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NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í REVIEW

Insert to The American Bahá’í published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States for Bahá’ís only. 112 Linden Av., Wilmette, Ill. 60091

No. 80 — BAHÁ’Í YEAR 131

65th National Bahá’í Convention

AUGUST 1974

Recommendations and actions

The following is a summary of the recommendations made by delegates at the National Convention held in Wilmette last Ridván and the subsequent actions of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Recommendation: That any community where the number of Bahá’ís is fifteen or less be required to report monthly the status of its membership to the National Spiritual Assembly of any dangerous trends so that needed assistance may be given.

Action: The National Spiritual Assembly feels that this recommendation is not feasible. Periodic reports requested from Local Spiritual Assemblies by the National Spiritual Assembly will achieve the same objective.

Recommendation: That any Assembly that drops below nine be announced in The American Bahá’í and the National Bahá’í Review so it will receive help with National Teaching Committee assistance and not remain jeopardized.

Action: The National Teaching Committee has been requested to make available a listing of such Assemblies on a quarterly basis and to call the attention of the National Spiritual Assembly to those Assemblies having special problems in maintaining their numerical status.

Recommendation: That a listing of all groups of five or more that have the possibility of forming an Assembly be published for the information of the membership.

Action: The National Teaching Committee has been requested to make this information available on a selective basis from time to time.

Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly request all communities to clean up their voting lists before the St. Louis Conference.

Action: This undertaking is in process.

Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly consider special teams to visit all enrolled believers at least once a Bahá’í month in communities in the rural areas particularly.

Action: The National Spiritual Assembly feels that this is an excellent idea but impossible to accomplish more frequently than once a year. The District Teaching Committees are urged to arrange for visits as frequently as possible to isolated Bahá’ís and members of Bahá’í Groups.

Recommendation: That some immediate tasks be given to Local Spiritual Assemblies, District Teaching Committees and believers before the St. Louis Conference.

Action: This recommendation has already been implemented.

Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly clearly announce to the national community its intention to permit and encourage mass teaching, that this announcement be repeated and published many times during the Five Year Plan and that the National Spiritual Assembly direct its committees and subcommittees to consider their work in the light of mass teaching and to make and execute plans to reactivate the entry of troops into the Bahá’í Faith.

Action: The National Spiritual Assembly has repeatedly made clear the importance and necessity of teaching the masses and will continue to do so during the Five Year Plan.

Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly appoint a task force radio committee that will consider and prepare a simple form, simple method and simple deepening program of how to use the simple form of mass media communication, especially for the rural areas and group areas.

Action: Plans are already well under way for the use of radio for proclamation, teaching, and deepening.

Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly give first priority to the creation of audiovisual and musical materials for children.

Action: Extensive work is already being done to fill this need.

Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly and the National Information Committee consider reactivating the public information representatives throughout the United States, about 1,000 of them in number.

Action: Public information representatives are still [Page 2]active at the local level and receive guidelines from the National Information Committee concerning ways in which they can serve.

Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly consider the establishment of a Bahá’í School with a year’s curriculum providing for schooling in the Faith offering high school graduation preparatory for college.

Action: The National Spiritual Assembly feels that it is not possible to consider such an undertaking at this time.

Recommendation: That the Convention take up a fund to “kick off” the Five Year Plan.

Action: Provisions were made to receive contributions to the Bahá’í Fund to apply to the budget for the new fiscal year.

Recommendation: That the example set in the holding of joint meetings of the Counsellors and the National Spiritual Assembly be held on a local level by Local Spiritual Assemblies on their mutual problems.

Action: It is possible for Local Spiritual Assemblies to get together whenever they wish to do so for discussion of mutual problems.

Recommendation: That a pictorial representation of the country be made showing what is left to do in this country: where there are no Bahá’ís; cities where there are no Assemblies; where to send the youth and teachers where they can do some good.

Action: The National Teaching Committee has been requested to prepare such a map and, if possible, to have it available at the St. Louis Conference.

Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly, on the eve of the launching of this plan, consider a national youth plan of the same type of plan that contributed so successfully in the Nine Year Plan, either by a National Youth Committee at the National Center or by augmenting and increasing the resources of youth activity, that the youth be given a special mission.

Action: A National Youth Committee has been appointed and a special mandate has been given to Bahá’í youth for marshalling all the resources youth can contribute for achieving the goals of the Five Year Plan.

Recommendation: That another one of the booklets be added to the deepening series about Bahá’í family life, and there be workshops, institutes and perhaps Bahá’í school courses dealing with divorce.

Action: Material on these subjects is being prepared.

Recommendation: That a special event be held on every college campus that was blessed by the presence of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s talk on college campuses be used in the youth program.

Action: This recommendation has been approved and the National Bahá’í Youth Committee has been instructed to implement it.

Recommendation: That for the counselling of youth the National Spiritual Assembly prepare a compilation on the Writings and its own statements regarding youth activities and pioneering; and provide a continuous flow of articles for the guidance of youth.

Action: This recommendation has been referred to the National Youth Committee with the request that it continue what has already been done along these lines.

Recommendation: That a special page in The American Bahá’í be provided throughout the Five Year Plan that would advertise all the youth activities.

Action: This recommendation was not adopted but every effort will be made to give widespread publicity to youth activities.

Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly appoint to every National Committee possible qualified Bahá’í youth to serve on that committee and that these not be only token appointments.

Action: Approved in principle.

Recommendation: That the District Teaching Committees’ activities for the coming year include college teaching and children’s conferences for the young children.

Action: The mandate to the National Teaching Committee has instructed that such activities be a part of its responsibilities of District Teaching Committees.

Recommendation: That communities be encouraged to arrange special youth activities and activities for minorities whenever there is a three-day holiday weekend and homes are available to accommodate them.

Action: The National Spiritual Assembly heartily approves this recommendation.

Recommendation: That teaching projects be arranged for Bahá’í youth who would like to participate, and that before projects begin special training sessions be held for those who are to participate in these projects.

Action: This is already being done in the form of summer projects.

Recommendation: That in teaching minorities believers of these backgrounds be used more extensively as they have a lot of knowledge about their own groups which should be gathered for effective teachings. [Particular reference was made to Mexican Americans but emphasis was placed also on Bahá’ís from other ethnic groups who understand and can utilize their cultural backgrounds.]

Action: The National Spiritual Assembly approves this recommendation.

Recommendation: Regarding the handling of enrollments resulting from mass teaching it was moved that the National Spiritual Assembly form a committee— [Page 3]

REVIEW

tee to monitor enrollment of newly declared believers in mass teaching areas where there are no Local Spiritual Assemblies.

Action: The National Spiritual Assembly does not approve this recommendation. The methods already established for handling large-scale enrollments are to be followed.

Recommendation: That Indian teaching be given some priority in the Five Year Plan the same as teaching in the "Deep South" was in the Nine Year Plan.

Action: This is being done. An Indian Teaching Committee under the National Teaching Committee has been appointed to give special attention to this goal of the Five Year Plan.

Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly appoint an Indian-American Committee and give it large-scale enrollment of the American Indian community; that it function in one of the three states that were visited by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and that emphasis be placed on the establishment of twenty-five Assemblies on Indian Reservations.

Action: This is being done under the mandate given the National Teaching Committee.

Recommendation: That a proper committee connected with the House of Worship prepare some kind of display for people of Asian-American background.

Action: This recommendation has been approved and referred to the House of Worship Activities Committee for consideration.

Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly consider ways of developing Local Spiritual Assemblies to be proficient in doing marriage and divorce counselling.

Action: Training in this area of counselling is already part of the community development program.

Recommendation: With reference to manuscripts sent to the National Spiritual Assembly for possible publication it was moved that the Reviewing Committee give specific details as to its findings in its review of the author's manuscript.

Action: Approved in principle.

Recommendation: With regard to recommendations from District Conventions to the National Spiritual Assembly, it was voted that the National Spiritual Assembly respond to State Convention recommendations by indicating "O.K.", "Being handled," and so on.

Action: This recommendation was approved.

Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly consider urging retreats be held for Local Spiritual Assemblies.

Action: The practice of weekend institutes being held by Local Spiritual Assemblies is encouraged by the National Spiritual Assembly.

Recommendation: That deepening materials be developed for the youth, especially for the university youth, on Bahá’í behavior, chastity, partisan politics, etc., to help them meet the temptations they face on campus and in dormitories.

Action: This recommendation has been referred to the National Bahá’í Youth Committee for its consideration.

Recommendation: That Local Spiritual Assemblies be deepened with regard to mass teaching, that the enrollment situation be handled according to the instructions of the District Teaching Committees and Local Spiritual Assemblies, and that institutes be held at the summer schools for education in these matters.

Action: Instructions concerning these matters have already been sent to the Assemblies and Committees involved.

Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly call together all those they can in the Bahá’í community in America who are dealing with mass teaching, with communication, with education, and developing programs for a two- or three-day meeting with the National Spiritual Assembly to come up with a plan for mass teaching and raising up Local Spiritual Assemblies in this country.

Action: The National Spiritual Assembly does not consider this idea feasible.

Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly consult, pray, take a long hard look at the membership of the National Teaching Committee over the last five or six years, and appoint a new teaching committee that reflects the population, the intellect, the education, the color of the Bahá’ís of the United States.

Action: The spirit of this motion is what the National Spiritual Assembly always endeavors to achieve in the appointment of all its Committees.

Recommendation: That if there is a Music Reviewing Committee it be urged to select music from the many composers and distribute throughout the Five Year Plan tape recordings from which we can learn this music.

Action: This recommendation has been referred to the Bahá’í Publishing Committee with the request that it find ways to make available to the Bahá’í community a wider range of music.

Recommendation: That appropriate statements about America be collected from the Bahá’í Writings into a booklet that can be used during the 200th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of the United States as a proclamation tool.

Action: This recommendation has been referred to the Bahá’í Publishing Committee for consideration.

Recommendation: That the States chosen for troop enrollment and consolidation be selected so that one will fall in each of three regions as designated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. [Page 4]Action: Approved in principle.

Recommendation: That in large voting districts a proportional larger number of alternate delegates be elected (especially in mass taught areas) so that there will be a proper number of delegates from each District.

Action: This is being taken under advisement.

Recommendation: That Bahá’ís who are experienced in administration and are not now functioning as part of consultative bodies be identified and put to use on Committees or other Bahá’í tasks.

Action: The National Spiritual Assembly finds this recommendation interesting. The survey now being conducted will enable it to identify qualified and experienced Bahá’ís who can help to increase the administrative capacity of the American community.

Recommendation: That work begin immediately on developing a manual to help Local Spiritual Assemblies in their expanding role in extension teaching.

Action: Work in this area is already in progress.

Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly publicize the compilation, The Local Spiritual Assembly, by The Universal House of Justice and that the National Spiritual Assembly make the compilation more widely available at a group cost.

Action: Continuing efforts are being made to stress the importance of this compilation for the education and training of Local Spiritual Assemblies and individual Bahá’ís as well.

Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly assign goals to the Local Spiritual Assemblies as soon as possible as now is the time when they set yearly goals.

Action: The National Spiritual Assembly has already taken initial steps in this direction by instructing Local Spiritual Assemblies to select their own extension teaching goals.

Recommendation: That the talk by Dr. Peter Khan be made a part of the convention tape sent to all delegates.

Action: This has been done in part. Extracts of Dr. Khan's talk were also published in The American Bahá’í.

Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly inform the friends immediately and continuously through a directed educational campaign in The American Bahá’í and through the National Education Committee of the extreme importance and vital necessity of being obedient to the goal of building the Bahá’í life given us by The House of Justice.

Action: The National Spiritual Assembly will give this matter constant attention and emphasis as a goal for every Bahá’í during the Five Year Plan.

Basic requirements for enrollment

The basic requirement for membership in the Bahá’í community is unreserved acceptance of Bahá’u’lláh, the Manifestation of God for this day. Acceptance of the Manifestation is essentially a spiritual act, which any person is capable of doing regardless of his educational or social status. Often a declarant's understanding of Bahá’u’lláh’s station is purely intuitive and is not based on voluminous knowledge of the history and Laws of the Faith. "He hath endowed every soul with the capacity to recognize the signs of God," Bahá’u’lláh categorically asserts, adding: "How could He, otherwise, have fulfilled His testimony unto men, if ye be of them that ponder His Cause in their hearts." Thus, while there are no required reading and no required courses for declaration of faith, two essentials are required at the outset: namely, understanding of the station or reality of the Manifestation, and the recognition of Bahá’u’lláh in that station.

Shoghi Effendi's secretary, writing on his behalf on November 28, 1939, stated that: "The essential is not that the beginner should have a full and detailed knowledge of the Cause, a thing which is obviously impossible in the vast majority of cases, but that he should, by an act of his own will be willing to uphold and follow the truth and guidance set forth in the Teachings, and thus open his heart and mind to the reality of the Manifestation."

The qualifications of faith are given in the following standard set forth by the beloved Guardian:

Full recognition of the station of the Báb, the Forerunner, of Bahá’u’lláh, the Author, and of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the True Exemplar of the Bahá’í religion; unreserved 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.

In a letter dated July 13, 1964, concerning teaching of the masses, The Universal House of Justice elucidated the process of declaration:

The prime motive should always be the response of man to God's Message, and the recognition of His Messenger. Those who declare themselves as Bahá’ís should become enchanted with the beauty of the teachings, and touched by the love of Bahá’u’lláh. The declarants need not know all the proofs, history, laws, and principles of the Faith, but in the process of declaring themselves they must, in addition to catching the spark of faith, become basically informed about the [Page 5]Central Figures of the Faith, as well as the existence of laws they must follow and an administration they must obey.

Formal enrollment into the Bahá’í community is effected when: (a) the appropriate administrative body ascertains that the declarant is ready to be enrolled, countersigns the membership declaration card, and forwards it to the national office, and (b) the National Spiritual Assembly records the declarant's name.

The Local Spiritual Assembly is responsible for the enrollment of all declarants residing in the area over which it has jurisdiction. A Local Spiritual Assembly may also enroll: (1) declarants who do not live under the jurisdiction of any Local Spiritual Assembly; and (2) declarants who live in the jurisdiction of another Local Spiritual Assembly. Often, in this highly mobile society, a person learns about the Faith during his travels away from home and may wish to establish his membership in the Bahá’í community immediately. In such instances, it should generally be regarded as a courtesy for one Local Spiritual Assembly to enroll a declarant on behalf of another. However, the enrolling Assembly should, in that same spirit of courtesy, inform the Assembly with jurisdiction in the locality of the enrollee's residence.

The National Spiritual Assembly itself may on some occasions choose to enroll a declarant directly.

The National Spiritual Assembly also delegates the enrollment responsibility to the National Teaching Committee and its sub-committees.

Enrollment Procedure

The enrollment procedure should essentially be a joyful and confirmatory experience for the declarant. The atmosphere in which he is received into Bahá’í membership should be prayerful, loving, and educational. An important objective of this procedure is to determine whether the declarant is ready for enrollment—that is to say, those responsible for enrollment must be satisfied that the declarant has accepted Bahá’u’lláh and His Revelation, is basically informed about the Central Figures of the Faith, and knows that the Bahá’í Laws and institutions must be obeyed. This satisfaction need not be gained by means of rigid or formal inquisitions, but, rather, through informal, pleasant and substantive discussion in which the declarant is made to feel at ease while those responsible for enrolling him make a discreet appraisal of his readiness to enroll. The following statement, written by the Guardian's secretary on his behalf, should be borne in mind:

The believers must discriminate between two extremes of bringing people into the Cause before they have fully grasped its fundamentals and making it too hard for them, before they accept them. This requires truly keen judgment, as it is unfair to people to allow them to embrace a movement the true meaning of which they have not fully grasped. It is equally unfair to expect them to be perfect Bahá’ís before they can enter the Faith. Many teaching problems arise out of these two extremes.

(November 22, 1941)

Enrollment by the Local Spiritual Assembly. Although the Local Spiritual Assembly is responsible for verifying enrollments, it may, if it so decides, delegate the enrollment function to a committee composed of responsible persons fully conversant with the above-mentioned principles. Given the increasing rate of expansion, an Assembly could find itself doing nothing else but enrolling believers at the expense of neglecting its other pressing responsibilities and duties. Delegation of this function should, however, not put the Assembly out of touch with the membership of the community, and so it may wish to arrange special occasions on which the members of the Assembly can meet and greet groups of new believers whose enrollment has already been processed.

Enrollment by National Committees. Acting on authority explicitly granted by the National Spiritual Assembly, a committee may effect the enrollment procedure as stated above. The committee must be certain to fill out the registration card, endorse it, and transmit it expeditiously to the National Spiritual Assembly according to the established method. The committee may also delegate the enrollment function to reliable persons. Moreover, it may refer a declarant to a nearby Local Spiritual Assembly if that proves to be most convenient and expeditious. In such instances, the Local Spiritual Assembly should not refuse to assist.

Nurturing the New Believers

Writing on the importance of nurturing the new believers, The Universal House of Justice, in its letter on teaching the masses dated July 13, 1964, also states:

After declaration, the new believers must not be left to their own devices. Through correspondence and dispatch of visitors, through conferences and training courses, these friends must be patiently strengthened and lovingly helped to develop into full Bahá’í maturity. The beloved Guardian referring to the duties of Bahá’í assemblies in assisting the newly declared believer has written: "... the members of each and every Assembly should endeavor, by their patience, their love, their tact and wisdom, to nurse, subsequent to his admission, the newcomer into Bahá’í maturity, and win him over gradually to the unreserved acceptance of whatever has been ordained in the Teachings." [Page 6]Moreover, The Universal House of Justice, in commenting to the National Spiritual Assembly on the responsibility of the Bahá’í teacher, has written:

It is surely the duty of the Bahá’ís teaching the new believer to ensure that he is sufficiently informed of essentials of Bahá’í belief before and at the time he declares and to deepen him in his understanding of the Faith after he becomes a member of the Bahá’í Community. (February 24, 1969)

It is obvious, then, that the spirit of acceptance and enthusiasm of the newly enrolled Bahá’í is not sufficient by itself to sustain his development in the Cause. However, this is the logical basis on which everything else can be built—namely, acquisition of knowledge of the Faith, teaching, observance of Bahá’í Laws, and active participation in community life. Preserving this initial enthusiasm and directing it through the proper channels are essential to the development of the believer into Bahá’í maturity. In addition to holding regular training classes for the benefit of new believers, Assemblies must see that they are encouraged to begin their own teaching and firesides; invited to and reminded of Feasts, Holy Days, conventions, and other important Bahá’í events; informed explicitly about their responsibility to the Bahá’í Fund; initiated into committee work as soon as feasible; and provided with many opportunities for learning more about all aspects of the Faith in an atmosphere of love, unity and fellowship.

Films on loan from Teaching Committee

For the price of postage and insurance alone, the National Teaching Committee will make available to District Teaching Committees, for periods of up to one week, films on Bahá’í subjects for use in teaching projects.

The films currently available are One and a Half Dreams, The Dedication, A New Wind, Have You Heard the News, My Friend?, Let's Go Tell 'Em, Give Me That New Time Religion, and It's Just the Beginning. Other films will be added as they become available.

The District Teaching Committee borrowing the film will be responsible for its proper maintenance and safe return to the National Teaching Committee. Films damaged through lack of proper care will be repaired or replaced at the expense of the borrower.

Requests for films should be directed to the National Teaching Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.

In Memoriam

Mrs. Harriet Annin Costa Mesa, California July 28, 1974

Mrs. Mary Ashford Whiteville, North Carolina Date unknown

Mrs. Thelma Bradenbaugh Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania July 22, 1974

Mrs. Eula Mae Cook Blacksburg, South Carolina July 2, 1974

Mr. James Graddick Greensboro, North Carolina June 24, 1974

Mr. Walter Cropper Hornstown, Virginia 23395 1973

Miss Ruth Daniel Capels, West Virginia September 1973

Dr. John Michael Dumanis Bayside, New York July 1973

Mrs. Cassie Hames Blacksburg, South Carolina 1974

Mr. Lawrence Harris Columbia, South Carolina 1971

Mr. Eugene Hilgert Lima, Ohio April 29, 1974

Mr. Lot Jones Montgomery, West Virginia Date unknown

Mrs. Angeline Knoche San Jose, California Date unknown

Mrs. Carrolyn Kosel Sacramento, California September 7, 1973

Mr. Claude La Fontaine Friday Harbor, Washington July 19, 1974

Mr. Eddie C. Lincecum Manor, Texas July 19, 1974

Mr. Chan S. Liu New York, New York Date unknown

Mrs. Martha Mack New York, New York Date unknown

Mr. Frank Mc Coy Dover, Delaware 1972

Mr. James Mc Neil Bridgeville, Delaware 1972

Mr. Curley Makupson Cowpens, South Carolina July 13, 1974

Mr. Fred Mathis, Jr. Greenwood, South Carolina Date unknown

Mr. Clarence G. Raymond Woodhaven, New York Date unknown

Mrs. Florence May Rhoades Alturas, California 1973

Mrs. Zuriel Ryder Santa Barbara, California July 24, 1974

Mr. Merritt Allen Sibley Three Rivers, Massachusetts June 16, 1974

Mrs. Mary Thayer Fruitport, Michigan October 1973

Mr. Robert Thurmond Edgefield, South Carolina June 1974

Mr. Harry Tomlinson Dunn, North Carolina Date unknown

Mr. Curtis Webb Freeman, West Virginia September 1973

Mr. Joseph Young Houston, Texas Date unknown

Correction—District Conventions

Please note sites and dates of Illinois conventions (next page). These were improperly recorded in the August 1974 issue. [Page 7]

District	Host Assembly	Date
Oklahoma, W	Edmond	10/13
Oregon	Eugene	10/27
Pennsylvania, E	Philadelphia	10/13
Pennsylvania, W	Pittsburgh	10/13
Rhode Island	Providence	10/6
South Carolina, N 1	Clemson	10/27
Alabama, N	Birmingham	10/27
South Carolina, N 2	Spartanburg	10/27
South Carolina, C	Columbia	10/6
Alabama, S	Montgomery	10/27
Arizona, N	Flagstaff	10/6
South Carolina, S	Charleston	10/13
Arizona, S	Tucson	10/13
South Carolina, E 1	Lake City	10/13
Arkansas	Little Rock	10/13
South Carolina, E 2	Dillon	10/6
California, NI	Davis	10/6
South Carolina, E 3	Greater Aynor	10/27
California, N2	Santa Rosa	10/6
South Carolina, W	Greenwood	10/13
South Dakota	Sioux Falls	10/27
California, C1	San Jose	10/27
Tennessee	Nashville	10/13
California, C 2	Fresno	10/27
Texas, N	Amarillo	10/13
California, S 1	Burbank	10/6
Texas, C	Austin	10/13
California, S 2	San Diego	10/13
Texas, S	Corpus Christi	10/27
California, S 3	Santa Barbara	10/27
Texas, E 1	Dallas	10/27
Colorado, E	Littleton	10/13
Texas, E 2	Houston	10/6
Colorado, W	Alamosa	10/13
Texas, W	El Paso	10/6
Connecticut	Vernon	10/6
Utah	Salt Lake City	10/27
DelMar Va	Wicomico County	10/6
Vermont	Burlington	10/27
Florida, N	Jacksonville	10/13
Virginia, N	Fairfax	10/27
Florida, C	Orlando	10/13
Virginia, S	Richmond	10/27
Florida, S	Ft. Lauderdale	10/13
Washington/Idaho	Spokane	10/6
Georgia, N	Atlanta	10/6
Washington, W	Puyallup	10/13
Georgia, S	Perry	10/13
West Virginia	Charleston	10/27
Idaho, S	Boise	10/6
Wis-Mich	Green Bay	10/27
Illinois, N 1	Rockford	10/6
Wisconsin, S	Kenosha	10/27
Illinois, N 2	Skokie	10/6
Wyoming	Laramie	10/27
Illinois, S	Springfield	10/13
Indiana	Indianapolis	10/27
Iowa	Des Moines	10/13
Kansas	Emporia	10/27
Kentucky	Lexington	10/13
Louisiana	Lafayette	10/6
Maine	Augusta	10/6
Maryland, D.C.	Washington, D.C.	10/13
Massachusetts	Worcester	10/13
Michigan	Mt. Pleasant	10/13
Minnesota, N	St. Cloud	10/6
Minnesota, S	St. Paul	10/13
Mississippi	Jackson	10/6
Missouri	Jefferson City	10/13
Montana	Bozeman	10/6
Nebraska	Omaha	10/13
Nevada, N	Carson City	10/13
Nevada, S	Las Vegas	10/27
New Hampshire	Nashua	10/13
New Jersey	Trenton	10/6
New Mexico, N	Gallup	10/13
New Mexico, S	Roswell	10/27
New York, E	Yonkers	10/6
New York, W	Rochester	10/6
North Carolina, E	Raleigh	10/13
North Carolina, C	Greensboro	10/27
North Carolina, W	Charlotte	10/6
North Dakota	Bismarck	10/6
Ohio, N	Mansfield	10/6
Ohio, S	Dayton	10/13
Oklahoma, E	Tulsa	10/6

Acceptance of loans

The National Spiritual Assembly is pleased to announce the adoption of a policy to accept loan from individual Bahá’ís to help meet the fiscal re quirements of the National Bahá’í Fund. Th minimum amount that can be accepted is $2,000 fo not less than one year. Interest rates and other detail will be subject to negotiation on an individual basis This policy has been adopted at the suggestion of number of the friends who, recognizing the extraoi dinarily high interest rates now being charged b banks, have offered to assist the National Spiritua Assembly by making their money available at les than the prevailing rate. The Office of the Treasure will gratefully consider offers from interested b lievers who wish to serve the Faith in this way.

Occasionally Local Spiritual Assemblies expre: interest in accommodating and using in their con munities the services of traveling teachers who com from other countries. Any Assembly interested such a project may so state to the Continental Pione Committee for the Americas; Mrs. Patricia Daniel Secretary; 1029 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illino 60091. [Page 8]

National Bahá’í Fund

Bahá’ís trustees God's wealth

To: All Local Spiritual Assemblies and Bahá’í Groups

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

We are moved to share with you the following statement from an address made by the late Hand of the Cause of God Horace Holley at the National Convention in 1956:

"We live in a Faith," he said, "where the Master and now the Guardian has designated certain progressive tasks. Upon the American Bahá’ís particularly, great burdens have been laid. Now it becomes necessary to translate those spiritual obligations into material terms and that is all the budget really is. . . . No one goes around and says, 'Your share of that collective task is so much.' That is where the individual enters, through his sense of participation, through his love for the Cause, and determines his share for himself. And apropos of that, let me remind you that in the Sacred Writings on more than one occasion it has been said that all wealth is God's, that what we have is given to us to use as trustees for God and that we will be called to account on the last day for our individual trusteeships.

"Now, that is not old fundamentalism and trying to scare you with the fires of hell; it is a calm statement which is verified in the Bahá’í Writings. So let us try to enlarge our realization of the great work that the Cause is doing for humanity. We are trying to save mankind from destruction, and the means and agencies for so doing to bring about this result have been revealed to us. We have been given the privilege of establishing them. . . . So the budget, from first to last, is a spiritual rather than a material obligation."

It is our fervent hope that these words may inspire our National Community to win the challenging Fund goal of $2.6 million that has been set for the first year of the Five Year Plan.

Yours in loving service,

NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES

Dorothy W. Nelson, Treasurer

National Fund charts

Total Number of Assemblies Contributing

GOAL BY ILM 1974: 700

651, 628, 600, 571, 550, 543, 536, 588, 592, 581, 588, 500, 198, 450, 400, 43, 505

1974 1975 MONTHLY GOAL

$200,000 $150,000 $100,000 $50,000

ANNUAL GOAL $2,600,000

Contributions may be addressed to: National Bahá’í Fund, 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Illinois 60091; Bahá’í International Fund, P.O. Box 155, Haifa, Israel; and Continental Bahá’í Fund, 418 Forest Ave., Wilmette, Illinois 60091.

INCOME

	Rahmat (Mercy)	Kalimát (Words)	Year to Date
Contributions	$106,389	$97,570	$439,987
Contributions Goal	137,000	137,000	660,000
Estates	6,714	9,086	30,292