electoral college for the National Spiritual Assembly of its country.
The purpose of consultation at the Annual Convention is threefold: to airive at full and complete knowledge of the current conditions, problems and possibilities of the Faith in the country; to give the incoming National Assembly the benefit of the collective Wisdom, guidance and constructive suggestions of the assembled delegates; and to contribute to the unity, in spirit and in action, of the entire Bahá’í community.
Over the years, national Bahá’í communities have evolved procedures Which are followed at their National Conventions, and Which vary according to the size of the Convention and the conditions of the country in Which it is held. The following is an outline of the elements of a typical procedure.
ORDER OF BUSINESS
The initial business of the Convention follows an order dictated by the priorities of the business:
- Call to order by the Presiding Officer of the outgoing National Spiritual Assembly (this is usually the Chairman, but could be any member of the Assembly designated by it for the purpose). ?
- Prayer and devotional readings provided by the outgoing National Spiritual Assembly.
- Opening of the Convention by the Presiding Officer of the National Spiritual Assembly.
- Roll call of the delegates by the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly.
' Election of the Chairman and Secretary of the Convention, and such other officers as may be required, by plurality vote, in a secret ballot of the assembled delegates from among their own number.
- Adoption of the Agenda of Convention (see below).
- Reading of any message from the Universal House of Justice.
The remaining business of the Convention follows the order of the Agenda Which is adopted, and includes the following elements, some of Which are distributed throughout the period of the Convention.
- Presentation of the Annual Report of the National Spiritual Assembly, including its financial report, supplemented by the annual reports of its Committees. It is desirable for these reports to be supplied to the delegates in writing in advance so that only supplementary reports need to be given orally at the time of the Convention. Among these reports, presentations may be made on special subjects by well-qualified members or representatives of the National Assembly or its Committees or by non—Bahá’í experts Whose exposition is necessary or desirable for the information of the delegates.
- Election of the members of the National Spiritual Assembly. This, in accordance With the express desire of the Guardian of the Faith, should take place approXimately midway during the Convention sessions so that the delegates Will have the opportunity to consult with both the outgoing and incoming Assemblies.
- Approval of any messages from the Convention to the Universal House of Justice and other institutions, agencies or persons.
- Consultation on the affairs of the Bahá’í Faith both national and international. Refening
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W
to the role of the members of the National
Spiritual Assembly in this consultation,
Shoghi Effendi has written: Banishing every vestige of secrecy, of undue reticence, of dictatorial aloofness, from their midst, they should radiantly and abundantly unfold t0 the eyes of the delegates, by Whom they are elected, their plans, their hopes, and their cares. They should familiarize the delegates with the various matters that Will have to be considered in the current year, and calmly and conscientiously study and weigh the opinions and judgements Of the delegates...
AGENDA FOR CONSULTATION
An agenda for the sessions of the Convention is usually prepared beforehand by the outgoing National Spiritual Assembly, including the various matters of national Bahá’í importance Which it feels demand the attention of the delegates. This agenda Will include the items mentioned above and below at appropriate times during the Convention. The Reports of National Committees are often presented at the times durirfg the con sultation when related subjects are to be.
discussed.
This agenda should be presented to the Convention immediately after the election of the Convention Officers and is usually adopted by majority vote of the assembled
THE Bahá’í WORLD
Counsellor Ursula Mühlschlegel was among the participants in the National Convention held in Athens, Greece, on 25 cmd26ApriZ 1987.
delegates. However, the Convention may, by majority vote, omit or add items, change the order, or even adopt an entirely new agenda.
CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
Eveiy deliberative body, to fulfil its functions, must conduct its deliberations in accordance With some established rules of order. The procedure here set forth for the National Convention is based upon the procedure already adopted for meetings of Local Assemblies and communities. It accordingly extends to sessions of the Annual Convention the same procedure under Which the delegates, in their other Bahá’í activities, are accustomed to conduct discussions and consultation.
The freedom of each and every delegate to take part in discussion and to initiate motions is untrammelled save as the undue activity of one delegate might hamper the rights of the others. Any necessary limitation to be placed upon individual discussion shall be determined by the Chairman in the absence of any specific motion duly carried by majority vote of the delegates themselves. It is the duty of the Chairman to encourage general consultation and make possible the active participation of the greatest possible number of delegates.
The Chairman has the same power and responsibility for discussion and voting upon
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH
motions as do other delegates. Members of the outgoing and incoming National Spiritual Assembly Who are not delegates may participate in the consultation but not vote, as is also the case With any representative of the Continental Board of Counsellors Who may have been deputed to attend on behalf of the Board.
Any other person may be given the right to address the Convention, by majority vote of the delegates present. But care must be taken that such permission is not abused, since the delegates have limited time at their disposal to engage in their Vital deliberations.
The Chairman shall call for votes by a show of hands or similar means.
The transactions of the Convention shall be recorded by the Secretary, and When certified by the Convention officers, shall be given to the National Spiritual Assembly.
ANNUAL ELECTION
The outgoing National Spiritual Assembly provides the Convention officers with a roll of elected delegates, ballot—papers, a ballot—box and tellers’ report forms.
The election is conducted by the Convention, but delegates unable to attend have the right to vote by mail.
The policy governing the appointment of tellers, like other details of Convention procedure Which are not defined in the Constitution of the National Spiritual Assembly, is within the discretion of the National Assembly to decide. The usual practice is for the National Assembly either to ask the Convention Chairman to appoint the tellers, or to appoint them itself. Tellers may be appointed from among the assembled delegates or from among Bahá’ís Who are present but are not delegates.
The electoral method is as follows:
1. After a period of prayer, the Convention Chairman calls upon the delegates to record their votes, during Which time silence is observed. When all delegates have had reasonable time to complete
707
their ballot—papers, the Chairman calls upon the Secretary to collect the ballots.
2. The Convention Secretary calls the roll of delegates, whereupon each delegate in tum places his or her ballot in the ballotbox; and as names are called, those ballots received by mail are also placed in the ballot-box by the Secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly.
3. When all ballots are cast, the ballot-box is handed to the tellers, Who retire from the Convention hall to count the votes and determine the result of the election.
4. The result of the balloting is reported by the tellers to the Convention, and the tellers’ report is accepted by vote of the Convention.
5. A tie vote for the ninth place may be broken by a revote between the persons tied, carried out by secret ballot of the delegates present at the Convention.
6. If a member duly elected to the National Spiritual Assembly submits his resignation to the National Assembly and his resignation is accepted, his place must be filled by a ballot of all the delegates, not merely those present in the Convention hall. If all delegates are present, then such a by—election can be held While the Convention is still in session.
7. The ballots, together with the tellers’ report, certified by all the tellers, are given to the National Spiritual Assembly.
THE CONVENTION RECORD The permanent record of each successive
National Bahá’í Convention consists of the
following:
1. Convention Call as issued by the National Spiritual Assembly.
2. List of accredited delegates.
3. Annual Reports of the National Spiritual Assembly and of its Committees.
4. Messages sent to and received from the Bahá’í World Centre and other institutions, agencies and persons.
5. Resolutions and other transactions of the assembled delegates.
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6. The result of the election of the National Spiritual Assembly.
DUTIES OF DELEGATES OUTSIDE THE CONVENTION SESSIONS
The National Convention is not a continuously functioning institution, but the delegates do have three duties to perform before and after the Convention sessions.
Before the Convention each delegate should do his best to familiarize himself With
THE Bahá’í WORLD
the conditions of the Cause in his region and With the Views of the Bahá’ís Whom he is elected to represent.
After the Convention each delegate should, as far as possible, share his experiences and impressions of the Convention with the Bahá’ís in his area.
During the year, if there is a need for a by-election to the National Spiritual Assembly, the delegates Will be called upon to vote to fill the vacancy.
4. NEW NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES
1989
T he National Spiritual Assembly oquinea-Bissau. Counsellor Husayn Ardekani is seen standing on the far left; Counsellor Rolfvon Czékus is standing on thefar right.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 709
NEW NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES
1989
A V , ’ ’
The Spiritual Assembly ofMacau. Amatu ’l—Bahd Rzihiyyz’h Iflzfinum is seated centre; Counsellor Bijan Farid is seated thirdfrom right.
The Spiritual Assembly of the Union ofSoviet Socialist Republics.
710 THE Bahá’í WORLD
NEW NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES
1991
The National Spiritual Assembly ofRomania. Amatu ’l—Bahd Rdhz’yyih [Lhdnum is seated in the centre.
The National Spiritual Assembly of Czechoslovakia. The Hand offhe Cause of God Dr. ‘Ali—Muhammad Varqd is standing third from right.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 711
NEW NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES
1991
The National Spiritual Assembly offhe West Leeward Islands. Counsellor Ruth Pringle is seen standing on thefar left; Counsellor William Roberts is on the far right.
1992
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712 THE Bahá’í WORLD
NEW NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES
The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baltic States. The Hand of the Cause of God ‘Ali-Akbar F uruz‘dn is seated centre; Counsellor Polin Rafat is standing third from right.
The National Spiritual Assembly ofAlbania.
THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 713
NEW NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES
1992
i E
The National Spiritual Assembly ofPoland. Amatu ’l—Bahd Rdhz’yyih Ifldnum is seated ‘ second from left.
714 THE Bahá’í WORLD
NEW NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES
1992
The Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova, with the Hand of
the Cause Dr. ‘Ali—Muhammad Varqd (front row) and CounsellorPaul Semenofi’wack row
second from righfl.
The National SpiritualAssez11bb2 ofGreenland (one member absent). The Hand Ofthe Cause of God Dr. ‘Ali—Muhammad Varqd is seated centre.
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THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 715
NEW NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES
1992
The National Spiritual Assembly ofBulgaria.
RE—ESTABLISHED NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES 1987
The National Spiritual Assembly onaz're; ré-estarblished 1987.
716 THE Bahá’í WORLD
RE—ESTABLISHED NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES
1992
T he National Spiritual Assembly ofAzerbaijan; re—established 1992. Counsellor Mas ’le [flamsz’ is seen standing centre.
The National Spiritual Assembly Ofthe Congo Republic; re—established 1992. Counsellor George Allen is seen standing on the far left.
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THE WORLD ORDER OF BAHA’U’LLAH 717
RE—ESTABLISHED NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES
1992
The National Spiritual Assembly osz‘ger; re-established 1992.
The Regional Assembly ofCentral Asia; re—established 1992 (one member absent).