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[Page 1]

Loving support pledged for torched churches

July 13, 1996 To the American Bahá’í community for the Feast of Kalimát Dear Bahá’í friends,

We are alarmed by the recent burnings of black and multiracial churches across the country. Attached is an editorial of the National Spiritual Assembly that is to be shared at the Nineteen Day Feast and which will be published in The American Bahá’í and World Order magazine. The National Spiritual Assembly is also preparing a statement (see page 2) condemning these assaults which will be sent to the local Spiritual Assemblies for dissemination to the media and organizations in your respective locales.

This is a time for Bahá’ís everywhere to arise and reach out to our brothers and sisters in black and multiracial houses of worship with loving support and encouragement to demonstrate the standard of the oneness of humanity we embrace and to show that we will not stand idly by while members of our family are under attack.

With loving Bahá’í greetings, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States

Ever since the days of slavery black churches have been more than houses of worship. An oppressed people made them centers of its community life; a refuge from the indignities, the horrors, and the humiliations faced daily in a hostile world dominated by brute force; a school of endurance and survival. More recently black churches served as centers of the civil rights movement, providing some of its most outstanding leaders and endowing it with the spirit of nonviolence.

See SUPPORT page 10

THE American Bahá’í

Volume 27, Number 6 Kamál B.E. 153 / August 1, 1996

Tasks set for 1st year of new Plan

June 6, 1996 To local Spiritual Assemblies Dear Bahá’í friends,

Eight members of the Continental Board of Counselors joined the National Spiritual Assembly in extensive consultation on the implementation of the Four Year Plan.

We face two main challenges: “one is to mount a campaign of teaching in which the broad membership of our community is enthusiastically, systematically and personally engaged” and trained to advance the process of entry by troops with “efficiency and love.” The other is to complete the Arc on Mount Carmel. Unwavering pursuit of these twin aims will “foster conditions toward the release of pent-up forces that will forge a change in the direction of human affairs throughout the planet.”

Our confidence in the community’s capacity to meet these twin challenges rests on the Supreme Institution’s assessment of the United States Bahá’í community, as

See TASKS page 10

Friends’ quiet determination spans the miles

Associate Editor Tom Mennillo (seated at center) meets with area Bahá’ís in Reno, Nevada, where the friends have launched a number of institutes. (Photo by Kim Mennillo)

In its Annual Report to the American Bahá’í community, the National Spiritual Assembly shared with the friends its hopes, cares and plans on the eve of the momentous Four Year Plan. Realizing, however, that effective communication is always a two-way proposition, the National Spiritual Assembly asked The American Bahá’í to undertake an unprecedented cross-country fact-finding trip on its behalf. On June 7, Associate Editor Tom Mennillo and his family embarked on an 18-day, 8,000-mile odyssey by automobile, gathering information and asking the friends to express freely their thoughts and feelings at the outset of perhaps the most important four years of our lives. With this overview we begin a series of articles about that journey and its findings.

By TOM MENNILLO

Dear National Spiritual Assembly,

After being enveloped in the loving embrace of the friends for 18 days, I have an inkling of how your batteries stay charged despite exhausting schedules in service to the Cause.

Everywhere, we were treated to the heavenly food and suc-

See TRIP page 10

Senate adds voice to resolution

On June 26 the U.S. Senate approved by unanimous consent a resolution condemning Iran’s continuing repression of the Bahá’í community and urging its government to grant religious and civil rights to the more than 300,000 Bahá’ís in that country.

The Senate action followed a House vote of 408–0 approving a similar resolution, the seventh congressional appeal in support of Iranian Bahá’ís adopted since 1982.

More than 200 Bahá’ís have been executed since the Islamic regime took power in 1979, and three are currently under sentence of death for their religious beliefs.

Noting that the government of Iran

See RESOLUTION page 2

Fund shortfall forces dip into cash reserves

The American Bahá’í community made history last year. How much history?

Year-end figures (as of May 1) indicate total contributions for the Arc Fund collected at the Bahá’í National Center of $23.1 million, three and one-half times more than was contributed during the previous year.

But if figures for the first two months of the current fiscal year are any indication, the community may make history of a far different nature before the first year of the Four Year Plan has run its course.

Contributions to the National Bahá’í Fund have slackened thus far to a point at which important programs and projects scheduled for the summer months are in jeopardy.

The accumulated cash shortage in May and June alone has obliged the National Spiritual Assembly to liquidate one-half of the $1 million reserve it had accumulated by the end of last year and to borrow another $300,000.

As a result, the treasurer of the National Assembly has written to each local Spiritual Assembly, advising them of the critical cash shortfall in the National Fund and asking for their prayers and support.

This disheartening situation stands in sharp contrast to last year’s remarkable outpouring of generosity and sacrifice, which represented 58 percent of the Arc Fund goal for the final year of the Three Year Plan, and, taken together with the totals for the first two years of the Plan, added up to about 45 percent of the full $74 million Plan goal.

Most importantly, this amount met the hopes of the Universal House of Justice, on whose behalf last February the Department of the Secretariat at the Bahá’í World Center wrote, “It was particularly pleasing to the House of Justice to note that your national community’s projected contribution to the Arc Projects Fund may well total some

See SHORTFALL page 9

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

• Listing of sites for annual Unit Conventions 14
• Special pull-out section: “Flow of Divine Authority” 23
• Annual Report of the National Spiritual Assembly 27

[Page 2]

Statement of the National Spiritual Assembly regarding the burning of black churches

The American Bahá’í community, composed of members who belong to all races and ethnic groups, recoils in horror from the acts of arson pepetrated against black and multiracial churches in the United States. Whether committed by demented individuals or malevolent terrorist conspirators, these acts are directed at all humanity, for humanity is one.

We believe that attacks against black churches are not about religion. They are ugly manifestations of ingrained racism, and racism, as we have said elsewhere, "is an affront to human dignity, a cause of hatred and division, a disease that devastates society."

The Bahá’í community has struggled for more than one hundred years to help eradicate racism and build an America where all are equal no matter what their race. We express our deepest sympathy to the immediate victims of bigotry and hate. We feel their pain and share their sorrow. We also know that our brothers and sisters whose churches have been destroyed are not the only victims. This entire nation has been hurt and diminished by the malice of a few.

However, we do not want this occasion to pass without affirming our unshakable conviction that prejudice, separatism and division shall not win. Every attempt to turn back the clock of history shall fail, and humanity shall continue on its inevitable march toward unity and peace.

National Spiritual Assembly of The Bahá’ís of the United States July 1996

Newport Beach coral tree thrives in soil from 60 National Assemblies

A four-year-old coral tree in Newport Beach, California, is doing just fine, thank you. How could it not grow robustly in a mixture of soil donated by more than 60 National Spiritual Assemblies around the world?

The tree, donated by the city, was planted April 26, 1991, Arbor Day. Mayor Phil Sansone and other City Council members were joined by county officials in a ceremony that celebrated international cooperation.

It took four more years to get the wording, format and shape of a plaque approved by the City Council. On Earth Day 1995, in another ceremony attended by dignitaries, the plaque was unveiled. It marked the first time a quote from the Blessed Beauty has been displayed in a public place in that county.

The soil was sent as the result of a request by the local Spiritual Assembly. The community spent many evenings reading the heartwarming letters from fellow-believers all over the globe.

Each letter was special and contained a message of love and unity.

Soil came from the Houses of Worship in Germany, Panama and Uganda, from temple land in Iceland, from the Hazíratu 1-Quds of some 40 countries, and from the bottom of the largest river in New Zealand.

One-third of the mixed soil was used in the tree planting. The remainder was sent with copies of the letters to the Universal House of Justice and the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S. to be used at their discretion.

Geographical locations that donated soil were Alaska, Antigua, Austria, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bangui, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bophuthatswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Canada, Cape Verde Islands, Caroline Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, The Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Grenada, Guam, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Honiara, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Lesotho, Lusaka, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Guinea, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, Noumea, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Portugal, Sikkim, Solomon Islands, South Africa, St. Vincent, Suriname, Switzerland, Tonga, Trinidad, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Vanuatu, West Indies, Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Resolution

As the Iranian government has spelled out in official documents a formal policy aimed at suppressing the Bahá’í community, Sen. Nancy Kassebaum of Kansas, principal sponsor of the most recent resolution, expressed her concern that the very survival of the Bahá’í community in Iran is threatened by the regime's denial of legal recognition of the Faith and of its basic rights to organize, elect its leaders and educate its young people.

Forty Senators co-sponsored the current resolution. Sens. Christopher Dodd and Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut and John McCain of Arizona joined Sen. Kassebaum in spearheading the movement toward approval.

Firuz Kazemzadeh, the National Spiritual Assembly's secretary for External Affairs, said there is good evidence that prior congressional resolutions, together with appeals by other nations and the United Nations, have helped persuade Iran to moderate its actions against the Bahá’ís.

June marked the 13th anniversary of the execution in Shiraz, Iran, of 17 Bahá’ís including seven women and three teen-age girls.

Congressional remarks supporting resolution

The following remarks by Sens. Nancy Kassebaum of Kansas and Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut appeared in the Congressional Record of June 26.—Ed.

Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of House Concurrent Resolution 102.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.

The legislative clerk read as follows: A concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 102) concerning the emancipation of the Iranian Bahá’í community.

The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate consideration of the concurrent resolution?

There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the concurrent resolution.

Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Mr. President, the Senate today will adopt legislation condemning Iran's persecution of the Bahá’í community. We have taken similar action in the past, and I regret that our continued vigilance on this matter is required.

We choose today to adopt this legislation in remembrance of a great tragedy for the Bahá’í community and for all who value human rights and religious freedom. Thirteen years ago this month, Iranian religious officials executed, by hanging, 10 Bahá’í women—including three teen-age girls—in the city of Shiraz.

This killing of innocent women and children came amid a series of Bahá’í executions during the first half of 1983. At the time, President Reagan had expressed America's alarm at the religious persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran and had called upon the Iranian leadership to spare the lives of those Bahá’ís condemned to death in Shiraz. The Iranian response to this plea was to carry out without hesitation the schedule of June executions.

We know that those men, women and children were executed not for any crimes but for their religious beliefs. We also know the persecution continues to this day in many forms, both great and small.

Thirty-nine other Senators have joined with me in sponsoring this legislation, and the Senate today will unanimously adopt an identical resolution already passed by the House of Representatives. By today's action, the U.S. Senate once again will make clear to all who will listen: "We have not forgotten."

Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, at many times during the past 14 years the Congress has condemned the government of Iran for its repressive policies and actions toward its Bahá’í community. Today, I am honored to be celebrating the passage of a resolution which calls on Iran to change its repressive anti-Bahá’í policies and to protect the rights of all its peoples including religious minority groups such as the Bahá’ís. The concurrent resolution we are adopting today is similar to the one which Sen. KASSEBAUM, Sen. MCCAIN, Sen. DODD and I submitted in this body in February.

Congress has adopted six previous resolutions on this important issue. The record of their success is certainly a mixed one, at best. Since their enactment, many Bahá’ís have been penalized by the government, and some even sentenced to death, just because of their religious beliefs.

On the contrary, previous resolutions have shown some success as well, particularly in the case of one man who had been sentenced to death for his religious convictions. This man's life was saved as the apostasy case was later overturned by the courts in Iran. Although the relationship between the Bahá’ís and the Iranian government has improved since the first resolution was passed, not enough action has been taken. This open policy of repression is in clear violation of the obligation of sovereign states to uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In the past, President Clinton and former Presidents Reagan and Bush have all shown support of the Bahá’ís. The United Nations and many of its member states have also adopted numerous resolutions supporting religious freedom in Iran. Today, in adopting this concurrent resolution, we have succeeded in maintaining vigilance on the actions of the Iranian government. Only through continued support for change in the Iranian regime can over 300,000 Bahá’ís experience true religious freedom.

Publication Information

THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í Published every 38 days (plus one special issue) for a total of 10 a year by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. Periodical postage paid at Evanston, IL and additional mailing offices. ISSN Number: 1062-1113 Executive Editor: Jack Bowers Associate Editor: Tom Mennillo

The American Bahá’í welcomes news, letters and other items of interest from individuals and the various institutions of the Bahá’í Faith. Articles should be clear and concise; color or black-and-white glossy photographs should be included whenever possible. Please address all correspondence and other materials to The Editor, The American Bahá’í, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091-2886. Send address changes to Management Information Services, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611.

Copyright © 1996 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States. World rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. [Page 3]

TEXAS YOUTH ARE MAKIN’ MOVES - LET’S HEAR ABOUT YOU!!

University of Texas - Austin Bahá’í Club

submitted by Shirien Oskoouee

The Bahá’í Association at the University of Texas - Austin has been awarded the Most Outstanding Religious Organization for the 1995-96 school year. The Bahá’í youth at Austin achieved this amazing victory by arising to serve and proclaim the Faith through a host of unique and creative campus activities.

Over the past year the University of Texas Bahá’í Association has sponsored biweekly “fireside chats” to promote the discussion of Bahá’í principles such as unity in diversity, the oneness of religion, and the equality of men and women. The group also set up a booth on campus where they shared information about the Bahá’í Association with their fellow students. (It is important to note that these youth make getting along and fostering unity with their fellow student organizations a priority). In addition, the Austin Bahá’í youth have posted signs on campus that provide general information about the Faith, they’ve hosted deepenings, and have constructed a Web Page that explains Bahá’í Teachings and lists the dates of meetings for those interested in getting in touch with the Association. These tireless youth have also hosted a spring retreat to deepen on the principles of the Faith, they’ve participated in annual Martin Luther King Day celebration activities, joined an Interfaith Council so that they could interact with other religious groups and have hosted international dinners to promote Unity in Diversity!

If you think that all this activity is enough for the University of Texas Bahá’í Association, guess again! Community service is also very important to these youth. Recently they have become involved in Literacy and in Litter Control programs and have volunteered at the city of Austin’s Native American Pow Wow and at a local nursing home. As their steadfast and devoted attitude demonstrates, the University of Texas - Austin Bahá’í Association has definitely earned its title as Outstanding Religious Organization and we would like to congratulate them on a job superbly done!

Emily LaFramboise reports that at a recent Tracy Chapman concert in Ann Arbor, MI the singer asked concert goers to write down sentiments they’d like to share with the audience. Chapman read Emily’s card, “Remember your own strengths, choose your own battles, speak your own mind, pave your own path, live your own life.” Even better, the singer saved the following card (submitted by Bahá’í youth Jennifer Markey) for last, “One Planet, One People, Please”. The crowd cheered.

Members of the UT at Austin Bahá’í Association

University of Texas at Austin Bahá’í Association - Texas Swing Out - 1996

YOUTH COMMITTEE APPOINTED

The National Spiritual Assembly has recently appointed a National Youth Committee. The five members of the new committee are already hard at work. Over the next few months the Youth Committee will be taking over the administration of youth projects such as: the Army of Light, Bahá’í Youth Workshop, and the TAB Youth Page. Stay tuned to TAB for news and information about YOUth, and your new Youth Committee. [Page 4]

ALBANIA

July 22-August 22: intensive teaching projects aimed at a signifi- cant increase in the number of be- lievers in the areas of Corovode and Bajram Curri.

BELGIUM

August 1-15: European Bahá’í Youth Teaching Project with study course on "Entry by Troops," par- ticipation of Counselors and the Panacea Bahá’í Youth Workshop.

CANADA

August 25-30: Youth Week includ- ing survival course, Sylvan Lake Bahá’í Centre.

August 25-30: Festival of the Arts, Sylvan Lake Bahá’í Centre.

August 25-31: Family Week, "Holy Family of Bahá’u’lláh," Marion Jack Institute.

August 30-September 2: North Is- land Summer School.

CHINA

August 13-16: Cummunication and Culture: China and the World Entering the 21st Century, Peking (Beijing). Contact D. Ray Heisey, phone 216-672-2649, fax 216-672- 3510, e-mail

HUNGARY

August 5-11: Summer school at Doboz-Szanazug "Natural Holiday Resort."

October 18-20: Fourth European Bahá’í Health Conference, focusing on ethical issues in family medicine; age, race and gender prejudice in health care, and technical subjects.

IRELAND

August 10-18: Summer school in Waterford with themes "entry by troops" and "let your vision be world-embracing."

ITALY

Summer schools and wide variety of conferences and deepening pro- grams year-round at the Centre for Bahá’í Studies in Acuto. Reasonable costs.

POLAND

Variety of large and small-scale teaching projects throughout the summer.

ROMANIA

August 1-October 31: Teaching project, summer school, other events aimed at "a significant ad- vance in the process of entry by troops."

SLOVENIA AND CROATIA

Teaching project from August 19- 25, summer school from August 22- 25 in Koper, Slovenia.

SWITZERLAND

"Youth and Global Governance" conference, September 11-15, Lan- degg Academy.

Traveling teachers and pioneers are urgently needed for the bur- geoning countries of the Baltic States Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Macedonia and Serbia, per request of Continental Board of Counselors for Europe.

For more information, please con- tact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201-1611. Phone 847-733-3511, fax 847-733-3509, e- mail Please let the Office of Pioneering know if you will be traveling overseas for any reason.

A young pioneer's reflections on service

Nazaneen Nicola Grant served as a Bahá’í Youth Service Corps volunteer in Ecuador in 1993-1994. Now a junior at Cornell University, she shares her reflec- tions on the impact of that period of her services to the Cause of God.

I found myself packed between a col- orfully dressed indigenous woman with her chickens, booming merengue mu- sic, and a steamed window that soft- ened the incredible landscape of the Andes mountains. Although I knew where the bus was going, I smiled to myself and wondered, "What on earth am I doing here?"

While that question frequently came up during my year of service in Ecua- dor, I felt the "company of chosen an- gels" from the day I arrived.

As I stepped out of the airport, I found myself surrounded by a mob of people yelling in Spanish, but no one was claiming me as theirs. Then I real- ized, "Whoa, I'm only 17 years old, all alone on this continent where I almost know about 3 people." It was a defi- nite "what-am-l-doing-here" moment.

I sifted through the people, waiting for an "Alláh’u’ Abhá"...but nothing. I felt like trapeze artists must feel when they let go of one rung and are wait- ing to catch the other. Finally I heard, "Bahá’í! Bahá’í!" Never before had that name sounded so welcome.

During my time of service, I found that the only motivation to do well became love, faith, obedience to the Teachings and Institutions, and the very admonition toward excellence in all things. Unlike in school and in pro- fessional jobs, the motivation to excel is not confounded with competition and financial success. It must become pure service, borne solely out of love. Naturally, the result is wonderful.

One undergoes a transformation, which in turn has a direct effect on the Faith. A power is granted to you to become, although minuscule, a com- ponent of a massive, historic undertak- ing.

Even with this "power," it is some- times easy to convince yourself that your work is too imperfect to be ac- cepted and that the effort is not yield- ing results. In teaching children at a Bahá’í elementary school at only 17 years of age, I naturally made count- less mistakes and always knew that the kids deserved a well-trained teacher, which I was far from being. This was, and at times still is, hard to deal with.

A few particular events showed me the danger of allowing a lack of confi- dence to inhibit service. At the Ruhi Institute in Colombia where I went before going to Ecuador, we went out to communities to give children's classes.

While our group took a break one afternoon, we went to a small neigh- borhood store for a snack, and the other youth I was with started to teach the owners of the store. They were soon engaged in an animated discussion, of which I did not understand a word of since I had just arrived and didn't know Spanish.

I became a bit upset, thinking, "I can't do anything because I don't know Spanish!" I was busy feeling badly when one of the youth who had been talking stepped aside from the counter and opened up a prayer book to aid the effort. Then, Ah ha! I realized that I could be saying prayers! There is al- ways something I can do, I just have to be creative enough to discover what it is.

We can never forget that although we may seem unprepared and under- qualified to carry out historic under- takings, we are vested with a power that is surely not our own but that we are responsible for using and creatively directing.

One pioneer in Ecuador gave the analogy of a caterpillar. Often we feel as though we are like one of many legs of this caterpillar making tiny move- ments, and at the end of the day it has hardly gone anywhere. But after the caterpillar metamorphizes into a col- orful butterfly that can fly around freely, what was once a tiny leg is now responsible for moving wings.

The point is that none of our efforts are in vain; we must never belittle our personal efforts to serve the Faith be- cause we never will know their full im- pact. Bahá’u’lláh writes, "One righteous act is endowed with a potency that can so elevate the dust as to cause it to pass be- yond the heaven of heavens. It can tear every bond asunder, and hath the power to restore the force that hath spent itself and vanished."

After some quick cultural adjust- ments, living with a new language and culture became fun and interesting for me. This was particularly because of the people I came across in the small, mostly indigenous town of Otavalo.

I found much of Ecuador to be filled with awesome natural beauty which seemed to permeate many of the people living there. Living in such a place allowed me to better take in the deep spiritual nature of the people.

For the most part, the few louder voices, more easily heard by the me- dia, have not captured the humble, happy serenity of these people that are the gems in remote areas. Traveling to the crevices of these mountains to meet my Bahá’í brothers and sisters there had a deep effect on me spiritually, and made me better understand the strong embrace that Bahá’u’lláh has around the world.

However easy it is to romanticize about the natural beauty of the people and environment of a country such as Ecuador, it is just as easy to see the ex- tent of the social and economic change aching to happen. These societies and their youth are gradually being caught in a more complex world, and are in- creasingly being captured by the ma- terialism that is so strong in our own society.

The prejudice against the indigenous in that small town was as obvious as the mountains that surround it. But this is precisely the reason that the Bahá’í community chose it as the site for an elementary school and radio sta- tion: to directly and systematically pro- mote unifying forces and apply the Teachings through education and sus- tainable institutions. Working in this community exposed to me different ways in which Bahá’u’lláh's message can be applied.

While Ecuador may not be as eco- nomically and technologically ad- vanced as other nations, their Bahá’í community is moving full speed ahead. There are youth workshops and public speaking classes, radio pro- grams and schools, conferences on top- ics like moral leadership and strategic planning, teaching institutes and sum- mer schools; countless plans to expand the Faith throughout the all strata of society, just as there are in other coun- tries.

They are doing as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has

Nazaneen Nicola Grant (center rear), a Bahá’í Youth Service Corps volunteer to Ecuador, on a camping trip with students at the Raúl Pavón Bilingual School.

SENSITIVE INTERNATIONAL TEACHING AREAS (SITA) Programs

Coordinated by the Office of Pioneering now also available on a regional/local basis in many areas of the country.

What is a SITA? Why should you know about SITA programs and deepenings?

For answers to these ques- tions, contact your local Spiri- tual Assembly or the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette IL 60091 (phone 847-733-3506). [Page 5]

Healing Racism

Education’s Role edited by Nathan Rutstein and Michael Morgan SC $24.95 (HRER)

Written by 16 Bahá’ís who are experts in race relations and eyewitnesses to the ravages of racial prejudice, the articles in Healing Racism: Education’s Role define this national disease. The authors tell how to diminish racism’s effects through classroom education emphasizing the oneness of humanity and the cousinship of all human beings. Bahá’ís will find it useful for introduction into any school system. This book serves as an inspirational guidebook for teachers and parents as it takes the reader through the educational system from early grades to the university campus.

9-1/4"x6", 361 pp. Whitcomb Publishing

Portraits of Some Bahá’í Women

by O.Z. Whitehead SC $16.95 (PSBW)

Western women have always been in the forefront of teaching the Bahá’í Faith. Here are short portraits of seven such women whose services to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh have spanned the 20th century. Emogene Hoagg, Claudia Coles, Kate Dwyer, Ella Bailey, Ella Quant—some well-known, others less so—all devoted their lives to the promotion and development of the Faith they loved.

5-1/2"x8-1/4", 184 pp. George Ronald Publishers

Sacred Acts, Sacred Space, Sacred Time

Bahá’í Studies, Volume 1 by John Walbridge SC $22.95 (SA)

This is the first book in a new series from George Ronald Publishers developed for students of the Bahá’í Faith and those teaching courses on the religion. In Sacred Acts, Sacred Space, Sacred Time John Walbridge explores several areas of the sacred in the Bahá’í Faith including Bahá’í law and its background, the rites of life and death, teachings on wealth, pilgrimage, mystical writings, the Bahá’í calendar and festivals. This first in the series will be especially interesting to those with an academic interest in the Bahá’í Faith, those who wish to undertake a serious study of the religion and those who want to study it at a level deeper than is possible with introductory books.

5-‎12" 1/2"‎x8-3/4", 322 pp., index George Ronald Publishers

The Four Year Plan

Messages of the Universal House of Justice $1.00 SC (FYP)

This book contains eleven messages from the Universal House of Justice on the Four Year Plan, including the Ridván 1996 message to the Bahá’ís of the world, the eight messages to various regions, the letter dated Dec. 26, 1995, to the Counselors’ Conference at the Bahá’í World Center, and the letter dated Dec. 31, 1995, to the Bahá’ís of the world. This collection of messages is being offered by Palabra Publications at the lowest possible price to facilitate widespread study of these messages to lay the groundwork for a proper understanding of the directives of the Universal House of Justice as we formulate our response to the Four Year Plan.

5-1/2"x8-1/2", 112 pp., index, preface Palabra Publications

The Bahá’í World, 1994-95

HC $23.95 (BW95H), SC $12.95 (BW95S)

This comprehensive annual survey of the activities of the Bahá’í International Community is an attractive and useful public information tool, ideal for presentation to dignitaries, journalists, and libraries.

In this year’s volume:

• coverage of the elections of the seven new National Spiritual Assemblies
• report on Bahá’í involvement in the World Summit for Social Development
• Bahá’í contributions to the United Nations International Year of the Family
• survey of Bahá’í youth activities around the world
• “The Mission of the Báb: Retrospective 1844-1944”
• “The Language of the Heart: Arts in the Bahá’í World Community”
• Bahá’í International Community statement “The Prosperity of Humankind”

Regular features:

• Introduction to Bahá’í history, teachings, and activities
• survey of the year’s events
• statistics
• directory of Bahá’í agencies
• basic Bahá’í reading list
• glossary
• selected new publications
• selections from the Bahá’í sacred writings
• media survey
• highlights of BIC activities
• “World Watch”
• update on the situation in Iran
• update on Mount Carmel projects
• index
• many color photographs

9-1/4"x6", 346 pp.; World Centre Publications

SPECIAL PRE-PUBLICATION OFFER!

Messages from the Universal House of Justice

The Third Epoch, 1963-1986 $24.95 SC (MUHJ)

A compilation of the major communications from the Universal House of Justice covering the Third Epoch of Bahá’í history. Comprising more than 700 pages, over 450 letters and statements have been collected in this volume. This book is complete with bibliography, glossary, and an index by paragraph number for ease of reference and study. Long awaited, much anticipated, this edition will be available by the end of 1996.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Order before the publication date and receive this long awaited edition at the special pre-publication price of $19.95.

This price represents a $5 savings over the regular post-publication price of $24.95. In addition no shipping charges will be assessed on pre-publication orders, which potentially saves you an additional $2.50 for a combined savings of $7.50!

This book is scheduled for release by the end of 1996 (November), so don’t wait. Order now! [Page 6]

Bahá’u’lláh: God’s Messenger to Humanity

$3.75/50 PK. PA (BGMH)

More than 350,000 copies of this pamphlet, first published by the National Teaching Committee, were distributed in the first year. Out of print for a short while, it has been reprinted by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust to satisfy the constant demand for this item.

Availability at the new low price of 7.5 cents each should continue this pamphlet's popularity as one of the most widely distributed of all time.

8-panel Bahá’í Publishing Trust

The Promised Day is Come

by Shoghi Effendi $3.00 PS (PDCP)

Shoghi Effendi's letter explaining the reasons for the world's present moral and social chaos and providing assurance that God has not abandoned humanity. Study of this book will help readers understand and explain to others how "the Hand of Providence" is working to fulfill God's purpose for humanity.

7"x4-1/4", 219 pp., Index Bahá’í Publishing Trust

The Purpose of Physical Reality

The Kingdom of Names by John S. Hatcher $9.95 SC (PPR)

A perennial favorite, now back in print with a revised full-color cover, The Purpose of Physical Reality has served as the foremost commentary on the Bahá’í views regarding the material existence in which we all begin our spiritual journey. This book explores why God deems the physical environment appropriate for the beginning of human spiritual evolution and presents a discussion of the physical world as a classroom for gaining spiritual insight and appreciation for God's justice.

5-1/2"x8-1/2", 159+ pp., contents, acknowledgments, bibliography Bahá’í Publishing Trust

To Dine with the Blameless Ethiopians

by Kemba Mazloomian $10.95 SC (TDBE) 1-800-999-9019

This is the inspiring story of a young African-American woman whose travels in southern Africa in the service of the Bahá’í Faith became a journey of unexpected self-discovery. In bringing the healing message of Bahá’u’lláh to a society divided by prejudice, in sharing the wonder of lands so different to her home, and in braving the everyday problems faced by traveling teachers, pioneers, and indigenous believers from many backgrounds, Kemba's engaging voice speaks to the reader as if to a close companion on her adventures.

We see how the knowledge Kemba acquired of the world, and of herself-became a new source of strength and confirmation, and helped her to redefine her sense of identity as a woman, as an African-American, and as a Bahá’í.

5-1/4"x7-1/2", 112 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United Kingdom

My Pilgrimage to Haifa

November 1919 by Bahiyyih Winckler HC $9.95 (MPH)

This is the delightful story of a twelve-year-old Bahá’í’s pilgrimage to Haifa, Israel, in 1919. Relating the spiritual adventure that began when she stepped off the boat in Haifa, she supplements her story with pictures she took with her Brownie box camera, some of which are published here for the first time. Among the memorable experiences described are visits to the shrines of Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb and afternoon teas with the Greatest Holy Leaf, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s sister, from whom the author received priceless gifts and even learned how to make Persian rice. Most significant are the gentle lessons and loving attention of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at mealtimes and during personal vivits. The clarity with which the author has recorded her precious memories makes for a unique story that young and old alike will treasure.

4-1/2"x7", 120 pp., photographs Bahá’í Publishing Trust

The Law of Love Enshrined

Selected Essays by John Hatcher and William Hatcher $21.95 SC (LLE)

This collection of nine provacative essays is organized around the idea that all social enterprises - and all laws regulating them are really expressions of God's love for human creation. The first four essays present vital doctrinal issues: proofs of the existence of God, and clarification of "The Most Great Infallibility" in relation to the Prophets of God. The next four essays discuss the Kitáb-i-Aqdas 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

Towards the Most Great Justice

Elements of Justice In the New World Order edited by Charles Lerche $16.95 SC (TMGJ)

The nine essays in this book put justice at the heart of the debate about the new World Order: as a personal quality, in basic social relationships, in national life; and in relations between states. The contributing authors, specialists in the disciplines of international relations, social and economic development, jurisprudence, gender studies, and economics, explore Bahá’u’lláh's treatment of justice as it applies to relations between the sexes; the restructuring of the international economy along more equitable lines; human rights; and the problems of humanitarian intervention in a global society.

5-1/2"x8-1/2", 212 pp., Introduction, blbllography, notes, references, Index Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United Kingdom

Reciting the Verses of God

edited by Shahin Vafal and Dwight Allen $17.95 HC (RVGH), $11.95 SC (RVGS)

This book of daily readings focuses on Bahá’í virtues to help the reader achieve spiritual discipline. The selections are taken exclusively from the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and emphasize certain spiritual virtues over a number of days to help reinforce the understanding of the virtue and to focus on its practice. Designed specifically for families, the quotations are short to encourage their use by younger family members. Includes quotes from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas and other recently translated writings.

5-1/2"x8-1/2", 390 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, India

Desire of the Heart

Narges $15.95 CD (DHCD), $10.95 CS (DHCS)

East meets West on this recording of Persian songs and chants, based on the writings of the Bahá’í Faith. Narges' hauntingly beautiful singing is accompanied by western harmonies and arrangements. The result is an ethereal blend of Middle Eastern melodies with violin, cello, piano, organ, bell, and choir sounds, which creates a truly spiritual and mystical atmosphere. Produced by Steven Fischer.

Millennia Records

Sacred Moments

Daily Meditations on the Virtues by Linda Kavelin Popov $14.95 SC (SMS)

Virtues are the gifts within all of us: honesty, generosity, peace, loyalty, trust, and reverence. But how can we cultivate these virtues in our lives day to day? Sacred Moments laces together the wisdom found in the world's religions, personal anecdotes, and quotations from celebrities, philosophers and regular folks to provide a simple tool for daily reflection and meditation.

5"x7-3/8" Virtues Communications [Page 7]

BAHÁ’Í DISTRIBUTION SERVICE 1-800-999-9019

In His Remembrance by Sombol CD $15.95 (IHRCD), CS $10.95 (IHRCS) A collection of 12 songs in Persian from the best of New Zealand recording artist Sombol. 65 minutes Echo Music

Chipper and Friends Lessons in Virtues: Honesty and Kindness $7.50 CS (CHK) Join Chipper the ‎Racoon Raccoon‎ and his many furry friends in exciting adventures that also teach valuable lessons. Learning has never been more fun with this combination of songs and narrative that helps illustrate to children the value of virtues. Each story is designed to entertain and to teach virtues in a way that your child can understand. 30 minutes Tree House Productions

Encore Favourite Music of Jack Lenz various performers $18.00 CD (ECD) A collection of songs by artists such as Doug Cameron, Nancy Ward, and John Rutledge, all of which were produced by Jack Lenz and chosen by him for inclusion on this album of his favorite projects. This album includes memorable songs like “Mona with the Children,” “To the Planters of Trees,” and “Let It Be this Generation.” An excellent anthology of the best of Jack Lenz’s productions. Live Unity Productions

Oratorio to Bahá’u’lláh Songs from the Bahá’í World Congress $18.00 CD (OBCD) For those of you who have waited to purchase the music of the Bahá’í World Congress, here is the chance to have as a separate album all of the music performed as the songs of the Oratorio to Bahá’u’lláh from the first day of the Congress on this one compact disc. Once again relive the emotion and spirit of that wonderful occasion. Recorded in Russia with the Mila Moscow Orchestra and in Canada with the Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra. Live Unity Productions

NEW CHILDREN’S BOOKS!

Brilliant Books is a publishing house in Belgium that produces high-quality books with Bahá’í themes and content for children. This selection of beautiful, four-color books is the latest fruit of its effort. We’re certain you’ll be pleased with these selections and will await anxiously future titles from this new publisher of Bahá’í books.

Prayers for the Young $4.95 SC (PY) A colorfully illustrated collection of 15 prayers of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá suitable for children. Includes prayers for children, healing prayers, short obligatory prayer, and others. For children ages 8-12 (approximately). 4-3/4"x6-7/8", 16 pp., Illustrations ‎Brillant Brilliant‎ Books

A Violet and the Garden by Anne R. Breneman $6.50 SC (VGS) Miss Iris, Mrs. Snapdragon, Mr. Sunflower and Mr. Violet all find out the true meaning of beauty in this delightful story of diversity. For children ages 5-10 (approximately). 5-3/4"x8-1/4", 32 pp., Illustrations ‎Brillant Brilliant‎ Books

Beyond the Rainbow by Brenda Humphries $5.95 SC (BTR) Little Justin learns answers to some of the questions about “what happens when I die?” As Justin’s mother explains to her son some of the wonders of this aspect of existence, Justin learns not to be afraid or sad. This story can help other parents explore with their children the answers to questions they may have on this topic. For children ages 5-10 (approximately). 9-7/8"x6-3/4", 15 pp., Illustrations ‎Brillant Brilliant‎ Books

Stories of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá by Jacqueline Mehrabi illustrated by Hugh Sean O’Rourke $17.95 HC (SABH), $8.95 SC (SAB) ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was the eldest son of Bahá’u’lláh, Founder of the Bahá’í Faith. He was loved and respected by all who knew Him. Children would gather around Him wherever He went, instinctively recognizing His kindness and noble qualities. The love humor and wisdom of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá are beautifully demonstrated in this delightful collection of short stories, which will appeal to children of all ages. This new edition of a longstanding favorite — completely redesigned and with brand new illustrations — launches a new series of books on the members of the holy family for children. 6-1/2"x8", 48 pp., Illustrations Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United Kingdom

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Bahá’í Distribution Service • 5397 Wilbanks Dr., Chattanooga, TN 37343 • 1-800-999-9019 • Fax: 1-423-843-0836 • Internet: [Page 8]

Which activity workbooks do you need?

Plan resources for your teaching institute! Make your community life fun and exciting!

Order from BDS for only $3.50 each.

The magazine issues listed here are a collection of activity workbooks available from your NSA on many of the topics you need for the Four Year Plan.

The Central Figures

• Bahá’u’lláh: Bahá’u’lláh, Special Edition 1991
• The Báb: Starship, Life of the Báb J/A 94
• ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: Celebrating the Life of N/D 92
• Shoghi Effendi: Beloved Shoghi Effendi N/D 95

The Administrative Order

• The Covenant, Special Edition 1992
• The Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Special Edition 1993
• From Gnats to Eagles, Special Edition 1994
• My Part of the Plan N/D 93
• Beloved Shoghi Effendi N/D 95
• Press on to Meet the Dawn J/F 95

Teaching the Faith

• Confidence in Action J/F 96
• Balance M/A 96
• Patterns of Hope J/A 95
• One Destiny, Special Edition 1995
• From Gnats to Eagles, Special Edition 1994
• The Darkest Hour N/D 94
• Putting the Vision Into Action S/O 94
• Courage M/A 94
• Celebrating the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá N/D 92
• Choices, Choosing to Teach J/A 92

The Oneness of Humanity

• The First Prejudice-Free Generation M/A 95
• World Embracing Vision S/O 95
• 1992 Bahá’í World Congress S/O 92
• One Destiny, Special Edition 1995
• From Racism to Unity M/A 93 (sold out)
• Race Unity N/D 91 (sold out)

Family Life & Community Life

• Families J/F 94
• Patterns of Hope J/A 95
• Balance M/A 96
• My Part of the Plan N/D 93
• The Role of Women J/A 93
• The Door to the Future M/J 95
• My Bahá’í Community J/F 93 (sold out)
• Press on to Meet the Dawn J/F 95

Order Now!

Call Bahá’í Distribution Service at 800-999-9019 to order single issues.

Call Subscriber Services at 847-251-1854, Ext. 11 to begin a subscription.

from the pages of Brilliant Star.

I Want to Help!

The Universal House of Justice has told us that now is the time for every man, woman, youth and child to work together to build the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh. There are many things children can do for their Bahá’í Community. Here is a list of just some of the things you can do. Have you ever done some of these things? Look through the list and check off each one you have done. Are there other ways you could help your community?

Community Service Checklist

Host a Feast

• greet people at the door
• welcome people by saying “Alláh-u-Abhá”
• help people find seats
• serve food during the social portion
• during Feast, help a young child who has trouble being still by playing together in another room.

Prepare the Devotional Portion of Feast

• select prayers and passages from the Bahá’í Writings
• select music or songs from the Bahá’í Writings
• make a program that lists your selections and call readers in advance so they may prepare ahead to read
• find things other children can do to help make Feast special

Prepare Refreshments for Feast

• plan and make the food
• plan and prepare the beverages
• decorate and set the food table

Host Firesides

• plan a date and invite your friends
• plan a topic to talk about
• prepare a short talk or choose a video to show
• invite a guest speaker
• prepare refreshments
• have Bahá’í booklets ready to give out

Start a Children’s Teaching Institute

• find some friends who want to work with you
• learn about Teaching Institutes
• make plans to start your institute
• find an adult who can help you get started
• tell your Auxiliary Board Member about your institute

Your Ideas __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________

Write a letter to your Local Spiritual Assembly to say you are ready to serve your community. Copy this letter’s beginning and add your own words to it. Ask an adult to help you mail it to your Assembly, or share it with your Assembly at Feast. Children are always welcome to write or talk to their Assemblies, especially at the Feast.

__________________________________________________________________ (the date)

Dear Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of ______________________________,

My name is ______________________________ and I am ________ years old. I am a Bahá’í child in your community. I would like to find more ways to serve the community. Here is a list of things that I think I could do to help. If the Assembly would like my help, I would be happy to serve.

(add your list here)

Prayerfuly, ‎Prayerfuly Prayerfully‎ (your name)

by Pepper P. Oldziey

Illustrated by Carla Marlene

Reprinted from Brilliant Star, January-February 1993 [Page 9]

Total ENROLLMENTS

June ........................................... 229

Total for year .......................... 347

THE FUND

(As of June 30, 1996)

	YTD Goal	YTD Actual
National Bahá’í Fund	$2,400,000	$1,617,887
All International Funds	$1,500,000	$1,439,095

	thru Jun 95	thru Jun 96
National Bahá’í Fund	$2,309,725	$1,617,887
International Bahá’í Fund	$668,612	$86,363
Arc Projects Fund	$8,210,657	$1,302,116
Continental Bahá’í Fund	$42,643	$50,616
Other Earmarked	$65,752	$174,877
Subtotal/Int’l Funds	$8,921,912	$1,439,095
Total/All Funds	$11,297,389	$3,231,859

Debt Watch	Jun 95	Jun 96
Loans Outstanding	$0	$800,000

National Bahá’í Fund: Goal & Actual

Where we are	$1,617,887
Where we need to be	$2,400,000

All International Funds: Goal & Actual

Where we are	$1,439,095
Where we need to be	$1,500,000

Arc Projects Fund

Where we are	$1,302,116
Where we were last year	$8,210,657

International Bahá’í Fund

Where we are	$86,363
Where we were last year	$668,612

Continental Bahá’í Fund

Where we are	$50,616
Where we were last year	$42,643

Shortfall

Continued from page 1

U.S. $21 to $23 million by Ridván.”

Add to this stunning achievement the fact that contributions to the National Bahá’í Fund rose 9 percent, to $11.3 million, and those to the International and Continental Funds increased by 141 percent and 29 percent, respectively, and a truly remarkable picture of this blessed community emerges.

In all, $36.4 million was offered by the friends in the U.S. to the senior Funds of the Faith, an increase of 101 percent in only one year.

“This was not simply a demonstration of material generosity,” said a member of the National Spiritual Assembly at a recent gathering in Wilmette of representatives of local Spiritual Assemblies. “It is a referendum on the spiritual consecration of the American Bahá’í community.”

Now, in the opening months of the historic Four Year Plan, that consecration is being put to the test again.

Needed Capital Expenditures

Item	Cost	Reason
LGI Copier	$7,500	Existing machine worn out
WLGI digital equipment	$4,900	Resume WLGI development
Computer hardware and software	$100,000	For all National Assembly offices
Green Acre—Copier	$7,000	Existing machine worn out
Bahá’í Home—Boiler, re-piping etc.	$67,000	40-year-old equipment replacement
Bahá’í Home—Fire Sprinkler system	$4,400	State code requirement
Publishing Trust—Computer upgrade	$2,500	More in-house, low cost production
Louhelen—Fire Alarm System	$9,200	State code requirement
National Center parking lot repairs	$4,000	Potential safety code violation
RPZ valve at the Hazíratu’l-Quds	$3,000	Replace central component of heating system
Bahá’í Home—Replace Security Fence	$2,600	Recent break-in makes imperative
693 Sheridan—Roof Repairs	$10,524	House donated to Faith; 50-year-old roof
Bosch—New Classrooms	$143,000	Completed
New Bahá’í ID cards	$9,500	New system for new believers
Wilhelm property	$30,700	Repairs to “Souvenir” Cabin visited by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Louhelen—Furniture and AC system	$40,000	Key to self-sufficiency strategy—part of multi-year improvement plan
Green Acre—Ole Bull property	$75,000	""
Louhelen—Staff Housing	$79,900	Already privately funded by believers
Temple Restoration	$257,500	Steps, pylon caps, water system, etc.
Other property maintenance	$142,648
Total	$1,000,872

Earmarked Contributions in Hand
Deferred Revenue—Bosch	$50,000
Temple Restoration	$75,000
Louhelen	$79,900
Total	$204,900

Gap ($795,972)

Young California Bahá’ís share Message In song at Bahá’í Home

On June 23, a group of seven young Bahá’ís from Southern California visited the Bahá’í Home in Wilmette, Illinois, to share the Message of Bahá’u’lláh through music.

The young friends, ranging in age from five to 15 years, brought their radiant Bahá’í spirit to share with residents, families and guests at the annual reception honoring volunteers at the Home. Their a cappella presentation of songs about Bahá’u’lláh was a special delight to the audience.

Although they come from three separate Bahá’í communities—Imperial Beach, La Mesa and Monrovia—these young people regularly get together to sing.

Parents Joannie Yuille, Angie Blackshere and Rona Schechter provided logistical support for the group whose members were Brittani Gholar (age 10), Shannon Gholar (8), Ryann Blackshere (9), Laila Schechter (8), Alyssa Schechter (8), Katrina Schechter (5) and chorus director Lua Yuille (15). [Page 10]

Tasks

Continued from page 1

stated in the Riḍván 1996 letter, and of our prospects for large-scale growth. “Some four decades ago,” the Universal House of Justice writes, “Shoghi Effendi described the members of the United States Bahá’í community as ‘the outstanding protagonists of the Cause of God; the stout-hearted defenders of its integrity... the champion-builders of its Administrative Order... the chief succorers of the down-trodden. ...’ Any survey of the distinguished accomplishments of these dearly loved friends during the past three years provides striking evidence of the continuing applicability of this description, and of the immense contribution they are making to the advancement of the Cause. We look to the members of the Bahá’í community in the United States to perform, during the Four Year Plan, heroic deeds of service to the Cause, which will astonish and inspire their fellow-believers throughout the world.” Moreover, they added, “In North America, there are opportunities for the advancement of the process of entry by troops, the like of which presently exist in no other place on earth.”

The Universal House of Justice explains that “the individual, the institutions, and the community can foster such growth first by spiritually and mentally accepting the possibility of it, and then by working toward embracing masses of new believers, setting in motion the means (institutes) for effecting their spiritual and administrative training and development, thereby multiplying the number of knowledgeable, active teachers and administrators. ...” The sustained initiative of devoted and loving Bahá’ís will ensure a constant influx of new believers, the maturation of Bahá’í institutions, and the “steady consolidation of the community.”

Dear Friends, our assignment is clear, and brooks no delay:

First—Spiritual Assemblies, in concert with Auxiliary Board members wherever possible, should begin careful study of the Riḍván letters with the friends in their communities.

Second—Assemblies and individual believers must make every possible effort to double the active core of the community within the first year of the Plan. A significant increase in the number of knowledgeable and loving teachers and administrators is indispensable to advancing the process of entry by troops.

Third—Institutes should be established, wherever feasible, under the auspices of local Spiritual Assemblies, with the intimate involvement of Auxiliary Board members, to ensure that an “opportunity is provided for all Bahá’ís, new and veteran, to embark on a systematic study of the fundamental verities of the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh.”

In the coming months more specific direction about different aspects of the Four Year Plan will be conveyed to you. Until then, our prayers will surround every soul in his or her effort to arise and struggle with the challenges before us, “liberated from any doubts, uncertainties or hesitations which may have impeded you in the past.”

With loving Bahá’í greetings,

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

Trip

Continued from page 1

cor of our host communities—just what we needed after driving all day through the early-summer heat. If Bahá’ís are indeed developing attributes needed in the next world, we can look forward to countless potlucks there!

Spiritual food, too, abounded. You need not fear that American Bahá’ís have not recognized and come to grips with the urgency of the challenges that lie ahead.

From the inner city to rural outposts of the Faith, a palpable can-do spirit came through again and again as we gathered with the friends in living rooms and Bahá’í Centers. They shared their vision of where things might stand in four years and, just as important, what steps they’ll have to take as individuals, communities and institutions to turn that vision into reality.

As you well know, the key word is process. And as you can well imagine, Bahá’ís are at widely varying points along the continuum of getting their arms around the Four Year Plan and devising actions to achieve its goals.

We saw, firsthand, communities struggling to work through issues that have held them back from moving forward with unity and confidence. It is heart-rending to hear the stories of alienation and conflict. But where once those feelings festered beneath the surface, they now are being brought into the light and addressed openly and honestly. Everyone will be stronger for it, as remote as that might seem to them at present.

We also saw exciting evidence that Bahá’ís are starting to build on the foundations for large-scale growth that their joyous, if not immediately rewarding, labors over the years have established.

In fact, a noticeable impatience was in the air in some places. The friends were talked out after having deepened and consulted with their Spiritual Assemblies and, often, Auxiliary Board members. Now they were raring to go!

Lastly, through visits to the Native American Bahá’í Institute and the Bosch Bahá’í School, we were assured that resources are in place to serve well Bahá’í individuals, communities and institutions over the next four years. (Speaking of keeping your batteries charged, we had the blessing while at Bosch of an early-morning chat with the ever-radiant Olya Roohizadegan.)

Well, there’s so much more to tell about the places we visited and the people we met. But another day, in a depth that can do it justice. We’ll be organizing our reports around the overarching themes of the Four Year Plan such as teaching the Cause and preparing the way for entry by troops.

Until then, suffice it to say we’ve returned safe and sound and filled with memories enough for a lifetime. They really are amazing people, our Bahá’í family members. Thanks for giving us the chance to get to know them better.

Love, Tom

Support

Continued from page 1

The current epidemic of church burning in the South is not about religion. It is an ugly manifestation of ingrained racism, an attack on black communities by hate-filled individuals or groups. It is a desperate reaction against the progress American society, black and white, has made in the last half century and an effort to rekindle the worst forms of racial bigotry and prejudice.

Arson, a particularly heinous form of crime fully comparable to murder, is made even more revolting when committed as an act of warfare against a racial, ethnic or religious minority in whom it evokes memories of past injustices and a sense of continuing oppression.

Bahá’ís are well acquainted with prejudice and persecution. They have frequently been subjected to attacks by mobs and governments alike.

Although for the moment the forces of separatism, bigotry, and fanaticism seem to be on the ‎ascendent ascendant‎, their successes are an illusion. The world is inexorably moving toward its destiny of unity and peace.

Fully committed by their Faith to the ideals of equality of races and the oneness of humanity, Bahá’ís feel the pain of all those who suffer injustice. They unequivocally reaffirm their determination to work for the elimination of racism wherever it poisons people’s minds and hearts. Confident in the ultimate triumph of justice and love, Bahá’ís of all races and nations pray: “O Lord God! Make us as waves of the sea, as flowers of the garden, united, agreed through the bounties of Thy love. O Lord! Dilate the breasts through the signs of Thy oneness, and make all mankind as stars shining from the same height of glory, as perfect fruits growing upon Thy Tree of Life.”

Although for the moment the forces of separatism, bigotry and fanaticism seem to be on the ‎ascendent ascendant‎, their successes are an illusion. The world is inexorably moving toward its destiny of unity and peace. The burning of black churches in the American South, like the executions of innocent Bahá’ís in Iran and other acts of terrorism, is the ugly agony of a dying order. [Page 11]

Mauritius surpasses all of its Three Year Plan goals

The Bahá’ís of Mauritius have informed the World Center that all of their teaching goals for the Three Year Plan were surpassed. One thousand thirty-four new believers were enrolled during the Plan and 141 local Spiritual Assemblies established, exceeding the goals of 1,000 new believers and 140 local Assemblies. In Rodrigues, an island east of Mauritius, 534 new believers declared their faith in Bahá’u’lláh during the past three years while six new local Spiritual Assemblies were formed.

Twenty-five new Bahá’ís were enrolled during a recent four-day deepening class for women at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India, during which participants took part in city teaching each evening. The experience had such an impact on the friends that they pledged to continue the teaching work in that area.

The first local Spiritual Assembly of Wetzikon, in northeastern Switzerland, was formed March 8.

Many Bahá’í artists took part in a recent exhibition on the theme of women organized by the local Spiritual Assembly of Aix-en-Provence, France. About 80 people attended the show each day, while about 40 people attended each of three public conferences. As a result, three persons from Marseille and one from Paris who were visiting the area declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh.

Seventy young Bahá’ís from Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Norway and Sweden gathered March 31-April 5 in Gothenburg for the Nordic Bahá’í Youth Conference, which was organized by the National Youth Committees of Norway and Sweden. The conference theme was "The Priceless Pearl," and topics studied included the character of Shoghi Effendi, the significance of the Ten Year Crusade, the sacrifices of the beloved Guardian, the martyrs of the Faith, and the new World Order. The spirit was high, and as a result, one friend of a Bahá’í was enrolled in the Cause.

The sixth seminar for Bahá’í radio stations was held February 3-13 in Vinto, Bolivia. Attending were radio personnel from the five Latin American stations—in Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile—as well as representatives of Radio Bahá’í in the U.S. Consultation emphasized the process of entry by troops and developing a vision of where Bahá’í radio might be going by the year 2000. The seminar included workshops on oral and written scripts, translations to native languages, and the use of drama on the air.

On April 8, representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Cook Islands paid a courtesy call on the country's Prime Minister, Sir Geoffrey Henry, in Rarotonga. Mr. Henry was given a copy of a statement on loyalty to government and a letter listing ways in which Bahá’ís see social values affecting the life of the community.

In Austalia, Bahá’ís from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds support the Bahá’í Information Center and Book Shop maintained in Kingsford, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney.

About 160 people from Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey gathered April 5-8 at DePoort, the Netherlands, for the fourth European Conference for Turkish-speaking Bahá’ís. Also attending were two members of the Continental Board of Counselors, Ilhan Sezgin and Hooshidar Balazadeh. A large number of non-Bahá’ís took part in aspects of the conference, news of which was published in several Dutch newspapers.

The Northern Ireland Committee has announced the formation of the Association of Bahá’í Women to promote an awareness of the Faith's teachings on the equality of the sexes and the role of women in promoting world peace. The Association intends to support or initiate Bahá’í projects, workshops and/or seminars on the advancement of women and related themes.

On April 16, 45 people attended a dinner in Auckland, New Zealand, for members of the nonpartisan International Council of Women. The dinner was planned on their behalf by the Bahá’í Office for the Advancement of Women. Members of the Council came from many areas of the world to attend its regional meeting in Auckland.

The Area Teaching Committee of Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, India, planned a recent conference on "Entry by Troops and the Four Year Plan" in connection with a visit to the area by Hartmut Grossmann, a member of the International Teaching Center, and Counselor Payman Mohajer. Sixty Bahá’ís from 18 communities attended the conference, 35 of whom later volunteered their services for a teaching campaign.

The National Spiritual Assembly of South Africa recently received a letter from Bishop Desmond Tutu, written on behalf of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, asking the Assembly to pray for its success and to ask the Bahá’í community to keep the commission in its prayers as well. This is yet another sign of the growing recognition of the Faith by prominent individuals and institutions in South Africa.

Every Sunday for a year, television programs on various aspects of the Faith will be broadcast on CITV in the Cook Islands, the contract for which was recently signed. The National Spiritual Assembly hopes that the information reaching many homes in that country "will touch many hearts, giving people the desire, strength and courage to look deeper into the Faith."

The Bahá’í women of Ikot Oko Ibon, Nigeria, have secured a tract of land to farm, with proceeds earmarked to support women's activities in the state. The women have also conducted a recent institute on the Faith and family life.

"Artistic Unity in Diversity," an exhibit of works by seven Bahá’í artists—Lillian Bosch, Jan and Richard Coker, Gary Eyre, Wendy Jewell, Tushar Kanti-Paul and Ruth Park—was organized by the local Spiritual Assembly of Warwick, Australia, and shown recently at a local gallery. The mayor of Warwick, Bruce Green, formally opened the exhibit during a ceremony attended by about 70 guests, many of whom took copies of "The Bahá’ís" magazine. The show's catalog also included a page about the Faith. Local television news covered the opening, and the newspaper printed articles about the exhibit in three separate editions.

The Bahá’í Information Center in Monrovia, Liberia, receives an average of 200 visitors per month. Much of the interest has been created by a monthly radio program produced by the local Bahá’ís. Students and others have visited the Center to inquire further about the Faith.

During a teaching campaign held in April, the mayor of Velika Gorica, Slovenia and Croatia, was given a translation of "Turning Point for All Nations" and other Bahá’í literature. Inspired by the documents, he asked the friends for ideas about how to make Velika Gorica a "model city" to promote the ideals of world peace, harmony and justice. Furthermore, he suggested that a series of seminars might be held on world and local governance according to the Bahá’í teachings. On April 9, a local Spiritual Assembly was formed in Velika Gorica—the fifth local Assembly in Croatia. Motivated by their success, the Bahá’ís in the area are planning a teaching campaign to achieve entry by troops.

The friends in Lillehammer, Norway, report an extraordinarily positive response from the public during "Bahá’í Week" April 15-20. An average of 35 people attended events each day, making a total of 220 for the week, during which two Auxiliary Board members, Berit Bergström of Sweden and Linda Kragh of Norway, took part as speakers. A nurse declared her belief in Bahá’u’lláh on the first Day of Ridván, while local media covered the week with four radio interviews and three newspaper articles.

Conference on Peacemaking to be held in May ’97

From time to time the National Spiritual Assembly receives notice of events of special interest to the Bahá’í community. One such event is the National Conference on Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution, to be held next May 23-27 at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with an anticipated attendance of 1,500.

The submission deadline for workshops or papers is September 16, 1996. Send or fax proposals to NCPCR, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030 (fax 703-934-5142).

Other formats such as dramatic and performing arts or storytelling are also encouraged.

The conference theme is "Peacemaking Journeys." Organizers have planned a Youth Conference on May 23 for which youth presentations are being sought. Also, a "Social Justice Day on Race Relations" is planned to set forth "deep transformation and healing work around race relations."

Past conferences, which have been remarkable for the interest shown in the Faith by attendees, have drawn mediators and peacemakers from the Middle East, Northern Ireland, South Africa, Central America, the Philippines and many other areas.

Assemblies in the Pittsburgh area have appointed a joint teaching committee for the conference, and the board of officers of the Bahá’í Justice Society has voted to attend.

Those submitting proposals mentioning the Faith should inform the National Spiritual Assembly's Research Office at 847-733-3425.

For more information about the conference, NCPCR or the Bahá’í Justice Society, write to Steven Gonzales, Phoenix, AZ 85044, or phone 602-940-7594. [Page 12]

CLASSIFIEDS

Classified notices in The American Bahá’í are published free of charge as a service to the Bahá’í community. Because of this, notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or commercial ads can be accepted for publication. The opportunities referred to have not been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly; the friends should exercise their own judgment and care in responding to them.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

BAHÁ’Í PUBLICATIONS is seeking applicants for the position of marketing specialist. The position will be filled at the Bahá’í Publishing Trust in Wilmette, Illinois, or at the Bahá’í Distribution Service in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Applicants should have a minimum of two years marketing experience in the publishing industry, including copy writing and design, and five years experience in management or equivalent supervisory experience. Bahá’í Publications is looking for someone who has expertise in designing and implementing marketing programs, has a thorough knowledge of available Bahá’í literature, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to handle ongoing multiple projects with shifting deadlines, and an understanding of Bahá’í administration. Knowledge of PageMaker software and desktop publishing skills would be helpful. For information or an application, contact the Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611, or phone 847-733-3429.

EXCITING overseas opportunities. English teachers are needed in a number of areas including Beijing, Guangdong, Guang Xi, Huaibei, Huainan, Ningxia, etc. For information, contact Ms. Gwili Posey, 847-733-3512 (fax 847-733-3509; e-mail).

MOTTAHEDEH Development Services (MDS), the social and economic development agency of the National Spiritual Assembly, offers excellent service opportunities for committed, enthusiastic youth interested in grassroots development. Service staff positions provide no salary but offer possible accommodations and some paid expenses. An intern-youth year of service staff position offers an excellent training opportunity for youth interested in domestic and international development. Summer positions and longer are available. In the U.S. and internationally, MDS encourages, develops and supports local community initiatives that strengthen children and youth and the status of women, families, and the community at large. In Atlanta, MDS works through the Family Unity Institute in South Dekalb County to implement community-owned social and economic development projects. Please contact, with letter of interest, available time, resumé or C.V.: Mottahedeh Development Services, 750 Hammond Drive, Building 12, Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30328 (phone 404-843-1995; fax 404-843-8895; e-mail).

GET YOUR NEWS ON THE AIR!

Radio Bahá’í, North America's first Bahá’í radio station, now has a weekly news broadcast. This unique news service covers U.S. and international Bahá’í events and achievements.

Now we need your help to put the efforts of individual friends and your community "on the air." Put Radio Bahá’í on the mailing list for your local newsletter today.

Your community is working hard for this beloved Cause. Now, let the whole world know about it!

Post your local newsletter to: Radio Bahá’í Route 2, Box 69 Hemingway, SC 29554

EMPLOYMENT opportunities at the Bahá’í National Center: The National Education and Schools Office is seeking an administrative assistant to support the office, the Education and Schools coordinator, the Education Task Force, the permanent Bahá’í schools, and the Institute for Bahá’í Studies. Should have strong organizational, database management and desktop publishing skills as well as excellent skills in verbal and written communication. The National Teaching Office is seeking an administrative assistant to help with clerical and support. Requires knowledge of and experience with personal computers including word processing and telecommunications. The Research and Materials Review Office will have a temporary position for a research assistant open from September 1 to January 30, 1997. Requires strong organizational skills and word processing ability. Please send resumés to Christine Stanwood, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611, phone 847-733-3429, fax 847-733-3430, or e-mail.

SERVICE opportunities at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. Needed are guides who are willing to greet the many visitors to the Temple (167,536 last year). A desire to be of service is the only requirement. Half-hour training and orientation is provided. Also needed: teachers to let the public know about Bahá’u’lláh and His Revelation. Multilingual skills a plus; training is required. Tour guides who know the history of the Temple and are deepened in the teachings of the Faith; one-hour training required. Garden teachers to teach under the stars from 10 p.m. to midnight during the summer months; half-hour training and orientation required. And ushers who enjoy being of service to the House of Worship but are unable to make a regular commitment of time. Summer hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with garden teaching Fridays and Saturdays until midnight. If you can help, please contact Mary Lou McLaughlin, coordinator of volunteer services, Bahá’í House of Worship (phone 847-853-2300).

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

EMPLOYMENT opportunities overseas. AFRICA—Tanzania: English teachers. Uganda: self-supporting couple to serve as caretakers at the House of Worship. Zambia: Bahá’í teacher to develop and teach a kindergarten/primary school program. AMERICAS—Alaska: need for older woman to share home of long-time pioneer to Unalaska. Eleuthera, Bahamas: urgent need for self-supporting pioneers. Brazil: volunteer needed to serve as an information systems manager. Grenada: manager of bed and breakfast hotel. Guatemala: self-supporting couple to serve as caretakers for National Institute Shiraz. Honduras: adults with skills in construction, small engine repair, electrical, plumbing and other related fields needed for short-term service at Hospital Bayan; caretaker couple for the Ahmadiyyeh Bahá’í Institute; also would welcome volunteer Spanish-speaking primary health-care professionals including X-ray technician, lab technician, nurses, doctors, counselors, psychiatrists, etc. Panama: self-supporting volunteer to form and direct a choir at the Bahá’í House of Worship. Venezuela: couple to serve as caretakers of National Center in Caracas. ASIA—India: volunteers needed at Bahá’í-run provincial school in Lucknow. Korea: English teachers. Laos: volunteer teachers in business management, accounting, secondary education, hotel management and other fields for a Bahá’í-run management and English-language school; artist to manage art gallery. Macau: teachers. Sakhalin: teachers. AUSTRALASIA—Guam, Marianas: criminal trial prosecutors, dean of university library. Rota, Mariana Islands: teachers. Tonga: teachers for soon-to-be-opened primary school. Vanuatu: volunteer primary school teachers. EUROPE—Czech Republic: Montessori teachers for a newly opened pre-school in Prague. Hungary: dire need for short- and long-term pioneers for "consolidation activities, community-building and strengthening local Spiritual Assemblies." Lithuania: caretaker couple for the National Hazíratu’l-Quds. For more information about any of these positions, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-733-3512; fax 847-733-3509; e-mail pioneer-).

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

THE BAHÁ’ÍS of southeastern Texas invite you to join them in their quest to build a stronger community. There are two Assemblies in the area including one, Port Arthur, formed during the final days of the Three Year Plan. The other Assembly is in Beaumont. Both could use one or more believers to add strength. Also in the area are pockets of isolated believers and groups, in Port Neches, Orange, Nederland and Lumberton, as well as one university, two community colleges and an institute of technology. Jobs are available in criminal justice (there are four prisons), construction, oil and petrochemicals, lumber, medicine, education, restaurants and the retail industry. For more information, contact Randy Landry, Nederland, TX 77627 (phone 409-727-1663; e-mail).

THE SPIRITUAL Assembly of Kalamazoo, Michigan, has adopted as one of its goals Battle Creek, one of the cities of 50,000 or more targeted by the National Spiritual Assembly for local Assembly status during the Three Year Plan. Battle Creek, 25 miles from Kalamazoo and about 50 miles from Grand Rapids, is home of the Kellogg Company and Kellogg Foundation, has a Federal Center that houses government offices, and is host to the International Balloon Festival. A homefront pioneer who has made great sacrifices for and in the community will soon be leaving. Seeds have been sown, and the city is ripening for entry by troops. If you are interested in moving to the area, please phone Virginia Lucatelli, corresponding secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of Kalamazoo, at 616-349-2167.

JOIN US in our dynamic community's Four Year Plan goals leading to an expected entry by troops in Gallup, New Mexico. Help found an interfaith council; work with the Character Counts Coalition in local schools; attend local NAACP meetings; start a UN chapter; help reactivate the College Club; help a local women's advancement group and attend Race Unity Dialogue meetings. If any of these activities appeal to you, phone Bill Bright, 505-722-0039, for more information.

THE BAHÁ’Í community of Gary, Indiana, needs three homefront pioneers to save its Assembly. Two Assembly members recently moved away and a third died. Gary, on the southern end of Lake Michigan with access to beaches and national parks, is an hour and a half from the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette. Indiana University N.W. is in Gary, and Purdue-Calumet is 20 minutes away. For information, phone 219-884-2108.

OPPORTUNITIES for gentle teaching through service on Washington Island, Wisconsin, a community of about 650 in the Door County resort area that has a chronic need for geriatric care-givers from unskilled housekeeping to creative thinking about the establishment of a small nursing facility. Bahá’í Group of three would love to hear from you. Please write to Steve Eaton, P.O. Box 73, Washington Island, WI 54246, or phone 414-847-2237, preferably before 10 a.m. Central time.

ARCHIVES

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives is seeking, at the request of the Universal House of Justice, original letters written on behalf of the Guardian to the following individuals: Daniel Carrick, Edris Rice-Wray Carson, Lynn Carson, Charles Carter, Lillian Carter, May Burlingame Carter and Rouan Ella Carter (died Los Angeles, 1969). Anyone knowing family members or relatives who might have these letters from the Guardian is asked to contact the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611, or to phone 847-869-9039.

THE NATIONAL Bahá’í Archives has prepared a series of biographical sketches of prominent African-American, Native American, Hispanic and Asian-American Bahá’ís for the use of local communities in observances of Black History Month, Race Unity Day and other special events. Any local community wishing a set of these sketches is asked to send a request with mailing address to the National Bahá’í Archives, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-869-9039).

YOUTH ACTIVITIES

INTERNATIONAL Bahá’í Youth Service Corps opportunities. The enthusiastic services of Bahá’í youth are needed all over the U.S. and the world. The wide range of needs and opportunities include such arenas as reaching the masses with the message of Bahá’u’lláh, deepening new believers, conducting children's classes, youth classes and other educational activities, assisting the administrative work of Bahá’í Institutions, hands-on work with a variety of social and economic development projects, proclaiming the Faith through the arts, mobilizing the youth of a region or even a country, teaching fellow students and teachers, and more. In descriptions of pioneer needs compiled at the Bahá’í World Center during the Three Year Plan, 97 countries listed specific needs and opportunities for youth pioneers including many university study options. Since that time, many National Spiritual Assemblies have also written to our national community to advise of the following needs, which serve as further examples of their diversity. AFRICA—The Gambia (English): assist with the new urban pre-school, with a Rural Education Center, or with administrative work and the production of educational materials at the national center. Senegal (French): "Olinga Teaching Project" near Dakar needs French-speaking youth to help with teaching, children's classes, activities for women and youth. Abilities in drama welcome. AMERICAS—Alas- [Page 13]

ADS

ka (English and indigenous languages): Nome youth service project, working with Eskimos, and Norton Sound Project. Barbados: dynamic, energetic youth with maturity and practical experience in teaching through the arts, who can serve for six months to a year. Belize: literacy program for Mayan peoples, July-November 1996. Brazil: School of the Nations, an elementary school owned and operated by the Bahá’í community of Brazil, needs volunteers to serve at the school, work with the Bahá’í community, attend workshops and conferences, and help with community development in the favelas that surround Brasilia. Canada: the Maxwell International Bahá’í School is in urgent need of volunteers in the areas of administrative services, finance and personnel services, student services, academic services and facilities services. Colombia (Spanish): Tutorial Schools Training Course at the Ruhi Institute from May 5-June 22, 1996. Costa Rica (Spanish): Self-supporting pioneers and "year of service" volunteers with genuine desire to serve the needs of the community and who can communicate in Spanish at least at a basic level Haiti (French): serve at the Anis Zunuzi school teaching English, oral French, and arts and crafts, among others. Honduras (Spanish): volunteers with experience in printing needed to help develop a social and economic development project focused on the production of Bahá’í literature in La Ceiba. At Project Bayan youth are needed who have studied Spanish for at least two years and can stay for 6-12 months, or medical students who have completed their first two years of Medical School for 4-month periods (one at a time). Jamaica (English): serve for the summer or for a year helping youth workshops, teaching in rural areas, helping with the radio show and/or a television conference, with institutes and other training programs, teaching children's classes, or administrative work at the National Center. Venezuela (Spanish): three "entry by troops projects" and an ongoing year of service program supported by local youth incorporating proclamation, teaching, consolidation, theater, music and other aspects are in need of 6-10 youth at a time for at least six months service. Knowledge of Spanish a must. Low living costs. ASIA-urgent needs. Contact the Office of Pioneering as soon as possible. India (English): New Era Development Institute, "an exciting place to work [which] offers a unique opportunity to learn about social and economic development in a Bahá’í context," is looking for one or two deepened Bahá’ís who enjoy working closely with other youth to come for anywhere from four months to a year, preferably arriving in June. Thailand (Thai and English): the Santitham School, a social and economic development project of the National Spiritual Assembly of Thailand and "a landmark of the Bahá’í Faith in the North-East of Thailand," whose contributions to society have been appreciated by the provincial government, needs dedicated volunteers for periods of at least six months. AUSTRALASIA Australia (English): children's classes, firesides and hospitality, House of Worship guiding, gardening and janitorial and National Bahá’í Office work for several youth from anywhere in the world. Accommodation on House of Worship property provided. Eastern Caroline Islands (Carolinian, English and Japanese): two youth volunteers who have been helping to teach and deepen local youth will be leaving and need to be replaced. Accommodation is provided with Bahá’í families and the youth take part in an intensive study and teaching program. Kiribati (Gilbertese): the Ootan Marawa Bahá’í School is looking for mature youth to work as teacher aides, helping the school's 30 students to learn English, and to help with various school social and economic development projects. Samoa (Samoan and English): guide at the Temple, work with children at the Montessori Bahá’í School near the Temple, help organize displays and Bahá’í literature at book sales, teach and deepen new believers, teach children's classes, learn new songs with youth and other friends, and more. EUROPE-Albania (Albanian): "...one or more devoted and capable youths...[to be] accompanied by an Albanian Youth...who could be in charge of driving a van and directing the Mobile Institute...." Driving experience important. Belarus: youth to serve at the National Office, preferably with computer skills, to staff Bahá’í centers and carry out teaching work, with option to studying Russian simultaneously. France (French): The Office of Public Information of the Bahá’í International Community in Paris needs a bilingual (French/English) assistant for duties such as office administration and secretarial work, follow-up on publications, and participation in public relations projects. Lithuania: study engineering or medicine in English at Kaunas Medical Academy for an annual tuition equivalent to U.S. $3,000! Russia (Russian): earn a college degree through a U.S. university while living in Russia! Contact the Office of Pioneering for details. Switzerland (English and French): two youth needed to work with the National Bahá’í Secretariat, caring for the Hazira, traveling teaching and possibly studying French or German. If you can arise to meet one of these needs, please contact your local Spiritual Assembly for initial consultation and information and to receive a copy of the Pioneer/Bahá’í Youth Service Corps Volunteer Form. As you work toward your goal, the Office of Pioneering will help you to do as the Universal House of Justice advises: "Through prayer and consultation, and after considering his own experience, inclinations and possibilities, he can choose his goal area and, confidently relying on the confirming power of Bahá’u’lláh, set out to serve the Cause of his Lord...."

ATTENTION Bahá’í Youth Workshops: the South Central Bahá’í Youth Workshop has developed three booking packets to facilitate effectivenes, organization and harmony for its performances and road trips. Input from several coordinators and other Midwestern workshops were used to create these helpful packets. One is for a Bahá’í-sponsored day trip engagement with an option for one overnight; the second is for a Bahá’í-sponsored engagement of 2-6 nights, while the third is for a non-Bahá’í-sponsored engagement of one day with option for one overnight. For all three, please send $6 (for postage and copying) to Linden Qualls, Yellow Springs, OH 45387-1400. For more information, phone 513-767-7079.

WANTED

NEED concrete ideas for community or family celebrations of Holy Days and Ayyam-i-Há and for building a strong Bahá’í community and a love for the Central Figures of our Faith in children? A 13-page compilation of ideas created by a Bahá’í mother and children's class teacher is available. If you are interested in acquiring a copy, please send $3 (for postage and copying) to Linden Qualls, Yellow Springs, OH 45387-1400. For information, phone 513-767-7079.

DAWN-BREAKERS Productions is seeking copies of Nabil’s narrative, The Dawn-Breakers, from those who have an extra copy they would be willing to sell or donate to this effort to produce a major feature film. We need hardback or paperback editions to deepen media persons who are destined to be attracted to this project; also needed are copies of Bahá’í World Faith. These books are now out of print, and it is important that we have sufficient copies for the major participants. Also, extra copies of The Dawn-Breakers Study Guide, as well as the French and English footnotes, would be greatly valued. Please write to Malibu, CA 90265-4182, or fax 310-457-9893.

POETS: devotional poems suitable for use at Feasts, Holy Day observances and other events are being sought for a collection. For themes and guidelines, please contact Duane L. Herrmann, Topeka, KS 66619.

MUSICIANS, dancers, writers, artists, healers: I would like to network with you in the hope of establishing a project to express a love and spirit that will transform and heal hearts and lives. I am also interested in pioneering new forms and styles of music and art, especially new-age fusion. I play electric guitar and keyboards, and my musical influences are classical, rock, jazz, new age and avant-garde. Anyone who is interested in supporting such a project is asked to contact Bob Charnes, Voorhees, NJ 08043 (phone 609-772-2195; e-mail ).

BAHÁ’Í composer would like to establish contact with professional singers/instrumentalists experienced in classical art and music (including contemporary) to arrange musical performances using the Sacred Writings-in particular, a large-scale oratorio (for soprano, tenor and baritone soloists, chorus and orchestra) entitled "The Mountain of God" and using the entire text of the Tablet of Carmel is being composed and will be completed this year. If you would like to take part in this endeavor, please write to M. Knopf, Queensland 4868, Australia.

WANTED: traveling teachers who may be in or near the Des Moines, Iowa, area. The Des Moines Area Teaching Committee has established a program of public firesides called "Crossroads" with meetings held the second Thursday evening of each month; special programs can be arranged for anyone wishing to use the format. For details, please write to Napolun Birdsong or Pamela Knox, Des Moines, IA 50317, or phone 515-263-2778 (daytime answering machine) or 515-961-0605 (evening answering machine).

FOR SALE

I HAVE a 1970 hardbound edition of The Dawn-Breakers. The book is currently out of print but this copy can be yours for a contribution of $3,000 toward procuring a Bahá’í Center in Fargo, North Dakota. Contact Orviell Kadrie, Fargo, ND 58103, or phone 701-235-3725.

MISCELLANEOUS

LOST and found: if you were at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette immediately after the National Convention on Sunday, April 28, at 2 p.m. and are missing a gray plastic bag with the printed name "Bahá’í Distribution Service" and containing Bahá’í brochures and booklets in English and Persian, the bag is in the Activities Office at the House of Worship. Please advise and it will be mailed to you. The telephone number is 847-853-2300.

ARE YOU looking for a unique way to contribute to the International Fund? Save your used stamps from incoming mail and send them to me for sale to collectors and dealers. All proceeds from the stamp sales are contributed to the International Fund in Haifa. Please send used stamps to Jon Atkinson, Derbyshire S40 2NX, United Kingdom.

Brandon Rhyne (pictured center), a 12-year-old Bahá’í, was the only child to speak during the annual celebration January 15 in Boone County, Missouri, of Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday anniversary. He recited a lengthy prayer from memory before an audience of about 60 people including media representatives and dignitaries. Later, at the Second Baptist Church, another Bahá’í, Greg Montour, presented a speech that contained analogies to the dates of the Bahá’í Revelation, the Civil War, and Dr. King's 'I Have a Dream' speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington.

23rd Conference of Nur is held at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania

The 23rd annual Conference of Nur was held May 24-26 at Elizabethtown (Pennsylvania) College.

The theme of this year's event, which was sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Harrisburg, was "To Assist Me Is to Teach My Cause."

Speakers Janice Sadeghian, Shidon Lofti and George Mark gave thought-provoking presentations on "Excellence in All Things," "Sharing Our Love for Bahá’u’lláh" and "Our Noble Mission," respectively.

Special presentations and classes were held for children and youth. Ten simultaneous workshops followed each talk for the adults, and everyone had time to meditate and reflect on his or her plans to teach the Faith.

More than $5,200 was contributed to the Arc Projects after a special presentation with rare slides from the World Center, recitation of the Tablet of Carmel, and the auction of a lovely hand-crocheted afghan by the late Lillian Leonard.

Bahá’í musicians provided multicultural music for all, and at least two declarations were reported at the conference.

Have you recently returned from service at the Bahá’í World Center? If so, please send a copy of your Bahá’í ID card from the World Center, both front and back, with your current U.S. address to the Bahá’í National Center, MIS Department-Transfers, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. Your current U.S. Bahá’í credentials will be sent within two weeks of receiving your copies. Remember, you cannot attend Feast without a current U.S. Bahá’í ID card. [Page 14]

LISTING OF 1996 UNIT CONVENTION SITES

The beloved Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, stressed "...the importance of reminding the believers that they should make every possible effort to attend the meeting for the election of the State or Province delegates, in order to stimulate a larger group consciousness which will greatly facilitate the process of the believers becoming acquainted with each other, and provide an intermediary stage—which will become increasingly valuable and necessary—between the local organization, represented by the group or Assembly, and national collective action, represented by the activities of the Convention and the institution of the National Assembly."

Attendees at this October’s Electoral Unit Conventions will have the exciting task of consulting with the believers about the community’s future in fulfilling the goals of the Four Year Plan. The friends will also elect a delegate who will, in turn, attend next April’s National Convention and vote for next year’s National Spiritual Assembly.

During the Unit Convention, attendees will be asked to consult on the June 6, 1996, letter from the National Spiritual Assembly that provides the vision for the American Bahá’í community’s efforts in the Four Year Plan. Recommendations and suggestions from the Convention floor will be forwarded for consideration by the National Spiritual Assembly.

Bahá’í youth are encouraged to attend Unit Conventions. They may also want to take part by serving as registrars, readers, children’s class facilitators and helpers to the tellers. Youth participation in the Convention will not only contribute to the success of the consultation but will aid in preparing the youth for future service as administrators of the Faith. Bahá’í youth may not vote in Bahá’í elections or serve as delegates or Convention officers.

Remember that practically all electoral unit boundaries were redrawn and that all electoral unit numbers have changed. To find out which electoral unit you are in, look at the right-hand corner of your mailing label on The American Bahá’í for your electoral unit number. For information on logistics of your Convention find the number on the list below. Some electoral units have partial information at this time. Please look in the next issue of The American Bahá’í for the complete information. You will receive further information with your ballot and voting instructions. It is important to check the Unit Convention listing that you will receive with your ballot, as changes sometimes take place. Most likely you will also receive a mailing from the Spiritual Assembly hosting your Convention closer to the time of the event giving updates on time and location. Contact your local Spiritual Assembly or the Conventions Office at the Bahá’í National Center (847-733-3529) if you still have questions.

All adult believers in good standing should receive ballot information by mail in the middle of September. If you are unable to attend the Unit Convention, you may vote by absentee ballot by writing the name of one person on the ballot whom you believe best exemplifies the qualities of a delegate. "The electors...must prayerfully and devotedly and after meditation and reflection elect faithful, sincere, experienced, capable and competent souls who are worthy of membership." (Written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi and published in The Compilation of Compilations, p. 317) Vote for only one delegate (except New York City [two] and Los Angeles [four]).

Any Bahá’í in good standing who is at least 21 years of age and who is a resident of your Electoral Unit is eligible to be elected as a delegate. The only exceptions are the Hands of the Cause and members of the Continental Board of Counselors. Auxiliary Board members are eligible but, if elected, must choose between accepting this responsibility and remaining a member of the Auxiliary Board.

Insert your completed ballot into a small envelope (marked "ballot") and seal it. Do not put your name or other identifying mark on it. Place the ballot envelope into a larger envelope, seal it, and write your name in the upper left-hand corner. Mail it to the mail ballot address listed below for your unit (do not mail to the Bahá’í National Center). Put it in the mail at least one week before the time of your Convention, or have a friend bring it to the Convention for you.

EU001: Bailey Hall, University of S Maine, Gorham, ME; Saturday, Oct.5; 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Portland, PO Box 674, Portland, ME 04104-0674. Contact phone: 207/773-3170.

EU002: Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Dr., Lebanon, NH; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Hartford, PO Box 14, Hartford, VT 05047-0014. Contact phone: 603/225-3440.

EU003: Northern Essex Community College, Conference Room, Haverhill, MA; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Exeter, PO Box 384, Exeter, NH 03833-0384. Contact phone: 603/772-4680.

EU004: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Cambridge, PO Box 376, Cambridge, MA 02138. Contact phone: 617/864-9552.

EU005: Smith Vocational High School, 80 Locust St., Northampton, MA; Saturday, Oct. 5; 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Amherst, PO Box 2118, Amherst, MA 01004. Contact phone: 413/253-7913.

EU006: Location TBA*, Host LSA: Barnstable, MA. Contact phone: 617/775-6820.

EU007: Wheeler Regional YMCA, 149 Farmington Ave., Plainville, CT; Sunday, Oct. 6; 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Southington, Plantsville, CT 06479-1408. Contact phone: 860/232-8869.

EU008: Location TBA*, Host LSA: Yonkers, NY, Saturday, Oct.5. Mail Ballots to: LSA of Yonkers, Yonkers, NY. Contact phone: 914/779-3326.

EU009: Roslyn Community Center, Lincoln Ave, Roslyn, NY; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Hempstead Town, Inwood, NY 11096-2114. Contact phone: 516/338-0749.

EU010: Bahá’í Center, 53 E 11th St, New York City, NY; Saturday, Oct.5; 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 12:00 p.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of New York City, Bahá’í Center, 53 E. 11th St, New York City, NY 10003-4601. Contact phone: 212-674-8998.

EU011: Grice Middle School, 901 Whitehorse-Hamilton Sq Rd, Hamilton, NJ; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Registration: 9:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Hamilton Twp, PO Box 2529, Hamilton, NJ 08690. Contact phone: 609/259-3380.

EU012: Location TBA*, Host LSA: Montclair Township, NJ. Contact phone: 201/509-9695.

EU013: Rensselaer Polytechnic University, Room CII, Troy, NY; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of New Paltz, New Paltz, NY 12561-2917. Contact phone: 914/255-0949.

EU014: Location TBA*, Host LSA: Rochester, NY, Contact phone: 716/442-0292.

EU015: Location TBA*, Host LSA: Harrisburg, PA. Contact phone: 717/234-6552.

EU016: Philadelphia Regional Bahá’í Center, 2462 Bryn Mawr Ave., Philadelphia, PA; Sunday, Oct. 6; 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Registration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Lower Merion, Rosemont, PA 19010. Contact phone: 610/664-0856.

EU017: JD’s Cafe, Concord Plaza, 3411 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE; Sunday, Oct.13; 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of New Castle County North, New Castle, DE 19720-3332. Contact phone: 302/478-5425.

EU018: Location: TBA*, Host LSA: Baltimore County Central, Time: TBA*; Mail Ballots to: LSA of Baltimore County Central, Baltimore, MD 21286-7836. Contact phone: 410/321-8054.

EU019: Upper County Community Center, 8201 Emory Grove Rd., Gaithersburg, MD; Sunday, Oct. 6; 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Pre-Convention: Saturday, Oct. 5, 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Mail Ballots to: LSA of Montgomery County West, PO Box 379, Germantown, MD 20874. Contact phone: 301/540-1775.

EU020: Greenbelt Community Center, 15 Crescent Rd., Greenbelt, MD; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Registration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Washington, 5713 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20011-6811. Contact phone: 301/249-7243.

EU021: Colonies Club House, 7681 Provincial Dr., McLean, VA; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of McLean, PO Box 46, McLean, VA 22101-0046. Contact phone: 703/356-9543.

EU022: George Mason University, Student Union Bldg., #2, Ballroom, Fairfax, VA; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 10:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Reston, PO Box 2085, Reston, VA 22090. Contact phone: 703/391-0833.

EU023: Bon Air Community Center, 8725 Quaker Lane, Richmond, VA; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Henrico County, PO Box 4271, Glen Allen, VA 23058-4271. Contact phone: 804/321-7009.

EU024: Location TBA*, Host LSA: Virginia Beach, VA. Contact phone: 804/486-1712.

EU025: Cape Fear Museum, 814 Market St., Wilmington, NC; Sunday, Oct.6; 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 10:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28401. Contact phone: 910/452-9914.

EU026: Inter-community Bahá’í Center, 5103 Revere Rd, Durham, NC. Mail Ballots to: LSA of Durham, PO Box 51116, Durham, NC 27717-1116. Contact phone: 919/477-4520.

EU027: Location TBA*, Host Assembly: Conway, SC. Contact phone: 803/248-6224.

EU028: Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Rt. 2 Box 71, Hemingway, SC; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Williams Hill, Rt. 2 Box 71, Hemingway, SC 29554. Contact phone: 803/558-9180.

EU029: Trident Technical College, Bldg 100, Room 169, 7000 Rivers Ave, N Charleston, SC; Sunday, Oct.6; 10 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Mt Pleasant, PO Box 1389, Mt Pleasant, SC 29465-1389. Contact phone: 803/881-9599.

EU030: Location TBA*, Host LSA: Summerville, SC. Contact phone: 803/871-6375.

EU031: Arthur Horne Bldg., Clemson Extension Office, 100 Ribault Rd., Beaufort, SC; Sunday, Oct.6; Time: TBA* Mail Ballots to: LSA of St Helena Island, PO Box 977, St Helena Island, SC 29920-0977. Contact phone: 803/838-4754.

EU032: Location TBA*, Host LSA TBA*. Contact phone: 847/733-3529 (National Center).

EU033: Columbia Junior College, 3810 Main St, Columbia, SC; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Columbia, PO Box 5973, Columbia, SC 29250. Contact phone: 803/732-5630.

EU034: Location TBA*, Host LSA: Kingstree, SC. Contact phone: 803/354-5339.

EU035: John & Debbie Jackson Residence, Hemingway, SC; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Donnelly, PO Box 544, Hemingway, SC 29554-0544. Contact phone: 803/558-9289.

EU036: Kozlow Residence, Johnsonville, SC; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Johnsonville, Johnsonville, SC 29555. Contact phone: 803/386-3744.

EU037: Bahá’í Center, 541 W Evans St, Florence, SC; Sunday, Oct.6; 11:00 a.m. (Registration: 10:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Florence, Florence, SC 29501-5523. Contact phone: 803/667-1540.

EU038: Bahá’í Center, 541 W Evans St, Florence, SC; Sunday, Oct.6; 11:00 a.m. (Registration: 10:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Florence, Florence, SC 29501-5523. Contact phone: 803/667-1540.

EU039: Pee Dee Federal Savings Bank, 209 W. McIntyre St, Mullins, SC; Saturday, Oct.12; 10:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. (Registration: 10:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Mullins, Mullins, SC 29574-2224. Contact phone: 803/552-0025. [Page 15]

UNIT CONVENTIONS

EU040: Location TBA*, Host LSA: TBA. Contact phone: 847/733-3529 (National Center).

EU041: Linda & Otis Johnson Residence, McIver Rd., Darlington, SC; Sunday, Oct.6; 1:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 1:00 p.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Lydia, PO Box 238, Lydia, SC 29079. Contact phone: 803/395-2123.

EU042: Days Inn, 1100 N Main St, Lancaster, SC; Oct.6; 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Winnsboro, PO Box 178, Winnsboro, SC 29180-0178. Contact phone: 803/635-9602.

EU043: Location TBA*, Host LSA: Rock Hill, SC. Contact phone: 803/328-8395.

EU044: RP Dawkins Resource Center, Lincoln School Rd., Fairforest, SC; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Spartanburg, PO Box 2893, Spartanburg, SC 29304. Contact phone: 864/583-3123.

EU045: Independence High School, 1967 Patriot Dr, Charlotte, NC; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Charlotte, PO Box 221155, Charlotte, NC 28222-1155. Contact phone: 704/545-4295.

EU046: New Garden Friends Meeting, 801 New Garden Rd., Greensboro, NC; Saturday, Oct.5; 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27455. Contact phone: 910/643-6932.

EU047: The Mountain Lair, W. Virginia University, Downtown Campus, University Ave, Morgantown, WV; Saturday, Oct.19; 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Morgantown, Morgantown, WV 26505. Contact phone: 304/292-5898.

EU048: Days Inn, 1045 Bennett Rd, Fredonia, NY; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Amherst, Eggertsville, NY 14226. Contact phone: 716/631-0540.

EU049: Baker Hall, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Cleveland Heights, PO Box 18092, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118. Contact phone: 216/291-2512.

EU050: Central Ohio Special Education Regional Resource Center, 470 Glenmont Ave, Columbus, OH; Sunday, Oct.13; 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Columbus, PO Box 14894, Columbus, OH 43214-0894. Contact phone: 614/777-1654.

EU051: Lohrey Center, 2366 Glenarm Ave., Dayton, OH; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:45 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Dayton, PO Box 1881, Dayton, OH 45401. Contact phone: 513/294-6869.

EU052: University of Kentucky, White Hall Building, Room 118 "E", Lexington, KY; Sunday, Oct.6; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Lexington, PO Box 22102, Lexington, KY 40522-2102. Contact phone: 606/263-1820.

EU053: Bahá’í Center, 5 Ravenscroft Dr, Asheville, NC; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Asheville, PO Box 882, Asheville, NC 28802. Contact phone: 704/254-7941.

EU054: Memorial Hall, University of Georgia, Sanford Dr, Athens, GA; Saturday, Oct.5; 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 a.m. (Registration: 9:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Athens-Clarke County, PO Box 5304, Athens, GA 30604. Contact phone: 706/548-7209; 706/548-6495.

EU055: Bahá’í Unity Center, 2870 Wesley Chapel Rd, Decatur, GA; Sunday, Oct.6; 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. (Registration: 12:00 p.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of DeKalb County North, Doraville, GA 30340-4154. Contact phone: 770/939-3985.

EU056: Location TBA*, Host LSA: Fulton County Central. Contact phone: 404/255-8930.

EU057: North Atlanta High School, 2875 Northside Dr NW, Atlanta, GA; Sunday, Oct.6; 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 10:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Cobb County East, PO Box 71114, Marietta, GA 30007-1114. Contact phone: 770/640-6161.

EU058: The Hut, Marion and Lafayette Sts, Eatonton, GA; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Augusta, PO Box 14301, Augusta, GA 30919-0031. Contact phone: 800/ 293-3958.

EU059: Windsor Forest Community Center, 414 Brier Cliff Circle, Savannah, GA; Sunday, Oct.6. Time TBA*. Mail Ballots to: LSA of Savannah, PO Box 1093, Savannah, GA 31402-1093. Contact phone: 912/234-1016.

EU060: Residence of Jacqueline Konan, Columbus, GA; Sunday, Oct.6; 2 p.m.-5 p.m. (Registration: 1:00 p.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Columbus, Columbus, GA 31907. Contact phone: 706/568-0108.

EU061: Bahá’í Center of Gainesville, 4419 NW 19 St, Gainesville, FL; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:15 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Gainesville, PO Box 149, Gainesville, FL 32602-0149. Contact phone: 352/377-1381.

EU062: University of Central Florida, Student Center Auditorium, 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, FL; Saturday, Oct.5; 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Orange County East, Orlando, FL 32825-7840. Contact phone: 407/277-2896.

EU063: Magdalene Carney Bahá’í Institute, 100 SE Martin Luther King, Belle Glade, FL; Saturday, Oct.5; 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Belle Glade, Belle Glade, FL 33430-1971. Contact phone: 561/996-3373.

EU064: Bahá’í Center of the Palm Beaches, 1201 E Blue Heren Blvd, Riviera Beach, FL; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Jupiter, Jupiter, FL 33458-3730. Contact phone: 561/743-4312.

EU065: Gold Coast Shriner Club, 1250 S.E. 6th Ave, Deerfield Beach, FL; Sunday, September 29; 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Deerfield Beach, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442. Contact phone: 954/570-6359.

EU066: Bahá’í Center of Dade County, 9300 South Dixie Highway, Suite 209, Miami, FL; Saturday, Oct.5; 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Registration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Dade County Central, PO Box 560554, Miami, FL 33256-0554. Contact phone: 305/382-6834.

EU067: Newtown Community Center, 1845 34th Street, Sarasota, FL; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:15-4:00 (Registration: 8:00). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Manatee County, Palmetto, FL 34221. Contact phone: 941/755-4768.

EU068: Bahá’í Center, 676 2nd Ave. S, St. Petersburg, FL; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.(Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of St. Petersburg, PO Box 15343, St. Petersburg, FL 33733-5343. Contact phone: 813/522-0404.

EU069: Location TBA*, Host LSA: Tallahassee, FL. Contact phone: 904/575-4097.

EU070: Troy State University-Dothan, Highway 231 South, Dothan, AL; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Montgomery, PO Box 1131, Montgomery, AL 36101-1131. Contact phone: 334/281-2044.

EU071: Dawson Bldg., Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, AL; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:00 a.m.-3: p.m. (Registration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Huntsville, PO Box 1783, Huntsville, AL 35807. Contact phone: 205/430-0679.

EU072: Gallatin Civic Center, 210 Albert Gallatin Ave., Gallatin, TN; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Hendersonville, PO Box 842, Hendersonville, TN 37077-0842. Contact phone: 615/264-2044.

EU073: CK Newsome Community Center, 100 E. Walnut, Evansville, IN; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901-1203. Contact phone: 618/549-8533.

EU074: Location TBA*, Host LSA: Indianapolis, IN. Contact phone: 317/547-3691.

EU075: Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Technical Applications Center, 6767 West O Ave., Kalamazoo, MI; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Registration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, MI 49001-4329. Contact phone: 616/381-9657.

EU076: Tollgate Conference Center, 28115 Meadow Brook Rd, Novi, MI; Saturday, Oct.12; 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:45 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Southfield, Southfield, MI 48075 Contact phone: 810/353-2939.

EU077: Louhelen Bahá’í School, 3208 S. State Rd, Davison, MI; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Ann Arbor, PO Box 6021, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-6021. Contact phone: 313/475-2718.

EU078: College of Pharmacy Bldg., Ferris State University, State St., Big Rapids, MI; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of East Lansing, PO Box 703, East Lansing, MI 48826-0703. Contact phone: 517/351-9049.

EU079: Ecumenical Center-UWGB, 2420 Nicolet Dr, Green Bay, WI; Saturday, Oct.5; 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 10:45 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Green Bay, Green Bay, WI 54304-3206. Contact phone: 414/499-8422.

EU080: Cedarburg High School, W68 N611 Evergreen Blvd, Cedarburg, WI; Sunday, Oct.6; 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 12:00 p.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Cedarburg, Cedarburg, WI 53012-2125. Contact phone: 414/377-5430.

EU081: University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, Cartwright Center-3rd floor, 1725 State St, LaCrosse, WI; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.(Registration: 9:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Sun Prairie, Sun Prairie, WI 53590-1819. Contact phone: 608-837-8609.

EU082: Clock Tower Inn, 7801 E. State St, Rockford, IL; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Rockford, Rockford, IL 61107. Contact phone: 815/229-7457.

EU083: Harper College, Bldg.A Room 238, 1200 West Algonquin Rd, Palatine, IL; Sunday, Oct.13; 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Hoffman Estates, Hoffman Estates, IL 60195-3039. Contact phone: 847/885-4580.

EU084: Location TBA*, Host Assembly: Evanston, IL. Mail Ballots to: LSA of Evanston, PO Box 338, Evanston, IL 60204. Contact phone: 847/864-7775.

EU085: Bahá’í Center, 3321 S. Calumet Ave, Chicago, IL; Sunday, Oct.6; 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 1:00 p.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Chicago, 3321 S Calumet Ave, Chicago, IL 60616-3933. Contact phone: 312/233-1982.

EU086: Georgetown Clubhouse, 301 Prospect St, Wood Dale, IL 60191; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Oak Park, Oak Park, IL 60304-1606. Contact phone: 708/848-7119.

EU087: Illinois Central College, 1 College Dr, East Peoria, IL; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Peoria, Peoria, IL 61614-4718. Contact phone: 309/674-1810.

EU088: First Presbyterian, 2701 Rochester, Iowa City, IA; Saturday, Oct.12; 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Iowa City, PO Box 2012, Iowa City, IA 52244-2012. Contact phone: 319/354-2892.

EU089: University of Missouri-Rolla, McNutt Hall, Room 204, Hwy 63&14th St, Rolla, MO; Sunday, Oct.6; 1:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (Registration: 12:30 p.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of St. Charles, PO Box 801, St. Charles, MO 63302. Contact phone: 314/925-3503.

EU090: St Louis University, Tegeler Hall, 3550 Lindell Blvd, St Louis, MO; Saturday, Oct.5; 9:45 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of University City, PO Box 3121, St Louis, MO 63130-0521. Contact phone: 314/343-3817.

EU091: Location TBA*, Host LSA: Memphis, TN. Contact phone: 901/274-6494.

EU092: Park Inn Motel, 4137 1-20 Frontage Rd, Vicksburg, MS; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Vickburg, Vicksburg, MS 39180-5249. Contact phone: 601/636-8628.

EU093: Baton Rouge Bahá’í Center, 4270 Perkins Rd, Baton Rouge, LA; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00). Mail Ballots to: LSA of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70125-4844. Contact phone: 504/272-6238.

EU094: Bishop Drury Retreat House, 1200 Lantana, Corpus Christi, TX; Sunday, Oct. 6; 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Corpus Christi, PO Box 81301, Corpus Christi, TX 78468-1301. Contact phone: 512/854-6088.

EU095: Sugar Land Community Center, 226 Matlage Way, Sugar Land, TX; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Sugar Land, PO Box 2103, Sugar Land, TX 77487-2103. Contact phone: 713/491-1844. [Page 16]

UNIT CONVENTIONS

EU096: Houston Bahá’í Center, 2121 Oakdale, Houston, TX; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Houston, PO Box 301190, Houston, TX 77230-1190. Contact phone: 713/465-7006.

EU097: Location TBA*, Host LSA: Austin, TX. Mail Ballots to: LSA of Austin, 4317 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78722-1039. Contact phone: 512/345-8587.

EU098: Jane Long School, 449 S FM2818, Bryan, TX; Sunday, Oct.6; 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (Registration: 10:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of College Station, PO Box 9028, College Station, TX 77842-9028. Contact phone: 409/764-3160.

EU099: Holiday Inn, 1515 N. Beckley, Desoto, TX; Sunday, Oct.6; 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 12:00 p.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Grand Prairie, PO Box 531324, Grand Prairie, TX 75053-1324. Contact phone: 214/623-1659.

EU100: Dallas Bahá’í Center, 4325 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:00 a.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Irving, PO Box 154636, Irving, TX 75015-4636. Contact phone: 214/313-2552.

EU101: Collin County Community College, Confer- ence Center, 2800 East Spring Creek, Plano, TX; Sunday, Oct.13; 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 1:00 p.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Plano, PO Box 260031, Plano, TX 75026-0031. Contact phone: 214/527-0280.

EU102: Tarrant County Bahá’í Center, 723 E. Border, Arlington, TX; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Bedford, PO Box 211482, Bedford, TX. Contact phone: 214/630-1399.

EU103: El Paso Bahá’í Center, 9931 McCombs St, El Paso, TX; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Registra- tion: 9:15 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of El Paso, 9931 McCombs St, El Paso, TX 79924. Contact phone: 915/ 591-2647.

EU104: Harvey & Bernice Jones Center for F a.m.ilies, No. 1 JTL, 922 E. Emma, Springdale, AR; Saturday, Oct.12; 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Fayetteville, Fayetteville, AR 72703-2235. Contact phone: 501/521-3939.

EU105: Metro Oklahoma City Bahá’í Center, Oklahoma City, OK; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City, OK 73108-7034. Contact phone: 405/ 728-0315.

EU106: Wichita State University Campus Activity Center, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Registration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Wichita, PO Box 1979, Wichita, KS 67201- 1979. Contact phone: 316/262-3332.

EU107: Reardon Civic Center, 500 Minnesota Ave, Kansas City, KS; Sunday, Oct.13. Time: TBA* Mail Ballots to: LSA of Kansas City, Kansas City, KS 66102-1542. Contact phone: 913/831-3239.

EU108: Nebraska Center for Continuing Education, 33rd & Holdrege, Lincoln, NE; Sunday, Oct.13; 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Lincoln, PO Box 80601, Lincoln, NE 68501-0601. Contact phone: 402/464-0452.

EU109: Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Minneapolis, PO Box 580415, Minne- apolis, MN 55458-0415. Contact phone: 612-935-8180.

EU110: Bemidji State University, Hobson Student Union, Crying Wolf Room, Bemidji, MN; Sunday, Oct.6; 12:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (Registration: 12:00 p.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of St. Paul, PO Box 4222, St. Paul, MN 55104-0222. Contact phone: 612/690-4709.

EU111: Royal Ford Buffet Restaurant, 1065 E Inter- state Ave, Bismarck, ND; Saturday, Oct.5; 10:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. (Registration: 10:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Bismarck, Bismarck, ND. Contact phone: 701/222-8158.

EU112: Chamber of Commerce, Custer, 447 Crook St, Custer, SD; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registra- tion: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Custer, 3348. Custer, SD 57730. Contact phone: 605/673-

EU113: Lory Student Center, Colorado State Univer- sity, Fort Collins, CO; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Fort Collins, PO Box 1118, Fort Collins, CO 80522-1118. Contact phone: 970/484-0446.

EU114: Metro Denver Bahá’í Center, 225 E. Bayaud Ave, Denver, CO; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Lakewood, PO Box 15254, Lakewood, CO 80215. Contact phone: 303/462-0549.

EU115: Fountain-Fort Carson High School, 515 N Santa Fe Ave, Fountain, CO; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Colorado Springs, PO Box 16913, Colorado Springs, CO 80935-6913. Contact phone: 719/598-4806.

EU116: College of Santa Fe, Annex, 1600 St Michaels Drive, Santa Fe, NM; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Santa Fe County, Santa Fe, NM 87505-2809. Contact phone: 505/473-5758.

EU117: Albuquerque Bahá’í Center, 202 Harvard Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Albuquerque, PO Box 21517, Albuquerque, NM 87154- 1517. Contact phone: 505/343-9676.

EU118: New Mexico School for the Visually Handi- capped, Ditzler Hall, White Sands and Indian Wells, Alamogordo, NM; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Alamogordo, PO Box 1461, Alamogordo, NM 88311- 1461. Contact phone: 505/434-5079.

EU119: Location TBA*, Host LSA: Pima County East, Contact phone: 520/749-5956.

EU120: Mesa Women's Club, 200 N MacDonald, Mesa, AZ; Sunday, Oct.13; 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Regis- tration: 9:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Mesa, PO Box 5487, Mesa, AZ 85211-5487. Contact phone: 602/981- 6172.

EU121: Phoenix Bahá’í Center, 944 East Mountainview, Phoenix, AZ; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Phoenix, PO Box 9961, Phoenix, AZ 85068-9961. Contact phone: 602/943-3837.

EU122: Agua Fria High School District Office, 530 E Riley Dr, Avondale, AZ; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Peoria, PO Box 1021, Peoria, AZ 85380-1021. Contact phone: 602/486-1384.

EU123: Holiday Inn-SunSpree, 7601 E Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale, AZ; Sunday, Oct.6; 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 12:30 p.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Paradise Valley, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253-2627. Contact phone: 602/922-1117.

EU124: Du Bois Conference Center, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ; Sunday, Oct.13; 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Flagstaff, PO Box 2533, Flagstaff, AZ 86003-2533. Contact phone: 520/774-4555.

EU125: Location TBA*, Host LSA: Chinle Chapter, AZ. Contact phone: 520/674-5904.

EU126: Westminister College Gore School of Busi- ness, 1840 S 1300E, Salt Lake City, UT; Oct.5: Pre- Convention 2:00 p.m.; Convention 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.; Oct.6 until 3:00 p.m.; (Registration: 1:00 p.m. Oct.5). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Salt Lake City, PO Box 58305, Salt Lake City, UT84158-0305. Contact phone: 801/582- 3135.

EU127: Grand Street Theatre, 325 North Park, Helena, MT; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Helena, Helena, MT 59601-3202. Contact phone: 406/449-2457.

EU128: Lake City High School, 6101 Ramsey Rd, Coeur d'Alene, ID; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Coeur d'Alene, PO Box 601, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816-0607. Contact phone: 208/667-8831.

EU129: Walla Walla High School, Abbott Rd, Walla Walla, WA; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Regis- tration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Walla Walla, PO Box 2016, Walla Walla, WA 99362-0948. Contact phone: 509/525-7177.

EU130: Carson City Convention Center, 851 East William St, Carson City, NV; Saturday, Oct.12; 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Carson City, PO Box 3295, Carson City, NV 89702-3295. Contact phone: 702/883-5747.

EU131: Henderson Convention Center, 200 S Water St, Henderson, NV; Sunday, Oct.27; 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Henderson, PO Box 91214, Henderson, NV 89009-1214. Contact phone: 702/454-8849.

EU132: San Diego Bahá’í Center, 6545 Alcala Knolls Dr, San Diego, CA; Saturday, Oct.5; 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 12:00 noon). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Chula Vista, PO Box 287, Chula Vista, CA 91912-0287. Contact phone: 619/420-7457.

EU133: San Diego Bahá’í Center, 6545 Alcala Knolls Dr, San Diego, CA; Sunday, Oct.6; 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. (Registration: 12:00 p.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of San Diego, 6545 Alcala Knolls Dr, San Diego, CA 92111- 6933. Contact phone: 619/268-3999.

EU134: Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave, Carlsbad, CA; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Oceanside, PO Box 2035, Oceanside, CA 92051-2035. Contact phone: 619/433-4447.

EU135: Redlands High School, Citrus St, Redlands, CA; Sunday, Oct.6; 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 12:00 p.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Redlands, PO Box 1894, Redlands, CA 92373. Contact phone: 909/792- 3982.

EU136: San Clemente Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente, CA; Sunday, Oct.27; 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. (Registration: 1:00 p.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Mission Viejo, PO Box 2696, Mission Viejo, CA 92690. Contact phone: 714/661-0501.

EU137: University of California-Irvine, Crystal Cove Room, Irvine, CA; Sunday, Oct. 13; 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Huntington Beach, PO Box 749, Huntington Beach, CA 92648-0749. Contact phone: 714/963-8502.

EU138: Fullerton Senior Center, 340 W. Common- wealth Ave, Fullerton, CA; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Anaheim, PO Box 17671, Anaheim, CA 92817. Contact phone: 714/974-5426.

EU139: Parnell Park Recreation Room, 10711 Scott Ave, Whittier, CA; Sunday, Oct.6; 1:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 1:00 p.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Whittier, Whittier, CA 90605. Contact phone: 310/943-4640.

EU140: Location TBA", Host LSA: TBA* Contact phone: 847/733-3529 (National Center).

EU141: Location TBA*, Host LSA: Pasadena, CA. Contact phone: 818/797-4354.

EU142: Location TBA*, Host LSA: Los Angeles, CA, Time; TBA* Mail Ballots to: LSA of Los Angeles, 5755 Rodeo Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90016-5013. Contact phone: 213/933-8291.

EU143: Valencia Summit Club House, 24600 W Del Monte, Valencia, CA; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Registration: 9:15 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Santa Clarita, PO Box 3141, Canyon Country, CA 91386-3141. Contact phone: 805/250-1099,

EU144: Borchard Community Center, 190 Reina Rd, Newbury Park, CA; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Thousand Oaks, PO Box 1137, Thousand Oaks, CA 91358-0137. Contact phone: 805/492-6719.

EU145: Nine Oaks Bahá’í Institute, 1201 Old Oak Park Rd, Arroyo Grande, CA; Saturday, Oct.5; 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Santa Barbara, PO Box 1327, Santa Barbara, CA 93102- 1327. Contact phone: 805/969-6985.

EU146: York School, 9501 York Rd, monterey, CA; Sunday Oct. 6; 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Registration: 9:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Monterey-Carmel JD, Carmel Valley, CA 93924. Contact phone: 408/659-2843.

EU147: Fresno Bahá’í Center, 2240 N Angus St, Fresno, CA; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Regis- tration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Fresno, 2240 N Angus St, Fresno, CA 93703-2331. Contact phone: 209/447-1633.

EU148: Strawberry Park School, 730 Camina Escuela, San Jose, CA; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Registration: 8:45 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of San Jose, PO Box 6381, San Jose, CA 95150-6381. Contact phone: 408/265-4128.

EU149: Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Bonny Doon, CA; Sunday, Oct.6; 1:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (Registration: 12:00 p.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Santa Cruz, PO Box 8264, Santa Cruz, CA 95061-8264. Contact phone: 408/429-4052.

EU150: San Francisco Bahá’í Center, 170 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:45 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of San Mateo, PO Box 409, San Mateo, CA 94401-0409. Contact [Page 17]

UNIT CONVENTIONS

phone: 415/341-2545. EU151: Location TBA*, Host LSA: San Leandro, CA. Contact phone: 510/352-0509.

EU152: Walnut Creek Marriot, 2355 N Main St, Walnut Creek, CA; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Danville, PO Box 1124, Danville, CA 94526-8124. Contact phone: 510/736-2399.

EU153: Morris Hall, 800 E. Morris Ave, Modesto, CA; Saturday, Oct.5; 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Modesto, PO Box 1893, Modesto, CA 95353-1893. Contact phone: 209/529-1936.

EU154: Ramada Inn-Sacramento, 2600 Auburn Blvd, Sacramento, CA; Saturday, Oct.5; 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Carmichael, Sacramento, CA 95821. Contact phone: 916/481-7906.

EU155: Alicia Intermediate School, 1208 Pasado Rd, Marysville, CA; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Sacramento, PO Box 160966, Sacramento, CA 95816-0966. Contact phone: 916/373-0103.

EU156: Miller Creek Middle School, 2255 Las Galinas Ave, San Rafael, CA; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:15 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of San Rafael, PO Box 2266, San Rafael, CA 94912-2266. Contact phone: 415/472-4616.

EU157: Ashland Community Center, 59 Winburn Way, Ashland, OR; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Ashland, PO Box 508, Ashland, OR 97520. Contact phone: 541/772-5502.

EU158: Umpqua Community College, 1140 College Rd, Roseburg, OR; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Douglas County, 97462. Contact phone: 541/459-9763. Oakland, OR

EU159: Location TBA*, Host LSA: Bend, OR. Contact phone: 503/389-1381.

EU160: Water Resources Education Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver, WA; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Vancouver, PO Box 5074, Vancouver, WA 98668. Contact phone: 360/695-8988.

EU161: Bahá’í Center, 8720 N. Ivanhoe, Portland, OR; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Portland, PO Box 4245, Portland, OR 97208-4245. Contact phone: 503/978-1530.

EU162: Washington County Fairgrounds, 872 NE 28th, Hillsboro, OR; Sunday, Oct.13; 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Registration: 9:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Hillsboro, Hillsboro, OR 97123. Contact phone: 503/648-7094.

EU163: Brighton Creek Conference Grounds, 4516 State Highway 702, Roy, WA; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Tacoma, PO Box 11242, Tacoma, WA 98411-0242. Contact phone: 206/472-8439.

EU164: Cedarcrest High School, 29000 NE 150th St, Duvall, WA; Saturday, Oct.5; 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (Registration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Redmond, PO Box 256, Redmond, WA 98073-0256. Contact phone: 206/556-9887.

EU165: Seattle Center, Conference Center, Center House, 305 Harrison St, Seattle, WA; Sunday, Oct.6; 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Seattle, PO Box 396, Seattle, WA 98111-0396. Contact phone: 206/632-3431.

EU166: Camp Kirby, Samish Island, Bow, WA; Sunday, September 29; 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Registration: 8:30 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Anacortes, PO Box 623, Anacortes, WA 98221-0623. Contact phone: 360/ 293-8543.

EU167: Panhandle Lake Camp, W 370 Panhandle Lake Rd, Shelton, WA; Sunday, Oct.6; 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (Registration: 9:00 a.m.). Mail Ballots to: LSA of Olympia, PO Box 1471, Olympia, WA 98507-1471. Contact phone: 360/352-3605.

• TBA: "Location/Time To Be Announced." Some

electoral units had not completed their site or time arrangements for their Unit Conventions by the publication deadline for this issue. Information about these sites and/or times will appear in the next issue of The American Bahá’í. This information will also be printed in the site listing information which will accompany the ballot mailing.

Center for Bahá’í Studies meeting many needs in Italy’s Bahá’í community

During the 1985 National Convention, the Bahá’ís of Italy expressed their need for a site to use as a Center for Bahá’í Studies, which could host summer schools, the National Convention and various other conferences and meetings. The request was submitted by the National Spiritual Assembly of Italy to the Universal House of Justice, which expressed its favorable opinion, and the gathering of funds and search for a suitable place began immediately afterward.

In 1990, the National Assembly pur- chased the Panoramica Hotel in Acuto, about 36 miles southeast of Rome, thus establishing a seat for the Center for Bahá’í Studies.

Thanks to the efforts of the friends, the Center for Bahá’í Studies is making con- stant progress toward becoming the kind of conference site best suited to the community’s many needs including those of fellowship, humanistic and sci- entific inquiry, and principles of conduct set forth in the Sacred Writings.

The Panoramica Hotel has 36 rooms, each with private bath and other ameni- ties including a terrace that overlooks the forests and hills of the Sacco Valley with its cities full of history and art.

The hotel includes a large conference center that can hold 150 people and boasts state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment as well as four smaller con- ference rooms for seminars or private meetings.

The Center has begun operations with a full complement of programs including the National Convention, conferences on behalf of the European Women’s Task Force, the Badi Educa- tional Project, and Persian and English Bahá’í Studies, and schools and sym- posia in English and Italian for chil- dren, youth and adults.

For information about the Center for Bahá’í Studies or its programs, please write to the Assemblea Spirituale Nazionale dei Bahá’í d’Italia, 00187 Roma, Via della Fontanella 4, Italy. Phone 06-3225037; fax 06-3611536; e- mail

Bahá’ís in St. Petersburg, Florida, reach out warmly to community for successful Color Me Human event

Commitment from a variety of orga- nizations was the building block for success as St. Petersburg, Florida, cel- ebrated its first Color Me Human Week in April.

The series of eight events, modeled after a similar celebration in Salt Lake City, Utah, provided a vehicle for con- versation in St. Petersburg about rais- ing the first generation of prejudice- free children.

Eighteen organizations—govern- mental, educational, religious and civic—were brought together by the Bahá’ís for Color Me Human Week. The focus was simple: to promote the inherent nobility of humanity while celebrating, not just tolerating, our beautiful diversity.

Word of the impending celebration was spread in organizational newslet- ters and through monthly mailings. Many other groups posted notices and announced the events from their po- diums and pulpits. Two television sta- tions, three radio stations and three newspapers also provided coverage. The week was preceded by a procla- mation event in City Hall attended by members of City Council and the Color Me Human Committee.

Opening the week was an interfaith dialogue heavily supported by the Tampa Bay Chapter of The National Conference, headed by Roy Kaplan. Dr. Kaplan, a member of the Jewish faith, had attended the Association of Bahá’í Studies Conference in San Fran- cisco last October. He was sent by the St. Petersburg Bahá’ís in response to a letter from the National Spiritual As- sembly asking that local Assemblies send receptive community leaders. On his return, meetings were held that re- sulted in a dialogue on community needs and the launching of Color Me Human Week.

The interfaith event included a panel presentation with Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Bahá’í speakers, followed by dinner and small-group discus- sions. When many more people showed up than expected, the caterer was sent scurrying for more food. What a delightful problem to have!

Each of the week’s events unfolded in beauty, with a few glitches but no real problems. Attendance was great and a spirit of com- munity and caring was felt by all.

For instance, a large num- ber of people took part in a park cleanup designed to hold the city accountable for its promise to a crime- ridden area. They filled 12 city dump trucks with years of accumulated leaves, bro- ken glass and assorted junk.

Activities ended the fol- lowing day with a picnic at the cleaned-up park. There were many people, great food, music and fun, as those from many organiza- tions and backgrounds sim- ply got to know each other better.

The Bahá’í Youth Workshop performs in a pro- gram focused on ways to overcome racism. This was one of eight events planned during Color Me Human Week in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Ben Salvage)

Interestingly, many people had ex- pressed concern about how the com- mittee could plan so far ahead for an outdoor event in April in Florida, when it could just as easily rain as not. But there was no cause for concern. God smiled on this effort with soft breezes and plenty of sunshine. A day later the skies opened up.

Since Color Me Human Week, inter- est has been expressed in continuing the spirit that launched it. A wrap-up meeting produced a list of ideas and possibilities for the coming year.

Many indirect opportunities for teaching also were provided by the celebration. Many people asked about the Faith, and the Bahá’ís’ sense of humble service without a hidden agenda was repeatedly commented on by others.

Greenville Bahá’ís host 8th Interfaith Peace Concert

On March 2, the Bahá’í community of Greenville, South Carolina, carried its eight annual Interfaith Peace Con- cert.

More than 450 people, most of whom were not Bahá’ís, attended this year’s event in which a record number of groups (10) took part.

The annual concert is dedicated to bringing together those of diverse faiths with the aim of helping them to appreciate one another. The program consists of music and dance from church groups, synagogues, UNICEF, fine arts schools, etc., interspersed with readings from the scriptures of each religion.

Copies of the readings are given to audience members to be taken home if desired.

At the end of the evening, awards are presented to each participant. [Page 18]

Vineyard of the Lord, part 15

With the approval of the Universal House of Justice, five of the seven completed Terraces below the Shrine of the Báb have been opened to pilgrims and Bahá’í visitors from this Ridván. The first group of pilgrims visited these Terraces on April 22.

It is with a sense of elation that we report that the Universal House of Justice has approved visits by Bahá’í pilgrims and visitors to five of the seven completed Terraces below the Shrine of the Báb. The first groups of pilgrims were escorted to these Terraces on April 22, 1996.

The general public will not be able to visit them until Terraces 1 and 2 are built and connected to Ben Gurion Avenue at the foot of Mount Carmel.

To open the lower Terraces to visitors, albeit limited in time and days of the week, a major part of landscaping of the inner areas of Terraces 9 through 2 was accomplished and other finishing details completed. Plumbing and electrical connections were made to reveal the splendor of these Terraces all illuminated, with water playing in the fountains and running down the runnels.

In the area of the entrance plaza and Terraces 1 and 2, application for the modification of the Town Planning Scheme, to cancel that part of Ben Gurion Avenue that extends into the Bahá’í property, has already received the approval of the Local Committee in Haifa and is now under consideration by the District Committee of Galilee. Meanwhile, details of water cascade and fountains are being finalized.

Lowering Hatzionut Avenue

Major excavations have begun for the lowering of Hatzionut Avenue with four excavators on site. Of the three principal stages of work on this street, sequentially this is the second stage during which bulk excavations of the southern one-third of the road have begun.

Bahá’í World Centre Garden Extension המרכז הבהאי העולמי- הנהלת גיע ניוני מאין יום לאפשר מעבר לולכי-רון יוקגן החנות הנ לוי חור תלוני כהים חוץ LOOK THE para te hyn you 01 2704-7 on to

Commencement of work on lowering Hatzionut Avenue has initiated one of the most challenging phases of the Mount Carmel projects. A billboard has been put up to inform the general public of the nature of work being undertaken.

A massive 50-ton drilling machine has finished drilling 12-meter (40-foot) deep micropiles for the pedestrian tunnel on this side of the road.

Preparatory to this stage a temporary sewage line was constructed on the north side of the street adjoining the Terrace of the Shrine of the Báb; the north pedestrian sidewalk was reduced to 1.5 meters (5 feet); street lamp posts, traffic lights and bus stops were relocated; and temporary piling for the pedestrian tunnel carried out. When this was completed, the traffic was restored to the north side to enable work on the south side to begin.

The second stage will see, besides the excavations going down 5 meters (16.5 feet) where the new road will be located, excavations for the foundations of the building under Terrace 11, which will house the Information Center, Office of Public Information and Office of Security, and foundations for the bridge and the south retaining wall.

Most of the service lines—telephone, cable television, water, sewage, etc.—will be relocated during this period, and a temporary road will allow traffic to run at the lower south level. This stage of work will be carried out during a period of 12 months.

The third and final stage will involve excavation of the remaining two-thirds of the road and construction of the north retaining walls. When this is completed, the traffic will be shifted and allowed to move at the final road elevation in several sub-stages to enable the construction of the bridge and the pedestrian tunnel.

International Teaching Center

The structure of level 2 of the building housing the Teaching Center is practically complete, and 66 percent of the work on level 3 has been accomplished, enabling work to begin on the 4th level. We have now attained a concrete pour rate of 700 cubic meters per month, significantly speeding up the progress of work on this building; this means that about 35 percent of the total concrete for the building has been poured.

The site of the International Teaching Center has a sloping rock face close to the road leading to the Seat of the Universal House of Justice. To further accelerate the work, in areas where concrete slabs have to be constructed above these slopes, precast slabs are being used where feasible to reduce construction time in these areas.

Precast concrete panels are cast on-site and stored away well before they are needed. When the site is ready, the slabs are lifted by special lifting beams to their final positions. The precast slabs then serve as formwork for the casting of concrete on top of them.

Once the concrete topping hardens, the precast slabs and the concrete topping form an integral structure by composite action. This system helps to gain time by enabling the construction of the precast slabs to be completed well before the site is ready, and reduces the formwork and shoring to a minimum.

Center for Study of the Texts

With the completion of the entire structure, areas within the Center for the Study of the Texts are taking on tangible forms as drywall partitions are being lined with gypsum boards. A number of steel doors have been installed and floor screed is being cast throughout the building to prepare the floors for the installation of floor coverings. [Page 19]THE ARC KAMÁL B.E. 153 AUGUST 1, 1996 19 Aerial view of the Arc Projects on Mount Carmel shows the unfolding development and its surroundings. Vineyard Continued from page 18 Three elevator cabins, fabricated in Canada, have been lowered into the elevator shafts. Their interiors have been elegantly appointed with ma- hogany and brass trims, and bronze skins have been applied to their doors. As part of the ongoing efforts to push ahead with finishing works, ten- der packages for millwork and win- dows have been sent out, and finish- ing woodwork will soon be out for pricing. A contract for the fabrication of metal hand rails has been awarded, while the large marble fountain, to be placed in the entrance portico of the masons with a minimum of 10 years' experience in the installation of marble in classic buildings. Local stone work, undertaken by Turkish masons, has started on five levels in the areas between the patio of the Center for the Study of the Texts and the parking building/Archives extension. This area will bring fresh air and natural light into the parking building and the offices of the Archives extension. On the Archives extension, work is now complete on applying concrete screed and polystyrene panels to the roof to protect the waterproofing and Another story of Almighty's bounty The bounty of contributing toward building the Arc in the Lord's Vineyard, an inestimable privilege, comes to each one of us in a different way. That the Almighty works in mysterious ways is a truism. If there were any need for further cor- roboration, here is an amazing story that reinforces this truth. "Dad escaped from Austria when he was 18, shortly after Hitler invaded. In the course of the next few years he was denied entrance into the U.S., ended up in Cuba for two years where...he became a Bahá'í, lost contact with his mother, who was probably killed in a concentration camp, and eventually made his way to this country (the U.S.) where he has carved out his life. "Last summer he returned to Aus- tria, in part because he had been told by a fellow traveler that Austria was providing social security for its war- affected Jewish citizens. He was able to obtain a copy of his birth cer- tificate...and applied for this social security with the intention of contrib- uting all of the income to the Arc. "Yesterday he received a check for $20,000 in back payments....His joy and victory in being able to contrib- ute these funds, earned on the back and agony of his early years, and coming, as he says, 'from heaven to be returned to heaven,' is boundless. (From a communication received at the World Center) East view of the International Teaching Center shows the construction of one of the external patios designed to provide natural lighting and beautiful landscaping for the building. building, is being produced at Hen- drainage gravel. This will be followed Israeli officials delighted with Arc projects raux's factory in Italy. All 15 containers of marble for the columns, each averaging 16 tons, have arrived on-site. The expert under whose supervision the columns will be installed has arrived from France, and installation will begin in a matter of days, as soon as the survey for the work is completed. In fact, this is the same expert who supervised the in- stallation of the columns for the Seat of the Universal House of Justice. Working under him will be French by addition of topsoil to enable land- scaping at a later stage. The 60-meter-long (198-foot) tunnel on Crusader Road which leads into the parking building is also complete, and external waterproofing is being car- ried out. Spurred by the exhortation of the Universal House of Justice that "there are divine deadlines to be met," no effort is being spared to complete the Mount Carmel Projects on schedule. Recently, the Bahá'í World Center received the senior deputy director- general of marketing at the Israeli Min- istry of Tourism and the director of the Marketing Segments Department to- gether with four Ministry executives. On arrival the delegation visited the Shrine of the Báb and enjoyed a brief walk through the gardens. The deputy director-general commented that he had visited the Shrine and gardens many years ago and was quite sur- prised to see the changes, and the mag- nitude of the undertaking on Mount Carmel. When viewing the models of the Ter- races, he said that he had read com- ments by the mayor of Haifa referring to the Bahá'í project as being "the eighth wonder of the world," and added that now he had seen them for himself, he fully agreed. The executives accompanying him expressed similar sentiments. [Page 20]

New record label devoted to 'spiritually uplifting' music

There's a growing public demand for spiritually uplifting music, and Steve Fischer wants Bahá’í artists to be out front in filling the need.

So the Nashville, Tennessee, Bahá’í has launched a label (Millennia Records), a music publishing company (Millennia Music) and a talent management firm (Fischer Management) to help do just that.

Of course, any recording that hopes to be commercially viable must contain top-flight songs, recording values, production and cover design. Mr. Fischer believes he has that covered.

His initial project showcases popular Bahá’í singer Narges. The album, titled Desire of the Heart, marries traditional Persian singing with western harmonies in a way that Mr. Fischer believes will ring up crossover sales and make radio playlists in world music, New Age and other markets.

He also has on board professional musicians and sound engineers. One is John Mattick, a writer, arranger and keyboardist who has worked with Alabama and other popular groups. Another is Chris Hinson, whose writing, engineering and guitar licks have graced recordings by the likes of Clarence Clemons.

Mr. Fischer's own experience positions him to develop projects in any genre from classical to gospel, jazz, blues, country and rock. He recently worked with Grammy-winning singer/fiddler Alison Krauss.

The bottom line for Mr. Fischer is the Four Year Plan aim of significantly advancing the process of entry by troops.

He wants to give Bahá’í artists a chance to reach Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís alike with the message of Bahá’u’lláh. Each album's liner notes will include information on the Bahá’í Faith and a way for people to contact the Bahá’í National Center.

Mr. Fischer can be contacted by Bahá’í artists looking for recording/representation at 615-824-5239. That's also the number for communities to call to book Narges for concerts.

Steve Fischer (right), producer and president of Millennia Records, poses with (from left) Chris Hinson, John Mattick, and Narges.

Rights are removed

The National Spiritual Assembly has removed the administrative rights of [ ] of Washington state for his abuse of hospitality and conduct unbecoming a Bahá’í. The friends are advised not to offer hospitality to Mr. [ ].

Bahá’í singers impress at Indianapolis Gospel Fest

The National Bahá’í Gospel Ensemble and the Bahá’ís in attendance made quite an impression February 24 at the 11th annual Gospel Fest in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana.

The fest normally consists entirely of Christian choirs and is attended by a majority of African-American fundamentalist Christians.

But this year the sold-out crowd of 900 included 140 Bahá’ís. Many comments were made about the diversity of the audience, which was greatly aided by Bahá’ís from Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky.

Then there was the Ensemble itself, the only racially mixed group among the performers. Although all the groups were wonderful and highly spirited, there was a different response during the Bahá’í performance: a sense of excitement mixed with peace upon listening to the Words and Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. The performance received a standing ovation.

At the concert, many of the group's tapes and CDs wer sold to non-Bahá’ís, and invitations to a musical fireside the next day were distributed.

The fireside was held on the Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus as a cooperative effort of the Bahá’í Club, the Bahá’ís of Indianapolis and surrounding communities, and the IUPUI Multicultural Student Affairs Office.

It began with an all-you-can-eat gourmet brunch prepared by the friends and funded by tickets sold to Bahá’ís. Many of the friends brought seekers, and several of those who had heard the Ensemble in concert also came to the fireside.

The first half of the fireside consisted of songs that introduced the principles of the Faith. The second half focused on the Person of Bahá’u’lláh.

There was such a feeling of love and unity that the audience, including non-Bahá’ís, formed a circle and joined hands during the last song, "In This Day," which also closed the second Bahá’í World Congress in New York City in 1992.

Many of the seekers took literature including a listing of upcoming Bahá’í events such as a musical fireside on "The Bahá’í Faith and Christianity" with Eric Dozier, an interfaith panel discussion on "Women of Faith and the Beijing Conference," and a Naw-Rúz celebration featuring a performance by El Viento Canta.

Of all who heard the Ensemble over the weekend, perhaps the most strongly inspired was Robert Bedford, a non-Bahá’í who had played a critical role in allowing the Ensemble to take part in the Gospel Fest.

As he was presented a gift by the Bahá’í Club as an expression of gratitude, Mr. Bedford responded, "A new and exciting relationship which crossed cultural and religious lines has been established, and next year's Gospel Fest is too long to wait before having the Gospel Ensemble return."

ASSOCIATION FOR BAHÁ’Í STUDIES 20th Annual Conference

Crafting Better Governance September 26-29, 1996 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

THE CONFERENCE

Throughout the world people and governments are experimenting with new ways to order human affairs. This conference entitled "Crafting Better Governance", the third in a series on the theme of Anarchy Into Order, will address a wide range of issues facing humankind as it explores models and strategies towards a better civil society.

A review of the Bahá’í Administrative Order as a model of governance, will begin the plenary sessions. Workshops will provide the opportunity to share case study material and learn from the successful and varied applications of this model in diverse fields worldwide, both within and beyond the Bahá’í community.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH CONFERENCE

Children from 5-15 years are treated to an extraordinary parallel conference of their own, on the theme "Moral Leadership". Their sessions will utilize a variety of techniques based on the Core Curriculum. Babysitting will be available for chidren under 5.

HOST CITY

Edmonton is the capital city of Alberta, a province of unparalleled beauty and scenic variety: Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper. Plan to attend the conference and leave time for an extended visit to some of the rare attractions in the province.

TRAVEL ASSISTANCE

The conference Travel Agent recently informed us of an extraordinary seat sale that affects travel between Canada and the U.S. - up to 40% off most fares. To book your flights, car rentals or to make reservations at the Conference Hotel, please do so directly with Marisa Slavic at American Express Travel, 1-800-461-4578. Outside North America call collect at 403-990-0702.

This conference promises to be engaging and challenging as it will encourage us to expand our understanding and applications of governance -personal, social and spiritual.

FOR ADDITIONAL CONFERENCE INFORMATION CONTACT: DOUG RAYNOR phone (403)462-9747 fax (403)429-0224 E-mail: Alberta T6A 1N4 or check the web site: http://www.tnc.com/tncn/abs/index.html

Bahá’ís in southern NJ launch summer teaching campaign at Festival

On April 27, the Bahá’ís of southern New Jersey launched a summer teaching campaign at Cumberland County College's annual Spring Festival where the Bahá’ís were the only religion represented.

The Bahá’í display included a large banner proclaiming "Bahá’í Faith" and a brightly painted nine-pointed star that drew many curious onlookers, more than 100 of whom stopped to read the information about the Central Figures and principles of the Faith or look at Bahá’í newsreels and video presentations from the World Congress in New York City and the World Center in Haifa.

The proclamation event will be followed by teaching activities throughout the summer during the South Jersey community's "Target Vineland" campaign including seeking out and renewing association with inactive believers, making presentations to community leaders, and placing articles in newspapers. [Page 21]

Bosch Bahá’í School Celebrates Grand Opening of New Classroom Building

Youth in Service

This year, Bosch Bahá’í School has been able to secure several additional Youth Service Corp workers from different countries for their summer sessions; a young man from China, one from Mexico, one from Sweden and a young woman from Japan! They also have a young man from Tennessee and four young ladies (one from Illinois, one from Minnesota and two from the University of California, Santa Cruz). And, a professional teacher will be there at least six more months as a children's class teacher.

Before embarking on the summer program, all staff went through a trust building activity in order to understand how all humans depend on each other to fulfill our service commitment to the Faith. The different departments all developed one-act plays, depicting incorrect and correct ways to do things. Service at the permanent schools and institutes clearly provides a wonderful opportunity to help both Bahá’ís and the guests who come from outside rentals to experience the stimulation of the programs and environment!

Bosch Bahá’í School hosted an extraordinary Grand Opening Celebration Weekend for the new Classroom Building complex June 14-16th. The session was filled with music, inspiration, devotions and fellowship in the Redwoods at Bosch, with some very special guests joining in, creating an atmosphere of joy and celebration. The souls of all who attended soared as they were treated to the musical entertainment offered throughout the weekend, including the beautiful voice of Paul Seaforth, the exquisite guitar of Jamie Findlay, the wondrous vocal melodies from the musical group Tapestry (seen in photo to the left), and the dramatic poetry of Tahirih offered by Muhtadia Rice.

The weekend began Friday evening with a musical fireside concert offered by Paul Seaforth and Jamie Findlay. After musical devotions from several people Saturday, we had the pleasure and inspiration of our guest presenter Olya Roohizadegan, author of Olya's Story. Terry Kneisler, former National Education and Schools Coordinator, offered a glimpse of future Bahá’í education.

Over 125 people were on hand for the formal Grand Opening Ceremony Saturday afternoon. The ceremony began with Mark Bedford, Bosch Co-Administrator, explaining the significance of the beautiful Tongan "tapa" cloth laid out at the entrance to the classrooms. This ceremonial cloth represented many months of devoted labor in the making, and is typically used for royalty, weddings, and other special occasions. The cloth was provided by one of the over 25 Tongan Bahá’ís attending, all of whom had been instrumental in the major landscaping work in the previous weeks. Saeid Samadi, the architect who donated all of his time on the project, invited Marsha Gilpatrick, Bosch Program Director, to join him for the cutting of the red ribbon, formally opening the new classrooms. Saeid noted the vision and commitment of Marsha's husband and former Bosch Administrator, the late Ronald Gilpatrick, who initiated the project shortly before his passing. With many tearful eyes, the guests walked through and admired the three new 1000 sq. ft. classrooms.

Everyone gathered in Martha Root Hall to hear keynote speaker William Davis, National Spiritual Assembly member. He described the crucial role of the Bahá’í Schools and Institutes in the development of distinctive Bahá’í communities as he reminisced about his experiences at Bosch School since its inception and dedication in 1974. Mark Bedford concluded by thanking the many Bahá’í contributors who made the project possible, as well as the many hard-working and dedicated Bahá’í volunteers involved in the construction.

The guests then enjoyed a delicious selection of hors d'oeuvres on the patio outside.

The afternoon was capped off with an exciting and inspiring fundraising auction which raised over $28,000! The majority of the funds required for the project had already been contributed by the friends, starting with the fundraising that began over 7 years ago. The actual groundbreaking and construction commenced August 1994 with over half of the $330,000 needed for the project already in hand. Fundraising continued in parallel with the construction, and in order to complete the classrooms in time for the 1996 summer sessions, Bosch borrowed approximately $50,000 from the National Fund. As the intent was always to build the classrooms without placing a drain on the National Fund, fundraising will continue until the National Fund is paid back!

These beautiful classrooms will not only provide an excellent venue for future Bahá’í sessions, they will be instrumental in the Bosch School's plan for achieving complete financial self-sufficiency.

Camp Louhelen Unites and Strengthens Children Through Prayer, Service, and Fun

The Louhelen Bahá’í School was filled with the laughter and lively excitement of children ages 8-12 for one memorable week in June. Over 60 children participated in the annual Camp Louhelen program which included classroom learning, devotions, service, music, art, games and sports. The children formed "villages" at the start of the week headed by an older youth who served as their counselor. Each village chose a name, such as "True Seekers," "Pearls of Wisdom," and "Soft Flowing Waters." They then created an artistic visual display of their name as the centerpiece for their table in the dining hall. These unique and colorful arrangements were wonderful expressions of the diversity of each village.

Classes on Prayer and Meditation, the Ridván Message, A Life of Service, and activities such as archery, drama, camping and nature skills, and a trip to the local swim and racquet club filled the week for the children.

One of the sweetest images of the week was hearing the children and counselors singing "God is Sufficient Unto to Me" as they walked to and from class. A loving tribute and letter of appreciation was received from one of the parents which praises the transformative effects of this wonderful program: "[Our son] was so full of the joy of being a Bahá’í, of having built knowledge he wanted... a sense of self-confidence and increased independence. Thank you all for great nurturing of a sweet spirit in a small but growing person. What a vivid example of the benefits of a broad base of mentors for our children."

The program closed with each village presenting dramatic, humorous, and educational vignettes for their fellow campers and the parents. [Page 22]

EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS.

MONA MAHBOUBI, a young Bahá’í from Radnor, Pennsylvania, has won the Hotchkiss (Connecticut) School's 1996 Benjamin H. Read '43 Scholarship whose proceeds will be used to underwrite a five-week visit to The Gambia to carry out public service projects on behalf of that country's National Spiritual Assembly. The scholarship was presented by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Strobe Talbott, a 1964 Hotchkiss graduate.

The Speech Council of Florida Community College in Jacksonville has established the SAMUEL C. JACKSON Scholarship in honor of Mr. Jackson, a Bahá’í who retired in August after 20 years as a professor of speech at FCC, and proclaimed May 7 "Samuel C. Jackson Day" at the college. The proclamation said that Mr. Jackson "has touched and changed the lives of hundreds of students" at FCC. The scholarship will be awarded to a deserving student pursuing a career in speech communication.

JULIE OEMING BADIEE, a Bahá’í who is a professor of art history at Western Maryland College in Westminster, is the first recipient of the school's Ira G. Zepp Distinguished Teaching Award. Dr. Badiee, a Bahá’í since 1970, is the author of An Earthly Paradise: Bahá’í Houses of Worship Around the World, published in 1992 by George Ronald.

Amin Mansuri

Students of PETER MURPHY, a Bahá’í from Ventnor, New Jersey, who teaches at Atlantic City High School, won two first prizes in this year's statewide Rutgers high-school poetry competition. Since the contest began six years ago, Mr. Murphy's students have won 17 prizes, far more than those of any other teacher. An article about Mr. Murphy, which mentions the Faith, appeared in the May 19 issue of The New York Times.

AMIN MANSURI, a Bahá’í from Seattle who is a Dean's List student in computer science at the University of Washington, has been awarded the university's 1995-96 Microsoft Scholarship. The 24-year-old Mr. Mansuri, whose parents are pioneers to Ecuador, is treasurer of the UW Bahá’í Club.

NATHAN MILLER, a 15-year-old Bahá’í from Brandon, Florida, won the third annual poster contest sponsored by Champs Sports on behalf of his school, which received $10,000 in sporting goods equipment. His winning poster depicts a black man and white man holding a peace sign beneath the words "Eliminate drugs, eliminate hate, turn to peace and integrate." A newspaper article about the contest says the theme came from Nathan's religion, the Bahá’í Faith, which "teaches that racism is the most challenging issue facing America." Nathan has since moved to Jerusalem with his parents, Rick and Daun Miller, who are serving as representatives for the Bahá’í International Community to the government of Israel.

Marie Tomarelli

AMIR JALALI, a Bahá’í who is a third-year student at the University of Missouri Medical School, has been inducted into the prestigious Rollins Society, which recognizes those students who have demonstrated their dedication to improving the quality of life for others. Mr. Jalali, who traveled to the Czech Republic to teach science to junior high-age children, is a co-founder of the Georgia Relief Program, which provides medical aid to the former Soviet Republic.

ADAM SMITH, a 17-year-old Bahá’í from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, was graduated from high school this year as a Wisconsin all-state scholar and Presidential scholar after earning many area, state and national honors for representing his school on the Math, Quiz Bowl, Science Olympiad and Academic Decathlon teams. He will pursue studies in computer science at Washington University in St. Louis as a Compton Fellow and National Merit Scholar.

MARIE TOMARELLI, a 17-year-old Bahá’í from Uniontown, Maryland, is the first member of her USS Swim Team to compete in the Junior National Championships, qualifying in the 200-yard butterfly at a March 3 meet at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. The Junior and Senior nationals are scheduled for August in Alabama.

ARASH RAFIEE, a Bahá’í from Taylors, South Carolina, was graduated summa cum laude this year from Eastside High School, receiving the Dan Stofen Award for excellence in leadership, citizenship and academics (a 4.4 grade-point average), the Biology Award and Honors Scholar scholarship. The National Honor Society student also won three athletic letters in cross-country and track.

LUKE LUZICKA, a 13-year-old Bahá’í from Gladstone, Missouri, has won a full scholarship to Pacific Northwest Ballet's summer program, to which hundreds of teen-agers across the country apply each year. Luke, an honor student who plans to pursue a career in classical ballet, is one of only a handful of applicants given scholarships to the Pacific Northwest program.

Bosch School hosts 5th annual S.E. Asian Helpers Roundtable Discussion

Pictured are many of the participants in the fifth annual Southeast Asian (SEA) Helpers Roundtable Discussion held in June at the Bosch Bahá’í School in Santa Cruz, California.

By YVONNE DAWSON

"Our hearts turn with expectation to those gathered at Bosch Bahá’í School to pave the way for a new level of dedication to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh, a Cause filled with infinite hope and promise for the Southeast Asian peoples in the United States and throughout the world."

So began the heartwarming letter from the National Spiritual Assembly to the fifth annual Southeast Asian (SEA) Helpers Roundtable Discussion, an event destined to be filled with preciousness, spirit and hope.

But what was it about this gathering that made every moment precious and every memory a driving force spurring us on to build a gloriously unified community with our Southeast Asian friends?

Was it the the prayers offered by the National Assembly at the Mother Temple of the West for the success of our deliberations?

Perhaps it was the opening night devotions augmented by the soft candle light of Martha Root Hall.

Or maybe it was the endearing amusement of two Hmong girls who asked for a five-minute crash course in Jamaican patois on that hot, sweltering Saturday.

Or could it be that the preciousness of the Southeast Asian helpers' gathering lay in the glaring colors and spontaneous movements of the laughing Tahitian dancers as they swayed in mirthful unity and brought people of diverse backgrounds to the dance floor to practice with their Tahitian "ee ees."

There was spirit at this meeting too.

Did the real spirit of the event lie in the triumphant shouts of the Southeast Asian youth as they scored during their basketball game?

Or did it lie in Mrs. Nour's "heart ready for teaching" as she hugged her Southeast Asian friends?

Perhaps the true spirit of the gathering could be found in Bee Yang's musical presentation—a testament to the resilient souls of the Hmong who learned to convert ordinary tropical leaves into musical instruments to cheer their weary hearts.

Or could it be that Session II, conducted in honor of the departed Xiong Leng Xiong, lent to us his own unique spirit of "unwavering support and dedication to the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh."

And wasn't there also spirit in the hearty participation in the roundtable discussion so carefully planned by the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office; in the blazing Saturday evening bonfire; and in the ear-splitting round of applause recognizing Yer Lor's declaration of faith in this Cause?

Besides preciousness and spirit, there was such hope at this gathering. Hope that despite the classic differences between East and West, we will continue to build a firmly united community steeped in true knowledge of the Sacred Writings and determined to spread the teachings of the Faith to all, regardless of barriers real or imagined.

Every detail we learned about the diverse cultures of Southeast Asia served to increase the hope for unity. We learned, for instance, that many members of the Hmong community consider it an honor for an elderly relative to die in their homes. The Writings teach us that if one is to choose between service to God and to one's parents, one should serve one's parents and regard that service as service to God.

This and other striking similarities gave participants great hope for forging an everlasting bond between the American and Southeast Asian friends.

Hope also inspired us to make plans in keeping with the Universal House of Justice's Four Year Plan. Roundtable topics included "The Equality of Men and Women," "Bahá’í Family Life," "Bahá’í Laws" and "Bahá’í Administration." Each brought forth wholehearted, hope-filled consultation on how to apply Bahá’í principles in encouraging the growth of the Faith in Southeast Asian communities.

And out of all its preciousness, spirit and hope came a special desire, as expressed by Mang Indira, a Bahá’í of Laotian descent: "From today on, let everyone have a good life!"

The importance of writing one's Will and Testament

"Unto everyone hath been enjoined the writing of a will. 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."—Bahá’u’lláh, The Kitáb-i-Aqdas [Page 23]

THE FLOW OF DIVINE AUTHORITY

Scriptural authority for the Universal House of Justice to function infallibly without the presence of a Guardian

By BRENT POIRIER Reprinted from Deepen Magazine, No. 9, Winter 1996. Copyright © 1996 Tsavo West Bahá’í Institute (Revised May 1996).

Introduction

In His Will, the Master provided for the Guardian of the Cause to serve as the "sacred head and distinguished member for life" of the Universal House of Justice.¹ The Universal House of Justice has written that Shoghi Effendi "obviously envisaged" the institutions of the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice functioning together. However, these institutions never functioned together. Shoghi Effendi did not, and could not, appoint a successor Guardian.³ The Universal House of Justice "stepped forth from the realm of hope into that of visible fulfillment" in 1963, six years after the passing of Shoghi Effendi, and there is no successor Guardian to Shoghi Effendi. This fact, that the Universal House of Justice functions without the participation in its deliberations of its sacred head, the infallible interpreter of the Word of God, brings to mind the question: What is the scriptural authority for the Universal House of Justice to function without the presence of the Guardian of the Cause?

In order for us to accomplish our goals, we Bahá’ís must possess a profound and indomitable conviction in the flow of divine authority through the Covenant of Bahá’u’lláh to His Successors. The goal of this paper is to enhance our conviction in the scriptural authority for that sacred Body to function as the Head of the Faith infallibly without the presence of a living Guardian, that we may, calling to mind the words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in His Will, believe, rest assured, and stand steadfast in the Covenant.⁶

Implicit authority

It is important to understand that not all of the important Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh were explicitly revealed by Him. Some of the most important aspects of the Faith are left implicit in His Writings. For example, nowhere does Bahá’u’lláh provide expressly for the institution of the Guardianship; He accomplished this through ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Shoghi Effendi wrote that the institution of Guardianship was clearly anticipated in the implications of the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh.⁷ He implied this in His Most Holy Book and it was expressly brought into being through the instrumentality of the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The mighty institution of the Guardianship, described in the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá as the "Centre of the Cause" and described by Shoghi Effendi as the "head cornerstone of the Administrative Order" is not explicit in the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. This interplay among the Writings of the Central Figures, in which momentous teachings of Bahá’u’lláh are left implicit for ‘Abdu’l-Bahá or the passage of time to make manifest, deserves our examination, and illuminates the authority in the Sacred Texts for the Universal House of Justice to function without the presence of a Guardian.

Shoghi Effendi has designated the Kitáb-i-Aqdas the "brightest emanation of the mind of Bahá’u’lláh."¹⁰ He applies this same term to the Master's Will and Testament, describing it as the "brightest emanation" of the mind of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.¹¹ In his masterpiece The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh, Shoghi Effendi shows the inseparability of these two sacred Books:

"The creative energies released by the Law of Bahá’u’lláh, permeating and evolving within the mind of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, have, by their very impact and close interaction, given birth to an Instrument which may be viewed as the Charter of the New World Order which is at once the glory and the promise of this most great Dispensation. The Will may thus be acclaimed as the inevitable offspring resulting from that mystic intercourse between Him Who communicated the generating influence of His divine Purpose and the One Who was its vehicle and chosen recipient. Being the Child of the Covenant the Heir of both the Originator and the Interpreter of the Law of God—the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá can no more be divorced from Him Who supplied the original and motivating impulse than from the One Who ultimately conceived it. Bahá’u’lláh’s inscrutable purpose, we must ever bear in mind, has been so thoroughly infused into the conduct of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and their motives have been so closely wedded together, that the mere attempt to dissociate the teachings of the former from any system which the ideal Exemplar of those same teachings has established would amount to a repudiation of one of the most sacred and basic truths of the Faith." [Throughout this paper, this will be referred to as Quotation A.]

Please observe how Shoghi Effendi states that the Master's Will cannot be "divorced" or "dissociated" from the design of Bahá’u’lláh: to "divorce" the Master's Will from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, to "dissociate" the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh from the system of the Master, would amount to a repudiation of one of the verities of the Faith. In this paragraph of The Dispensation, the Guardian shows that the institutions created in the Master's Will are inseparable from the purpose of Bahá’u’lláh. As we shall see, the way in which Shoghi Effendi uses the term "divorced" in connection with the institutions of the Faith is extremely important to the purpose of this paper, and is an example of what the Universal House of Justice terms "the principle of inseparability."

Since the institution of the Guardianship is implicit—not explicit—in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, it is not surprising that the possibility that the line of Guardians might end is also implicit and not explicit in the Text. Let us examine one of these instances in which the Kitáb-i-Aqdas implicitly anticipates the Universal House of Justice functioning without a Guardian and provides for the authority of the Universal House of Justice to lead the Faith in that event; and how the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá makes that authority explicit.

In its letter, "Comments on the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice,"¹³ the Universal House of Justice clarifies how Bahá’u’lláh Himself, in the Most Holy Book, foresaw the possibility that the House of Justice might not be formed until after the line of Guardians ended—and thus, would have to function without the presence of a Guardian. Bahá’u’lláh wrote:

"Endowments dedicated to charity revert to God, the Revealer of Signs. None hath the right to dispose of them without leave from Him Who is the Dawning-place of Revelation. After Him, this authority shall pass to the Aghsán, and after them to the House of Justice—should it be established in the world by then—that they may use these endowments for the benefit of the Places which have been exalted in this Cause, and for whatsoever hath been enjoined upon them by Him Who is the God of might and power. Otherwise, the endowments shall revert to the people of Bahá who speak not except by His leave and judge not save in accordance with what God hath decreed in this Tablet—lo, they are the champions of victory betwixt heaven and earth—that they may use them in the manner that hath been laid down in the Book by God, the Mighty, the Bountiful."¹⁵ [Throughout this paper, this quotation will be referred to as Quotation B.]

In the explanatory notes to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas prepared under the supervision of the Universal House of Justice it is pointed out that this passage "has particular implications...for the succession of authority following the passing of Bahá’u’lláh...and of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá."¹⁶ The House of Justice has also written that "The passing of Shoghi Effendi in 1957 precipitated the very situation provided for in this passage [Quotation B], in that the line of Aghsán ended before the House of Justice had been elected."¹⁷

The crucial phrase for our purposes in Quotation B is "after them," i.e., after the Aghsán. The House of Justice has written that this "striking passage" envisages the possibility of "a break in the line of Guardians."¹⁸ How can we be assured that by use of the term "after" the Aghsán, Bahá’u’lláh means after the line of chosen Aghsán, implying a time when there would be no living Guardian? Could not this verse mean, "After the passing of all of My sons?" If this phrase means His "sons" and not the line of hereditary successors, it would merely foreshadow the possibility that the House of Justice might not be elected until after the passing of the first generation of the Aghsán—Bahá’u’lláh’s sons.¹⁹ In that case, this phrase would not anticipate the House of Justice functioning without the presence of a Guardian.

Quotation B refers to the "authority" to administer certain assets of the Faith—its international endowments. However, Bahá’u’lláh never dispersed authority among several individuals; He, and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá after Him, always concentrated all authority in the Cause in one Center.²⁰ The history of the Faith shows no instance where the Aghsán (neither the sons as a group, nor the entire male lineage of Bahá’u’lláh as a group at one time) acted as a corporate body or had any authority whatever in the Faith. In fact, the Master directed all of the other Aghsán to "show their obedience, submissiveness and subordination unto the guardian of the Cause of God, to turn unto him and be lowly before him."

The fact that the "endowments" paragraph refers to administrative responsibility in the Cause implies that in this instance Bahá’u’lláh’s use of the term "Aghsán" is limited to the line of "chosen" Aghsán: The Master, and the line of Guardians after Him. Since Bahá’u’lláh states that "after" the Aghsán the Universal House of Justice will exercise this authority, Quotation B foreshadows the possibility of the ending of the line of chosen Aghsán, and thus the ending of the line of Guardians.

In this same paragraph, Quotation B, Bahá’u’lláh even provides for the exercise of authority in the Faith during the interregnum between the passing of Shoghi Effendi and the first election of the Universal House of Justice:

"...[T]he endowments shall revert to the people of Bahá who speak not except by His leave and judge not save in accordance with what God hath decreed in this Tablet—lo, they are the champions of victory betwixt heaven and earth...." ²³

Who are the "people of Bahá" in this paragraph of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas? They are described as those "who speak not except by His leave," and as "the champions of victory." The notes to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas confirm that in this instance, "the people of Bahá" are the Hands of the Cause of God.²⁴ We can compare this Quotation B to other Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh in which He has used this same terminology of speaking not before God speaks, and of accomplishing the victory of the Cause, to refer to the Hands of the Cause of God:

"May My praise, salutations, and greetings rest upon the stars of the heaven of Thy knowledge—the Hands of Thy Cause—they who circled round Thy Will, spoke not save after Thy leave, and clung not save unto Thy hem. They are servants whose mention and praise are recorded in the Holy Writ, Thy Books and Tablets, wherein are extolled their services, victories, and high resolve. Through them the standards of Thy oneness were raised in Thy cities and realms, and the banners of Thy sanctity were uplifted in Thy Kingdom....Praise be to Thee, O my God, that Thou hast aided me to make mention of them and to praise them in their stations in Thy Cause and in Thy days."²⁵

Thus we see that in the implications of the Most Holy Book (in Quotation B), Bahá’u’lláh provided for the transfer of authority from the chosen Branches, to the Hands of the Cause, to the Universal House of Justice functioning without a chosen Branch—without a Guardian.

My purpose is not to minimize the loss of the Guardian’s presence in the deliberations of the House. As the House of Justice has cautioned: "Although, as is seen, the ending of the line of [Page 24]Aghsán at some stage was provided for, we must never underestimate the grievous loss that the Faith has suffered."26

And again, the Universal House of Justice has written:

"We must guard against two extremes: one is to argue that because there is no Guardian all that was written about the Guardianship and its position in the Bahá’í World Order is a dead letter and was unimportant; the other is to be so overwhelmed by the significance of the Guardianship as to underestimate the strength of the Covenant...."27

My purpose is to follow the guidance of the Universal House of Justice to not be overwhelmed by that loss. It is also to help us counter those who attempt to use the absence of a living Guardian today as a pretext in their claim to leadership of the Bahá’í community.28

Crisis during Shoghi Effendi’s boyhood

As we saw in Quotation A, important implications in the laws of Bahá’u’lláh are sometimes made explicit in the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. We have seen that in the implications of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Bahá’u’lláh provided the authority for the Universal House of Justice to function with only its elected membership. Now we will see that in His Will and Testament, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá expressly provided this authority.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá revealed Part One of His Will and Testament, in which He appointed Shoghi Effendi as the Guardian of the Cause of God, when Shoghi Effendi was a little boy. Shoghi Effendi may have been as young as seven, and was surely no older than ten. Other Tablets revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at that time show that His life was in peril.30

The Master likewise revealed the second part of His Will during a time Shoghi Effendi described as "an hour of grave suspense." In Part Two of His Will, the Master described the crisis that compelled Him to write it: "I am now in very great danger and the hope of even an hour's life is lost to me." This was likely when the Second Commission of Inquiry threatened the life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Had these threats materialized during either of the Commissions of Inquiry in 1904 or in 1907—Shoghi Effendi, still in his boyhood, would have been too young to perform the duties of the Guardianship, including appointing a representative to act in his place in the deliberations of the Universal House of Justice. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was, of course, well aware of this.

The Universal House of Justice has directed us to study the second part of the Master's Will, specifically in connection with the establishment of that sacred body through the convening of only its elected membership.33

Let us examine what the Master provided in His Will for the leadership of the Faith, in the event that He was martyred while Shoghi Effendi was still a child. In the second part of His Will the Master makes no mention of Shoghi Effendi or of the institution of the Guardianship.

As both Shoghi Effendis and the Universal House of Justice have pointed out, during that same crisis the Master wrote a Tablet to the Báb's cousin, Hájí Mírzá Taqí Afnán. In that Tablet, the Master directed the Afnán to arrange immediately for the election of the Universal House of Justice if He was put to death. This House of Justice would have been composed of only its elected members for several years, until Shoghi Effendi reached the age when he could assume his responsibilities as Guardian. The language ‘Abdu’l-Bahá uses in the second part of His Will refers only to the elected members of that Body. Therefore, in the following words the Master provided the authority for the Universal House of Justice which would act infallibly without the presence of the Guardian of the Cause of God, or the Guardian's representative, during the minority of Shoghi Effendi:

"Unto the Most Holy Book every one must turn and all that is not expressly recorded therein must be referred to the Universal House of Justice. That which this body, whether unanimously or by a majority doth carry, that is verily the Truth and the Purpose of God Himself. Whoso doth deviate therefrom is verily of them that love discord, hath shown forth malice and turned away from the Lord of the Covenant. By this House is meant that Universal House of Justice which is to be elected from all countries, that is from those parts in the East and West where the loved ones are to be found, after the manner of the customary elections in Western countries such as those of England....It is incumbent upon these members [of the Universal House of Justice] to gather in a certain place and deliberate upon all problems which have caused difference, questions that are obscure and matters that are not expressly recorded in the Book. Whatsoever they decide has the same effect as the Text itself."37 [Identified throughout this paper as Quotation C.]

The Master here provided that it was incumbent upon "these members" to deliberate, and He identifies "these members" as those who were to be "elected from all countries, that is from those parts in the East and West where the loved ones are to be found, after the manner of the customary elections in Western countries."

Again, He makes no reference to the Universal House of Justice functioning with Shoghi Effendi, nor does He refer to the institution of the Guardianship, or to the representative of the Guardian acting as chairman of the House of Justice.

As we see from Quotation C, nowhere does He indicate that in such circumstances, without the presence of the Guardian to chair that Body, to define the sphere of its legislative action, or to interpret the Word of God, the House of Justice would not be infallible. Rather, He wrote of the House functioning without its hereditary Head, and with only its elected members, "That which this body, whether unanimously or by a majority doth carry, that is verily the Truth and the Purpose of God Himself," and that its decisions will have "the same effect as the Text itself."

Since the Master provided that the House of Justice would function infallibly before the beloved Guardian wrote a single authoritative word, surely we may conclude that it does so now, when it has the benefit of the multitude of Shoghi Effendi's writings. Nowhere in the Master's Will does He imply that the authority or the guarantee of divine guidance to the House of Justice operating without the presence of the Guardian would be more limited than they would be with the Guardian as its sacred Head.h

Inspiration of the Holy Spirit

Another passage from the Pen of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá which explicitly provides that the infallibility of the Universal House of Justice is not dependent upon the participation of the Guardian in its deliberations is quoted by the Universal House of Justice in one of its letters addressing this very subject. The Master writes:

"Let it not be imagined that the House of Justice will take any decision according to its own concepts and opinions. God forbid! The Supreme House of Justice will take decisions and establish laws through the inspiration and confirmation of the Holy Spirit, because it is in the safekeeping and under the shelter and protection of the Ancient Beauty, and obedience to its decisions is a bounden and essential duty and an absolute obligation, and there is no escape for anyone.

"Say, O People: Verily the Supreme House of Justice is under the wings of your Lord, the Compassionate, the All-Merciful, that is under His protection, His care, and His shelter; for He has commanded the firm believers to obey that blessed, sanctified, and all-subduing body, whose sovereignty is divinely ordained and of the Kingdom of Heaven and whose laws are inspired and spiritual.

"Briefly, this is the wisdom of referring the laws of society to the House of Justice. In the religion of Islam, similarly, not every ordinance was explicitly revealed; nay not a tenth part of a tenth part was included in the Text; although all matters of major importance were specifically referred to, there were undoubtedly thousands of laws which were unspecified. These were devised by the divines of a later age according to the laws of Islamic jurisprudence, and individual divines made conflicting deductions from the original revealed ordinances. All these were enforced. Today this process of deduction is the right of the body of the House of Justice, and the deductions and conclusions of individual learned men have no authority, unless they are endorsed by the House of Justice. The difference is precisely this, that from the conclusions and endorsements of the body of the House of Justice whose members are elected by and known to the worldwide Bahá’í community, no differences will arise; whereas the conclusions of individual divines and scholars would definitely lead to differences, and result in schism, division, and dispersion. The oneness of the Word would be destroyed, the unity of the Faith would disappear, and the edifice of the Faith of God would be shaken."39

The Master's use of the phrase "whose members are elected by and known to the worldwide Bahá’í community" is an explicit reference to the elected membership of the Universal House of Justice. This passage shows that when He states that the decisions and laws of that "blessed, sanctified and all-subduing body" are inspired by the Holy Spirit, He refers to the infallibility bestowed upon that Body through its elected membership. This Tablet confirms and illuminates a brief reference in one of the Laws of Bahá’u’lláh contained in His "Leaves of Paradise," and again shows the important interplay between the writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.

The ultimate safeguard of the Bahá’í Revelation

One of Bahá’u’lláh's express promises of infallible divine guidance to the Universal House of Justice is found in the Eighth Leaf of the Kalimát-i-Firdawsiyyih:

"It is incumbent upon the Trustees of the House of Justice to take counsel together regarding those things which have not outwardly been revealed in the Book, and to enforce that which is agreeable to them. God will verily inspire them with whatsoever He willeth, and He, verily, is the Provider, the Omniscient." 40

How do we know that this promise that "God will inspire them" is a promise of infallible divine guidance to the elected membership of the Universal House of Justice acting as a body, and does not promise this guidance only if the "sacred head" of that Body, the Guardian of the Cause, is present in its deliberations? Shoghi Effendi provides the answer in his exposition of this pronouncement of Bahá’u’lláh, in The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh:

"In the conduct of the administrative affairs of the Faith, in the enactment of the legislation necessary to supplement the laws of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, the members of the Universal House of Justice, it should be borne in mind, are not, as Bahá’u’lláh’s utterances clearly imply, responsible to those whom they represent, nor are they allowed to be governed by the feelings, the general opinion, and even the convictions of the mass of the faithful, or of those who directly elect them. They are to follow, in a prayerful attitude, the dictates and promptings of their conscience. They may, indeed they must, acquaint themselves with the conditions prevailing among the community, must weigh dispassionately the merits of any case presented for their consideration, but must reserve for themselves the right of an unfettered decision. 'God will verily inspire them with whatsoever He willeth,' is Bahá’u’lláh’s incontrovertible assurance. They, and not the body of those who either directly or indirectly elect them, have thus been made the recipients of the divine guidance which is at once the life-blood and ultimate safeguard of this Revelation."41

The words chosen by the Guardian—the members of the Universal House of Justice and not those who elect them—show that Bahá’u’lláh’s promise that "God will, verily, inspire them" means that infallible divine guidance flows to the elected membership of the Universal House of Justice acting as a body.42 This, again, is scriptural authority for the Universal House of Justice to function infallibly without the presence of a Guardian, not only in the enactment of legislation, but also in the conduct of the administrative affairs of the Faith.

‘Divorced from... the Guardianship’

Any discussion of the authority for the Universal House of Justice to function infallibly without the presence of the Guardian must address the following passage from Shoghi Effendi’s The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh:

"Divorced from the institution of the Guardianship the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh would be mutilated and permanently deprived of that hereditary principle which, as ‘Abdu’l-Bahá has written, has been invariably upheld by the Law of God. 'In all the Divine Dispensations,' He states, in a Tablet addressed to a follower of the Faith in Persia, 'the eldest son hath been given extraordinary distinctions. Even the station of prophethood hath been his birthright.' Without such an institution the integrity of the Faith would be imperiled, and the stability of [Page 25]"the entire fabric would be gravely endangered. Its prestige would suffer, the means required to enable it to take a long, an uninterrupted view over a series of generations would be completely lacking, and the necessary guidance to define the sphere of the legislative action of its elected representatives would be totally withdrawn." [Quotation D]

"Severed from the no less essential institution of the Universal House of Justice this same System of the Will of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would be paralyzed in its action and would be powerless to fill in those gaps which the Author of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas has deliberately left in the body of His legislative and administrative ordinances." [Quotation E]

Some of the friends have experienced particular difficulty in accepting the ability of the Universal House of Justice to function infallibly without the presence of the Guardian, because they believe that those words from the Guardian in Quotation D were a direct warning about that very circumstance. A reader of this passage might naturally ask whether Shoghi Effendi, when he wrote those words in 1934, confident that there would be future Guardians, was elaborating the horrible consequences to the Cause of God if the line of Guardians were to end. From the Guardian's phrase "divorced from the institution of the Guardianship," should we understand his intention to have been a description of the mutilation of the Cause that would occur if the Universal House of Justice were to function without a living Guardian?

The House of Justice has provided the key to understanding this subject when it elucidates "the principle of inseparability" and gives several examples of the application of that principle to the institutions of the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice.45

To understand the meaning of "divorced from the institution of the Guardianship" in Quotation D, we have the benefit of other passages in Shoghi Effendi's writings where he uses similar, sometimes identical, language to illustrate this principle. We have seen in Quotation A how Shoghi Effendi warned that to "divorce" or "dissociate" the institutions established by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá from the underlying laws of Bahá’u’lláh would "amount to a repudiation of one of the most sacred and basic truths of the Faith." In yet another passage, he uses strikingly similar language to elaborate the scriptural authority for the functioning of the Bahá’í institutions:

"It should be remembered by every follower of the Cause that the system of Bahá’í administration is not an innovation imposed arbitrarily upon the Bahá’ís of the world since the Master's passing, but derives its authority from the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, is specifically prescribed in unnumbered Tablets, and rests in some of its essential features upon the explicit provisions of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. It thus unifies and correlates the principles separately laid down by Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and is indissolubly bound with the essential verities of the Faith. To dissociate the administrative principles of the Cause from the purely spiritual and humanitarian teachings would be tantamount to a mutilation of the body of the Cause, a separation that can only result in the disintegration of its component parts, and the extinction of the Faith itself." [Quotation F]

Please note that the Guardian described such a "dissociation" as a "mutilation of the Cause." This is another illustration of what the Universal House of Justice terms "the principle of inseparability." A careful reading of Quotation F will show that the Guardian's purpose is to elaborate on the unity of the components of the Bahá’í Faith, not to issue a warning about possible future events. The "mutilation" would be to knowingly misunderstand this important verity of the Faith.

The Guardian again illustrates the principle of inseparability when he explains that the distinct periods of Bahá’í history must be understood as one whole; to see them in isolation from one another and thereby divorce them from one another, he avers, would be to "mutilate" the Cause and pervert the truth:

"The century under our review [1844-1944] may therefore be considered as falling into four distinct periods, of unequal duration, each of specific import and of tremendous and indeed unappraisable significance. These four periods are closely interrelated, and constitute successive acts of one, indivisible, stupendous and sublime drama, whose mystery no intellect can fathom, whose climax no eye can even dimly perceive, whose conclusion no mind can adequately foreshadow. Each of these acts revolves around its own theme, boasts of its own heroes, registers its own tragedies, records its own triumphs, and contributes its own share to the execution of one common, immutable Purpose. To isolate any one of them from the others, to dissociate the later manifestations of one universal, all-embracing Revelation from the pristine purpose that animated it in its earliest days, would be tantamount to a mutilation of the structure on which it rests, and to a lamentable perversion of its truth and of its history....

"These four periods are to be regarded not only as the component, the inseparable parts of one stupendous whole, but as progressive stages in a single evolutionary process, vast, steady and irresistible."48

In yet another instance, the Guardian uses the same terminology to apply the principle of inseparability to the Bahá’í institutions of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár and its Dependencies. I would suggest that it is clear from all of these instances that it is the design of Bahá’u’lláh that the Guardian is speaking of.

In all of these cases, whether he uses the term "divorced," "dissociated" or "isolated," the purpose of Shoghi Effendi is to communicate to his reader the inseparability of the components of the Faith. This is his way of imparting a spiritual truth to us—the "principle of inseparability" in its various applications.

In all of these instances, the Guardian is using this language to communicate to us something our minds have never previously grasped: the wonder of this "vast and unique" Order, of this "colossal," this "mighty Administrative structure."50 He is not warning us of the consequences of the loss of any Bahá’í institution, nor speaking of such a loss as a "mutilation" of the Cause of God. Rather, through use of this powerful language he infuses our understanding with his vision of the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.

The vibrant body of the Cause

The purpose of the Guardian in the Dispensation [Quotation D] was not to foreshadow unthinkable consequences if the Universal House of Justice must function without the presence of a Guardian. The most convincing demonstration of this is in the paragraph that immediately follows the "divorced from the institution of the Guardianship" paragraph:

"Severed from the no less essential institution of the Universal House of Justice this same System of the Will of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would be paralyzed in its action and would be powerless to fill in those gaps which the Author of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas has deliberately left in the body of His legislative and administrative ordinances."51 [Quotation E]

Like the other instances where he used the terms "divorced," "dissociated" or "isolated," here, by his use of the synonym "severed," he explains yet again the principle of the inseparability of the component aspects of the World Order. Quotation E is clearly a parallel to Quotation D, and enables us to better understand the intent of Quotation D.

If one reads "divorced from the institution of the Guardianship" as a foreshadowing of the consequences of the ending of the line of Guardians, then one must also read "severed from the no less essential institution of the Universal House of Justice" as a portent of the consequences of the World Order functioning without the Universal House of Justice. We must ask ourselves, where was the Universal House of Justice at the time Shoghi Effendi wrote Quotations D and E? The Dispensation of Bahá’u’lláh was written in 1934, and the House of Justice would not be brought into existence for another 29 years.

At the time the Guardian wrote the words "severed from...the Universal House of Justice," the World Order was functioning without the benefit of a single word from that "no less essential institution." Furthermore, if "essential" meant that the World Order could not function without the presence of the House of Justice, then the Guardian would not have delayed its election. In Quotation E the Guardian could not be stating that these institutions cannot function independently, because he was himself functioning independently of the "no less essential" House of Justice when he wrote those very words.

The Guardian wrote in Quotation E that the sign of the World Order being "severed" from the Universal House of Justice would be that the World Order would be "paralyzed in its action."53 How can we be certain that he did not intend to convey that because the House of Justice was not yet fulfilling its legislative role the World Order was, in some measure, "paralyzed in its action" at that time? We may determine as a certainty that Shoghi Effendi did not intend to convey that the World Order was "paralyzed" in 1934 due to the absence of a functioning Universal House of Justice. The proof is found a few pages later in the same letter, where the Guardian contrasts the "vitality" of the institutions of the Faith with the paralysis afflicting the old world order at that time:

"The vitality which the organic institutions of this great, this ever-expanding Order so strongly exhibit; the obstacles which the high courage, the undaunted resolution of its administrators have already surmounted; the fire of an unquenchable enthusiasm that glows with undiminished fervor in the hearts of its itinerant teachers; the heights of self-sacrifice which its champion-builders are now attaining; the breadth of vision, the confident hope, the creative joy, the inward peace, the uncompromising integrity, the exemplary discipline, the unyielding unity and solidarity which its stalwart defenders manifest; the degree to which its moving Spirit has shown itself capable of assimilating the diversified elements within its pale, of cleansing them of all forms of prejudice and of fusing them with its own structure—these are evidences of a power which a disillusioned and sadly shaken society can ill afford to ignore.

"Compare these splendid manifestations of the spirit animating this vibrant body of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh with the cries and agony, the follies and vanities, the bitterness and prejudices, the wickedness and divisions of an ailing and chaotic world. Witness the fear that torments its leaders and paralyzes the action of its blind and bewildered statesmen."54

Particularly in that last sentence, the Guardian explicitly contrasts the "vibrant body of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh" with the leaders and statesmen of the world whom he describes as "paralyzed in their action." The Guardian's own language shows that he did not intend to convey that the World Order was "paralyzed in its action" due to the absence of the Universal House of Justice. Rather, it was "vibrant," in contrast to the paralysis afflicting the old order. We may therefore deduce that the Cause was not then "severed" from the Universal House of Justice, even though the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh was functioning entirely without its influence.

We may confidently deduce that in Quotation D— "Divorced from the institution of the Guardianship"—Shoghi Effendi was not foreshadowing appalling consequences if there were no living Guardian. Rather, he was disclosing the perfection and completion of Bahá’u’lláh’s design. So the explanations in Quotation D regarding the hereditary function of the Guardian in relation to the House, that he protects the integrity and stability of the Faith, enhances its prestige, provides for its continuity, and defines the legislative sphere of the Universal House of Justice, are presented as demonstrations of the "principle of inseparability" in the preceding paragraph of The Dispensation.

These twin institutions "supplement each other's authority and functions, and are permanently and fundamentally united in their aims." That is what quotation D is about. Without question, it emphatically states the importance of the Guardianship. What it does not do is state that the World Order has been "mutilated" or that the "necessary guidance" has been "totally withdrawn" from the Universal House of Justice because there is no Guardian present to make definitions. What it does not do is state that the Cause of God is today "divorced from the institution of the Guardianship."

Conclusion

Shoghi Effendi referred to the Bahá’ís as the "stewards" of the Faith, and designated the Hands of the Cause of God as its "Chief Stewards."57 ‘Abdu’l- [Page 26]Bahá gave the Hands the specific protective function of expelling Covenant-breakers. They were not endowed with infallibility; their capacity to lead the Bahá’í Faith was explicit in only one word: "Chief." The generality of the Bahá’í community was, as yet, unaware of the provisions in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas for the transmission of authority to the Hands of the Cause, and would not learn of this verse [Quotation B] for more than a decade.59

Despite these limitations on their office, despite the fact that they possessed, in the mind of the generality of the friends, only one word of authority, it is worth reflecting on the power of that one word and the steadfastness of the Hands of the Cause to keep the Cause of God united until the Universal House of Justice was brought into being. One of the first acts of the Universal House of Justice was to express its heartfelt love and gratitude to the Hands.60

In contrast, the authority of the Universal House of Justice to function infallibly with only its elected members is explicitly provided in a number of passages in the Writings of both Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. If the integrity of the Faith can be protected by only one word, one can only wonder at the power of such emphatic language, the power of the Covenants of Bahá’u’lláh and of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, to keep the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh united behind "[T]he divine and Universal House of Justice...that central pivot of the people of Bahá...."61

Shoghi Effendi wrote, "Only those who come after us will be in a position to realize the value of the surprisingly strong emphasis that has been placed on the institution of the House of Justice and of the Guardianship."62 Among the "surprisingly emphatic language" to which he refers, are surely these words from the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: "The sacred and youthful branch, the guardian of the Cause of God, as well as the Universal House of Justice, to be universally elected and established, are both under the care and protection of the Abhá Beauty, under the shelter and unerring guidance of His Holiness, the Exalted One (may my life be offered up for them both). Whatsoever they decide is of God. Whoso obeyeth him not, neither obeyeth them, hath not obeyed God; whoso rebelleth against him and against them hath rebelled against God; whoso opposeth him hath opposed God; whoso contendeth with them hath contended with God; whoso disputeth with him hath disputed with God; whoso denieth him hath denied God; whoso disbelieveth in him hath disbelieved in God; whoso deviateth, separateth himself and turneth aside from him hath in truth deviated, separated himself and turned aside from God. May the wrath, the fierce indignation, the vengeance of God rest upon him!"64

We may derive confidence in the flow of divine authority to the Universal House of Justice from these words with which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá closes His Will and Testament, words which will ring down through the centuries: "All must seek guidance and turn unto the Center of the Cause and the House of Justice. And he that turneth unto whatsoever else is indeed in grievous error. The Glory of Glories rest upon you!" 65

NOTES

1. The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 14. 2. Wellspring of Guidance, p. 86. 3. "Proclamation by the Hands of the Cause to the Bahá’ís of East and West," November 25, 1957, The Bahá’í World, Vol. XIII, p. 342; The Ministry of the Custodians 1957-1963, pp. 36, 211; "The Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice," The Universal House of Justice, Wellspring of Guidance, p. 82. 4. Shoghi Effendi, Compilation on the Universal House of Justice, p. 17. 5. The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 24, 34; The Light of Divine Guidance, p. 84; Unfolding Destiny, p. 57. 6. Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 3. 7. God Passes By, p. 214; The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 147. 8. Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, P. 26. 9. Messages to America, p. 8. 10. God Passes By, p. 213. 11. Ibid, p. 325. 12. The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 144; compare God Passes By, p. 325, where Shoghi Effendi makes clear that he is referring to the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. 13. Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1968-1973, pp. 37-44. 14. Literally, "Branches." 15. Kitáb-i-Aqdas, pp. 34-35, 42. 16. Ibid, pp. 196-197, Note 66. 17. "Comments on the Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice," Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1968-1973, p. 41. 18. Ibid., p. 41. 19. For example, Shoghi Effendi has sometimes translated Aghsán as "Sons." (Epistle to the Son of the Wolf, pp. 93 and 94; Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 244) In each of these instances Bahá’u’lláh speaks of "My" Aghsán; perhaps this is why the Guardian translated "Aghsán" as "sons" in those instances. 20. See The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 385-386, and the Compilation "The Continental Boards of Counselors," pp. 44-45. 21. Shoghi Effendi has explained the general meaning of the term: "As to 'Aghsán,' it also means branch. But it is a bigger branch than 'Afnán.' It refers to Bahá’u’lláh's descendants." From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, Sept. 25, 1934, in Lights of Guidance, 2nd. Edition, pp. 470-471, No. 1548. 22. Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 11 (three times). 23. Kitáb-i-Aqdas, pp. 34-35, 42. 24. Ibid, pp. 196-197, Note 67. 25. Bahá’u’lláh, quoted in the frontispiece to Dr Muhájir, Hand of the Cause of God, Knight of Bahá’u’lláh. Bahá’u’lláh employs similar terminology in speaking of the Hands of the Cause in the Surat-al Haykal; see Paul Haney, "The Institution of the Hands of the Cause of God," The Bahá’í World, Vol. XIII, p. 333. Also compare Bahá’u’lláh's reference to the Hands of the Cause in a passage translated by Shoghi Effendi in The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 85. 26. Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1968-1973, p. 41. 27. Wellspring of Guidance, p. 87. 28. See, for example, the case of Charles Mason Remey, discussed in The Ministry of the Custodians 1957-1963, pp. 206-226. 29. The Master wrote in His Will that the "Committee of Investigation" had come to the Holy Land from Constantinople "a few months ago." (The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 7) The first Committee of Investigation arrived in the Holy Land in 1904 (Balyuzi, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 111), when Shoghi Effendi was seven years old. It appears from the above-quoted language that the first part of His Will was written at that time. In that first part of His Will, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá appointed Shoghi Effendi as the Guardian, and provided that the Guardian would serve as the chairman of the Universal House of Justice. The second Commission came to the Holy Land in 1907 (Balyuzi, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 118; God Passes By, p. 269). At that time, Shoghi Effendi was still a boy of ten. 30. Selection No. 188 in Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá appears to have been written at that time. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá also refers to that time in Memorials of the Faithful, p. 56. 31. God Passes By, p. 268. 32. The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 19. 33. "The second part of the Master's Will is also relevant to such a situation and should be studied by the friends." "Unassailable Foundation of the Cause of God," Wellspring of Guidance, p. 49; also quoted in the Compilation on the Establishment of the Universal House of Justice, p. 37, and in The Compilation of Compilations, Vol. I, p. 347. 34. Ibid, pp. 17-22. 35. God Passes By, p. 268; The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 17. 36. "Unassailable Foundation of the Cause of God," Wellspring of Guidance, p. 49; also quoted in the Compilation on the Establishment of the Universal House of Justice, p. 37. 37. The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (Part Two), pp. 19-20. 38. The Universal House of Justice has explained the importance of the innumerable definitions provided by Shoghi Effendi, in its letter, "The Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice," Wellspring of Guidance, pp. 83-84. As early as 1929, Shoghi Effendi had described the sphere of authority of the Universal House of Justice as "clearly defined" (The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 8, 148). 39. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, quoted in "The Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice," Wellspring of Guidance, pp. 84-86. 40. Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 68. Please compare this Tablet of Bahá’u’lláh with the Eighth Ishraq of the Tablet of Ishrágát, accounted by Bahá’u’lláh as part of the Most Holy Book; see the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 91. 41. The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 153. 42. The Universal House of Justice has deemed this passage so significant that it has included it in its Constitution. The Constitution of the Universal House of Justice, p. 6. See also the Compilation on the Establishment of the Universal House of Justice, pp. 25 and 53. 43. The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 148. 44. Ibid, p. 151. 45. "The Guardianship and the Universal House of Justice," Wellspring of Guidance, p. 87. 46. The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 144, quoted and discussed above. 47. Ibid, p. 5. 48. God Passes By, pp. xiv-xv. 49. Bahá’í Administration, pp. 185–186. 50. The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 146 and 147. 51. Ibid, p. 148. 52. The Guardian states his reasons for delaying the election of the Universal House of Justice in The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 7, and Baha'i Administration, p. 41, and they are further commented upon by Rúhíyyih Rabbani in The Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith, pp. 106-107. 53. The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 148. 54. Ibid, p. 155. 55. Ibid, p. 148. 56. Ibid, pp. 54, 79, 98; God Passes By, pp. 26, 340. 57. Shoghi Effendi announced "...yet another step in the progressive unfoldment of one of the cardinal and pivotal institutions ordained by Bahá’u’lláh, and confirmed in the Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, involving the designation of yet another contingent of the Hands of the Cause of God, raising thereby to thrice nine the total number of the Chief Stewards of Bahá’u’lláh's embryonic World Commonwealth, who have been invested by the unerring Center of His Covenant with the dual function of guarding over the security, and of insuring the propagation, of His Father's Faith." Messages to the Bahá’í World, p. 127. 58. The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 12. 59. The Bahá’í world became aware of this verse in 1969, when the Universal House of Justice issued its letter "Comments on the Guardianship and the from the Universal House of Justice, 1968-1973, p. 41. Universal House of Justice," published in Messages 60. Wellspring of Guidance, pp. 2-3. 61. The Bahá’í World, Vol. XIV, p. 436. 62. The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 8. 63. Ibid, p. 22. 64. The Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 11. 65. Ibid, p. 26.

HUQUQU’LLÁH

Payments for Huqúqu’lláh should be made to "The Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh 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 310-394-5449).
• Dr. Daryush Haghighi, Rocky River, OH 44116 (phone 216-333-1506).

Inquiries regarding Huqúqu’lláh should be referred to one of the Trustees or to the Office of the Secretariat, Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust Rocky River, OH 44116. [Page 27]

ANNUAL REPORT

THE ANNUAL REPORT Of the National Spiritual Assembly and its agencies Ridván 1996

MEMBERS Juana C. Conrad, Assistant Secretary; William E. Davis, Treasurer; Alberta Deas; Robert C. Henderson, Secretary-General; Firuz Kazem-zadeh, Secretary for External Affairs; Patricia Locke; Jack McCants; Dorothy W. Nelson, Vice-Chairman; James F. Nelson, Chairman.

Introduction

The Divine Plan, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s "grand design for the spiritual conquest of the planet," is "impelled by forces beyond our power to predict or appraise" and holds within it "the seeds of the world's spiritual revival and ultimate redemption." Its implementation will lead to the global expansion of the Faith and the acceleration of the construction of the administrative framework of Bahá’u’lláh’s World Order. It will continue to unfold through the beginnings of the Golden Age. The Three Year Plan was its latest chapter; the Four Year Plan is its next.

We invite you to review the achievements and shortcomings of the Three Year Plan in the light of the extent to which they prepare us for the successful pursuit of the next phase of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s "grand design."

Summary

The principal goals of the Three Year Plan were: (1) to develop greatly the human resources of the Cause; (2) to enhance the vitality of the faith of individual believers; and (3) to foster the maturation and proper functioning of local and national institutions. These broad themes were organized into a more specific plan of objectives in consultation with the Continental Board of Counselors and the National Teaching Committee. With hearts full of gratitude and appreciation to the Counselors for their invaluable advice and heroic services, to their Auxiliary Boards, to the friends who serve the agencies of the National Assembly, and to our brothers and sisters in the American Bahá’í community, we submit this report of the efforts to accomplish the goals of the current plan.

Developing human resources

We did not achieve a breakthrough in the pattern of enrollments during the Three Year Plan. Nevertheless, teaching activities gained significant momentum, achieving a scale, variety and intensity exceeding past efforts. The Universal House of Justice, in its letter of May 19, 1994, asks us to understand that our primary job is to teach and that the Author of the Faith will enable the seeds we have planted to germinate "as He sees fit." Moreover, it adds that we "may rest assured" that our "particularly blessed community will not be denied a triumphant expansion if its members remain constant and confident in their teaching activities." The analysis of our teaching activities reinforces our confidence that we are moving toward a breakthrough.

More than 5,100 pioneers and traveling teachers left American shores for international service. Domestic traveling teaching trips numbered more than 10,000. Army of Light Teaching Projects for Bahá’í youth increased from 25 to 250, while the number of Bahá’í Youth Workshops expanded from 23 to 78. In several areas Spiritual Assemblies combined their efforts in intercommunity teaching projects to achieve large-scale growth. Although inevitable problems arose that slowed their progress, these initiatives are critically important to our learning how to advance the process of entry by troops. Intercommunity collaboration presents serious challenges to local and national institutions that must be better understood and managed. Race unity activities involving all segments of the greater community were increasingly recognized by leaders of thought as setting the pace for the entire nation. In addition to grass roots activities involving local governments, schools, communities and social institutions, ground-breaking race unity work was done by Bahá’ís with several state court systems, major corporations and the Federal government. Although a statement on women was not completed during the Three Year Plan, work on the statement remains an urgent priority and will be completed early in the next Plan. Bahá’ís participated prominently in the organization and activities of the Fourth United Nations Conference on Women in Beijing. A National Teacher Training Center was established at the Louhelen Bahá’í School and produced 198 teacher trainers and more than 2,000 trained teachers of the Core Curriculum for the Bahá’í education of children. Forty-eight Parent Facilitators and 70 Race Unity Liaisons were also trained to deliver programs in the community. Volunteer services, valued at more than $10 million, were used extensively in the national administration, schools, properties and the House of Worship. Social and economic development initiatives made dramatic gains during the Plan. Health for Humanity, Mottahedeh Development Services, the Rabbani Trust, the Okeechobee Institute, the Woodburn Institute and the Atlanta Family Unity Center are outstanding examples of the growing efforts of Bahá’ís to apply the healing medicine of Bahá’u’lláh to the ills of humanity. The Bahá’í Chair for World Peace has received deserved recognition for its important contributions to the advancement of the University of Maryland as witnessed this past year during the Fourth International Dialogue on the Transition to Global Society ("Divisive Barbarity or Global Civilization: The Ethical Dimension of Science, Art, Religion and Politics"). The keynote address was given by the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum.

Enhancing the vitality of faith

The consistent expansion of activity in teaching, involvement in the life of society, social service and development are important measures of the enhancement of the vitality of faith among the believers. However, the dramatic resurgence of youth activity stands out as the highlight of the community's growing vitality. Everywhere one looks Bahá’í youth are teaching and serving. They are in inner-cities and suburbs teaching the Faith as members of Bahá’í Youth Workshops, and on Reservations, at Bahá’í Institutes and in the cities completing their years of service. The spiritual discipline, vigor and commitment of the youth demonstrated at the national youth conference in Dallas in December 1995 was an important signal of their "coming of age." The conference presentations and workshops, all conducted by youth, were uniformly outstanding, showing their knowledge of the Teachings, the refinement of their character and their commitment to action. Moreover, hotel personnel were astonished by their exemplary conduct and eager for their return.

Many efforts were aimed at stimulating the vitality of the Faith among the friends. The range and content of Bahá’í publications and audio and video productions expanded greatly during the Plan, as did Persian- and Spanish-language publications. Locally initiated television and radio programs also increased, along with periodical publications such as El Ruiseñor and Deepen magazine. The variety and quality of Bahá’í education programs continued to grow at the five permanent schools and institutes, the 37 regional schools, and the approximately 450 weekend schools. The newly established Institute for Bahá’í Studies and the Wilmette Institute provide new opportunities for systematic study of the Teachings and the raising up of armies of mature, deepened and consecrated teachers.

Fostering maturation of the institutions

Collaboration between the Continental Board of Counselors and the National Spiritual Assembly began with the formulation of the Three Year Plan itself and expanded during the next three years. The coordinated efforts of the two senior institutions and their agencies bore fruit during the Plan, as did the resulting collaboration between the National Spiritual Assembly and local Spiritual Assemblies.

A plan to encourage organized teaching initiatives resulted in the submission of more than 870 teaching plans by local Spiritual Assemblies, a significant increase from the 162 submitted during the Six Year Plan. The Spiritual Assembly goals program helped 1,077 assemblies contribute to the Funds, increasing contributions by approximately 150 percent during the Plan. The Arc Fund increased 350 percent while the National Fund was able to meet minimal goals in two of the three years after sharp reductions of planned activities, programs and personnel. Notwithstanding the limitations of the National Fund, an office of Spiritual Assembly Development was established to design and implement a national training program for local Spiritual Assemblies. Many conferences and workshops were held throughout the country to foster proper functioning in teaching, the fund, consultation, the application of Bahá’í principles and other topics.

The National Assembly's Office of External Affairs increased the range of activities in the areas of human rights, the status of women, global prosperity and moral development. The defense of the Iranian Bahá’ís remains the paramount concern of this work. In conjunction with developing two Congressional Resolutions on the Iranian Bahá’í situation, the National Assembly mounted an outstanding exhibit entitled "Defending Religious Liberty" at the Cannon Rotunda of the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C., which was admired so highly that members of Congress acted to extend the duration of the exhibit.

Annual property maintenance and repair costs continued to impose a staggering burden on the National Fund. Several overdue capital repair projects remain incomplete because of insufficient funds. The House of Worship and Green Acre Bahá’í School restoration projects were completed with borrowed funds. The multiple award-winning restoration of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár deserves special mention; to Robert Armbruster, Restoration Project Director, we express our deep gratitude for his historic contribution. At the Green Acre Bahá’í School, after almost 10 years of starting and stopping work, a breathtaking restoration of Sarah Farmer Inn was completed. At the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, a studio facility was purchased with borrowed funds to replace the collapsing trailer in which WLGI Radio Bahá’í has operated since its founding.

The May 19, 1994, letter

One of the most significant events of the Three Year Plan was the historic meeting of the Universal House of Justice with the National Spiritual Assembly at the mid-point of the Three Year Plan to discuss concerns about several aspects of the growth, development and functioning of the American Bahá’í community. The Supreme Body's response to that meeting, its letter dated May 19, 1994, immediately became the guiding light for all aspects of the National Assembly's work and functions. The National Spiritual Assembly was deeply grateful for having been able to share its concerns and cares with the House of Justice and for the infallible guidance contained in its letter—guidance from which the National Assembly will benefit for decades to come.

The guidance and instructions conveyed in the May 19, 1994, letter have had a deep affect on the thinking of the National Spiritual Assembly, its understanding of its role, its methods of operation and its institutional priorities. Since receiving the letter, the National Assembly has taken action in several areas including restructuring the Assembly's internal organization; continuing to refine its collaboration with the Counselors; further developing the methods of operation of the national administration and the education of the National Center staff; advancing plans for decentralization; reorganizing the Assembly's annual report and its report to the delegates at the National Convention; and initiating efforts to refine and strengthen the Assembly's relationship to the community of believers.

The day the National Assembly received the May 19 letter, it pulled The American Bahá’í off the press, reformatted the paper, and published the letter for the benefit of members of local Spiritual Assemblies and the general Bahá’í community in the United States. Soon thereafter, the National Assembly [Page 28]initiated courses for studying the letter at the Bahá’í schools and institutes, encouraged local Spiritual Assemblies and individual believers to do likewise, and, as did the Counselors, discussed the letter at conferences and community gatherings across the country. Bahá’í youth discussed the letter at the national youth conferences in Phoenix (1994) and Dallas (1995) and were asked to make continuous study of its contents.

Over the past 18 months the National Assembly has held a series of meetings with the Counselors to discuss this historic letter and its implications. The Assembly wrote a series of letters highlighting the letter's themes to the Nineteen Day Feasts and articles for The American Bahá’í and other publications. This practice will continue.

The National Assembly has changed its internal organization by dissolving its executive committee, a committee of the Assembly's six officers authorized to decide and execute secondary items on the National Assembly's agenda. The committee had been created to expedite the burdensome workload; yet the effect was divisive, and it was abolished. The National Assembly has restructured its meeting agenda so that it focuses greater attention on issues of national policy and strategy.

A task force of Bahá’í National Center staff was appointed to coordinate study of the letter among the friends there. Counselors and members of the National Assembly have led a series of nine day-long deepening and discussion sessions.

Plans for the further decentralization of the national administration, which is encouraged in the letter, proceeded apace.

At the end of this year, the National Spiritual Assembly met in a special session to review its actions on every instruction and admonition contained in the letter. Detailed review of this guidance will remain a focus of the National Assembly's work for years to come.

The formats of the Annual Report of the National Assembly and of the National Convention were among areas marked for change. In its May 19, 1994, letter the Universal House Justice gave instructions on the Assembly's reports to the delegates to the National Convention: "Do as Shoghi Effendi advised you: 'Banishing every vestige of secrecy, of undue reticence, of dictatorial aloofness, from their midst, they should radiantly and abundantly unfold to the eyes of the delegates, by whom they are elected, their plans, their hopes, and their cares. They should familiarize the delegates with the various matters that will have to be considered in the current year, and calmly and conscientiously study and weigh the opinions and judgment of the delegates.'" The report that follows summarizes the plans, hopes and cares of the National Assembly and presents comments on other topics including the external affairs work and the National Fund. Also included are a summary of the Three Year Plan goals and reports from all of the Assembly's offices and agencies.

Plans

Plan (plan) n. 1. A scheme, program, or method worked out beforehand for the accomplishment of an objective: a plan of attack.

The Universal House of Justice announced that the Four Year Plan will aim at one major accomplishment: a significant advance in the process of entry by troops. This is to be achieved through "marked progress in the activity and development of the individual believer, of the institutions, and of the local community." Moreover, the Supreme Body explained that "an auspicious beginning for the new Plan will largely depend on the results of the current one."

The Four Year Plan goals for our community are to be determined after Ridván by the newly elected National Assembly in consultation with the Continental Board of Counselors. Therefore, we will comment only on one of the National Assembly's current plans, the further decentralization of the national administration.

Decentralization

The National Spiritual Assembly began the process of decentralization during the Holy Year to expand and strengthen the administrative foundation of the Faith in the United States. In doing so the Assembly was keenly mindful of Shoghi Effendi's guidance that it "must never mistake the Bahá’í administration for an end in itself." The primary purpose of the administration, he says, is to serve as an "instrument of the spirit of the Faith." The Faith is intended for humanity as a whole. "It is designed," says the Guardian, "to benefit the entire human race, and the only way it can do this is to reform the community life of mankind, as well as seeking to regenerate the individual. The Bahá’í Administration is only the first shaping of what in the future will come to be the social life and laws of community living."

The Universal House of Justice explains that the expansion and development of the Faith, as vital as they are, are only part of what we must accomplish. "Transformation is the essential purpose of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh," it states. "Souls must be transformed, communities thereby consolidated, new models of life thus attained." The further decentralization of our administrative institutions is aimed at serving these purposes. The promotion of individual initiative, the preeminent power for accomplishing the goals of the Cause, fostering the maturation of Bahá’í institutions, and promoting the flourishing of Bahá’í communities are the primary goals of this endeavor. The Supreme Body's assurances, stated in its letter of May 19, 1994, that decentralization is a sure means of advancing the expansion and development of the community reinforces our confidence in the timeliness of this plan.

The National Spiritual Assembly's vision of decentralization is to foster a unified understanding of strategy and policy throughout a system of agencies working in harmony to carry out the teaching and development plans. The goal of decentralization is to promote a unity in diversity of action among individual believers, institutions and their agencies. The decentralization plan aims at inspiring individual initiative, coordinating the efforts of local and national institutions, and supporting the day-to-day teaching and administrative work through a system of regional committees. The committees, both national and regional, are to serve the needs of local Assemblies and to help unify the work of the Cause.

The National Assembly proposes to establish four Regional Bahá’í Committees based on the geographic divisions of the Divine Plan. Initially, these regional committees will support the coordination of the teaching work through expert study of teaching issues and opportunities in their regions, advice to the National Teaching Committee, and assistance in the execution of plans. As their work evolves, the regional committees will gradually take on administrative support duties required by the growing complexity of the administrative work in the region.

To strengthen and expedite channels of communication among all Bahá’í institutions and agencies, the National Assembly plans to establish a national electronic network that, in the near future, will link the entire community. Pilot testing of this network will begin soon in five localities: Los Angeles, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego and San Francisco.

The decentralization plans will require new levels of spiritual discipline and administrative competence among all individual believers and Bahá’í institutions. To foster the understandings and skills necessary, the National Assembly has established an Office of Spiritual Assembly Development, charged with providing systematic training for and development of local Spiritual Assemblies.

Far from adding unnecessary layers of bureaucratic control that may distance the institutions from the friends, the decentralization plan seeks to harmonize and coordinate the work of the community to strengthen mutual assistance and support among the institutions and the friends.

The National Assembly's hope is, through furthering decentralization, to advance the process of entry by troops by fostering a fuller expression of ishing of Bahá’í community life. individual initiative, institutional maturity, and a flourishing of Bahá’í community life.

Hopes

Hope (ho-p) v. 1. To wish for something with expectation of its fulfillment.

The Four Year Plan goal of significantly advancing the process of entry by troops through a "marked increase in the activity and development" of the individual, the institutions and the community is the motivating force of our hopes.

Individual spiritual discipline

The essential requirements of the success of the Four Year Plan are bound up in our own individual and inner lives. The spiritual transformation of each one of us will determine the extent to which we can prepare our nation to lay the foundation for its future role of ushering in the Golden Age. Our hope is that every individual believer will rededicate herself or himself to taking on this staggering responsibility that requires the spiritual discipline of a "valiant warrior." Our challenge, Shoghi Effendi explains, is to launch a "double crusade" to "weed out" those faults and habits inherited from our own nation and to "cultivate, patiently and prayerfully, those distinctive qualities and characteristics that are so indispensable to their effective participation in the redemptive work of [our] Faith." The Guardian specifies that a high standard of moral conduct, absolute holiness and chastity, and genuine love and interracial fellowship are the "weapons" that every "would-be warrior" and "homefront crusader" must employ to regenerate the spiritual life of our community and then to assail the same evils in the nation itself. These requirements constitute the "bedrock" on which the security of every teaching project, financial plan and community depends.

Maturation of the institutions

A crucial part of the process of entry by troops is the swift maturation of Bahá’í institutions. Our hopes for growth cannot be achieved without local and national institutions that function properly and are loving and wise. The House of Justice explains that "the importance of Bahá’í administration is its value in serving as a facilitator of the emergence and maintenance of community life in a wholly new mode, and in catering to the requirements of the spiritual relationships which flow from love and unity among the friends." The attainment of new models of life and the consolidation of Bahá’í communities will be among the products of the transformation of individual souls. The local, regional and national custodians serving on Bahá’í institutions must make every effort to foster cooperative relationships with the friends, based on "mutual confidence and trust" and characterized by "humble fellowship." Moreover, great care must be given to individual conduct that reflects the bright light of Bahá’í teachings. Attention must also be given to the ceaseless struggle to master the wise application of the spiritual principles of our Faith to the increasingly complex problems of modern life.

Fostering happiness and love

Our hopes for attracting large numbers of waiting souls depend on fostering happiness and love in the Bahá’í community. Shoghi Effendi repeatedly emphasized that fostering love and happiness in the Bahá’í community will strengthen our unity and lead to the rapid growth of the Faith. He explained that people crave love and that they seek "not compromise but the embodiment of a high and shining ideal." The purpose of Bahá’u’lláh's message is to "produce a new kind of people, people who are upright, kind, intelligent, truthful and honest and who live according to His great laws." The Guardian promises that "if the friends will forget all personal differences and open their hearts to a great love for each other for the sake of Bahá’u’lláh, they will find that their powers are vastly increased; they will attract the heart of the public and will witness a rapid growth of the Holy Faith."

Strengthening marriage and family life

Our hopes for winning the goals of the Four Year Plan also depend on our ability to foster united and loving marriages and families, because they are the building blocks of flourishing communities and the training ground for consecrated individual believers. The degeneration of marriage and family life is a primary cause of social decay and the decline of individual life. The Bahá’í writings promise that spiritually vibrant families will prosper and give rise to social change. The atmosphere within a Bahá’í family, as within the community as a whole should express "the keynote of the Cause of God," which, Shoghi Effendi has stated, "is not dictatorial author- [Page 29]

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ity, but humble fellowship, not arbitrary power, but the spirit of frank and loving consultation." Programs of education in marriage and family life, parenting and Bahá’í education of children are available with trained teachers to help the friends pursue these cornerstone ideals.

Care (kar) n. 1. A burdened state of mind, as that arising from heavy responsibilities; worry.

Firmness in the Covenant

The House of Justice emphasizes that upholding the authority of the administrative institutions is a key element in the process of entry by troops. Believers can reinforce their spiritual discipline in this regard by striving to gain a deeper understanding of the role and purpose of the administration and by strengthening their firmness in the Covenant. This effort is essential to success in the Four Year Plan and constitutes one of our greatest cares. Attacks on the Covenant increased during the Three Year Plan. A few members of the community launched coordinated campaigns of ridicule of the Bahá’í judicial process, accusations of abuse of power among Bahá’í institutions, attempts to influence the Bahá’í electoral process, and allegations of financial misconduct in the management of the World Congress. The questions they raised and the complaints they made did not, in and of themselves, pose a problem. Our concerns are based on the partisan marshaling of various groups to bring pressure on the institutions and the intemperate criticism they employed.

In a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, he states: "Vicious criticism is indeed a calamity. But its root is lack of faith in the system of Bahá’u’lláh, i.e., the Administrative Order—and lack of obedience to Him—for He has forbidden it!" Shoghi Effendi warned that the American Bahá’í community is "unavoidably approaching a testing period, crucial, prolonged, potent, purifying, clearly envisaged by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, different from but recalling in its severity the ordeals which afflicted the dawn-breakers in a former Age." He promised that the "anticipated trials will enable its members to plumb greater depths of consecration, soar to nobler heights of collective endeavor, and disclose in fuller measure the future glory of their destiny."

Spiritual transformation, the acquisition of a deeply spiritual and moral character, which is the essential purpose of the Bahá’í Faith, "lies in the will and effort of the individual to achieve it in obedience to the Covenant." Its requirements are daily prayer, regular reading and study of the Holy Word, and humble submission to the laws of Bahá’u’lláh. Consistent attention to the rigorous disciplines of inner transformation will expand greatly the capacity of the community, its institutions and its members to resolve successfully the inevitable conflicts that will arise in the course of our development.

The Funds

Contributions to the Funds grew by approximately 150 percent during the Three Year Plan. In an admirable demonstration of devotion and sacrifice, the friends contributed more than $21 million to the Arc, a response to the appeal of the Universal House of Justice presented during the visit of Mr. ‘Alí Nakhjavání, a member and its representative for that historic tour.

A sharply reduced national budget enabled the National Fund to achieve its minimal requirements and reduce its debt by $1.6 million. Over the past several years chronic deficits in the National Bahá’í Fund severely constrained the national administration. The result was a growing debt and annual work force reductions that translated into insufficient staff to keep pace with the scope of work. Moreover, funds had not been available to provide regular cost-of-living adjustments for many years. This year the National Assembly granted staff a 3 percent cost-of-living increase, the first in eight years.

The National Assembly is concerned that we cannot achieve entry by troops without the funds necessary to manage the increasing workload of the national community. The House of Justice has said that "the magnitude of the tasks the Bahá’í community is being summoned to perform during the Four Year Plan will call for a considerable outlay of funds." Moreover, the basic requirements of administering the affairs of the Bahá’í community and maintaining its properties must be met. Although a better balance of centralization and decentralization of the national administration will greatly assist our efforts, this too will require funds to carry out.

During the Three Year Plan, the number of individual believers and Spiritual Assemblies contributing to the National Fund rose. Contributions from the friends increased by 22 percent, and 1,077 of 1,363 Spiritual Assemblies supported the Fund. These important indications of the devotion and maturity of the local institutions and of the believers encourage our confidence in the resolve of the community to meet the expanding needs of its own operations.

The pattern of increasing support for the Funds is important not only because it meets the financial requirements of the Faith but also because it strengthens the sense of belonging and advances the spiritual transformation of the friends. The House of Justice explains that "it is important for the National Spiritual Assemblies to work out ways and means of creating a sense of belonging in the hearts of the believers. One of the ways this can be done is to bring to their attention the needs of the Fund. The National Assembly should neither feel embarrassed nor ashamed in turning to the friends, continuously appealing to them to exemplify their faith and devotion to the Cause by sacrificing for it, and pointing out to them that they will grow spiritually through their acts of self-abnegation."

Equality and oneness

The Guardian emphatically stated that the future growth and prestige of the Faith are dependent on the manner in which we Bahá’ís carry out, among ourselves and in the larger community, the high standards of interracial unity and genuine love so fearlessly demonstrated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Freedom from racial prejudice is the "supreme injunction of Bahá’u’lláh" and the "hallmark of a true Bahá’í character." "If we relax in our purpose," states Shoghi Effendi, "if we falter in our faith, if we neglect the varied opportunities given us from time to time by an all-wise and gracious Master, we are not merely failing in what is our most vital and conspicuous obligation, but are thereby insensibly retarding the flow of those quickening energies which can alone insure the vigorous and speedy development of God's struggling Faith."

The eradication of all prejudices, the fostering of race unity, and the establishment of true equality between women and men are, according to Shoghi Effendi, among the most essential spiritual prerequisites to the success of any plan. Race unity work became a routine part of Bahá’í community life during the Three Year Plan. Our community is increasingly recognized as a national leader in promoting race unity. Such recognition brings with it the need to redouble those efforts because the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh is the only means for unifying our nation. Likewise, it is critical that our work on the status of women and equality be reinforced, lest we lose pivotal opportunities for the development of the Bahá’í community and the transformation of our society.

Work on the Statement on Women continues. At the outset of the Plan, the National Assembly issued through The American Bahá’í a national call for papers on women and equality. Submissions were evaluated by the Research Office, the best of which were reviewed by the National Assembly. A list of key elements was drawn up and sent to dozens of Bahá’ís with expertise in the field who were asked to draft papers for the National Assembly's consideration. A conference was convened entitled "Women in Bahá’í Perspective," and two retreats were held to examine the issues. A task force was appointed to compose a draft of the statement, which is not yet ready for publication. This goal, although not completed during the Three Year Plan, will be carried over to the next Plan.

World Congress

At the request of the Universal House of Justice, the National Spiritual Assembly assumed responsibility for the logistics and financial aspects of the second Bahá’í World Congress, held in 1992, to meet the needs of the 30,000 believers from more than 200 countries who attended. Approximately 17,000 participants used the arranged hotel packages and 6,000 the transportation. After careful reconciliation of the hotel charges, the National Assembly won a $340,000 reduction of the final payment.

After the Congress a few thousand of the friends had not paid their bills, resulting in a debt to the International Fund of $1,700,000. Several efforts were made to contact the friends, advise them of their debt, and encourage them to remit the balance due or begin installment payments. The fourth and final invoice was sent in February 1995. We are happy to report that funds have been collected from all but a few hundred people.

Following the Congress the National Assembly received 586 telephone and written requests for help from participants who experienced problems with their air or hotel arrangements. Each complaint was painstakingly reviewed and resolved.

All funds received from airlines and participants and any savings realized from settlements with hotels and the travel agency were routinely forwarded to the World Center. Audited reports of World Congress financial results have been submitted regularly to the Universal House of Justice. This year the final report was submitted to the Supreme Body, and the books were closed.

Conclusion

Dear friends, the Universal House of Justice has described the few short years that separate us from the close of the century as a "period of both spiritual potency and immense opportunity." No doubt it will be a period of unprecedented challenge and sacrifice. In light of the difficult task we face, we reiterate these encouraging words of the Supreme Body's letter of May 19, 1994:

"Your capacity to respond will match any challenge that may confront you in these troubled times; you have only to act on principle. Your community's past has been glorious; its future is great beyond calculation. The divine promises to your community are certain; the blessings of Bahá’u’lláh are assured as you strive to fulfill His purpose. The wings of the beloved Master remain spread over you that you may succeed in discharging the tasks He has especially entrusted to your care. And our love surrounds you and your cherished community, growing stronger every minute. Step forward then to meet the requirements of the hour with undiminished hope and confidence."

Highlights of the Three Year Plan

The National Spiritual Assembly's external affairs activities during the Three Year Plan were characterized primarily by the interaction of two major elements, one internal to the Bahá’í community and one external to the Bahá’í community. First, in 1994, the Universal House of Justice gave further direction to the external affairs work of the Faith by presenting a global strategy that encouraged National Spiritual Assemblies in collaboration with the Bahá’í International Community "to increase the intensity and range of the activities" in the areas of human rights, the status of women, global prosperity and moral development. Second, the influence of civil society upon the policies of national governments and the United Nations was enhanced significantly by the active participation of non-governmental organizations in a series of international conferences called by the United Nations. The National Spiritual Assembly and its staff engaged in the external affairs issues enumerated by the House of Justice through participation in UN conferences and in networks of like-minded organizations. In addition, the staff worked on issues such as the strengthening of the United Nations, developing international human rights law, UN reform, and United States obligations and participation in the United Nations.

A paramount concern and activity of the National Spiritual Assembly remains the defense of the Iranian Bahá’ís and Bahá’ís in other Muslim countries. Regular meetings with government officials, continued assistance to Bahá’í refugees, and work on two more Congressional Resolutions on the Iranian Bahá’í situation took place during the Three Year Plan. The celebration of Ridván 1995 was followed closely by the success of the exhibit "Defending Re- [Page 30]

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"religious Liberty" featured at the Cannon Rotunda of the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. The exhibit and related events represented nearly 15 years of continuous work to inform the political and human rights leadership in the U.S. about the persecution of the Iranian Bahá’í community and of the Bahá’í community's activities and fundamental beliefs.

The National Spiritual Assembly also made major strides in its development of a national public information network; distributed the Bahá’í statements on race unity and global prosperity; and asked selected local Spiritual Assemblies to present "The Promise of World Peace" and "The Vision of Race Unity" to selected members of Congress.

During the Three Year Plan the National Spiritual Assembly sent representatives to the UN World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, the UN Social Summit in Copenhagen, and the UN Fourth World Conference for Women in Beijing. It participated in activities commemorating the International Year of the Family and the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. It also assumed a leadership role in the effort for U.S. ratification of the UN Convention on Racial Discrimination and the UN Convention on Discrimination Against Women.

The Bahá’í International Community released a significant document entitled "Turning Point for All Nations" for the 50th anniversary commemorations of the UN in October 1995. In view of the approach of the political peace among nations and of the role the United States is destined to play in establishing world peace, as promised by Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the National Spiritual Assembly asked selected local Spiritual Assemblies to present in person or by mail the "Turning Point" to all members of Congress.

The National Spiritual Assembly's offices in Washington, D.C., and New York also continued to educate the Bahá’í community in the external affairs work of the Faith. They encouraged Bahá’ís in local communities to become involved in external affairs activities within their communities and provided guidance on collaborating with other groups. Local Bahá’ís were encouraged to contact organizations of civil society and to participate in activities of social transformation. Bahá’ís also were encouraged to use their talents and interests to serve the external affairs work of the Faith.

Reflecting the confusion of the American public regarding the role of the United States in the international arena, several Bahá’ís expressed anxiety to the National Spiritual Assembly about the Bahá’í commitment to world order and international treaties. In response, the National Assembly decided to develop a range of materials on the subjects of world order, world citizenship and world government to augment the specific guidance requested by individuals and local Spiritual Assemblies.

Messages from the House of Justice

In its Ridván 1993 letter the Universal House of Justice stated that during the course of the Three Year Plan "the World Center will attend to coordinating widely diverse activities throughout the planet, giving further direction to the external affairs of the Faith as the Bahá’í International Community is drawn more deeply into dealing with world issues."

In October 1994 the House of Justice sent to all National Spiritual Assemblies an external affairs strategy paper "to guide the global activities of the community for the immediate future." The paper, prepared by a committee at the request of the House of Justice, states that the purpose of worldwide external affairs efforts will be "to influence the processes toward world peace...[to] concentrate on human rights, the status of women, global prosperity and moral development...[and] to defend the Faith, as in the case of the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran."

The National Spiritual Assembly's external affairs efforts to date have concentrated on human rights, the status of women, sustainable development and UN reform.

The Universal House of Justice also wrote a letter to the National Spiritual Assembly in July 1994 responding to questions about external affairs that the Assembly had raised during its visit to Haifa in March of that year. The letter stated in part that the House of Justice places great importance on the external affairs work in Washington because "the relations you have built up over the years with the various branches of your national government and with important organizations are of inestimable value to the Bahá’í world and are of particular relevance to efforts to defend and protect the Faith in different lands."

In its Ridván 1995 letter the Universal House of Justice wrote that "We feel both concern and hope in the face of the despair besetting leaders of nations and peoples in their search for solutions to pressing social problems. Indeed, such desperation is tantamount to a worldwide cry for the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, truly a challenge and a promise no conscientious Bahá’í institution or individual can ignore.

"No occasion has more sharply conveyed this melancholy outlook than the recent World Summit for Social Development, the latest in a series of international gatherings of world leaders called by the United Nations. But however little may be the immediate influence of such events...their successive occurrence indicates to any Bahá’í observer a gradual movement toward the ultimate fulfillment of the will of Bahá’u’lláh that the rulers of nations meet to consult and decide on the outstanding issues confronting an increasingly global society.

"...As such world events take place with greater frequency and the Bahá’í community pursues its goals with increased intensity, we can see more clearly the drawing closer together of the parallel processes about which Shoghi Effendi wrote several decades ago: the one leading to the political union of nations, the other to the ultimate union of hearts in one common faith."

Defense of the Bahá’ís in Iran

Under the direction of the Universal House of Justice, the National Spiritual Assembly has continued the task of defending the human rights of the Bahá’í communities in Iran and other Muslim countries. While the situation of the individual Bahá’ís in Iran has improved over the last three years, the Bahá’í community as a whole is still repressed and will continue to be endangered as long as it is not accorded legitimacy by the government of Iran.

The National Spiritual Assembly's secretary for external affairs, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, visited Washington, D.C., regularly to keep officials informed of the latest news from Iran. The National Assembly's public relations consultant, Marjorie Sonnenfeldt, entered her 15th year of assisting the National Spiritual Assembly in the defense of the Iranian Bahá’í community.

In February 1996 the National Spiritual Assembly learned that a Bahá’í in Yazd, Iran, Mr. Zabihullah Mahrami, had been sentenced to death for apostasy by the Islamic Revolutionary Court in that city. Under the direction of the Bahá’í International Community several National Assemblies, including the United States, informed the media of the death sentence and urged their respective governments to protest vigorously the death sentence. Within days Reuters, Agence France Presse, and PRNewswire carried stories about the Mahrami case.

The secretary for external affairs visited officials in the State Department and the White House to ask that the U.S. government publicly condemn the verdict. The visits to the government officials coincided with an appointment with Sen. Nancy Kassebaum of Kansas who was the principal Senate sponsor of the most recent congressional resolution condemning the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran. The Voice of America broadcast into Iran an interview with Sen. Kassebaum and Dr. Kazemzadeh about the Bahá’í resolution in the Senate and the Mahrami case. On February 15 the U.S. Department of State released a statement that strongly condemned the death sentence and called upon the Government of Iran to release Mr. Mahrami and to "cease its persecution of the Bahá’í and other religious minorities."

In a remarkable turn of events the National Spiritual Assembly learned on February 23 that the Supreme Court of Iran had set aside the verdict of death pronounced against Mr. Mahrami. Significantly, the Iranian Supreme Court referred the case to a lower civil court instead of a revolutionary court.

The Office of Public Information sent out news releases to the public information representative network about Mr. Mahrami's conviction and of the action taken by the Iranian Supreme Court. At the time of this annual report, Mr. Mahrami remained in prison in Yazd, and his fate was uncertain.

In May 1995 the National Spiritual Assembly hosted a reception that opened an exhibit entitled "Defending Religious Liberty" for more than 200 guests at the Cannon Rotunda in Washington, D.C. The exhibit featured eight large panels set between 18 Corinthian marble columns that frame the circular rotunda. The exhibit documented America's and other nations' responses to Iran's repression of the Bahá’í community. It was sponsored by Reps. John Edward Porter of Illinois and Tom Lantos of California, who are co-chairmen of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus. At the reception the National Assembly presented the Bahá’í humanitarian award to Reps. Ben Gilman of New York and Lee Hamilton of Indiana. The award recipients and Rep. Porter addressed the gathering. In addition to the members of Congress, guests included officials from the State Department and Voice of America as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations. Reps. Fortney "Pete" Stark of California and Christopher Smith of New Jersey submitted remarks into the Congressional Record in support of the exhibit and the Washington Post published a brief article and picture about the exhibit in its weekly religion section.

On June 6, 1995, the Universal House of Justice wrote to the National Assembly, "We have been asked to express the immense pleasure of the House of Justice at the wonderful success you have achieved and to congratulate you warmly for having pulled off the bold feat of simultaneously putting on an exhibit at such a prestigious address as the Cannon Congressional Office Building, holding a reception and offering the Bahá’í Humanitarian Award to prominent congressmen in the presence of a distinguished audience and in the gaze of the media. The fact that Congressman John Porter requested that the time of the exhibit be extended by one week was a mark of its outstanding appeal. Once again, through your courageous effort, the rights of our beleaguered friends in Iran were effectively defended and the Cause of God appropriately proclaimed at high levels of American society....

The National Spiritual Assembly also hosted a reception at the House of Worship in Wilmette in November featuring the exhibit, which the Assembly intends to display in Foundation Hall for several years. More than 120 people attended including a representative of Congressman Porter and State Sen. Kathy Parker. The Chicago Tribune covered the reception and exhibit along with the Evanston and Wilmette papers.

In September 1995 Rep. Porter invited members of the House of Representatives to co-sponsor House Congressional Resolution 102, "a resolution condemning Iran's ongoing repression of its Bahá’í community, Iran's largest religious minority group." In November 1995 Sen. Nancy Kassebaum of Kansas invited members of the Senate to co-sponsor Senate Concurrent Resolution 42, which was identical to the House resolution. The resolutions were the seventh congressional resolutions since 1982 in defense of the rights of the Iranian Bahá’í community. Both Houses of Congress were expected to vote on the resolutions in early 1996.

In Wilmette the Bahá’í Refugee Office, under the coordination of its director, Puran Stevens, continued to assist U.S.-bound refugees and to obtain humanitarian parole for urgent medical cases. The director of the Refugee Office worked with officials at the U.S. State and Justice Departments as well as with the UN High Commission on Refugees office in Washington, D.C., to help shape national and international policy toward U.S.-bound Iranian refugees and asylum seekers. The office was instrumental in helping to promote new regulatory language adopted by the U.S. Congress that modified U.S. immigration law.

In December 1995 the National Spiritual Assembly was one of more than 100 organizations and individuals that sent a letter to the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee about pending legislation on asylum.

In 1995 the status of U.S.-bound Iranian Bahá’í refugees in Pakistan and Turkey was placed in greater jeopardy due to agreements reached in 1994 [Page 31]between the governments of Pakistan and Turkey with Iran. The Office communicated regularly with liaisons appointed by the National Spiritual Assemblies of Pakistan and Turkey to assist in the processing of Bahá’í refugees.

The Refugee Office responded to daily inquiries from the relatives of Bahá’í refugees, as well as from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and immigration attorneys, regarding Iranian and other Bahá’í refugee policies, procedures and cases. In addition, the Office worked with asylum and humanitarian parole cases from Iran and other Muslim countries. The Bahá’í Refugee Office received several awards for its service to refugee communities including two from the Illinois State Coordinator for Refugees.

Background

Support for selected UN activities and collaboration with other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that take part in UN fora has proven to be the greatest avenue for Bahá’í entree into external affairs activities at the national level. Since its initial support in 1985 for the U.S. ratification of the UN Convention on Genocide, the National Assembly has expanded its activities by working on the preparation for the UN conferences on the environment and development, human rights, social development, and women. In recent years its staff has held positions of responsibility within networks and committees that promote international issues and UN activities. The U.S. National Assembly, one of the strongest pillars of the Bahá’í International Community, reinforces its activities in the international arena. In fact, the BIC and the National Assembly collaborate with many of the same organizations.

Support for international issues such as the status of women, the environment, and the ratification of international treaties allows the National Assembly not only to promote principles that are fundamental Bahá’í teachings but also to exemplify by word and action Bahá’í concepts such as unity, consultation and partnership between women and men. As the Universal House of Justice stated in its Ridván 1990 message, "increasing calls will be made upon our community to assist, through advice and practical measures, in solving critical social problems. It is a service we will gladly render, but this means that our local and National Spiritual Assemblies must adhere more scrupulously to principle." Such adherence also protects the institutions in the increasingly divisive and partisan atmosphere in which the external affairs work is conducted.

During the Three Year Plan, the U.S. UN office encouraged selected local Spiritual Assemblies to plan activities to support the UN International Year of the Family, the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations, and the Fourth World Conference on Women. Bahá’ís were also encouraged to participate in UN-related activities through articles published in The American Bahá’í and at the permanent Bahá’í schools. During 1995, 80 Bahá’ís from 20 states participated in 10 regional meetings sponsored by the U.S. Labor Department in preparation for the Beijing Conference on Women. One hundred-thirty U.S. Bahá’ís attended the Fourth World Conference on Women, many of whom have since participated in follow up activities to implement the decisions made at the Conference at the grassroots level.

Fourth World Conference on Women

After nearly two years of preparation more than 17,000 people took part in the Fourth World Conference on Women (September 4-15) in Beijing, China, and more than 30,000 participants, including 600 Bahá’ís from more than 60 countries, gathered at the parallel NGO Forum (August 30-September 8) in Huairou.

The National Assembly's Washington and New York offices had prepared extensively for the Women's Conference. The New York offices collaborated with the BIC Office to produce public information materials, including a survey that measured the participation of women in the Bahá’í community, and assisted with the publication The Greatness Which Might Be Theirs. The U.S. UN representative, Rebequa Murphy, helped organize Bahá’í volunteers and develop the Bahá’í program at the Forum. The U.S. UN office also provided guidance to the 130 American Bahá’ís who attended the Conference and to local Bahá’í communities who found opportunities to take part in local Beijing-related activities.

In Washington, D.C., the deputy director for external affairs, Kit Cosby, was one of three co-chairs of the Working Group on Human Rights of Women (WGHRW), which consisted of a variety of NGOs and university professors from around the United States. The WGHRW analyzed the Platform for Action, provided U.S. government officials with recommended language on human rights for that document, and worked with relevant State Department officials to prepare for the Conference. In addition, Ms. Cosby met monthly with the U.S. Network for the United Nations Fourth World Conference On Women And Beyond, a group of several NGOs with different interests that worked on the UN Conference and subsequent follow-up activities.

The National Assembly also contributed $500 to Women Empowering Women of Indian Nations (WEWIN) to help finance the trips of three American Indian women to the Women's Conference.

Bahá’í participation in the Conference and the NGO Forum was coordinated by the Bahá’í International Community Office for the Advancement of Women. National Spiritual Assembly member Judge Dorothy Nelson was one of five representatives of the Bahá’í International Community delegation. The U.S. National Spiritual Assembly was represented at the UN Conference by National Assembly member Patricia Locke and by Ms. Cosby. Ms. Cosby and Ms. Murphy were the representatives of the National Assembly to the NGO Forum.

While in Beijing, the National Assembly representatives worked with U.S. government officials and NGO representatives on sections of the Platform for Action, the UN document from the Conference. Ms. Locke was elected chairman of the Indigenous Women's Caucus, which met each day to discuss aspects of the Platform for Action reflecting points made in the "Beijing Declaration on Indigenous Women." Ms. Cosby collaborated with other organizations and met daily with U.S. government officials on several human rights concerns with the document. She also participated in a panel at the NGO Forum sponsored by the National Council of Negro Women. U.S. Bahá’í representatives attended a reception hosted by the Bahá’í International Community at the Great Wall Sheraton Hotel. More than 300 guests from over 30 countries attended.

Since the Conference Ms. Murphy and Ms. Cosby have taken part in several events that highlighted the issues of the Conference and implementation of the Platform for Action. In addition, the U.S. UN representative continued to encourage local Bahá’í communities to work with other organizations in implementing the UN document at the grassroots level.

United Nations anniversary (UN 50)

The Bahá’í International Community and the National Spiritual Assembly collaborated on activities for UN 50, which took place in San Francisco in June 1995 and in New York City in October 1995.

In June the Bahá’í International Community, the National Spiritual Assembly, and the Bahá’ís of the San Francisco Bay area hosted and attended several commemorative events. Techeste Ahderom, the main representative of the Bahá’í International Community, and Dr. Kazemzadeh attended an interfaith service at Grace Cathedral as official Bahá’í representatives. Mildred Mottahedeh and National Assembly member Judge James Nelson were among the invited guests who also included President Clinton and UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali. The Bahá’í Choir of Northern California sang at the service and a Bahá’í chanted in Persian a prayer by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Judge Nelson represented the National Spiritual Assembly at a meeting addressed by President Clinton at the San Francisco War Memorial Opera, where the UN Charter had been signed 50 years earlier. Ms. Cosby attended the same event as a member of the United Nations Association's National Council representing the National Assembly.

The Bahá’ís of the San Francisco Bay area prepared music, lectures and discussions at the San Francisco Bahá’í Center. Local Bahá’í representatives served on the planning committee for the interfaith service held at Grace Cathedral. Trish Swanson, director of the Office of Public Information, and Ms. Murphy collaborated with the Bahá’í International Community on the design and production of a UN50 exhibit, which was installed at the San Francisco Bahá’í center. The U.S. UN Office also encouraged Bahá’í schools, college clubs and local communities to use a smaller, table-top version of the UN50 exhibit. The director of the Office of Public Information assisted the San Francisco Bahá’ís with the final preparations for the Bahá’í UN50 events and did the final work on getting the press materials to the San Francisco press.

While in San Francisco, three members of the National Spiritual Assembly's staff also attended the conference "We the People," which discussed the present and future role of NGOs in the UN system. Ms. Cosby was on a panel on human rights. Ms. Murphy also attended a meeting held by the Action Coalition for Global Change to discuss the establishment of a "people's assembly" at the UN.

In October 1995 the Bahá’í International Community released "Turning Point For All Nations" and hosted a symposium on Global Governance, which coincided with the opening of the 50th session of the UN General Assembly. The U.S. UN representative and her assistant, Carl Murrell, assisted the Bahá’í International Community in preparing the "Turning Point" and the symposium and also served on an interfaith committee that held a series of activities in New York around United Nations Day.

Second World Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II)

The Bahá’í International Community has encouraged National Assemblies to participate in the UN Conference on Human Settlements, also called Habitat II, to be held in June 1996 in Istanbul. The conference will focus on the problems and concerns of cities and on human settlements in general.

The National Spiritual Assembly is one of several members of the U.S. Network for Habitat II, which is preparing for U.S. participation in Habitat II. Peter Adriance, the National Assembly's NGO liaison, and Ms. Cosby served on the Network's Administrative Committee. The NGO liaison was also co-chair of the Working Group on Documents, which is responsible for facilitating U.S. NGO input into the official conference documents and NGO statements. In addition, the U.S. UN representative worked with the New York Host Committee for Habitat II.

In October 1995 Bahá’í representatives at the Washington and New York offices met with the project coordinator of the Bahá’í Office for Habitat II in Istanbul and the director of the Bahá’í International Community Office of the Environment to discuss Bahá’í participation in Habitat II, the experience of the U.S. National Assembly in the formation of the U.S. Network for Habitat II, and the role of NGOs in the UN conference process.

Ms. Murphy, Mr. Adriance, and Ms. Cosby attended the Third Preparatory Committee for Habitat II in New York in February 1995. The U.S. UN Office worked extensively with the organizers of the Women's Caucus and made arrangements with the Bahá’í International Community to offer the U.S. Network for Habitat II the use of Bahá’í office facilities during the entire two-week Conference. The documents group of the U.S. Network had compiled a set of NGO amendments for the Habitat Agenda, the official UN conference document that was used extensively by the U.S. delegation appointed by the President to attend Habitat II. A specific recommendation offered by the National Spiritual Assembly about responsible citizenship, developed under the guidance of the Bahá’í International Community, went through the UN negotiation process and appeared among the U.S. proposals. The deputy director for external affairs hosted a meeting at the Bahá’í office in New York at which the top U.S. government delegation officials attended to discuss housing and human rights with interested NGOs.

The U.S. UN Office also collaborated with the Washington Office to encourage Bahá’í participation in 10 U.S. regional town meetings that were organized by the Network for Habitat II. [Page 32]

U.S. ratification and implementation of UN human rights treaties

The deputy director for external affairs chaired, and with her assistant, Jeffery Huffines, attended meetings of the General Human Rights Working Group, which has supported ratification of the UN human rights treaties since the Genocide Convention in the mid-1980s. Current treaties under consideration include the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Covenant on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights. The commitments made by the U.S. Government at the Women's Conference in Beijing included ratification of the Women's Convention and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

In July 1995 Ms. Cosby, on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly, and Patricia Rengel, chief counsel of Amnesty International U.S.A., assumed coordination of national organizational support to ratify the Women's Convention, as requested by the representative of B'nai B'rith Women who had done so for over a decade until her retirement.

The Bahá’í office coordinated an NGO sign-on letter to all U.S. Senators urging prompt ratification of the Convention. The letter was endorsed by more than 100 organizations.

Ms. Cosby spoke at numerous conferences about ratification of the Women's Convention, including a Stanley Foundation post-Beijing conference in Davenport, Iowa; the Feminist Expo in Washington, D.C.; and the Beijing Network follow-up conference in December 1995. She also spoke to graduate classes from the University of Washington and The American University.

The Washington office also gave guidance to local Spiritual Assemblies interested in working with local organizations and citizens to stimulate community interest in the application of the provisions and goals of the Women's Convention.

Working group on implementation of the Race and Torture Conventions

The National Spiritual Assembly's and the Lawyers Committee on Human Rights' Washington offices coordinated NGO efforts to assist the U.S. government to prepare its first reports to the relevant UN committees under the UN Conventions on Race and Torture. The reports examined race discrimination and "cruel and unusual punishment" in the United States. The Working Group encouraged more than 150 organizations, including civil rights groups and other nongovernmental organizations, to send their information to the governmental officials who prepared the reports. The U.S. reports for the UN Conventions on Race and Torture are expected in mid-1996.

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

In June 1995 Ms. Cosby, at the request of the Carter Center, met with regional NGOs in Atlanta as a follow-up to the first U.S. government report on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Federal officials spoke to the NGOs about how to work with the U.S. government to help it prepare its next report under the Covenant due in 1998. Ms. Cosby led a workshop on ratification of the UN Women's Convention. Pat Steele, the representative of the National Assembly in Atlanta, also attended the meeting.

Convention on Rights of the Child

The deputy director and her assistant attended meetings of the NGO working group in Washington that supported U.S. ratification of the Children's Convention. This Convention had the most organized opposition in the U.S. against its ratification because it is perceived as being "anti-family" and a threat to parental authority. The National Assembly's external affairs intern in Washington prepared a legal analysis of an article published by a parent's association that opposed support of the Convention.

In February 1996 Mr. Huffines attended a meeting in New York hosted by the International League for Human Rights at the UNICEF office to discuss the intersection between the ratification and implementation of the UN Conventions on women and children.

United Nations Association of U.S.A.

In June 1995 the United Nations Association (UNA) held its national convention in San Francisco in honor of the 50th anniversary of the UN. Judges James and Dorothy Nelson attended an official dinner in honor of presidents of organizations affiliated with the UNA. Members of the external affairs staff from the New York and Washington offices also attended the Convention. Ms. Cosby participated in a panel on human rights. During the past year Mr. Adriance served on the advisory committee that helped to plan the convention.

Also in June 1995 Mr. Adriance began his second year of a two-year term as chairman of the UNA-USA's Council of Organizations in Washington, a group of more than 130 Washington-based organizations with membership in the UNA. Regular monthly meetings of the Council's executive committee were held in the Bahá’í Washington office. As chairman of the Council, Mr. Adriance was also on the UNA-U.S.A. Board of Governors. He attended monthly meetings at the United Nations Information Center where Washington-based representatives of United Nations agencies discussed UN-related concerns. In June Mr. Adriance was chairman of the Council's annual meeting which highlighted UN-related legislation pending in Congress.

In other areas of service to the UNA-U.S.A., staff from the New York and Washington offices continued to serve on the executive committee of the Council of Organizations in New York and on UNA's National Council.

In August 1995 a conference on "The National Assembly on the U.S. and the UN" took place in Washington that was co-sponsored by 100 organizations including the National Spiritual Assembly. Mr. Adriance represented the UNA-U.S.A. Council of Organizations on the conference's planning committee. The Metropolitan Washington Bahá’í Chorale performed at a reception, and two Bahá’ís took part in panel discussions on "Moral, Ethical and Spiritual Values and the UN" and "Religious NGOs and the UN."

In October 1995 Mr. Adriance organized and hosted a meeting of NGO representatives sponsored by the UNA-U.S.A. Council of Organizations that discussed the need for NGO initiatives designed to strengthen U.S. leadership in the UN. The National Assembly was one of 65 organizations that signed a letter delivered to all members of Congress urging the United States to pay its UN dues in full and on time.

In December 1995 Mr. Adriance attended a retreat of the UNA-U.S.A. Board of Governors where he was appointed to committees to develop a strategic long-term plan for UNA and to search for their new CEO.

In March 1996 members of the UNA-U.S.A. Board of Governors, including the National Assembly's NGO liaison, and other UNA members met with more than 150 members of Congress to urge that the United States pay its UN dues on time and to support legislative initiatives that will strengthen America's leadership in the United Nations.

Links with other Bahá’í agencies

During the year the office continued its collaboration with the Louhelen and Green Acre Bahá’í Schools for the systematic education of the Bahá’ís on international issues and UN-related activities. The office sent copies of the Bahá’í International Community's "Turning Point for All Nations" to the schools. Contact continued with World Order magazine, Brilliant Star, the House of Worship, and WLGI Radio in South Carolina.

In January 1996 the U.S. UN representative took part in a conference on "The New World Order in Bahá’í Perspective" organized by the Institute for Bahá’í Studies in Wilmette. Ms. Murphy gave a report on the "Global Teach-In" organized by the International Forum on Globalization that took place in New York in November 1995 and participated in discussions on how to support the external affairs work through the research efforts of Bahá’í scholars and students.

Other U.S. UN activities

The U.S. UN Office followed several issues and the work of a number of committees and working groups at the UN and in the NGO community, such as the NGO Committee on the Department of Public Information, the NGO Committee on Youth, the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, the NGO Committee on Partnership, the U.S. Committee on UNICEF, the U.S. Committee on UNIFEM, and the planning Committee for the UN Environment Program Environmental Sabbath.

Mr. Murrell was asked to serve on the planning committee for the 1996 annual NGO/DPI conference in September.

Working Group on Human Rights of Women (WGHRW)

Following its extensive preparations for the Fourth World Conference on Women, the Working Group on Human Rights of Women (WGHRW), co-chaired by Ms. Cosby, hosted a meeting in October 1995 with relevant government officials to discuss U.S. implementation of the Platform for Action adopted at Beijing. The WGHRW worked closely with the President's Interagency Council on Women, created to coordinate the implementation of the Platform for Action including the U.S. commitments announced at the Conference.

In December 1995 the National Spiritual Assembly, together with 19 other organizations that participate in the WGHRW, sent to U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Madeleine Albright, a letter that set forth a number of concerns about the implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The concerns addressed atrocities and human rights abuses against women committed during the war.

In February 1996 the National Spiritual Assembly and other participants in the WGHRW also signed a letter sent to a U.S. official at the UN Office in Sarajevo responsible for implementing the Dayton Peace Accords addressing the same concerns.

Participating organizations of the WGHRW, including the National Assembly, also wrote a letter to President Clinton in February 1996 that invited the U.S. representative to the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and other relevant officials to a meeting to prepare for the CSW session in March. Ms. Cosby and Ms. Murphy attended the CSW session in New York, which focused on laying the groundwork for ensuring the implementation of the Platform for Action.

Ms. Cosby continued to participate in the Washington Coalition on Human Rights, in monthly meetings of directors of Washington-based human rights organizations, and in briefings held at the State Department by the Assistant Secretary for Human Rights on subjects such as religious intolerance, Bosnia, and the UN Commission on Human Rights.

Other status of women activities

Because of the National Spiritual Assembly's involvement in the advancement of the rights of women, the deputy director for external affairs attended two events at the White House hosted by the First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton. At the April 1995 briefing Mrs. Clinton recounted her travel experiences learning about the lives of women in South Asia. In January 1996 the First Lady addressed an audience involved in the restoration of civil society in Bosnia. During a conversation in the receiving line after the January event, Mrs. Clinton expressed to Ms. Cosby her concern for the Bahá’ís in Iran and their continued persecution.

Public Information

The Office of Public Information (OPI) assisted the communications media in a variety of projects throughout the year. Media requests for assistance came from such sources as CNN for a television special on religion in America; Oxford Films of the U.K. to set up interviews and filming of the House of Worship; the Lynchburg, Virginia, public school system for materials to use on its education cable television station; Gannett Papers; and authors of books such as The Joy of Sects, as well as journalists from Tower Air and Hinduism Today. In September 1995, at the request of the Israeli consulate in Chicago, the director of OPI prepared and issued press materials on the occasion of the visit of the mayor of Haifa to the House of Worship.

Ms. Swanson was re-elected chairman of the New [Page 33]

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York City chapter of the Religious Public Relations Council.

PI Representative network

There are currently 1,240 local public information representatives. The director of OPI held 10 regional meetings for public information representatives throughout the country and conducted training sessions at Bosch Bahá’í School and the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute. Similar meetings were scheduled at the other permanent Bahá’í schools. The office, in collaboration with Media Services and other Bahá’í media professionals, produced a training video for public information representatives that will be available in the summer of 1996. In addition, the office informed the public information network about the re-establishment of the public information section of the Bahá’í Bulletin Board System where messages and public information materials can be sent and received.

Other public information activities

In collaboration with the Washington and U.S. UN Offices, the office coordinated the regular distribution of 300 copies of each issue of World Order magazine to government, NGO and media contacts. As a result, black-owned newspapers in Memphis, Chicago and Detroit reprinted the article published in the Summer 1995 issue of World Order, "Robert S. Abbott and the Chicago Defender: A Door to the Masses." In addition, Dr. Michael Penn's "Violence Against Women and Girls," published in the Spring 1995 issue, was reprinted in a large compilation used in the program on "Public Right, Private Injustice: International Sanctioned Violence Against Women" at the annual meeting of the American Bar Association in Chicago in August 1995. The office also worked with public information representatives in selected cities throughout the U.S. to present World Order to prominent people in their communities.

The office arranged for Bahá’í radio interviews in Chicago, Detroit and other locations and prepared and sent the obituary for Tony Pelle, former public information officer for the National Spiritual Assemblies of the Bahá’ís of the United States and the Hawaiian Islands, to wire services and national media outlets.

In September 1995 Ms. Swanson attended a media colloquium at Bosch Bahá’í school organized by a number of individuals to explore ways in which visual media can be used to bring the Faith to the attention of the public. An international association was formed as an outcome of the colloquium. A number of individuals with varied skills were identified who may be of assistance to the work of the office.

The office collaborated with the organizers of the 19th annual Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies in San Francisco and of the National Youth Conference in Dallas to handle media issues and worked with area public information representatives to ensure media coverage of the conferences. The office also worked with Bahá’ís in Denver and Phoenix to prepare a story on Bahá’í youth workshops to be presented to the media in a number of cities.

Race unity activities

In July 1995 the National Spiritual Assembly asked 84 local Spiritual Assemblies to present the race unity and peace statements to the new members of 104th Congress.

Dr. Carole Miller and Pat Steele continued their work as representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly to the Martin Luther King Center and the King Federal Holiday Commission. The Bahá’í representatives were involved with local and national institutions such as the Georgia Human Relations Commission and Interfaith Advisory Council, the Committee of Religion for the Atlanta Project of the Carter Presidential Center, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Assembly.

Although plans are under way to phase out the duties of the King Holiday Commission, Dr. Robert Henderson and Dr. Miller were reappointed as commissioners for one more year. Dr. Miller was on the awards committee for the Martin Luther King Holiday and helped organize a recognition luncheon in Washington, D.C., in March 1996.

Ms. Steele and Dr. Miller helped the King Center prepare for the King Holiday activities in Atlanta in January 1996 which included coordination of the program "Prayers Around the World," coordination of the multicultural committee for the "Celebrate Difference" program for 3,000 school children, and preparations for the Martin Luther King March. Mrs. Coretta Scott King publicly acknowledged her appreciation for Bahá’í service during the "Prayers Around the World" program. The King Center did not organize a parade this year. Dr. Jack McCants was the featured speaker at the Martin Luther King March and the "Prayers Around the World" program.

Ms. Steele has solicited collaboration from various officials of the Atlanta Project and the Carter Center in the public presentation of the National Assembly's "Models of Unity" survey undertaken in Atlanta.

The two National Assembly representatives took part in the Gandhi Day observance sponsored by the Indian Cultural Center in Atlanta.

In June 1995 the U.S. UN representative delivered a keynote address on "Human Rights and Race Unity," which was co-sponsored by the city of Huntsville, Alabama, and the Huntsville Bahá’í community.

In November 1995 Ms. Swanson was invited by the Bahá’ís of Laguna Niguel, California, to speak at a religious diversity fair sponsored by the National Conference (of Christians and Jews) at the University of California.

Sustainable development

Since 1993 the deputy director for external affairs has been a member of the board of directors of the Global Tomorrow Coalition (GTC) as a representative of the National Spiritual Assembly. Ms. Cosby served as a national co-chair of the GTC annual dinner in June 1995 and took part in an event in October 1995 that celebrated the organization's 14-year effort to advance a broad understanding of sustainable development by establishing a unique partnership between government, NGOs and corporations. The Global Tomorrow Coalition closed at the end of 1995.

Throughout the year the National Assembly's NGO liaison continued his involvement with the U.S. Citizens Network for Sustainable Development through periodic conference calls that discussed progress on the report of the President's Council on Sustainable Development and activities related to the UN Commission on Sustainable Development.

In June 1995 the NGO liaison spoke at a World Bank "Values in Development" breakfast where he gave a Bahá’í perspective on development and shared his personal reflections as a Bahá’í. Also in June the U.S. UN representative gave a keynote address at the International Conference on Youth and the Environment in Denver, Colorado, attended by about 600 youth from around the world. In August 1995 the National Spiritual Assembly was one of 14 co-sponsors of a luncheon hosted by the International Center for Research on Women to publicize the release of the UN Human Development Report 1995.

Southeast Asian Bahá’í refugees

In addition to its work with Iranian Bahá’í refugees, the Bahá’í Refugee Office in Wilmette continued to locate Southeast Asian Bahá’í refugees living in the U.S, and to assist their cultural integration and spiritual development through a nationwide network of Bahá’í "helpers." The office hosted the fourth annual Southeast Asian community builders roundtable discussion conference in California that brought together Southeast Asian community leaders and Bahá’í "helpers" for consultation on teaching and consolidation efforts. The Refugee Office continued to publish quarterly the Southeast Asian Helpers Bulletin to help Bahá’ís who are working with the Southeast Asian community. In addition, the Office produced 48 new Bahá’í materials in Southeast Asian languages including two new video tapes in Southeast Asian and English languages.

Approximately 119 Southeast Asian Bahá’ís were enrolled in the U.S. Bahá’í community this year. The office arranged for a Malaysian Bahá’í to provide a year of service to a large Southeast Asian Bahá’í community. Ms. Stevens visited four sites where large numbers of Southeast Asian Bahá’ís reside and assisted in the formation of a local Spiritual Assembly in Fall River, Massachusetts, which includes eight Cambodian members.

Olympic Interfaith Advisory Committee

The two representatives in Atlanta continued their work on the Olympic Interfaith Advisory Committee that discussed the role of religion in support of the Olympic Games. The committee prepared religious activities and support services for the 1996 Olympics. Ms. Steele served on the Interfaith Steering Committee and worked with the Religious Service Coordinator to review and select pastoral associates who will serve the athletes inside the Olympic Village. Ms. Steele was appointed as a pastoral associate. Ms. Steele was also instrumental in designing a logo for the Olympic Religious Center.

Financial review of Year Three: Triumph and test

The third and last year of the Three Year Plan saw historic progress in the relationship of the American Bahá’í community and the Funds of the Faith. Individual acts of great, even heroic generosity, together with effective budget procedures and a multiyear financial management plan, combined to strengthen the Bahá’í National Fund. The National Spiritual Assembly reduced its debt for the first time in years. The community, responding to the call for the Arc raised by the member and representative of the Universal House of Justice ‘Alí Nakhjavání and by a legion of volunteers across the land, acted with firmness and urgency, and poured out its material means as never before.

At the same time, vital capital improvements at the schools and institutes and in the precincts of the holiest House of Worship were postponed or cut owing to lack of funds. Hiring was held to a minimum, expansion and decentralization of the national administration were delayed, and opportunities were missed.

As the Three Year Plan closes, then, we are confronted by a record of great achievement, from which every participant may take abiding satisfaction. We also face great challenges to our maturity as a community. It is a time of celebration; it is also a time for careful reflection on the needs of the Cause of God in the closing years of the millennium.

Contributions

Offerings for the major Funds of the Faith totaled $34.6 million in fiscal 1996, up 91 percent from the previous year's total of $18.1 million. The Bahá’í National Fund received $29 million of this amount, including $11.1 million in unrestricted contributions to the National Spiritual Assembly, which compares favorably with the $10.4 million in unrestricted gifts received last year. The unrestricted total included one large gift of $550,000, received during the critical early summer months.

The Bahá’í International Fund, also the recipient of a single large gift, closed the year at $1.4 million, some 142 percent higher than in April 1995. The Continental Bahá’í Fund saw only a minor increase, from $228,000 in 1995 to $252,000 this year. Other international earmarked contributions went from $360,000 to $462,000.

The largest increase, of course, took place in the Arc Projects Fund. From just $6.5 million last year, donations for this first priority of the Bahá’í community soared to $21.4 million, or nearly four times the 1995 total. In the month of June 1995 alone, $6.6 million was contributed by the friends, more than all of last year's total.

Estate bequests

In the Fall of 1995, the National Spiritual Assembly received one of the largest bequests in its history, a single gift of $1.3 million. Other planned gifts brought the total of estate bequests to just under $2 million, compared with $495,000 last year. The bulk of these estate funds remain invested and constitute an important reserve for the National Assembly as we embark on the first year of the new Four Year Plan.

Earned revenues

Earned revenues of $3.2 million were well below the $4.1 million budget projection and 11 percent lower than last year. The main factor causing this [Page 34]shortfall was lower than expected sales at the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, which had projected revenues of $2.4 million but realized actual sales of $1.6 million. Tuition revenues at the schools were also down because of lower than average attendance. Important progress was made, however, in obtaining higher-margin rentals from non-Bahá’í customers, particularly at the Louhelen Bahá’í School.

Summary

The total of the contributions, estate bequests and earned revenues, as well as smaller contributions in properties, brought National Fund income to $34.8 million, a 74 percent increase from last year's total that was driven by the higher amounts allocated to the Arc.

Expenses

The single largest outlay of the National Spiritual Assembly went to the International Funds of the Faith: $18.2 million, up 264 percent, or more than three times last year's total.

The general operations of the national administration cost $13.6 million in fiscal 1996, reflecting no change from the total last year and only a 2 percent increase during the whole of the Plan. With inflation averaging about twice that pace over the three-year period, operational outlays by the National Spiritual Assembly have declined steadily.

million, originally budgeted for necessary improvements or repairs, has not gone away, however; it has been postponed. The new budget projects $2.9 million for fiscal 1997.

This is a clock that is ticking away: the longer these projects wait, the more they will cost. The community appears to have made a choice: avoid the cost now, even if it means twice the expense later.

Conclusions on the year

For two of the three years, the Bahá’í National Fund has had operating surpluses-the excess of revenues over operating expenses has gone from just $63,500 in 1994 to $1.2 million in 1996. This victory is a testimony both to the generosity of many of the friends and the care with which these precious resources are managed by the National Spiritual Assembly. To accomplish this, however, the National Assembly has had to operate in a constant atmosphere of austerity, postponing the important and necessary in favor of the critical.

One more word: over-all contributions and expenses for the Three Year Plan.

The upward trend in total giving for all the Funds is dramatic. As already mentioned, over-all contributions increased 91 percent from last year and 114 percent from the first year of the Plan.

Total contributions went from $16.1 million in than $34.6 million this year-a total of $68.8 million April 1994 to $18.1 million in April 1995 and more during the course of the Three Year Plan.

Not surprisingly, most of this increase is the result of increased support for the Arc Projects. The three-year total for the Arc Projects Fund was $31.9 million, or nearly half of all contributions received.

of the Head of the Faith. There was room for individual initiative here, too. Auxiliary Board Member Charles Cornwell, with the approval of the National Spiritual Assembly and the Counselors, launched an effort to create telephone hookups to two of the main sites. By the time this effort was concluded, 3,027 friends in 140 places, in 38 states, eight Canadian provinces and 4 countries listened live to the presentations from Washington and Chicago. This brought the total of participants to more than 10,000, whose response was immediate and effective.

Office of the Treasurer

There are, today, 13 staff members in the Office of the Treasurer. Among them they have processed nearly 300,000 contributions during the Three Year Plan; held scores of meetings, summer school sessions and workshops in nearly every one of the 48 states; revamped the budgeting and financial management procedures of the Bahá’í National Center; supported the work of the Continental Board of Counselors for the Americas, sister National Spiritual Assemblies and thousands of Vision in Action and Glorious Privilege volunteers; answered 20 to 30 letters daily and twice that number of phone calls; paid the bills; and played a role in nearly all of the above events.

Bahá’í development

Two development agencies of the National Spiritual Assembly have a link to the National Spiritual Assembly via the Office of the Treasurer: Health for Humanity and Mottahedeh Development Services. Both agencies have had a productive year.

The creation and implementation of the Core Curriculum and the National Teacher Training Center, as well as a new believers' course, are shown in the large increase for the Education and Schools Coordinator. The schools themselves have been strengthened to the degree possible under an austerity plan: staff capacity has been increased, and long-postponed maintenance and redecoration has been done.

Management Information Services, at nearly $500,000, represents a major investment, as the national wide-area network is being created to facilitate institutional development, and anticipate large scale growth, but the yearly amount spent in this National Spiritual Assembly in order to accomplish work located and shipped a packaged disaster hospital to a remote region of Guyana. The agency area has declined since fiscal 1994; the first, foundational phase is well under way, and these numbers will increase as local Assemblies are integrated into the national system.

The investments in the National Teaching Committee and External Affairs have been steadily increased; $1.4 million and $2.4 million, respectively, have been allocated to these critical areas during the last three years. Projects, Services (including Fund Development), and the Bahá’í Home are among the areas where a firm line has been held as resources have been rationed by the National Assembly.

Debt retirement

An important step was taken this year when, according to a three-year financial management plan, the goal of reducing $1.5 million of the national debt was set. In fact, $1.6 million was paid down, bringing the debt balance down to $7.8 million, the lowest level since 1993. Additional reserves of $200,000 for debt have been set aside, and $3.75 million is in the process of being restructured over a four-year period, thereby providing for a continued, orderly reduction in the debt burden of the Bahá’í National Fund.

Capital improvements

In addition to the heavy maintenance needs of the various buildings owned by the community, capital improvements totaling $1.1 million were carried out last year. This amount is down 51 percent from the previous year and 41 percent during the Three Year Plan. Both the House of Worship and Green Acre saw major restoration work during the Plan; a total of $5.3 million has been spent during the last three years, bringing these restoration projects to a successful conclusion for the present.

Last year's budget, distributed at the National Convention, contemplated capital outlays of more than $2.5 million-all items needed to maintain and develop our national trusts in the manner they require and the friends deserve. Knowing that income would be limited, however, the National Spiritual Assembly instructed the Office of the Treasurer to manage toward quarterly targets: projects would only be commissioned if the money needed was actually in the bank. This discipline ensured that critical items were done, while keeping the cost to roughly half the initial projections. The other $1.4 Total operating income for the Bahá’í National operating expenses were $45.5 million, with a surplus of just $1,250,000. Fund was $45.7 million during the Three Year Plan;

The object of this analysis is to raise the question of the adequacy of the resources available to the its work. Over the last three years, when inflation has averaged between 3 and 4 percent, we have actually lost ground. The question for the community is whether it will remain satisfied with a condition that cannot accommodate large-scale growth.

Development and volunteer action

No review of the year would be complete without mentioning two pivotal moments in our community's history: the Campaign of Glorious Privilege, which began in April 1994, and the visit of Mr. Nakhjavání in the spring of 1995.

The Campaign would not have happened without the sacrificial efforts of Mr. and Mrs. Melville Thomason, whose sense of urgency helped to open a new chapter in our community life. With support from the Treasury, for two years Mel met with and trained scores of Bahá’ís, who in their turn recruited and trained more than 1,100 volunteers nationwide. Our community was encouraged, through collaboration with hundreds of local Spiritual Assemblies, to learn about the Arc in new ways and, incidentally, to experience our power to accomplish great endeavors in unity. The initiatives to raise funds have now, in many places, branched out into new, creative teaching and development efforts, giving vivid evidence of the spiritual link between giving and community maturation. We owe these friends an enormous debt of gratitude.

What preparation could have been more fitting for the visit of the member and representative of the Universal House of Justice in the summer of 1995? From the announcement of his impending visit in March 1995 the Office of the Treasurer worked to realize the National Assembly's desire to convene the entire community to receive its dear co-worker. The local Spiritual Assemblies of New York, Washington, D.C., Dallas, Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco were involved immediately in the planning and responded magnificently. Pledges, never before used on such a scale, were to be taken from those who wished to make them, and follow-up contacts were to be made; in only three weeks a new accounting system was created at the Bahá’í National Center to fulfill this expressed wish of our visitor. Mailings, special articles in The American Bahá’í, word of mouth-every resource was used to try to ensure a worthy reception for the emissary.

Health for Humanity continued its efforts to coordinate health care training and offer supplies and Azerbaijan, Honduras, Kenya, Belize, Dominica, service in such widely separated places as Albania, China and North Korea. In collaboration with Rotary International and Operation USA, the Southern California Regional Health for Humanity Network expanded to five the number of its regional networks USAID, and brought its membership to 800 in the U.S., submitted registration requests to individuals and organizations in 34 countries.

Mottahedeh Development Services (MDS) centered much of its attention on collaborating with the local Spiritual Assembly of South DeKalb County, Georgia, in creating and obtaining grant funding for the Family Unity Institute near Atlanta. As recently reported in The American Bahá’í, the Institute has had a major impact on proclamation, expansion and consolidation in the Greater Atlanta area. MDS also secured funding for programs in Zambia (sanitation) and Western Samoa (education) and managed disbursement of funds for a UNIFEM project working to elevate the status of women in Bolivia, Cameroon and Malaysia. MDS personnel consulted with the Office of Social and Economic Development of the Universal House of Justice on the application of microenterprise methods in the Bahá’í context.

Spiritualization of the community

We have been on a voyage of spiritual self-discovery for the last two and a half decades. In 1970 the Universal House of Justice told us that our difficulty in meeting the Faith's financial needs was spiritual, not material. In 1990 the National Spiritual Assembly inaugurated a program of local Spiritual Assembly contribution goals for the Bahá’í National Fund and began holding town meetings around the country; contributions increased by 38 percent that year, compared with increases in charitable giving in the United States of only 3 to 5 percent. As already mentioned, in 1995-96 contributions to all the Funds were up 91 percent, or nearly double last year's total, and giving to the National Fund rose 6 percent.

Aside from the illustration these statistics give of Universal House of Justice, what do numbers like the efficacy of the divine guidance received from the these mean? Could they indicate that we have taken tiny? Next year's results will be highly instructive a step toward the discovery of our real spiritual destiny in answering this vital question.

Capacity to influence human affairs

Bahá’u’lláh wrote: "He who is the Eternal Truth-exalted be His glory-hath made the fulfillment of every undertaking on earth dependent on material [Page 35]

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means." A natural corollary of this statement is this: What happens to the work of the Faith if the material means are insufficient to the task? Without means, we cannot hope to influence the course of human affairs.

Our mission as a community is the greatest ever undertaken by any group of people. What is the level of material means required to achieve it? It certainly is not the $19-$20 million projected in recent national budgets. As large as those numbers may seem, they are wholly inadequate even to the basic tasks that we, the "envied custodians of a Divine Plan, the principal builders and defenders of a mighty Order and the recognized champions of an unspeakably glorious and precious Faith," must accomplish.

To date, we have been held back by two things: low growth and limited participation in giving by the body of believers. There are thousands of individual Bahá’ís, already on our membership rolls, who do not give. By withholding their support they are foregoing an opportunity that would bring them closer to the heart of their Faith; as the Universal House of Justice phrased it, "No believer should be unaware of the privilege of contributing to the advancement of the Cause of God, irrespective of his material circumstances. The practice of giving to the Fund strengthens the connection between the believer and the Cause and enhances his sense of identification with it."

Individual believers and local Spiritual Assemblies hold the keys to solving our perennial dilemma; let us get over our shyness about money. First, by bringing the needs of the Fund to the friends' attention, we are extending a great privilege to them. Second, as new believers come into the community, they must be told of the privilege that awaits them. The House of Justice advised that "The National Assembly should neither feel embarrassed nor ashamed in turning to the friends, continuously appealing to them to exemplify their faith and devotion to the Cause by sacrificing for it. ..." The same principle applies at the local and national levels within our own community.

Reaching the masses

The National Spiritual Assembly recognizes the need to reach the largest possible audience using the mass media. Indeed, consultation at National Convention in recent years has regularly produced this suggestion from the delegates. When the National Assembly is forced to send employees home, though, because there is no money to fund their posts, where is it to get the millions necessary for the kind of media exposure the Faith deserves? What is the community willing to do to make these suggestions a reality?

Building for the future

In 1964 the Universal House of Justice urged our National Spiritual Assembly to set aside a part of its income each year to provide for the orderly maintenance and development of its buildings and schools. This year was the first year in all that time when the offerings of the believers, together with rigorous attention to expenses, made it possible to act on that guidance. Our Mother Temple, our schools and institutes, the Bahá’í Home—all have been vulnerable because there is no financial foundation that can provide for their needs when contributions drop. The minimal work that has been done has been accomplished by borrowing; that is why there is nearly $8 million in debt on the national balance sheet.

The future must, and will, see a different pattern, if the friends make it possible: steadily growing reserves that, at some future point, will become endowments for these sacred trusts of our national community.

There has been remarkable progress this year in identifying what the Cause needs, in relating those needs to the individual's capacity for action, and in providing the means. No generation of believers has accomplished what we have done this year, and during the Three Year Plan, in such a vital field of service. Will we retreat from this pinnacle of achievement or, moving from "strength to strength," will we advance?

Huqúqu’lláh

Huqúqu’lláh (Right of God) is a law revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. Obeying the law of Huqúqu’lláh purifies the material wealth we acquire throughout our lifetime by giving back to the Cause of God a portion of that which came from our Creator.

Payments of Huqúqu’lláh are deductible for federal income and estate tax purposes. Checks for Huqúqu’lláh should be made payable to "Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust" and sent directly to one of the following Trustees:

Dr. Elsie Austin, Parkside Plaza #612, 9039 Sligo Creek Parkway, Silver Spring, MD 20901

Dr. Amin Banani, Santa Monica, CA 90402

Dr. Daryush Haghighi, River, OH 44116

Note: The Trustees of the Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust have directed the Office of the Treasurer to return to the sender any checks if received for Huqúqu’lláh.

DISTINCTIVE FEATURES OF THE BAHÁ’Í FUND

• • Sacred obligation**

Contributing to the Bahá’í Fund on a regular basis is the sacred obligation and an integral part of the devotional life of every sincere believer.

• • Voluntary nature**

The amount given is voluntary and rests entirely with the individual—yet the amount is important. Every contribution is valued by the degree of sacrifice involved.

• • Privilege**

Support of the Fund is a privilege reserved only for those who have declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh.

• • Regular and sacrificial**

Regular and sacrificial giving is a measure of a believer's devotion to Bahá’u’lláh and a cause of spiritual growth.

Notes to financial statements

April 30, 1996, and 1995

• • Operations and accounting policies**

The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States (the Assembly) was established in 1927 as a voluntary trust and subsequently incorporated in October 1994 as an Illinois not-for-profit corporation to administer, teach and further the Bahá’í Faith in the United States.

The accounts of the Assembly are maintained on the accrual basis. The financial statements of the Assembly include the assets, liabilities, fund balances and financial activities of the Bahá’í National Fund, the Bahá’í Publishing Trust and the Bahá’í Home.

The principal accounting policies used by the Assembly are as follows:

• • Contributions**

Contributions from members of the Faith, unless specifically restricted by the donor, are considered to be available for unrestricted use and are recorded as received. Contributions in kind are recorded at an amount representing the estimated fair market value of goods and services received during the year. Items received of artistic or religious significance for which no value can be readily determined and which are not anticipated to be sold are recorded at nominal value.

Contributions from non-members may not be used to support the Faith and, accordingly, such amounts received are distributed for other humanitarian causes. Contributions restricted by the donor for particular programs and projects, or for property and equipment acquisitions, are earned and reported as revenues when the Assembly has incurred expenses for the purpose specified by the donor. Such amounts received, but not yet earned, are reported as restricted deferred amounts. Estate bequests are recorded when the funds are received.

• • Tax-exempt status**

The U.S. Treasury Department has held that the National Spiritual Assembly and all subordinate local Spiritual Assemblies are exempt from Federal income tax as organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) of 1986. Accordingly, contributions made to the National Spiritual Assembly and all of its subordinate local Spiritual Assemblies are deductible by the donors for Federal income tax purposes as provided by IRC Section 170.

Bequests, legacies, devises, transfers or gifts to the National Spiritual Assembly or its subordinate local Assemblies are deductible for Federal estate and gift tax purposes as provided by IRC Sections 2055, 2106 and 2522.

• • Inventories**

Inventories of books and special materials are valued at average cost.

• • Investments**

Investments are recorded at market value.

• • Properties and equipment**

Property and equipment are stated at cost. The Assembly computes depreciation of fixed assets over their estimated useful lives using the straight line method. The estimated lives used in computing depreciation are as follows: furniture and equipment, 5-10 years; buildings and improvements, 20-40 years; Bahá’í House of Worship, 75 years.

SECRETARIAT

• • Goal: Community Administration and Development**

To provide administrative support to the National Spiritual Assembly by monitoring the development of Bahá’í communities; providing training for the development of local Spiritual Assemblies; offering guidance to local Spiritual Assemblies in their formations, dealing with violations of Bahá’í law, problems of disunity and disputes, personal status issues, withdrawals and reinstatements of Bahá’í membership; assisting believers with issues of immigration and naturalization; assisting Management Information Services with enrollments and membership transfers of individuals from the Middle East; and maintaining files of correspondence received from the Universal House of Justice.

• • Activities**

Incorporated into the Office of Community Administration a development component, following the National Spiritual Assembly's announcement at Ridván 1995 of its decision to establish an Office of Assembly Development at the Bahá’í National Center, renaming the agency the Office of Community Administration and Development.

Received and processed approximately 3,500 letters and approximately 8,000 telephone calls.

Prepared 70 personal status cases for the consideration of the National Spiritual Assembly. A total of 343 requests for withdrawal were granted, and 33 people were reinstated after having withdrawn from Bahá’í membership.

Sent special recognition letters and copies of "Developing Distinctive Bahá’í Communities" and the compilation "The Local Spiritual Assembly" to 22 newly-formed Assemblies.

Sent recognition letters and the compilation "The Local Spiritual Assembly" to 68 Assemblies that had re-formed after being lapsed.

Conducted an extensive survey among all Auxiliary Board members and local Spiritual Assemblies concerning the use and effectiveness of the Assembly Development modules and Developing Distinctive Bahá’í Communities. Of the 1,340 Assemblies surveyed 544 responded, providing a solid base of data from which to plan and refine future Assembly Development efforts.

Office of the Secretary Conventions

• • Goal**

To plan, coordinate and direct implementation of National and District Conventions; to educate the American Bahá’í community on the principles of Bahá’í district and national elections; to plan and coordinate the redistricting of electoral units; and to educate the American Bahá’í community on the purpose and principles of redistricting. [Page 36]

ANNUAL REPORT

Activities

Coordinated all activities and reporting procedures for the 156 District Conventions, appointed local Spiritual Assemblies to host Conventions, and supported and assisted those Assemblies with logistical procedures for hosting District Conventions.

Planned and coordinated the 1996 Bahá’í National Convention, an open convention held away from the Bahá’í House of Worship for the second year in a row, in anticipation of serving 171 delegates and approximately 2,000 visitors.

Coordinated the work of the Redistricting Task Force that compiled data and guidance about redistricting, developed new boundary lines, presented written and oral proposals to the National Spiritual Assembly and National Center staff, and developed and implemented a plan for the education of the American believers.

Improved Conventions statistical analysis by developing a new delegate survey and preparing more specific statistical reports on District Convention voting patterns.

Redesigned the District Convention Planning Guide for host Assemblies and planning teams and prepared articles for The American Bahá’í to educate the American Bahá’í community about the purpose and history of National Convention, to inform believers about National Convention, and to present information regarding District Conventions.

Persian/American Affairs Office

Goal

To further the integration of Persian-speaking Bahá’ís in collaboration with local Spiritual Assemblies, groups and individuals; to further the development and distribution of integration programs and materials that can be used also by other agencies; and to act as liaison to regional Persian media task forces appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly to monitor and respond to misrepresentations of the Faith in Persian media.

Activities

Translated into Persian letters and messages from the World Center and the National Spiritual Assembly, Feast letters, and Dr. Peter Khan’s talk for The American Bahá’í; prepared Persian subtitles for the Persian video of Universal House of Justice member ‘Alí Nakhjavání’s fund-raising talks; assisted in the translation of the statement "The Prosperity of Humankind" and prepared it for publication; assisted in translating the brochures of the Pilgrimage Office at the World Center; and prepared an average of three camera-ready Persian pages per issue for The American Bahá’í.

Coordinated the work of the national and regional Persian Media Task Forces, and coordinated the work of the Persian Reviewing Panel that completed 20 reviews.

Held the fifth annual conference of Friends of Persian Culture in Skokie, Illinois, welcoming more than 500 people including non-Bahá’í friends of the Faith; co-sponsored the third Persian session of Irfán Colloquium and helped prepare the texts of presentations at the first two colloquia for publication; and co-sponsored a conference of original Persian music, poetry and dance by four Bahá’í artists in Chicago, Illinois.

Published Peik 1, the proceedings of the first two Friends of Persian Culture conferences; published Tabernacle of Unity, a bi-lingual quarterly devoted to promoting integration of Iranian Bahá’ís, for distribution to over 400 individuals, including members of the Continental Board of Counselors and their Auxiliary Boards; and mailed "Eliminating Racial Prejudice: The Bahá’í Perspective," a study guide in Persian published last year, to over 250 local Spiritual Assemblies for use in organizing deepenings.

Assisted with the promotion of Payam-i-Bahá’í magazine by sending materials to all Persian Bahá’í households in the U.S., by helping to appoint 20 representatives throughout the country, and by collecting subscription fees for deposit into the National Fund for later transmission to the magazine’s business manager in France.

Arranged with Images International to handle sales of Bahá’í literature in Persian and Arabic not carried by the Bahá’í Distribution Service.

Coordinated an Arc fund-raising tour of five U.S. cities by Mrs. Ahdieh Badiee Pakravan and the sale of her musical videos and helped the local Spiritual Assembly of Bellevue, Washington, with its annual service in memory of the martyrs. Also assisted a Persian Bahá’í artist in Dallas, Texas, in preparing an art exhibit about the recent martyrs in Iran.

Helped establish and promote the Wilmette Institute program "Spiritual Foundations for Global Civilization."

Office of Research and Review

Goal

To perform research, writing, scholarship, literature review and special materials review functions for the National Spiritual Assembly.

Activities

Handled an increased volume of written communications (15 percent over last year), issuing 3,500 pieces of correspondence relevant to research, literature review, special materials review, and letters written on behalf of the Institute for Bahá’í Studies, the Wilmette Institute, the Association for Bahá’í Studies and the Haj Mehdi Arjmand Memorial Fund.

Completed 171 literature reviews. The completion of review of the English translation of Mahmúd’s Diary was a major effort of the office, involving over 20 people and more than two years of effort. The review of special materials was reduced by half, from 113 reviews last year to 67 this year, following the National Spiritual Assembly’s abolishing the need for review of certain types of materials.

Researched and wrote three major projects assigned by the National Spiritual Assembly during the year: the Annual Report of the Agencies of the National Spiritual Assembly, a compilation of statistical information for the Universal House of Justice, and a report on the history and process of decentralization in the United States; wrote letters on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly at the request of its Secretariat; and located writers to complete In Memoriam articles for The Bahá’í World.

Carried out a considerable amount of collaborative work with or for other agencies of the National Spiritual Assembly including serving on the World Order editorial board and contributing an article to the magazine; serving on the newly revitalized editorial board of the Bahá’í Encyclopedia; serving on the International Committee of the Association for Bahá’í Studies and attending meetings of the same in November 1995 and February 1996; helping to plan the annual meeting of the Association for Bahá’í Studies held in San Francisco in October 1995; and serving on the editorial board of the Association for Bahá’í Studies periodical, The Journal of Bahá’í Studies.

Devoted considerable resources to the development of the Wilmette Institute and its four-year "Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization" program, including directing the first-year course on world religion, philosophy and theology; grading most of the homework and conducting most of the conference calls for the 65 students; drafting an outline for the entire four-year curriculum; and serving on the team negotiating with National-Louis University and other educational institutions to rent classroom space and obtain university credit for the program.

Attended the annual meeting of the American Academy of Religion. The Research Office is becoming recognized by university researchers as a reliable source of information on the Faith. As a result, the staff was asked to assemble the text of the Bahá’í Faith portion of a CD-ROM project, write three articles about the Faith for university and academic presses, and talk about the Faith at the University of Illinois/Chicago campus, the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and Harvard University.

Association for Bahá’í Studies

Goal

To encourage the practice of Bahá’í scholarship and foster the further development of the Association for Bahá’í Studies.

Activities

Provided financial support toward the continued operations of the Association. Welcomed more than 800 Bahá’ís and guests to San Francisco in October 1995 for the Association’s 19th annual Conference titled "Anarchy into Order: Uniting the Nations."

Institute for Bahá’í Studies

Goal

To support inter-agency collaboration among the National Archives Office, the Education and Schools Office, the Bahá’í Encyclopedia Project, the Persian-American Affairs Office, the Research Office and World Order magazine, developing Bahá’í scholarship and pooling resources on a wide range of common interests.

Activities

Provided a week-long program for a delegation of visiting scholars from the People’s Republic of China in May 1995.

Sponsored a Bahá’í scholarly program and an exhibition at the American Academy of Religion (AAR) and Society of Biblical Literature (SBL) annual meeting, a gathering of 8,000 scholars of religious studies and the Bible throughout North America.

Supervised establishment of the Wilmette Institute.

Hosted in conjunction with the Haj Mehdi Arjmand Fellowship two conferences on study of the Bahá’í writings in Persian, one at Acuto Bahá’í School in Italy in June 1995 and one at Louhelen Bahá’í School in September 1995; two in English on "‘Anti-Bahá’í Polemic," one in Newcastle, U.K., in December 1995 and one in Wilmette in March 1996. The Institute also hosted "The New World Order in Bahá’í Perspective" conference in January 1996.

Corrected errors about the Bahá’í Faith in encyclopedias (Groliers Encyclopedia; Kurdish Encyclopedia) and other scholarly publications (The World’s Religions: Understanding the Living Faiths). One publication required collaboration with the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom.

Produced several articles on aspects of the Bahá’í Faith for publication in encyclopedias, scholarly books and a CD-ROM on religions in the United States.

Continued work on assembling a glossary of Bahá’í terms, their definitions, spellings and phonetic pronunciation for distribution to dictionaries throughout the United States.

Expanded and improved the circulating portion of the National Bahá’í Library.

Initiated a relationship with the Association for Bahá’í Studies involving consultation on areas of mutual interest.

National Teaching Committee

Goal

To conduct expert study and provide strategic advice to the National Spiritual Assembly in all matters pertaining to teaching; to promote and execute the national teaching plan; to structure and guide administrative aspects of the teaching work, including support of task forces and state teaching committees; and to assist with teaching efforts across the country.

Activities

Called for all local Spiritual Assemblies to implement teaching strategies for the third year of the Plan either by revising existing plans as necessary or formulating new ones. Local Assemblies that had submitted plans to the National Teaching Committee during the first two years of the Three Year Plan were asked to send progress reports. More than 600 communities responded this year; during the entire Plan teaching plans were received from 872 local communities, with about half submitting a plan at least two years in a row and one-third submitting in each of the Plan’s three years.

Continued to distribute the booklet "Vision in Action" to support local plan-making processes. The booklet included: the November 9, 1993, letter from the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies about entry by troops; the October, 1993, statement and compilation "Promoting Entry by Troops," prepared by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice; an excerpt from the National Spiritual Assembly’s 1994 annual report on "Fundamental Issues Facing the American [Page 37]

ANNUAL REPORT

"Bahá’í Community"; and "A Strategy for Large-Scale Expansion and Consolidation," prepared by the National Teaching Committee. In addition, a planning guide entitled "Evaluating and Revising Local Teaching Plans" was revised and distributed to all local Assemblies and published in The American Bahá’í.

Renewed the call to the American Bahá’í community to achieve the only remaining numerical goal of the Plan: the establishment of local Spiritual Assemblies in all cities with populations of at least 50,000. The original list of 147 was augmented this year to 178 to account for jeopardized local Assemblies and localities where assemblies had been lost during the Plan's first two years. Of these, 36 had been formed as of March 1 and an additional 43 communities had at least seven adult believers as of that date. To help achieve the goal, the National Teaching Committee asked local Assemblies to adopt these localities as extension teaching projects; mobilized State Teaching Committees to help coordinate teaching efforts; requested all regional Army of Light coordinators to organize youth teaching trips to these areas; published repeated appeals for homefront pioneers and traveling teachers in The American Bahá’í and in letters to local Spiritual Assemblies; sent individual traveling teachers, including members of the National Spiritual Assembly, to selected localities; held a series of regional homefront pioneering training institutes; and stayed in close consultation with the Auxiliary Board.

Continued the national "Army of Light" youth teaching campaign, which called for local Spiritual Assemblies to organize youth teaching projects and for youth to arise as teachers. During the summer of 1995, some 250 youth projects of various lengths and descriptions were reported, involving at least 2,500 young participants. In preparation for the Four Year Plan, the National Teaching Committee augmented its support system of regional Army of Light coordinators and revised its training materials in consultation with the National Teacher Training Center at Louhelen Bahá’í School.

Held a second national youth conference entitled "Army of Light: Excellence in All Things" in December 1995 in Dallas, Texas, designed to further stimulate youth initiative in teaching and service to the Cause. About 3,000 youth attended.

Placed 17 youth in Bahá’í Youth Service Corps posts; guided and supported teaching activities of about 150 Bahá’í college clubs and instituted a series of regional college club symposia; provided guidance to youth traveling teachers and homefront pioneers; and continued the development of Bahá’í youth workshops, which nearly doubled in number during the Three Year Plan, from 40 to 78. In December the National Bahá’í Youth Workshop office was dissolved and its duties taken up temporarily by the National Teaching Office. A new National Youth Committee will be appointed at Ridván 1996 at which time it will take up responsibility for youth workshop development and other youth activities.

Reappointed State Teaching Committees for North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Texas, Northern California and Southern California to foster intercommunity collaboration, establish statewide goals, and promote systematic patterns of teaching activity that include a balance of proclamation, expansion and consolidation efforts.

Continued national task forces for teaching Latin American and Chinese populations and continued to guide the efforts of the regional American Indian Teaching Committees. These entities are responsible for stimulating and supporting activities aimed at these respective ethnic groups, for developing specialized teaching materials, and for fostering intercommunity collaboration. The National Arts Task Force, responsible for encouraging teaching through use of the arts, continued its publication of Art Matters, a magazine dedicated to sharing information and stimulating discussion on the issue.

Collaborated with the Bahá’í Publishing Trust and the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute to develop a pamphlet on the life and achievements of the Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory, entitled "Louis G. Gregory, Champion of Racial Harmony," to introduce Bahá’í solutions for fostering interracial unity and understanding while also demonstrating the American Bahá’í community's long-standing commitment to the issue. Also collaborated with Bahá’í Publications to reprint the pamphlet "Bahá’u’lláh: God's Messenger to Humanity," distributing about 360,000 copies throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Worked with Media Services to produce a video about youth in service to the Cause, titled "Youth: Coming of Age," that premiered at the Dallas Bahá’í Youth conference and was made available through the Bahá’í Distribution Service.

Collaborated with the Education and Schools Office and Bahá’í Publications in developing the New Believers' training curriculum, a revised mail-out packet for new believers, and an introductory book for new believers titled So Great an Honor.

Published articles and news items regularly in The American Bahá’í, including a series of letters from the National Teaching Committee to the American Bahá’í community about various aspects of teaching.

Supported well over 1,000 community teaching projects throughout the U.S. by providing one or more of the following: homefront pioneers or traveling teachers; teaching and deepening materials; guidance and advice through correspondence; deputization or financial contribution; coordination of intercommunity support; and visits by members of the National Teaching Committee or its representatives. The activities of hundreds of individuals were supported in similar ways.

Enrollments recorded from May 1, 1995, through March 1, 1996, show a total of 1,351 adults and 369 youth. The number of local Spiritual Assemblies formed during the year, as of March 1, 1996, was 1,363.

Office of Pioneering

Goal

To fulfill the mandate as stated in a letter from the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly, dated August 23, 1993, to "raise up and prepare an increasing number of long- and short-term pioneers and traveling teachers, aiming at the deployment of at least 2,000 of them in the international field..."

Activities

Deployed 347 pioneers internationally as well as 877 traveling teachers who undertook 1,457 trips between May 1, 1995, and March 1, 1996. During the last year of the Three Year Plan, 51 youth comprised the largest annual total toward the 123 youth who took part in the international Bahá’í Service Corps. The American Bahá’í community's response to the pioneer call of the Three Year Plan abundantly exceeded the goal of 1,368 set by the National Spiritual Assembly at the beginning of the Plan with a total of 5,109 pioneers and traveling teachers having been deployed.

Expanded the veteran resource network from 45 to 60 individuals, including youth, serving on teams in almost all areas of the country to help recruit and train prospective pioneers to areas with specific needs. Training programs and direct, person-to-person information are available to most prospective pioneers within their own region.

Laid the groundwork for the development of a network of Bahá’í Youth Service Corps Resource Persons to assist youth preparing to serve both internationally and on the homefront through the BYSC program.

Revised the content of all Pioneer/BYSC/SITA trainings during the Three Year Plan, according to guidance received from the Universal House of Justice in a letter dated June 30, 1993, that calls for the preparation of believers for international service to be spiritual in nature, focusing directly on the Bahá’í writings and the means by which study of the writings can be achieved successfully. Since the beginning of the Plan, more than 450 prospective pioneers benefited from such training prior to their leaving for their posts. During the last year of the Plan, six trainings conducted in Wilmette and at the schools and institutes around the country prepared a total of 182 pioneers. An additional 50-100 individuals were trained through the resource network.

Worked during the Three Year Plan to decentralize the initial administrative steps toward international service to the local Spiritual Assemblies with productive results. An ever-increasing number of local Spiritual Assemblies took active roles in helping the friends prepare for international service through consultation, guidance, education and financial assistance.

Bahá’í House of Worship

Goal

To proclaim the name and healing message of Bahá’u’lláh far and wide; to serve and work with Bahá’í communities to meet the needs of the House of Worship and to teach the Faith; to involve larger numbers of people from greater distances in the activities held in the Temple.

Activities

Welcomed 163,623 visitors from 93 countries; conducted 116 scheduled tours for more than 6,947 people; drew an additional 810 visitors with garden teaching; and conducted interviews with students preparing class papers on religion for many area colleges, universities and high schools.

Supervised the activities of 235 volunteers (35 of whom are regularly scheduled guides) who gave more than 10,000 hours of service as guides, tour leaders, discussion leaders, choir members, readers, ushers/hosts, office aides, program or hospitality coordinators and flower arrangers.

Oversaw the activities of committees and task forces including the Ascension Task Force, the Devotions Committee, the Children's Program Committee, the Committee for the Celebration of Humanity, the Garden Teaching Committee and the Hospitality Committee.

Held daily devotions at 12:15 p.m. which were attended by 6,250 individuals, representing a 16 percent increase over last year. In addition to holding devotions on Holy Days, monthly prayer breakfasts were held and a list of prayer requests was maintained.

Commemorated all Holy Days and provided special programs for children; held open meetings to honor Universal Children's Day, United Nations Day, United Nations Human Rights Day, International Day of Peace, World Religion Day; held a 24-hour prayer vigil for the success of the Race Unity Day walk; and conducted a Special Visit Program attended by 18 participants.

Held the 12th annual David Kellum Awards, presenting to recipients Daniel Bassill, the president of Cabrini Connections, and James Kelly, the founder of Young Peoples Network.

Supervised the operation of the House of Worship Book Shop, which realized sales of $240,000. Improved service by sending out new titles announcements via electronic and quarterly mailings and by occasionally opening the shop after Holy Day events.

Held two monthly firesides, one in English and one in Spanish, sponsored a weekly introductory class on the Faith, responded to 691 interest cards, and witnessed 23 declarations at the House of Worship.

Coordinated instructional and consultative meetings as follows: one planning tea to train local Spiritual Assemblies in assisting with hospitality and programming needs for Holy Days and special events; an annual tea for National Center Staff; trainings for volunteers to guide visitors through a new exhibit, "Defending Religious Liberty"; an annual volunteer appreciation program; North Shore Race Unity Task Force meetings; and an area community meeting to improve activities and strengthen community involvement at the House of Worship.

Provided free materials in 38 languages including a comprehensive brochure about the Faith; two prayer sheets in English, one for adults and one for children; a prayer sheet in Spanish; a copy of the statement by the Universal House of Justice on peace; and a visit card (sent to hotels, airports, tourist stops and individuals).

Published a bi-annual newsletter for volunteers and sent quarterly mailings about House of Worship activities to local Bahá’í Communities.

Held membership in the American Booksellers Association, Association of Volunteer Administrators, Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, North Shore Race Unity Task Force, Wilmette Clergy Association (taking part in its Interfaith Thanksgiving [Page 38]

ANNUAL REPORT

Service), and attended several conferences as a way of building relationships.

Provided facilities for District Convention, Office of the Treasurer’s Special Visit programs, a special address by Dr. Peter Khan, Chicago Bahá’í community meeting, three memorial services and 22 weddings.

EDUCATION

Education and Schools Office and Education Task Force

Goal

To oversee the five permanent schools and institutes and the 36 regional school committees; to supervise and provide support for the Education Task Force; and to create various curricula as designated by the National Spiritual Assembly including emphasis on the goals of the Three Year Plan.

Activities

Provided 41 regional school sessions through the 37 regional school committees, serving more than 8,500 individuals and resulting in 19 declarations.

Developed a course for new believers to be delivered ‎though through‎ local Spiritual Assemblies, featuring a facilitator’s guide and an audio tape with a participant’s workbook, for release in the concluding weeks of the Three Year Plan.

Assisted in the development and establishment of a toll-free phone line, 1-800-DWN-BRKR, which provides information about the Faith and about school and institute programs.

Refined and delivered trainings to facilitate race unity among children and trainings related to parent facilitation.

Assisted researching Bahá’í writings relevant to education for the publication Foundations for a Spiritual Education.

Created the outline for So Great an Honor, a book that serves as a companion piece to the course for new believers.

Produced an activity booklet on the life and teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to be used in conjunction with the Core Curriculum.

Assisted the Institution of the Learned in the development of programs designed to foster maturation and skill building of local Spiritual Assemblies and members of the Auxiliary Boards and their assistants.

Enriched programs at regional schools throughout the year focusing on intergenerational, interracial and intercultural harmony.

Supported the installation of the “Defending Religious Liberty” exhibit in the House of Worship’s Foundation Hall, devising and delivering supplementary trainings on the exhibit.

Further refined the materials and training process associated with the Core Curriculum for Spiritual Education, including developmental work for new topical strands on the oneness of mankind, the Covenant, and Bahá’í administration; conceptual and strategic growth in the parent facilitator program; significant refinement in the race unity program; and the drafting of a new summary statement of the content and process of the Core Curriculum.

Developed the Preparation of Youth for Marriage Course, which was piloted throughout the year in various schools.

Assisted in the establishment of the Wilmette Institute, in conjunction with the Institute for Bahá’í Studies, a four-year program of intensive study of the Faith, providing oversight to the project and executing tasks associated with registration and program development.

Provided support for Brilliant Star magazine, particularly for the special edition for schools, on magazine content and development.

Provided educational materials to the Bahá’í community through the newsletter “Forum on Bahá’í Education” (published three times a year) and the production of two pages in each edition of The American Bahá’í focusing on education and schools issues.

Trained 45 individuals as Teacher Trainers in the Core Curriculum for Children’s Spiritual Education, raising the number of trainers to 198; trained 38 Facilitators in the Race Unity Program of the Core Curriculum, raising the number to 70; trained 16 Parent Facilitators of the Core Curriculum program, raising the number to 48; and raised the number of teachers trained in the Core Curriculum to more than 2,000.

Bosch Bahá’í School

Goal

To provide for the spiritual and intellectual growth of the Bahá’í community by incorporating the triple theme of the Three Year Plan, as well as the goals of the National Spiritual Assembly, in programs and an environment that encourages participants’ transformation through internalizing and acting upon the moral and spiritual principles of the Faith and to provide programs for local Spiritual Assemblies to help with group transformation and the institutions’ maturation process.

Activities

Welcomed approximately 2,825 people at programs during the year, generating revenues of more than $250,000 in program fees and approximately $125,000 through sales in the Bookshop/Café. In addition, more than 30,000 volunteer hours were contributed to Bosch during the year.

Offered a five-day winter session on the Kitáb-i-Aqdas; an intensive six-day choral training session focused on using Bahá’í scripture and prayer in choral music writing and performance; several sessions on prayer and meditation; a weekend session on Islam and the Bahá’í Faith; a new 10-day Intensive Institute, with exploration of Bahá’í economic principles and a study of Islam; a Marriage Enrichment Weekend and three weekend counseling series for marriages in difficulty; a new session for elders, fathers and sons with a focus on the mentoring role of men; a Women’s Retreat; and four Seekers Weekend sessions aimed at teaching and deepening seekers and others close to the Faith.

Hosted a Bahá’í Mysticism Conference; a second annual Arts and Teaching session; a Bahá’í Public Information Officer Training in collaboration with the Office of External Affairs; a Latino Teaching Conference; a Health and Healing Symposium; a conference focused on exploring the contributions of Women in the Arts; and two “Bahá’ís and Computers” sessions aimed at assisting the implementation and utilization of computer resources and the Internet for teaching and use in Bahá’í communities in general.

Held three four-day Children’s Academy sessions; two Junior Youth Institutes; a Youth Institute; a College Institute; three Youth Deepening Weekends; a College Club Symposium; children’s classes at every general and intensive session whose curriculum paralleled the adult program; and expanded the Youth Service Corps program at Bosch to include weekly intensive deepening.

Presented a Core Curriculum Parent Training session, using new materials from the National Education Task Force and the National Teacher Training Center at Louhelen.

Hosted a gathering of eight women who participated in the ‎Zlmaria Zilmaria‎ Walker Sister to Sister South Africa teaching tour in conjunction with a Black History celebration weekend.

Offered four Local Spiritual Assembly Development Weekends, intensive sessions held with between four and eight Assemblies taking part in a series of trust-building activities, with time provided for consultation across LSA groupings and within individual Assemblies.

Hosted a successful Celebration of our Glorious Privilege: Arc Fundraiser Weekend, raising almost three units for the Arc Projects.

Provided facilities for several nearby communities as a venue for large Bahá’í meetings and Holy Day celebrations including the Declaration of the Báb, the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, and the District Convention.

Green Acre Bahá’í School

Goal

To provide an environment and educative process that fosters intellectual growth, social development and spiritual transformation in accordance with the goals of the Three Year Plan and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s vision for the future of Green Acre.

Activities

Held 34 thematic sessions on the “Destiny of America,” drawing an approximate attendance of more than 3,300 adults, youth and children. Topics included intensified study of the Writings; personal transformation; spiritual enrichment of the Bahá’í community; education of children and youth; strengthening of family life; building models of race unity; promoting equality; accelerating the maturation of the institutions; and the pursuit of social and economic development.

Launched the 13-session summer season with a “World Unity Festival of the Arts” weekend in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the United Nations.

Held several special-focus sessions including a Latino Teaching Conference, Race Unity Conference, Pioneering Institute, Marriage Retreat, Local Spiritual Assembly Development Weekend and a Spiritual Enrichment Weekend for Seekers. During the course of the year, six souls embraced the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh at Green Acre.

Collaborated with the Sarah Farmer Women’s Center on three weekend conferences promoting the equality and the advancement of women and including the themes of true partnership, a follow-up to the UN Women’s Conference in Beijing, and violence-free relationships.

Hosted programs for youth including two summer Youth Institutes, a Northeast Regional Youth Conference, and a “Bahá’í Youth and Sexuality” weekend program. Youth Institute participants were deployed to offer service to regional Army of Light projects. Other youth activities included a Bahá’í College Club Symposium and a five-day Youth Service Corps Training.

Offered two teacher trainings of the Core Curriculum and sought to integrate children’s programming with the Core Curriculum for Spiritual Education.

Initiated the weekly Fellowship Café coffee house with performances, fellowship and a bookstore. Average attendance of 50-60 included seekers and new believers of all ages.

Hosted conference weekends for the public with theme presentations designed to link the principles of the Faith with issues of the day. Advertisements appearing in press releases in six regional newspapers generated three feature stories about Green Acre and its activities and attendance by non-Bahá’ís at each event.

Interacted with the greater community including an open house and public dinner at Sarah Farmer Inn as part of a local festival, as well as presentations by staff members for the local hospice, Unitarian church, and a Diversity Days event at a local high school.

Helped extend the range of the National Spiritual Assembly’s collaborative projects with Brazil through having two Bahá’í youth from Brazil offer service at Green Acre and submitting a proposal to the two National Spiritual Assemblies on the exchange of Bahá’í educators and educational material. Explored the possibility of collaborating with the Bahá’í Chair for Peace at the University of Maryland in this project.

Served as a designated site for the hosting of prominent persons by hosting a special visit by the Hon. Federal Deputy Luis Gushiken and Mrs. Gushiken of Brazil during the week-long Winter School program.

Provided training that led to more than 15,000 hours of volunteer service.

Louhelen Bahá’í School

Goal

To support the education goals of the Three Year Plan, emphasizing the study of the Sacred Writings, expanding the human resources of the Faith, promoting race unity and the advancement of women, and supporting the development of the National Teacher Training Center at Louhelen in collaboration with the National Education Task Force.

Activities

Held 10 family-oriented Bahá’í education programs, two marriage enrichment sessions and seven programs for children and youth, increasing the use of the Core Curriculum in all programs, and offered [Page 39]

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a new youth program focused on preparing for marriage and child-rearing.

Offered three intensive study sessions on topics such as the Tablets of the Divine Plan, The Destiny of America, The Life and Teachings of the Báb, and the Bahá’í understanding of Islam.

Sponsored the National Teaching Training Center in the provision of Core Curriculum training programs to the national Bahá’í community.

Provided facilities for the Auxiliary Board for programs promoting area community development and teaching, and collaborated with the Auxiliary Board in sponsoring two weekend institutes for local Spiritual Assembly development.

Sponsored conferences and symposia with other Bahá’í agencies intended to foster and coordinate development projects and activities in the areas of HIV/AIDS, health-related SED projects, agriculture, and three conferences with direct focus on social and economic development.

Provided systematic training and deepening to develop the capacities of all staff including five Youth Year of Service volunteers.

Provided for balanced and prominent faculty roles for persons from non-dominant ethnic backgrounds and provided key involvement to foster race unity activities in the city of Flint, Michigan, establishing a "word of mouth" reputation that has led to Louhelen’s extensive use by area non-Bahá’í African-American groups as a rental facility.

Sponsored an annual Partnership of Women and Men conference and provided for balanced and prominent faculty roles for women.

Collaborated with governmental units and schools in the cities of Flint and Davison, Michigan, and in Genesee County to promote racial unity and effective approaches to violence prevention.

Developed significant additional sources of non-Fund revenues to support school operations, including the Bookstore Café, greatly expanded rental usage, significant project-related donations of money and equipment, and the extensive use of volunteers in all areas of operation.

Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute and WLGI Radio

Goal

To serve as a resource center for training Bahá’ís to enable them to become more actively involved in promoting the Faith and developing strong communities in South Carolina; to serve as a center for socio-economic development; and to provide radio programming to help deepen Bahá’ís, provide support for teaching efforts, and assist in uplifting local communities.

Activities

Hosted the South Carolina Department of Mental Health’s fourth annual "Enabling and Supporting the Development of Black Males" conference, the 10th annual Peace Fest, and the Black Men’s Gathering; held the South Carolina Summer and Winter schools, the Louis G. Gregory/Magdalene Carney Teaching Initiative, the Youth Summit, and the New Believers Deepening; co-sponsored monthly Prayer for Peace programs by local Spiritual Assemblies; and provided support and resources for the Race Unity Conference in Charleston, South Carolina.

Sponsored a gospel workshop and choir, the Army of Light summer teaching initiative, and intensive teaching and consolidation in Lake City, a goal community.

Held weekly children’s classes; a six-week Summer Academy (advanced, junior youth, youth, and children); a leadership weekend for children, junior youth and youth; weekly firesides and deepenings; and unity worship services.

Served as host and offered resources for community development workshops; District Convention; Pioneer Training Institute and Youth Service Corps trainings; media training; a unity revival; agriculture workshops; advisory board meetings; a Girl Scout workshop; a wedding and a funeral.

Aired daily devotions every morning and evening, including a "Daily Pearl" quote and the short obligatory prayer; spots highlighting race unity and music promoting racial harmony; special programs celebrating the life of Martin Luther King Jr.; several program series focusing on the experience and contributions of African-Americans to the nation and to the Bahá’í Faith; a series of programs about the election and functioning of the institution of the local Spiritual Assembly; a daily calendar of Bahá’í and general events; spots on teaching the Faith; and various Bahá’í talks, Holy Day programs, and special programs for the Fast.

Began developing a new deepening series based on So Great an Honor and a series on the relationship between Christ and Bahá’u’lláh.

Upgraded the telecommunications system and made major progress on the renovation of a new facility for Radio Bahá’í offices and control rooms.

Sent two staff to the annual Radio Bahá’í Seminar in Bolivia; trained 15 volunteers for on-air and production services; trained the new manager for Radio Bahá’í Taiwan; and organized the activities of approximately 30 volunteers who provided about 4,000 hours of service.

Provided community outreach to many local organizations and media outlets including the Palmetto Project, Hemingway BBQ and Shag Festival, and a national women’s conference.

Native American Bahá’í Institute

Goal

To develop local educational projects related to the indigenous culture as a means for teaching the Faith.

Activities

Hosted more than 200 at a welcoming picnic for the new administrators as part of two days of festivity, friendship and reflection that included prayers, proclamation, deepening and teaching, to herald a new era of development for NABI. Administrators began visits to local Bahá’ís and area schools and functions as a means to introduce the Institute’s role in the community and region.

Began eight new programs: Artist in Residence, Work/Study Program, SED Research Program, Circles of Wellness, Outreach Program, Parenting Skills, Pow-Wow Club and Unity Gathering.

Initiated collaboration and exchange with the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute in July 1995 when youth from the Louis Gregory Institute visited NABI for two weeks. NABI’s youth, primarily Native American, and LGI’s youth, primarily African-American, hosted several programs, traveled to area functions in the Navajo and Hopi Reservation, and met with visitors to NABI. All their activities were efforts to teach and proclaim the Faith and show unity between Bahá’ís of two disparate cultures.

Invited the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute administrators and ensemble to NABI for a week-long teaching and proclamation event, making presentations at a Navajo Catholic Church and a high school, and hosting nearly 100 people at NABI at a fireside of song, dance and storytelling. More than 500 people were introduced to the Faith over the week through the Institutes’ collaborative initiative.

Offered summer programs for the Navajo and Hopi people in the area: the Navajo Department of Social Services sent clients and social workers to participate in the Parenting Skills Program; a Children’s Pow-Wow Club and Circles of Wellness Program also highlighted NABI’s involvement with the local community life through Bahá’í foundations.

Hosted the first annual "Unity Gathering and 5K Run," attracting nearly 400 people to the two-day teaching and proclamation event. Native American traditions—storytelling, dance, songs and talking circles—were the vehicles for presenting the Faith.

Began teaching, proclamation and community service work outreach to schools and universities by presenting artistic and educational programs of Native American song, dance, storytelling, talks and workshops to thousands of students throughout the Southwest and Western United States whose content integrated the principles and sacred writings of the Faith. An adjunct to this activity was the hosting in Bahá’í homes of school officials, parents and volunteers to hear introductory firesides about the Faith and about NABI’s role as a center of learning. Outreach to non-Bahá’í schools, universities and organizations included 16 visits at which approximately 7,500 persons heard about the Bahá’í Faith.

Hosted a two-day conference on Assembly maturation for six area local Spiritual Assemblies, attended by more than 70 Assembly members.

Began dialogue with the University of the United Nations in Japan in hopes of placing the Institute in an internationally collaborative position to share models and research on indigenous social and economic development.

Continued active recruitment of youth in service to NABI; extended the Institute’s Dista-learning of over 7,500 courses and programs at the college and vocational levels as a work/study program for its youth and staff in service on the NABI campus; and involved seven youth from as far away as South Carolina in the work/study program.

Provided a master of ceremonies and volunteers and assisted with the area’s Youth Pow-Wow event. Also provided a keynote speaker to nearby Northland Pioneer College, addressing more than 200 attendees in a talk on "Unity in Diversity," introducing the Faith to many, and discussed the possibility of future talks for collaborative work with college staff and people from some other schools in attendance. NABI administrators met with Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, in the fall of 1995, arranging for a two-week visit to the Institute by Bradley students for a three-semester-hour credit seminar. The seminar, expected to start in May 1996, represents the first NABI collaboration with a major university for credit for their students.

Wilmette Institute

Goal

To create and run educational programs for the American Bahá’í community.

Activities

Established the "Spiritual Foundations of a Global Civilization" program, a four-year systematic training program to produce better teachers of the Faith; assembled an outline of the entire four-year curriculum of the "Spiritual Foundations" program revolving around study of eight modules: religion, philosophy and theology; individual development; Bahá’í administration and community; world order; Bahá’í history; Bahá’í scripture; acquisition of researching, writing and speaking skills, and development of skills to teach the Faith; retained an excellent faculty to teach both the home study and summer residential aspects of the program; enrolled 50 students from the U.S., Canada, Israel and South Africa in the first semester of the home study and another 15 during the program’s second semester; sent students some 1,000 pages of reading, requiring weekly written assignments to be graded by faculty; and divided the students into small study groups of five or six to take part in monthly conference calls with an instructor.

Began to produce curricular materials designed to teach students how to teach the Faith.

Set up "GLOBAL," an electronic mail list for all Wilmette Institute students, faculty and staff, and began to produce The Lamp, a quarterly Wilmette Institute newsletter.

Developed an ongoing relationship with National-Louis University, negotiating use of their dormitory, cafeteria and classrooms for the summer residential program and either undergraduate or graduate credit for Wilmette Institute course work for a small fee.

Initiated discussions with a correspondence university about setting up a Master’s degree program.

Initiated a relationship with the Yerinbool Bahá’í School’s three-year certificate program in Bahá’í Studies, and with the Faizi Institute’s four-year program to train Bahá’í teachers, both of which want to use curricular materials prepared by the Wilmette Institute.

House of Worship Conservation

Goal

To adopt, initiate and sustain a well-defined, phased program for the physical conservation of the Mother Temple of the West throughout the next millennium and to provide consultation on development and repair of other Bahá’í properties.

Activities

Concluded the Temple Restoration project and es- [Page 40]

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tablished the Conservation Program's initial plans, knowledge base and support facilities. Toward this end, the conservation materials lab was equipped with basic components and the construction shops and equipment were reorganized by storing large hoists and molds, inventorying tools and materials, and disposing of items no longer required.

Defined the terms of reference for the Temple Conservation Program and selected initial objectives for the next four years. Four hundred unique construction drawings for the Temple were organized with a computerized catalog, condition and needs assessment, and a comparison between originals and reproductions in the National Bahá’í Archives and properties files.

Developed the staff through extensive training and research on such topics as concrete materials science; concrete molds, casting and repair techniques; conservation of photographs and large documents; safety for personal protection, equipment, high access and hazardous materials; project management, contract management and supervisory skills; database and computer-aided design software.

Expanded concrete repair capabilities by developing additional materials for ornamental concrete with reduced permeability. Also created refined methods for color matching, surface grouting, precise chiseling, finish grinding and sealing. Some of these achievements represent a new "state of the art" for the industry.

Performed seasonal inspections and preventive maintenance for the Temple's roof, gutters and waterproofing systems; employed 11 youth during the summer for cleaning, concrete repairs, documentation and bird protection tasks; vacuumed shafts, pipes and crawl spaces in the Temple; completed the long-awaited elevator for the disabled; and reupholstered the 1,200 chairs in the House of Worship Auditorium.

Continued to provide technical assistance for development and maintenance of the Bahá’í schools, institutes and other national properties.

Bahá’í Properties Office

• • Goal**

To oversee the maintenance and development of all nationally owned Bahá’í properties in the United States, to advise and consult with the National Spiritual Assembly on the acquisition and disposal of such properties, and to provide similar support to local Assemblies on property acquisition and/or development.

• • Activities**

Contracted for the replacement of air-conditioning equipment at the Bahá’í National Center; contracted for the rebuilding of the retaining wall along Sheridan Road and replacement of one-third of the perimeter walkway at the House of Worship; consulted with a professional landscaping service about improving the selection of plants in the gardens at the Temple, and contracted for additional staff to maintain the House of Worship grounds.

Modified the fire alarm monitoring system at the National Center and Bahá’í Publishing Trust buildings and completed 617 work orders for electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting, locksmith, maintenance and repair services in addition to regular custodial maintenance of the National Center, Publishing Trust, Bahá’í Home and House of Worship facilities and grounds.

Installed the "Defending Religious Liberty" exhibit in Foundation Hall and prepared the House of Worship for the reception in connection with the display.

Consulted with administrators of the Bosch, Green Acre and Louhelen Bahá’í Schools and the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute about routine maintenance and repairs of their properties, progress of capital projects underway, and future capital projects necessary to insure maximum use of those institutions in the future.

Consulted with caretakers of the Wilhelm and Mottahedeh properties about maintenance, repair and custodial services.

Listed 12 gift and estate properties for sale, arranging for the sale of 11 properties which resulted in $189,000 for the Fund.

Bahá’í Publications

• • Goal**

To support the teaching and consolidation work of the Bahá’í Faith. Under the newly created banner of Bahá’í Publications, this group is responsible for publishing and distributing sacred writings, authoritative texts, teaching literature, introductory works, historical accounts, literature for children and youth, audio and video materials, pamphlets, magazines and a newspaper. It also provides production services for audio, video and print communications as needed by the National Spiritual Assembly and its agencies.

• • Activities**

Reprinted Bahá’í Administration; Citadel of Faith; Messages to the Bahá’í World; Release the Sun; Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh; The Seven Valleys and The Four Valleys; Epistle to the Son of the Wolf; Bahá’í Prayers; The Promulgation of Universal Peace; God Passes By; The Promise of World Peace; Individual Rights and Freedoms in the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh; "The Vision of Race Unity"; "Bahá’í Faith" (teaching booklet); "Bahá’í Faith" (teaching pamphlet); To Move the World; and Martha Root: Lioness at the Threshold.

Released 10 new titles or new editions: Bahá’í Prayers; Foundations for a Spiritual Education; Consultation: A Compilation; The Prosperity of Humankind; So Great an Honor: Becoming a Bahá’í; Louis Gregory: Champion of Racial Harmony; Peik 1: Friends of Persian Culture; Models of Unity II; the Bahá’í Wall Calendar; and the Bahá’í Datebook.

Published, in cooperation with the National Education and Schools Office, "Foundations for a Spiritual Education," a compilation intended to aid Core Curriculum educators and teachers in understanding the nature, purpose and process of spiritual education.

Hosted the Bahá’í Publications Kick-Off Conference in October 1995 calling for nominations for editorial boards and support resources. Prepared editorial board mandates and began the process of screening nominees. The editorial boards will be appointed to use the strengths associated with management by consultative groups, to broaden the number of people involved in making key decisions in the publishing process, and to open up the publishing process to allow for the participation of a larger, more diverse group of people. The first three boards to be appointed will develop a range of publications for authoritative texts, teaching and education, and children and youth.

Distribution

Realized, as of March 1, 1996, year-to-date net sales for the Bahá’í Distribution Service of $1,318,202—approximately 3 percent higher than last year at the same time. Sales for the fiscal year ending April 30, 1996, are projected to be approximately $1,590,000 compared to $1,533,270 at the end of fiscal year 1995.

Established 1,924 new customer accounts during the year, contributing to an active customer base of more than 10,500 accounts. The number of new customers declined by 13 percent and the customer base (defined as anyone placing an order in the past two years) declined by 16 percent.

Filled 11,392 orders through the Bahá’í Distribution Service this year compared to 13,499 orders filled during the previous fiscal year; however, sales per order and items per order increased. A total of 339,405 items were shipped versus last year's 325,787. New title sales totaled $262,167, or 20 percent of total sales, compared to $277,680 for last year. Inventory value was $461,842, compared to $450,845 for the same period last year. Sales of titles published by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust accounted for 26 percent of total sales, or $343,966.

Adopted a policy of charging for shipping and handling and implemented a 10 percent discount for local Spiritual Assemblies on items that were previously sold net. The Bahá’í Distribution Service also upgraded its computer network and customer service software to improve over-all productivity and customer satisfaction.

Provided book sales for the Florida Flame Summer School, the Green Lake Bahá’í Conference, the Monteagle Tennessee Institute, the Dallas Youth Conference and the Bahá’í National Convention.

Subscriber Services

Furnished Bahá’í periodicals to 3,162 subscribers, an increase of 50 subscribers over last year. Promotional efforts for One Country and Brilliant Star resulted in a marked increase in subscriptions for those magazines. Subscriber Services is currently working with other National Spiritual Assemblies to provide them with U.S.-published Bahá’í periodicals.

Media Services

Integrated Media Services into the framework of Bahá’í Publications which includes the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, Bahá’í Distribution Services, Subscriber Services and Periodicals.

Collected hundreds of hours of material documenting Bahá’í activities worldwide, maintained a library of archival material and production resources, and fulfilled numerous requests for footage, slides, audio cassettes and video programs for the worldwide Bahá’í community.

Hired a Facilities and Services Manager, an Audio-Visual Support Specialist, and an Administrative Assistant; drew regularly upon on the talents of part-time and volunteer workers, and established an office time management system to increase the effectiveness of internal communication, resource sharing, budgeting and production project tracking.

Installed video capability in the Bahá’í House of Worship Visitors' Center; produced programs and maintained the audio/visual equipment used in the Visitors' Center; produced slide presentations for memorials and Holy Days; and implemented an ongoing maintenance program for existing multi-image slide programs.

Recorded and duplicated the Feast messages, National Convention highlights, a Local Bahá’í Centers slide presentation, member of the Universal House of Justice Peter Khan's talk in Foundation Hall, Counselor Stephen Birkland's talk on "Consultation" to NSA staff, and produced presentations for conferences and events such as the Office of the Treasurer's "Arc Projects: Tablet of Carmel" shown at the Green Lake Bahá’í Conference.

Remodeled the Media Services Library including installing computer and library database software, installing new multi-media storage units designed for 5,000 mixed tapes, and formulating policies and procedures for library access.

Filled a number of requests from Bahá’ís (domestic and international) regarding video and/or audio materials for use in firesides, broadcasting or multi-media CD-ROM, and began compiling copyright release materials to respond to requests for video and/or audio materials for cable or broadcasting.

Completed the sixth year of production of The Bahá’í Newsreel, featuring coverage of significant Bahá’í events, providing complimentary newsreels to the 3,500 local Spiritual Assemblies, groups and individuals within the U.S. and subscriptions and single copies for purchase through the Bahá’í Distribution Service. Three editions of the Newsreel were produced and distributed during the year, and Spanish and French translations were made available.

Produced English and Persian editions of the video "For the Love of His Beauty," documenting the fundraising visit to the United States of Universal House of Justice member ‘Alí Nakhjavání.

Produced three "Vision in Action" videos; video programming for the House of Worship Visitors' Center; a 30-minute video for the National Army of Light Youth Conference in Dallas titled "Coming of Age"; and a video tape titled "Amatu’l-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khánum" made during the Hand of the Cause's visit to Washington, D.C.

Completed location shooting for "First Class Publicity," an Office of Public Information training tape; transferred video of teaching stories by former Continental Counselors Carmen de Burafato and Raul Pávon to tape for the Latin Teaching Committee; and translated "The Jewel in the Lotus" into Chinese for use by Chinese Bahá’ís on China educational TV.

The American Bahá’í

Carried regular reports from the World Center on [Page 41]

ANNUAL REPORT

the progress of the Arc and Terraces building project; published a four-part series on social and economic development; reprinted the National Spiritual Assembly's annual reports and its statement, "The Vision of Race Unity"; and published details of the National Spiritual Assembly's plan for decentralization of the American Bahá’í community, advice on teaching the Cause from the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum, and a transcript of a talk on mental tests by Universal House of Justice member Dr. Peter Khan.

Reported on national conferences held throughout the American Bahá’í community including the 86th Bahá’í National Convention; the Chattanooga, Tennessee, Bahá’í community's fund-raising activities that led to $245,000 being contributed to the Arc; the National Bahá’í Youth Conference in Dallas, Texas; the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute's 10th annual Peace Fest; the American Bahá’í Conference on Social and Economic Development in Orlando, Florida; and the Conference on Huqúqu’lláh held at the Green Acre Bahá’í School.

Reported other significant events, such as the exhibition and reception hosted by the National Spiritual Assembly for more than 200 invited guests at the U.S. House of Representatives Cannon Office Building in Washington, D.C., to inform them of the situation of the persecuted Bahá’í community in Iran; the fourth International Dialogue on the Transition to a Global Society co-sponsored by the Bahá’í Chair at the University of Maryland whose keynote speaker was the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum; the speech at the United Nations by Anisa Kintz, a 12-year-old Bahá’í from South Carolina; and the actions of Bahá’ís in service to their community following the deadly bombing that destroyed the Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Bahá’í Encyclopedia Project

Goal

To advance Bahá’í scholarship by publishing a Short Encyclopedia of the Bahá’í Faith that defines Bahá’í belief and practice for the general public.

Activities

Consulted about the July 20, 1995, letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States about the future of the encyclopedia project and wrote to the National Assembly about restructuring to bring the project to completion. Received approval for implementing the Board's recommendations, including expanding the Board through the appointment of two new members and organizing an editing team based in Wilmette to complete the project.

Began implementing decisions related to restructuring including relocating one editor to Wilmette to work full-time on the encyclopedia and establishing a functioning office.

Began to reassess the vast store of material in various stages of completion that will become the basis of a one- or two-volume encyclopedic work.

Brilliant Star

Goal

To produce six issues of Brilliant Star magazine per year, designed to serve the needs of English-speaking Bahá’í children of all ages by confirming their Bahá’í identity and helping them to develop as Bahá’í teachers, and one special edition for summer schools.

Activities

Published six regular issues this year (Patterns of Hope, World Embracing Vision, Beloved Shoghi Effendi, Confidence in Action, Balance, and A Life of Service) and one special edition (One Destiny) for the Education and Schools Office to use at permanent and regional schools last summer.

Developed three activity reprint books as support materials for the Core Curriculum strand about Bahá’u’lláh for Spring publication: "Bahá’u’lláh—His Life," "Bahá’u’lláh—His Teachings," and "Bahá’u’lláh—Oneness of Humanity."

Produced Brilliant Star Index 92-95, a four-year thematic index for parents and teachers based on themes in the Core Curriculum strands, as well as curriculum-referenced indices for teachers in every issue of Brilliant Star.

Produced the Activities page for The American Bahá’í using reprints from the magazine and the first publication in a reprint series, Brilliant Star Game Kit.

Developed all materials in collaboration with the Education and Schools Office, the Education Task Force, the National Teaching Committee, and other agencies of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Continued distribution of all non-subscription sales through the Bahá’í Distribution Service and collaborated with Subscriber Services to increase the quality of subscription service and to develop new subscriber software for implementation next year.

World Order Editorial Board

Goal

To publish World Order magazine, a direct teaching and deepening effort of the National Spiritual Assembly focusing on topics of broad social concern from a Bahá’í perspective.

Activities

Published the Spring 1995 issue on the equality of women and men plus "The Prosperity of Humankind"; the Summer 1995 issue on race unity and the status of Bahá’ís in Iran; the Fall 1995 issue on the equality of women and men and an editorial about the United Nations 50th anniversary; the Winter 1995-96 issue on the topic of world order including "A Turning Point for All Nations"; and the Spring 1996 issue with articles on population and development, the wonder of life on earth, and the early Bahá’í history of England and Germany. An article in the Spring 1995 issue—Dr. Michael Penn's "Violence Against Women and Girls"—was reprinted in a large compilation used in the program on "Public Right, Private Injustice: International Sanctioned Violence Against Women" at the annual meeting of the American Bar Association in Chicago in August 1995. In addition, the Spring 1995 issue, containing two articles on the equality of women and men, is required reading in a course in the Peace Education Program at the Teachers College at Columbia University. An article in the Summer 1995 issue, Dr. Mark Perry's "Robert S. Abbott and the Chicago Defender: A Door of Hope to the Masses," was reprinted in the Michigan Chronicle, regarded as the best African-American newspaper and one owned by Robert Abbott's nephew, John Sengstacke, who is also chairman of the Chicago Defender.

National Bahá’í Archives

Goal

To intensify study of the Sacred Writings as a means of fostering spiritual strength and transformation.

Activities

Continued work on preparing for transfer to the Bahá’í World Center 42 recently acquired original volumes and notebooks containing drafts and transcripts of Tablets and talks of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and acquired five original letters written on behalf of the Guardian.

Answered 328 research requests (110 from the National Assembly and its agencies, 23 from other Bahá’í institutions, and 195 from individuals); provided 5,446 photocopies of documents and 134 copies of photographs upon request; prepared computer indexes for 184 manuscript collections with 12,541 total entries; and sent information on local records and archives to nine local communities in seven states.

Received a total of 183 accessions including 122 boxes of Bahá’í National Center records, 14 new collections of personal papers and 16 additions to existing collections. Significant collections received included the papers of Marzieh Gail, Ali Kuli and Florence Khan, Soo Fouts, Mildred Mottahedeh, Vedad Jurney and Olive McDonald. Made 29 inquiries concerning possible archival acquisitions and arranged and opened for research four collections of personal papers including the Corinne True Family Papers and Doris McKay Papers.

Processed 44 boxes of Bahá’í National Center records including files from the Office of the Secretary, Office of Pioneering, District Teaching Committees and World Order magazine; microfilmed Office of the Treasurer ledgers dated from 1983-1985 as part of the Archives preservation program; processed 122 historical photographs; and photocopied 4,150 pages of newspaper clippings on acid-free paper.

Increased the library collections by 3,597 items, including 1,527 book titles, to a total of 58,827 items and sent six volumes of Association for Bahá’í Studies journals for binding.

Supplied 21 local communities with sets of biographical sketches of noteworthy African-American, Asian, Hispanic and Native American Bahá’ís for use in proclamation and teaching activities.

Conducted six group tours of the Archives including an Archives open house and relics display for the National Convention.

Helped plan the development and launching of the Wilmette Institute's program to develop more effective teachers of the Bahá’í Faith, and took part in planning events held by the Institute for Bahá’í Studies and the Wilmette Institute.

Bahá’í Service for the Blind

Goal

To provide the literature of the Faith in mediums such as cassette tapes, Braille and large-print formats, for purchase and/or loan, for those unable to use standard print due to physical or mental handicaps.

Activities

Provided The American Bahá’í on cassette tapes to blind believers and provided free-of-charge to seekers around the world information about the Faith in Braille and on cassette tape.

Used computer-generated Braille technology to create materials; advertised the Faith in many worldwide publications for the blind; and maintained a lending library of materials for the blind, remaining financially independent of assistance from the National Fund.

Human Resources

Goal

To attend to the human resource needs of the National Spiritual Assembly and its employees including maintaining current staff and attracting new staff who bring a spirit of service as well as the necessary skills to carry out the hopes, plans and decisions of the National Assembly.

Activities

Exerted a conscious effort to increase diversity among the staff; of approximately 33 new full-time permanent staff recruited and hired, more than 50 percent (17) identified themselves as minorities. Attempts were made to recruit as many capable applicants as possible from the local area to reduce staff relocation costs to the National Fund.

Assisted with the recruitment efforts of World Center staff through conferences, advertisements in The American Bahá’í, and a Feast mailing.

Encouraged greater collaboration among managers and members of the Planning and Coordinating Committee, resulting in the holding of quarterly meetings between these two groups. In addition, arranged for the Secretary-General to meet with a number of individual departments to address questions or concerns specific to those areas.

Initiated a job-sharing program in the Secretariat; a cross-training program between two members of the Human Resources staff and that of Media Services and the Secretariat; and an internship program for young adults wishing to acquire skills in the Media Services area to enable them better to serve the Faith.

Initiated a new Performance Review process recommending that managers use it as a tool of encouragement, motivation and empowerment as well as for performance evaluation.

Arranged for a number of seminars for staff to assist with personal and professional development.

Management Information Services

Goal

To provide services in office automation (personal computers and laser printers), network services [Page 42](electronic mail, word processing, group scheduling, membership database querying and reporting, and printer sharing), document management (image processing and file room automation), and administrative systems support (membership, records, financial and accounting functions and mail services) to support the operation of the Bahá’í National Center and its departments and agencies, as well as to assist in the improved productivity of offices and individuals through computers and information technologies by streamlining and automating work and providing faster access to information.

Activities

Processed 23,901 address changes, 1,529 name changes and identification card replacements, 2,293 administrative corrections, 1,003 transfers into the American Bahá’í community and 776 transfers out of the community, verified and processed 1,363 local Spiritual Assembly formations, and recorded 479 deaths.

Sent out 927,640 pieces of mail through Mail Services; use of ZIP+4 and bar-coding resulted in a savings of $79,081 to the National Fund.

Provided the Bahá’í National Center Bulletin Board System (BNCBBS) to 1,000 users following streamlining during which inactive users were removed from the database; made available selected Bahá’í sacred writings for downloading; and arranged for messages from the Universal House of Justice and the National Spiritual Assembly to be accessed by the community.

Implemented a new registration system for the National Youth Conference that reduced significantly the time required to process pre-registrations and facilitated the process of on-site registration.

Completed automating information for the Office of Pioneering for faster access and better reporting capabilities; designed a new Subscriber Services system to increase productivity and improve customer service and a new membership and records system to increase staff productivity, handle an increased work load in the membership office and check the validity of on-line data input for more accurate information; and input of 92 percent of membership files using laser disk and imaging technology, allowing on-line access to all membership files already in the system.

Acquired more than 100 new Pentium-class computers throughout the National Assembly's agencies to replace aging ones and make it possible to concentrate human resources on training rather than on maintenance. Standardized LAN-based installable and upgradable software and began bi-weekly in-house software training for staff. Classes were held in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Windows 95, Lotus cc:Mail, Lotus Organizer, BNC Information Services, and introduction to computers.

Installed a new campus telecommunications system and fiber optic computer network for the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute.

Established a modern PC Support Services in-house maintenance office to install, maintain, troubleshoot and upgrade personal computers and departmental laser printers. Approximately 5,000 service calls were completed through the Support Services team.

Convened a joint meeting of members from five local Spiritual Assemblies, along with members of their respective communities who have technical computer expertise, to identify the information needs of the local communities, to identify what tasks of local Assemblies can be automated, and to identify what Assemblies need to link with and accomplish tasks with other communities as a step toward integrating local Spiritual Assemblies into the decentralization process.

Goal

To provide the National Spiritual Assembly and its committees and agencies meeting and travel planning services to insure cost-effective quality.

Activities

Changed travel agencies to take advantage of lower-cost services, provided on-site ticket reservation and printing at no cost to the National Fund, and achieved $500,000 in savings and refunds to the Fund.

Provided regularly full support (air and land transportation, hotel accommodations, and meals) for meetings of the National Spiritual Assembly, the National Teaching Committee, the Office of the Treasurer's Special Visit programs, the Latin Task Force, the Chinese Task Force, the Education Task Force, the World Order Editorial Board, the Short Encyclopedia Board, the school administrators meetings, the Haj Mehdi Arjmand and Institute for Bahá’í Studies conferences, and other meetings held at the Bahá’í National Center and the Bahá’í House of Worship.

Arranged site contracts for the 87th Bahá’í National Convention, the Dallas Youth Conference and the Persian Arts Festival.

Goal

To provide for the safety and security of staff and all properties including the Bahá’í House of Worship, the Bahá’í National Center offices, the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, the Bahá’í Home, the Hazíratu’l-Quds and other local properties owned by the National Spiritual Assembly.

Activities

Sent two security officers to receive basic security training and conducted in-service training with all officers to assure all were informed and up-to-date on security procedures, policies and objectives. The chief of security attended a seminar in Washington, D.C., on "Domestic Terrorism: Awareness, Planning and Prevention," gaining excellent contacts for intelligence information and practical skills for implementation at the Bahá’í National Center.

Performed maintenance and repairs on security equipment; purchased five new hand-held radios, completing replacement of old units, and obtained pagers; and updated security alarm systems and video monitoring equipment.

Provided security for the 1995 Bahá’í National Convention in Chicago, the Race Unity Walk in Evanston/Wilmette, Illinois, the youth conference in Dallas, Texas, and arranged or provided security for ‘Ali Nakhjavání’s tour of cities in the U.S.

Assigned officers to assist for nearly the full year with traffic control for vehicles and pedestrians because of bridge construction on Sheridan Road that caused unusual hazards entering and leaving the House of Worship parking lot.

Committees and Task Forces

1995-1996

National Teaching Committee Kenneth Bowers, Dawn Haghighi, Sylvester Scott, Patricia Steele

Regional American Indian Teaching Committees Central States, East—Ilya Brecque, Ernest D. Hockings, Michael Orona, Kathy Racki, Janice Rosado, Julia Brown Wolf Central States, West—Tim Crawford, Brad Defender, Denise Gilbert, Vernon Longie, Leslie Randall, Louise-Camille Watson Mid-Central States—Linda Covey, Mahin O. Etzenhouser-Stanley, Marda Rodrigues, Shahrokh Roohi, Charles Schiefelbein, Phyllis Sheridan Northeastern States—Francis (Gal Frey) Dodge, Ina McNeil, John D. Smith, Luis Torres Northwestern States—Kizzenkeea Davis, Ferris Paisano, Samuel W. Smith, Lorintha Warwick, Dwight Williams Southern States, East—Jullius B. Fuller, Michael Hughey, Bruce Jones, Peggy Oceola, Carlos Mario Velazquez Southern States, West—Fuad Akhtar-Khavari, Mike Bigler, Sara Gustavus, Allison Vaccaro Southwestern States—Layla Garrigues, Kimimila Locke, Carolena North, Robert E. Turner, Stefany Tyler

State Teaching Committees Arizona State Teaching Committee—Charlotte Babcock, Beatrice Brown, Larry Bucknell, Gwendolyn Calhoun, Steven Calrow, Richardo Jaramillo, Sina Mowzoon, Susan Sloan, Sue White Florida State Teaching Committee—Covey Cantville, William Massey, Rick Miller, Harriet Stafford, Nahid Venus, Hannah Mill Hessler Georgia State Teaching Committee—Marco Brotto, Patsy Gailey, Nasif Habeeb-ullah, Ida Morris, Natasha Naderi, Naysan Naderi, Floyd Searcy III Northern California State Teaching Committee—Ramiro Carranza, Tru Chang, Robert Clune, Karen Rutan-Sabetan, Farshid Sabet-Sharghi, Nancy Turner, Catherine Cardell Yavrom North Carolina State Teaching Committee—Alex Briber, Scott Koehler, Sandra Miles, Sepehr Mostael, Trevor Nightingale, Robert Tansik Oregon State Teaching Committee—Rachel Greco, Bobette Heern, Claudia McDermott, Lydia McCarter, Linda Spiering, Jack Stone, David Young Southern California State Teaching Committee—Richard Andre, Alicia Diaz, Leon Ferguson, Muhtadia Rice, Barbara Scott, James Schechter South Carolina Coordinating Committee—William Davis, Dorothy Ellis, Debbie Jackson, Richard Morris, Moses Richardson, Ursula Richardson, Nancy Songer Texas State Teaching Committee—Lupita Ahangarzadeh, Chris Cholas, Ajit Giani, Jeanette Hedayati, Steve King, Gwendolyn Pendleton, Shelly Pittman Washington State Teaching Committee—Mahnaz Javid, Aaron Lewis, Joye Lucas, Kenneth Morphet-Brown, Robert Parrish

School and Institute Advisory Boards Bosch Bahá’í School—James Cardell, Carl Fravel, Traci Gholar, Albert Huerta, Sharon Jensen, Constance King, Kambiz Petri Green Acre Bahá’í School—Nina Dini, Tom Hasegawa, Mara Khavari, Wendy Suhm Kvalheim, Chester Makoski, Vickie Nizin, Farhad Rassekh, William Roberts, Robert Rosenfeld Louhelen Bahá’í School—Azar Alizadeh, Elizabeth Herth, John Mangum Jr., Susan Modarai, Rene Steiner, Obioma Thomas, Heidi Unterschuetz Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute—Adalia Ellis, Fereydoun Jalali, Linda Lyerly, Josephine McFadden, Deborah Deas Nesmith, Charles Thomas, Lenzy Woodard Native American Bahá’í Institute—Alice Bathke, Faustini, Jeff Kiely, Hannah Rishel, Linda Wilson, John Yazzie Jr., Monte Yellowhorse Jacqueline Bohner, Robert Bohner, Fereshte Foroughi

Army of Light Coordinators National Coordinator—Dorita Krapf Volunteer Coordinator—Amelia Allmart Northeastern States—Rambod Hashemi, Norene Robinson, Christopher Ruhe Southeastern States—Sue Blythe, Walter Canady, Saghi Nabily, Robert Tansik, Annette Young Southern States—Andrea'nea King, Alison McGee, Mahyar Mofidi, Rocky Moncho, Andrea Seals, Michelle Wix Central States—Susan Calimeri, Jason Chirko, Melissa Cleaver, Sandra Fair, Chryselda Glaser, Marcelle LaVine, Beth Yazhari, Ramine Yazhari, Farzad Ziai, Shiva Ziai Southwestern States—Kee Bathke, Tammy Bathke, Bob Clune, Marva Davis, Diedre Merrill, Jennifer North Morris, May Movafagh, Joy Wieczorek Northwestern States—Llewellyn Drong, Rachel Greco, Mehnaz Javid, Chris Ragland

Arts Task Force—Tom Kubala, Sandra Pauer, Robert Reddy Bahá’í Encyclopedia Editorial Board—Larry Bucknell, Betty J. Fisher, Firuz Kazemzadeh, Todd Lawson, Heshmat Moayyad, Gayle Morrison, Robert Stockman, Will van den Hoonaard Bahá’í Service for the Blind—Mary Baral, Dean Martineau, Jane Melver, Lynne Peary, William Peary Brilliant Star—Meg Anderson, Keith Boehme, Susan Engle, Pepper Oldziey, Cindy Savage Chinese Task Force—Chieh-Cheng Chen, De-Yin Jeng, Iraj Kamalabadi, Pamela Solon, Lynn Wieties Education Task Force—Angelina Allen, Saba Ayman-Nolley, Beatriz Reyna Curry, Barbara Johnson, Terry Kneisler, Katherine Penn, Michael Rogell, Lola Schappell, Joannie Yuille Latin American Task Force—Vera Berrio Breton, Alexis Garcia, Luis Jimenez, Alejandro Melendez, Jorge Nossa Parent Facilitation Task Force—Lily Ayman, Anne Breneman, A. Jack Guillebeaux, William Joyner, Marie Scheffer National Persian Media Task Force—Guitty Ejtemaee, Mehrdad Haghighi, Ghodratollah Naderi

Persian Media Task Forces Atlanta—Parviz Izadi, Riaz Khadem, Faezeh Kharazmi, Jamshid Monajjem, Nader Naderi, Shamseddin Sabetazm, Rouhanieh Sobhani Washington, D.C.—Farzin Afsahi, Mahin Afsahi, Khalil Akhavan, Guitty Ejtemaee, Nosratollah Ighani, Kambiz Majidi, Ghodratollah Mostaghim, Behruz Rahimi, Melahat Zebarjadi, Soheil Zebarjadi Persian Reviewing Panel—Abolghassem Afnan (UK), Mohammad Afnan (BWC), Cyrus Agahi (UK), Iraj Ayman (US), Amin Banani (US), Manuchehr Derakhshani (US), A.H. Bashir Elahi (US), Khaze Fananapazir (UK), Riaz Ghadimi (Canada), Houshang Mehrassa (Canada), Heshmat Moayyad (US), Moojan Momen (UK), Mashallah Moshrefzadeh (US), Shapur Rassekh (Switzerland), Ali Tavangar (US) Special Materials Reviewing Committee—Eunice Braun, Mahvash Doering, Charles Nolley, Dixie Rouleau, Robert Stockman, Lynnea Yancy World Order Editorial Board—Betty J. Fisher, Howard Garey, Firuz Kazemzadeh, Herbert W. Martin, Robert H. Stockman, James D. Stokes [Page 43]

Instructions about pilgrimage to the Holy Land

April 14, 1995 (Revised October 17, 1995)

The new pilgrimage scheduling system, which was announced by the Universal House of Justice on March 1, 1994, is now fully operational. The system has been designed to simplify procedures and speed up responses through the use of computers, and to overcome anomalies which had arisen in the past. Guidelines on how to apply for pilgrimage were announced in March 1994 and were widely published, but they may not be easily at hand for all the friends now. As an assistance, therefore, the House of Justice has authorized us to provide this set of instructions for those who wish to apply for a nine-day pilgrimage.

Friends who wish to visit the Holy Land for any other purpose, such as a three-day visit, should write to the Universal House of Justice requesting permission, either directly or through their National Spiritual Assembly.

The main policies regarding pilgrimage are set forth in the attached document, and the House of Justice encourages you to study each point carefully before submitting your request for pilgrimage.

The process for requesting a nine-day pilgrimage is as follows:

1. If you wish to make a nine-day pilgrimage to the Bahá’í World Center, you should send a request in writing to the Office of Pilgrimage in Haifa, being sure to include the following information:

a. Your complete mailing address.

b. The full name of each family member who is included in your request—first (or given) name; middle name (or names, if any); and last (or family) name.

c. The family relationships of all those included (see guideline No. 6, attached).

d. The date of birth of each individual on the request (e.g., 01-JAN-1990).

e. The Bahá’í identification number for each individual (if he or she has one) and the name of the country where the number was issued.

2. An acknowledgment of your request for pilgrimage will be sent to you promptly. Currently, we estimate the waiting period to be about five years from the time you submit your request until you are invited for a pilgrimage. Bear in mind that during this time you should promptly inform the Office of Pilgrimage of any change of address.

3. When your name comes to the top of the waiting list, you will be sent a letter stating that you are being considered for pilgrimage. Included with the letter will be an application form requesting further information. You will also be presented with a range of pilgrimage dates extending over a six-month period from which you will be able to indicate your preferences. If none of these dates is suitable for you, you may refuse the entire list, in which case you will be sent a further list within a year or so.

4. You should then complete the application form and return it within three months to our Office, indicating your preferred pilgrimage dates. If any believers wish to come on pilgrimage together, it will be important for them to coordinate with each other to ensure that they indicate common preferences (refer to guideline No. 10). The actual scheduling of dates will be done on a first-come, first-served basis; thus, it is recommended that you return your application form as soon as possible after you receive it.

5. On receipt of your completed application form, our Office will issue an invitation to you.

6. You may then either accept or decline the pilgrimage date offered to you.

7. The first time you either refuse the complete list of dates offered (see point 3 above) or decline an invitation (see point 5 above), your name will be returned to the top of the waiting list and you will receive a further list of choices in due course. If you make such a refusal twice in succession, your name will be returned to the bottom of the waiting list.

As you can well appreciate, the advancement of the Cause has brought with it a rapid increase in the number of believers requesting pilgrimage to the Holy Land, making the scheduling of pilgrims a highly complex issue. While the House of Justice sympathizes with those who, for personal reasons, wish to be given special consideration in the scheduling of pilgrimages, it feels that it would not be proper to make exceptions to the normal ordering of requests. To delay the dates of some individuals' pilgrimages by permitting others to take precedence, no matter how deserving their cases, would not be fair.

Pilgrimage to the Bahá’í World Center is a sacred experience in a believer's life, an experience which many friends must plan for years in advance. We are confident that the new system, as it is fully applied, will safeguard such arrangements, preserve the sanctity of your pilgrimage, and facilitate the scheduling process.

Universal House of Justice Office of Pilgrimage April 14, 1995

Policies and Guidelines for the Pilgrimage Scheduling System of the Bahá’í World Center as from March 1, 1994 (Revised October 17, 1995)

1. The pilgrimage season is from the end of October through the following July of every year; there are no pilgrimages in August or September. Each pilgrimage group consists of approximately 100 believers.

2. Pilgrimage assignments are based on the date of receipt of a believer's request for pilgrimage.

3. All correspondence concerning requests for pilgrimage is directly between the individual pilgrim and the Bahá’í World Center. Applicants are asked to communicate with the World Center in writing only; telephoned requests for pilgrimge cannot be accepted. Correspondence to the Office of Pilgrimage may be by post (P.O. Box 155, 31 001 Haifa, Israel); by fax (972-4-8358507); or by electronic mail (Internet address:

4. There is to be a lapse of five years from the date of the completion of a believer's pilgrimage before a subsequent request for pilgrimage is submitted. Thus, a believer who has been on pilgrimage within the previous five years should not write to request a new pilgrimage until five years have passed from the date of his or her previous one.

5. Believers may not exchange their places in the pilgrimage queue, give up their places for friends or relatives, or transfer their pilgrimage invitation to another person.

6. For the purpose of pilgrimage requests, families have been defined as a married couple, or a parent or parents with their children and/or step-children who are under the age of 18. Only individuals falling within this description are included in the same request and can be guaranteed an invitation together. Children 18 years or older must request pilgrimge for themselves. Thus, if they wish to come on pilgrimage with the other members of their family, it is imperative that their application be submitted at the same time as their parents' so that they may be considered for pilgrimage at the same time (see item No. 10 below).

7. Parents are discouraged from bringing children under 10 years of age. In the event they do, they should know that children are not permitted to visit the International Archives Building unless they have passed their ninth birthday. Parents may not call upon Bahá’í World Center staff for babysitting services; it will be necessary for them to make their own arrangements for child care.

8. Individual applicants under the age of 18 are not accepted; however, they may ask to be placed on their parents' request or they may wait until they have reached their 18th birthday and make a separate request for themselves.

9. Believers who are without their administrative rights as a result of administrative sanctions are not permitted to take part in a nine-day pilgrimage.

10. Individual believers who wish to come together to the Holy Land should submit their requests for pilgrimage at the same time. They will not be recognized as a group but, as their request dates will be the same, it is likely that they will be considered for a pilgrimage in close proximity to one another, and that there will be common pilgrimage dates among the range of dates presented to each of them.

11. Policies of the new pilgrimage scheduling system which abolish certain practices of the past:

a. Believers who are on a brief visit to the Holy Land may not join a nine-day pilgrimage group, no matter what vacancies may occur.

b. The practice of filling last-minute vacancies by issuing invitations to applicants who had indicated that they could come at short notice is no longer followed.

c. Requests to be invited for specific pilgrimage dates can no longer be accommodated. It is envisaged that the new policy of offering each prospective pilgrim a range of dates from which to choose will make it easier for believers to come during a period which is convenient for them. Believers are also welcome to request permission for a three-day visit at any time.

Bahá’ís in Washington area take part in 'Stand Up for Children' event

On June 1, about 15 members of the Metro Washington, D.C., Volunteer Task Force, a group of Bahá’ís with a passion to serve, were up at dawn to man their posts as Stand for Children volunteer guides.

They were assigned to cover the Smithsonian Institutions subway station, and for the next five hours welcomed thousands of marchers to the largest demonstration for children ever held in the nation's capital.

Organized by the Children's Defense Fund and endorsed by thousands of national organizations including the National Spiritual Assembly, the gathering reportedly drew close to a quarter-million marchers to the grounds of the Lincoln Memorial.

The event resembled an enormous full-day family picnic, and Bahá’ís from as far afield as North Carolina and upstate New York joined in the festivities.

Near the Reflecting Pool, a group of Bahá’ís set up a booth on Bahá’í education at the Family Forum, an area of thematic tents arranged around a stage where hundreds of national groups offered information about their programs for children.

The Bahá’í volunteers manned the booth until late in the afternoon, handing out hundreds of complimentary copies of Brilliant Star magazine and other teaching materials.

The formal program began at 1 p.m. with a half-hour interfaith service on the main stage below the Lincoln Memorial.

Representatives of each religious community gathered onstage in traditional dress. One of the Bahá’í representatives was a youth who read a prayer for children by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at the close of the service. The entire program received wide media coverage.

The Children's Defense Fund is encouraging all the endorsing organizations to build on the momentum generated by the march, and has set up an 800 number (800-663-4032) and web site (http://www.stand.org) to share information about follow-up activities.

Individuals and communities can request updates and a calendar of events. A Citizen Action Guide and curriculum guide are also available for those interested in starting after-school, summer or weekend programs for children and youth.

Remember the National Center's new area code: 847 [Page 44]

پیشرفت ساختمانهای قوس

بیت العدل اعظم اجازه فرموده اند که از این به بعد زائران ارض اقدس از پنج طبقه از هفت طبقه زیرین مقام اعلی دیدار کنند. اولین گروه زائران روز ۲۲ اپریل سال جاری به دیدار از طبقات مذکور توفیق یافت.

پائین آوردن خیابان Hatzionut در سه مرحله اجراء خواهد شد.

در مرحله نخستین لوله های فاضلاب موقتی در قسمت شمالی خیابان مجاور طبقه ای که مقام اعلی در آن قرار دارد کشیده شد و پیاده رو شمالی باریک شد.

مرحله بعدی سوای خاک برداری به عمق ۵ متر جهت ساختن راه جدید شامل حفاری برای زیربنای ساختمان زیر طبقه یازدهم خواهد بود. بیشتر عملیات مربوط به سیمهای تلفن و کابل تلویزیون و لوله کشی آب و فاضلاب در این مرحله به مدت یک سال اجرا خواهد شد.

مرحله نهائی مشتمل بر حفاری دو سوم جاده و ساختن دیواره های کناری خواهد بود.

ساختن طبقه دوم بنائی که دارالتبلیغ در آن قرار خواهد داشت عملاً به اتمام رسیده و ۶۶ درصد عملیات طبقه سوم نیز خاتمه یافته است. با تکمیل کلی بناها محوطه داخلی مرکز مطالعه نصوص نیز شکل کلی خود را به دست آورده است.

سه اتاقک آسانسورهای ساختمان که در کانادا ساخته شده در تونل آسانسور قرار گرفته است. داخل این اتاقکها به نحو زیبائی تزیین شده است.

FRIENDS OF PERSIAN CULTURE REGIONAL CONFERENCE

به آگاهی یاران عزیز میرساند که اولین کنفرانس ناحیه‌ای انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی در تکزاس روزهای ۱۰ و ۱۱ اگست سال جاری در پلانو Plano واقع در ایالت تکزاس برگزار خواهد شد.

کنفرانس مذکور با همکاری دفتر امور احبای ایرانی امریکائی منعقد می‌گردد در کنفرانس محلی برای نگاهداری کودکان در نظر گرفته شده و نیز برنامه ای مخصوص به زبان انگلیسی از ساعت ۲ تا ۵ بعد از ظهر روز یکشنبه اجرا خواهد شد.

هتلی نزدیک محل کنفرانس در نظر گرفته شده است و ناهار و شام ایرانی در محوطه کنفرانس به فروش خواهد رسید.

علاقه مندان میتوانند برای رزرو جا با هتل هالیدی این Holiday Inn شماره ۸۸۱-۱۸۸۱ (۲۱۴) تماس حاصل نمایند و قید فرمایند که برای Bahá’í group اتاق میخواهند قیمت اتاق شبی ۶۵ دلار است و در هر اتاق ۴ نفر میتوانند بمانند.

برای سهولت رفت و آمد از هتل به محل کنفرانس در حدود ۳ مایل ترتیباتی داده شده است.

دوستان میتوانند برای دریافت اطلاعات بیشتر با خانم فرح رأفت تلفن شماره ۴۹۲-۰۹۰۴ (۲۱۴) یا با خانم ماه مهر گلستانه تلفن شماره ۹۳۱-۵۳۷۵ (۲۱۴) تماس حاصل فرمایند.

DISTRICT CONVENTIONS

همانگونه که خوانندگان عزیز آگاهی دارند انتخابات Bahá’í یکی از مشخصه های امر الهی است. انتخاب هیئت حاکمه یک جامعه دینی به نحوی که در امر Bahá’í منظور شده در هیچ یک از ادیان دیگر وجود ندارد.

در میان پیروان دیگر آئین ها در گذشته طبقه روحانیون مدیر و مدبّر جامعه دینی بود. رسیدن به این طبقه مستلزم کسب سواد که برای بیشتر مردم امکان نداشت و گذشتن از مراحل ویژه ای بود که ارتباط مستقیم با نظام اجتماعی و دولتی داشت.

با گذشت زمان و دیگرگون شدن اوضاع جمال قدم در کلیات و حضرت ‘Abdu’l-Bahá و حضرت ولی امرالله در تبیین آن کلیات چنین مقرر فرمودند که هیئت حاکمه جامعه را افراد تشکیل دهنده آن با رأی مخفی انتخاب کنند.

اهل بها از آنجا که در مراحل نخستین و دوره تکوین امر Bahá’í به سر می برند چه بسا که اهمیت انتخابات Bahá’í را هنوز چنانکه باید در نیافته باشند با این حال با خواندن نصوص الهی و تشویق معهد اعلی و دیگر تشکیلات Bahá’í و نیز اندیشیدن درباره اهمیت انتخابات و مقایسه ضمنی آن با دیگر سازمانهای اجتماعی به تدریج میتوان به والایی و ارزش این اصل پی برد و قدر آن را دانست.

به زودی کانونشن های ناحیه‌ای در سراسر ایالات متحده انعقاد یافت غرض از تشکیل کانونشن های مذکور انتخاب نماینده برای انتخاب اعضای محفل روحانی ملی است.

نعمتی به اهل بهاء تفویض شده که به جای اینکه اعضای هیئت حاکمه آنها از بیرون و بدون دخالت دینی آنان بدیشان تحمیل شوند خود اختیار انتخاب آنان را داشته باشند دریغ است که از چنین نعمتی با بی اعتنائی گذشت و قدر آن را ندانست.

تاریخ و محل کانونشن های ناحیه ای در صفحات انگلیسی این نشریه درج شده است. دوستان به آن صفحات رجوع نمایند.

US SENATE RESOLUTION

روز ۲۶ جون سال جاری مجلس سنای ایالات متحده قطعنامه ای به اتفاق آراء صادر نمود و در آن دولت ایران را برای ادامه تضییقات Bahá’íآن آن کشور محکوم کرد و از جمهوری اسلامی خواست که حقوق دینی و مدنی Bahá’íآن را به آنان اعاده نماید.

قطعنامه مجلس سنا به دنبال قطعنامه مشابهی که قبلاً مجلس نمایندگان به اتفاق صادر نموده بود، صادر گردید.

از سال ۱۹۸۲ تا کنون کنگره ایالات متحده هفت قطعنامه صادر کرده و در آنها از دولت ایران خواسته است که حقوق Bahá’íآن و دیگر اقلیتهای دینی آن کشور را محترم شمارد.

سناتور ننسی کسه بام Nancy Kassebaum از ایالت کانزاس که قطعنامه اخیر به همت او ارائه شده است با یادآوری این نکته که دولت ایران در مدارک رسمی خود آشکارا سیاست دولت را جهت سرکوبی جامعه Bahá’í اعلام کرده اظهار نگرانی کرد و گفت که بقای جامعه Bahá’í ایران با محروم کردن اعضای آن از حقوق اداری و حق انتخاب تشکیلات و آموزش و پرورش جوانان در خطر است. وی خاطر نشان ساخت که روز ۲۶ جون از این جهت برای صدور قطعنامه انتخاب شده که مصادف با سیزدهمین سالیست که مراجع مذهبی ایران ده نفر از Bahá’íآن شیراز را که سه نفرشان دوشیزگان کمتر از بیست ساله بودند اعدام نمودند. این کشتار زنان و جوانان مظلوم در جریان یک سری اعدامهای Bahá’íآن در نیمه اول سال ۱۹۸۳ رخ داد که در سراسر ایران اجراء شد.

در آن سال پرزیدنت ریگان نگرانی مردم آمریکا را از تضییقات وارد بر احبای ایران اظهار داشت و از رهبران ایران درخواست نمود که از جان محکومین به مرگ در شیراز در گذرند. عکس العمل ایران به این درخواست آن بود که حکم اعدام را در موقع تعیین شده بی درنگ به کار بست. میدانیم که این مردان و زنان برای هیچ جنایتی کشته نشدند مگر اعتقاد دینی شان همچنین میدانیم این تضییقات به انحاء مختلف تا امروز ادامه دارد.

دکتر فیروز کاظم زاده منشی روابط خارجی محفل روحانی ملی اظهار داشت که شواهدی در دست است که نشان میدهد که قطعنامه های پیشین کنگره و اعتراضها و تقاضاهای دیگر دولت های جهان و نیز سازمان ملل متحد سبب شده است که دولت ایران رویه خود را در قبال Bahá’íآن ایران اندکی تعدیل نماید.

نشریات جدید

۱ پیک دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی، جلد ۱ که نخستین نشریه انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی است توسط مؤسسه ایمجز اینترنشنال Images International به مبلغ ۲۵ دلار به فروش میرسد در این مجموعه در ۳۵۶ صفحه فارسی و ۶۸ صفحه انگلیسی متن ۲۲ سخنرانی که در کنفرانسهای سالانه اول و دوم انجمن توسط اساتید Bahá’í ایراد گردیده درج شده است. بعلاوه نمونه هائی از اشعار هشت شاعر معاصر Bahá’í و نیز نمونه هائی از آثار خوشنویسی و تذهیب جناب مشکین قلم از جمله یک خوشنویسی و نقاشی با ناخن که تا کنون در کتابی چاپ نشده در این کتاب چاپ گردیده است.

۲ مؤسسه ایمجز اینترنشنال (۴۷۰۴۵۲۵-۸۰۰-۱) اخیراً نوار صوتی مشتمل بر ۶ مناجات از حضرت Bahá’u’lláh و حضرت ‘Abdu’l-Bahá را منتشر ساخته است. این مناجات ها توسط جناب پرویز مهاجر جاسبی در مایه دستگاه های موسیقی ایرانی خوانده شده و همراه آن جناب ایرج طاهری فلوت نواخته اند. قیمت هر نوار ۱۰ دلار است.

مجمع مطالعه معارف بهائی و مجمع عرفان

کنفرانس مشترک مجمع مطالعه معارف Bahá’í و مجمع عرفان در مدرسه Bahá’í لوهلن - میشیگان ۱۱ تا ۱۴ اکتبر ۱۹۹۶.

این کنفرانس با همکاری مؤسسه معارف Bahá’í در کانادا صندوق یاد بود حاج مهدی ارجمند، دفتر امور احبای ایرانی امریکانی محفل روحانی ملی آمریکا و مدرسه Bahá’í لوهلن تشکیل می‌گردد جلسات کنفرانس از غروب روز جمعه ۱۱ اکتبر تا بعد از نهار روز دوشنبه ۱۴ اکتبر ادامه خواهد داشت.

نظر به محدود بودن امکانات مدرسه لوهلن لطفاً در اولین فرصت برای ثبت نام و ذخیره اطاق اقدام فرمائید.

تلفن ۶۵۳۵۰۳۳-۸۱۰ فکس ۶۵۳۷۱۸۱-۸۱۰

حقوق الله

از دوستان عزیز مستدعی است تقدیمیهای حقوق الله را در وجه Bahá’í Huququllah Trust به نشانی یکی از امنای حقوق الله ارسال فرمایند.

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

Dr. Amin Banani Santa Monica, CA. 90402

Dr. Daryush Haghighi Rocky River, OH. 44116 [Page 45]مواقعی که برای آنها آسان تر است به ارض اقدس سفر کنند زیرا آنها میتوانند تاریخ مناسبی را از میان تاریخ های پیشنهاد شده انتخاب نمایند. یاران الهی میتوانند در هر زمان که بخواهند تقاضای زیارت سه روزه بنمایند.

گزارشی از ششمین کنفرانس انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایران

ششمین کنفرانس سالانه انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی در ۲۳ تا ۲۶ می ۱۹۹۶ طبق برنامه ریزیهای قبلی به توسط هیأت های مدیره و اجرائی در هتل نورث شور هیلتن در شهر شکوکی Skokie در حومه شیکاگو برگزار گردید بیش از ششصد نفر از دوستان ایرانی و امریکائی در آن شرکت نمودند.

این کنفرانس از چند نظر دارای مزایای ویژه و بی سابقه ای بود امسال برای نخستین بار سه کنفرانس هم زمان تشکیل گردید: نخست کنفرانس به زبان فارسی بود که اکثریت شرکت کنندگان را به خود جذب نمود. در این قسمت سخنرانیهای زیر ارائه گردید: طهران در قرن نوزدهم (دکتر بیژن سعادت)، هنر مینیاتور (جناب تورج جهانگیرلو)، ادبیات عامیانه فارسی (دکتر جهانگیر دری)، جنبه های عرفانی معماری (جناب موژان خادم)، زن در عصر قاجار (خانم ژاله خادم)، شرح مختصر زندگانی و خدمات میرزا اسد الله فاضل مازندرانی (دکتر ایرج ایمن، دکتر امین بنانی)، آثار جناب فاضل (مازندرانی، نعیم، نبیل، اکبر)، فن تاریخ نگاری (دکتر امین بنانی، دکتر نادر سعیدی)، تاریخ نگاری در ایران قرن نوزدهم (دکتر امین بنانی)، شعر و سخن (جناب بهروز جباری)، شعر فارسی در سده نوزدهم (دکتر سیروس مشکی)، تطوّر نثر فارسی (دکتر طلعت بصاری)، طنز و فکاهیات در ادبیات فارسی (دکتر جهانگیر دری)، جواهرات سلطنتی ایران (دکتر شیوا سعادت)، صیقلی به آئینه تاریخ بررسی در بارۀ یک سند تاریخی (جناب مهرداد بشیری)، گلگشتی در سرزمین ایران (دکتر مختار افشاریان).

کنفرانس دوم به زبان انگلیسی و برای استفاده دوگروه ویژه تنظیم گردیده بود یکی افراد غیرایرانی دوستدار فرهنگ ایرانی و دیگری آن دسته از نسل جوان تر یاران ایرانی که به دلائل گوناگون با زبان فارسی کمتر آشنائی دارند، ولی علاقه مندند جنبه های متنوع فرهنگ ایران را بشناسند در این بخش سخنرانی های زیر به انگلیسی ارائه گردید: رسالۀ مدنیه و مسئلة تجدد در خاور میانه (دکتر نادر سعیدی)، فن تاریخ نگاری (دکتر امین بنانی، دکتر نادر سعیدی)، تایخ نگاری در ایران عصر قاجار (دکتر امین بنانی)، گلگشتی در سرزمین ایران (دکتر مختار افشاریان)، جواهرات سلطنتی ایران (دکتر شیوا سعادت)، زنان در دیانت بابی (دکتر ژنا خداداد)، زندگانی و خدمات جناب فاضل مازندرانی (دکتر ایرج ایمن)، جناب فاضل در آمریکا (جناب راجر دال)، جنبه های عرفانی فن معماری (جناب موژان خادم)، زن در عصر قاجار (خانم ژاله خادم)، ابن سینا بزرگمرد جهان پزشکی (دکتر طاهره منصور سبحانی).

کنفرانس سوم ویژه کودکان ۳ تا ۱۲ ساله بود که با همت و فداکاری چند نفر از آموزگاران و همکاران آنان با موفقیت برگزار شد اینها عبارت بودند از خانم آتی سا آذر اردکانی سرپرست برنامه، خانمها روحیه بگلی افضلی، لورا مک‌لاکی، مریم طاهرزاده، کریستین ولتر، آلن جانسون، کارمن مک دونالد.

هر یک از روزهای برنامه سه روزه بچه ها موضوع محوری خاصی داشت که توسط بازی های گوناگون تمرین میشد: پرورش و تقویت شخصیت و هویت کودکان، آموزش مهرورزی به خانواده و فرهنگ، پرورش جامعه و تفهیم موضوع هماهنگی و اتحاد. در طول این سه روز کودکان ۳ تا ۶ ساله در یک سالن و ۷ تا ۱۲ ساله در سالن دیگر با راهنمائی آموزگاران خود با موضوع های زیر آشنا شدند: الفبا و زبان فارسی (خانم عالیه برهانیان)، رقص های محلی ایرانی (خانم روشنک درخشانی، خانم شیرین هرمزی)، آواز ایرانی (خانم شکوه رضائی)، داستان راز جنگل (نمایش ویدئوی دوبله فارسی)، هنر تذهیب و مینیاتور ایرانی (جناب تورج جهانگیرلو)، آشنائی با سازهای ایرانی: سنتور (جناب نوید اردکانی)، تنبک (جناب داریا مجذوبی)، نمایش لباسهای محلی اقوام ایرانی (خانم آتی سا آذر اردکانی).

فعالیتهای دیگر بچه ها شامل چند مورد زیر بود: تنظیم یک کتابچه با متن و تصویر (شامل شجره نامه خانوادگی، شمارش اعداد، ترتیب الفبای فارسی، کار مینیاتور، مناجات، تذهیب، فقراتی از کلمات مكنونه فارسی و شرحی بر تاریخچه خانوادگی)، داستان سرائی، بازیهای همه‌گانی، نقاشی و تصویر با نخ کاموا، آجرهای کاشی کوچک، صحبت پدر و مادرها و بچه ها دربارۀ فرهنگ، داستان هائی درباره اهمیت خانواده، یک جامعه از چه چیز ساخته می شود؟، تمرین رقص محلی ایرانی، طرز ساختن یک تنبک، دعا و مناجات.

آنچه گذشت در شرح برنامه های صبح و بعد از ظهر بود که در چند محل و هم زمان اجراء می شد. هر روز صبح جلسات با زیارت مناجات های بهائی، که حاکی از آرزوی خیر و سعادت برای همه ساکنین کره زمین است، آغاز میشد و به دنبال آن نوای موسیقی ایرانی از ساز یکی از هنرمندان به گوش شنوندگان می رسید. سپس دکتر مینو ثابت و خانم شیلا بنانی به ترتیب ناظمین برنامه های فارسی و انگلیسی برنامه های سخنرانی و سخنرانان را معرفی می نمودند و به این ترتیب برنامه ها اجرا میگردید و ایجاد شور و نشور و اشتیاق و تبادل آراء می نمود.

در طول سه روز کنفرانس نمایشگاه های هنرمندان شریف، خانمها شهره شکیب (مینیاتور) و ماه مهر گلستانه (نقاشی آب رنگ) و جنابان تورج جهانگیرلو (مینیاتور و تذهیب) و بیژن فردوسی (خوشنویسی و تذهیب) در معرض دید و سنجش و قدردانی شرکت کنندگان قرار گرفت.

طرح برنامه های شب (۸ تا ۱۰:۳۰) بر منوال دیگری بود. جلسات شب عمومی و شامل برنامه های موسیقی تنها، موسیقی همراه با آوازهای ردیف ایرانی یا شعر خوانی، رقص محلی و نمایش بود. ناظم جلسات شب جناب مهندس بهروز جباری و مدیر امور هنری جناب مهندس منوچهر وهمن بودند. هنرمندان عزیزی که برنامه اجراء نمودند عبارت بودند از خانم ها آتی سا آذر اردکانی، روشنک درخشانی، مینو پناهی و ژانت ظریفکار (رقصهای محلی ایرانی)، خانم مژده مولوی و جناب منصور تأیید (نمایش تراژدی طاهره)، خانم شکوه رضائی و جنابان فروغ الدین فرزانه و رامین منشادی (نمایش)، آوازهای ردیف ایرانی خانم ها روحا سبحانی و دکتر لیلی عنایتی (دکلمه و شعر)، جنابان بهروز سنائی، شهرام لامع، داریا مجذوبی و وفا مستقیم (تنبک)، جناب دکتر ضیاء ثابت (فلوت)، جنابان نوید اردکانی، کیومرث حقیقی و روح الله محمود زاده (سنتور)، جنابان دکتر سینا ثابت، دکتر بیژن سعادت، دکتر پرویز موفق و مهندس منوچهر وهمن (ویلن)، خانم ها سینتیا تارکانیان، کیلی حقیقی، مرجان مجد جباری و روشنک وهمن (پیانو).

آنچه در صحنه می گذشت و برای شرکت کنندگان مهیج مینمود هماهنگی بخشیدن به جنبه های صوتی و تنظیم نور بود که به همت و فداکاری جناب روح الله محمود زاده و همسرشان خانم اقدس محمود زاده و عده ای دیگر انجام میگرفت و برنامه های رقص و نمایش و موسیقی را جلوه ای دو چندان می داد.

در کنفرانس امسال تجربه کردیم که با قبول حد اقل خطر میتوان به پیروزیهای تازه ای دست یافت. در این میان با همکاران و اساتید و هنرمندانی آشنا شدیم که آرزومندیم از وجودشان برای گسترش کار انجمن همچنان بهره مند گردیم. دوستان و سرورانی که از خارج آمریکا به ما پیوستند و با مشارکت های صادقانه خود بر رونق برنامه های سخنرانی و هنری افزودند ما را قرین مباهات نمودند و امیدوار ساختند که از منبع دانش و تجربه و آدابشان برای بارور ساختن اهداف انجمن، که محورش اشاعه آگاهی درباره فرهنگ و تمدن ایرانی ست، در آینده نیز بهره مند گردیم.

گام های بعدی انجمن در زمینه جذب بیشتر دوستان امریکائی و اساتید علاقه مند و چاپ و انتشار زندگی نامه های فضلای بهائی ایرانی خواهد بود.

هیئت مدیره و هیئت اجرائی انجمن از خدمات بی دریغ داوطلبانی که در گل آرانی و جریان نام نویسی و راهنمائی شرکت کنندگان همکاری کردند صمیمانه سپاسگزار است. درود و سپاس هیئت بر خانم ها شیده محبوبی پور، فریبا دادفر، فرزانه ناظریان، مینو پناهی، پریسا پناهی، سعیده مؤید و جنابان شهرام صفائی، سهراب مقربی، شاهین برهانیان، نصرت آشوریان، کیوان فراهانی، همام هویدانی، هوشنگ مشتعل که بدون همکاری این عزیزان انتظام امور کنفرانس غیر ممکن می نمود. [Page 46]

NEW PILGRIMAGE ARRANGEMENTS

ترتیب جدید تعیین نوبت برای زائرین که بیت العدل اعظم در اول مارچ ۱۹۹۴ اعلام فرمودند حال کاملاً به موقع اجرا درآمده است. این نحوۀ جدید به منظور ساده کردن جریان و تسریع ارسال پاسخ با استفاده از کامپیوتر و نیز جلوگیری از پاره ای بی نظمی هائی که در گذشته پیش می آمد اتخاذ گردیده است.

در مارچ ۱۹۹۴ ترتیب جدید برای تقاضای نوبت زیارت اعلام گردید و در نشریات امری منتشر شد ولکن ممکن است در حال حاضر اطلاعات مزبور به سهولت در دسترس عموم افراد احباء نباشد بنابراین برای رفع این مشکل بیت العدل اعظم اجازه فرمودند که این دستورالعمل در دسترس یارانی که مایل به تقاضای زیارت نه روزه هستند قرار گیرد احبائی که برای مقاصد دیگری مثلاً زیارت سه روزه به ارض اقدس مسافرت نمایند باید یا مستقیماً و یا از طریق محافل روحانیه ملیه از بیت العدل اعظم کسب اجازه نمایند.

خط مشیهای اصلی مربوط به زیارت در ورقه ضمیمه مندرج است و بیت العدل اعظم مایلند که قبل از ارسال تقاضای نوبت زیارت تمام این مقررات به دقت مطالعه شود.

ترتیب ارسال تقاضا برای زیارت نه روزه بدین قرار است:

۱- اگر مایلید برای زیارت نه روزه به ارض اقدس مسافرت نمائید باید تقاضای کتبی خود را به اداره امور زائرین در حیفا ارسال نمائید و حتماً اطلاعات ذیل را در تقاضانامه خود قید کنید: الف. نشانی کامل پستی خودتان ب. نام کامل و نام خانوادگی هر یک از اعضای خانواده (به حروف لاتین) که در تقاضانامه شما ذکر می‌شود. ج. نسبت خویشاوندی هر یک از افرادی که نام برده می‌شوند به ماده ۶ ورقه ضمیمه مراجعه شود. د. تاریخ کامل تولد هر یک از افرادی که در تقاضانامه نام برده می‌شوند: مثلاً اول ژانویه (۱۹۹۰) ه. شماره تسجیل هر یک از افرادی که در تقاضانامه نام برده می‌شوند در صورتی که شماره تسجیل داشته باشند و نام کشوری که شماره مزبور را صادر کرده است.

۲- وصول تقاضانامه فوراً به اطلاع شما خواهد رسید. در حال حاضر طول مدت انتظار از زمانی که تقاضانامه شما دریافت می‌شود تا زمانی که شما برای زیارت دعوت می‌شوید حدود پنج سال تخمین زده شده است. در نظر داشته باشید که در طول این مدت شما باید هر گونه تغییر در نشانی پستی خود را بلافاصله به دفتر امور زائرین اطلاع دهید.

وقتی نام شما به ابتدای فهرست اسامی متقاضیان می‌رسد نامه‌ای برای شما ارسال می‌شود دائر بر اینکه تقاضای شما در حال بررسی است یک فرم تقاضانامه نیز ضمیمه نامه مزبور خواهد بود که باید آن را شما تکمیل نموده عودت دهید همچنین چندین تاریخ مختلف در طول شش ماه برای زیارت پیشنهاد می‌شود و شما می‌توانید تاریخی را که مناسب تشخیص می‌دهید انتخاب کنید. اگر هیچ یک از تاریخ های پیشنهاد شده مناسب نباشد می‌توانید آنها را نپذیرید در این صورت تاریخهای جدیدی در حدود یک سال بعد برای شما فرستاده خواهد شد.

بعد از اینکه فرم تقاضانامه را تکمیل نمودید باید آن را با قید تاریخ مورد نظرتان از بین تاریخ هائی که پیشنهاد شده است در ظرف سه ماه به اداره امور زائرین بفرستید. اگر چند نفر از احباء میل دارند که به اتفاق یکدیگر برای زیارت بیایند لازم است که با یکدیگر همکاری نمایند تا همگی تاریخ واحدی را انتخاب نمایند (به ماده ۱۰ راهنمای ضمیمه مراجعه کنید) نوبت زیارت به ترتیب تقدم تاریخ وصول تقاضانامه ها تعیین می‌شود بنابراین توصیه می‌شود که فرم تقاضانامه را که برایتان ارسال می شود هر چه زودتر تکمیل و ارسال نمائید.

پس از وصول فرم تکمیل شده مزبور دعوت نامه مخصوص به نام شما صادر و ارسال می‌گردد.

پس از وصول این دعوت نامه می‌توانید تاریخ تعیین شده را بپذیرید و یا از قبول آن خودداری کنید. اولین مرتبه‌ای که تاریخهای پیشنهاد شده که قبلاً در بند ۳ شرح داده شد یا تاریخی که در دعوت نامه ذکر شده است (بند ۵) در این ورقه را رد می‌کنید نام شما دو مرتبه به ابتدای فهرست اسامی متقاضیان برمی‌گردد و در اولین فرصت مناسب تاریخهای دیگری به شما پیشنهاد می‌شود. چنانچه دو مرتبه پی در پی تاریخهای پیشنهادی را نپذیرید نام شما به آخر فهرست اسامی متقاضیان برمی‌گردد.

همانطور که مستحضر هستید پیشرفت امر الهی سبب ازدیاد سریع احبائی شده است که تقاضای زیارت ارض اقدس را دارند و بدین دلیل تعیین نوبت زیارت را امری مشکل و پیچیده کرده است. اگر چه بیت العدل اعظم با نفوسی که به علل مختلفه تقاضای رسیدگی مخصوص برای دریافت نوبت زیارت دارند احساس دلسوزی می‌نمایند اما صلاح نمی‌دانند که در رویه عادی تعیین نوبت استثناء قائل شود به تعویق انداختن نوبت زیارت سایر یاران به خاطر قبول تقاضاهای استثنائی حتی اگر علل موجهی هم وجود داشته باشد منصفانه نخواهد بود.

زیارت مرکز جهانی Bahá’í تجربه مقدسی در زندگانی احباست و تجربه‌ای است که بسیاری از احباء باید از سالها قبل ترتیبات لازم را برای آن بدهند. یقین داریم که اجرای کامل نحوۀ جدید سبب می‌شود این ترتیبات و مقدمات قبلی به هم نخورد و حرمت زیارت محفوظ ماند و سبب تسهیل نوبت گذاری شود.

اداره امور زائرین

خط مشی و مقررات تعیین نوبت برای زیارت نه روزه

تاریخ شروع اجراء: اول مارچ ۱۹۹۴ تاریخ تجدید نظر: ۱۷ اکتبر (۱۹۹۵) ۱۴ اپریل ۱۹۹۵

۱- فصل زیارت از آخر اکتبر تا آخر جولای سال بعد است در ماههای آگست و سپتامبر زیارت نه روزه انجام نمی‌گردد هر گروه زیارتی تقریباً مشتمل بر یکصد نفر از احباء خواهد بود.

۲- نوبت زیارت بر اساس تاریخ وصول تقاضای زیارت هر متقاضی تعیین می‌شود.

۳- کلیه مکاتبات و مخابرات مربوط به تقاضاهای زیارت مستقیماً بین افراد متقاضی و مرکز جهانی Bahá’í انجام می‌گیرد از یاران الهی تقاضا می‌شود تقاضای خود را مستقیماً و کتباً به مرکز جهانی Bahá’í ارسال دارند. تقاضاهای زیارت از طریق تلفن پذیرفته نمی‌شود. تقاضاهای خود را می‌توانید با پست به نشانی:

OFFICE OF PILGRIMAGE POST OFFICE BOX 155 31001 HAIFA, ISRAEL

ارسال دارید و یا آن را با فکس شماره (۹۷۲۴۸۳۵۸۵۰۷) یا از طریق الکترونیک به آدرس دستورات لازمه به عموم احبائی که قصد زیارت ارض اقدس را دارند مخابره نمائید.

۴- بین زیارت نه روزۀ هر فرد تا قبول تقاضای مجدد از همان فرد باید پنج سال فاصله باشد. بنابراین اگر شخصی ضمن پنج سال گذشته زائر بوده است تا انقضای مدت پنج سال از تاریخ زیارت نباید برای زیارت نه روزه تقاضای نوبت نماید.

۵- یاران الهی نمی‌توانند نوبت زیارت خود را با نوبت افراد دیگر عوض کنند یا جای خود را به دوستان یا اقوام دیگر واگذار نمایند و یا دعوت نامه خود را به دیگری منتقل سازند.

۶- برای تعیین نوبت زیارت دسته جمعی افراد یک خانواده باید در نظر داشته باشند که تقاضای زیارت خانوادگی می‌تواند شامل والدین یا ناپدر و یا زن پدر و فرزندان کمتر از ۱۸ سال آنان باشد. در این صورت نوبت و تاریخ همزمان برای زیارت خانواده مزبور تعیین خواهد گردید فرزندان ۱۸ سال به بالا باید رأساً برای خود تقاضای نوبت زیارت نمایند بنابراین اگر مایل باشند به اتفاق سایر افراد خانواده به زیارت موفق شوند باید تقاضای زیارت خود را با ذکر نکته مزبور همزمان با تقاضای والدین خود ارسال دارند تا در صورت امکان بتوان تقاضاهای آنها را با هم بررسی نمود (رجوع شود به ماده ۱۰ ذیل).

۷- والدین حتی المقدور باید از آوردن اطفال کمتر از ده سال خودداری فرمایند در صورتی که والدین فرزندان کمتر از ده سال همراه داشته باشند باید بدانند که اطفال مزبور فقط در صورتی که نه سال تمام از تاریخ تولدشان گذشته باشد می‌توانند دارالآثار بین المللی را زیارت نمایند. والدین نباید از افرادی که در مرکز جهانی خدمت می‌کنند برای نگاهداری اطفال خود استفاده نمایند ترتیب نگاهداری اطفال از وظائف خود والدین است.

۸- تقاضای نوبت زیارت از افرادی که کمتر از ۱۸ سال دارند پذیرفته نمی‌شود ولکن متقاضیان مزبور می‌توانند یا در تقاضانامه والدین خود منظور شده باشند یا پس از رسیدن به سن ۱۸ سالگی (یعنی بعد از هجدهمین سالگرد تولد) جداگانه برای خود تقاضای نوبت برای زیارت نمایند.

۹- احبائی که از حقوق اداری محروم هستند برای زیارت نه روزه پذیرفته نخواهند شد.

۱۰- احبائی که مایلند به اتفاق یکدیگر برای زیارت به ارض اقدس بیایند باید تقاضای خود را در یک زمان ارسال دارند. این افراد بعنوان یک گروه شناخته نمی‌شوند اما چون همزمان تقاضای زیارت کرده‌اند امکان دارد که تقاضاهای آنان تقریباً در یکزمان رسیدگی شود و صورت تاریخ هائی که برای زیارت به آنها پیشنهاد می‌شود تاریخ های مشابهی را شامل باشد.

۱۱- تسهیلاتی که در سابق مرسوم بوده و در ترتیب جدید ملغی شده به قرار زیر است: الف. احبائی که برای سفر کوتاه مدت به ارض اقدس آمده باشند حتی در مواردی که جای خالی در گروه زائرین موجود باشد نمی‌توانند به گروه زائرین نه روزه ملحق گردند. ب. از این پس محلهای خالی در گروه زائرین از طریق صدور دعوت نامه برای متقاضیانی که قبلاً اطلاع داده باشند که می‌توانند فوراً حرکت نمایند تکمیل نخواهد شد. ج. تقاضای صدور دعوت برای زیارت در تاریخهای خاص پذیرفته نمی‌شود پیش بینی می‌شود که این خط مشی جدید باعث خواهد شد که زائرین بتوانند در... [Page 47]

Pioneer

troops "to be achieved through marked progress in the activity and development of the individual believer, of the institutions, and of the local community." Giving a period of urged us to do: "We must now highly pioneer service is one way to promote resolve to arise and lay hold of all those instrumentalities that promote the peace and well-being and happiness, the knowledge, said to do: "We must now highly resolve to arise and lay hold of all those instrumentalities that promote the peace and well-being and happiness, the knowledge, culture and industry, the dignity, value and station, of the entire human race."

The tireless efforts of the pioneers from North America on every continent bring countless blessings to their home countries. So many have given up comfortable lives to pioneer, dedicating every waking hour to building the Bahá’í institutions and communities alongside the native Bahá’ís. They demonstrate that we are all working for and loving the same Essence, and in a sense offer physical proof that Bahá’u’lláhs Faith has embraced the entire planet.

The endurance of such pioneers, some of whom triple my age, and the remarkable achievements brought on by their work, was encouraging to me. The Universal House of Justice told us in 1993, that "There are countries where believers are laboring day and night to foster the growth of the tree of the Cause, and are in urgent need of reinforcements. ..." By going pioneering I was able to see this urgent need firsthand.

Pioneering, and specifically the Bahá’í Youth Service Corps, clearly develops the human resources of the Faith at the individual level. The initiative to serve taken by the individual, and the accompanying tests and blessings during that time, can produce marked spiritual changes.

It can also enhance skills helpful to promoting and consolidating the Faith. We youth are then able to help make far-reaching changes in our communities toward promoting unity and the well-being of humankind.

The Four Year Plan aims at entry by all three areas.

My personal experience has affected me in ways I still am finding out. It has given me an amazing new perspective and understanding of the world and enhances my university education tremendously. The experience of living in a completely different environment cultivated a new outlook that has allowed me to think more critically, and to understand and befriend those who are different more easily.

Learning Spanish during my time in Ecuador has given me study and job opportunities, scholarships, and countless chances to teach Latinos in the U.S.

I also better understand how important it is for Bahá’í youth to receive the best education possible to nobly acquire skills to serve the Faith and to grow spiritually. If I can serve as a 17-year-old school teacher with just a high school diploma, I wonder, how could I serve the Faith with more skills?

Of course, every year should be a year of service, but it is a special bounty to be able to set aside a longer period of time to dedicate 100 percent of one's time and talents to teaching and developing our Faith.

Giving this service is much like fasting for an entire year, only you get to eat! Like fasting, it is a series of tests of detachment and steadfastness and a wave of opportunities where you can witness and work for the progress of the Faith.

At the same time, it can be fun, it can be difficult, but it is what is needed for the Faith and for one's spiritual growth. But at the end of the day, when you can finally eat, you may not be that hungry anymore.

Similarly, when you've come home to hot showers, clean water and your own language, you realize you can live without these things, that what is really vital are your prayers and detachment, your family that supports you, your Bahá’í community, and trustfully putting yourself in God's Hands.

The true benefits to giving a period of service are the ones we may not realize at first and are not easy to explain in words; they are the promised spiritual blessings that unexpectedly descend upon us. It is the confirmation, a sip from the "chalice of pure light" that one experiences sooner or later when dedicating oneself to raising the banner of the Cause.

We must always ask ourselves, "What am I doing here? How does the Faith need me to serve now? What is the best pathway for me in my lifetime of service?"

For many, the answer will be serving for a period of time in these short, precious years before the next millennium. Each must "arise to seize the tasks of this crucial moment....Now as never before should you strive mightily to free yourselves from the obstacles, attachment to worldly pursuits, and lethargy, which stand in the way of so glorious a realization."

I am grateful and happy to have taken the opportunity when it came to me, and will always remember in my prayers those pioneers who have set out for distant lands.

Patricia Boisclair, devoted pioneer to Chile, Botswana, Slovak Republic, dies at 58

Patricia Boisclair, a devoted pioneer, died June 23 in California. She was 58 years old.

After learning of the Faith in 1968, Mrs. Boisclair committed herself to a life of service, pioneering with her husband, Jerry, to Santiago, Antofagasta and Victoria, Chile; Gabarone, Francistown and Mahalapi, Botswana; and, most recently, to Kosice and Medzev in the Slovak Republic where their teaching work became a development project under the Regional Spiritual Assembly of the Czech and Slovak Republics.

Despite living with few physical amenities, their love and perseverance led to the formation of the first Spiritual Assembly of Medzev, a unique institution in that country as it saw the consolidation under the Banner of Bahá’u’lláh of a community of Romany (gypsy) believers.

Nine months ago, while still serving at her pioneering post, Mrs. Boisclair was diagnosed with leukemia, and returned with her husband to the U.S. for medical treatment.

Dr. and Mrs. Amin Banani replace Counselor Ellis, Dr. Kazemzadeh for August 24-29 session at Bosch

Although Counselor Wilma Ellis and Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, the National Spiritual Assembly's secretary for External Affairs, were forced to cancel their presentations August 24-29 at the Bosch Bahá’í School owing to a conference on external affairs in Europe that week, the school has managed to secure able replacements in the persons of Dr. Amin and Mrs. Sheila Banani.

Dr. Banani, professor emeritus at UCLA, will present "An Overview of the Writings of Shoghi Effendi," while Mrs. Banani will offer a course on the text of Shoghi Effendi's work, The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.

Together, the Bananis will present a two-hour session on "Pilgrimage in the Days of the Guardian."

Also, Derek Cockshut will repeat his thorough course on "Documents of the Covenant"; Mrs. Banani will offer an evening presentation of her poetry and that of others as published in When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple, and Dr. Banani will preside over a question-and-answer session on Huqúqu’lláh.

For reservations, phone the school at 408-423-3387 or e-mail

Sara Frye, who pioneered to Falkland Islands, Denmark, dies at 82

Sara Frye, an "indefatigable" pioneer, died May 8 in Florida. She was 82 years old.

As she was planning to re-enter the pioneering field at age 80, her local Assembly wrote, "The Assembly feels that Sara's most significant strength is her willingness to serve. Her long history of service is a lesson to us all.

"The Assembly hesitates to call Sara's age and her legal blindness weakness; her indomitable spirit has turned these into something different...."

Miss Frye was a professional nurse from 1936-66, when she was forced to retire because of her failing eyesight. In 1980 she pioneered to the Falkland Islands, remaining there for two and one-half years.

Her next post was in Denmark, where there had been difficulty in settling a sufficient number of American pioneers. In January 1985, following a teaching trip to India and Western Samoa, she served on Tinian and Saipan in the Mariana Islands, and later in Hawaii before returning to the States.

In its message of condolence, the Universal House of Justice wrote: "Indefatigable heroic maidservant Sara Frye will always be lovingly remembered. Her devotion to her Lord was exemplified by her services as a pioneer to the Falkland Islands, Denmark, the Mariana Islands, and the Hawaiian Islands despite failed sight. Sara Frye's dedication and commitment to the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh are her legacy to present and future generations and inspire each of us to greater service."

IN MEMORIAM

Elizabeth Adelmann Boise, ID May 1, 1996

Russell Ampey Baton Rouge, LA June 12, 1996

Tahereh Bahrampour-Shabrokh Indianapolis, IN June 9, 1996

Patricia Boisclair California June 23, 1996

Carl Christensen Lakeport, CA June 8, 1996

Emmett Coleman Ypsilanti, MI January 6, 1996

Linda Conner San Jose, CA May 19, 1996

Sampson Davis Marion, SC March 3, 1996

Glennis Erickson Billings, MT April 11, 1996

Behjatanguiz Farzam Jackson, MI April 1996

Odile Georgesco Palm Springs, CA May 13, 1996

John Halterman Chesterfield, MO June 1, 1996

Charles Leyva San Francisco, CA June 1, 1996

Majid Mirheli Asheville, NC June 13, 1996

Pearl Pritchard Tuolumne, CA January 11, 1996

Hilda Pulley Temple City, CA May 10, 1996

Ann Reid The Bahamas April 26, 1996

William Rhodes II New Castle, DE May 17, 1996

Geraldine Rivera Atlantic Mine, MI May 11, 1996

Sharon Semple Evanston, IL June 16, 1996

Velma L. Sherrill Webster Groves, MO May 18, 1996

Jack Singer Santa Maria, CA May 22, 1996

Ruby Songhurst OMO Idaho Falls, ID 1-100 April 29, 1996

Don SoRelle Charlottesville, VA May 18, 1996

Rose C. Stone Novato, CA April 25, 1996

Tahirih Stanger Madison, WI May 17, 1996

William V. Tift Prescott, AZ May 12, 1996

Patricia Tomarelli Stamford, CT June 19, 1996

Marjorie Tyson Opa-Locka, FL June 1, 1996

Nancy Williams Peterborough, NH May 7, 1996

Michelle Yoder St. Louis, MO April 28, 1996

Ray Zarmer Etowah, NC June 2, 1996 [Page 48]Pictured are seven of the women (and one three-week-old infant) who attended a conference entitled ‘Unleashing the Potentials of Bahá’í Women’ that was held last January 26-28 at the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute in Hemingway, South Carolina. After immersing themselves in the Writings, praying, deepening and sharing, the women set goals, personal and practical, which they have put into effect in their daily lives—for example, supporting other women in rising to their full potential through positive reinforcement.

MOVING? TELL US YOUR NEW ADDRESS.

To avoid unnecessary delays in receiving The American Bahá’í, send all family members’ names, new address and mailing label to: Management Information Services, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. If acquiring a Post Office box, your residence address (c) must be filled in. Please allow 3 weeks for processing. (This also updates National’s ‎data base database‎.)

BAHÁ’Í NATIONAL CENTER 112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

For information about events sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly or its agencies at the Bahá’í National Center, please phone 847-869-9039 and ask for the relevant department. The numbers for the permanent Bahá’í schools and institutes are as follows: Bosch Bahá’í School, phone 408-423-3387; fax 408-423-7564; e-mail

Green Acre Bahá’í School, phone 207-439-7200; fax 207-439-7202; e-mail

Louhelen Bahá’í School, phone 810-653-5033; fax 810-653-7181; e-mail

Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute, phone 803-558-5093; fax 803-558-9114; e-mail

Native American Bahá’í Institute, phone/fax 520-521-1063; e-mail

AUGUST

9-14: Youth Eagle Institute (ages 15 and older), Louhelen Bahá’í School.

10-15: Junior Youth Institute, Bosch Bahá’í School.

12-18: Persian Arts & Letters Conference, Landegg Academy, Wienacht, Switzerland.

16-18: Multicultural Family Camp, Louhelen Bahá’í School.

16-18: Second annual ‎NABİ NABI‎ Pow-wow and 5K Indian Trail Run, Native American Bahá’í Institute, Houck, Arizona. Plus, Health Forum and Indian Education Workshops. All are welcome.

17-22: General Session, Bosch Bahá’í School. “Building Relationships, Friendships and Opportunities to Teach” with Michael Winger-Bearskin, “Teaching Through Story-Telling” with Charlene Winger-Bearskin, and “The Covenant” with Derek Cockshut.

18-22: Annual conference, “30 Plus,” Landegg Academy, Wienacht, Switzerland.

22-25: Study course, “‘Abdu’l-Bahá: The Mainspring of the Oneness of Humanity,” Landegg Academy, Wienacht, Switzerland.

23-25: Workshop on Teaching, sponsored by the Spiritual Assemblies of Rapid City and Custer, South Dakota, Oyate Center, Rapid City. For information, phone Delores Allen, 605-348-6237.

24-29: General Session, Bosch Bahá’í School. “The Writings of Shoghi Effendi: An Overview” with Dr. Amin Banani; “The World Order of Bahá’u’lláh,” text and discussion, with Sheila Banani, and “The Covenant” with Derek Cockshut.

26-September 11: Study course, “Foundations of Racial Unity,” Landegg Academy, Wienacht, Switzerland.

August 30-September 2: Pioneer/SITA Institute, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina. Everyone who is preparing to serve internationally is encouraged to contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, 847-733-3512. Fax 847-733-3509; e-mail

30-September 2: Annual Homecoming session, Louhelen Bahá’í School.

30-September 2: Special weekend program with Counselor A-M Ghadirian and Auxiliary Board members Eugene Andrews and Barbara Markert, “Releasing the Power: The Covenant in Action and Growth of the Bahá’í Community,” Green Acre Bahá’í School. Includes panel discussion on “Scholarship, Authority and the Covenant.”

30-September 2: Labor Day Weekend: “Teaching Through the Arts” with Jack Lenz, Muhtadia Rice and others, Bosch Bahá’í School.

30-September 2: Bahá’í Youth Service Corps session, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute, Hemingway, South Carolina.

30-September 2: Conference, “What Should I Know, What Can I Do...for the Four Year Plan,” Bahá’í Center, Dallas, Texas. Speakers: Jack McCants, Enayat Rowhani. For information, phone 214-727-4310 or (evenings) 214-390-7551.

SEPTEMBER

1: Concert/picnic on the Piscataqua, Green Acre Bahá’í School, with a keynote address by special guest Counselor A.-M. Ghadirian.

5-8: Psychology forum, “Psychology for Everyone,” Landegg Academy, Wienacht, Switzerland.

13-15: “Creating Community,” the annual commemoration of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s visit to Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Guest speaker: Robert C. Henderson. Workshops, arts proclamation, coffee house, youth program, pre-youth/children’s classes, nursery. For information, phone 970-464-5196.

13-15: National Spiritual Assembly Decentralization Project for the Western Region, Bosch Bahá’í School. Facilitators: Farzad Mogharabi, Randa Wilbur.

19-22: Marriage Development Training, Landegg Academy, Wienacht, Switzerland.

20-22: Seminar on the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, sponsored by the Corridor of Light and Spiritual Assembly of Astoria, Oregon, in Otter Rock. Presenter: Habib Riazati. Registrar: Jerry Bartoldus, P.O. Box 887, Astoria, OR 97103-0887; information, Jill Dale, 503-867-3176 or 503-265-6905.

20-22: National Latino Conference, “Building Bridges for Teaching Within the Americas,” Bosch Bahá’í School. Fully bi-lingual (Spanish/English). For information, contact Julia Carranza, 408-554-6513, or the Bosch School.

20-22: Oklahoma Regional Bahá’í School, Stillwater. Theme: “Quest for Spiritual and Social Progress—The Critical Hour.” Registrar: David Gainey, Sulphur, OK 73086 (phone 405-622-2655).

27-29: Assembly Team Development Weekend and Meditation Weekend, Bosch Bahá’í School.

29: Celebration of the 102nd anniversary of the declaration of Thornton Chase, the first American Bahá’í, Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California. For information, phone 310-519-1811 or 310-419-0643.

OCTOBER

11-13: College Club Weekend, Bosch Bahá’í School, sponsored by UC-Davis and UC-Berkeley College Clubs.

17-20: Study course, “Consultation and Conflict Resolution,” Landegg Academy, Wienacht, Switzerland.