The American Bahá’í/Volume 27/Issue 3/Text

The American Bahá’í
Volume 27, Issue 3

Redistricting: New boundaries for electoral units Page 17

ola eee nol Laney

To all National Spiritual Assemblies Dear Bahd’t Friends,

We take great joy in announcing the formation next Ridvan of two new National Spiritual Assemblies, one in Africa and one in Europe:

P The National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha‘is of Sao Tomé and Principe with its seat in Sao Tomé, whose inaugural National Convention is being organized by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Nigeria.

The National Spiritual Assembly of the

Baha‘is of Moldova with its seat in Chisinau, whose inaugural National Convention is being organized by the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Bahd’is of the Ukraine and Moldova.

The Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Ukraine and Moldova with its seat in Kiev will become the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha‘is of the Ukraine.

We are delighted by these further evidences of the extension of the institutions of Bahd‘u’llah’s Administrative Order as the conclusion of the Three Year Plan approaches. Ma) the friends throughout the world derive fres! impetus from these developments and, with confidence in the assurance of Bahd’u’llah’s confirmations and assistance, concentrate their energies on spreading His redemptive Message.

With loving Baha’i greetings,

The Universal House of Justice February 15, 1996

To the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States Dear Baha'i friends,

The Universal House of Justice appreciated receiving your letter of January 24, 1996, together with its enclosures, in which you provide it with an update on the progress being made toward the payment of pledges made by the friends in support of the Arc Fund.

The House of Justice is delighted to learn that the dear friends are making good progress in the fulfillment of their pledges, and feels that the general letters being sent to the pledge group serve as a sufficient means of contact with all those who have made pledges.

It was particularly pleasing to the House of Justice to note that your national community’s piclscted contribution to the Arc Projects

‘und may well total some U.S. $21 to $23 million by Ridv4n. The House of Justice is grateful to the volunteers involved in the program of deepening the believers on the significance of the some setion of the buildings being erected on the Arc on Mount Carmel, and on their spiritual responsibility in support of the work under way at the World Center of the

faith.

You may be assured of the ardent prayers of the House of Justice in the Holy Shrines on behalf of the dearly-loved members of the American Baha’i community, that they may rise to still greater heights of dedication and service, and that their sustained endeavors to peeks the best interests of the Cause may

e continuously crowned with ample victories.

With loving Baha’i greetings,

The Universal House of Justice Department of the Secretariat ‘ebruary 7, 1996

Race unity conferees apply

fped\ a vcr dimim THE AAmerican Band 4

Tolle] -A Wao 22d

healing balm of Baha’u’llah

By TOM MENNILLO

The theme was “Race Unity: A Prescription for the Healing of the Nation.”

The place was Charleston, South Carolina, the hometown of race unity standard-bearer and Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory.

The aim was to accelerate the process of turning the ala South’s chief port of slave entry into a new World Order port for entry by troops.

More than 500 Baha'is and non-Bahda’is of all races and backgrounds came together February 22-25 for the conference, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Charleston with help from neighboring Baha’i communities and the Louis G. Gregory Baha’f Institute.

Attendees heard an array of speakers diagnose the racial problem and foster an environment in which the healing medicine of Baha’u’llah can be adminis

Grego!

ait X.Y ih

ies? a Children at the race unity conference in Charleston keep their eyes on choir director Eric Dozier and their hearts on God as they sin: are all one family. An audience of more than 500, Baha'is and non-Baha’is, was touched by many such performances. (Photo by Tom Mennillo)

of their belief that we

tered. They began to take race unity from vision to action in seminars and in moving, performances. And they came to know the late Hand of the Cause Mr. through delightful remembrances and a tour of his childhood home and school.

See HEALING page 25

Kellum Awards are presented

Two Chicagoans well-known and respected for their work with inner-city youth are the recipients of the National Spiritual Assembly’s 12th annual David Kellum Awards.

Daniel Bassill, chief executive officer of Cabrini Connections, and James Kelly, founder and instructor of the Young Peoples Network, were given the awards during a program February 10 in Foundation Hall at the Baha’ House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.

The awards were presented on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly by its secretary-general, Robert C. Henderson, who praised the recipients for their commitment to service.

Dr. Henderson recalled his grandfather reminiscing in later years about what was important in his

The

Death sentence set aside

On February 23, the National Spiritual Assembly informed the Baha’i community that “as a result of the pressure of international opinion,” the Supreme Court of Iran had set aside the death sentence imposed on Zabihullah Mahrami, a Baha’i who was convicted in January of apostasy by the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Yazd.

The National Assembly first learned on February 9 that Mr. Mahrami had been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court, which also ordered the confiscation of his assets on grounds that he did not have any Muslim heirs.

The court verdict maintained that Mr. Mahrami, who was born into a Bahd’{ family, had become a Muslim in 1981 and seven

See SENTENCE page 8

life. Each moment he marked as significant, said Dr. Henderson, involved not accolades or tributes, but giving service to someone else. master of ceremonies for the program was Harry Porterfield, a veteran Chicago journalist and 10-time Emmy Award winner who is a featured news reporter on the city’s ABC outlet, WLS-TV. The annual awards, named in honor of David Kellum, a long-time member of the Baha’i community of Chicago who was city editor of the Chicago Defender and founder of the city’s annual Bud Billiken Day parade, are presented to individuals who represent positive role models for youth of all races and who contribute outstanding service to the community.

See KELLUM page 8

INSIDE THIS ISS

>

Bahd'f Encyclopedia Project set to move forward

The Baha'i Chair: stalwart advocate of the Faith's views on world peace

Part 2 in our series on Baha'f social and economic development

Baha'i pioneer to Uganda killed in carjacking

10

11

24

35

[Page 2]

CHING

THe American BAHA’i

As community works together goals are being won!

TWO NEW ASSEMBLIES FORMED Waltham, MA West Palm Beach, FL

Potential Assembly formations:

Laredo, TX/ Daly City, Napa, Redding, Salinas, CA/ Des Plaines, IL/ Waterloo, IA /Lawton, OK/ Chesa peake, VA/ St. Joseph, MO

Following cities have grown by at least one member since February 15, 1996: Fort Smith, AR/ Cerritos, National City, CA/ Miami Beach, FL/ Lake Charles, LA/ Cranston, RI/

Port Arthur, TX

Please offer your prayers for winning our goals!

& &% & & & o> eS o> o> o>

Goal Cities with no Local Spiritual Assemblies*

ALABAMA Lodi (4) Dothan (3) Lynwood (4) Montebello (5) ARKANSAS Monterey Park (5) Fort Smith (11) Napa (9) Pine Bluff (5) National City (16) Norwalk (6) CALIFORNIA Pico Rivera (1) Alhambra (8) Redding (21) Baldwin Park (1) Rosemead (6) Bellflower (1) Salinas (12) Buena Park (2) South Gate (5) Carson (5) S. San Francisco (4) Cerritos (13) West Covina (4) Chino (6) Westminster (7) Compton (13) COLORADO Daly City (10) Greeley (9) El Monte (2) Fontana (8) CONNECTICUT Huntington Park (1) Bristol (3)

THE AMERICAN BAHA'I

total of 10 a year by the Natio of the Baha'is of the Unite Evanston, IL 60201. Second Evanston, IL and additional mailing offices.

ISSN Number: 1062-1113

Executive Editor: Jack Bowers Associate Editor: Tom Mennillo

The American Baha'f welcomes news, letters and other items of interest ivi \d the various insti

sy photographs included whenever possible. Please address all correspondence and other materials to The Editor, The American Baha’ t, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091. Send address changes to Management Information Services, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201.

ional Spiritual Assembly States. World rights re

New Britain (6) Waterbury (5) West Haven (4)

FLORIDA Cape Coral (10) Hialeah (5) Miami Beach (9)

ILLINOIS

Cicero (0)

Des Plaines (10) Mount Prospect (8) Oak Lawn (2)

INDIANA Anderson (6) Evansville (13) Hammond (6) Terre Haute (8)

IOWA Waterloo (9)

KANSAS Olathe (15)

KENTUCKY Owensboro (0)

LOUISIANA Bossier City (6) Kenner (5) Lafayette (8) Lake Charles (13)

MASSACHUSETTS Brockton (5) Chicopee (4) Haverhill (7) Lawrence (4)

Lynn (7)

New Bedford (6)

MICHIGAN Battle Creek (3) Dearborn Heights (6) Livonia (1) Pontiac (4) Rochester Hills (7) Roseville (1)

St. Clair Shores (4) Taylor (4)

Warren (5) Westland (6) Wyoming (1)

MINNESOTA Brooklyn Park (6)

MISSOURI Florissant (4) St Joseph (8)

NEW JERSEY Bayonne (9) Camden (9)

East Orange (5) Elizabeth (3) Irvington (3) Newark (4) Patterson (12) Union City (5) Vineland (6)

NEW YORK Binghamton (4) New Rochelle (6) Niagara Falls (4) Schenectady (11) Syracuse (14) Troy (3)

Utica (6)

NORTH CAROLINA Fayetteville (5)

OHIO

Canton (7) Elyria (1) Hamilton (1) Lakewood (7) Lorain (1) Parma (2) Springfield (5) Warren (8) Youngstown (12)

OKLAHOMA Broken Arrow (7) Lawton (5)

PENNSYLVANIA Allentown (7) Altoona (8)

Erie (5)

Reading (9) Scranton (1)

RHODE ISLAND Cranston (7)

East Providence (1) Pawtucket (6)

Please Note:

Numbers below in parentheses reflect number

of Baha’ is with good addresses as of March 14, 1996

\TENNESSEE Clarksville (2) Jackson (1)

TEXAS Abilene (5) Baytown (13) Killeen (5) Laredo (6) Longview (8) Odessa (7)

Port Arthur (10) San Angelo (5)

UTAH Orem (3) Provo (0)

VIRGINIA Chesapeake (8) Danville (1) Hampton (9) Lynchburg (7) Portsmouth (10) Suffolk (74)

WEST VIRGINIA Huntington (12)

WISCONSIN Kenosha (8) La Crosse (11) Racine (6) West Allis (6)

WYOMING Cheyenne (8)

[Page 3]JALAL B.E. 153 * Apri 9, 1996 3

TEACHING / YOUTH

Prepare yourself for the most important four years of your life: the years of the Four Year Plan! Attend one of the many youth enrichment programs to be held all across the country this summer. Keep your eye out for more summer program information in upcoming editions of TAB.

MAY

3-5

10-12

12-25

17-19

24-27

24-28

One weekend

JUNE

71-9

13-21

22-27 23-July 13 27-30 29-July 5 3or4 weekend whole month 1 day

JULY

3-7 4-7 5-10 6-11 7-8/3 12-16 12-17 12-19 19-24 14-28

14-Aug. 3

17-21 19-31 20-25 24-28 26-Aug 1 27-Aug 1 4th weekend whole month

1 day

AUGUST

2-7

3-8

4-9

9-11 9-14 10-13 10-15 14-18 16-18 17-21 29-Sept 1 30-Sept | end of month 1 day

SEPTEMBER 13-15

13-15 20-22

YOUTH ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS

EVENT

Southeast Asian youth weekend

Florida Youth Conference

Bradly University at NABI

Bay Area Youth Workshop Deepening weekend Wings of the Eagle

Baha’{ Youth Service Corps training,

Florida Baha’f Youth Workshop retreat

Mississippi Regional School

Youth Academy

Louhelen, College level Baha’{ studies

Youth Academy

North Carolina Regional School

Washington East/Idaho North Regional School Oregon youth teacher training

Native American Baha’ Institute

Personal teacher training

Florida Summer School

Northern California Youth Conference Louhelen, Junior Youth Institute

Bosch; Youth on the March with Gary Bulkin Wilmette Institute

Towa Regional School

Junior Youth Academy

North Carolina Baha’f Youth Conference Youth Academy

Children Academy

Youth Academy

Illinois Regional School

Green Acre, Youth Institute

Bosch, College Institute

LGI Black Men’s Gathering

Washington West Regional School Bosch, Youth Institute

Arizona Youth Retreat

Native American Baha’f Institute Personal teacher training

Youth Academy

Junior Youth Institute

Montana Regional School

Southern CA Regional School Louhelen, Youth Eagle Institute Oregon East Regional School Bosch, Junior Youth Institute Minnesota Regional School Nebraska Regional School

Native American Baha’{ Institute Baha’{ Youth Service Corps training Tennessee Regional School

Oregon state youth retreat (3-4 days) Personal teacher training

LGI Peace Fest (youth attendance essential) Green Lake Conference College Club Retreat

Summer 1996

LOCATION

Bosch

Boca Ratonon area NABI

Bosch

Louisville, KY Wilmette, IL

Univ. Of S. Florida

Canton, MS LGI Louhelen LGI

open

NABI Oregon STC

Melbourne, FL

S. Francisco or Fresno area Louhelen

Bosch

Wilmette, IL Grinnell, IA

Green Acre Charlotte, NC Green Acre

LGI

Galesburg, IL Green Acre

Bosch

LGI

Brighton Creek, WA Bosch

Flagstaff, AZ

NABI

Oregon STC

Green Acre Bosch

open

Running Springs, CA Louhelen Suttle Lake, OR Bosch

Onamia, MN open

NABI

LGI

open

Oregon STC

LGI Green Lake, WI Bosch

THEME

Ruhi training

Social and Econ. Dev.

Teaching focus

Gender equality

Pioneering

( Event is firm. Dates will be finalized soon.)

Entry by Troops

Teaching

Entry by Troops

Teaching

Entry by Troops

Teaching

Baha’ Youth Service Corps outreach Teaching

Entry by Troops

Destiny of America/teaching Spiritual Foundations for Global Civilization Entry by Troops

Entry by Troops

Race Unity

Entry by Troops

Teaching

Entry by Troops

Four Year Plan

Race Unity

Entry by Troops

Social and Econ. Development w/ youth workers Teaching

Life and Writingsof Shoghi Effendi ‘Abdu’ l-Bahé & the Covenant Entry by Troops

Entry by Troops

“‘Abdu’l-Bahé &the Covenant Entry by Troops

Entry by Troops

Unity gathering (youth participation crucial) Pioneering

Entry by Troops

Celebrate the Victories

Teaching

Celebrate Peace Entry by Troops Teaching focus

[Page 4]THe AMeriCAN BAHA’ 4

GOWGOD DOD HOG GGOP9BOS9OHOH

WHO IS A PIONEER

Just who is a pioneer?

Canada, 8 March 1995:

travelling teactier.

their circumstances:

SOSOSSSSSSSSSESSSSSSSSSSSSSCOSSSSOSS

travelling teachers.

From the Department of the Secretariat of the Universal House of Justice, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of *

You are correct to assume that with the new approach adopted for the pioneer call of the Three Year Plan, a rigid categorization of the Baha'i world into"sending" and “receiving” National Spiritual Assemblies no longer exists. The friends are to consider the entire world as the arena for pioncering and travel-teaching; they are being called upon to fulfil according to their own possibilities, the needs of the Faith in any country or territory where doors open to them. From the point of view of statistics, then, it is left to the discretion of each National Assembly to determine which of the believers from its jurisdictional area have responded to the call to serve the Faith as international pioneers and travelling teachers. In making this determination, a National Assembly should. of course bear in mind the basic criteria for what constitutes a pioneer or

As you know, in principle, any believer who arises and leaves his home for the purpose of serving the Cause and settles in another place is a pioneer. Short-term pioneers are those who spend relatively short period of time in a place, usually from six months to two years, but. under special circumstances. as little as three months. Unlike long-term pioneers. who are often preoccupied with employment. housing and family. short term pioneers can devote full-time service to the Faith. Travelling teachers are. of course, those who travel from their place of residence to other localities for the purpose of promoting the interests of the Faith, individually or as participants in projects and programmes. Youthyear-of-service volunteers working in the international field would fall into one or the other of the above categories, depending on

Any believer who arises to serve the Cause in the international field in this manner should, then, be included in the statistics as maintained by your Assembly irrespective of whether he has gone to one of the countries or territories which appears in the list of four categories issued periodically from the Baha'i World Centre. Thus, while obviously the many friends from Canada who travel back and forth .to the United States would not be considered travelling teachers, it is conceivable, for example, that your two communities would undertake a joint teaching project for which some of the believers would need to travel from one country to the other. These friends would, indeed, be considered international

BSSSSSSSSSSSSESESESS SSSESS SSS SSCSCPSSSHOO

GO9HHHHDHHDDHNSHOHLOSO

Serve humanity overseas this summer at low cost

Several organizations coordinate international volunteer “work abroad”

rograms, and work camps, for glo ally-minded people in many countries. These are excellent opportunities to be exposed to a new culture and language and to serve the Faith through a low-cost, structured program.

The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), which has done educational work, travel and study programs since 1947, administers the Work Abroad Program, which provides temporary permits for students age 18 and up to work in eight countries. CIEE also coordinates work camps in 22 countries.

Write to CIEE, attention Work Abroad Program, 205 E. 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017-5706. Phone 212661-1414, ext. 1130 (Work Abroad Program) or ext. 1139 (work camp pro ram), or visit their web site at http:/

www.iee.org/. Also ask about student air fare discounts available through Council Travel.

Volunteers for Peace (VFP) coordinates U.S. participation in hundreds of 2-to ewelelong summer work camps in 60 countries. Volunteers must generally be age 18 and above, though some accept 16-year-olds.

To learn more about VFP and/or to order a copy of the “1996 International Work Camp Directory,” which will be in print in early April, contact them at

. Belmont, VT 05730 (phone 802-259-2759).

If you plan to take part in one of these programs, you will also need to contact the Office of Pioneering at 847-7333511 (fax (847-733-3509; email

Experience, inclinations, possibilities . . . service!

At the outset of the Three Year Plan, the Universal House of Justice introduced the Baha’f world to a new pattern for the pioneer call. “The essence of this method,” the Supreme Body wrote in a letter dated June 27, 1993, “is that friends may arise from anywhere in the world to pioneer to any other part of the world.”

Because ultimately the choice of pioneer post or traveling teaching destination rests with each individual believer or family, many are asking: how does one decide where to go? That same letter offers further guidance to set us on our way.

“Through prayer and consultation, and after considering his own particular experience, inclinations and possibilities, he can choose his goal area and, confidently relying on the confirming power of Bahd’u'llah, set out to serve the Cause of his Lord in distant lands.”

There is an individual spiritual process, clearly outlined above, that is integral to making our plans. An important focus of this process is the question “why,” which is intimately linked to “how” one will serve.

Soon after he became the Guardian of the Cause, Shoghi Effendi told the Baha’‘fs of the world that “The time has come for the friends to think not as to how they should serve the Cause but how the Cause should be served.”

As you prepare for pioneering or traveling teaching, take time to consider “why am I doing this?” Pray and meditate about it.

As you focus on the needs of the Cause and of humanity as the main motivation for your service, the where, what and how of your service can begin to unfold naturally. The House of Justice tells us that “There are still vast areas of the world where no Bahd’is have set foot. There are millions desperately thirsting for this Water of Life. There are countries where believers are laboring ny and night to foster the growth of the tree of the Cause, and are in urgent need of reinforcements.”

We offer the following to help you take the first step in finding the international service opportunities that are right for you. First, write down all the things you can think of that seem to fit in each of the categories of your own “experience, inclinations and possibilities.”

Next, make a list of individuals and institutions you can consult with about your thoughts and plans, including

(ow and when you plan to consult with them.

Make sure to include on your list the local Spiritual Assembly that knows you best. Contact that Assembly and consult with them about how to achieve your goal to serve internation See PIONEERING page 35

Please report all overseas trips to Office of Pioneering, and teaching trips in U.S. to the National Teaching Committee

Bahd’fs in the U.S. are constantly traveling internationally and on the homefront for a variety of purposes. The traveling teaching victories of the US. believers are known, and this im rtant part of Baha’f history recorded, Beenise so many believers are making, the effort to inform the National Spiritual Assembly of their travels.

It is evident from these reports that larger numbers of Baha’fs are becoming aware that “The movement itself from place to place, when undertaken for the sake of God, hath always exerted, and can now exert, its influence in the World.”

To make your contribution to this important goal, please note the following information: the Office of Pioneering needs information about your international ribs of any nature since the beginning of the Three Year Plan (May 1, 1993). Please include the names of all countries and main localities visited, the dates of your trip, the names of

Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

all Baha’is traveling, and the main purpose of your eaves

Business trips, personal projects, vacation trips, fomly visits, conferences, meetings and teaching projects, among others, are all included in these statistics and duly designated. Please inform the National Teaching Office about those trips taken on the homefront for which some teaching activity was included.

To make this easiest for you, just fill out and send us the short form below by mail or by fax, or tell us by phone or e-mail 24 hours a day.

For travel on the homefront, please report to the National Teaching Office. Phone 708-733-3494, fax 708-733-3502,

e-mail For international travel, contact the Office of Pioneering at 708-733-3511, fax 708-733-3509, or e-mail We look forward to hearing from you.

If you have traveled internationally, please return this form to: Office of Pioneering, | Baha’ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091. If you have traveled to teach within the United States, please return this form to: National Teaching Office, Baha’ { National

|

[Page 5]The Style of the Kitab-i-Aqdas Aspects of the Sublime

by Suheil Bushrui

$16.00 HC (SKA)

Professor Bushrui comments on the sublime style of the original text of the Kitabi-Aqdas - the Most Holy Book of the Baha’ Faith - and attempts to convey to the non-Arabic speaking reader the distinguishing characteristics of a book that, according to Dr. Bushru “neither poetry nor rhymed prose but makes free use of both,” a book wherein the “richest and subtlest of meaning: conveyed in the briefest forms” and “vivid use is made of similes, metaphors, metonymy, and other linguistic embellishments and conceits.’ 6-1/4"x9-1/4", 74pp.

University Press of Maryland

The Kitab-i-Aqdas: The Most Holy Book (Arabic/Persian) by Baha'u'llah

$30.00 HC (PKA)

The Universa e announces with great p| Arabic and Pers ion of The Most Holy Book of the Kitab- self remains in Arabi skilled calligrapher in Naskh script and appropriately illumi sacred writings comprised in the volume will be in the original language, Arabic or Persian, while the introduction, notes and other supplementary material of the English edition have been translated into Persian. 6-1/2"x8-1/2”, 269 pp.

World Centre Publications

‘Abdu’l-Baha in America ih Agnes P: ” Diary J edited by Richard Hollinger Pee

$24.50 HC (APDH), $19.95 SC (APDS)

Published for the first time! This is the intimate day-by-day account kept by Agnes Parsons of ‘Abdu’!-Baha’s stay in Washington, D.C., and in Dublin, New Hampshire, during His j i 1912. Her diary is supplemented here with passages from Mahmud’s Diary, taken from new translations corrected by the Baha’f World Center. Mrs. Parsons kept meticulous notes on ‘Abdu’ 1-Baha’s activities and lectures as He stayed at her house in Washington and ather summer home in Dublin. She provides us with unique insights into His thoughts and private moments. Now we see the Master with new eyes, as He meets with the notables of Washington societys advises her on the care of her children, and speaks to large gatherings of seekers in her home. Don’t miss this opportunity to rediscover “Abdu’l-Baha’s wisdom and love! 5-1/2"x8-1/2”, 167 pp., illustrations, bigraphical notes Kalimat Press

has been written by a ied. The other

The Law of

Love Enshrined

Selected Essays by John Hatcher and Willlam Hatcher

‘S21. 95 SC (LLE)

collection of nine provocative esed around the idea that all - and all laws regulating them -are really expressions of God’s love for human creation. The first four S present vital doctrinal proofs of the existence of God and clas fication of “The Most Great Infallibility’ in relation to the Prophets of God. The next four essays discuss the Kitdb-iAqdas: as fulfilling ancient prophecy, as enshrining the universal law of love, as promoting the equality of women and men (in spite of apparent gender distinctions), and as presenting a model of penology for future legislation. The collection concludes with the broad perspective of “The Concept of Spirituality,” an essay of great personal usefulness and longstanding acclaim.

5-1/2"x8-1/4", 285 pp., bibliography, references and notes

George Ronald Publishers

A SHOR!

He Holy A Short History of the Baha’i Faith by Peter Smith

a $8.95 sc sup) 241A A brief yet comprehensive survey of what is now reckoned to be the second most widespread religion in the world. Smith deftly traces the development of the religion from its origins in the mid-19th century Babi movement in Iran through to its subsequent global expansion to the West and the “Third World.” With brevity

ill he offers a ible account of the 1’llah, the Prophet-Founder of the th, and of His successor, ‘Abdu’I-Bahd. 5-3/4"x8-3/4”, 168 pp., Illustrations, index, bibliography

Oneworld Publications

LE IN we

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and

Sacral sa L! My Pilgrimage to Haifa

RI November 1919 Moments by Bahiyyih Winckler Dally Meditations on the Virtues HC $9.95 (MPH)

by Linda Kavelin Popov This is the delightful story of a ae recad Bahd'fs pilgrimage to Haifa, $14.95 sc (SMs) sik ¥ Israel, in 1919. Relating the spiritual adventure that began when she stepped Virtues are the gifts within all of us-honesty, generosity, of the boat in Haifa, she supplements her story with pictures she took with her peace, loyalty, trust, and reverence. But how can We Brownie box camera, some of which are published here for the first time. cultivate these virtues in our lives day to day? Sacred among the memorable experiences described are visits to the shrines of Moments laces together the wisdom found inthe world’s Rahgu'lléh and the Bab and afternoon teas with the Greatest Holy Leaf, religions, personal anecdotes, and quotations fromceleb- +4 hqy"-Baha’s sister, from whom the author eceived priceless gifts and even rities, philosophers and regular folks to provideasimple — jearned how to make Persian rice. Most significant are the gentle lessons and tool for daily reflection and meditation. Whatever your loving attention of '‘Abdu'l-Bahd at mealtimes and during personal vivits. The

own beliefs or practices, this book will be an enjoyable cjarity with which the author has recorded her precious memories makes for a t Haif. addition to your spiritual toolkit. It’s also a lovely and unique story that young and old alike will treasure. O a inspiring gift book. 4-1/2"xT", 120 pp., photographs November 1919

5”x7-3/8" Baha'i Publishing Trust Virtues Communications by Bahiyyih Randall Winckler

[Page 6]THe American BaHA’i 6

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Baha'i Publications Australia

Coming of Age

Youth in Service

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by Jamshed Fozdar

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To the student of religion, especially to Buddhist scholars, the importance of this book lies in restoring Buddhism to its proper pedestal in the whole panorama of ever-recurring reli revelation and eliminating it as an anomaly within the fabric of religion. By bringing this one great exception, Buddhism, back into the fold of revealed religions, Mr. Fozdar has shown that rec ring religious revelation, pre‘ cated on the belief in the Supreme, is as pertinent, if not more so, to the problems besetting a feverishly groping humanity of the 20th century as it was for our more placid ancestors of a distant and tranquil past. Even more urgent for our times, Mr. Fozdarendows his thesis from the Buddha’s own words concerning a renewal of spiritual springtime, namely, the recurring manifestation of the Supreme through periodic “Buddha risings” for bringing humanity into ever more fruitful and happy relationships.

6”x9”, 184 pp., glossary, index

Casa Editrice Baha'i

Meditation

by Wendi Momen.

$11.95 SC (M)

In many places in the Baha’{ writings we are to “meditate upon this,” “to ponder,” “to reflect.” Meditation is one of the six “essential requisites for our spiritual growth.” It is one of the purposes of the Baha’ Fast. Through meditation “the doors of deeper knowledge and inspiration” are opened. Such an important feature of life surely merits development. However, many of us do not know what meditation is or how to go about it. This book uses the Baha’{ scriptures as the focus for meditation. It briefly describes a number of techniques and practices that one might employ to develop this faculty and provides verses from the Baha’{ writings upon which to meditate. 4-1/4"x7”, 138 pp., bibliography

George Ronald Publishers

The Life and Poetry of Tahirih $10.95 CS (TC)

T is the second in the series of tapes on “Great Baha’ { Poets.” This tape features the life and works of the foremost woman of the Bab{ dispensation, Tahirih. The narration and chanti performed by Shokouh Rezai with musical accompaniments that feature the tar, violin and tonbak.

Live Unity Productions

Peer

The Heart of

the Gospel

by George Townshend $11.95 SC (HG) “World history at its core and in its essence,” wrote George Townshend, the story of the spiritual evolution of mankind. ... The Bible makes the tracing of this evolution its own special subject.” The Heart of the Gospel unfolds this vast perspective and is the fruit of the author’s long study of comparative religion. Using only the text of the Bible, the author provides a new reading of Scripture that is compelling and timely. The Heart of the Gospel is a guidebook for those who seek a universal view of religion and the contemporary world. 4-1/4"x7”, 150 pp.

The Heaxt

“Gospel

CLORGE TOWNSHEND

George Ronald Publishers

The Pupil of the Eye

African Americans in the World Order of Baha'u'llah compiled by Bonnie J. Taylor

$12.00 HC (PE)

A compilation of Baha’{ scriptures and extracted passages from other Bahd’{ sources about the important role of people of African descent to the

progress of the Cause. Contains Z| never before published extracts

of messages from thr zuniversal House of Justice to individual believe canhelptodeepen ourunderstanding of these criti- ai cal issues. Topics include quo tations about the need for race pe unity and the danger of the contributions of Afri Americans to the Baha’i Faith,

and the destiny of African

peoples. This book is certain to

enkindle the fire of love and

dedication to service in every

believer of African descent and in those who have arisen to teach this receptive population. It can also attract the hearts of those individuals of African descent who are investigating the truth of Baha’u’Iléh‘s mission.

5-3/4"x8-3/4”", 194 pp. _ Palabra Publications

Fire and Gold

compiled by Brian Kurzius

$20.95 SC (FG)

A thoughtfully selected compilation of quotations from the Baha’f scriptures and other Baha’i writings on the purpose and source of of the tests. that may come to us and our society and how we can overcome them. Brian Kurzius has delved deeply into the literature of the Baha’f Ih including works long out of print or difficult to come by, to find words that bring comfort, inner peace and spiritual upliftment to those facing the many challenges of life.

5”x8-1/2", 368 pp., index

George Ronald Publishers

FRESCO

Baha’u’llah: The Great Announcement of

the Qur’an

by Muhammad Mustafa

$6.00 SC (BGAQ)

This book was prepared to assit Englishspeaking Baha’fs to acquire a ba derstanding of Muslims with regard to the Qur’4n and the Baha’ Faith. It was originally written in 1959 when the writer wa undertake such atask by Baha’: during to that country. Recently it has been rewritten and expanded, so that it addresses many subjects of particular interest to Muslims.

4”x7”, 115 pp.

Baha'i Publishing Trust, Bangladesh

Face the East... , Chris and Lynn Rosser CD $15.95 (FECD),CS $10.95

ionally produced recording blends exceptional vocal harmonies with elements of folk, pop, and iring new sound. Face the East includes original award-winning songs, and incorporates Baha’{ themes and writings into a contemporary acoustic setting. With its strong arrangements and diverse styles, this album should have wide appeal to Baha’ fs and seekers, of all ages.

Hollow Reed Arts

The Kitab-i-Aqdas: Multimedia

(V 1.5) Knowledge Wave Software $24.95 SW (KAMM) The Kitab-i-Aqdas: Multimedia is a Windows interactive cross-reference tool that facilitates interaction with The Most Holy Book. Its hypertext format allows the user to easily click and receive relevant supplementary information from the various sections of the book, namely Notes, Questions and Answers, Synopsis and Codification, Some Supplementary Texts, and the Gl ry, as well as excerpts from God Passes By. You can also hear the audible pronunciation of many Arabic and Persian words, search for any combination of words or phrases, copy text into your word processor, make personal annotations and book-marking, and read excerpts from God Pa By and relevant letters from the Universal House of Justice. It is a very attractive tool for both youth and adults! Minimium system requirements: 386SX (16MHz), 4 MB RAM, 5 MB of hard disk space, VGA graphic card, sound card (optional), and a mouse. Knowledge Wave Software

[Page 7]

BAHA’! DISTRIBUTION SERVICE Sampler 1

various artists

CD $13.95 (SUMSCD), CS $8.95 (SUMSCS) Seventh Valley Music is designed to inspire and entertain, bringing you music from many different cultures and traditions. Here on our first sampler are twelve tracks to introduce our first seven albums. Seventh Valley brings you a rich diversity of styles to choose from, music with global vision, spiritual foundations.

The Crickets Cry

El Viento Canta

CD $14.95 (CCCD), CS $9.95 (CCCS)

A celebration of the spirit, South American style, by this leading international Bahd’f group who have delighted audiences throughout the world with their uplifting and distinctive brand of folk music.

Destiny

The Pearl Divers

CD $14.95 (DCD), CS $9.95 (DCS)

Highly talented British duo Jeanette Contant (keyboards, steel drums, vocals) and Martin Newman (guitars, percussion, vocals) compose and perform exciting and innovative songs inspired by Baha’{ themes. Their extremely professional and dynamic pop/world style is a thrilling new channel for the Baha’f spirit and message.

Horizons

Angela Wood

CD $14.95 (HCD), CS $9.95 (HCS) Singer/songwriter Angela Wood’s first album mixes ot nal songs and settings of extracts from the Baha’ { Writings Including lilting pieces for voice and guitar, and upbeat numbers accompanied by her lively backing band.

JALAL’ B.£. 153 / Apri9, 1996 7

1-800-999-9019

Heathrow Terminal One Revisited Conrad Lambert

CD $14.95 (HTORCD), CS $9.95 (HTORCS)

World traveler and singer/songwriter Conrad Lambert combines his own powerful songs with a selection of diamond melodies mined from the folk traditions of Africa. This recording of his travels, reminiscent of Dylan’s songs for the road, is an album for the 90's.

The Prince of Peace

The Keltz

CD $15.95 (PPCD), CS $10.95 (PPCS)

Stunning first recording by Sean O’Rourke’s skillful and imaginative trio, featuring flute, saxophone, bozouki, guitar and tabla. Original instrumental compositions, inspired by incidents in the life of Baha’u’lléh. A unique mix of Celtic, Eastern and jazz influence.

The Reggae Project

CD $14.95 (RPCD), CS $9.95 (RPCS)

Conceived as a Baha’ Holy Year project, this wonderful collection of songs from Georgetown, Guyana, joins the rhythmic sounds of reggae to powerful and direct lyrics about the coming of Bahé’u’lléh. The Reggae Project shares the Baha’f message in a joyful language and a style which has great appeal.

Brightest of Dawns

Kwayera Mbee

CD $14.95 (BDCD), CS $9.95 (BDCS)

From the villages and fields of Malawi comes the gentle but uplifting music of Kwayera Mbee, songwriters and performers of distinctive African tradition. Kwayera Mbee were the first music group from Malawi ever to tour in Europe, their message of unity drawing a warm response from audiences everywhere.

Brilliant Star Game Kit

$19.95 (BSGK)

Nine of your favorite card and board games for all ages from pre-school to adult straight from the pages of Brilliant Star. Family Fun! Feast Fun! Deepening Fun! Teaching Fun! A portion of the purchase price will be contributed to the National Fund.

Vit to Ory CM Com gor Cie The Same Game The Peace Process The Assembly Game

The Race Unity Game CUR meen A Birthday Gift for the Bab Me cec tom Coon merits

Moments with Baha’u’llah

Memolrs of the Hand of the Cause of God Tarazu’ll4h Samandar

translated by Mehdi Samandari and Marzieh Gail $14.95 HC (MWB)

The Hand of the Cause of God Tardzu’lléh Samandari, while he was still a teenager, undertook his first pilgrimage and had many occasions to come into the presence of Bahd’u'llah . He afterwards recounted the stories of this pilgrimage hundreds of times, to the delight and astonishment of believers around the world. Here, for the first time, his stories are presented in written form. Mr. Samandari was in the Holy Land during the lastmonths of Baha’ u’Iléh’s life. He was present during His revelation of Tablets and verses. He accompanied Baha’u'’Il4h on visits to the Garden of Ridvdn, and he was present at the time of Baha’u’llah’s Ascension. 5-1/4"x7-1/4", 76 pp.

The Odyssey of the Soul

by Artemus Lamb.

$11.95 SC (OSS)

Our soul comes into being at the moment of conception and begins an eternal journey throughout the worlds of God. Where are we going? When will we arrive at our destination? What experiences will happen to us on the way? What possible perils will we encounter on our road and what can we do to avoid them or, at least, soften them? What preparations can we make for our journey? Drawing on theliterature of the Baha’f Faith, Artemus Lamb answers these age-old questions simply and directly. He charts the progress of the soul from birth, through the physical world and to the end of its odyssey in the world of the spirit.

5-1/4"x7-3/4”, 96 pp. George Ronald Publications

Kalimat Press

Sa Mec

on CD ROM!

Refer: MARS CD ROM $99.00 SW (MCDR)

Refer: MARS CD ROM (Upgrade)

$49.00 SW (MCDRU) Refer: Lights of Guidance $30.00 SW (RLG)

Instantly access nearly all of the writings of Bahé’u’lléh, the Bab, ‘Abdu’l-Bah4, Shoghi Effendi, as well as Lights of Guidance. Search the entire database or any combination of books, for any word or combination of words. Then copy the passage to the Windows clipboard, to your printer or toa file. Works in DOS, Windows 3.1 and Windows 95. Owners of the floppy version of MARS should purchase the MARS CD ROM Upgrade.

All floppy disk versions of REFER are sold separately. Crimson Publications

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Baha’ Distribution Service * 5397 Wilbanks Dr., Chattanooga, TN 37343 + 1-800-999-9019 »* Fax: 1-423-843-0836 « Internet: [Page 8]

NEW.

Counselors Birkland, Serrano urge Baha'is in S. California to be creative in teaching

Counselors Stephen Birkland and Arturo Serrano urged Baha ’fs in Southern California during an all-day gathering December 9 to “replace complacency and rigidity with ‘extraordinary diversity’ in their teaching and community development efforts.”

That, they said, will “help the Faith attain a higher level of service during this tumultuous period.”

Invited to the session at the Los An eles Baha’{ Center were members of local Spiritual Assemblies from Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, along with assistants to Auxiliary Board members Angelica Huerta and Hoda Mahmoudi.

Counselor Serrano called Southern California “a strategic area” for development the Faith. He said the region’s large Baha’i population and abundance of resources can exert a positive influence on the entire world.

But the Counselor emphasized that for the Faith to grow and address the pressing needs outside the Baha’ community, “many of the things we do will have to change.” This means, he said, that Baha’is must do much more than “planning potlucks.”

Memorial fund-raiser held

A fund-raiser for the Arc, sponsored last December 2 by the Baha ’fs of the Town of Cortlandt, New York, in memory of Deborah Fairplay Sanai, raised $4,873.25 for the project on Mount Carmel.

Mrs. Sanai, an active and dedicated Baha’j, died last September 20 after a long illness caused by a brain tumor.

Sentence

Continued from page 1

“We have to challenge ourselves to think differently,” he said, keeping in mind the weighty thought that Baha’is are “participating in the creation of a new civilization.”

Counselor Serrano recommended that the teaching ideas of new believers and of those about to join the Faith should be given special attention. These friends often have greater energy than do longtime believers, he said, and also have a different mindset that will help attract new believers.

Counselor Birkland advised the gathering that Baha’fs should create a “far-from-equilibrium state” in their teaching and community development work by “constantly challenging the way we do things.

“If we're not prepared for change, we just might get rolled up in the old world order,” said Counselor Birkland, who compared the force of global transformation to “a big tidal wave” crashing over humanity.

To avoid becoming “casualties” during this “darkest hour before the dawn,” he said, all kinds of teaching efforts should be considered. “Commit yourself to an experiment. At least try it,” he said.

He also reminded the gathering that Baha’u’‘ll4h will provide divine assistance to our teaching efforts, so “we cannot fail.”

“The bottom line,” he said, is that “we are creating institutions that will mitigate the suffering of the world.”

While that is an exciting thought on one hand, Counselor Birkland concluded, the consequences of delays in teaching and community development efforts are that “we prolong the suffering of the world,” as the Bab Himself attested to.

Kellum

Continued from page 1

Mr. Bassill has worked tirelessly with Cabrini Connections, a not-for-profit group formed in 1992 to connect teenagers in Chicago's Cabrini-Green housing project with tutors and mentors from the city and to foster other developing

tutor-mentor programs. Services include weekly tutor-mentor activity with dedicated role models,

field trips to businesses and colleges, one-on-one coaching and training workshops, part-time jobs, career counseling and scholarships.

Mr. Kelly, a full-time radio technician at Kennedy King Colleges, founded Young Peoples Network i 1983 and volunteers his time to teach

all aspects of broadcast production

iy

Tue American Banst = 8

skills to junior high and high school students who then produce college radio and television news programs.

As a part of the award ceremony, video clips of both organizations highlighted for the audience their work and how the community benefits from it.

Film of the Young Peoples Network consisted primarily of footage created by the Network’s members.

About 200 people including Baha’fs from the Chicago area and friends and colleagues of the recipients attended the program, which included musical selections from the Bahd’f writings by vocalists Laila Yazhari and David Cooper accompanied by pianist Joah Greengus.

More than 70 people gathered last October 28 at the Fort Wayne Community Center to commemorate the 52nd anniversary of the formation of the Indiana city’s local Spiritual Assembly. Besides dinner and entertainment, the

ceremony included the reading of names of many of the early believers who

taised the Divine Call in the Fort Wayne area. Candles were lit in their memory and prayers recited for their spiritual progress.

ears later had returned to the Baha’{ Faith. Under islamic law, the charge of apostasy is brought against a Muslim who has denied Islam and embraced another religion.

Mr. Mahrami was arrested on September 6, 1995. While in prison he refused during three separate interrogations to recant his allegiance to the Baha’{ Faith, although he was told he would be spared the death sentence if he were to embrace Islam.

Under the direction of the Bahd’f International Community, several National Spiritual Assemblies including the U.S. informed the media of the death sentence and urged their respective governments to launch vigorous protests. During the week of February 11, Reuters, Agence France Presse, and PRNewswire carried stories about the Mahrami case.

Acting on a request by the Bahd’f International Community and governments concerned about the explicit violation of human rights, the United Nations Special Representative to Iran, Prof. Maurice Copithorne, raised the issue of Mr. Mahrami’s death sentence with Iranian authorities when he visited Iran in February on behalf of the UN Commission on Human Rights.

In mid-February, Firuz Kazemzadeh, the National Spiritual Assembly secretary for External Affairs, was in Washington, D.C. to visit officials in the State Department and the White House and ask that the US. government ppublicly condemn the verdict.

Dr. Kazemzadeh emphasized that whether or not Mr. Mahrami had actuall the Baha’ Faith, the Ya:

converted from Islam to court verdict violates the

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, of which Iran is a signatory, and, therefore, potentially threatens the rights of other religious minorities in Iran who might find themselves subject to the same charge.

The appeal to the U.S. government coincided with Dr. Kazemzadeh’s appointment with Sen. Nancy Kassebaum of Kansas who is the principal sponsor of the most recent Senate resolution which condemns the persecution of the Baha’fs in Iran.

The Voice of America broadcast into Iran an interview with Sen. Kassebaum and Dr. Kazemzadeh about the introduction of the Baha’f resolution in the Senate, which is co-sponsored by 29 senators to date. Sen. Kassebaum also condemned the conviction of Mr. Mahrami.

On February 15, Nicholas Burns, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of State, released the following statement: “We have learned that a court of the Government of Iran has sentenced a member of the Baha‘i faith, Mr. Zabihullah Mahrami, to death for apostasy. The United States Government strong]: condemns the conviction and the sentence and calls upon the Iranian Government to repudiate them, to release Mr. Mahrami, and to take all steps necessary to ensure his safety.

“The United States further calls on the Government of Iran to cease its persecution of the Baha’f and other religious minorities and to comply with the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights.”

On February 21, a British member of the European Parliament introduced a resolution that called on “the Iranian Government to immediately quash

the sentence of death against Mr. Mahrami.”

In a remarkable turn of events, on February 23, the National Spiritual Assembly learned that Iran’s Supreme Court had set aside the verdict of death pronounces against Mr. Mahrami. Significantly, the

upreme Court referred the case to a lower civil court instead of a revolutionary court.

On that same day in Geneva, the UN Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance, Prof. Abdelfattah Amor of Tunisia, released his report to the UN Commission on Human Rights concerning, his visit to Iran in December 1995.

Prof. Amor recommended “that the ban on the Baha’ organization be lifted in order to allow it to freely organize itself through its administrative institutions, vital because of the absence of clergy, in order to fully exercise its religious activities.”

Techeste Ahderom, principal representative to the UN of the Bah’ International Community, said, “Given the refusal of Muslim authorities in Iran to accept the religious character of the Baha’f Faith, it is highly significant that such a highly esteemed jurist from North Africa should make the determination that, under the framework of international law, the ban on Bahd’{ activities in Iran should be lifted.”

Mr. Mahrami remains in prison in Yazd and his fate is uncertain.

Three other Baha’fs are also under death sentence. Two Bahd’fs condemned to death in 1992 for membership in the Baha‘f Faith are still in prison in Karaj and have appealed twice to the Supreme Court. The third was released from prison in late 1993 but still faces charges of apostasy and could be arrested again.

[Page 9]JAAL BLE. 153 © Apri, 1996 9

THREE YEAR PLAN

Baha’i law requiring written will has practical impact on us, Cause

TOTAL ENROLLMENTS

REDIUATY cecispicisessst Lon

Year to date.........+..... 1,814 NST IO Ue Raine SCA)

ale Lee oe | THE FUND

(As of February 29, 1996)

YTD Goal YTD Actual

National Baha’i Fund $10,417,000 $9,556,637 All International Funds $25,200,000 $21,538,793

Feb 95 Feb 96 National Baha’i Fund $693,920 $709,769 International Baha’{ Fund $37,681 $65,540 Are Projects Fund 695,235 $886,905 Continental Baha’ { Fund $15,870 $20,337 Other Earmarked $15,448 $19,212 Subtotal/Int’] Funds $764,234 $991,994 Total/All Funds $1,458,154 $1,701,763

National Baha’i Fund: Goal & Actual $9,556,637

Where we need to be

$10,417,000

All International Funds: Goal & Actual $21,538,793

$25,200,000

Are Projects Fund $19,618,710

$4,858,296

International Baha’i Fund

$1,269,382

$452,402

Where we were last year

Continental Baha’i Fund $222,799

Where we were last year

$178,626

Sometimes the laws of the Faith may appear puzzling to us, especially in this society and in this time. However, trusting in Bahd’u’llah and knowing that His wisdom and guidance are unerring, and believing with all our hearts that every word He uttered is divinely given, we try our best to follow His laws.

There are laws that are obviously very practical in the context of our present-day lives in this world. One of these is the

Eleventh-hour rush to fulfill Arc pledges, Assembly goals

part of the estate, and the settlement of an estate can take months, even years. Meanwhile, those who may have depended on us for material welfare may suffer from the delay and uncertainties involved.

What if we feel that we have no money or possessions of value to bequeath? Or perhaps we are young, have no family as yet, and believe that this law does not apply to us at this time? Baha‘u’llah says that “Unto everyone hath

directive in the Kitdb-iAgqdas to write a will: “Unto everyone hath been enjoined the writing of a will. The testator should head this document with the adornment of the Most

As the last weeks of the Three Year Plan race by, the rush is on to ea Plc for the Are Projects Fund and local Spiritual Assembly goals for the Baha’f National Fund.

Atthe end of February, $4.6 million remained to be paid against Pledges made during the

the Universal House of

been enjoined the writing of a will,” and that means rich or poor, young or old, single or married, man or woman.

Beyond the practical aspects, though, lies the

Nee

Great Name, bear witness visit last spring o!

therein unto the oneness of God in the Dayspring of His Revelation, and make mention, as he may wish, of that which is praiseworthy, so that it may be a testimony for him in the kingdoms of Revelation and Creation and a treasure with his Lord, the Supreme Protector, the Faithful.” (Baha'u'llah, The Kitab-iAqdas, p. 59)

First, let’s look at the

ractical benefits of fol lowing this guidance.

We can achieve much for the welfare of those who depend on us for their material well-being and for the advancement of our own souls through obedience to this law. Among the many advantages of having a will are these:

1. A will specifies who is to receive our possessions when we die. Through a will we can ensure that our property goes to the people and institutions most important to us during our lives.

2. Awill can indicate the persons we wish to serve as guardians for our children, and facilitate our desire that the children be reared as Baha'is.

3. A will allows us to provide financial security for our beneficiaries who have special circumstances, such as minor children, disabled or elderly relatives, and others who might be unable to manage an inheritance.

4. Awill provides a way to give from our estate to the Bahda’{ Faith, as well as to charities we consider worthy of support. Without a will, there is no provision for sharing our property with the Cause since the government recognizes only relatives as legally eligible for a share of any estate.

Dying “intestate,” or without a will, can be expensive and troublesome for our loved ones. The taxes payable under this circumstance can also be a much larger

news this year.”

William E. Davis, treasurer of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, speaks at an observance last October 26 in Mexico City, Mexico, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. More than 60 people from UN offices, embassies, government agencies and non-governmental organizations attended the event, which was sponsored by the Bahdé’i community of Mexico. Also present was a representative of the president of Mexico.

Justice’s representative, ‘Alf Nakhjavanf.

February contributions for the Arc, however, at $887,000, were dramatically lower than the $2 million monthly average for the year, or even the $1.3 million average offered during the last three months.

This pledge amount does not include commitments made in “Campaign of Glorious Privilege” events around the country.

Turning to the National Baha’f Fund, contributions stood at $9.6 million through February. Just over half of the local Spiritual Assemblies had fulfilled their goals, however, for a total of $3.8 million in contributions.

“It’s the local Assemblies who can make the difference for a balanced budget this year,” said one member of the Treasury staff. “The outcome is still not certain, despite all the good

spiritual side of this injunction. It is interesting, to note that while there are all the good and practical reasons for writing a will that were mentioned above, which deal primarily with the material side of our lives, Baha’u‘llah makes no reference to these things in His instructions to us regarding the will! Here is the passage from the Aqdas again:

“...The testator should head this document with the adornment of the Most Great Name, bear witness therein unto the oneness of God in the Dayspring of His Revelation, and make mention, as he may wish, of that which is praiseworthy, so that it may be a testimony for him in the kingdoms of Revelation and Creation and a treasure with his Lord, the Supreme Protector, the Faithful.”

Earthly matters, material goods, are not the subject here. Clearly Baha’u‘llah considers the most important aspect of the will our testimony to our belief in Him and our praise of Him in whatever words and in whatever manner we wish to express them. Every believer, regardless of his/her lot in life, has the privilege and obligation of testifying to this relationship with the Lord of the Age.

Some people delay writing a will because it relates to their passing from this world, or for the reasons mentioned earlier. How much better it is for our hearts to be gladdened by the words of our Guardian, so full of promise and light:

“The execution of the provisions of the will causes the spirit of the deceased to rejoice in the Abha Kingdom.” (Written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, quoted ina letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, August 24, 1982 to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States)

[Page 10]

NEW.

THe AMERICAN BAHA’T 10

Baha’i Encyclopedia project poised to move forward

The Editorial Board for the Short Encyclopedia of the Baha’{ Faith met February 23-25 in Evanston, Illinois.

In the past several months the Encyclopedia project, which was suspended in 1994 because of unresolved issues of methodology, tone, audience and style, and lacking a general editor, has been revitalized.

Ata meeting last December the Edi torial Board consulted on a letter of July 20, 1995, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, and submitted a number of recommendations for reactivating the project.

The recommendations, approved by the National Spiritual Assembly at its meeting in December, led to the appointment of two new members of the

House of Worship plans Special

“When the Mashriqu'l-Adhkar is accomplished, when the lights are emanating therefrom, the righteous ones are presenting themselves therein, the prayers are performed with supplication toward the mysterious Kingdom, the voice of glorification is raised to the Lord, the Supreme, then the believers shall rejoice, the hearts shall be dilated and overflow with the love of the All-Living and Self-Existent God. The people shall hasten to worship in that heavenly Temple, the fragrances of God will be elevated, the divine teachings will be established in the hearts like the establishment of the Spirit in mankind; the people will then stand firm in the Cause of your

Lord, the Merciful. Praise and greetings be upon you.”—Abdu'l-Baha, Baha’t World Faith, p. 415

The Baha’f House of Worship extends to you a special invitation to visit the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar for a four-day weekend, July 18-21, 1996 (ThursdaySunday).

Among the highlights of this Special Visit program:

Thursday—registration, devotions, orientation

Friday—devotional service, tours of the Baha’i Home, Baha’f Publishing

Editorial Board: Gayle Morrison, a writer, editor, researcher and former Counselor for Australasia, and Robert H. Stockman, coordinator of the Research Office at the Bahd’f National Center in Wilmette.

Ms. Morrison has been hired to work full-time on the project, and has relocated to Wilmette, where it is based. She, Dr. Stockman, and Dr. Betty J. Fisher,

Visit program

Trust, Media Services and Properties, a visit to the Baha’f National Center, garden teaching at the House of Worship, luncheon

Saturday—devotional service, tours of the Archives and Baha'i House of Worship, audio-visual program, bookstore time, evening program

Sunday—devotional service, historical film, program on the significance of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkar

Please direct questions to the House of Worship Activities Office, 847-8532300 or 853-2326, or e-mail

4

Number in your party

Participants and Baha’i ID numbers

BAHA‘i HOUSE OF WORSHIP

Special Visit Program

Thursday - Sunday, July 18-28, 1996

REGISTRATION FORM Deadline May 17, 1996

Telephone (home/work/other) List name(s) and Baha'i ID numbers (attach additional sheets as needed)

Indicate children/ youth and ID numbers (ages 4 and up may register). Activities for children, pre-youth and youth will be available. Infant care and child care will be provided.

Address (attach others as needed),

City

cashier’s check in U.S. dollars.

ties.

State

The registration fee is $10 per person including each child. Please make checks payable to Baha’i Services Fund. A schedule of activities and check-in will be sent to you upon confirmation. Canadian monies must be sent by

HOTEL/TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

The hotel listed below has been chosen to provide a group rate for your stay. We can make your reservations based on this hotel selection; however, you must handle all financial arrangements with the hotel. For those who wish to choose their own accommodations, we will send a list of hotels in the area. Bus transportation will be provided to and from the Howard Johnson Hotel. Transportation to and from other hotels will be on your own throughout the tour. All registrants will receive transportation information and an itinerary of program activijajor meals and free-time transportation will be on your own.

Below, please mark confirmation of your hotel choice and number in your party staying in each room. In addition, please state any special needs required during your stay.

Zip code

Skokie Howard Johnson ¢ Hot buffet breakfast included

Airport shuttle service

Loe ee eee ee ee

Yes

Two miles from the House of Worship
1 room, 1-4 persons, $72.00 flat rate

Please return this form to: Baha’i House of Worship Activities Office, Special Visit Program, Wilmette, IL 60091

Alternative hotel listing? Yes __

No

Lo ee ee ee ee ee

long-time editor at the Baha’i Publishing Trust and for World Order magazine, constitute an editorial team that will direct the project on a daily basis.

The other members of the Editorial Board—Larry Bucknell, Firuz Kazemzadeh, Todd Lawson, Heshmat Moayyad and Will C. van den Hoonaard—remain actively involved in the project. Conference calls and electronic mail allow efficient and effective consultation on a variety of topics as the project regains its momentum.

For many years Bahd’f scholars, institutions, and the community at large have felt the need for a comprehensive reference work on the Faith. The need for such a work increased with the Faith’s emergence from obscurity in the early 1980s.

In 1984 the National Spiritual Assembly appointed an editorial board and charged it with the task of producing a work that would become a basic source of general information on the Faith for the general public.

Since its inception the Encyclopedia

roject, inherently complex in nature,

as faced many challenges. Truly international in scope, and carried out in a rapidly changing intellectual and technological environment, the project has gone through several distinct phases under two previous general editors, John Walbridge and Moojan Momen.

The vision of the work’s purpose and audience has been shaped and reshaped over the years. Determinin, the range and content of the work and producing a list of articles to be written was huge undertaking.

With scholarship on the Faith still in its formative stages, Baha’i experts on many of the topics that the Encyclopedia needs to cover were lacking, requiring much ground breaking effort. Advice and guidance from the Universal House of Justice has shaped its evolution.

The Editorial Board now has a vast store of material upon which a one- or two-volume Encyclopedia can be based. The Board’s intent is to produce as expeditiously as possible a substantial, reliable and authoritative work.

Specific deadlines for completing work on the Encyclopedia have not yet been established.

The first volume or volumes, produced in a high-quality format, will provide information to the media, students and scholars, diplomats and others outside the Baha’i community who have been forced to seek information about the Faith from sources that are often either inadequate or negatively biased.

The work will also provide a reliable and easy-to-use reference source for Bahd’is. The editors realize that no encyclopedia will be definitive. Indeed, the Short Encyclopedia will undoubtedly underscore the need for more extensive and intensive study of many topics.

This pioneering effort, rather than g an end in itself, will serve as a significant stimulus to the expansion and refinement of Baha’f scholarship in decades to come.

The Editorial Board is heartened by the revitalization of the Encyclopedia project and anticipates providing further status reports as the process of reassessing and revamping the project moves forward.

[Page 11]Sei NY)

Through research, forums, academic links

JAALB.E. 153 © Ape 9, 1996 11

The Baha’ Chair: stalwart advocate for peace

By MARK PERRY

In a letter to the Baha’is of the world dated February 12, 1990, the Universal House of Justice announced the establishment of the Baha’i Chair for World Peace at the University of Maryland in College Park, referring to it as “an achievement of immense importance to the accelerating progress of the Cause of Baha’u’llah.”

“We hail this seminal development,” the House of Justice continued, “both as a mark of the Faith’s emergence from obscurity and as a harbinger of that day when hosts of scholars will devote their energies to the exploration, exposition and defense of the dynamic principles animating the World Order of Baha’u’llah, thereby fulfilling the need identified by the beloved Guardian for ‘well-read, well-educated people, capable of correlating our seach, to the current thoughts of leaders of society.’ On that day, we shall witness an expansion and consolidation of the community as has not yet been experienced.”

The Baha'i Chair for World Peace is an eminent and distinguished endowed professorship and is the first Chair in the world to be devoted to the study of the Faith.

This outstanding achievement is rightly attributable to the efforts of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly which, under the direction and guidance of the Universal House of Justice, brought the Chair into being, and which continues to nurture and promote the best interests of the Chair through its appointed liaison, Judge Dorothy W. Nelson, and through the appointed members of the Chair’s International Advisory Board—Prof. Amin Banani, Dr. Wilma Ellis, Dr. Mona Greiser, Dr. John Huddleston, Haryat Jarrah, Kami Sahihi and Dr. Richard Thomas.

The specific goals of the Baha’f Chair are (1) to conduct and publish research, design courses, and plan seminars in the fields of Baha’f studies and world peace within an interdisciplinary context; (2) to initiate public forums devoted to issues set forth in The Promise of World Peace; and (3) to establish academic links with and provide technical help to Baha’f institutions in the areas of peace education and international development.

Since 1993 the Baha’i Chair has coorganized two major international conferences at the University of Maryland. The first, entitled “Once Empires Fi Religion, Ethnicity and the Possi ties for Peace,” held in April 1994, involved a host of academics from the U.S. and such outstanding scholars as the late Dr. Ernest Gellner, philosopher and anthropologist at Cambridge University; Ambassador Paul-Marc Henry of France, and Francis Warner, distinguished poet and dramatist at Britain’s Oxford University.

The second conference, held in October 1995 under the auspices of UNESCO and in collaboration with the Switzerland’s Landegg Academy and 20 outstanding institutions in the U.S.,

Europe and Asia, was the fourth International Dialogue on the Transition to aGlobal Society, entitled “Divisive Barbarity or Global Civilization: The Ethical Dimensions of Science, Art, Religion and Politics.”

Vice-President Al Gore wrote to the Center for International Development and Conflict Management (CIDCM)— the department at the university in which the Baha’f Chair is established— endorsing the conference in these words: “On the occasion of your fourth International Dialogue...I especially want to commend your outstanding organization and its members for your efforts to bring greater attention to the interdependence of nations and the need to promote a peaceful world community. Please be assured of my confidence in your continuing success in the years to come.”

The keynote spent at the four-day gathering was the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahé Rthiyyih Khdnum who delivered an address on “Our Global Future: An Ever-Advancing Civilization.” She received a standing ovation and was without doubt the central figure of the conference.

During the conference, the Hand of the Cause and her companion, Violette Nakhjavani, stayed as honored guests of the university’s president, Dr. William E. Kirwan, at his residence.

Amatu’l-Bahé Ruhiyyih Khanum is the only Baha'i dignitary since the time of ‘Abdu’l-Bahd to have been officially honored and recognized by one of the leading universities in the U.S.

Other speakers at the opening session of the Dialogue were His Excellency Amine Gemayal, former President of Lebanon; Prof. Erwin Laszlo, president of the Club of Budapest and a member of the Club of Rome; Dr. Bertrand Schneider, secretary-general of the Club of Rome; His Excellency Dr. Karan Singh, director of the Auroville Foundation; and His Excellency Amata Kabua, President of the Marshall Islands.

The conference was honored to have among its 600 guests from 22 countries Counselor Wilma Ellis and six members of the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly: Alberta Deas, Firuz Kazemzadeh, Patricia Locke, Jack McCants, Dorothy W. Nelson and James F. Nelson. Also attending was U.S. Rep. Robert Ney of Ohio.

These two conferences have served to enhance the reputation and prestige of the Faith in international academic and scholarly circles, and have brought it to the attention of a large number of people of capacity in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe.

Referring to the fourth Dialogue, a letter dated November 30, 1995, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, states that the Supreme Body was “profoundly pleased to learn [from the Chair’s report] and other sources of the resounding success of this occasion, which attracted such positive notice from so many distinguished participants from the United States and abroad. Its positive effects will undoubtedly reverberate for a long while and add luster and prestige to the Baha’ Chair. ...”

Following the conference, Prof. Laszlo wrote of the Dialogue in a let ter to the Baha’f Chair, “The event went beyond the dimensions of clarity and efficiency, usual in high-level international meetings, to attain the spirit of mutual understanding and respect, backed by genuine solidarity and empathy, which are the hallmarks sine qua non of a successful transition toward global society itself. You have my deepest admiration and profound respect for this outstanding achievement.”

The Chair places great emphasis on research, and has established a pattern of publication of articles and texts to support its goals and those of CIDCM.

The most significant of its recent publications is The Style of the Kitab-iAgqdas: Aspects of the Sublime, a study of the original Arabic text of Baha‘u’llah’s work which has won praise from a wide circle of academics and administrators at the University of Maryland as well as from scholars in the U.S. and abroad, and which is now distributed nationally by the country’s two largest bookstores, Barnes & Noble and Borders.

Another recent published work of the Chair is Retrieving Our Spiritual Heritage: A Challenge of Our Time, the inaugural lecture of the Baha’i Chair.

Forthcoming works are:

The Spiritual Heritage of the Human

Race: An Introduction (to be published by Oneworld), which has been adapted for use as a textbook by the University of Maryland Honors Program, and which includes a chapter on the Faith portraying it as of equal stature with the world’s other major religions.

Alternative Forms of Conflict Resolution: A Pathway to Peace, the second

annual Baha’i Lecture, delivered by Judge Dorothy W. Nelson.

A Golden Treasury of Peace: Once

Empires Fade (proceedings of the international conference).

The Baha'i Peace Program: An Analysis and Compendium (proceedings of the

fourth International Dialogue).

The Baha’f Chair has initiated two new programs in the university’s Honors Program: “The Spiritual Heritage of the Human Race” and “Transition to Global Society.”

The dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at the university has lauded the Chair’s teaching work as “one of the highlights of the Honors Program” and praised the “Spiritual Heritage” course for treating “each of the diverse spiritual traditions with respect, while at the same time demonstrating the unities among them.”

The course on “Transition to Global Society,” the first of its kind in the U.S., was designed as an integral part of the fourth Dialogue, in which the students actively took part as members of cussion groups devoted to youth issues.

At the local level, the Chair is actively involved in the conflict management and development work of CIDCM, and its contributions in this field have been widely recognized.

Itis also active in the intellectual and

social life of the university, and frequently takes part in extracurricular events of the Honors Program and student residence halls. In recognition of this aspect of the Chair’s work, Dr. Kathryn R. Costello, then vice-president for institutional advancement, wrote in 1995:

“Through your example and your words we have learned the true meaning of the teachings of the Baha’ Faith. Thank you for enriching our lives and the University of Maryland.”

On the international level, the Chair has forged academic links with a variety of educational, developmental, social and religious institutions and groups around the world including the International Peace University of Potsdam, Germany; the University of Indore, the home institution of the first Chair for Baha’f Studies in India; Universidad Nur, Bolivia; the Landegg Academy, where the Chair serves as Bokssce emeritus of the World Order

itudies program; Temenos Academy for Integral Studies, London, which is affiliated with HRH The Prince of Wales’ Institute of Architecture; and the Temple of Understanding, a global interfaith association of non-governmental organizations.

The Chair serves on the advisory board of the International Peace University, the international board of directors of Temenos Academy, and is a Creative Member of the Club of Budapest.

Other recent activities of the Chair include organizing and hosting a week-long seminar on religious and social education for visiting scholars from China; and lectures at Temenos Academy and “Images of the Other: Education for Building Peace,” an international conference of academics and educators from the Middle East.

Of special importance was the Chair’s participation last October as an invited speaker at the official celebration in New York City of the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. On that occasion, which involved an outstanding gathering of spiritual leaders from around the world including the Dalai Lama, the Chair spoke at a seminar on religious dialogue and read a Baha’{ prayer before an audience of 2,000 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

The first incumbent of the Baha'i Chair, Prof. Suheil Bushrui, is an internationally recognized scholar among Baha‘is and non-Baha’fs alike. Author of many books and articles, and a recipient of several distinguished scholarly and academic awards, he has taught at a number of universities throughout the world including Oxford and Southampton in England; the American University of Beirut, Lebanon; Calgary and York, Canada; Ibadan, Nigeria, and Antwerp, Belgium.

Prof. Bushrui is assisted by Dr. Mark Perry, Muhammad-’Ali Faizi Fellow at the Baha’f Chair, who has taught at the University of Kansas, Indiana University, the University of Connecticut, and Makerere University in Uganda; and by Leslie Gottert, faculty research assistant and graduate student in con

See BAHA'I CHAIR page 31

[Page 12]12

THe AMERICAN BAHA'I

TEACHIN

Teaching tour galvanizes

Pine Bluff event commemorates Hand’s 1939 visit

The bounty of a traveling teacher’s presence begins long before his or her arrival. But there are lessons to be learned, too.

That’s what the Baha’fs of central Arkansas found after learning that Pine Bluff was on the itinerary for D. Barbara Hubbart’s tour of cities in which the late Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory had taught.

They immediately set in motion a process to plan events in and offer ser ices to the wider community in conjunction with Mrs. Hubbart’s January visit.

Two goals were kept in mind. The first was to proclaim to the citizens of Pine Bluff the healing message of the oneness of humankind. That was especially critical given racial tensions that were even disrupting the deli erations of City Council. Second was to unify the area friends.

The central activity was a commemoration on the campus Mr. Gregory visited for a month in January 1939. It was, in fact, to be held in Caldwell Auditorium, where he had spoken during his visit to the university.

To line up support for the commemoration, the Baha’fs first met with the mayor. They informed him of the event and solicited his help in establishing an institute in Pine Bluff for healing racism. They also presented him with literature about the institute in nearby Little Rock and a copy of Healing Racism in America, and they requested a mayoral proclamation for the event.

Next stop was the mayor’s formed Racial Harmony Task Force. The Bahd’is presented the same information and book to the cochairs, then met with the entire task force, extending an invitation for members to observe the Little Rock institute in action.

That was followed by a meeting with the mayors Youth Council, which had adopted the race issue as its major project for the year. The Council was introduced to members of the Arkansas Bahd’i Youth Workshop, who told of their activities and invited their cooperation in a Workshop project planned for June 7-14.

From there, it was on to the Student Government Association of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, the current name of the school Mr. Gregory had visited.

After receiving information about Mr. Gregory, the Association agreed to co-sponsor the commemoration and set it for January 11 in Caldwell Auditorium.

When Bahd’is told the university chancellor about the planned event and showed him references to his school in To Move the World, he immediately offered his support. Further, he offered tohelp establish an institute for healing racism.

The Bahd’is had one more stop to make: the office of the chancellor. When they told him about the planned event and showed him references to his school in To Move the World, he immediately offered his support. Further, he offered to help establish on campus an institute for healing racism.

With this backing in hand, the Baha'is proceeded with invitations to and publicity for the event.

Invitations were sent to the officials they had visited, as well as the ministers of Pine Bluff, university administrators such as the head librarian and the affirmative action officer (who agreed to have the Baha’i Youth Workshop interact with his Y.O.U. program this summer), and faculty members and_ students.

The editor of the school newspaper agreed to write an article on Mr. Gregory. Announcements also went out to city newspapers and the local television station.

Meanwhile, the Pine Bluff Baha’is engaged in direct teaching every other Saturday with help from Little Rockarea friends. They also met twice with the Spiritual Assembly of Little Rock to keep it apprised of plans and to solicit support for a deepening /teaching institute planned during Mrs. Hubbart’s visit.

It seemed that things were going smoothly. There was even a declaration during this time of preparation.

When it came time for the commemoration, though, a few bumps appeared in the road. Some invited guests backed out at the last minute.

bee ae

BahGis in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, present a copy of Healing Racism in America to Jerry Taylor (right), the mayor of Pine Bluff. Making the presentation are (left to right) Peter L. Johnson, Carwin Pleasant, Shirley Pleasant and Gwen Crabb.

A television monitor the Baha’is had hoped to use was not available. There was no microphone.

The Baha’is were getting a taste of the transformation that comes to those who serve, and they liked it—for they were learning that it is God’s will that counts, not theirs, and that their unity depends on having a vision that is bigger than they are and has Baha’u’llah at its center.

So the Baha’is were able to go on without the equipment they thought they needed.

Minus a monitor and a microphone, they had a diverse group of Baha’is positioned in various parts of the auditorium read short pi ges from the

ngs on unity and the oneness of humankind. Remaining on the same ground level as the audience, the Baha‘is introduced the special guests and gave them an assortment of books.

The Arkansas Baha'i Choir, itself an example of diversity, followed witha selection of songs. Then Mrs. Hubbart spoke about the life of Mr. Gregory and his contributions to race unity.

The audience joined the choir in song, and the program was closed with a prayer.

Reaction to the event was overwhelming. The dean of students rushed up and asked the Bahd’fs to purchase for her several books. The rest of the audience stayed to talk, ask for literature, and pick up pamphlets and posters.

Building on this experience, the Baha'is began their deepening institute on January 12. The first session was

teaching.

Arkansas Baha’ is

To continue the process set in motion, the Baha'is plan to establish a core group of friends from in and around Little Rock and Pine Bluff that will meet at least once a month for a potluck, fellowship, deepening, and

os

held in the Little Rock Baha’f Center, with 14 believers present. Mrs. Hubbart spoke about unity, prayer and teaching, delighting the assemblage with many stories about the early figures of the Faith.

The institute continued the next day in Pine Bluff. The Baha’is continued to deepen on teaching until one of the African-American friends expressed a heartfelt concern about racism within the Faith, at which point the concern was discussed and consulted upon.

At 11 o'clock the next morning, the institute closed where it began at the Little Rock Center. The Baha’fs shared what they had learned, then heard Mrs. Hubbart talk on the Covenant and justice.

The final day of Mrs. Hubbart’s stay in Pine Bluff was devoted to a program on the role of women.

To continue the process set in motion, the Baha’is plan to establish a core group of friends from in and around Little Rock and Pine Bluff that will meet at least once a month for a potluck, fellowship, deepening and teaching.

They plan to start deepening sessions in Pine Bluff on healing racism, after which they will invite others to those sessions. And it is their intention to sponsor a series of lectures about Mr. Gregory.

The Baha‘is also will follow up, of course, with people who expressed an interest in the Faith or in healing racism. For instance, the chairman of the English Department at UAPB has asked a Baha’f to address the English faculty on race unity.

[Page 13]JALAL B.E. 153 © Apri 9, 1996

TEACHING

20 Charlotte declarations help launch teaching plan

A Baha'i “town meeting” February 18 marked the start of the process of entry by troops in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The event itself may have been somewhat anticlimatic. A rush of declarations that has seen 20 people—17 Spanish-speaking—enroll in the Faith started back in mid-December.

And these Spanish-speaking troops are taking the lead in teaching. They have already hosted a Feast, too, lending their diversity and creativity to the community.

The newly initiated teaching process was launched amid a groundswell of support:

increased daily prayers for teaching;

calls for the help of those who have passed away, especially Sarah Martin Pereira;

unified action for teaching among the communities of Charlotte, Mint

Hill, Matthews, Pineville, Fort Hill and Rock Hill; and

¢ the assistance of Counselor Tod Ewing, Auxiliary Board members Jean Scales and Jahangir Cyrus, and Sam McClellan, who served for many years as an Auxiliary Board member in that area.

The vision for the process is to establish several strong, diverse and resourceful communities that will, through the guidance of the institutions, reflect a pattern of Bahd’i life that will offer hope to the disillusioned members of society.

Goals are:

to sustain a strategic, systematic and focused intercommunity campaign

Bahd’is in the social portion of a Martin Luther King Day celebration sponsored by the Baha'is. (Photo by Tom Mennillo)

to promote entry by troops in the area for the remainder of the Three

Year Plan and beyond;

to foster universal participation, engaging the various talents and capabilities of area Baha

to solicit the guidance and encouragement of the local and National

Spiritual Assemblies, the Continental Board of Counselors, and the Auxil

13.

of direct teaching;

iary Board members and their assistants.

Boise shapes process through consultation

As the Faith in America works toward achieving sustainable large-scale growth, individual Baha’i communities are looking for successful models.

But how should a framework being used elsewhere be adapted to local cittumstances? That's the

uestion the friends in Boise, Idaho, addressed in formulating the Samandari Teaching Project.

The Boise area has about 100 Baha’fs in a metropoe population of roughly 200,000. Boise itself

as a 50-year-old Spiritual Assembly. Ada County elected an Assembly for the first time in many years last Ridvan. There are Groups of 10 or so adults and children in the nearby towns of Meridian and Nampa and individual Baha’is in other nearby areas.

The communities boast ongoing children’s classes, anew and active Baha’f Youth Workshop, dedicated individual Baha'is serving with many like-minded organizations, and friends who hold regular biweekly firesides and other regular deepening programs.

The seeds of a teaching plan were planted last May and June with news from Houston of the successful first months of the Amatu’l-Baha Teaching Crusade. When it was learned that the Houston coordinator would be helping Baha’is in Seattle, Washington, get an effort off the ground, several friends from the Boise area traveled there twice to learn about the process.

Soon, the information was being shared with the community at large throug a meeting sponsored by the Ada county Assembly. The result was great excitement about the possibility of undertaking such an effort in Boise.

At this point the first hurdle was encountered. Enthusiastic individuals were frustrated at the perceived slowness with which the local institutions were moving on an “entry by troops” proposal.

Fortunately, about this time a transcript of Universal House of Justice member Peter Khan's talk on mental tests faced by American believers was made available. Deepening on the insights provided by that talk and other materials made the friends aware of the overriding importance of unity in whatever was going to be done.

With this new understanding, the Assemblies were consulted and agreed that if a feaching project were to be pursued, they would first need to know the level of committment within the community.

Asecond community meeting was organized. For this meeting, a package of materials was assembled with:

the compilation on entry by troops;

a selection of deepening materials on entry by

troops with emphasis on the need for unity and the role of the individual;

¢ an outline of the Amatu’l-Bahé Teaching Crusade process;

a list of teaching projects happening elsewhere

in the country;

a proposal for action in Boise that stressed the

importance of Assembly/Group acceptance and initiative; and

a questionnaire for individuals to fill out and

send to a representative for the teaching plan.

There was a lot of good, honest consultation at this meeting. Among other things, it was seen that while the Houston model may suit larger communities well, it would be best to devise a plan of action that suited local needs and goals. The need for a Baha’f Center was emphasized by everyone.

The proposal included a budget ies an initial sixmonth period with funds to rent a Baha'i Center and support a full-time teaching team. The understanding was that near the end of six months, the plan would be evaluated by the Assemblies /Groups.

The questionnaire asked whether individuals favored implementing the process of entry by troops outlined in the proposal and, if so, what resources— time and money—were they willing to commit?

When the results were in, the tally was 23 positive responses (representing about 40 Baha'is in the area) and no negative ones. The commitment was such that the institutions were confident support was sufficient to initiate a process toward entry by troops.

As a whole, the institutions decided that:

a committee would be formed of two to three

members of each Assembly and Group to plan the teaching process;

the committee would be responsible for rental

of a Baha’i Center and have full authority to do so;

the Center would be available by April 1;

the Assembly where the Center was rented

would have responsibility for the Center, using some of the funds already pledged to run and maintain it; and

¢ the other Assembly would be in charge of the over-all teaching plan that was to be developed by

the committee.

Since that time, the committee has met ona weekly basis. It consists of 12 Baha’is from five localities and the assistant to the Auxiliary Board member for propagation.

Smaller working groups have been identified to:

look for a permanent Baha'i Center;

develop a curriculum for direct teaching;

develop consolidation activities at the Baha’i

Center;

help individuals develop personal teaching

plans to coincide with the over-all plan; and

develop a “language” of teaching and communicate that to the community.

RereDs the most exciting aspect of the consultation is that the committee has seen its purpose expand from implemention to coordination. Members recognize that if the process is to be successful, the efforts will come from each individual acting in unity. Each of the community’s strengths must be used complementarily.

For instance, the committee soon realized that it was getting nowhere in organizing a direct teaching campaign. The idea of supporting full-time teaching teams at this point was deemed too divisive. But committee members agreed that no one would get in the way of those who were willing to conceive and execute a plan for direct teaching using some of the resources committed to the project.

In this holistic view, it will take all kinds of teaching activities to be successful: direct teaching, constant consolidation and deepening, outreach to likeminded groups and individuals, exploitation of the oppportunities made available by a Baha’i Center, and perhaps a media campaign.

All of these aspects are of equal importance and call for expertise that individuals in the community can provide in a unified effort. The committee thus has the goal of planning a framework whereby individual initiatives from the friends can find encouragement, resources, and a way to fit in to the wider process.

For now, no numerical goals have been set. The committee hopes that by energizing the community it will become a magnet for those attracted to the principles and spirit of the Faith.

Already there are more non-Baha’fs at local events, and greater interest from those already familiar with the Faith. Sustainability appears not only do-able but inevitable.

[Page 14]14

THe American BAHA'I

Sessions clarify public information function

By TOM MENNILLO

Public information isn’t teaching. But it certainly is important to the teaching effort.

That's the message Trish Swanson, director of the Baha’f Office of Public Information, conveyed to 43 southeastern Baha’is in an intensive media training workshop March 8-10 at the Louis G. Gregory Baha’i Institute.

Community public information representatives and other interested believers from Florida,

relationship with the news media they need to have something to say that’s of interest. In this the PI reps have ample guidance and resources, Ms. Swanson said.

The Universal House of Justice has advised Baha’i communities to focus external affairs on four areas: human rights, the advancement of women, moral development, and global prosperity.

Resources are available in each of these areas that Bahé’i communities can take to beat reporters, editors,

to speak or perform; Baha’is who do something unique; interfaith activities; returning pioneers; and Baha’f Youth Workshops

The most favorable image of the Bahd’i Faith will result from service to the general community, Ms. Swanson said. But she cautioned that such service must be done for the sake of service, not to generate publicity or declarations.

Having identified a possibly newsworthy story, the task becomes packaging it well. Most of the time the PI

video taped segment, Bahd’i David Freeman, a television weather reporter in Wichita, Kansas, likened such attacks to backbiting. He said Baha’is should see reporters and editors as messengers into whose hands we must put our message.

Ms. Swanson took the PI reps through examples of “good” and “bad” news releases and engaged them in a release-writing exercise.

She then paired off the reps for mock news interviews dealing with questions about world government and

race unity. It quickly be

Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia took part in the session, one of a series being held at the permanent Baha’i centers of learning.

Allegra Kazemzadeh of the National Teaching Office also attended.

The “PI reps,” as they are known, spent the weekend clarifying their role and developing skills that were then put into practice through hands-on exercises.

They also had plenty of time to share experiences and make plans in conversations scattered throughout the Institute’s dormitories and the dining hall—an especially popular place when it came time to break the Fast.

Ms. Swanson emphasized to the reps that their work is part of the external affairs function of the Baha’i community. At this time at the local level it primarily means getting a message to the public through the news media.

This painstaking process of forging relationships with reporters and editors, she said, will help the Faith achieve a credibility that money can’t buy. An excellent model is how the Office of External Affairs in Washington, DiGy works with the State Department and the U.S. Congress.

It also will serve the Faith in times of attack, she said. Reporters and

Community public information representatives learn the skill of being interviewed with the help of Office of Public Information Director Trish Swanson (standing in the photo at bottom left). WLGI Radio Bahl General Manager Greg Kintz helped by videotaping the one-on-one interview above. (Photos by Tom Mennillo)

came apparent to all that practice makes perfect— or comfortable, at least.

The exercise also brought up the need to prepare for questions on emotional issues of the day. Ms. Swanson said it is important to remember that the Faith does not have a position on the controversies surrounding such issues. She also told the reps it is OK to say “I don’t know but I'll find out” if they aren’t sure how to answer a_ particular question.

The weekend’s final session looked at public information work in relation to the maturation of Baha‘i institutions and of the Bahd’i community as a whole.

Ms. Swanson urged the PI reps to consult with their sponsoring Assemblies on a media plan covering at least 18 months.

This plan should focus on function and process, rather than events, she said. It should envision what skills and relationships are needed, what resources can be devoted to the public information work, and what course of action to take in a crisis situation.

In doing this, the PI reps and Assemblies will be developing capacities to handle functions in higher-level ways, she said, and contributing to the process of entry by troops.

Educating the entire Baha’f community about

editors who know Baha’is well are less likely to uncritically publish accusations against them.

What about advertising? Ms. Swanson cautioned the reps that advertising can legitimately support a larger plan of teaching, but is not a substitute for teaching and should by no means be the focus of a teaching campaign.

Similarly, radio and television programming about the Faith must be approached carefully. The product must be top-notch and be placed effectively, she said.

Of course, once Baha’fs establish a

teachers, governmental agencies, libraries, etc. Examples are books and statements such as The Prosperity of Humankind, The Greatness Which Might Be Theirs, and Turning Point for All Nations; magazines and newsletters such as “World Order” and “One Country”; and the Two Wings video.

Stories in which the media might be interested include: Baha’{ activities tied to issues of local concern; Baha'is who participate in noteworthy events such as the Fourth Conference on Women in Beijing; Baha'is well-known to the general community who come

rep will send a news release to selected reporters and assignment editors. At other times a media advisory is used to “pitch” a story. In rare instances, a news conference can be called.

A typical press kit might include a news release or media advisory, a background piece on the issue or event, a brief biography and photograph if there’s a speaker, materials such as “The Baha’is” magazine or “The Vision of Race Unity,” and clippings of previous coverage.

The PI reps were urged not to fall into the trap of “media bashing.” In a

the public information function will also help clarify responsibilities and ensure that it is carried out effectively, she said.

Further training for PI reps is available in the form of a video due out by late spring or early summer, Ms. Swanson said.

A PI handbook also can be purchased from the Office of Public Information for $17.

Another helpful resource is the “RPRC Handbook,” which can be obtained for $12.95 plus $3 shipping and handling from the Religious Public Relations Council, P.O. Box 222198, Dallas, TX 75222-2198.

[Page 15]MataNCl

JALAL B.E. 153 © Apri 9, 1996

ARYZONA YOUTH ARE MAKIN’ MOVES — TELL US ABOUT YoU!

News from Arizona submitted by Sahba Rohani

University of Arizona Baha’i Club 1. RACISM FORUM - The banner for

the Forum (see photo) is put up every Thursday on the main part of campus. We made 1,000 flyers and put them up all around the school. We adopted the program from the University of California at Davis. This is the first time we have conducted the forum, yet it is going very well. We have had a lot of participation from non-Baha’is. Our co-facilitators for this event are Afshan Peimani and Elizabeth Worthington.

2. COLL CLUB RETREAT - For students from Arizona (ASU, Uof A, NAU) we will have a retreat at NABI from April 12-14. Other youth are welcome as well. It is a wonderful event whose goal is to unite the youth and to learn about the amazing Native American culture.

"Men hate each other because they fear each other, and they fear each other they,

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IMPORTANT

We regret to inform you that the National Youth Conference planned for this summer has been postponed until further notice. Due to unforseen circumstances we are unable to find an appropriate venue to house the conference at this time. There will be a National Youth Conference at a future date. Please watch for upcoming news in The American Baha’ i.

15

Youth are an important resource

In its Ridvan 152 letter to the Baha’ is of the world the Universal House of Justice writes about, “...the triple theme of the Plan, which calls for enhancing the vitality of the faith of individual believers, greatly developing the human resources of the Cause, and fostering the proper functioning of local and national institutions.”

You are among our greatest resources. Don’t wait until people ask you to serve. Show everyone how capable you are by taking the initiative. What are good at doing? What do you like to do? How can you be of help? Are there skills you'd like to learn? Ask your parents, your assembly, your auxiliary board member how you can get the training you need. There are lots of ways to get training free.

You are never too young to participate. Shayda Galata is a good example. She is ten years old and has already gotten a license to do video camera work.If you need help or ideas on how you can develop your potential please give Allegra a call at 847-733-3504 or write to Makin’ Moves, National Teaching Office, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 or send E-Mail to

YMCA camp at Mt. Lemmon we held a retreat for the Local Spiritual Assemblies in the Tucson area. The event was facilitated by Marsha Gilpatrick. It was a wonderful experience that allowed the LSAs a chance to consult and unite. It also allowed the youth who were there to get a feel for what being on an Assembly entails.

[Page 16]HREE YEAR PLAN

THe AMERICAN BAHA'I 16

Management Information Services: where unity and technology meet

The goal of Management Information Services is to provide communication and information support services for the Baha’{ National Center in its service to the American Baha'i community. The need to share information quickly and authoritatively within the American Baha’ community is becoming more critical, especially in anticipation of large-scale growth.

To prepare for this eventuality, Management Information Services, at the beginning of the Three Year Plan, began analyzing the need and setting goals for its realization. In this article we will give you an historical perspective, tell you of our accomplishments during the Three Year Plan, and share with you our vision for the future.

Historical perspective

Management Information Services was created in 1986 by merging the Membership and Records Office with the Data Processing Office. At that time, COBOL was the programming language of choice, the database was hierarchical, and all querying and updating had to be done from dumb terminals connected to a Sperry-Univac mini-computer, which required an air conditioned room.

At that time the Baha’f National Center owned about 20 personal computers, a mixture of Apples, Macs and IBM compatibles.

At the beginning of the Three Year Plan

Seven years later in 1993, at the beginning of the Three Year Plan, the department was moving away from total reliance on dumb terminals and had acquired more than 100 personal computers. Still, all querying and updating of the membership and financial databases had to be done from dumb terminals or from personal computers running terminalemulation software.

The new database on the Micro-VAX mini-computer obtained in 1991 was relational, and the report writer could utilize Structured Query Panguage (SQL). However, our membership and financial software came froma third party and met only about 80 percent of our needs.

The fastest of the new personal computers ran at 16 MHz, and none of them was networked. Data was shared by passing around floppy disks. The only significant development that took place was on personal computers, for we could not afford a full developmental license for the mini-computer.

A number of major systems had been written and were running on personal computers. The most notable of these were the Automatic Contributions System (ACS) and the Pioneer and International Travel Teaching Tracking System. Many personal databases flourished and replicated one another.

The five-year-old telephone system had reached the maximum number of phones that could be connected to it and was showing its age.

A Baha‘i National Center Bulletin Board System (BNCBBS) had been set up with four incoming lines so that friends in the field who had personal computers could connect electronically to the National Center to share information.

An electronic mail system was established to connect the National Center to its outlying agencies, to the Bahd’{f World Center, and to the Continental Counselors. This system was costing the Fund thousands of dollars a month.

All mailings used the five-digit zip code, losing out on discounts that could be achieved through the use of Zip+4 addressing and bar-coding.

Thus was the state of Management Information Services at the beginning of the Three Year Plan.

During the Three Year Plan

At the beginning of the Three Year Plan, Management Information Services devised three plans of action to carry out its mission: a short-range plan (1993-1994), a mid-range plan (1993-1996), and a long-range plan (1993-1998). The major goals of these plans and whether or not each was accomplished is presented below.

The major goals of the short-range plan were:

To stabilize existing systems.

Accomplished.

To inventory all hardware and software.

Accomplished during mid-range plan.

¢ To decentralize data maintenance to responsible

departments.

complished. Data maintenance responsibilities were given to the offices of Community Administration and Development, the Office of Pioneering, and the National Teaching Office.

Additional short-range accomplishments included establishing a system for receiving, evaluating and accepting requests for the development of new systems or the upgrading of existing systems.

The major goals of the mid-range plan were:

To analyze application, hardware, budget and

long-range plan requirements.

Accomplished.

To connect the personal computers to local area

networks (LANs) at the Baha’f House of Worship and the Baha’f schools.

In response to that goal, Management Information Services established a local area network at the Bahd’{ National Center, the Baha’i House of Worship, and the Baha‘i Distribution Service in Chattanooga, laying more than 10 miles of cable in the process.

We also established a peer-to-peer network at the Baha’i Publishing Trust and the Office of External Affairs in Washington, D.C., and laid an additional three miles of cable at the Louis Gregory Baha’f Institute in anticipation of future voice and data communications systems. This was accomplished in the span of one week, instead of the anticipated three, thanks to the sacrificial efforts of many youth attending the institute.

To install a document retrieval system and a

document tracking system.

Installed an optical document retrieval system for the Secretariat, but maintained by Management Information Services, and scanned in 85 percent of the membership documents thanks to the sacrificial efforts of many volunteers. The document tracking system could not be initiated due to the lack of human and financial resources.

¢ To take advantage of discounts provided by the US. Postal Service through the use of Zip+4 and barcode addressing.

Accomplished by investing in the software necessary to meet postal regulations and provide us with the tools to take advantage of postal discounts.

Ninety-one percent of our active membership records and ninety-nine percent of our communit: records have Zip+4 addresses. The American Baha'i has been using both Zip+4 and barcoding for more than two years. Since the beginning of the Three Year Plan we have achieved a savings of nearly $150,000.

To install a new telephone system.

Accomplished. The new phone system is upgradable and includes voice mail and separate lines for voice and data communications.

To development an Executive Information System.

A statistical database has been created and geo raphic information system software obtained, but

for the most part this goal remains unaccomplished. Its feasibility depends upon developing new personal computer server-based membership and financial systems that are scheduled to be in place by the end of the Three Year Plan.

Additional mid-range accomplishments:

Established a modern PC Support Services inhouse maintenance office to install, maintain,

troubleshoot and upgrade the many personal computers and departmental laser printers.

Acquired more than 100 new personal computers to replace the aging ones making it possible to

concentrate our limited human resources on training instead of maintenance.

Standardized on LAN-based installable and

upgradable software and began bi-weekly in-house software training classes for new and continuing staff.

Established an in-house electronic-mail post office at the Baha’i National Center with direct or remote access for its staff and agencies, for the members of the National Spiritual Assembly, and for the

Continental Counselors. The system also provides electronic-mail communications with anyone in the world who has an Internet address. This post office now receives 3,000 messages daily.

The major goals of the long-range plan were:

¢To implement electronic-mail. Accomplished during the mid-range plan.

¢ To establish a wide area network (WAN) to connect local area networks (LANs) at the Baha’f National Center, Baha’f House of Worship and Baha’i Publishing Trust.

Connected the Baha’i House of Worship LAN to. the Baha’f National Center WAN. The Baha’i Publishing Trust LAN will be installed and connect to the WAN in 1996.

¢ To automate local Spiritual Assemblies. A pilot project involving five local Spiritual Assemblies is to begin before the end of the Three Year Plan.

A look into the future

Management Information Services will play a major role in decentralizing the national administration. We are already looking ahead to put ourselve: 0 a position to provide not oy the techne but also the leadership, knowledge and vision that this effort will call for.

In the next couple of years we will have the infrastructure in place to support decentralization. We are anticipating the expansion of the wide area network, a move to a distributed client/server architecture, and the implementation of local Spiritual Assembly automation. Indeed, this is the new paradigm where unity and technology meet.

Conclusion

As members of Management Information Services at the Baha’f National Center, we are honored to assist the American Baha’i Community to achieve its spiritual destiny. We welcome your help or inquiries. Please contact us at the Baha’i National Center, MIS Department, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 602011611 (telephone 847-733-3456).

Baha'is in Okaloosa County, Florida, turn attack on Faith int6 positive force

What is a Baha’f community to do when attacked in the local newspaper—and on the front page, no less?

In the case of Okaloosa County, Florida, the Baha’is turned the negative publicity into a clear positive. And they did it with class.

The story starts last May, when a member of the Baha’i community read that a National Day of Prayer program was planned. Seeing that was to be held at City Hall, she assumed it would be open.

But upon calling the contact person, she was told that the service was exclusive: “No Baha’, Jewish or Muslim prayers are welcome. This is for Christians only.”

So the Baha'is consulted and decided it would harm the Faith’s image if they tried to force their way onto the program.

That's where things stood for months, until an article appeared about President Clinton’s order to distribute school prayer guidelines to the nation’s 15,000 school districts.

In the article, a minister who also is vice president ofa local ministerial association complained that the guidelines could, as the article stated, “open the doors to some views that aren’t acceptable” to him. As an example, he mentioned that “a Baha’f priestess called me and demanded time” on the National Day of Prayer program.

The Baha’f community, after consultation, called the newspaper and requested that the inaccurate statement be corrected.

The reporter suggested instead that the Baha'is write a letter to the editor. That was done, and the letter was published.

In addition, the reporter asked if she might prepare an article on the local Group, explaining who the Bahd’fs are in Okaloosa County and around the world. That coverage, consisting of a locally written article, a wire feature on persecution of the Faith and a large graphic, took up most of the front page of the Religion section.

“Prayerfully, God used negative publicity to His glory,” said John Gaines, chairman of the Okaloosa County Baha’i Group.

[Page 17]JALAL B.E. 153 * Apri 9, 1996 = 17,

REDISTRICTING

Task Force completes first revision of U.S. electoral units since 1986

Last January, the National Spiritual Assembly voted to approve a complete redistricting of the American Baha’{ electoral units, which are used in electing delegates to the National Convention.

Ten years have passed since the last complete redistricting in 1986. Since then, the Baha’i population has changed substantially. Growth of the American Baha’{ community, major population shifts among the Bahd’is, and a large number of unknown addresses have contributed toward a large disparity in electoral units.

The purpose and focus of the redistricting plan can be summarized in this statement from The Universal House of Justice which addressed the Bahai electoral proces:

“It is the hope of the Universal House of Justice that the implementation of these instructions this year and thereafter will promote Baha'i solidarity, broaden the basis of representation at the National Conventions and that thereby the work of the Faith in each country will be characterized by greater efficiency and enhanced harmony.”

CURRENT POPULATIONS VOTING FOR ONE DELEGATE

3

151 146

| @x value |Bpopulation

UNITS 2 3

0 200

400 600 800

IDEAL ELECTORAL BASE - 330

(The Universal House of Justice, July 21, 1985)

The redistricting plan is a major change for the entire American Baha’i community. No past reapportionment has been so comprehensive and complete.

The advances in technology allowed the use of computerized mapping tools and a sophisticated data base that were not imaginable 10 years ago. This past year the National Center was able to dedicate enough human resources to synthesize this complicated process.

History

The last complete redistricting took place 10 years ago, in 1986. Over the years some small changes were made, but without an over-all review, the apportion: ing still left many pockets of unequal populations.

In June 1994 the National Spiritual Assembly decided to appoint a Task Force to develop recommendations to redistrict the electoral unit boundaries and pate potential changes in the electoral process.

PROPOSED POPULATIONS i VOTING FOR ONE DELEGATE 171 166 161 156 151 146 4 141 136 131 126 121 116 111 106 / 101 | 96 1 86 81 I 76 H 71 f 66 | | 61 | 56 | 51 | 46 | a 36 | 31 26 | 21 | 16 H 4 |

@ value Gpopulatio

UNITS

0 200 400 600

IDEAL ELECTORAL BASE 330

I I I

0999999 TAB 3/20/96 EU001 MR BILL UNKNOWN

PRESQUE ISLAND ME 04769

The new electoral unit number is displayed in bold-face type on this sample label for The American Baha'i.

The Redistricting Task Force soon went to work to reapportion the electoral units in time for the 1995 District Conventions, but eventually realized that there was not enough time to complete the difficult and complex task. The Task Force reconvened last October after Management Information Systems developed an updated data base that would become the basis of the redistricting plan.

Future

Change is inevitable as the Baha’{ communit grows. The need for frequent reapportioning will increase as more people come into the Faith. The movement of Baha’is from one electoral unit to another will happen more often. These changes can have a positive effect on the American community and should ultimately stimulate interest and participation in the Baha’‘{ electoral process.

In the future the Redistricting Task Force will review equity of the population ona regular basis and proposs changes if necessary to the electoral unit

oundaries. With entry by troops, an efficient and regular redistricting process will be required.

Guidelines taken from the Universal House of Justice’s letter of July 21, 1985

The number of delegates (171) has remained unchanged since 1937. “The House of Justice has decided that the number of delegates to each National Convention will remain unchanged for the present.”

It is preferable that each electoral unit elect one delegate only. If this is not practical, a unit could elect 2-3 delegates.” When establishing the electoral unit basis for the election of delegates, a National Spiritual Assembly should divide the territory under its jurisdiction into electoral units, based on the number of adult Bahd’is in each area, in such a way that each unit will be responsible for electing preferably one delegate only. ...this may not be practical in certain instances, such as a unit which contains one or more very large local communities. In such cases it may be necessary to make the unit large enough to be the electoral base for two or possibly three delegates.”

The National Spiritual Assembly is accorded a great deal of discretion. The letter states that “two or possibly three delegates” may be necessary in some cases (see above quote). “One can appreciate that a great deal of discretion must be accorded to each National Spiritual Assembly to establish the most effective means for the election of the delegates to its National Convention within the general principles outlined above.”

Sub-units are allowed and encouraged for those electoral units experiencing low attendance.

“Where holding unit conventions has proved ineffective, or does not seem to be a viable procedure, a National Assembly may divide each electoral unit into sub-units of a convenient size. A meeting could then be held in each sub-unit to which all the adult believers residing therein would be invited. This should result in the participation of a large number of believers. It is important to remember, however, that the delegate to be elected represents the entire unit and therefore, although the voting may be carried out in sub-units, each voter has all the adult believers resident in the entire unit to choose from in voting for a delegate.”

The National Assembly is instructed to seek the help and advice of the Counselors and their Auxiliary Boards in educating the friends.“The help and advice of the Counselors and their Auxiliary Board members and assistants could be sought in working out these details and in educating the friends.”

[Page 18]INISTRATION

The education of the friends is an integral component of the reapportionment process.“All matters of detail should be decided by the National Assembly whicl should ensure that the friends are fully informed and thoroughly understand what they are expected to do.”

The Redistricting Task Force used these additional guidelines while setting boundaries for new electoral units:

© Use adult Baha’is with known addresses as basis for 171 delegates. “Further guidance might be welcome and we share portions of a letter written by the Universal House of Justice to another National Spiritual Assembly on September 4, 1966: “Whilst it is embarrassing to leave names of inactive believers on a membership list, inactivity and lack of attendance at Baha’{ meetings are not the bases for removing names of believers from the membership roster. A name should be removed only when the person clearly states that he no longer believes in

Baha’u’llah and wishes his name to be removed from Baha’i membership.

“Tf the believer’s whereabouts are unknown, his name should still not be removed from membership, but kept in a special list of believers whose addresses are unknown, and who obviously are not counted in determining the allocation of delegates.” (Written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, September 25, 1973, Malaysian Bahd’i News, Vol.9, Nos. 2 and 3, June/November 1973, and in Lights of Guidance, 1988 edition, No. 296, p. 84-85)

Use population clusters wherever possible rather

than previously used state boundaries. This allows for more equitable division of voters. The plan also combines neighboring states where the population does not warrant a full delegate.

¢ Eliminate multiple delegate units and apportion one delegate per electoral unit except in New York and Los Angeles where the number of adult believers warrants additional delegates.

Apply a population mean of 330 people to each

electoral unit. 330 is obtained by dividing the number of adults with known addresses by the number of delegates. The goal of the Redistricting Plan was to achieve a 25 percent variance from 330 per electoral unit, with a maximum of 412 adults and a minimum of 248. This goal was achieved in all but one electoral unit.

Keep county lines intact when possible, thus giving the redistricting plan permanently recognized

governmental boundaries. As new Baha‘ localities develop, using county lines will make identifying the locations easier.

Use sub-units where geography demands. This

will be helpful in the western regions where the Baha’i population is sparse, and will encourage greater Unit Convention participation in those areas where low attendance has been a concern.

Refer to topography and road maps to dissipate

as many traveling concerns as possible and to encourage greater participation.

¢ Cluster communities together who already support one another’s activities if feasible.

HdQdau'LLAH Payments for Huqtqu'llah should be made to “The Baha'i Huqdqu'llah Trust” and sent to one of the Trustees:

Dr. Elsie Austin, 9039 Sligo Creek Parkway, Unit 612, Silver Spring, MD 20901

(phone 301-589-8481). © Dr. Amin Banani, Santa Monica, CA 90402 (phone 310-394DuDalyah 1 ghighi, ¢ Dr. Da aghighi,

Bae River, OH 44116 (phone 216fausten garding Hu-qtiqu'llah should

quiries re; i lu. ju'llah shou!

_ be referred to one of the trustees orto the | Office of the Secretariat, Baha'i luqdqu'll4h Trust,

Rocky River, OH 44116.

d.S. Electoral Units: 1996

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State: MAINE County: (New Hampshire) Strafford State: VERMONT Counties: (New Hampshire) Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, Merrimack & Sullivan Counties: (Massachusetts) Essex & Suffolk (New Hampshire) Hillsborough & Rockingham County: (Massachusetts) Middlesex Counties: (Massachusetts) Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire & Worcester State: RHODE ISLAND Counties: (Massachusetts) Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, Norfolk & Plymouth Counties: (Connecticut) Hartford, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland & Windham Counties: (Connecticut) Fairfield & Litchfield (New York) Dutchess, Putnam & Westchester Counties: (New York) Nassau & Suffolk Locality: New York City Counties: (New Jersey) Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem & Somerset New Jersey) Bergen, Essex, Hudson, saic, Sussex, Union & Warren Counties: (New York) Albany, Broome, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgom ery, Oneida,Onondaga, Orange, Oswego, Otsego, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saint Lawrence, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster, War ren & Washington Counties: (New York) Cayuga, Chemung, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne & Yates Counties: (Maryland) Frederick & Washington (Pennsylvania) Adams, Berks, Blair, Bradford, Carbon, Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Mifflin, Monroe, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Perry, Pike, Schuylkill Snyder, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne, Wyoming & York Counties: (Pennsylvania) Bucks, Chester, Dela ware, Montgomery & Philadelphia State: DELAWARE Counties: (Maryland) Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico & Worcester (Virginia) Accomack & Northampton Counties: (Maryland) Baltimore, Carroll & Howard Locality:(Maryland) Baltimore Independent City County: (Maryland) Montgomery ies: (Maryland) Anne Arundel, Calvert, , Prince George’s & Saint Mary’s Virginia) Arlington 8: (Virginia—Fairfax Co) Ea Fairfax City, Fairfax County, dependent City, Falls Church Independent City, Great Falls, Greater Vienna, Mc Lean & Vienna Localities: (Virginia—Fairfax Co) Alexandria Independent City, Chantilly, Fairfax County Central S, Fairfax County NW, Fairfax County SW, Fairfax County West, Franconia, Herndon, Mount Vernon & Reston Counties: (Virginia) Albemarle, Buckingham, Caroline, Culpeper, Cumberland, Essex, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Goochland, Greene, Hanover, Henrico, King and Queen, King George, King William,Lancaster, Loudoun, Louisa, Madison, Middlesex, New Kent, Northumberland, Orange, Powhatan, Prince William, Rappahannock, Richmond, Spotsylvania, Stafford & Westmoreland Localities: (Virginia) Charlottesville Independent City, Fredericksburg Independent City, Manassas Independent City, Manassas Park Independent City & Richmond Independent City Counties:(Virginia) Amelia, Brunswick, Charles City, Charlotte, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Gloucester Greensville, Isle of Wight, James City, Lunenburg, Mathews, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Prince Edward, Prince George, Southampton, Surry, Sussex & York Localities: (Virginia) Chesapeake Independent City, Colonial Heights Independent City, Emporia Independent City, Franklin Independent City, Hampton Independent City, Hopewell Independent City, Newport News In

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THe AMERICAN BAHA’i

dependent City, Norfolk Independent City, Petersburg Independent City, Poquoson Indepoe City, Portsmouth Independent City,

uffolk Independent City, Virginia Beach Independent City & Williamsburg Independent City Counties:(North Carolina) Beaufort, Bertie, Bladen, Brunswick, Camden, Carteret, Chowan, Columbus, Craven, Currituck, Dare, Duplin, Gates, Greene, Hertford, Hyde, Jones, Lenoir, Martin, New Hanover, Onslow Pamlico, Pasquotank, Pender, Perquimans, Pitt, Sampson, Tyrrell, Washington & Wayne Counties: (North Carolina) Cumberland, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Harnett, Johnston, Nash, Northampton, Person, Vance, Wake, Warren & Wilson

(South Carolina) Horry

‘South Carolina) Georgetown

(South Carolina - Marion Co) Ariel

Crossroads, Britton’s Neck, Centenary, Friend ship, Gresham, Marion County South, Rains & Singletary Counties: (South Carolina) Berkeley & Charles ton Counties: (South Carolina) Bamberg, Colleton & Dorchester Counties: (South Carolina) Allendale, Barnwell, Beaufort, Hampton & Jasper Counties: (South Carolina) Aiken, Lexington & Orangeburg Counties: (South Carolina) Calhoun, Lee, Richland & Sumter Cou (South Carolina) Clarendon Counties: (South Carolina) Williamsbur; Localities: (South Carolina - Florence Co} Camerontown, Camp Branch, Coopers, Greater Johnsville, Greater Lake City, Hickory Hill, Johnsonville, Lake City, Lake City East, Lake City West, Possum Fox, Prospect, Vox & Warren Barr Dev Localities: (South Carolina—Florence Co) Coward, Bazen-Blossom Crossroads, Cartersville, Clausen, Effingham, Evergreen, Florence County Central 1, Florence County Central 2, Florence County East, Florence County SW, Hyman, Olanta, Pamplico, Poston, Salem, Sardis, Savannah Grove, Scranton, South Florence & Timmonsville Localities: (South Carolina—Florence Co) East Florence, Florence, Florence Gounty North, Mars Bluff, Quinby & West Florence Localities:(South Carolina—Marion Co) Duford Ellerbe Heights, Gapway, Laughlin, Marion, Marion County North, Mullins, Nichols, North Marion, Pee Dee, Penderboro, Pleasant View, Scotts Community,South Marion, ppring Branch, Springville, Tabernacle, Temperance Hill, Temple Hill, White Oak Creek & Zion

South Carolina) Dillon

(South Carolina) Darlington

Counties: (South Carolina) Chesterfield, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster & Marlboro Counties: (South Carolina) Chester & York Counties: (South Carolina) Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Edgefield, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Mc Cormick, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Saluda, Spartanburg & Union Counties: (North Carolina) Anson, Cabarrus, Hoke, Mecklenburg, Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Robeson, Scotland, Stanly & Union Counties: (North Carolina) Alamance, Caswell, Chatham, Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Guilford, Iredell, Lee, Orange, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Stokes, Surry & Yadkin Counties: (Maryland) Allegany & Garrett (Pennsylvania) Allegheny, Bedford, Fayette, Greene, Somerset, Washington & Westmoreland (Virginia) Alleghany, Amherst, Appomattox, Augusta, Bath, Bedford, Botetourt, Campbell, Carroll, Clarke, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Frederick, Giles, Halifax, Hei nye Highland, Montgomery, Nelson, Page, Patrick, Pittsylvania, Pulaski, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah & Warren (West Virginia) Barbour, Berkeley, Braxton, Brooke, Calhoun, Clay, Doddridge, Gilmer, Grant,Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock, Hardy, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Lewis, Marion, Marshall, Mason, Mineral, Monongalia, Monroe, Morgan, Nicholas, Ohio, Pendleton, Pleasants, Pocahontas, Preston, Randolph, Ritchie, Roane, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur, Webster, Wetzel, Wirt & Wood Localities: (Virginia) Bedford Independent City, Buena Vista inde ndent City, Clifton Forge Independent City, ovington Independent City, Danville Independent City, Galax Independent City, Harrisonburg Independent City, Lexington

[Page 19]AINISTRATION

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Independent City, Lynchburg Independent City, Martinsville Independent City, Radford Indendent City, Roanoke Independent City, Salem independent City, South Boston Independent City, Staunton Independent City, Waynesboro radenencenklRys Winchester Independent City Counties: (New York) Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans & Wyoming, (Pennsylvania) Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest; Indiana, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mc Kean, Mercer, Potter, Venango & Warren Counties:(Ohio) Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Medina, Portage, Summit & Trumbull Counties: (Ohio) Ashland, Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Columbiana, Coshocton, Delaware, Erie, Fairfield, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Hocking, Holmes, Huron, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lawrence, Licking, Lorain, Mahoning, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Richland, Ross, Scioto, Stark, Tuscarawas, Vinton, Washingtoné& Wayne Counties:(Ohio) Adams, Allen, Auglaize, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Crawford, Darke, Defiance, Fayette, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Highland, Logan, Lucas, Madison, Marion, Mercer, Miami, Nan conte) Ottawa, Paulding, Preble, Putnam,Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby, Union, Van Wert, Warren, Williams, Wood & Wyandot Counties: (Kentucky) Adair, Allen, Anderson, Barren, Bath, Bell, Boone, Bourbon, Boyd, Boyle, Bracken, Breathitt, Bullitt, Campbell, Carroll, Carter, Casey, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Elliott, I, Fayette, Fleming, Floyd, Franklin, Gallatin, Garrard, Grant, Green, Greenup, Hardin, Harlan, Harrison, Hart, Henry, Jackson, Jefferson, Jessamine, Johnson, Kenton, Knott, Knox, Larue, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Lincoln, Madison, Magoffin, Marion, Martin, Mason, Mc Creary, Menifee, Mercer, Metcalfe, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Nelson, Nicholas, Oldham, Owen, Owsley, Pendleton, Perry, Pike, Powell, Pulaski, Robertson, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Taylor, Trimble, Washington, Wayne, Whitley, Wolfe & Woodford: os (Virginia) Bland, Buchanan, Dickenson, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise & Wythe (West Virginia) Boone, Cabell, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, re Mc Dowell, Mercer, Mingo, Putnam, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne & Wyomin Localities: (Virginia) Bristol Independent City Norton undependent City Counties: (North Carolina) Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, Mc Dowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes & Yancey (Tennessee) Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi & Washington Counties: (Georgia) Banks, Barrow, Bartow, Cherokee, Clarke, Dawson, Elbert, Fannin, Forsyth, Franklin, Gilmer, Gordon, Greene, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Jackson, Lincoln, Lumpkin, Madison, Morgan, Murray, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Pickens, Rabun, Stephens, Taliaferro, Towns, Union, Walton, White & Wilkes Counties: (Georgia) Clayton, De Kalb, Henry, Newton & Rockdale Counties: (Georgia) Coweta, Fayette & Fulton Counties: (Georgia) Carroll, Cobb, Douglas & Paulding Counties: (Georgia) Baldwin, Burke, Butts, Columbia, Glascock, Hancock, Harris, Heard, Jaspee Jefferson, Jones, Lamar, Mc Duffie, leriwether, Monroe, Pike, Putnam, Richmond, Spalding, Talbot, Troup, Upson, Warren & Washington Counties: (Georgia) Prine Bacon, Bibb, Bleckley, Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Crawford, Dodge, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans,Glynn Houston, Jeff Davis, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, Liberty, Long, Mc intosh, Montgomery, Peach, Pierce, Pulaski, Screven, Tattnall, Taylor, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Twiggs, Ware, Wayne, Wheeler, Wilcox & Wilkinson Counties: (Georgia) Chattahoochee, Crisp, Dooly, Macon, Marion, Muscogee, Schley, Stewart,

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Sumter & Webster

Counties: (Florida) Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam, Saint Johns, Union & Volusia

Counties: (Florida) Brevard, Indian River, Lake, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Saint Lucie & Seminole

Localities: (Florida—Palm Beach Co) Bryant, Canal Point, Friemd Village, Juno Beach, Jupiter, Lake Park, North Palm Beach, Padgett Island, Pahokee, Palm Beach, Palm Beach County North, Palm BeachGardens, Pelican Lake Village, Riviera Beach, Royal Palm Beach, Section 29, Tequesta & West Palm Beach

Localities: (Florida—Palm Beach Co) Bare Beach, Bean City, Belle Glade, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Chosen) Delray Beach, Greenacres City, Lake Harbor, Lake Worth, Lantana, Loxahatches Groves, Okeechobee Center, Palm Beach County Central, Palm Beach County South, Palm Springs, Ration Village, South Bay & South Shore Vil

Florida) Broward Florida) Charlotte, Collier, Dade, Lee & Monroe Counties: (Florida) De Soto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Polk & Sarasota Counties: (Florida) Citrus, Dixie, Hernando, Levy, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas & Sumter Counties: (Florida) Columbia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor & Wakulla (Georgia) Atkinson, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Calhoun, Clay, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Echols, Grady, Irwin, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Quitman, Randolph, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Tift,Turner & Worth Counties:(Alabama) Autauga, Baldwin, Barbour, Bibb, Bullock, Butler, Chambers, Chilton, Choctaw, Clarke, Clay, Coffee, Conecuh, Coosa, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Dallas, Elmore, Escambia, Geneva, Greene, Hale, Henry, Houston, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Randolph, Russell, Shelby, Sumter, Talladega, Tallapoosa, Tuscaloosa ,Washington & Wilcox (Florida) Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton & Washington Counties: (Alabama) Blount, Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne, Colbert, Cullman, De Kalb, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan, Saint Clair, Walker & Winston (Georgia) Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Haralson, Polk, Walker & Whitfield (Tennessee) Bedford, Bradley, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Grundy, Hamilton, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marion, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry, Sequatchie & Wayne Counties: (Tennessee) Anderson, Bledsoe, Blount, Campbell, Cannon, Cheatham, Claiborne, Clay,Cumberland, Davidson, De Kalb, Dickson, Fentress, Grainger, Hamblen, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Loudon, Macon,Meminn, Meigs, Monroe, Montgomery,Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, ea, Roane, Robertson, Rutherford, Scott, Sevier, Smith, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Union, Van Buren, Warren, White, Williamson & Wilson Counties: (Illinois) Alexander, Bond, Christian, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Macoupin, Marion, Massac, MONI BOER, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Richland Saline, Shelby, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White & Williamson (Indiana) Bartholomew, Brown, Clark, Clay, Crawford, Daviess, Dearborn, Decatur, Dubois, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Gibson, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Hendricks, Henry, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Johnson, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Morgan, Ohio, Orange, Owen, Parke, Perry, Pike, Posey, Putnam, Ripley, Rush, Scott, Shelby, Spencer, Sullivan, Switzerland, Union, Vanderburgh, Vigo, Warrick & Washington (Kentucky) Ballard, Breckinridge, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Daviess, Edmonson, Fulton, Graves, Grayson, Hancock, Henderson, Hickman, Hopkins, Livingston, Logan, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, Mc Lean, Meade, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Simpson, Todd, Trigg, Union, Warren & Webster

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JALAL BLE. 153 * Apri 9,1996 19

Counties: (Indiana) Adams, Allen, Benton, Blackford, Boone, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, De kalb, Delaware, Fountain, Fulton, Grant, Hamilton, Howard, Huntington, Jasper, Jay, Kosciusko, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Miami, Montgomery, Newton, Noble, Pulaski, Randolph, Starke, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Vermillion, Wabash, Warren, Wells, White & Whitley Counties: (Indiana) Elkhart, La Porte, Lagrange, Lake, Porter, Saint Joseph & Steuben (Michigan) Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Eaton, Hillsdale, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lenawee, Ottawa, Saint Joseph & Van Buren Counties: (Michigan) Macomb, Monroe & Wayne Localities: (Michigan—Oakland Co) Berkley, Beverly Hills, Ferndale, Franklin, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Lathrop Village, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Royal Oak Township, Southfield & Southfield Township Counties: (Michigan) Genesee, Huron, Lapeer, Livingston, Saint Clair, Sanilac, Tuscola & Washtenaw Localities: (Michigan—Oakland Co) Addison Township, Auburn Hills, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Clarkston, Clawson, Commerce Township, Davisburg, Drayton Plains, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Highland Township, Holly, Independence Township, Keego Harbor, Lake Orion, Leonard, Lyon Township, Milford, Novi, Oakland Township, Orchard Lake, Orion Township, Ortonville, Oxford Township, Pontiac, Pontiac Township, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Salem Township, South Lyon, Springfield Township, Troy, Union Lake, Walled Lake, Waterford Township, West Bloomfield Township, White Lake Township & Wixom Counties: (Michigan) Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Arenac, Bay, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Clare, Clinton, Crawford, Emmet, Gladwin, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, losco, Isabella, Kalkaska, Kent, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Midland, Missaukee, Montcalm,Montmorency, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Shiawassee & Wexford Counties: (Michigan) Alger, Baraga, Chippewa, Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Menominee, Ontonagon & Schoolcraft (Wisconsin) Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Forest, Iron, Kewaunee, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Pepin,Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Rusk, Saint Croix, Sawyer, Shawano, Taylor, Vilas, Washburn, Waupaca & Wood Counties: (Wisconsin) Calumet, Fond Du Lac, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Sheboygan, Washington & Winnebago Counties: (lowa) Allamakee, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Grundy, Hardin, Howard, Mitchell, Winneshiek & Worth (Minnesota) Dakota, Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca & Winona (Wisconsin) Adams, Buffalo, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Grant, Green Lake, lowa, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Lafayette, Marquette, Monroe, Richland, Sauk, Trempealeau, Vernon & Waushara Counties: (Illinois) Boone, Carroll, De Kalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside & Winnebago (Wisconsin) Dodge, Green, Jefferson, Kenosha, Racine, Rock, Walworth & Waukesha Counties: (Illinois) Kane, Lake & Mc Hen: Localities: (Illinois—Cook Co) Arlington Heights, Barrington, Barrington Township, BuffaloGrove, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Township, Elk Grove Village, Hanover, Hanover Park, Hanover Township, Hoffman Estates, Inverness, Mount Prost, Palatine, Palatine Township, Prospect eights, Rolling Meadows, Rosemont, Schaumburg, Streamwood, Wheeling & Wheeling Township Localities: (Illinois—Cook Co) Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Maine Township, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Northfield Township, Park Ridge, Skokie, Wilmette & Winnetka Locality: (Illinois—Cook Co) Chicago

[Page 20]ADMINISTRATIO

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( is) Du Page & Will Localities: (Illinois—Cook Co) Alsip, Bartlett, Bellwood, Berkeley, Berwyn, Bloom Township, Blue Island, Bridgeview, Broadview, Brookfield, Burbank, Burr Ridge, Calumet City, Calumet Park, Chicago Heights, Cicero, Country Club Hills, Countryside, Dixmoor, Dolton, Elmwood Park, Evergreen Park, Flossmoor, Forest Park, Franklin,Park, Glenwood, Harvey, Harwood Heights,Hazel Crest, Hillside, Hodgkins, Hometown, Homewood, Indian Head Park, Justice, La Grange, La Grange Park, Lansing, Lemont, Leyden Township, Lynwood, Lyons, Lyons Township, Markham, Matteson, Maywood, Melrose Park, Midlothian, Norridge, North Riverside, Northlake, Oak Forest, Oak Lawn, Oak Park, Olympia Fields, Orland Park,Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Palos Park, Park Forest, Park Forest South, Phoenix, Posen,Richton Park, River Forest, River Grove, Riverdale, Riverside, Robbins, Sauk Village Schiller Park, South Chicago Heights, South Holland, Steger, Stickney, Stone Park, Tinley Park, Westchester, Western Springs & Worth Counties: (Illinois) Adams, Brown, Bureau, Calhoun, Cass, Champaign, De Witt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Fulton, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Iroquois, Jersey, Kankakee, Kendall, Knox, La Salle, Livingston, Logan, Macon, Marshall, Mason, Mc Donough, Mc Lean, Menard,Mercer, Morgan, Moultrie, Peoria, Piatt, Pike, Putnam, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Stark, Tazewell, Vermilion, Warren & Woodford Counties: (Illinois) Rock Island (Iowa) Appanoose, Benton, Boone, Cedar, Clarke, Clinton, Dallas, Davis, Decatur, Des Moines, Henry, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Lucas, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Monroe, Muscatine, Polk, Poweshiek, Scott, Story, Tama, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Washington & Wayne Counties: (Missouri) Adair, Audrain, Barry, Barton, Bates, Benton, Bollinger, Boone, Butler, Callaway, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Cedar, Christian, Clark, Cole, Cooper, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Douglas, Dunklin, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Henry, Hickory, Howard, Howell, Iron, Jasper, Knox, Laclede, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon Madison, Maries, Marion, Mc Donald, Miller, Mississippi, Moniteau, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, New Madrid, New ton, , Oregon, Osage, Ozark, Pemiscot, Perr Phelps, Pike, Polk, Pulaski, Ralls, R Raridoiph, Reynolds, Ripley, Saint Charles, Saint Clair, Saint Francois, Sainte Genevieve, Schuyler, Scotland, Scott, Shannon, Shelby, Stoddard, Stone, Taney, Texas, Vernon, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Webster & Wright

inois) Madison, Monroe, Randolph

issouri) Jefferson & Saint Louis Locality: (Missouri) Saint Louis Independent Cit Chtntless(Atcanens) Baxter, Boone, Carroll, Clay, Cleburne, Conway, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Faulkner, Fulton, Garland, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Lee, Lonoke, Marion, Mi: Monroe, Newton, Perry, Poinsett, Pope, Prairie, Pulaski, Randolph, Saint Francis, Saline, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, White & Woodruff (Tennessee) Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lake, Lauderdale, Madison, Mc Nairy, Obion, Shelby, Tipton & Weakley Counties: (Arkansas) Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Chicot, Clark, Cleveland, Columbia, Dallas,Desha, Drew, Grant, Hempstead, Hot Spring, Jefferson, Lafayette, Lincoln, Miller, Nevada, Ouachita, Phillips & Union (Louisiana) Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Caldwell, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, De Soto, East Carroll, Franklin, Grant, Jackson, La Salle, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Red River, Richland, Sabine, Tensas, Union, Webster, West Carroll & Winn Parishes: (Louisiana) Acadia, Allen, Ascension, Assumption, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, Saint Ber|, Saint Charles, Saint Helena, Saint James, Saint John The Baptist, Saint Landry, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Saint Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Vermilion, Vernon, Washington: West Baton Rouge, & West Feliciana Counties: (Texas) Aransas, Atascosa, Bandera, Bee, Bexar, Brooks, Calhoun, Cameron, De Witt,

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Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Goliad, Gonzales, Guadalupe, Hidalgo, Jackson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kenedy, Kerr, Kleberg, La Salle, Lavaca, Live Oak, Mc Mullen, Medina, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, Victoria, Webb, Willacy, Wilson & Zapata Counties: (Texas) Austin, Brazoria, Colorado, Fort Bend, Galveston, Matagorda, Walle, Washington & Wharton Localities: (Texas—Harris Co) Harris Co NorthCentral, Baytown, Bellaire, Bunker Hill Village, Channelview, Cypress, Deer Park, Galena Park, Harris County Northeast, Harris County Northwest, Harris County Southeast, Harris County Southwest, Hedwig Village, Humble, Hunters Creek Village, Jacinto Cit eG Katy, La Porte, Nassau Bay, Pasadena, Seabrook, Shoreacres, South Houston, Southside Place, Spring, Spring Valley, Taylor Lake Village, Tomball, Webster & West University Place (Texas—Harris Co) Houston Counties: (Texas) Bastrop, Blanco, Caldwell, Comal, Fayette, Gillespie, Hays, Kendall, Lee, Llano, Mason & Travis Counties: (Texas) Anderson, Angelina, Bell, Brazos, Burleson, Burnet, Chambers, Cherokee, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Grimes, Hardin, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Lampasas, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Madison, Mc Culloch, Mc Lennan, Milam, Mills, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, New ton, Orange, Polk, Robertson, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, San Saba, Shelby, Trinity, 'yler, Walker & Williamson Counties: (Texas) Bowie, Camp, Cass, Delta, Ellis, Fannin, Franklin, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hopkins, Hunt, Kaufman, Lamar, Marion, Morris, Navarro, Panola, Rains, Red River, Rockwall, Rusk, Smith, Titus, Upshur, Van Zandt & Wood Localities:(Texas - Dallas Co) Cedar Hill, Cockrell Hill, Desoto, Duncanville, Grand Prairie, Hutchins, Lancaster, Mesquite & Seagoville Localities: (Texas—Dallas Co) Dallas, Farmers Branch, Garland, Irving, Rowlett & University Park Counties: (Texas) Collin, Cooke, Denton & Graysoi Localities: (Texas—Dallas Co) Addison, Carrollton, Coppell & Richardson Counties: (Texas) Archer, Baylor, Bosque, Brown, Callahan, Clay, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Erath, Foard, Hamilton, Hardeman, Hill, Hood, Jack, Johnson, Montague, Palo Pinto, Parker, Shackelford, Somervell, Stephens, Tarrant, Throckmorton, Wichita, Wilbarger, Wise & Young Counties: (Texas) Andrews, Bailey, Borden, Brewster, Briscoe, Castro, Childress, Cochran, Coke, Concho, Cottle, Crane, Crockett, Crosby, Culberson, Dawson, Dickens, Ector, Edwards, El Paso, Fisher, Floyd, Gaines, Garza, Glasscock, Hale, Hall, Haskell, Hockley, Howard,Hudspeth, Irion, Jeff Davis, Jones, Kent, Kimble, King, Kinney, Knox, Lamb, Loving, Lubbock, Lynn, Martin, Maverick, Menard, Midland, Mitchell, Motley, Nolan, Parmer, Pecos, Presidio, Reagan, Real, Reeves, Runnels, Schleicher, Scurry, Sterling, Stonewall, Sutton, Swisher, Taylor, Terrell, Terry, Tom Green, Upton, Uvalde, Val Verde, Ward, Winkler, Yoakum & Zavala Counties: (Arkansas) Benton, Crawford, Franklin, Howard, Johnson, Little River, Logan, Madison, Montgomery, Pike, Polk, Scott, Sebastian, Sevier, Washington & Yell (Oklahoma) Adair, Atoka, Bryan, Cherokee, Choctaw, Coal, Craig, Creek, Delaware, Haskell, Hughes, Johnston, Kay, Latimer, Le Flore, Lincoln, Marshall, Mayes, Mc Curtain, Mc Intosh, Muskogee, Noble, Nowata, Okfuskee, Okmulgee, Osage, Ottawa, Pawnee, Payne, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Pushmataha, Rogers, Seminole, Sequoyah, Tulsa, Wagoner & Washington Counties: (Oklahoma) Alfalfa, Beaver, Beckham, Blaine, Caddo, Canadian, Carter, Cimarron, Cleveland, Comanche, Cotton, Custer, Dewey, Ellis, Garfield, Garvin, Grady, Grant, Greer, Harmon, Harper, Jackson, Jefferson, Kingfisher, Kiowa, Logan, Love, Major, Mc Clain, Murray, Oklahoma, Roger Mills, Stephens, Texas, Tillman, Washita, Woods & Woodward (Texas) Armstrong, Carson, Collingsworth, Dallam, Deaf smitl ith, Donley, Gray, Hansford, Hartley, Hemphill, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochiltree, Oldham, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman & Wheeler Counties: (Kansas)Allen, Anderson, Barber, Barton, Bourbon, Butler, Chase, Chautauqua, Cherokee,Cheyenne, Clark, Clay, Cloud, Coffey,

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THe American BAHA'

Comanche, Cowley, Crawford, Decatur, Dickinson, Edwards, Elk, Ellis, Ellsworth, Finney, Ford, Geary,Gove,Graham,Grant,Gray, Greeley, Greenwood, Hamilton, Harper, Harvey, Haskell, Hodgeman, Jewell, Kearny, Kingman, Kiowa, Labette, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Mc Pherson, Meade, Mitchell, Montpon ery, Morris, Morton, Neosho, Ness, Norton, sborne, Ottawa, Pawnee, Phillips, Pratt, Rawlins,Reno, Republic, Rice, Riley, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Saline, Scott, Sedgwick, eward, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens, Sumner, Thomas, Trego, Wallace, Washington, Wichita, Wilson & Woodson Counties: (Kansas) Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Douglas, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Marshall, Miami, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Shawnee, Wabaunsee & Wyandotte (Missouri) Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll,Cass, Chariton, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, De Kalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Pettis, Platte, Putnam, Ray, Saline, Sullivan & Worth Counties: (lowa) Adair, Adams, Audubon, Buena Vista, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Cherokee, Clay, Crawford, Dickinson, Emmet, Fremont, Greene, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Harrison, Humboldt, Ida, Kossuth, Lyon, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, O’Brien, Osceola, Page, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Pottawattamie, Ringgold, Sac, Shelby, Sioux, Taylor, Union, Webster, Winnebago, Woodbury & Wrigh (Nebraska) Adams, Antelope, ah} Blaine, Boone, Boyd, Brown, Buffalo, Burt, Butler, Cass, Cedar, Chase, Clay, Colfax, Cuming, Custer, Dakota, Dawson, Dixon, Dodge, Douglas, Dundy, Fillmore, Franklin, Frontier, Furnas, Gage, Garfield, Gosper, Grant, Greeley, Hall, Hamilton, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Holt, Hooker, Howard, Jefferson, Johnson, Kearney, Keith,Keya Paha, Knox, Lancaster, Lincoln, Logan, Loup, Madison, Mc Pherson, Merrick, Nance, Nemaha, Nuckolls, Otoe, Pawnee, Perkins, Phelps, Pierce, Platte, Polk, Red Willow, Richardson, Rock, Saline, FEE Ee ee eae Thayer, Thomas, Thurston, Valley, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler & Yor! Counties: (Minnesota) Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Dougas Faribault, Grant, Hennepin, Jackson, andiyohi, Lac Qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, Mc Leod,Meeker, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Otter Tail, Pipestone, Pope, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Scott, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Traverse, Watonwan, Wilkin, Wright & Yellow Medicine Counties: (Minnesota) Aitkin, Anoka, Becker, Beltrami, Benton, Carlton, Cass, Chisago, Clay, Clearwater, Cook, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Isanti, Itasca, Kanabec, Kittson, Kooc! \iching, L ake, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Norman, Pennington, Pine, Polk, Ramsey, Red Lake, Roseau, Saint Louis, Sherburne, Todd, Wadena & Washington State: NORTH DAKOTA Counties: (Montana) Carter, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Mc Cone, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan & Wibaux (South Dakota) Aurora, Beadle, Bon Homme, Brookings, Brown, Brule, Buffalo, Butte, Campbell, Charles Mix, Clark, Clay, Codington, Corson, Davison, Day, Deuel, Dewey, Douglas, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant, Gregory, Haakon, Hamlin, Hand, Hanson, Harding, Hughes, Hutchinson, Hyde, Jerauld, Jones, Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, Lyman, Marshall, Mc Cook, McPherson, Meade, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Perkins, Potter, Roberts, Sanborn, Spink,Stanley, Sully, RPE, Turner, Union, Walworth, Yankton & Ziebacl Counties: (Nebraska) Box Butte, Cherry, Dawes, Sheridan & Sioux (South Dakota) Bennett, Custer, Fall River, Jack son, Lawrence, Mellette, Pennington, Shannon& Todd (Wyoming) Campbell, Converse, Crook, Niobrara & Weston Counties: (Colorado) Adams, Boulder, Larimer, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld & Yuma (Nebraska) Banner, Cheyenne, Deuel, Garden, Kimball, Morrill & Scotts Bluff (Wyoming) Albany, Goshen, Laramie & Platte Counties: (Colorado) Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Gilpin, Jefferson, Kit Carson & Lincoln

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Gem, Gooding, Jerome, Lemhi, Lincoln, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, Valley & Washington (Nevada) Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, Washoe & White Pine

(Oregon) Baker, Grant, Harney & Malheur Locality:(Nevada) Carson City Independent City Counties: (Arizona) La Paz & Mohave (Nevada) Clark, Esmeralda, Lincoln & Nye (Utah) Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Piute, Washington & Wayne

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(California) Imperial

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Localities: (California—San Diego Co) San Di ego Localities: (California—San Diego Co) Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Escondido, Fallbrook Judicial District, Fallbrook San Diego, Mesa Grand Indian Res, Oceanside, Pala Indian Reservation, Palomar-San Diego, Pauma Valley, Poway, Ramona, Rincon Indian Res,San Diego Co North Jd, San Marcos, Solana Beach & Warner Springs County: (California) Riverside

Localities: (California—San Bernardino Co) Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Bear Valley JD,Big Bear Lake, Colton, Crest Forest JD, Grand Terrace, Hesperia, Highland,Highland Judicial Dist, Loma Linda, Mountain Pass, Needles, Redlands, San Bernardino, San Bernardino JD, San Brnadno MCD Victorville, San Brnadno MCD-Barstow, San Brnadno MCD-Central, San Brnadno MCD-East, San Brnadno MCD-Morongo Basin,Trona Judicial District, Twentynine Palms, Victorville, Yucaipa & Yucca Valley

Localities: (California—Orange Co) Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Orange Co South JD, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano & Trabuco Canyon

Localities: (California—Orange Co) Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Newport Beach, Orange Co Central JD, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin & Westminster Localities: (California—Orange Co) Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Cypress, Fullerton, Garden Grove, La Habra, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Orange, Orange Co North Jd, Orange Co West JD, Placentia, Villa Park & Yorba Linda (California—San Bernardino Co) Bloomington, Chino, Chino Hills, Cucamonga Judicial Dist, Fontana, Montclair, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, San Brnadno MCD-Chino, San Brnadno MCD-Valley, San Brnadno MCD-W Valley & Upland

Localities: (California—Los Angeles Co) Artesia, Bell, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Carson, Cerritos, City Of Commerce, Compton, Compton Judicial Dist, Cudahy, Diamond Bar, Downey, East Los Angeles JD, Hacienda Heights, Hawaiian Gardens, Huntington Park, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, La Puente, Lakewood, Long Beach, Lynwood, Maywood, Montebello, Monterey Park Norwalk, Paramount Pico Rivera, Rio Hondo JD Central, Rio Hondo JD North, Rowland Heights, Sante Fe Springs, Sena Hill, SouthGate, Valinda Citrus JD, Walnut, West Covina, Whittier & Whittier Judicial Dist Localities:(California—Los Angeles Co) Avalon, Culver City, Culver Judicial District, ElSegundo, Gardena, Hawthorne, Hermosa Beach, Inglewood, Inglewood Judicial Dist, Lawndale, Lomita, Manhattan Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling, Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Santa Monica, South Bay Jd-Ls Angls Co & Torrance

Localities: (California—Los Angeles Co) Alhambra, Alhambra Judicial Dist, Altadena, Arcadia, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Claremont, Covina, Covina Citrus Jd, Duarte, El Monte, Glendora, La Verne, Monrovia, Pasadena, Pasadena Judicial Dist, Pomona, Pomona Judicial District, Rosemead, San Dimas, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre South El Monte, South

Pasadena & Temple City Localities: (California—Los Angeles Co) Los Angeles

Localities: (California—Los Angeles Co) Acton Agua Dulce, Antelope Judicial Dist, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Glendale, Kagel Canyon, La Canada

Flintridge, La Crescenta, Lancaster, Newhall Judicial Dist, Palmdale, San Fernando, Santa Clarita,

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County: (California) Ventura Localities:(California—Los Angeles Co) Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu Judicial District &Westlake Village

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Counties: (California) Fresno, Kings, Madera, Mari , Merced, Mono, San Benito & Tuolumne Localities: (California—Santa Clara Co) Gilroy, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, San Jose, San Jose-Milpitas Jd,San Martin, Santa Clara County South & Santa Clara County SW

(California—Santa Cruz Co) Campo Murphy, Freedom, La Selva Beach, Live Oak-Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County South & Watsonville Localities: (California—Santa Clara Co) Campbell, Cupertino, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Vad Cats iics Gato Sartoga Camp Jd, Monte Sereno, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Stanford & Sunnyvale (California—Santa Cruz Co) Ben Lomand, Boulder Creek, Capitola, Davenport, Felton, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz County North & Scotts Valley Counties:(California) San Francisco & San Mateo County: (California) Alameda

County: (California) Contra Costa

Counties: (California) Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, San Joaquin, Solano & Stanislaus Localities: (California—Sacramento) Galt, Herald, Isleton & Sacramento Co Southeast Counties: (California) El Dorado & Placer Localities: (California—Sacramento Co) Carmichael, Citrus Heights, Fair OaksOrangevale, Folsom,North Highlands, Rancho Cordova, Sacramento County Nw & South Sacramento

Counties: (California) Colusa, Nevada, Sierra, Sutter, Yolo & Yuba

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Tue American BanA't

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[Page 22]22

THe American BAHA'I

nN se

This aerial Photograph taken October 15 shows, to the west of the Seat of the Universal House of Justice, the roof sections and rotunda of the Center for the Study of the Texts and the terraces above the Shrine of the Bab.

Center for Study of the Texts

In late November 1995 a special meeting was arranged in Italy to inspect and approve marble columns, capitals and bases. All the contractors involved—Henraux, the marble supplier; Uni Marbres, the installers; Perez, the construction engineers— and the project manager met to plan various strategies for installation of the marble.

Four containers of the approved marble are now expected to arrive at any moment, and installation of the columns is scheduled to begin in early March.

Finishing materials continue to be ordered and received on-site. Tenders are out for all the stainless steel details required for the building, as well as for millwork, woodwork, cabinets, wooden windows and hand rails. All hardware for the building has been ordered and will soon be delivered.

Masonry work inside the north patio of the Center for the Study of the Texts and between the Archives extension and parking building will commence shortly, as 800 square meters of local stone has been cut and delivered to the site.

The stone is being supplied by a local factory and will be installed by a company from Turkey. The stones will be dry fixed with stainless steel anchors and bolted back with pins and brackets to create an air gap, enhancing the insulation, waterproofing and earthquake resistance of the building.

Special louvers have been ordered from Canada for the skylights; these louvers, which are electrically driven and operate on photo cells, adjust themselves according to the sunlight coming in through the skylights.

Archives extension

The most important compone as of the Archives extension is the Strong Room, which will house the Sacred Texts and relics of the Faith. The Strong, Room has been designed as a structure within a structure, thus doubly reinforced, and waterproofed externally as well as internally. For perfect

Vineyard of the Lord, part 13

yr

Members of the Continental Boards of Counselors visit the terraces of the

security, it is protected by a massive bank vault door, which has already been delivered, and FM 200 fire-protection system—a modern substitute for Halon—which is considered ozone-friendly.

International Teaching Center

The site of the International Teaching Center is buzzing with activity. Almost the entire ground floor level, together with underground mechanical piping and waterproofing works, has been completed. Intensive work is under way on level 2 with about 65

Shrine of the Bab during their recent meetings with the Universal House of Justice and the International Teaching Center in the Holy Land.

percent of the work having been accomplished. At the same time, work has begun on level 3 of the building. All three rows of rock anchors have been installed in the retaining wall, providing complete support Fon the wall. Of the six stages, the fourth stage in the removal of the ramp has been reached, enabling the installation of the additional rock micropiles for the sloping foundations of the International Teaching Center. Thirty-nine micropiles, varying in length from 5 to 7 meters (16.5 to 23.1 feet), have been poured. These micropiles are nec

essary to bring the loads from the sloping foundations to a greater depth, thereby enhancing their stability.

With the removal of the ramp an alternate route via the road to the Seat of the Universal House of Justice has been created to remove large quantities (about 8,000 cubic meters) of excavated material. This operation is tentatively expected to be completed within the next two months.

Owing’ to the size and shape of the building, a special feature of concreting has been employed in the Teaching Center. To avoid expansion joints, a strip of floor slab called a “separation strip” is left uncast for a period of time on each floor while adjoining areas are concreted and allowed to shrink. The strip is then cast to connect the adjoining areas to establish a uniform concreted surface that is both strong and leak-proof. This entails special provision of supports below the slab to be left in place until the separation strip has been cast and has gained sufficient strength.

Terraces below the Shrine

As the seven Terraces below the Shrine of the Bab near completion, their beauty becomes ever more apparent. A sweeping glance along the Kings’ Pathway shows many decorative elements in place on these Terraces.

Among the several ornamental details that enhance them is the use of stone in a variety of ways. From Terraces 7 to 3, the formal landscape includes inner walls laid with stone similar to the retaining walls of the bridge over ‘Abbas Street. In Israel this pattern is known as “debish” work.

The design of the central paving on each Terrace, in a combination of Sajur and Jatt stone, is different. The Terraces also have a stone bench in Sajur on each side to provide momentary rest to visitors as they make their way up or down the Kings’ Pathway. The motifs, carved by hand, differ for each Terrace.

The water runnels around the foun

See VINEYARD page 23

i Ne

AAT AE Tie

Continued from page 22

tains have stone covers at periodic intervals with lovely designs. To obtain precise curves for their intricate patterns, they are being cut with computeraided machinery using high-pressure water jets. The water is mixed with fine grains of sand to give it a cutting edge.

Over-all, the various patterns on the Terraces blend to provide an harmonious visual impact.

On the bridge over ‘Abbas Street, exterior stone work in two local styles, “Tubzeh” (chiseled face stone) and “Mutabeh” (bush hammered by hand), has been completed. The bridge has also been paved, and the copings are in place along with the beautiful balustrades carved in Italy. Soon the landscaping of the bridge will be taken up.

Upper Terraces

Through winter the stone for stairs, water runnels, fountains, pedestals, paving, and so forth, on the Upper Terraces is being cut and prepared. Stone work on these Terraces will get under way this summer.

Meanwhile, work is proceeding expeditiously on the promenade adjoining the uppermost Terrace. Most of the precast slabs are in place, and a part of the promenade is ready for waterproofing.

As soon as the stone pedestals are in place, the decorative iron fence will be installed. With major structural works completed on the promenade, Yefe Nof Street will once again be opened to two-way traffic by the end of February, traffie having been diverted to one-way since the time construction of the tunnel began.

Excavations for the building to be built under Terrace 11 are effectively complete. Tender documents are being prepared, and structural work is expected to start in March.

Lowering of Hatzionut Avenue

The contractor has been named for the lowering of Hatzionut Avenue and the widening of the street. The removal of trees bordering the road has already begun as well as relocation of street and traffic lights.

Concrete is poured at level eight of the Center for the

trance to the underground parking garage can be seen at bottom center of the photo.

Balustrades are installed on the ‘Abbas Street bridge, which links terraces four and five below the Shrine of the Bab.

With the Three Year Plan rapidly approaching its close, the projects on the Mountain of God stand at an exciting threshold. Seven Terraces below the Shrine of the Bab are nearing completion; work in connection with the bridge over Hatzionut Avenue has commenced; the structural framework of the Center for the Study of the Texts is complete, and work has begun on level 3 of the International Teaching Center. As we embark on other challenging areas of work, we ask for your continued prayers. Mt. Carmel Baha’i Projects Office of Project Manager January 1996

More stories from the Arc Projects Fund...

¢ “In late August the Spiritual Assembly of ..... decided to hold a fund [raising event] for the Arc. We invited [two friends] to show their slides and talk about the Arc Project. We invited surrounding communities to purchase tickets for the event...[and arranged to hold it in...a lovely, old-fashioned dining room situated in an antique store. ...

“The owner...had placed a sign in the window saying it would be closed at 6 p.m. for a private party. At 7 p.m. our event began. It was a lovely evening.

“After the presentation [the owner] and her staff of two served us exquisite dainties, tea and coffee, circulating around the room but not apparently participating in the discussion or auction that followed. By 9:30 p.m. our event was over...and people left.

“When the Assembly member assigned to settle the bill went to [the owner], she was told that while she didn’t know what it was all about, there was no way she could charge us, and this was her contribution. She said that she and the staff had watched and listened from the kitchen. It was very moving, very wonderful.

“We have since given [the owner] a card expressing our gratitude and appreciation for her generosity. We will continue to maintain this contact.” (from a report received by the Project Manager’s office)

Reproduced here are two “concrete examples of the many services being offered to the Arc Projects,” received by the Project Manager's office from a National Spiritual Assembly. The first report has been paraphrased to maintain confidentiality, while excerpts are being shared from the second.

¢ “A Baha’f youth worked for 10 months to arrange a fund-raising event in memory of his uncle, who always wanted to contribute to the Arc Fund. The youth wished to make the event one that ‘everyone would enjoy and remember, like I always remembered my uncle...who used to make his surroundings happy and joyful in every situation.’ Around 200 people attended the event which raised $9,000 toward the completion of the Projects on Mount Carmel.”

to raising one full unit [$9,000] for the Are during the Plan. We are now so proud to report that we have not only raised that unit, [but] have also raised a second unit, and are now well on our way to raising a third, and we don’t intend to stop there! ...

“We thought you would be interested to know some of our fund-raising activities, besides the continual, sacrificial and private contributions of our individual members.

“1. Once every month...one of our families hosts an ‘Arc Fund-Raising Dinner.’ ... The emphasis is on unanimous participation of the dinner guests—in eating and contributing to the Arc Fund—and every dinner has been a wonderful success.

“2. A member...came up with the idea of the ‘Arc Bag.’ A daily reminder of the Arc Fund and a place to put our spare change, and also for our children and youth to have access to on a daily basis. This Arc Bag has also been distributed to many communities surrounding ours and has been received with great excitement.

“3. During the summer months there have been regular garage sales at a community member’s home that have always been successful. ...”

[Page 24]24

THe AMERICAN BAHA'I

SOCIAL / ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Part 2: Baha’i social and economic development

This is the second of four articles on Baha'i social and economic development adapted from a talk given in Orlando, Florida, in December 1993.—Ed.

By HOLLY HANSON

Baha’i development means applying the teachings of Baha’u’llah in society in a way that causes social progress.

In the first article in this series [The American Baha'i, Feb. 7, 1996], we considered the tools for development inherent in the Baha’i Revelation; a vision of what we can do; capacities for the accomplishment of our tasks; the focus and motivation that come to us from developing spiritual qualities, and the empowering structures of consultation and the Baha’f administrative order. Now we plan to discuss development in the light of God.

The Baha’i view that development is a process of social transformation that results from our connection to God differs radically from most views of social and economic development.

It is important to acknowledge that it is hard for us to make sense of this dimension of the Baha’f teachings. We are used to thinking of development largely in terms of the delivery of services. It is a kind of social addition.

People don’t have education—development is making sure they are educated. People don’t have primary health knowledge—development means giving them training. People don’t have access to agricultural markets—development is building roads.

Essentially, in this way of thinking, development is adding things that are missing to a system that is basically working.

The profound difference in Baha’i development is that we want to change the whole system. And that means changing ourselves as well.

Where we want to go with development is much further than simply adding things that aren’t there, and what we are going to use to get there is much more than what are normally considered as the components of development.

Development in the light of God

We can use an analogy to understand more clearly what is different about Baha’i development.

We know how plants grow; they use the energy of sunlight to manufacture food that enables them to develop. Plants need water and soil nutrients too, but if you give them only those material things and no sunlight, you are going to have sick plants.

Plants must have light. We know that plants need sunlight for photosynthesis, and we wouldn’t think of trying to cause plants to develop without light.

We have the same need for light—for the light of God—for the development of society. We are creations of God, and the power of God, working inside us, is what makes human beings develop. That is the force; nothing else works. ;

Trying to achieve social progress without God is like trying to bring about photosynthesis without sunlight.

As the light of the sun is the source of growth for plants, so the light and power of God is the source of growth and development in human society.

Think about plants grown in a room where the light has been apa out. They grow, but they are colorless and weak and flabby and limp. That is the kind of social development we get when we try to make social progress happen without the light of God.

What we are doing with our children, our urban schools, the elderly, in special programs for marginalized pope are, when we think about it, really gruesomely disastrous failures at social progress.

Things do happen as a result of these efforts, be cause you can’t prevent the light from shining at least alittle, but our attempts at social progress are weak, sickly and quite unproductive.

Of course, we are used to social well-being as something weak, slow and pale because for several hundred years, since the so-called “Age of Enlightenment,” we have been trying systematically to leave God out of the equation, and we have gotten used to the “dark room” phenomenon, We think it is normal.

The only society we know is a society without light. We think a “sick plant society” is society.

For healthy changes to take place, we have to realize that things could be different. When we open the windows and focus the light and power of God on society, things do not just get better—they get different. What happens is transformation instead of

fortable when we talk about development in terms of the light and power of God.

Light hurts when one’s eyes are used to the darkness, and Baha’is who are involved in development are under great pressure to not express the spiritual nature of what they are doing—to keep the lights out, or at least hide them.

Tam sure that many Baha'is who are working to help society develop its potential have experienced this directly: we like your proposal, they are told, and want to give you whatever funding is needed to carry out the project, but would you please take out any mention of Spiritual Assemblies?

There is a real danger here, because when we change our words and concepts to make allowances for people’s discomfort with the power of God, are we also going to change our thoughts, our logic, our awareness of the animating power behind true development?

Is it a good idea to shape what we are doing so that it looks like what other people do? To make our light look no so different from the absence of light?

Is this fair to those who are living in the dark? Is it fair, in other words, to humanity as a whole? Is it fair to us? If the light and power of God are what causes social progress, do we wish to pretend that we are approaching the task in darkness like everyone else?

Bringing the power of God into the process Suet development in a way that does not antagonize or alienate other penis is one of our most formidable chal lenges, and the answers aren’t simple or easy. Baha’i schools in Iran: an example

To demonstrate the power of the spiritual tools we have been discussing, let us look at an example of development carried out in the light of God.

Baha’i-operated schools were among the first schools for girls in Iran. They began with the vision, purposefulness and

Three young participants in the Bahd’i-sponsored Family Unity Institute in South DeKalb County, Georgia, learn the ins and outs of computers as a part of the Institute’s ‘Step Up to Excellence’ program. (For more details about the Institute, see The American Baha'i, March 2, 1996, p. 10.)

improvement.

“When the light of reality is shining, what power hath the darkness of the unreal?” —’Abdu’‘l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith, p. 35

The light of God that we need for social progress is the vision of where we are trying to go that comes from the Revelation of Baha’u’Ildh. It is the the conviction that things can change.

The light is the power and confirmation and strength to do difficult things that comes from faith in God. It is the willingness to sacrifice our own selfinterest, to have the courage to be leaders instead of followers.

Suppose you are trying to carry forward a program of social and economic development without that power and light. If you think about it, you will see that there are assumptions of darkness, of limitations in our methods of social welfare all over the world.

One of these is that efforts at development can only hope to make conditions a little better—the system, the laws, the injustices, the inequities are never going to go away because human beings are fundamentally self-centered.

Another limitation of development without the light of God is that changes must pepe! to the ego, to people’s selfish desires. Without the light of God there is no force, no purifier, no motivator, no assurer, no confirmer, no unfolder of human capacity.

This makes sense. We are creations of God, we need God to change ourselves, to change the world, to make real and lasting social progress. When the light of reality is shining, what power hath the darkness of the unreal?

More than a hundred years ago, Bahd’u’llah said that the light of religion had gone out and darkness had filled the land, so itis really dark now and people are used to its being dark—so it makes them uncom courage that sprang from commitment to the Faith and obedience to ‘Abdu’l-Baha.

Early in the century, when the friends in Iran wrote to ‘Abdu‘l-Baha, He told them to establish schools for girls. When they wrote to Him about other matters He would encourage them, saying that what they wanted to do was acceptable, but that it would be even better if they would establish schools for girls.

Some of the friends arose and carried out His wishes. The schools required sacrifice—people donated land for them, others built them, while others provided for the maintenance of those women who sacrificed by coming from Tehran to teach.

The organization of these schools animated the Baha‘i communities; their creation was among the first actions taken by Iranian Spiritual Assemblies. Some of these communities had no members who were literate when they asked for a teacher from Tehran.

What we should notice, though, is the courage and commitment of those believers in obeying ‘Abdu’lBaha in the face of enormous social pressure to do otherwise. It was not an easy task they undertook; people did not approve.

One of those who taught at one of the schools told me she had to meet with the parents for four months before they would agree to allow their daughters to attend. Every morning, she said, she would walk through the town, collecting every student and escorting them to school. At the end of the day, she escorted them home.

These were the only conditions under which parents would allow their daughters to do the shocking, uncomfortable thing of leaving home, even for school.

What were the consequences of these actions? Those schools educated the first generation of professional women in Iran.

But this was not simply the provision of educa See DEVELOPMENT page 27 [Page 25]LZ NCs BUNTING

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Unfinished business

An opening luncheon attended by Charleston civic, religious and political leaders set a tone of partnership for the weekend.

Over shrimp and rice, Baha’is and their guests built a foundation for future cooperation. Then Robert C. Henderson, secretary-general of the National Spiritual Assembly, hedped their plates with “unfinished business.”

Dr. Henderson reminded the assembled leaders of the noble vision on which the U.S. was founded: that a republic whose citizens are of every ancestry on earth could redeem all history by transforming them into one race, one people.

Buta contradictory set of values that proclaimed the highest ideals while enshrining slavery in the Constitution has polarized the nation and threatits very fabric, he said. What is needed is a spiritual transformation in which extremes come together in love and build bridges of understanding so strong they reshape the system that governs the community.

Baha’i-conducted Models of Unity studies in several cities have uncovered a large population in all aspects of life doing just that, he said. In story after story, Dr. Henderson told of people who couldn’t sit idly by while others suffered.

“{C}hange has got to go that deep in our hearts,” the secretary-general averred. “It has got to be nothing less than the rebirth of the wonder that God made so many wonderful people in so many wonderful ways.

“If we approach this problem, this challenge from that point of view, we will find open doors we never would have imagined and we will transform the spirit and character of this nation,” he concluded.

Example of Mr. Gregory

Conference participants found inspiration to take up that challenge in the life of native son Louis G. Gregory, whose “resilient spirit” Dr. Henderson urged them to emulate so they can be “worthy descendants of him.”

Afternoon tours took them to the beloved Hand of the Cause’s childhood home on Desportes Court in historic downtown Charleston. The oncedilapidated exterior has been renovated since the Spiritual Assembly of Charleston purchased the home in 1989.

About $50,000 is needed to restore and furnish the interior so the home can be opened as a museum. Dr. William Roberts donated to the fund-raising effort a photograph of the Master that had been given to Mr. Gregory at the time of his first pilgrimage.

Dr. Roberts urged conference attendees to “purchase” for $19 each the bricks necessary to pave Desportes

Court. The city of Charleston has agreed to provide the labor for that project.

Conferees also visited the Avery Research Center for African-American History and Culture, a part of the College of Charleston. In Mr. Gregory’s day it was the Avery Normal School, providing a springboard for him and many other young black people into the professions.

But who was Mr. Gregory? Elsie Austin provided the perspective of one who met him when she was “young and somewhat angry, tense about the daily experience of minorities.”

Dr. Austin painted a picture of aman who was tall, courteous, dignified, compassionate and humble.

“He used language that got through to peo le” and “shed love on those he talked to of all races,” she said. Those who heard and understood him departed with “anger and frustrations melted away.”

Mr. Gregory himself could have been consumed with anger after witnessing the lynchin of his erantihe ther, said Dr. Austin. But his grand

get its feet wet.

dignities were heaped upon him— some by the Baha’fs themselves.

Through it all, he had “the courage of a lion when he knew he was on the right path,” she said. “He was a brilliant candle of learning and inspiration. | hope we can make no less a sacrifice.”

Further impressions of the lives of Louis and Louisa Gregory were furnished in a poignant but often humorous presentation by Jack and Fafa Guillebeaux, reneeiyes an interracial couple.

They described how the young political activist Louis Gregory came to the Faith and became the Master’s emissary to and exemplar for Americans of all races.

Noting that interracial marriage was considered the greatest abomination by many in the U.S. at the time, the Guillebeauxs described how the Master “nudged” Louis and Louisa toward a union and made it the center of their race unity mission.

What action today, they asked, would be as far out on the cutting edge of bringing about change?

Vision, action Achange in un mother instilled met i derstanding was inhima“wisdom Children join the combined Georgia _at the heart of the and spiritual and South Carolina Baha'i Gospel conference’s sevgrace” and a_ Choirs on-stage for a medley of eral seminars, “passion for love _ songs directed by Eric Dozier. panel discussions and truth” that (Photo by Tom Mennillo) and perforfound expression mances.

when he found the Baha’i Faith. After meeting ‘Abdu’l-Bahd, she said, the young lawyer left his practice and “accepted as his mission in life to bring together conflicting members of the human race.” At Mr. Gregory’s side—usually in spirit, because it would have been dangerous for them to travel together—was his wife, Louisa, a white Englishwoman. Mr. Gregory became a “door opener,” in Dr. Austin’s words. He visited cities all over the United States, including the South, where constant in These sessions, involving Baha'i and non-Bahé’f resources alike, included:

¢ “The News Media and Race Unity: Responsible or Not?,” a panel featuring Elsa McDowell of the Post and Courier nwa eeee David Mack III of WPAL Radio, and Carolyn Murray of WTAT-TVS.

Ms. McDowell stayed after the session to interview Dr. Austin for her Sunday column. Ms. Murray also interviewed conference participants; in fact, TV-5 crews taped several conference segments over the weekend for

Dr. Elsie Austin quotes from The Races of Men: Many or One, a reprint of a ‘Star of the West’ article by Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory. (Photos by Tom Mennillo)

At left, 13-year-old Anisa Kintz holds out two sheets of paper to illustrate a point. Imagine each sheet is a dock surrounded by water, she said. The people on each dock are open to forming friendships with those of other races, but only if the other comes to them. Neither is willing to

ewscasts. ucation and Models of Race Unity,” led by Anne Brenneman.

¢ Performances by the College of Charleston Chorus and the Burke High School Blue Notes choir.

A dramatic presentation of The Vision of Race Unity coordinated by the

Louis G. Gregory Baha’i Institute.

¢ A talk by C. Eric Lincoln, professor emeritus of religion and culture at Duke University, on “The Status of Race Relations in America,” followed by a panel discussion.

¢ “Raising a Prejudice-Free Chi! led by Deborah Deas-Nesmith, as tant professor of psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina.

“Unity Begins Within Me,” with

former Counselor Roberts, a clinical psychologist.

A powerful performance by the

combined Georgia and South Carolina Bahd’i choirs, led by Eric Dozier.

¢ A panel discussion moderated by National Spiritual Assembly member Alberta Deas on “The Role of Religion in Promoting Race Unity.” Nine local Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders made up the panel.

Achieving race unity

Thus inspired, informed, and entertained, conference participants were ready for the Baha'i perspective on race unity and how to achieve it.

Counselor Tod Ewing noted he has. found in his professional consulting work that people’s “souls and hearts are ready to unify, but their heads are confused.”

He warned that the message of Baha’u’llah must be delivered quickly, with passion and through models, before this window of opportunity closes.

Dr. Henderson echoed that sentiment. We're in a race to cleanse our own hearts and then do the same for humankind, he said.

He challenged audience members to turn their eyes inward to see if they are adhering to the standard of indiscriminate love and acceptance of all, then move beyond platitudes to love, the foundation of change.

As an example, he told how the National Spiritual Assembly members— people who have made life decisions

ased on the need to bring people together—spent a year deepening on the

use i

d,”

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THe American BAHA’i

NOLO TAG

Baha’is organize inaugural King event in Torrance

Disheartened by recent news events that questioned the state of race relations in Torrance, Necal Bahd’fJan Jackson teamed with Terese Langness and the Torrance Baha'i community to organize a professional and inspiring Martin Luther King Jr. event on January 14.

Torrance city officials were asked to join in the firstever effort, but declined for political reasons to take part. They praised the Baha’is, however, for trying to unite the diverse groups of Torrance in one common event dedicated to remembering and recommitting to Dr. King’s dream of racial harmony.

The “Revitalize the Dream” program, attended by more than 200 people, featured inspiring words, singing and dancing. It created a mood of both reverence and the joyous celebration of human diversit

Filling the auditorium with song were lyricist Lisa Gray-Ashley and voca Kristin Barnes. Words of inspiration came from speakers as diverse as the communities they serve, speaking on a common theme of how to improve relationships among various races and cultures.

Inspirational dance was provided by the Los Angeles Baha'i Youth Workshop, which performed a tribute to Dr. King and was in itself a visual demonstration of unity in diversity.

Ms. Barnes led the finale by singing “We Shall Overcome” and was joined on stage by light-bearing members of the Baha‘f Youth Workshop, who lit up the darkened platform with song and spirit.

News reporters from two network television affiliates taped the event for broadcast that evening and the next day. A photographer from the local newspaper, the Daily Breeze, captured on filma striking shot of the Baha’i Youth Workshop with outstretched arms, inviting the audience to blind their eyes to their differences and see with the eye of oneness.

Publicity before the event included a radio interview with the organizers and a cable television question-and-answer show that invited residents to take part in a follow-up dialogue on racism.

Several people at the MLK program alsc an interest in attending the racism dialogu uled for January 27-28.

In another follow-up, the Baha’i community

lanned to present The Vision of Race Unity to mem ers of the Torrance City Council and propose the establishment of a community unity task force bringing together diverse segments of Torrance ina united effort to combat racism.

Plano, Texas

With the Three Year Plan goal of becoming leaders in race unity clearly in mind, the Spiritual Assembly of Plano has become ever more involved in local race unity initiatives.

In January, Plano Baha’is took a major step forward by expanding their role and participation in the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday celebration as part of the steering committee.

More than 45 Baha’is, the single largest participating group, marched, carrying race unity banners, in the fourth MLK parade on January 13. The parade ended at City Hall, where City Council members greeted marchers and a Baha'i offered the prayer.

Also on the program was the Baha’f Children’s

Gronp 1

school division.

entry in the MLK art contest in Plano, Texas. She competed in the middle

The photo above appeared in the Round Rock Leader following the Austin (Texas) Baha'i Youth Workshop's participation in the sixth annual Martin Luther King Jr. walk

and service in Round Rock.

Choir. Dressed in international costumes, the choir sang several unity songs and prayers. The performance drew applause, praise, and an invitation to sing at other events in Plano. The choir director, Monireh Sobhani, was especially recognized by the steering committee for her tremendous undertaking.

Two days later, Tania Homayoun, a Plano Baha’i youth, shared ina panel discussion on the theme “Listen to Me” how being a Baha'i has helped to protect her from peer pressure and other problems facing high school students.

As part of the MLK weekend, an art contest allowed young people in four age groups to submit pieces on the theme of “Unity in Community: Bridging the Gap.”

Of the 10 Baha’ children and youth who entered, two took first-place awards: Nasim Sobhani (elementary) and Sara Kamali (middle school). They received savings bonds, and their paintings will be used to make pins to distribute at other race unity events in the city.

The Baha’i community itself was recognized by the steering committee for its contribution to the success of this year’s events and was urged to conue its participation throughout the year in race unity dialogues and activities.

San Jose, California

An impassioned speech by 13-year-old Baha’{ youth Paymon Zarghami and the bestowal of a Good Neighbor Award on Baha’i Carolee Erickson were among highlights of the 12th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Good Neighbor Award breakfast January 15 in San Jose.

The event was sponsored by the Martin Luther King Association of Santa Clara Valley with much help from San Jose Baha'is. Elbert Reed, president of the association, said that “Baha’f participation in these events is very much appreciated” and invited their continued cooperation.

Among the audience of more than 500 were many dignitaries including retired state Sen. Alferd Alquist and his wife; the San Jose police chief; county supervisors, and more than 20 religious and civic leaders. About 15 percent of attendees were Baha’is.

Ms. Erickson was honored for her service as coordinator of the Bay Area Baha‘i Youth Workshop,

which performed its popular multicultural dance at the event.

Paymon Zarghami’s talk on “Oneness of Mankind” quoted from the writings of Baha’u’llah and stressed the commitment of Baha’is worldwide to Dr. King’s dream of racial justice and brotherhood. A standing ovation and invitations to deliver his speech at other events followed the talk.

Three days before the breakfast, the Baha’f World Choir performed in a gospel concert at a local church, with more than 300 people attending.

Austin, Texas

The Austin Baha‘i Youth Workshop took part in the sixth annual Martin Luther King Jr. walk and service at Round Rock as well as two services in Austin.

The Baha'is’ activities were depicted by at least three television stations and two newspapers, the Round Rock Leader and the Austin American Statesman.

At the three services, the Workshop performed its version of the step dance, a drug dance, and a racism dance. Each time the racism dance was performed, it brought tears to the eyes of many watchers. Onlookers also eagerly approached the performers to congratulate them.

Workshop members were easy to distinguish from the rest of the audience with their “One Planet, One People...Please” T-shirts.

Belmont, Massachusetts

as new members of the Belmont ssociation, were asked to coordinate this year’s Martin Luther King Day celebration.

But the association got more than it bargained for.

The Bahd’‘is expanded the observance into an eightday Race Unity Week beginning with an interfaith service and ending with World Religion Day. Two large banners were strung on each side of a ge in the center of town, and a folder of materincluding “The Vision of Race Unity” statement was given out at each program during the week.

Nearly 300 people attended the elaborate interfaith service coordinated by Baha'i Katherine Day. Bennett Montgomery, a Baha'i from Waltham, led an interfaith choir. Bahd’is Ken Bassett and Chris Stearns showed a video presentation featuring black-andwhite clips from Dr. King’s life interspersed with color footage of interviews with such people as President Jimmy Carter and comedian Dick Gregory. The Boston Baha'i Youth Workshop performed, and Baha’i Thelma Khelghati of Lunenberg related several stories as told by Dr. King’s eldest daughter, Yolanda.

The other events of the week were similarly meaningful:

an evening of celebration with the Boston Baha’i

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Xe AUN

King

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Development

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Youth Workshop and the Belmont High School “Keeping the Dream Alive” Crew;

a youth discussion of race unity facilitated by

interracial Bahd’f couple Marsha and Bill Smith;

an adult discussion group on racism;

a “meet your neighbors” potluck;

a storytelling evening featuring African-American, Haitian, American Indian and biblical tales;

« “Amazing Grace,” a performance by Ms. Khelghati and fellow Baha’ Mary K. Makoski of West Suffield, Connecticut, that spans a time period from slavery to present day; and

¢ the World Religion Day program with traditional dishes and performances by people in native dress.

Several of the events were broadcast live on cable television. An article with full-color photograph was published in the Belmont Citizen-Herald newspaper.

Savannah, Georgia

Hard work on this year’s Martin Luther King Day events in Savannah have earned the Bahd’fs an even greater role in the future.

“Earned” is the right word.

The Faith was one of the celebration’s major sponsors, alongside such corporate giants as Coca-Cola, Pepsi and Kroger. The Faith was given a full-page advertisement in the observance program to present its principles and a quotation from “The Vision of Race Unity” statement.

Baha’is worked behind the scenes on several of the weekend’s events, including the annual parade—billed as the nation’s largest, as Atlanta’s parade was not held this year.

And a Baha’i prayer in Persian and English by Seifollah Mohajer was offered at the interfaith service.

As corollary to these activities, Michael C. O'Neal, a Baha’{, has been named to Mayor Floyd Adams Jr.'s newly formed Human Relations Commission.

Healing

Continued from page 25

tion; the schools were creating opportunity, promoting justice, setting an example that changed entrenched habits of thought, the assumptions about women held by an entire society.

It was an enormously powerful lesson, and it came about because the Baha'is were obedient under all conditions to the wishes of ‘Abdu’l-Baha.

Looking back, aware as we are of the consequences of the actions taken by Iranian Bahd’is in the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s, we can see them beginning the process of social and economic development that the Universal House of Justice described to us more than half a century later in a letter of October 20, 1983:

“the first steps to be taken must necessarily begin in the Baha’i community itself, with the friends endeavoring, through their application of spiritual principles, their rectitude of conduct, and the practice of the art of consultation, to uplift themselves and thus become self-sufficient and self-reliant.”

The end result is social transformation, “the progress intended by the Lord of the Age.”

Leading a process of social evolution

This is challenging, and somewhat uncomfortable, because it involves shining the light of God into the heart of darkness, and we have become accustomed to the dark.

We need to understand, however, that this discomfort is part of our work as Baha‘is. Our task, inherent in our acceptance of Baha’u’lléh and our obedience to Him, is that we will become leaders in a prowhose goal is the evolution of society. Evolution means doing something different, something that no one has done before, and that people are going to take notice beca so unusual and different, realize that it has survival value, and want to start doing the same thing.

If we are to be the spearhead of transformation, it follows that we should be ahead of everyone else,

leading them, and they following us. This is our challenge.

It can also be frightening and, I think, embarrassing. At times I imagine myself as a sea creature who has somehow acquired the ability to breathe on land. I find myself outside of the water,and it is exciting. Suddenly I realize that my fellow-creatures are still in the water and I rush back in, hoping none of them notices what a crazy thing I’ve been doing.

As we pursue social and economic development we are going to be in another place, breathing a different kind of air, fueling ourselves and making things work by virtue of spiritual power and energy, and people are apt to look at us and say, “Hey, you're not following material assumptions? That's not the air of materialism you're breathing?”

And then perhaps we may wish cojume back into the slough of materialism with them. Following the directions of the Faith in our pursuit of development is going to take courage and steadfastness.

We have to sign up to be uncomfortable, for people to be shocked and even angered, for people not to want us to point out to them the direction in which they should go. This may be a challenge, but I don’t think we have any choice.

When we are attempting to use the power of Bahd’u’lldh, the power of His teachings, we can do things that cannot be done any other way. When we apply the teachings of Bahd’u’'lldh to the problems of contemporary society, we are taking it where Bahd‘u'llah wants it to go. No other force in the world is going to get it there.

Next: Using spiritual tools to overcome racism.

For complete details of the National Assembly's new redistricting plan, see pages 17-21

a shared vision.

Writings and exploring the depth of their hearts before releasing The Vision of Race Unity.

The lesson, he said, is that we must embody the qualities we want emulated before we speak. What is most important is what we feel and do, not what we say.

But talking about racism isn’t easy, said author Nathan Rutstein, a founder of the Institutes for the Healing of Racism.

Mr. Rutstein drew a inction between oneness—the principle that we all are of one family—and unity, which he described as a process. The recognition of oneness must be internalized before we can work for unity, he said.

Once it is internalized, we can proceed to gain an accurate understanding of how racism came about and of how the pathology of racism affects all, he said. Then we can create a forum where people come together to listen with the heart and help each other heal and, lastly, take this process into every institution of society.

Richard Thomas, associate professor of history and urban affairs at Michigan State University, offered a road map for that kind of social action.

A cycle of racial polarization and fragmentation is besetting our nation, he said. The only way out is to get to the roots of racial conflict through open and honest consultation based on

Baha’is must play the central role, he said, in developing a shared vision by recognizing individual visions and moving society toward unity in diversity. This multiracial unity must begin within our circles of influence— school, business, neighborhood, community, etc.—and be spread by linking circles and producing a synergy.

Br Thomas said the result will Ba a new cycle of race unity and harmony: recognition of the principle of the organic oneness of the human race; education in the principles and values of oneness; application of the principles and values to the problems of polarization; increase in multiracial residential communi interracial efforts to solve problems; transformation of racial conflict energy into cooperative efforts to reduce poverty and crime and to tap the talents of minori and a tremendous social, economi and spiritual growth throughout the entire society.

An important piece in the process is the reconstruction of our identity, according to Jane Faily, a psychologist with the Cobb-Douglas Mental Health Systems in Atlanta.

Dr. Faily said that suffering is perpetuated today through stereotypes held by whites and a feeling of inferiority on the part of blacks. Our true identity, she said, comes from God, that

we are noble beings made in His image.

What will transform hopelessness into confidence, she said, is spiritual power. It starts with prayer and reading the holy verses, which bring us in touch with spiritual reality instead of delusion, and extends to association in all aspects of life with people of all backgrounds. There can be no unity without sacrifice, she said.

Paul Herron, assistant professor of anatomy and neurobiology at the University of Tennessee Medical School in Memphis, expanded on this concept of identity with a look at the physiology of “learned helplessness.”

The driving force of learning and memory is expectation and experience, said Dr. Herron. He described how 300 years of expecting low achievement by blacks has caused this expectation to be internalized and has built up a chronic level of stress in people of color.

The result, he said, is an inability to function at an optimal level: the brain circuitry that should turn new information into something a person remembers and u impeded and the person becomes angry and mistrustful. Ultimately, performance suffers.

This internalized racism on the part of individuals and society must be recognized so the ability to perform can be enhanced, said Dr. Herron. In short, we need each other to get rid of our

respective impediments.

There's a special role youth can play because they are more flexible to change, said Anisa Kintz, who organized the first “Calling All Colors” conference.

The middle school student called on young people to take the-following actions: step out of their comfort zone; be an example and energy source; and do something for the community.

That led perfectly into the closing speech by National Spiritual AssemBy atener Jack McCants.

This is an era of extraordinary transition caused by the birth pangs of a new World Order, said Dr. McCants. In fact, the Universal House of Justice

romises that the next four years will

e the most important of our lives.

Fortunately, he said, Baha’fs have the teachings and the institutions to provide the set of universal values people lack. “If not for us, the human race doesn’t stand a chance,” he declared.

But there are still too few Baha’is for the world to notice. A huge model of people learning to live Baha’u’llah’s teachings is needed, he said.

We have the capacity to make it happen, Dr. McCants stated, and the Concourse will help us in all we do. Just look to the example of Louis G. Gregory, who gave up all and went everywhere, in the face of all obstacles, to raise the standard.

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THe AMERICAN BAHA'I

EDUCATION / SCHOO

Service to the Faith—A way of Life

The Louhelen Baha‘i School is more thana group of buildings. It is truly a space made sacred by the loving services of the countless friends who have been part of the Louhelen family for over sixty years. Whether as a guest, volunteer, or staff member, all associated with the school have enhanced the spiritual and material environment of this Baha’f center for learning, service, and growth.

One of the staff members currently offering heartfelt and devoted service is Gary Schmicker, Registered Dietitian.Four years ago Gary came to Louhelen as Head Chef with the title of Coordinator of Hospitality. He became a Bahd‘f on February 22, 1971. In 1968 he received an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. Gary graduated from Purdue University in 1980 with a Master’s Degree in Restaurant, Hotel and Institution Food Service. He was a long-time employee of the Hilton Hotel Corporation, managed the food service operation of Miami Valley Hospital, and Dayton University in Ohio.

At Louhelen, service to the Faith is a way of life for the entire Schmicker family. Gary’s wife, Penny, coordinates the service program for all the long- and short-term volunteers. The Schmicker children, Erik (15), Rhonda (14), and Monica (9), serve in the kitchen, bookstore cafe, or where ever there is a need.

The friends have often noticed that Gary brings a special blend of qualities to his service at Louhelen — humility, attention to detail, perseverance and kindness. Many groups that rent the facility on a yearly basis ask, “Is Gary still in the kitchen?” when calling to make reservations for a meeting.

A talented and devoted staff of regular employees and volunteers work with Gary to serve thousands of excellent meals to the guests who visit the school each year. It takes a team effort to achieve the goal Gary has set, “to satisfy our guests by providing delicious and nutritious foods.” At Louhelen all of the meals are served buffet style in the newly expanded and redecorated dining hall. Each meal offers a wide variety of choices to insure that every guest will be able to enjoy a healthy, nutritious meal at a very reasonable price.

In addition to a year-round program of Baha’i sessions for adults, youth and children, Louhelen serves asa location for day-long meetings and weekend retreats for area organizations. The high reputation of the facility among these groups is founded on the spirit of service which each member of the service team demonstrates to the guests, the wonderful hospitality and food served at every meal, and the peaceful beauty of the Louhelen Baha'i School.

Watch the May 17,

Volunteering = G

The Baha’i Schools and Institutes across the United States are in need of volunteers, especially during the summer months. Youth who want to offer a year of service are especially welcome, but offers of service for a shorter length of time can also make a wonderful contribution. Service ata Baha’i institution is a spiritual experience that includes devoting time, energy and talents to the Cause of God while enjoying the companionship and collaborative spirit of other Baha’i friends at the school to serve or to participate in school programs.

For more information about service opportunities at the Permanent Baha'i Schools and Institutes you may contact:

The Education and Schools Office Baha'i National Center

1233 Central Street

Evanston, IL 60201

847/733-3492

1996, issue of The

American Baha’?i for the full summer schedule of regional school sessions and permanent school and institute programs.

ing to the Fund

Or contact the Permanent Schools and Institutes at:

Bosch Baha'i School 500 Comstock Lane Santa Cruz, CA 95060 408/423-3387

Green Acre Baha'i School 188 Main Street

Eliot, ME 03903 207/439-7200

Louhelen Baha’i School 3208 South State Road Davison, MI 48423 810/653-5033

Louis Gregory Baha'i Institute Route 2, Box 71

Hemingway, SC 29554 803/558-5093

Native American Baha’{ Institute 830 Burntwater Road, Box 3167 Houck, AZ 86506

520/521-1064

Head chef Gary Schmicker hard at work in the kitchen of the Louhelen Bahdé’i School putting the finishing touches on one of his culinary specialties. Mr. Schmicker'’s wife, Penny, coordinates programs for long- and short-term volunteers at the school, while their three children, Erik, Rhonda and Monica, all help Dad in the kitchen or lend a hand in the bookstore cafe or wherever else the need arises.

LGBI Youth Workshop on the Move!

The Louis Gregory Bahd’i Youth Workshop was asked to participate in the 2nd Annual Interfaith Youth Workers Conference in South Carolina on March 2, 1996. They performed at the main session and conducted two workshops (one for youth and one for adults) on “Developing Youth Leadership Focusing on Racial Harmony.” Hours of prayer, rehearsal and deepening paid off when the audience, impressed by the presentation and workshops, took the “Vision of Race Unity” statement and information about contacting the Youth Workshop for future presentations. The bounties and blessings of teaching and the first day of the Fast were felt by all during this exciting gathering.

Springtime Programs at the Permanent Schools and Institutes

Bosch

April 12-14: “Women in the Arts.” Exploring the opportunities and challenges unique to women involved in the artistic community. Participants are encouraged to bring their art for sharing.

April 12-14: Meditation or, “How to Charge Your Batteries.” Learn practical skills to achieve a stronger connection to God.

April 19-21: Women’s Awakening Retreat. Designed to strengthen the bonds of sisterhood and increase our spiritual support within the Baha’i community.

April 26-28: Mentors: Elders, Fathers, Sons—A Retreat.

May 10-12: Pacific Islander Teaching Conference. Learn about teaching experiences in some of the most beautiful and exotic places on earth. May 10-12 and May 31-June 2: Core Curriculum Teacher Training. Assist in the process of achieving child-development centered communities. May 24-27: 10th Annual Marriage Enrichment Weekend. Celebrate and nurture your marriage.

Green Acre

April 12-14: Persian Weekend with presenter Ruhullah Modir-Massihai of Toronto, Canada.

May 10-12: “From New Believers to Teachers in the Cause of God.” This program is designed for those recently enrolled in the Faith and is based on a deepening course prepared by the National Baha’i Education Task Force.

Louhelen

April 26-28: Junior Youth Institute (ages 11-15)

May 10-12: Parent/Child Weekend and “New Believers to New Teacheeu

May 17-19: HIV/AIDS—A Conference for Baha’is

May 24-26: Local Spiritual Assembly Development

May 24-27: Core Curriculum Teacher Training, Session 1

May 31 - June 2: Symposium for Health Professionals with Dr. David and Mrs. Margaret Ruhe

Louis G. Gregory Baha'i Institute

April 12-14: Junior Youth Weekend. Intensive weekend of studying and discussing the role/station of youth.

Native American Baha’ Institute

April 13: Traditional Song and Dance Social Gathering

April 19-21: Young Women’s Conference. Women high school through college age will be gathering for open talks and discussions on issues of concern to contemporary young women.

May 12-25: Bradley University at NABI. Dr. Susan Brill of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, will bring twenty students to NABI for a 3 semester credit hour course earned on campus. Among other things, they will be studying the social and economic development work at NABI in relation to the Navajo and Hopi peoples.

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TION / SCHOO

NABI Continues Community Outreach Activities

On January 27, 1996, Joel Orona, NABIco-administrator, was asked to present the keynote address at the Northern Pioneer College annual culture fair. Over 200 people gathered to hear Dr. Orona address the theme of this year’s fair, “Unity not Division,” focusing on the coming of age of the human species and the need for the recognition of all humanity as one race.

The fourth grade social studies classes at the Jedditto School on the Navajo/Hopi Reservation in Arizona have been studying Native American tribes of the Midwest. To make their social studies class more meaningful, the teachers invited Joel Orona, former director of the Black Hawk Education Extension, to speak to the class about Chief Black Hawk. By using traditional drum and flute music, stories, and songs, Dr. Orona explained the triumphs and tragedies of Chief Black Hawk and his people to the fourth grade class. He also spoke of the importance of consultation, noting that the Sauk and Fox tribes used this group process in making decisions that affected their tribes. “If Europeans understood this aspect of Native American culture and approached the tribe for a group decision, many misunderstandings and tragedies may have been averted,” Dr. Orona said. He encouraged the students to al ways talk things over with family members and particularly with the elders before making decisions.

The Artist-in-Residence Program at NABI traveled to southern New Mexico to present a program at the New Mexico High School Student Council Convention held February 8 and 9, 1996. Over 1,000 state student council members, teachers, and school administrators witnessed this program. The NABI group consisted of Roman Orona, Asa Locke, and Chris Yazzie, as well as Harry James and Joel Orona. This all-Native American intertribal group used traditional dances, songs, and storytelling to deliver a powerful Baha'i message to those in attendance. As always, the NABI program integrated Native artistic traditions with contemporary issues, Baha'i principles, and Sacred Writings. Three Indian schools were among the state-wide student council attendees, all of who came down from the packed gymnasium to take group photos and talk to the NABI presenters. NABI informational brochures were passed out and many new friends were made. School teachers, administrators, students, and even attending parents were noticeably impacted with the intensity and content of this proclamation and the dedication of the performers.

Bosch Winter Programs—Innovative and Exciting

The Second Annual Black History Celebration, February 16-19, was permeated with a loving and warm environment. Mrs. LeNise JacksonGaertner presented an exceptionallly informative talk on Black History and Culture. Gloria Haithman-Ali’s presentation on the issue of Race Unity was largely inspired by the work of Dr. Richard Thomas. Details of the Sister-to-Sister project in South Africa were received from Sandy SimmonsWilliams, who traveled to South Africa last June. Ted Jefferson shared remembrances of the several Black Men’s Gatherings he has attended at LGBI and shared a document he has co-authored on this experience. There was singing and lots of consultation to go along with the cultural food experiences provided at every meal.

The Mysticism Conference held February 23-25, popular beyond expectation, filled Bosch Baha'i School with individuals seeking to further their understanding of the mystical and devotional aspects of our Faith, especially in relationship to the Islamic and Sufi traditions prevalent in Persia at the time of the Bab and Baha’u’lléh. Especially involving were the opportunities to hear and see Sufi Sikhr music, chanting and

dances. Baha’is from Omaha, Nebraska shared a devotional program which involved lighting forty candles, one for each year of Baha’u’llah’s banishment and imprisonment. Singing of the Sacred Writings put to original music was a feature of this devotional program. Participants were excited to see how they might bring back some of the ideas to their own communities and asked to see another conference planned soon. Many expressed an interest in holding more devotional and spiritual meetings in their home communities and looked forward to the study of other devotional traditions.

Parents gathered at Bosch Baha’i School on February 23-25 for training using the Parent Facilitation program developed by the National Teacher Training Center at Louhelen Baha’ School. After participation in the program, several parents called to report the positive results they were experiencing in their families and how happy they were to have the hands-on learning activities that were a part of this training.

Visit Green Acre’s Fellowship Cafe Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. Admission is free

2nd Annual Unity Gathering Health and Education Fair 5K Run at NABI

August 16-18, 1996

Be a part of “Unity Gathering ‘96” this August! Performers and presenters who share their talents in conformity with the Baha’i Teachings are encouraged to send a brief letter of interest outlining their availability and proposed presentations attention: Dr. Joel Orona, PO Box 3167, Houck, AZ. 86506 or e-Mail:

The Native American Baha'i Institute is seeking:

° Native American and indigenous performers

0 Health and education providers with diverse healing and educational philosophies as presenters

° Long distance runners (5K)

The Wilmette Institute and

National-Louis University have now made a joint arrangement for the students of the Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization program to receive full academic credits. The current course “Introduction to Religion, Philosophy, and Theology I and II” will provide six semester hours or ten quarter hours for either undergraduate or graduate credit.

The Wilmette Institute has also started close, cooperative, relationships with the two Chairs of Baha'i Studies at the Universities of Indore and Lucknow in India. Those interested in enrolling for a Master’s degree in Philosophy or a Doctorate degree in Baha'i studies or other fields closely related to the Baha’i teachings at the University of Indore may contact the Wilmette Institute for further information.

Karen Anne Webb, a student of the Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization program, shared her impressions in the Utah Baha'i News, March 1996:

“The readings are so interesting, so tantalizing, that I’m in the library every week looking for even more things to read. The homework questions are designed to make the students think, to make connections, truly to integrate the material in a way meaningful to us as Baha’is. As intensive as this course in compara “May a lamp be lighted . . . which will illumine the whole universe with the oneness of the world of humanity, with love between the hearts of the children of men, and the

unity of all mankind.” ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Promulgation of Universal Peace, page 301

tive religion is, it leaves a wealth of material out there for us to tap if we want to make the effort.... Am I sorry I took the plunge? Never fora moment. Like a great art treasure, the program is still a work in progress. . . . Lwould strongly encourage anyone who has an interest in a guided learning experience to investigate. Heed not your weaknesses and frailty! The only academic requirement is a high school diploma [or equivalency]. Enrolled are college freshmen, youth on Years of Service, housewives, senior citizens, U.S. residents, and folk from abroad. ... Like the Buddha attaining Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, we are being given the gift of Divine Knowledge. It is a priceless treasure.”

The Wilmette Institute is now accepting applications for the summer residential program to be held from July 7 through August 3, 1996, and for the next year of coursework beginning in September 1996. Applications to begin the program in July must be received before May 15, 1996. Applications to begin in September must be received by July 15, 1996. For an application form and enrollment information you may contact the Wilmette Institute by calling, writing, or e-mailing the Registrar, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201, 847/ 733-3492. The e-mail address for the Registrar is

[Page 30]

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Classified notices in The American Baha‘ are published free of charge as a service to the Baha'i community. Because of this, notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no per— sonal or commercial ads can be ac— cepted for publication. The opportunities referred to have not been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly; the friends should exer-cise their own judgment and care in responding to them.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

BAHA’{ PUBLICATIONS is seeking applicants for the position of marketing specialist. The position will be filled at the Bahd’i Publishing Trust in Wilmette, Illinois, or at the Baha’i Distribution Service in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Applicants should have a minimum of two years experience marketing in the pub ishing industry, including copy writing and design, and five years experience in a management position or equivalent supervisory experience. Baha’{ Publications is looking for someone who has expertise in designing and implementing marketing programs, a thorough knowledge of available Baha‘ literature, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to handle ongoing multiple projects with shifting deadlines, and an understanding of Baha’i administration. Knowledge of PageMaker software and desktop publishing skills would be helpful. For more information or an application, contact the Department of Human Resources, Baha’{ National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-733-3429).

THE NATIONAL Spiritual Assembly is seeking candidates for the position of coordinator of support services at the Baha’{ National Center. Should have at least 10 years management experience or equivalent supervisory history. The National Assembly is looking for the candidate who would see this position as one essentially of service, encouragement and facilitation of its plans. Several departments including purchasing, meetings and travel, and others will report to the coordinator. Experience working in a diverse environment is a plus, as is ability to train and motivate personnel to balance their strengths and skills with the needs of the National Assembly. Requires strong communication and interpersonal skills; must be a team player, a unifier who understands Baha‘i administration. Applicants should submit a letter of interest to the Department of Human Resources, c/o Gwen Clayborne, Baha’{ National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.

EXCITING overseas opportunities. Teaching positions available. Program officer for Ford Foundation to monitor and evaluate grants for reproductive health; need some proficiency in Chinese. Chief engineer/senior engineers. For more information, please contact Ms. Gwili provera 847-733-3512 (fax 847-7333509; email

THE BOSCH Bahd’f School has an immediate opening for an energetic and vibrant children’s teacher who is available to serve for at least six months, and is also seeking spiritually mature collegeage youth to serve as (1) Youth Service Corps volunteers and (2) as recreation director during the summer months. The position as children’s teacher is not a

aid one at this time; however, room,

oard and a small stipend will be provided. Qualities sought include spiritual maturity, love for the friends and especially for children, experience teaching

children of various age groups, exemplary behavior, friendliness, perseverance, flexibility, and a strong work ethic. Core Curriculum training is preferred but not essential. Youth Service volunteers are needed to serve in hospitality, the kitchen, housekeeping, education, maintenance, and the kshop/café. Housing and food are provided. Immediate openings as well as those later in the year. The recreation director's areas of responsibility include lifeguard, pool maintenance, organizing group sports and recreation, helping with children’s classes when necessary, serving as yogurt shop assistant, and helping with evening program set-up. The position is not salaried, but room and board and a small stipend are provided. Some experience with groups of children is essential, and a lifeguard certificate is required. Please request applications and further information from Linda Bedford, coadministrator, Bosch Baha’f School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (phone 408-423-3387; fax 408-433-7564; email

TEACHING

SPEND the summer in Colorado. The Spiritual Assemblies of Arvada, Aurora, Lafayette and Pueblo invite you to become a part of the Amatu’I-Bahé Teaching Crusade. Full-time and part-time teachers are needed with a stipend and housing previced for those who can teach full-time. An excellent opportunity for those who plan a year of service, especially youth or retirees. We're looking for Baha'is who are willing and able to teach for at least a couple of months. Owing to our diverse communities, bilingual teachers (Spanish or Hmong as a second language) would be a great plus (but is not a requirement). The crusade is under way and has already seen some successes. For information about present or future pos-sibilities, please contact Marsha Robichaux,

Lafayette, CO 80026 (phone 303-6653808) or e-mail Larry Peterson

WASHINGTON state’s King County Inter-Assembly Council for Teaching No. 4 (I-ACT No. 4) invites you to join the Amatu’l-Baha Teaching Crusade. Fulland part-time teachers are needed. Youth are encouraged to take part, and the time may be added to one’s year of service. Your teaching will be based at Redmond’s new Baha‘j Center. The time frame for the campaign is May 1-September 30. The local Assemblies/Group of I-ACT No. 4 are dedicated to helping you with logistics, transportation, materials, coordinating the teaching effort, and guiding new believers. For information, contact Regan Doyle, P.O. Box 1507, Duvall, WA 98019-1507 (phone 206-7882897) or Rick Schaut,

Redmond, WA 98052-1190 (phone 206-881-8595; e-mail

PIONEERING (OveRSEAS)

SERVICE opportunities overseas: AFRICA: Ethiopia—project adviser needed for project aimed at strengthening the capacity of Ethiopian cooperatives to advance agricultural development. Madagascar—technical adviser for community-based conservation project. Rwanda—water engineer. Tanzania— English teachers. Uganda—branch automation implementor for conversion to automated methods at banks in Kampala. Zaire—hospital surgeon. AMERICAS: Barbados—chiropractor. Cayman Islands—faculty needed by community college: auto mechanics instructor; car pentry instructor; professional cooking, instructor; computing /mathematics instructor; accounting /economics lecturer;

English lecturer; chemistry /mathematics lecturer. Ecuador—ESL teachers for new secondary school. Guatemala—enterprise manager for ecotourism & nontimber products. Honduras—caretaker couple for the Ahmadiyyeh Bahd’{ Institute, elementary school teachers for second, third, fourth and fifth grades, secondary school English, computer science, science, math, social studies. Puerto Rico —caretaker for the Amoz Gibson/Gordon Laite Baha’{ Institute. Venezuela— couple to serve as caretakers of the National Center in Caracas. ASIA: Kazakhstan—rural financial specialist to act as. team leader on rural banking project. Korea—English teachers. Laos—assistant principal and teachers for elementary school. Macau—kindergarten and primary school teachers; secondary school English, math, science and history teachers. Sakhalin—teachers. Taiwan—general manager for Baha'i Office of the Environment. Tajikistan—field office director needed by Save the Children to establish an office in Dushanbe. AUSTRALASIA: Australia—TPF programmers, IEF consultants needed by computer consultants. Samoa—need caretaker couple for the House of Worship, Montessori teacher. Solomon Islands—counselor for abused women, beautician. Tonga— teachers for primary school to be opened. Vanuatu—volunteer primary school teachers. EUROPE: Luxembourg—executive secretary for the Continental Board of Counselors’ Office. MULTI-REGIONAL: TESL/TEFL teachers sought for USIA-sponsored “English Teaching Fellow Program” worldwide. Applicants must have a master’s degree in TESL/ TEBL. Also, engineering consultants. Alaska—urgent need for older woman to share home of long-time pioneer to Unalaska. Multicultural community, jobs available. Eleuthera, Bahamas urgently needs pioneers. Rental housing, available. Urgent need for teaching and consolidation in Francophone areas. There is a particular need in French Polynesia, but traveling teachers and pioneers who speak French would constitute a precious resource in any of the French-speaking communities spread throughout Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. For more information, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha'i National Center, Wilmette IL 60091 (phone 847-733-3512; fax 847-733-3509; e-mail

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Manhattan, Kansas, invites those who are thinking about homefront pioneering to consider Manhattan, which needs two adults by Ridvdn to maintain its Assembly status. Manhattan is a mid-sized town with a number of industries as well as Kansas State University and nearb’ Fort Riley, both of which lend a healthy diversity to the population. It’s about an hour's drive from the state capital, Topeka, and three hours from Kansas City; Wichita, Kansas; and Lincoln, Nebraska. For more information, please write to the Spiritual Assembly of Manhattan, c/o Sue Haas, corresponding secretary, P.O. Box 933, Manhattan, KS 66502, phone 913-537-4547, ore-mail =~

TO STRENGTHEN the Baha’i community of Jackson, Michigan, and help maintain its Assembly, we would like to noti

the friends of employment opporin the Medical Billing Corporation of America, which is owned and operated by Baha’fs. Compensation and benefits are competitive, and the corporation is willing to pay relocation costs in some instances. The following positions are available: administrative secretary, medical coding, insurance follow-up, collections, data entry, software development, and software training consultants. Jackson (pop. about 150,000), rated as one of the most affordable cities in the

THe AMERICAN BAHAT 30

country, has good schools and medical facilities, is near 10 colleges and universities, has many recreational areas, a community theatre, symphony and museums. For employment details, contact Medical Billing Corporation of America, Attn: T. Mira, Jackson, MI 49201 (fax 517-787-2922). To apply, please send or fax your resumé and indicate the particular position of interest. For information about Jackson, please write to Alexandra Rivera-Rule, MI 49202 (phone 517-783-6236; e-mail

THE WASHINGTON State Teaching, Committee will help you find a place to live in Washington. If you are planning a move to the Evergreen State and desire in your heart to serve Bahd’u’llah, the Teaching Committee with its detailed knowledge of the geography and demopartie: of the Baha’f community, can

elp you find a new home that is both close to where you need to work or want to live and fulfills community development goals. For information about King County, contact Saba Mahanian,

Issaquah, WA 98027-2638 lets 206-392-2023); for information about other counties in Washington State, contact Laurence Rockwell,

Kirkland, WA 98034 (phone 206-823-1962; e-mail

COME be a part of the Heartland! Bethany, Oklahoma, a suburb of Oklahoma City, needs three adult Baha‘fs to help save its jeopardized Assembly. Bethany has excellent schools, is minutes from the Baha’f Center in Oklahoma City, and close to several medical facil-ities with easy freeway access to employment in nearby communities. If you are interested, we will help you find a job, housing or anything else to help relocate. Write to Rose Dana,

Bethany, OK 73008, or phone her at 405-491-0840.

HELP SAVE the jeopardized Spiritual Assembly of beautiful Walla Walla County (pop. 100,000), just above the Oregon border in southeastern Washington State. The Walla Walla Valley, only two hours from Spokane, has a smalltown agricultural atmosphere with the Blue Mountains and Columbia River close by for recreation. Also nearby are two four-year colleges, a community college, three hospitals including a VA Medical Center, and agriculture-related businesses. Real estate prices are low, with a median home price of $90,000. Housing rentals are scarce in the county, but there are many homes for sale from $60,000 to $100,000 and several mobile home parks. Five adult Bahd’fs are needed to save the Assembly. There is a loving Baha’{ community with an incorporated Assembly in the city of Walla Walla. Please respond to the Bah4’is of Walla Walla, P.O. Box 2016, Walla Walla, WA 99362.

COLLEGE-BOUND next year? Consider Sul Ross State University in lovely Alpine, Texas. You'll meet students from around the world and be their first Baha’{ teacher. You'll also be the first one to start a Baha‘i Club at the university. Teaching the Faith will be your way of spreading the seeds across a dozen or more countries without leaving the States, as those you teach will take your words with them when they return to their countries. For information about available classes, write to Sul Ross State University, Alpine, TX. For information about the Baha’ community, write to Antoinette Isaac, Alpine, TX 79830, or phone 915-837-5916.

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Kent County, Delaware, a small but active community, will be jeopardized soon because four of its members are moving to another area. Kent County, a rural area, surrounds Dover, the state capital and home of Dover Air Force Base, which has many job opportunities, good

educational facilities, and many shop ing areas. The cost of living is fairly low, and Delaware has no sales tax. Dover is centrally located between Philadelphia and the Baltimore/Washington metro area and n minutes of many recreational areas including the Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey beaches, Chesapeake Bay and the Great Smoky Mountains. For more information, you may contact Dean Dobbert (e-mail

or Jennifer

Weatherdon, Clayton, DE 19938 (phone 302-653-7435).

RETIRED believers who are self-sufficient can help with teaching on Indian Reservations by relocating to homefront pioneer. For more information, please contact Ada James at the National Teaching Committee Office, 847-869-9039, ext. 361.