National Bahá’í Review/Issue 57/Text

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[Page 1]

Relationship Between Continental Boards of Counsellors and National Spiritual Assemblies A

(Reprint of a letter addressed to the Continental Boards of Counsellors and National Spiritual As.semblies published in Bahá’í News No. 474, September 1970)

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

A number of questions have been raised concerning_ the work of the Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members, and it has been suggested that Auxiliary Board members be permitted to work regularly with National Spiritual Assemblies and

national committees. We have carefully ‘

considered again the various factors involved and have decided that we must uphold the principle that such direct consultations should be exceptional rather than the rule.

It is the responsibility of Spiritual Assemblies, assisted by their committees, to organize and direct the teaching work, and in doing so they must, naturally, also do all they can to stimulate and inspire the friends. It is, however, inevitable that the Assemblies and committees, being burdened with the administration of the teaching-Work as well as with all other aspects of Bahá’í community life, will be unable to spend as much time as they would wish on stimulating the believers.

Authority and direction flow from the Assemblies, whereas the power to accomplish the tasks resides primarily_ in the entire body of believers. It is the principal task of the Auxiliary Boards to assist in arousing and releasing this power. This is a vital activity, and if they are to be able to perform it adequately they must avoid becoming involved in the work of administration. For example, when Auxiliary Board members arouse believers to pioneer, any believer who expresses his desire to do so should be referred to the appropriate committee which will then organize the project. Counsel lors and Auxiliary Board members should not, themselves, organize pioneering or travel teaching projects. Thus it is seen

that the Auxiliary Boards should work

closely with the grass roots of the community: the individual believers, groups and Local Spiritual Assemblies, advising,

stimulating and assisting them. The Coun— *

sellors are responsible for stimulating, counselling and assisting National Spiritual Assemblies, and also work with individuals, groups and Local Assemblies. It is always possible, of course, for Counsellors to depute an Auxiliary Board member to meet with a National Spiritual Assembly for a particular purpose, but this should not become a regular practice. Similarly, if the National Spiritual Assembly agrees, it may be advisable for an Auxiliary Board member to meet occasionally with a national committee to clarify the situation in the area and share information and ideas thoroughly. But this also should not become regular. Were it to do so there would be grave danger of inhibiting the proper working of these two' institutions, vitiating and undermining the collaboration that must essentally exist between the, Continental Boards of Counsellors and National Spiritual Assemblies. It would diffuse the energies and time-of the Auxiliary Board members through their becoming involved in the administration of teaching. It could lead to the Auxiliary Board members gradually taking over the direction of the national committee, usurping the function of the National Assembly, or to his becoming merely a traveling teacher sent hither and thither at the direction-of the committee or National Assembly.

SEPTEMBER 1972

[Page 2]SEPTEMBER 1972

It is, of course, vital that information be shared fully and promptly, as has been explained in the compilation on the work of Auxiliary Board members that was circulated on March 25, 1969. The ways of ensuring this should be worked out by the Counsellors and National Spiritual Assemblies and methods may vary from area to area.

Reports and recommendations for action, however, are quite different. Auxiliary Board members should send theirs to the Counsellors and not to National Assemblies or national committees directly. It is possible that the Counsellors may reject or modify the recommendation; or, if they accept it and pass it on to the National Spiritual Assembly, the National Assembly may decide to refuse it. For an Auxiliary Board member to make recommendations directly to a national committee would lose the benefit of knowledge and experience in a wider field than that of which the Auxiliary Board member is aware, and would shortcircuit and undermine the authority of both the Counsellors and the National Assembly.

Similarly, although an Auxiliary Board member can and should receive information from the National Assemblies and national committees, -his primary source of information about the community should be his own direct contacts with Local Spiritual Assemblies, groups and individual believers. In this way the Counsellors as well as the National Spiritual Assemblies have the benefit of two independent sources of information about the community, through the 'Auxiliary Board members on the one hand, and through the national committees on the other.

Assemblies sometimes misunderstand what is meant by the statement that Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members are concerned with the teaching work and not with administration. It is taken to mean that they may not give advice on administrative matters. This is quite wrong. One of the things that Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members should watch and report on is the proper working of administrative institutions. The statement that they do not have anything to do with administration means, simply,

that they do not administer. They do not direct or organize the teaching work nor do they adjudicate in matters of personal conflict or personal problems. All these activities fall within the sphere of responsibility of the Spiritual Assemblies. But if an Auxiliary Board member finds a Local Spiritual Assembly functioning incorrectly he should call its attention to the appropriate Texts; likewise if, in his work with the community, an Auxiliary Board member finds that the teaching work is being held up by inefficiency of national committees, he should report this in detail to the Counsellors who will then decide whether to refer it to the National Spiritual Assembly concerned. Similarly, if the Counsellors find that a National Spiritual Assembly is not functioning properly, they should not hesitate to consult with the National Spiritual Assembly about this in a frank and loving way.

It is the Spiritual Assemblies who plan and direct the work, but these plans should be well known to the Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members, because one of the ways in which they can assist the Assemblies is by urging the believers continually to support the plans of the Assemblies. If a National Spiritual As > sembly has adopted one goal as preemi nent in a year, the Auxiliary Board members should bear this in mind in all their contacts with the believers and should direct their attention to the plans of the National Assembly, and stimulate them to enthusiastically support them.

The Counsellors in each continental zone have wide latitude in the carrying out of their work. Likewise they should give to each Auxiliary Board member considerable freedom of action within his own allocated area. Although the Counsellors should regularly direct the work of

-the Auxiliary Board members, the latter

should realize that they need not wait for direction; the nature of their work is such that they should be continually engaged in it according to their own best judgment, even if they are given no specific tasks to perform. Above all the Auxiliary Board members should build up a warm and loving relationship between themselves and the believers in their area

[Page 3]REVIEW

so that the Local Spiritual Assemblies will spontaneously turn to them for advice and assistance.

We assure you all of our fervent prayers in the Holy Shrines for the blessings of Bahá’u’lláh upon the strenuous and highly

meritorius services that you are performing with such devotion in His path.

-—THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE Bahá’í World Centre

Haifa, Israel October 1, 1969

KNOW YOUR CONTINENTAL BOARD OF COUNSELLORS

Mrs. Florence V. Mayberry

Mr. Lloyd C. Gardner

Miss Edna M. True

Commenfs on the work of flue Confinenfal Board of Counsellors by the Hands of the Cause of God residing in Hue Holy ‘Land, December 5, 1971.

. . “the following general principles relating to the functioning of the Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members should be clearly understood and put into practice” . .

(1) The Board members should be urged to discharge their responsibilities in the areas assigned to them. Not only should they not feel outsiders so far as the execution of the Plan and teaching activities are concerned, but, on the con trary, they should consider themselves responsible for the attainment of the goals in their areas. The Board of Counsellors should have thorough consultation at all times with the National Spiritual Assemblies in their zones, to assess the potentialities in various areas and devise plans. The Board of Counsellors and the National Spiritual Assemblies will thus know how a Board member in a given area can be useful in the execution of such plans. Ob [Page 4]SEPTEMBER ‘1972

viously it is not necessary for the Board members to wait for instructions for their activities, as they should take the initiative in contacting and consulting with Local Spiritual Assemblies in their areas, asking the news about their activities and offering suggestions where necessary.

(2) Arising from the consultation of the Counsellors with the National Assemblies, the Counsellors should offer the services of their Board members to the National Assemblies in respect to the fulfillment of any plans adopted and, conversely, the National Spiritual Assemblies could request the Counsellors for the specific services to be rendered by Board members. Thus Board members would know exactly what is to be done and be able to guide and encourage local Assemblies, groups and individual believers in their area in the execution of the goals.

(3) When there are problems which cannot be solved locally, Board members should refer the matter to the Board of Counsellors for possible consultation with the National Spiritual Assemblies. (The more Board members report to the Counsellors, the greater will be the Counsellors’ familiarity with the condition of the Cause when they consult with National Assemblies.) Local Spiritual Assemblies, in their turn, should be educated to seek the assistance of the Board members in their area, whenever they feel it is required, and should welcome frequent consultations with them.

The extent of the responsibility of the Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members in the vital area of protection of the Faith should also be clearly understood.

In general, whenever a believer becomes aware of a matter affecting the protection of the Cause, he should immediately contact whatever institution he feels moved to turn to, whether it be a Hand of the Cause, a Counsellor, an Auxiliary Board member, the National Spiritual Assembly, or his own Local Assembly. It is then the duty of that indi vidual or institution to ensure that the report is fed into the correct channels, and that all of the other institutions affected are promptly informed. Naturally in situations involving Covenant-breaking, the Hands of the Cause and the Counsellors should be brought into such situations at the earliest possible moment. The basic principle applicable in such cases, however, is that both the administrative institutions on the one hand, and the Hands of the Cause and the institution of the Counsellors on the other, should be informed promptly of serious matters involving the protection of the Faith, particularly Covenant-breaking, and these institutions should cooperate in discharging the needed functions of protection. The point which should be emphasized is that the institutions of the Faith should keep each other informed on problems relating to the protection of the Cause, including in particular those involving Covenant-breaking.

Another question which may become increasingly important in the remaining months of the plan is the extent to which

‘the individual Counsellors themselves,

rather than the Counsellors as a body, should initiate contacts with National Assemblies and make specific recommendations. In this connection we call your attention to the following statement of The House of Justice made in its letter addressed to all Continental Boards of Counsellors on March 25, 1969.

“The Continental Boards of Counsellors are authorized to determine the ways by which individual Counsellors can, in the fulfillment of their duties, best contact national and local Assemblies, groups and individuals.”

The implementation of this instructon in a wise and effective way will be of great importance in enabling the individual Counsellors to make their maximum contribution in assisting the administrative bodies in winning the remaining goals of the Plan.

[Page 5]REVIEW

Bahá’í’ DIRECTORY CHANGES

ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES

Arizona . Prescott: Dr. E. J. Lambert. 1815 Northside Drive,

86301

Arkansas North Little Rock: Mrs. Jean Schwandes, 307 E.

“A" St., 72116

California

Auburn J.D.: Norma Jean West, Route 3, Box 3461, 95603 (to correct spelling of name)

Beverly Hills: Miss Margaret Naismith, pro-tem, 336 N. Palm Dr., 90210

LaMesa: Mrs. Marcia Baltgalvis. 4646 Pomona Ave., 92041

Long Beach: Mr. Charles Tortorici. P.O. Box 4150, 90804

San Diego: Mrs. Rosalie Lopez, 3551 Acworth, 92111

Santa Cruz J.D.: (new secretary to be reported)

Santa Marie: Delete this assembly

Los Angelesz Mr. Elwyn G. Van Zandt, 9701 W. Pico Blvd., 90035 '

Colorado Fort Collins: Mrs. Carol Greene, pro-tem, 200 Johnson Dr., Apt. 15, 80521

Connecticut Hamden: Miss Barbara Drahus, 509 Hartford Turnpike, 06517 Norwalk: Mrs. Marcia Golombik, Morehouse Lane. Darien 06820

Florida Miami: Mrs. Cecile Bigatin, 427 N.E. 72nd St., 33138 Tampa: Mrs. Barbara Adamezeski, pro-tem, 1.10 W. Emma St., 33603

Illinois '

Bloomington: Mrs. Constance Donley, 1413 N. Fell Ave., 61701

Northbrook: Mrs. Jenny Czerniewski, 1625 Pfingsten Rd., 60062

Oak Park: Mr. Bhola Aneja, 732 S. Maple Ave., 60304

Iowa Waterloo: Mrs. Freda.Roff. pro-tem. 126 Kingsley Dr., 50701

Kansas , Topeka: Mrs. Mary Woolsey. P.O. Box 4434, Gage Station, 66604

Kentucky Lexington: Mr. Robert Lyons, 2112 Will Fant Dr., Apt. 6, 40502

Louisiana St. Tammany Southeast Parish: Delete “in c/o"

Maine York: Mrs. Elaine K. Weare, Box 22, Beech Ridge Road 03909

Michigan Wyandotte: Delete this assembly Ypsilanti: Mr. David L. Rouleau, P.O. Box 441, 48197

Minnesota Anoka: Mrs. Martha R. Brown, 2511——5th Ave., N., 55303

Missouri University City: Mrs. Catherine Vance, P.O. Box 24162, 63130

Nebraska Lincoln: Miss Trudy Anderson, P.O. Box 80601, 68501

New Hampshire Peterborough: Mrs. Doris W. Pritchard, Box 305, 03458 ’

New Jersey East Orange: Mrs. Patricia Wilson, 38 Carlton St._ 07017 Hopewell: Mrs. Diana Gammuto. PO. Box 297, 08525

New York North Hempstead. Town of: Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas. 103 Andrew Rd., Manhasset 11030

North Carolina New Hanover County: Mrs. Diana DeChesere, 146 Parkwood Dr.. Wilmington 28401

Ohio Yellow Springs: Miss Laura M. Howland, 330 Elm St., 45387 Urbana: Miss Myra K. Bunch, 366 Windsor Ave., 43078

Pennsylvania State College: Mrs. Ruth Dunbar, pro-tem, 210 E. Hamilton, 16801

South. Dakota Rapid City: Mrs. Evelyn Olson. 1136 North East Dr.,‘ 57701

Tennessee Haywood County Civil District #5: Mrs. Annie Mae Taylor, Rt. 4, Box 183, Brownsville 38012

Texas

Alvarado: Mr. Leroy Hawkins, P.O. Box 76, 76009 Dallas: New secretary to be reported

Ennis: New secretary to be reported

Pasadena: Mrs. Cynthia Reddoch, 1309 Lawrence.

77502

Virginia Richmond: Mrs. Jeanne R. Cessna, 3113 Rendale Ave..23221

Washington

Bellevue: Mrs. Naomi L. Robinson, 14508 S.E. 24th Apt. 203-B, 98004

Issaquah: Mrs. Karen Lynn Koval, P.O. Box 743, 98027

Olympia: correct zip code to read: 98507

Seattle: Mrs. Paula Warme, P.O. Box 396, 98111

West Virginia Charleston: delete the words “pro-tem”

Wisconsin Shorewood: Mrs. Beth McKenty, 4050 N. Prospect, 53211

DISTRICT TEACHING COMMITTEE SECRETARIES

Georgia.—Central: Mrs. Amelia Baker, 307 Troutman Ave., Fort Valley 31030

Georgia»-Eastern: Mr. M. Lee Wheeler, 1652 Pendleton Rd., Augusta 30904

Michigan: Mrs. Gloria C. Holmes. 43 Union S.E., Grand Rapids 49503

Minnesota»-Northern: Mr. John Skoog, Star Route, Onamie 56359

Nebraska: Mrs. Pam Wegener, 1038 N. 44th, Lincoln 68503

New Hampshire: correct zip code to read: 03222

North Dakota: Miss Bette Garske, 521 N. 5th St., Bismarck, 58501

0klahoma—Western: Miss Kathryn Greene, 852—~24th Ave., S.W.. Apt. B, Norman 73069

[Page 6]Rhode Island: Mrs. Pauline Gardner, Box 35, North - Kingston 02852

South Car-oliIna.—Dist. #1: Berkely Dr., Clemson 29631

Texas—Easte:‘n #2: Mrs. Jo Talbot, 22 E. James, Baytown 77520

Miss Page Fullmer, 321

REGIONAL TEACHING COMMITTEE SECRETARY

South Carolina: Mrs. Alberta Lansdowne, P.O. Box 337, Goose Creek, South Carolina 29945

Bahá’í is Reminded of Necessity to Withdraw from Membership in Masonry and Churches

In the Sepember 1955 BAHA’I'_ NEWS, page 4, the National Spiritual Assembly published the instruction of the beloved Guardian that any Bahá’í who is determined to retain membership in Free Masonry loses his voting rights. This notice was republished many times for the benefit ,of new Bahá’ís.

The purpose in calling it to the attention of the Bahá’í community again is to point out that believers who retain their membership in the Masonic Order and the Eastern Star and other such orders must sever such membership with minimum delay or sacrifice their Bahá’í membership privileges.

Local Spiritual Assemblies have the obligation to report to the National Spiritual Assembly any members in their community who refuse to carry out this directive.

This instruction applies also to any Bahá’ís who retain membership in any church.

The Guardian repeatedly made it clear that the Bahá’ís must learn to think internationally and not locally. If Bahá’ís all over the world belong to different kinds of societies or churches or political parties, the unity of the Faith will be destroyed because inevitably they will become involved in doctrines and policies tE.:s:-at are in some way against our teachings and often against another group of people, anotherrace, or another religious bloc in another part of the world. However high the local standards of such groups as Masonry may be, in other countries they are often influenced by the issues that are dividing nations. Therefore, Shoghi Ef SEPTEMBER 1972 .

fendi’s directives concerning membership in non-Bahá’í organizations were to impress upon the believers the necessity of disentangling themselves now and in the future from everything that would compromise the independent status and supranational nature of the Bahá’í Faith.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

National Assembly of Canada Acknowledges Greefings

The National Spiritual Assembly of the United States shares the following acknowledgment of greetings sent to our Canadian friends from our National Conventionr

Dear Friends,

This will express our very warm thanks for the encouraging and welcome message from the United States

National Convention this Riḍván. As the_

message arrived after our own Convention had adjourned, so that it was not possible for the delegates to respond immediately, we would be grateful if you would take any opportunity that presents itself to express our appreciation to your own delegates for their thoughtfulness.

The Canadian community will be acquainted with the text of the message in the forthcoming Canadian Bahá’í N ews.

Loving Bahá’í greetings,

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Canada

June 15, 1972

NOTICE: Beginning immediately, two copies of BAH1i’I’ NEWS instead of three will will be sent to each Local Spiritual Assembly. As some Assemblies wrote in that they only needed two copies, the National Spiritual Assembly decided to. reduce the number of free copies sent to Assemblies to two; one for the files or library and one for circulation among the Bahá’ís.

[Page 7]REVIEW

Bahá’í's of Bermuda lnvife You:

To a special Deepening/Teaching‘ Conference'which is being planned for the Thanksgiving weekend in Bermuda.

Bermuda has recently completed its Nine Year Plan goals and invites all believers to join in a celebration of this victory and an opportunty to study and deepen on this lovely island on:

November 23-26, 1972

A special travel package has been arranged, including round trip air fare, hotel accommodations (3 nights), ground transfers from airport to and from hotel and all departure taxes. Meals are not included. Prices are as follows:

Philadelphia $190.00 Baltimore $190.00

New York 175.00 Boston 175.00 Chicago 245.00 Detroit 230.00 Cleveland 235.00

(Reduction for children under 12 years) Those who plan to attend should send in the following information; Name, address, (including zip code), number of adults and children in party, point of departure. Write immediately, enclosing deposit of $50.00 (the full payment will be

due by October 30, 1972) and mail to: Maple Leaf Enterprises York Street, St. George, Bermuda.

Contact With Prominent Persons Must Not Be Made by Individual Bahá’ís

In View of the fact that some of the friends have forgotten, or do not know about this instruction given to the National Spiritual Assembly by Shoghi Effendi and published in BAHA”1’ NEWS several times, the National Assembly finds it necessary to call attention to the fact that contacts with persons of national and international prominence, whether directly or in writing, should not be made by individual Bahá’ís.

This is a function of the National Spiritual Assembly. However, the believers are free to make recommendations to the National Spiritual Assembly that such contacts be made. The National Assembly in turn may wish to authorize some indidividual or Local Assembly to establish the contact, depending upon the circumstances. . '

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Mrs. Mary Alice Anderson Grand Rapids, Minnesota July 25, 1972

Mrs. Ghamar Bahi Sanford, Florida April 25. 1972

Dr. William T. Bidwell Taylor, South Carolina March 29. 1972

H. Austin Brewer Miami. Florida August 4, 1972

Johnnie Carrillo Mescalero_ New Mexico August 1. 1972

Mrs. Florence Cornell New York City, New York July 18, 1972

Edmon Leon Couch Colorado Springs, Colorado July 16. 1972

Walter Crummel Erie, Michigan Unknown

Gilbert Lee Dennis Vienna, Maryland May 1972

IN MEMORIAM

Toby Gurule Peoria, Arizona July 27. 1972

Mrs. Elizabeth Hill Colorado Springs. Colorado July 8, 1972

Issac Hill Walterboro, South Carolina Unknown

Calvin Hunter, Jr. Neah Bay, Washington June 1972

Charles H. Iddings Colorado Springs, Colorado June 24, 1972

Mrs. Leslie Karm Waterloo, Iowa June 2, 1972

Mrs. Kay Linder Costa Mesa, California July 17, 1972

Mrs. Clara Merrifield Glendale, California July 23, 1972

Mrs. Ethel Murray Asheville, North Carolina August 5, 1972

Mrs. Etta Priestl-y Waterboro, South Carolina Unknown

Mrs. Frances Quinn Cincinnati, Ohio July 21, 1972

Eino Roy Chula Vista, California August 3, 1972

Mrs. Alice L. Vergason Binghamton, New York July 14, 1972

Miss Donna Waugh

Goose Creek, South Carolina (died in West Virginia flood) July 1972

Edward Wellner Manitowac, Wisc. June 8

Correction: August issue Not Wayne Wellner. as reported

Mrs. Judith Zembreski Centereach, New York July 16, 1972

[Page 8]SEPTEMBER 1972

CALENDAR

Feasts September 8 — ‘Issat (Might) September 27 —— Mashíyyat‘ (Will) October 16-—‘Ilm (Knowledge)

Bahá’í Holy Day on Which Work Should Be Suspended October 20—Anniversary of the birth of the Báb

Special Events Days September 17 — World Peace Day. Suggested theme:

“World Peace~—The First Priority” October 24 —United Nations Day. Suggested theme:

“The Promise of World Peace”

National Assembly Meetings September 22-24 October 20-22 (South Carolina)

Continental Counsellors Deepening Institutes September - October Definite dates and places will be announced to Assemblies and District Teaching Committees.

October 20-21 — Conference sponsored by Continental Board of Counsellors, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Special Gatherings

October 6-8, Institute, Green Lake, Wisconsin

October 22 (Sunday)

Dedication of Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, S.C.

November 23-26, Thanksgiving weekend

in Bermuda, Deepening/Teaching

National Bahá’í Fund

Total Youth and Adult Contributions

$200,000 $150,000 - 1972-1973 Month|y- Goal $100,000 $50,000 . ~aa»‘5:,~3-fi~‘«=a5E;§F*.;.,§:‘.=gg«:s §,§,ZE§§,§fi>—=”~‘§‘=°_<“=s -.5 E311:-‘% §O§,»:c';i,;;§ °° 2 Kamél Fiscal Year (Perfection) to Date INCOME: _ Regular Contribution . . . . . . . . ..$ 81,545.35 $462,082.50

Special Contributions . . . . . . . . .. 16,027.44 36,708.12

Total Contributions . . . . . . . . ..$ 97,572.79 $498,790.62

Estates . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 9,303.18 48,828.28

Other Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 920.57 2,782.46

Total Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..$107,796.54 $550,401.36

Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..$132,000.00 $792,000.00

Contributions may be addressed to:

National Bahá’í Fund 112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, Ill. 60091

The leffer below was sent‘ fo all local Bahá’í Communifies and Groups fo be read of the Feasf of Asmd. Augusf 20:

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

At this moment some 166 Bahá’ís from the United States are serving on summer teaching projects in seventeen separate countries throughout Europe and Latin America. These Bahá’ís, by the grace of God, have been primarily responsible already for enrolling hundreds of new believers and forming dozens of new Local Spiritual Assemblies in areas that had no way of achieving their Nine Year Plan goals otherwise.

The American Bahá’í Community can be proud of the fact that through their contributions scores of teachers are able to travel to these countries and play a vital role in helping to win their home-front goals. Truly, in activities such as these, we can see the meaning of the Guardian’s statement that “. . . the progress and execution of spiritual activities is dependent and conditioned upon materal means . . .” Warmest Bahá’í love,

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Dorothy W. Nelson Treasurer <

4!‘