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[Page 1]NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í REVIEW Insert to The American Bahá’í published by the National Spiritual As- sembly of the United States for Bahá’ís only. 112 Linden Av., Wilmette, 111. 60091 No. 88 Bahá’í Year 132 May 1975

Ridván Message of The Universal House of Justice

OCCASION MOST GREAT FESTIVAL WE CONTEMPLATE WITH THANKFUL HEARTS ACHIEVEMENTS FIRST YEAR FIVE YEAR PLAN ELECTION THIS RID VÁN FIVE NEW NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES FOUR IN AFRICA ONE IN ASIA. DESPITE WORSENING PLIGHT MORIBUND CIVILIZATION EVIDENCES GATHERING CLOUDS WIDESPREAD OPPOSITION DIVINE MESSAGE BELIEVERS THROUGHOUT WORLD FORGING AHEAD ACCOMPLISHMENT GOALS. THREE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIX PIONEERS ALREADY SETTLED ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO PREPARING PROCEED POSTS. NEW WORLDWIDE TRAVEL TEACHING PROGRAM DESIGNED BY INTERNATIONAL TEACHING CENTER NOW BEING LAUNCHED BY NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES IN CONSULTATION COUNSELLORS. BELOVED HANDS CAUSE ADVANCING VANGUARD ARMY LIGHT LENDING CONSTANT LOVING GUIDANCE ENCOURAGEMENT PROTECTION FRIENDS LABORING DIVINE VINEYARD. WORLD CENTER FAITH RICHLY BLESSED THROUGH ACQUISITION HOLY HOUSE MASTER BIRTHPLACE SHOGHI EFFENDI WITHIN WALLS AKKA WILL EARLY WITNESS ON CONSECRATED SOIL SLOPES MOUNT CARMEL INITIATION EXCAVATION FOUNDATIONS PERMANENT SEAT UNIVERSAL HOUSE JUSTICE AND IN ITALY SIGNATURE CONTRACT MARBLE REQUIRED MAJESTIC EDIFICE. AT THIS CRITICAL JUNCTURE HUMAN HISTORY THREE MAJOR OBJECTIVES PLAN AND ITS SPECIFIC GOALS PRESENT DISTINCT INSISTENT CHALLENGE TO EACH INDIVIDUAL BAHÁ’Í ADULT YOUTH CHILD TO EACH BAHÁ’Í FAMILY TO EACH LOCAL COMMUNITY AND ABOVE ALL TO EACH LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY WHOSE DEVELOPMENT IS VITAL SUCCESS FIVE YEAR PLAN AND PROGRESSIVE UNFOLDMENT DIVINELY ORDAINED BAHÁ’Í SOCIETY. MAY REMAINING THREE HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE PIONEERS SPEEDILY ARISE AND ARMY VOLUNTEERS RESPOND NEWLY LAUNCHED TRAVEL TEACHING PROGRAM. NATIONAL LOCAL ASSEMBLIES INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS URGED CONTRIBUTE UNSTINTINGLY TIME EFFORT OUTPOURING MATERIAL RESOURCES SUPPORT EVERY PHASE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN COMING YEAR. APPEAL BELIEVERS EVERY LAND JOIN US PRAYERS SUPPLICATION BLESSED BEAUTY GUIDE SUSTAIN PROTECT HIS DEVOTED FOLLOWERS IN THEIR DEDICATED EFFORTS PURIFY THEIR SOULS RAISE HIS BANNER SER VE HIS CAUSE.

April 4, 1975 UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

Fiftieth anniversary message from the Supreme Body

PORTENTOUS OCCASION FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY FORMAL ESTABLISHMENT NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY BAHÁ’ÍS UNITED STATES RECALL WITH PRIDE ADMIRATION PREEMINENT STATION CONFERRED AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY CENTER COVENANT PREPONDERATING ROLE ALREADY ASSUMED WORLDWIDE PROMOTION FAITH GLORIOUS ACHIEVEMENTS UNMATCHED RANGE MAGNITUDE ENTIRE BAHÁ’Í WORLD PAST HALF CENTURY. CALL UPON THIS HIGHLY BLESSED DISTINGUISHED COMMUNITY CONTEMPLATE ITS UNDOUBTED DUTIES PRIVILEGES PURGE ITS SOUL ALL WORLDLY ENTANGLEMENTS REDEDICATE ITS ENERGIES RESOURCES IMMEDIATE TASKS ARISE SINGLE-MINDEDLY PERFORM HISTORIC MISSION RENDER SUCH SERVICES ATTAIN SUCH SACRIFICIAL HEIGHTS PROVE WORTHY BRILLIANT FORBEARS HEROIC AGE FAITH.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE April 24, 1975 [Page 2]

National Assembly response to anniversary message

MOVED EXPRESS PROFOUND GRATITUDE YOUR POTENT MESSAGE OCCASION 50TH ANNIVERSARY OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY. EVENT HIGHLIGHTED BY OUTSTANDING PARTICIPATION BELOVED HAND CAUSE SEARS ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS BY DYNAMIC PRESENCE COUNSELLORS PEREIRA TRUE BY MOVING TRIBUTE PRESIDENT VILLAGE WILMETTE WHO PRESENTED FORMAL CONGRATULATORY RESOLUTION BEHALF VILLAGE TRUSTEES BY RELEASE ANNIVERSARY BOOKLET BY DISTINCT GROWTH MATURITY DELIBERATIONS CONVENTION. SAME ASSEMBLY MEMBERS OFFICERS RETURNED. WHOLEHEARTEDLY ACCEPT CHALLENGES PRESENT HOUR CONFIDENT SUSTAINING GRACE LORD HOSTS. LOVING RIDVAN GREETINGS.

April 28, 1975 BAHÁ’Í WILMETTE

Cablegrams to and from the National Convention

DEEPLY MOVED SPIRIT CONVENTION PRESENCE HAND CAUSE SEARS COUNSELLORS TRUE PEREIRA REDEDICATION ARDENT EFFORTS ARISE OPPORTUNITIES EVERY CHALLENGE ACHIEVE GOALS PLAN. OFFERING FERVENT LOVING PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES SUCCESS CONFIRMATION ALL WORTHY ENDEAVORS.

April 28, 1975 UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

GRATEFULLY APPRECIATE CABLE REPORTING ANNIVERSARY EVENT. ASSURE MEMBERS ASSEMBLY FERVENT PRAYERS HOLY THRESHOLD BESEECHING DIVINE CONFIRMATIONS THEIR DEVOTED EFFORTS CRUCIAL PERIOD NOW CONFRONTING AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í COMMUNITY.

May 1, 1975 UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

DELEGATES ASSEMBLED 66TH ANNUAL CONVENTION BLESSED PRESENCE HAND SEARS COUNSELLORS PEREIRA TRUE AUXILIARY BOARD REJOICING PURCHASE HOLY HOUSE ‘ABDU’L-BAHÁ ESTABLISHMENT 5 NEW PILLARS HOUSE JUSTICE. WILMETTE DIGNITARIES JOINED IN TRIBUTE 50TH ANNIVERSARY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. CONVENTION PLEDGES SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION SEAT HOUSE JUSTICE. DEEPLY CONCERNED EXPANSION FAITH REDEDICATE HEARTS ENERGIES RESOURCES ACHIEVE GOALS PLAN. JOINING IN PRAYERS HOLIEST HOUSE WORSHIP GUIDANCE PROTECTION PURIFICATION ALL BELIEVERS BECOME CHANNELS SPIRIT.

April 27, 1975 66TH ANNUAL CONVENTION UNITED STATES

Annual report of the National Spiritual Assembly

A year of highlights has just ended.

Most significant was the completion of the gradual launching of the Five Year Plan in three dramatic phases: The first was the announcement of the Plan at the last National Convention by the Hand of the Cause Paul Haney, representative of The Universal House of Justice on that occasion; the second was the discussion of measures for its execution at an unprecedented meeting which drew together the three Hands of the Cause in North America, all members of the Institution of the Continental Counsellors, the members of the National Spiritual Assembly and representatives of major committees concerned with various aspects of the teaching work; the third was the widely celebrated St. Louis Conference which by its sheer size alone was a record event.

Other records were made there, too. It was, for instance, the occasion for the largest gathering of Local Assembly members in a meeting designed especially for them; it accommodated the largest number of Bahá’í children ever to gather in a program particularly planned for them.

A further enumeration of this year's highlights would include the following events and accomplishments:

There were the launchings of special teaching programs for the states of California, Illinois, and [Page 3]New York and for the District of Columbia in Grand Turk. The Five Year Plan identifies the consolidation of the Turks and Caicos Islands as a goal of the United States community.

—altogether a response to the goal of the Five Year Plan calling for the development of "intensive teaching and consolidation plans in at least three states, chosen from among those visited by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, designed to attract great numbers to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh thereby initiating a process leading to the entry into the Faith by troops alluded to by the Master."

There was the launching of a two year youth program.

There was the opening of John and Louise Bosch Bahá’í School, the replacement for Geyserville.

There was a holding in Wilmette of a conference on teaching among the American Indians. Its participants included two Auxiliary Board members, Miss D. Thelma Jackson and Mrs. Nancy Phillips, as well as a number of Indian believers and teachers from different parts of the country with experience in this field.

There was, of course, the visit of Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum whose presence at the St. Louis Conference heightened the significance of the event.

There were also the visits of the Hands of the Cause A. Q. Faizí and Collis Featherstone, and three members of The Universal House of Justice, Mr. Amoz Gibson, Mr. Charles Wolcott, and Mr. Borrah Kavelin.

The cumulative effect of these and other developments can be seen in the increase of localities from 5,301 last Ridván to 5,453 this Ridván; the increase in the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies from 920 last Ridván to 954 during the course of the year. Our current information on the results of the recent local elections is insufficient to make possible a statement of the precise number of Local Spiritual Assemblies that can be recognized at the moment; however, all indications are that we will realize a gain over last year's record.

The record of our achievements in the international field indicates the impact that the launching of the Plan and the subsequent call for increased numbers of pioneers have had on the community. The International Goals Committee reports that 113 pioneers have settled at Five Year Plan Goals. The call last Ridván was for 120, a number recently increased to 305. The Committee further reports that 139 itinerant teachers, including participants in organized summer projects, went abroad during the year. Of these, 30 were youth. The Committee has observed the growing maturity in pioneers and a consequent decrease in the number of returnees from pioneer posts. A solid result of the activities abroad has been the formation of a Local Spiritual Assembly into a Two Year Youth Program which was launched at the St. Louis Conference.

Youth

The appeal in the Five Year Plan for the lavish expenditure of the youth's "vast reservoir of spiritual energy" on the work of the Cause has been translated into a Two Year Youth Program which was launched at the St. Louis Conference. A Youth Committee was appointed to assist in the prosecution of this program. Drawing upon the resources of the National Teaching Committee, National Education Committee and International Goals Committee, whose Secretaries form a part of its unique membership, the Youth Committee has laid the groundwork for activities this summer which will hopefully thrust the youth into the forefront of the teaching work. A number of state and district youth conferences are to be held in June. Notable among the efforts of the youth this year have been the participation of twenty in international teaching circuits, the settlement of six at foreign posts, and the involvement of 141 in domestic circuit-teaching activities. An activity which augurs well is the work/study program which brought 25 youth to the National Bahá’í Center during the year. The participants devoted their time to the job assignments in the National Offices and the study of Bahá’í administration in formal classes.

Education of the Bahá’í Community

The education of the Bahá’í community was boosted by the large numbers of local and regional conferences enjoying the sponsorship of Local Spiritual Assemblies, Auxiliary Board members and teaching committees; and by the earnest attempts of the National Education Committee to advance the development of Bahá’í Schools. The Committee absorbed the functions of the National Bahá’í School Committee and has been vigorous in its initiatives to broaden the understanding of the three councils and eighteen committees which it guides in the effective implementation of school programs. A glimpse of the Committee's vitality and inherent capacity could be seen in the conferences on family life which it planned and executed. A major challenge to the Committee, then, is to nurture this effort to fruition in concert with the emphasis of the Five Year Plan on family life development. Another equal challenge to the Committee is to amplify the effective utilization of materials produced for the Comprehensive Deepening Program. To this end the Committee has instituted a task force to demonstrate ways in which individuals and communities may derive full benefit from the program materials, the development of [Page 4]which exacted an immense investment of time and energy.

Development of Local Spiritual Assemblies

Another boost to the education of the community was produced by the steps taken directly by the National Spiritual Assembly in relation to Local Assemblies. These steps included the session held with Local Assembly members attending the St. Louis Conference; review of Local Assembly minutes; meeting with members of Local Assemblies in the states of Illinois and New York following the launching of their state plans; special attention given to the Local Spiritual Assemblies of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York. The National Assembly has been helping these particular Assemblies to develop teaching and consolidation plans as it is felt that their success is vital to the wider success of the Faith in the United States. The work with Local Assemblies was also marked by the increased effort of the National Assembly to give individualized attention to the needs of certain Assemblies. National Spiritual Assembly representatives were dispatched to numerous Assemblies as the need was demonstrated for personal contact with these Assemblies. Among the duties assigned to these representatives are the following: gathering on-the-spot information, clarifying important National Assembly correspondence, transmitting advice on perplexing administrative questions, conducting seminars. As a result of such actions, improvement in the functioning of many Assemblies has been discernible. The experiences gained from these activities this year have sharpened the National Assembly's perception of the needs of Local Assemblies and suggested methods by which such needs may be met. It has therefore been determined that the training of Local Assemblies must immediately evolve from sporadic seminar sessions to a comprehensive program of development in which the Local Spiritual Assemblies will immerse themselves. Such a program has been devised and will be launched during the course of the coming year. The program calls for bold new efforts from both the National Spiritual Assembly and the Local Spiritual Assemblies—from the former, an investment of time, imagination, energy, and unprecedented material resources; from the latter, the readiness of their response to the newly-proffered opportunities for rich growth in the understanding of their functions. The Department of the Secretariat in Haifa has written to express the "fervent hope" of The Universal House of Justice that "this ambitious program may fulfill its hoped for objectives."

Publications

The issuance of Bahá’í publications is, of course, a most effective way of fostering the education of the community. In this regard, the accomplishments of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust reaffirm its capacity to vitalize the education of the friends. It is a mark of the great expansion of the Trust that the Publishing Committee finds the list of items reprinted this year too lengthy to enumerate in its annual report. Among the outstanding materials in preparation at the Trust is the second volume of messages from The Universal House of Justice.

In the field of periodical literature, great improvements were made. The 50th anniversary of Bahá’í News was marked by the introduction of a new format and the use of color. World Order has developed sufficiently in content and design to appeal to a wider readership outside the Bahá’í community. A subscription consultant has advised the editors to consider advertising on a large scale to attract non-Bahá’í readers. The lack of funds, however, prevents the editors from proceeding with his recommendations for an advertising campaign. Child's Way has maintained a perfect record of timely publication. Subscriptions to it increased. Unfortunately, the editor, Mrs. Helen Sousa, whose diligence has kept the magazine from folding, is unable to continue in her editorial capacity. A search has therefore to be instituted to find a capable replacement.

Due to the increase in the costs of paper and printing, a decision has had to be made to increase the subscription rates to the magazines.

Proclamation

The community continues to enlarge its efforts to proclaim the Faith through the use of the press and other forms of mass media. The publicity generated by the St. Louis Conference was widespread. The National Information Committee credits the conference for 200 inches of newspaper coverage and interviews on 15 radio and 4 television stations. The Committee records indicate that between 29 August and 28 March, 167 independent stories totalling 1,821 column inches appeared in newspapers with a combined circulation of more than six million.

To exploit further the evident opportunities for wider publicity, the Committee appointed an information officer in the person of Mrs. Beth McKenty. Her success in contacting the editors of major national newspapers, magazines, wire services, radio and television networks was immediate. These have included Time, Newsweek, Associated Press, United Press, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Voice of America, CBS TV. Several editors have shown interest in covering the 50th anniversary of the National Spiritual Assembly.

To extend even further the efforts to reach the press, Regional Information Committees are being [Page 5]established in New York, Illinois and California. These augment three state information services functioning in Georgia, Arkansas/Missouri, and Massachusetts. At the same time public information representatives are maintained in other states. With regard to radio, the National Information Committee has succeeded in developing several series of radio programs of varying lengths.

Proclamation of the Faith is also greatly facilitated through the vehicle of special events, such as commemorative occasions, observances and the like. One such occasion is International Women's Year 1975. With the powerful support of the National Teaching Committee many local Bahá’í communities are adopting befitting activities which will enable them to demonstrate the genuine concern of the Faith for the rights of women. In aid of this effort, the Spring 1975 issue of World Order magazine carries articles, documents and information for use during this special year.

Another occasion which lends itself to proclamation of the Faith is the 50th anniversary of the National Spiritual Assembly. It was decided to publish a special anniversary booklet for proclamation purposes. Not wishing itself to engage in elaborate celebrations, the National Spiritual Assembly determined to hold a commemorative devotional program in the House of Worship to which village officials and ordinary residents of Wilmette would be invited. An attractive invitation was published in the Wilmette Life. Members of the press were also invited to the event.

The appearance of Volume XIV of The Bahá’í World has presented yet another opportunity to proclaim the Cause. The National Spiritual Assembly will present a copy each to the President of the United States, officials of the Federal Government, and governors of states. Local Assemblies will be asked to make similar presentations to local officials, newspaper editors, and libraries.

The National Spiritual Assembly perceives in the Bicentennial of the United States rich opportunities to proclaim the Cause. Contacts have been made with the American Revolution Bicentennial Administration, which has evinced a strong desire for Bahá’í representation at the conference of religious leaders being co-sponsored by the Bicentennial Administration and the Interfaith Center. A Bicentennial Commission has requested a letter to the citizens of its city expressive of the Bahá’í view on "regeneration of spirituality" in its city and America. The Commission states: "We, then, will see that your message is broadcast throughout the land. From this we will attempt to put your words into operation. The base may be small, but the goal is large and certainly significant." The National Spiritual Assembly has responded to this request. It remains to be seen what the Commission will do.

A special committee of the National Spiritual Assembly has been established to recommend ways in which the Bahá’í community may exploit the Bicentennial activities to proclaim the Faith. The editors of World Order are planning a special edition of the magazine to mark the occasion; it will appear next winter. Moreover, a contract has been signed for a full-page color advertisement in the special Bicentennial issue of Life magazine which will appear next fall.

Until now the Bahá’í House of Worship remains the most effective instrument of Bahá’í proclamation. Its uniqueness daily increases its magnetism and fame. From last April to this March 192,502 visitors have been through its doors; 15,305 of these came in 378 tour groups. The devotional character of the Temple has taken on added significance since the Auditorium is being opened daily at 8 A.M. for the friends who wish to pray and meditate between that time and 10 A.M. Furthermore, effective steps were taken during the year to augment the choir with Bahá’í voices.

Properties

The challenge to maintain and manage Bahá’í properties is far from being adequately met. The maintenance needs alone, if adequately addressed, would require over two million dollars this year. As will be shown in the Treasurer's Report, such a sum is impossible to us under the present circumstances. The most satisfying achievement in maintenance this year has been the reupholstering and refinishing of the twelve hundred chairs in the Auditorium of the House of Worship. An earmarked gift received by the National Spiritual Assembly will make possible the replacement of the drapes in the clerestory.

The necessity of acquiring properties abroad before inflation worsens decided the National Spiritual Assembly on instructing the National Properties Committee to endeavor to secure these properties during the first year of the Plan. Our estimate of the total cost is $500,000. A National Hazíratu’l-Quds and a National Endowment have been acquired in the Bahamas. The National Spiritual Assembly of Togo has requested and received a sum of $10,000 for the acquisition of a temple site in or near Lomé.

Overview

We conclude this report with a few observations. There appears to be no record which demonstrates dramatic expansion of the community as a whole or in any particular instance this year. Yet, the opportunities for teaching, and the discernible open-mindedness induced by the present state of society, suggest that far better than modest gains are immediately possible to the community. And it is not [Page 6]...for lack of the stimulation of teaching conferences that the community is not expanding according to existing possibilities. The National Assembly senses strongly that the activities of the friends need to be channeled with more forethought and through the application of a more systematic approach to our various activities than now obtains. In a word, we must become more goal oriented, more persistent in our attempts at attaining objectives, but less frenetic.

Our enrollments at present fall short of the expectations generated by the current numerosity of conferences. Could it be that conference activity has become an end in itself? These, the Assembly feels, are questions which a community on the verge of unexploited possibilities for unprecedented expansion must now consider. And the Assembly is not suggesting that conferences be stopped. Far from it. Let us have conferences, but let us also teach. Nor is the Assembly suggesting that there is any particular magic formula of teaching that must be found. We have long experimented with that notion. The persistent exercise of the ordinary processes of teaching as described by the beloved Guardian is capable of producing the most astounding results even now. What we need are mature, sensitive, enthusiastic teachers to raise the Divine call to a high pitch by every suitable method and in every stratum of human society. We must, as soon as possible, establish a proper balance between the number of conferences being held and the practical measures taken by individuals and Local Assemblies to teach the Cause and to consolidate communities.

To this end, the National Spiritual Assembly has conceived a design for holding conferences which will be initiated in the coming year. The design calls for the holding of a specified series of large and small conferences throughout the Five Year Plan. Each year there will be several large conferences followed by many small ones. All would be planned simultaneously. These conferences, large and small, would adopt the same theme but with different purposes. The theme would identify a particular subject or area of concern—for example, expansion and personal teaching, community life, family life, youth development, education of children—on which the conference would focus.

The large conference, intended to reach a significant portion of the Bahá’í population covering, say, a region of the country or a state, would have the following purposes:

1. Motivation—i.e., stimulating the believers to pursue the goals of the Five Year Plan; 2. Setting objectives, or focusing the whole conference on a particular subject or area of concern which needs their attention and action; 3. Preparation for the small follow-up conferences, which means announcing the dates and locations of such conferences at which the friends could concentrate on the practical actions to be taken in order to achieve certain designated objectives.

Essentially it would be the purpose of the large conference to arouse the interest of the friends in a particular subject and to stimulate them to take action to achieve the objectives relating to that subject.

The essential purpose of the small conferences would be to train the Local Spiritual Assemblies and the believers at the grass roots to take immediate action on the objectives already cited at the large conference. Thus, the large conference should be seen as the mainspring from which courses of practical action would be followed through the instrumentality of the small conferences.

The adoption of this conference design suggests certain ultimate advantages. Some of these are: 1) coordination to maximum advantage of the limited human and material resources available to the national community; 2) elimination of excessive conference activities; 3) establishment of the basis for measuring to some extent the results of conferences.

It is the hope of the National Spiritual Assembly that with such a planning of conferences, the time will come soon when it can publish a national calendar—a calendar around which, on the one hand, the national community could rally, and against which, on the other hand, Local Assemblies could determine how to arrange their own local activities without fear of conflicting with nationally sponsored programs.

The first in the series of conferences, according to the design already described, will be held in Illinois and New York during August 1975, and in California in December 1975.

Property Needs

Turning again to our property needs, we continue to be hamstrung by the lack of funds.

The refurbishment of the Temple must continue.

The school properties must be better maintained. Perhaps, this is the occasion to announce the decision of the National Spiritual Assembly to proceed with a plan to rebuild the Davison School. The project will take an estimated one million dollars.

Steps to protect the lakefront property in Wilmette against government encroachment must also be considered and implemented.

The provision of adequate office space at the National Bahá’í Center must be satisfied at the soonest possible date. The current buildings have been extended to the limits possible.

The overall estimate of the property needs as they [Page 7]have been listed would come to roughly $5,000,000.

Our administrative developments have been marked by a dynamic cohesion which is occurring at the core. It was greatly enhanced by the two joint meetings which have occurred between the Continental Board of Counsellors and the National Spiritual Assembly, but especially aided by the circumstances which brought together on May 28, 1974, the three Hands of the Cause residing in North America, all four Continental Counsellors, all members of their Auxiliary Boards, all members of the National Spiritual Assembly and the representatives of major committees concerned with the teaching work. The purpose of this historic gathering was to become familiar with the plans which had been developed and to become acquainted with the major participants in the execution of these plans. The occasion produced an exhilarating aftermath and helped to generate the collaborative actions of the Continental Board of Counsellors and the National Spiritual Assembly throughout the year. As a consequence of this meeting the following cable was received from The Universal House of Justice:

DEEPLY GRATIFIED RESULTS JOINT MEETING HANDSCAUSE COUNSELLORS MEMBERS AUXILIARY BOARDS YOUR ASSEMBLY FERVENTLY SUPPLICATING BLESSED BEAUTY GUIDE CONFIRM YOUR COMBINED EFFORTS BEHALF HIS CAUSE

This administrative cohesiveness took on new measures on the work of national committees. It was felt time and again in the many joint meetings held by various combinations of these committees and was remarkably demonstrated on March 8 when five committees—National Teaching Committee, National Education Committee, National Youth Committee, National Information Committee, and International Goals Committee—met jointly among themselves and with the National Spiritual Assembly to explore the means by which they might integrate the separate objectives for which they hold conferences. This was a move to assist the National Spiritual Assembly to execute a new design for the holding of conferences. Among the benefits of this growing cohesiveness are the discernible improvement in the quality of work performed at the National Center and an increasing ability to achieve excellence. New capacities for service will undoubtedly result from the continuation of this development.

A few more words in conclusion: The National Spiritual Assembly warmly acknowledges the unfailing support which the United States Bahá’í community has received from the beloved Hands of the Cause who have been constant in their efforts to stimulate the activities of the friends. We have already referred in this report to the visits of Mr. Faizí and Mr. Featherstone. We have also published in The American Bahá’í the activities of Mr. Robarts, who not only attended the exciting meeting we had in Wilmette with all the North American Hands and the entire membership of the Institution of the Continental Counsellors, who not only attended and participated in the St. Louis Conference, but also gave his services in a most dynamic way to the Green Acre School last summer. We are particularly mindful of the tremendous power of the participation of the Hands of the Cause Khadem and Sears in the launchings of the teaching plans in the three states. These same occasions brought into sharp focus the further support which the American Bahá’í community receives from the Continental Board of Counsellors. The intensive activities of their Auxiliary Boards in nourishing the endeavors of the believers are obvious throughout the land.

With these clear evidences of God's grace to us, we may confidently proceed, then, with our united efforts to meet the challenges and attain the victories which lie before us.

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

Positions at National Center

Immediate openings have developed at the National Bahá’í Center for those trained as executive secretaries. Required skills include fast, accurate typing; good shorthand; knowledge of filing systems; ability to compose letters and administrative experience within the Faith. Applicants should have a minimum of three years' experience. If you qualify, please send your résumé and letter of recommendation from your Local Spiritual Assembly to: Personnel Affairs Assistant, National Bahá’í Center, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois 60091.

Warning

The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to warn the believers to beware of any involvement with a Bahá’í who claims to be a member of the Bahá’í community in Phoenix, Arizona, namely There are warrants for his arrest issued by Maine, New Hampshire, and Arizona.

The friends are also warned against becoming involved in any dealings with formerly a member of the Bahá’í community of Glencoe, Illinois. has been deprived of his Bahá’í administrative rights for flagrant misconduct. [Page 8]

National Bahá’í Fund

Plan goals a challenge to Bahá’ís at critical juncture history

To: All Local Spiritual Assemblies and Bahá’í Groups

Dear Bahá’í Friends:

We have reached a most historic moment in the development of our National Community. The National Spiritual Assembly this year is observing its fiftieth anniversary. It was in 1925 that delegates from all parts of the United States gathered at Green Acre in Eliot, Maine. There they called into being the body which was later affirmed by Shoghi Effendi as the first duly-elected National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada.

From our present vantage point, we can see a vast panorama of achievements since the first election of the National Spiritual Assembly. The American Bahá’í community has played a major role in the erection of five Houses of Worship including the Mother Temple of the West in Wilmette, Illinois. This Community helped construct the Shrine of the Báb and the International Archives Building. Over a thousand pioneers have stepped forward from these shores to carry the Faith into the remotest corners of the globe. The number of Local Spiritual Assemblies has grown from 36 in 1925 to the present number of 956. The full story of the events during these momentous years must await the reports of future historians.

One source of strength and inspiration enabling the National Spiritual Assembly to achieve these victories has been the unfailing financial support of the American believers. It is interesting to note that in 1925 the average monthly income from contributions was $1,950—less than 2 percent of our present monthly income.

Though we look back on an interesting and historic past, we should keep in mind that history is also being made today. Future generations will recall this moment, the time of the Five Year Plan, and wonder at our accomplishments. We pray that God will sustain our efforts in winning victories for His Cause.

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

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

Dorothy W. Nelson, Treasurer

April 19, 1975

MONTHLY GOAL 1974-1975

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

ANNUAL GOAL

$2,600,000

	Jalál (Glory)	Year to Date
Budget Goal	$137,000	$2,603,000
Contributions	141,109	2,318,729
Overage (Shortage)	$ 4,109	$ (284,271)

Total Number of Assemblies Contributing

GOAL BY RIDVAN 1975: 638

• 750
• 700
• 663
• 653
• 628
• 600
• 550
• 500
• 450

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.