National Bahá’í Review/Issue 103/Text

National Bahá’í Review
Issue 103

Annual report stresses more individual teaching

RIDVAN 1977

Members: Firuz Kazemzadeh, Chairman; Daniel C. Jordan, Vice-Chairman; Glenford E. Mitchell, Secretary; Soo Fouts, Assistant Secretary; Dorothy W. Nelson, Treasurer; Richard D. Betts; Magdalene M. Carney; Franklin Kahn; William Maxwell, Jr.

The third year of the Five Year Plan was marked by the continuing progress of the American Bahá’í Community in the international field where we have completed the vast majority of the pioneer assignments for which the United States is responsible — 288 of the 312 posts assigned. In addition, American believers undertook over 600 teaching trips abroad, a record number for any year of the Plan. . We acknowledge with gratitude the following highlights among-the national activities during this year: —— The 45-day visit of the Hand of the Cause ‘Ali-Akbar Furutan and Mrs. Furutan, a visitthat enriched and enlivened the various schools and gatherings at which he imparted knowledge of Bahá’í Administration and enthusiasm for the teaching work; —The meeting last January of a representative of The Universal House of Justice, Mr. Ian Semple, with the National Spiritual Assembly; —The participation of a large number of American believers in the eight international conferences held at the midpoint of the Plan; ' ' —The adoption and announcement at Naw-Fluz 1977 of the second Two Year Youth Program during the Five Year Plan; —The increase in the number of Auxiliary Board members serving the United States from 18 to 28 and the concomitant increase in the number of their assistants; -—The occasions associated with the gift from the American Bahá’í Community of a statue of Sequoyah to the Cherokee Nation during the Cherokee National Holiday in 1976; —The gathering last December of over 400 Persian believers resident in the United States in a conference conducted especially for them; —The fulfillment of two Five Year Plan property goals: acquisition of a local Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Bermuda and a national Ḥaẓíratu’l-Quds in Fort de France, Martinique.

international Field

In addition to the highlights already cited, much attention was given to the preparation of the Bahamas for the formation of its National

’ Spiritual Assembly at Flidvan 1978. Six pioneers settled there and

recruitment of 10 more was in progress as the year ended. The friends in Bermuda experienced a rather exciting year occasioned by the stay of Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum_ on their

island for 100 days and the dedication of their newly acquired local l:la_ziratu’|-Quds last February. The Bermudians also received one pioneer and a number of traveling teachers.

A decision was made to establish boundaries for a total of 14 localities in the Falkland Islands in which groups and Assemblies can be established. In response to an invitation issued by the National Spiritual Assembly to the friends in the Falklands, Dr. Robert Watson visited the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette and will be followed by others in the new year.

The work of the friends in the Turks and Caicos Islands was stimulated by the.visits of the Auxiliary Board member assigned to that area and several traveling teachers. ‘

Home Front Teaching

The accomplishment of our home front goals continues to be slow. Of the 7,000 localities required in the Plan 5,910 exist; 256 were opened this year. Of the 1,400 Local Spiritual Assemblies called for, only 940 existed by year’s end. A strenuous effort was put forth to save some 100 Assemblies which had become jeopardized. Twelve Assemblies were incorporated, bringing the total to 312. The continuing threat of jeopardized Assemblies led to a decision of the -National Spiritual Assembly that the National Teaching Committee will henceforth work with Local Spiritual Assemblies in developing and executing local teaching plans which will foster community growth to the size of at least 30 adult believers in each locality.

Consolidation

The training of Local Spiritual Assemblies remained the most greatly emphasized consolidation project this year. The result to date is that 850 Assemblies, only 92 less than the total number of existing Assemblies, have been invited to participate in the Local Spiritual Assembly Development Program. Of these, 469 were trained, 49 are in process, 157 must be retrained, and 175 declined or cancelled the Program.

Conclusion

We end the year with the same concern which confronted the national community at the end of the previous year: expansion on the home front has beenpainfully slow. The determination expressed at the last National Convention to ignite the fire of teaching far and wide has not been realized. There was one notable exception in the intensive teaching project undertaken in Oregon last Fall. This project suggested wider possibilities as efforts to emulate the Oregonians were made in other places. But, for the most part, these efforts were short-lived, dying from lack of enthusiasm. Thus it can easily be seen that the single most immediate challenge facing the national Bahá’í community is to generate individual teaching to a high" pitch. _

We remain confident, though, that success will be attained since our community is known for its late starts and "breathless" vic Please turn to page 2

[Page 2]0'1’ N r’ I. Bahal Rziteii‘

tories. However, it is getting too late now not to stir the embers of teaching which smolder in the soul of every true American Bahá’í. May we not venture to hope, then,’ that the new compilation on teaching which The Universal House of Justice has recently released to the Bahá’í world will become the breath of wind that fans the scattered sparks of teaching in the United States into a spreading flame during the coming year? '

it

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

-Individual contributions

increased, says Treasurer’s report

April 30, 1977 To the Delegates at the 1977 National Bahá’í Convention in

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

' with great pleasure we present the “Treasurer’s Report to the

National Convention 1977.“ We hope you will study‘ its contents carefully and share the information you glean withthe believers in your District. ' T

This document presents the financial status of the Cause of God

, in America . . . the most important “business” in the world today. It

provides insight into how money contributed to the Fund is used to further the work of the Faith. it explains the degree to which the believers participate int he National Fund. It shows progress toward-winning our monthly and annual Fund goals. It explains the work being done in the Office of the Treasurer. Finally, it presents a financial plan for the coming year. ’

Entering the fourth year of the Five Year Plan, weare aware that Bahá’í activity is increasing throughout the country. To a large “ extent, our ability to sustain this activity will depend upon the strength of the National Fund. If we are to win the goals of the Five Year Plan, the,American Bahá’í Community must now establish its priorities in relation to the needs of the Cause-.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

National Spiritual Assembly of The Bahá’ís of the United States

Dorothy W. Nelson Treasurer A spiritual entity

iv The National Bahá’í Fund is a spiritual entity——a divinelyordained institution. The essence of the Fund far surpasses the monetary connotations of itsname, for upon it depends the “progress and" execution of spiritual activities." It is the “prerequisite of future progress and achievement," the “indispensable medium for

the growth and expansion of the Movement,” the “bedrock on which all other institutions must necessarily rest and be established,” its importance cannot be overstated. To win the goals of the National Fund is synonymous with achieving the goals set before our National Community in the Five Year Plan. To fall short in these material efforts would hamperthe speedy establishment of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. The American Bahá’í Community is gradually moving toward a clearer understanding of this spiritual principle. ‘ The Fund and the individual believer

i .

The biggest news to report is .the dramatic increase in the number of individual believers contributing directly to the National Bahá’íF.und during each nineteen day period. At the outset of the year, an average of 1,000 believers were sending contributions to the National Bahá’í Fund. By year’s end the number had grown to nearly 4,000. In dollar amounts, individual contributions registered a 20 percent increase over the previous year. This success is the result of a program initiated one year ago to make the friends aware of the Guardian’s statement that “As the activities of the American Bahá’í Community expand, and its world-wide prestige correspondingly increases, the institution of the National Fund . . . acquires added importance, and should be increasingly supported by the entire body of the believers, both in their individual capacities, an through their collective efforts . . . Through correspondence and personal contact, we see that the American Bahá’í Community is gradually developing a closer relationship to

, the National Bahá’í Fund.

Building a firm foundation

, The National Treasurer’s Representative program was developed by the Office of the Treasurer this past year. The program was designed to increase our love for and understanding of the Fund. The program provides a means of developing the accounting skills of individual Treasurers using basic but standard accounting procedures. One—half of Assembly and one-third of Bahá’í Group Treasurers have attended accounting workshops in their areas. This program will continue to evolve as the community grows and faces ever increasing challenges. ,

Keeping the Fund_ out front

The Office of the Treasurer reaches 'out'to the friends in many .‘

ways: The Treasurer’s Letter is probably the best known with 2,000 copies being sent each nineteen days to Assemblies and Bahá’í

Groups. This publication provides an up-to-date status report of the '

National Bahá’í Fund. It also includes individual and institutional

participation and special instructions to the local Treasurer. In addition, the Office of the Treasurer is responsible for the publication of special materials such as “The Generating Impulse: A Community Enrichment Program on the Fund,” the cassette tape “Stories and Talks on the Spirit of Sacrifice,” articles and letters on the Fund in The American Bahá’í, and a large’ volume of personal correspondence to the friends. ’

Spotlight on individual development

“The Secret of Wealth," a five-hour course for Bahá’í Schools,

has been prepared by the Office of the Treasurer. The goals of the

[Page 3]June 1977 3

course are (1) to create an awareness of the need to manage personal resources, (2) to achieve control over these resources through the use of a family budget, (3) to create an awareness of different lifestyles and to integrate Bahá’í principles into one’s lifestyle, (4) to foster an understanding of the importance of setting personal goals, and (5) to encourage the development of a personalized plan for implementing “The Secret of Wealth." The course has now undergone several modifications and will again be presented at several Bahá’í Schools this year.

Professional management

Behind the scenes and invisible to most of the friends is the accounting staff responsible for the receipt and disbursement of all

money and the timely reporting of the financial position and activity ,

of the Fund. As many as 600 individual Fund envelopes arrive each day to be opened, counted and receipted. Budgets are formulated and presented to the National Spiritual Assembly. Plans are laid for financing the budgeted expenditures and funds are disbursed to meet commitments and win goals around the world. Eachyear the entire system is reviewed and evaluated by independent auditors to determine its adequacy for properly handling the growing number of financial transactions. In short, the Office of the Treasurer is in a continuous state of planned development in order to provide the sound financial undercarriage which enables the National Spiritual Assembly to carry out its many responsibilities.

A need for consistency

Owing to the vital needs of the Faith and the requirements of the Five Year Plan, it is imperative thatthe National Spiritual Assembly increase its budget. However, we are traditionally slow in responding to the new budget goals. We fall behind in the first half of the year and then scramble to break even by the end of the year. Last year, one-fifth of all contributions came in during the month of April. The same situation occurred again this year. With such irregular income levels, the National Spiritual Assembly constantly faces the possibility of being forced to curtail essential projects. A more consistent pattern of giving would enable the National Spiritual Assembly to develop plans with the confidence thatthe plans can be completed.

Possibilities for growth

Contributions to the Fund in 1975 increased by $372,000. In 1976, contributions increased by $444,000. This year, however, the increase was only $168,000. Large single donations were partly responsible for the larger increases in 1975 and 1976. The growth we experienced in 1977 can be attributed to a larger number of individuals contributing directly to the National Fund. We anticipate that with the broadening base of participation, we will be able to

' increase contributions by 20 percent or $580,000 next year.

Participation Participation of Local Spiritual Assemblies has risen to an average of 675 per Bahá’í month (72 percent). While not increasing

«at the same rate as previous years, it shows steady improvement.

By year's end, ‘and average of 400 Bahá’í Groups were contributing to the Fund. I

A record number of goals won

Last year (fiscal 1976) we won the monthly national contributions goal atotal of fourtimes. This year (fiscal 1977)‘we won the goal six times, a record in which we can all take pride. ‘

A glorious future

All signs indicate that the upsurge in the number of individual believers contributing regularly to the National Bahá’í Fund will continue. Our Community is beginning to understand the Guardian's statement that “contributions to this.Fund constitute...a practical and effective way whereby every believer can test the measure and character_of his faith, and to prove in deeds the intensity of his devotion and attachment to the Cause.” With the institutions of the Faith firmly resting on a strong financial base, the glorious future, of the Cause of God in America will rapidly unfold.

The National Bahá’í Fund helps support the work of:

In addition to its many international commitments, The National Bahá’í Fund supports the homefront activities of the National Spiritual Assembly. An example is the Assembly Development Program which provides trainers, manuals, video tapes, and equipment to assist in the growth of the local administrative order.

With the help of a’ WATS line and the “Design for Victory," the National Teaching Committee is in constant contact with believers M

around. the country, guiding teaching projects and assisting DistrictTeaching Committees in the expansion and consolidation work. . .

The National Information Office helps communities keep the name of the Faith in the public eye (and ear) by supplying video tapes, radio programs, advertisements, public displays, and other high-quality materials. It also publishes The American Bahá’í, the Bahá’í National Review, and Bahá’í News.

The education and deepening of the American Community requires the full attention of the National Education Committee. With the assistance of Family Life Conferences, Child Education Consultants, Bahá’í Schools, institutes and deepening programs, the quality of Bahá’í community life is steadily growing.

Add to these the work of the National Youth Committee, the Publishing Trust, the Bahá’í Home, the National Archives, World Order and Child’s Way magazines, properties and staff, and we see numerous significant projects receiving the support of the National Fund.

Central to all this work, of course, is the Holiest House of Worship, the Mother Temple of the West, host to nearly 200,000 visitors during the past year. And in all these endeavors can be‘ seen the material implementation of the Great Plan...the building of the Kingdom of God on earth. This is the meaning and purpose of the National Bahá’í Fund.

Give and grow.

[Page 4]TheA‘mericar,I

Bahá’í’I

$300,000

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

Number Assemblies 8. Groups Contributing

0

900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200

100

National Bahá’í Fund

Contribution-s_

K 1976-1977 Monthly Goal

Participation;AssembIies & Groups

GoaI—-Assemb|ies ,

National Bahá’í Fund by Month

Number of Individuals Contributing

(goon NORK! we surze came CLOSE LET'S _v1I;~l_ NEXT YEAR‘.

“ Total Monthly Contributions ‘Assemblies & Groups I Individuals

4,000

3,000

2.000

// ,

Participation—Individuals

Vf/

National Bahá’í Fund by Month

Actual Budget

[Page 5]' . A June 1977 V5

National Bahá’í Fund — Revenue ' National Baha"I' Fund — Contributions s4,ooo,ooo , s4,ooo.ooo \' 3,000,000 ‘ 3,000,000 7 ' s 2,ooo,ooo \‘ ' ‘ 2,ooo,ooo . \~ \\‘ A

. . 1,ooo,ooo

1000000 N l o o . '7o '71 '72 '73 '74 '75 '76 '77 75* '70 '71 '72 '73 '74 '75 '75 '77 '73 >4: . . V ~ E t t 3. cm Actual A i 2 c°m"b"m°"s \\\\\\\\ lnscgneie er Contributions S|"I‘:)?':"l;1 Goal

National Bah“ Fund _ Expenditures National Bahá’í Fund — Assembly Participation

341.000.1300 800

53,000,000 . soo (.

2.000.000 ' ' 400 T7 moomo I I 200 I I I

o ' < o

'73 '74 '75 '76 '77 '73:; '70 '71 '72 '73 '74 '75

'70 '71 '72 '76 ‘T7 '78 ‘X. * Estlmabd -X-Anticipated

[Page 6]TheAmericar,I

Bahá’í» i 1 '

Comparing Numbers of Individual Believers Giving to the National Bahá’í Fund

1975   ‘1977 6

1,156 Individuals ' 3,564|ndividuals ‘ . \

(Highest mo_nth) ' - . (Highest month)

Comparing Contributiens to the National Bahá’í Fund

Local .Spiritua| Assemblies V.

_ $1 ,334,291

1976 1977 $1,412,000 1976 $579,660

1977 $304,000

1976 $1,139,356 , 1977 $1,205,000 ,

[Page 7]I June 1977 7

Comparative Revenue and Expenditures Budget I For Years Ending April 27, 1977 and 1978

(In Thousands of Dollars) ' ********'************§**************************

. Proposed I 977 I 977 I 978. Increase REVENUE Actual Budget Budget (Decrease)

Contributions‘ M - ' 2992' 3,000 3,500 500

Estate Bequests and Other Income 224 290 250 _ (40) Total Revenue 3, I45 3,29 0‘ 3,750 —l%0

EXPENDITURES

International I Bahá’í International Fund. 375 375 375 V3 --International Deputization Fund 30 30 30 ’ --Continental Bahá’í Fund ' 30 30 40 I0 Five Year Plan Properties I36 I98 95 (I03) International Goals Committee 227 I76 222 46 ' ‘ 798 809 4 762 (47) I National I Teaching & Services National Education Committee ' 62 7| 82 II Bahá’í Schools 27| 272 397 I25 .NationaI Teaching Committee 263 275 304 29 National Information Committee . 237 255 257 2 , House of Worship Activities Committee g I 72 64 74 I0’ National _Youth Committee 35 \ 44 70 26 National,Archives Committee A I7 I8 20 2 U. N. Representative 5 ‘ 5 5 --‘ 962 I ,004 I ,209 205 Administration National Assembly & Secretariat I60 I90 234 44 Community Administration . ' 8 I49 239 236 : ' (3) General Business Services I76 I92 2l6 24 Membership & Records I08 I25 I40 I5 Data Processing . , 1 I63 I76 I8l I 5 Office of the Treasurer — I83 I89‘ 2l5 26 Fixed Charges 7 , 38 - 33 49 I6 g. I ' 977 |,|44 |,27| I27 Properties - \ ' NSA Properties, Inc. Office I 35 SI‘ 24 ,(27) National Center Properties ' * 37| 364 458 94 Other Properties 1923 26 3 Capital , Projects 20 20 -—-L ( 20) 445 458 508 50 Total Expenditures 7 ‘ 3,I82 ' 3,4l5 I 3,750 *' 335 0’ _Excess Revenue (Expenditures) (37) (I25) --- I25

' * Not included in this amount are funds required for necessary capital projects: reconstruction

of the Davison Bahá’í School, construction of an administrative office building, and development of the lakefront property in Wilmette to protect our interests.

[Page 8]TheAmerican I I

Bahá’í

Directory of Auxiliary Board members in the United States

Auxiliary Board members, of which there are 28 in the United.

States, are appointed by the Continental Board of Counselors to assist them in their tasks of “consulting and collaborating with National Spiritual Assemblies, and keeping the Hands of the Cause and The Universal House of Justice informed concerning the conditions of the Cause in their areas." ‘

Auxiliary Board members" are appointed to serve on one of two‘

Boards: the Protection Board or the Propagation.Board.

Following is a list of Bahá’ís in the United States who are sewing as Auxiliary Board members, and the areas in which they serve. Some states are divided into districts; the districts in which the Auxiliary Board member serves are indicated immediately follow .ing the name of the state.

Propogation Board

Stephen Ader: Illinois; Indiana; Kentucky.

Donald Barrett: Michigan;;Ohio. » ,

Hormoz Bastani: Texas (Eastern 1 and 2; Central and Southern); Louisiana; Oklahoma.

Stephen,Birkland: Wisconsin; Minnesota; North Dakota; South Dakota. _

Darrell (Bill) BorIand: Kansas; Missouri; Iowa; Nebraska.

Opal Conner: Washington; Idaho; Montana.

Albert James: Delaware; Maryland; New Jersey; Washington, D.C.; Virginia; West Virginia.

Dennis Jenkyns_: Colorado; Utah; Wyoming.

Anthony Lease: California (Southern 1 and 3).

Ben Levy: Georgia; Florida; Bahamas.

Elizabeth Martin: North Carolina; South Carolina.

Odessa Myers: Alabama; Arkansas; Mississippi; Tennessee.

Paul Pettit: California (Northern 1 and 2; Central 1 and 2); Nevada (Northern); Oregon.

Stephen Powers: Arizona; New Mexico; Texas (Northern and Western).

Adrienne Reeves: Maine; Vermont; New Hampshire; Rhode Island; Massachusetts; Connecticut ; Bermuda.

Nathan Rutstein: New York; Pennsylvania.

Fred Schechter: California (Southern 2); Nevada (Southern).

Protection Board

Eunice Braun: Arkansas; Louisiana; Mississippi; Texas (Eastern 1 and 2; Central and Southern.) Joyce Dah|:.California (Southern 1,2 and 3); Nevada.

Magaret Gallagher: California (Central 1 and 2; Northern 1 and 2);

Oregon; Idaho; Montana. D. Thelma Jackson: Illinois; Wisconsin. JavikdukhtKhádem: Michigan; New York; Ohio; Pennsylvania; ‘ Iowa. ‘ P

'JaliI Mahmoudi: Colorado; Utah; Wyoming.

Sam McClellan: Kentucky; North Carolina; Tennessee; Alabama; Virginia; West Virginia; Indiana.

Katherine McLaughlin: Maine; New Hampshire; Vermont; Mas- - sachusetts; Connecticut; Rhode Island; New Jersey; DeIaware; Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Bermuda.

Nancy Phillips: Arizona; New Mexico; Texas (Northern and Western). Ronna‘ Santoscoy: Oklahoma; Kansas; Missouri; Nebraska. William Tucker: Georgia; Florida; South Carolina; Bahamas.