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THE AMERICAN BAHÁ’Í

Volume 28, Number 5 Rahmat B.E. 154/ June 24, 1997

Regional Bahá’í Councils to be established

To National Spiritual Assemblies Dear Bahá’í Friends,

The expansion of the Bahá’í community and the growing complexity of the issues which are facing National Spiritual Assemblies in certain countries have brought the Cause to a new stage in its development. They have caused us in recent years to examine various aspects of the balance between centralization and decentralization. In a few countries we have authorized the National Spiritual Assemblies to establish State Bahá’í Councils or Regional Teaching and Administrative Committees. From the experience gained in the operation of these bodies, and from detailed examination of the principles set forth by Shoghi Effendi, we have reached the conclusion that the time has arrived for us to formalize a new element of Bahá’í administration, between the local and national levels, comprising institutions of a special kind, to be designated "Regional Bahá’í Councils."

Regional Bahá’í Councils will be brought into being only with our permission and only in countries where conditions make this step necessary. Nevertheless, we find it desirable to inform all National Spiritual Assemblies of the nature of this historic development, and to make clear its place in the evolution of national and local Bahá’í institutions.

FROM THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

The institutions of the Administrative Order of Bahá’u’lláh, rooted in the provisions of His Revelation, have emerged gradually and organically, as the Bahá’í community has grown through the power of the divine impulse imparted to humankind in this age. The characteristics and functions of each of these institutions have evolved, and are still evolving, as are the relationships between them. The writings of the beloved Guardian expound the fundamental elements of this mighty System and make it clear that the Administrative Order, although different in many ways from the World Order which it is the destiny of the Bahá’í Revelation to call into being, is both the "nucleus"

Members of the newly appointed National Committee for the Advancement of Women pose in front of the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois. They are (from left) Cynthia R. Thomas, Mahyar Mofidi, Maria Teresa Morales, Layli Miller Bashir, Constance M. Chen and Michael Rogell. The committee was appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly to help widely disseminate Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of Women and Men and to promote a greater understanding for and implementation of the principle of the equality of women and men both within and outside the Bahá’í community. Two Wings of a Bird can now be found on the National Assembly's administrative Web site at www.usbnc.org and ordered from the Bahá’í Distribution Service, 1-800-999-9019.

National Fund goal set at $27 million for 154 B.E.

The National Spiritual Assembly has announced a $27 million revenue goal for the fiscal year now in progress.

While this is a financial goal, it is more than that: it is a statement of the National Assembly's assessment of our potential and responsibility in relation to the Faith's material support.

The goal amount represents a 35 percent increase over last year's total contributions, which ended the year at $20.4 million for all Funds.

The national monthly contribution goal for the coming year would be $2.25 million for each Gregorian month or about $1.4 million per Bahá’í month. This compares with last year's average of $1.1 million per Bahá’í month.

The new goal has one major difference from the goals of the past several years: It includes specific allocations for each of the Continental and International Funds of the Faith.

Prompted by the February 4 message of the Universal House of Justice stressing the needs of the International Fund, and observing the imbalance in giving for the past few years, the National Assembly felt it was time to set specific goals for each Fund that would achieve a better balance.

Out of the amounts received at the Bahá’í National Center, the National Spiritual Assembly intends to allocate 19 percent, or up to $5 million, for the Arc Projects. This total represents one-half of the worldwide goal for each year of the Four Year Plan.

An additional 7 percent of receipts, up to $2 million, is to be allocated to the Bahá’í International Fund, up from $706,000 at the end of last year. The Continental Fund goal is 2 percent of receipts, or up to $500,000, which would compare favorably with the $334,000 contributed last year.

In the unlikely event that contributions were to lag behind the minimum monthly amounts required to meet the expenses of the National Spiritual Assembly, these amounts might need to be revisited; on the other hand, if contributions run ahead of the targeted goal, additional amounts could be forwarded to the World Center for its use.

At the recently concluded National Convention, William Davis, the treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly, urged all of us to set aside our modest vision of the Faith and to adopt instead the exalted vision of Bahá’u’lláh.

Realizing that vision, he said, will take money: "The amounts listed here are really the minimums. We can and must do more."

Friends are reminded of policy on making contact with officials

The National Spiritual Assembly has learned in recent months of several Bahá’í efforts initiated by local Spiritual Assemblies or individuals in which Bahá’ís have made contact with governors, state legislators, and members of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives without first seeking permission from the National Spiritual Assembly.

The National Assembly wishes to remind the friends of its long-standing policy, as stated in Section 12.5 of the local Spiritual Assembly handbook, Developing Distinctive Bahá’í Communities, that "Bahá’í individuals and institutions must first obtain permission of the National Spiritual Assembly before contacting federal or state government officials."

This policy is in place to avoid duplication and the impression of confusion that may result if government officials are contacted by Bahá’ís who may be working at cross-purposes. Such confusion and duplication has caused embarrassment to the Bahá’í community in the past, and the policy of checking with the National Spiritual Assembly is meant to ensure that its external affairs efforts are unified and coordinated.

To seek approval for such initiatives, Bahá’ís should contact the National Spiritual Assembly through its Secretariat for External Affairs in Washington, D.C., at 202-833-8990 (fax 202-833-8988; e-mail

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Young Bahá’ís in El Paso teach with dramatic dance 3

> National Assembly cancels National Youth Training Conference because of low registration 11

> The annual reports of the National Spiritual Assembly and its agencies 15

> Teen-age Bahá’í collects food to help homeless in Philadelphia 34

> Treasurer's Office names Community Honor Roll 36

3 in Illinois declared Covenant-breakers

The National Spiritual Assembly has been advised with regret by the Universal House of Justice that Jeffrey Goldberg, Maria Goldberg and Janice Franco of Barrington, Illinois, have been declared Covenant-breakers, having become affiliated with the group of Covenant-breakers espousing the claims of Joel Bray Marangella and promoting such claims.

The Universal House of Justice has no doubt that your reaction to this regrettable news will be "characterized by a fortitude that will increase the unity of the community and intensify concentration on efforts vital to the success of the Four Year Plan."

For guidance on Convenant-breaking, please refer to Section 5 of Developing Distinctive Bahá’í Communities: Guidelines for Spiritual Assemblies. [Page 2]

Young Santa Fe Bahá’ís focus on 'entry by family'

The Bahá’í youth of Santa Fe, New Mexico, have found that attracting an entire family to the message of Bahá’u’lláh is one way to advance the process of entry by troops.

It all started this spring with 20-year-old Giovanta AnnaLisa Apodaca.

AnnaLisa’s mother works with the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Fe. Also serving there is Vista volunteer Stephanie Pirroni, a Bahá’í youth.

Stephanie was typing notes for the Bahá’í youth class she teaches when Mrs. Apodaca read over her shoulder and remarked that her daughter might be interested in the topic. AnnaLisa had been independently investigating many religions, comparing religious books and studying religious history.

Immediately, Mrs. Apodaca called AnnaLisa at home, told her, "Stephanie has something to tell you that I think you might like," and put Stephanie on the phone.

"Are you sure?" Stephanie asked repeatedly, not wanting to "force" something on her co-worker’s daughter.

That night, AnnaLisa went to the youth class held weekly in Santa Fe. She has been attending Bahá’í classes and participating in social and community activities ever since.

One night AnnaLisa was going out with the Bahá’ís, and her 15-year-old sister, Maya, would have been left home alone if she didn't join them. So she came along.

In the course of the evening, Maya mentioned that she had to write a paper for school about a group of people who have been persecuted. She asked whether the Bahá’ís ever suffered persecution. AnnaLisa suggested she speak with some of the adult Bahá’ís, particularly those of Persian background.

The following Friday night, Maya came to an evening presentation on the equality of women and men given by one of the Bahá’ís. A week later she attended youth classes and had an opportunity to interview some of the adults about the persecution of the Bahá’ís in Iran.

Following that meeting she gathered books, found information on the Internet, and read through two books AnnaLisa had borrowed from the library for her own study of the Faith. From this research came a 17-page paper on the history and principles of the Bahá’í Faith, as well as on the history and nature of the persecution of Iranian Bahá’ís.

Maya later presented the paper to her 10th-grade classmates, complete with visuals and books that would allow her classmates "to be able to get a better understanding of the Bahá’í Faith."

As Maya was printing the first draft of the paper, her mother asked whether it was done yet. When Maya answered that it was, her mother said, "Good, because I want to send it to your grandfather."

When AnnaLisa asked why, her mother responded that "the whole family wants to know about what you are getting into. Everyone in the family wants to read it!"

Reflecting on this, AnnaLisa said, "Through my sister’s paper, I have been able to get members of my family to hear about Bahá’u’lláh and the Bahá’í Faith."

Indeed, she realized, her initiative led to her "winning the cooperation of others in common service to the Faith and society" [Universal House of Justice, Ridván 153].

Washington Bahá’í takes lead in combating racism

The Universal House of Justice tells us that healing racism is our greatest challenge. Don Reed of Raymond, Washington, has accepted the challenge.

Mr. Reed, the only African-American Bahá’í in his area, gave the book Healing Racism: Education's Role by Nathan Rutstein to some of his friends and asked for their "feedback."

Response was so favorable he asked the superintendent of the school district to do the same.

The superintendent not only liked it but ordered eight copies and passed them out to some of the teachers. He started workshop groups through the English department and ordered 33 more copies, then another 20.

The members of the workshops are reading at home and coming together to consult on the subject matter.

Mr. Reed was then asked to speak to the PTA, and the chairman ended up buying three copies of the book and another person attending bought one.

All of this is a great teaching effort, and to top it off Mr. Reed has now asked the school district to order the book from a local bookstore. Healing Racism should soon be on the bestseller list there.

Race unity workshop spells opportunity for California Bahá’í

One opportunity to lead an in-service workshop on race unity has led to several others for LeÑise Jackson-Gaertner.

The California Bahá’í and founder of Mothers for Race Unity and Equality was asked a few months ago by the superintendent of the Colton Unified School District to give his management team her insights on racism and other topics concerning the African-American community.

Every department was represented including housekeeping, food services, administration, and all 24 school principals within the district.

Since that workshop, Ms. Gaertner has volunteered to provide this service to all the schools in the district free of charge. Every school has agreed to hold such a workshop dedicated to addressing racial prejudice and establishing race unity on their campus.

The workshops have been approved by the superintendent and the school board and will be offered through the district office. It is Ms. Gaertner’s hope that she can help these schools establish a better relationship among parents, teachers and children.

She has begun this service project and given her first workshops for one of the junior high schools, with more schools to follow in 1997-98.

Ms. Gaertner also has been asked to make a presentation to teachers and school administrators from across the country at the Whole Language Umbrella Conference in Seattle, Washington, in July. This session will be titled "Rethinking Our Classrooms: Teaching for Social Justice and Equity."

In addition, the coordinator of Riverside County’s Office of Education Head Start Program has asked for an in-service workshop on racism by Ms. Gaertner for members of the Community Network Committee. The committee members had indicated in a survey that they would benefit from such a session.

Currently, Ms. Gaertner is working with the Riverside Unified School District’s Parent Academy with parents and teachers. Parents who don't speak English are being provided with a translator.

News briefs

Australian actors plan N. America tour

In October, Australian-based Bahá’í actors Phillip Hinton and Beverly Evans will begin a three-week tour of at least seven cities in the U.S. and Canada to present their one-person portraits of two distinguished early American believers.

The program, entitled "Believers," consists of "Portals to Freedom," Mr. Hinton’s portrayal of Howard Colby Ives, and "Angels of Fire and Snow," in which Ms. Evans plays the role of Juliet Thompson.

The two-part drama is scheduled to be performed in Vancouver, Toronto and Hamilton, Canada, and in Houston and Austin, Texas; Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, and St. Petersburg, Florida.

For information, phone Melita Elmore, 510-832-8179, or e-mail. A website with more details will be posted in the near future.

Makah Assembly sponsoring United Spiritual Council Fire

The Spiritual Assembly of the Makah Reservation in Washington state is sponsoring a United Spiritual Gathering Council Fire from August 15-17.

The event will include prayers, songs, dances, guest speakers, testimonies, socializing, arts and cultural presentations, and a traditional salmon bake.

Registration is $10/person with a camping fee of $10 for up to four people. To pre-register, please send your name, address, phone number and registration fee to the Spiritual Assembly of the Makah Reservation, P.O. Box 306, Neah Bay, WA 98357.

For information, please phone Gianna Tyler, 360-645-2774, Roxanna Jensen, 360-645-2153, or e-mail.

Bahá’ís lead prayer vigil in response to mill closure

Bahá’ís in Port Angeles, Washington, took the lead as religious communities responded to the imminent closure of a wood-products mill employing more than 350 residents.

The Faith’s representative to the Port Angeles Association of Religious Communities (PAARC) suggested, based on discussion at a recent meeting of the local Spiritual Assembly, that PAARC sponsor a week-long around-the-clock prayer vigil.

The group agreed to pray for "God’s help and guidance during this time of economic, social and spiritual challenges facing the people of our community" and asked the Bahá’í representative to serve as coordinator.

All churches and religious communities in the area were contacted, with 43 joining the prayer vigil. The cooperation of so many groups was unprecedented in the area, prompting an editorial and several news stories in which the Faith was mentioned.

Bahá’ís took part in the vigil. In addition, area Bahá’ís also joined with the Spiritual Assembly in a special Assembly meeting devoted entirely to prayer. [Page 3]

El Paso youth teach with dramatic dance set to Writings

"Blessed is he who in the prime of his youth and the heyday of his life will arise to serve the Cause of the Lord of the beginning and of the end, and adorn his heart with His love." (Bahá’u’lláh, quoted by the Universal House of Justice in the Ridván 1982 message)

Last summer, a small group of young Bahá’ís from Canada visited El Paso, Texas, to jump-start youth teaching activities there.

At the same time, a member of the Dallas Bahá’í Youth Workshop taught the El Paso youth a dance and generally raised their morale. The visitor encouraged them to believe that although they were only six souls, when they arose with unity and enthusiasm and belief in their capacity they were capable of great things.

The youth were a wonderful blessing and provided a formidable burst of energy for the community. Yet it is the sustained effort of the El Paso youth themselves that has yielded enduring fruits. Their efforts demonstrate that miracles happen when a small number of dedicated young people gather together, consult with their Assembly, and decide to triumph.

That is how these youth created a dance—a beautiful piece that moves people to tears—in a few days, allowing their deepening process to evolve immediately into action.

Before this time, the El Paso youth were, like many others, eager to serve but at times distracted and less excited about deepening or listening than about doing more active things. They deeply desired to be active teachers, but were not certain about how best to channel their energy.

The solution that evolved for El Paso was to combine deepening and memorization with the creation of a performance piece.

Thus deepening led directly to action: The piece they were choreographing would be grounded in their understanding of the Writings, and they would then be able to use their piece not just to proclaim the Faith but to teach through their greater understanding of the topic.

The day the dance was created began with a public speaking exercise, based on the Guardian's injunction that youth become able public speakers. Each of the youth came forward, after having been formally introduced by one of the others, and gave a five- to 10-minute talk on some aspect of the Faith. Their task was to speak clearly, as though really in front of a large group. They weren't allowed to stop and restart, or laugh at themselves. After some trial and error, they all did an excellent job.

Once the pump of universal participation had been primed, the young Bahá’ís started deepening on the prayer for youth that begins, "O Lord, make this youth radiant..."

Those who already knew the prayer by heart recited it. Those who were learning it read it aloud several times and listened to those who knew it, until they too knew it by heart.

Next, they went through the prayer phrase by phrase, looking up in the dictionary all unknown or unfamiliar words. And they connected each sentence to other passages from the Writings that seemed related.

All this took less than two hours. Then the action began. While one person read each line of the prayer, the others searched for a way to convey the concept artistically.

They did not waste time saying things like, "I'll put my foot there, and then she'll go there and he'll stand there and bend his arm like that...." Instead they showed one another their ideas through action, making plenty of mistakes, and each time trying again.

The dance debuted a week later at a youth conference in Uvalde, Texas. A few days after that, it was performed as part of the celebration of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh, an event to which seekers had been invited.

Adults like the piece. They can see vividly that the youth have learned something and can express it in artistic and dignified ways.

Seekers love it. It touches their hearts by pouring out a liberal measure of the Word of God while sharing a vision of the noble capacities of youth. They want to know more about what these young people are saying.

Finally, the youth like it because they feel connected to the process and to the final product. They now want to get together as often as possible to pray, study and rehearse, to perfect what they have created so it can be shared with others.

This year, as last, the Bahá’í community of Dallas, Texas, celebrated Ridván with three Holy Day programs featuring music, dance, drama, poetry, scenic backdrops, a tent, costumes and visual and sound effects. Bahá’ís of diverse ages and backgrounds from Dallas and neighboring communities rehearsed and took part in each program. Among the props created for the events were a red roan horse and a boat, representing Bahá’u’lláh's means of transportation at the time. Children carried the props at appropriate times in the script, and also took part in dances, musical numbers and circumambulations of the tent. Lighting effects, especially during the reading of Nabil's celebrated account of Bahá’u’lláh's nocturnal pacing and recitation of verses, complemented sound effects that included water, nightingales, crickets, frogs and the wind.

Young Bahá’ís from El Paso, Texas, perform a dance based on a prayer for youth at the community's celebration of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh. From the front are Laudan Rowhanian, Sussan Rowhanian and Corinne Heidarian. Not shown are Kelsey Heidarian and Maxine Zambrano.

The quickened pace of action has brought to light ideas that otherwise might have remained latent. Those who did not see themselves capable of dancing or of memorizing or of concentrating for long periods of time are encouraged by their friends and start doing things they had thought were too difficult.

Human rights theme of 21st ABS Conference in Washington, D.C.

The 21st annual Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies, "Fostering Human Rights: Developing Pathways to Peace," will be held November 14-16 at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C.

The Conference will examine the role that education can and must play in protecting and promoting human rights.

A number of prominent speakers from government, academic and the NGO community, with relevant experience in both the theory and practice of human rights education, have been invited to take part.

Within the conference theme will be presentations on various aspects of human rights including gender, race and ethnicity; religious intolerance; social and economic development, and the environment.

In addition, the traditional interest group seminars, which in previous years held one-day meetings before the Conference, have been invited to organize lectures/workshops to be accommodated within the three-day Conference itself.

Special activities will include a children's conference on human rights education, and performances of music, drama and dance.

The Conference will also provide a number of simultaneous small-group sessions featuring lectures, workshops, group discussions and other presentations.

Registrations should be sent to the Association for Bahá’í Studies, 34 Copernicus St., Ottawa, Ontario KIN 7K4, Canada (phone 613-233-1903; fax 613-233-3644; e-mail

Submissions of papers or proposals should be sent to Augusto Lopez-Claros, Washington, DC 20016 (fax 202-966-5598; phone 202-363-9092). [Page 4]

PIONEERING: To follow in their footsteps

"Unquestionably, the African-American believers are enviably poised to bring the life-giving Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to...the peoples of sub-Saharan Africa itself, with whom they share a common ancestry. Shoghi Effendi specially encouraged black Americans to pioneer to Africa and there have been some who heeded that call, serving the Cause with great distinction and to great effect. But many more are needed." (The Universal House of Justice, in a letter dated February 14, 1994)

Ethel Stephens passed away in May 1996 at the age of 95. Most of us were unaware of her long life of dedication and service.

The story of this handmaiden of Bahá’u’lláh who heeded the call more than 45 years ago is an inspiration for those arising now in response to the Message of Ridván 153 from the Universal House of Justice and in fulfillment of the vision of the African Counselors of a steady stream of African-American believers coming to the "Continent of Light."

Mrs. Stephens, formerly a professor at Wilberforce and Howard Universities, was introduced to the Faith by Sarah Pereira. She was an active member of the U.S. Africa Teaching Committee when in 1951 she attended the Institute on Contemporary Africa at Northwestern University seeking information that might help the Committee meet the goals for Africa assigned by Shoghi Effendi to the American Bahá’í community.

While there she was offered the position of assistant to Dr. S. Grant, a nutritionist on the staff, in a proposed study of the "dietaries of the Ashanti peoples of the Gold Coast of Africa."

Faced with ambivalent support from her non-Bahá’í husband, Mrs. Stephens wrote to the Guardian and received the following encouragement, written on his behalf and dated September 15, 1951:

"He would be most happy if you can go to Africa and he is praying that every obstacle may be removed from your path. If your dear husband could be persuaded to go with you it would be a wonderful thing, for you and for him. When we see the chaos and uncertainty in the world at present we cannot but ask ourselves if this is not the time to rise to new heights of faith and vision, and putting aside ordinary standards of comfort and security, really do something constructive for mankind....

"Your teaching work among the African students, and your activity as a member of the African Committee are very important, and he wishes you every success, deeply values your work."

Mrs. Stephens set sail for the Gold Coast by way of London October 13, 1951, the first U.S. pioneer to arise in response to the call issued to the American Bahá’í community on July 5, 1950, to "lend valued assistance meritorious enterprise..." "carry torch Faith territories Dark Continent..." "particularly" to "...its dearly-beloved members belonging Negro race participate contemplated project....."

Shortly after her departure, on November 23, 1951, Shoghi Effendi sent the following cable to the U.S. National Assembly:

"He was very pleased to have the first pioneer from America go forth under this organized African campaign; he was doubly happy that it should have been an American Negro who went. This is highly appropriate and surely has delighted the heart of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá Who watched over that race with particular love, tenderness."

More than 700 Fulbright Awards to be granted

More than 700 Fulbright Scholar Awards will be granted to individuals to pursue research or teach at institutions in any of 130 participating countries. Basic eligibility requirements are U.S. citizenship and Ph.D or comparable professional qualifications. Deadline for receipt of grant proposals and application materials is August 1. To receive application forms and information, contact USIA Fulbright Senior Scholar Program, Council for International Exchange of Scholars, 3007 Tilden St. N.W., Suite 5M, Washington, DC 20008-3009 (phone 206-686-7877; e-mail and ask for the catalog "Fulbright Scholar Program-Grants for Faculty and Professionals."

PEN-PALS. We appreciate the overwhelming response of the believers desiring pen-pals abroad. For those who have already sent in a request for a pen-pal, we will contact you as soon as we have a correspondent for you. For those of you who are still interested in corresponding with someone, the Nightingale Circle Correspondence Club is available to you. You may contact them directly at Alpine, TX 79830. Thank you for your spirit and effort!

Long and short-term teaching projects

RUSSIA: "Marion Jack IX" project to southeastern in July and August (7 weeks) Also, two projects to reach native peoples in remote areas of Russia for which indigenous/American Indian believers are needed during July and August for 4-6 weeks.

MONGOLIA: Teaching project and summer school July 25-August 20.

SLOVENIA AND CROATIA: "Project 2000" ongoing throughout the year in consecutive areas of both countries.

TONGA: Deepening programs (1-2 per month) and week-long village to village teaching projects throughout the year. August: national education conference. December: summer school and national youth camp.

Conferences, Schools and Events

July 4-6: 50th Anniversary of the Bahá’í Community of SPAIN, International Congress.

July 4-8: Colloquium; "The World Religions and the Bahá’í Faith.", and seminar "Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh during the Tehran and Baghdad Periods (1853-63)" at the Bahá’í Center of Manchester, UNITED KINGDOM.

July 12-13: International Youth Conference for Teaching, in Barahona, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

July 21-27: Swedish summer school, See SUMMER page xx

Youth offers first-hand look at pioneering's great rewards

Maia Remick has been serving as a Bahá’í Youth Service Corps voluteer in Ecuador for nearly a year. To offer a glimpse into the joys of pioneering service, she allows us to share her reflections in the following letter home to her family.

Dearest family,

I just returned from my children's class in a small village called Pinsaqui and am floating with sweetness as always. The feeling I get when I am out in the campo with these children is something more great, more warm, than anything I've ever felt in my entire life.

I decided today that we'd just play and talk about the things that make us happy. We played the tickle game, airplane rides, rolled in the dirt and splashed in the stream. We sang silly songs and did somersaults in the grass. These children have become a part of me, and I realize that at whatever moment I am feeling the least bit down I just need to think about their beautiful spirits and sweet smiles.

I love the children at the school as well, but there is something truly special about those that live away from the city. They are so strong and never complain about being bored or having to work too hard. They'll be out in the fields picking sugar cane and will come back with one in their mouth and a bundle on their backs. When one of them gets hurt they know right away what to do and take care of it.

I have planned a trip with them to the waterfall for the day to have lunch, play, sing and learn. I feel like a kid when I'm with them!

It is these moments that make it hard for me to imagine leaving Ecuador. I see so much need and so few people to help. These children are craving for the education that they deserve and the love from all people.

I am stared at with curiousity when I get off the bus, for gringos don't go in those parts. They are learning that we truly are the same. Please don't ever think that I don't miss you or am detatched from all that is at home. I love my family so dearly and it is a great test to be away. I have just realized this year though that this world truly is one family and that no matter where we are we can find our home.

I think what is hardest for me is the fact that here there is so much need for the knowledge and love that all deserve. The people here have already broken down the spirtual barriers, whereas in the states there is a huge wall that takes more energy than often times we have.

I can't imagine myself in any other place at this time, I am just glowing with love, happiness and pure energy. I am so grateful for Bahá’u’lláh and for this glorious Faith.

Sometimes it's hard for me to see the practical when the love and desire to serve is so great. I feel young and alive and don't ever want to lose this energy. I wish you all could be here to experience the things I am because it is so hard to express something so amazing in my limited jumble of words. That is the reason we must go out and experience it for ourselves, it just can't work any other way.

Love, Maia

English teachers should consider applying for USIA fellowship program

The following is an excerpt from the "International Employment Hotline," March 1997.

Teachers of English as a Foreign Language should consider applying for the United States Information Agency's English Teaching Fellow Program. Each year the program places qualified English teachers in host country educational institutions for 12-month periods.

The two eligibility requirements for the program are U.S. citizenship and a master's degree in TESL/TEFL or a closely related field.

Candidates who are accepted into the program become "English Teaching Fellows" (ETFs). They serve as full-time English teachers in any one of 25 to 30 countries. Duties typically include up to 20 hours of classroom teaching, materials and test development, and teacher training.

ETFs receive a basic stipend, which is paid in U.S. dollars, a living allowance, international round-trip transportation from U.S. residence to country of assignment, group medical/hospitalization insurance, core texts, an orientation and miscellaneous pre-departure expenses. Benefits do not cover dependents; however, they may accompany the ETF at their own expense.

If you satisfy the eligibility requirements and would like more information, contact Dr. Wendy Redlinger, School for International Training, Kipling Road, P.O. Box 676, Brattleboro, VT 05302-076 (phone 802-258-3311; fax 802-258-3210). [Page 5]

The Ocean of His Words

The Ocean of His Words A Reader’s Guide to the Art of Bahá’u’lláh by John S. Hatcher SC $12.95 (OHW)

"Immerse yourselves in the ocean of My words, that ye may unravel its secrets, and discover all the pearls of wisdom that lie hid in its depths..." is Bahá’u’lláh’s exhortation to us. In his latest work, titled The Ocean of His Words, John Hatcher provides a remarkably effective set of tools for making the most of this immersion. Using the tools of literary analysis, Dr. Hatcher shows us how to apply these same techniques to unravel an ever deeper understanding of the Sacred texts. Examples are used extensively to demonstrate the application of such literary devices as examining the narrative perspective, subject, and structure of a work as well as using historical criticism, among others. His elaboration of divine revelation as a perfect form of artistic expression is genuinely fresh, and even though this book essentially is an academic exercise it is eminently readable and thoroughly enjoyable. This heightens its appeal as a text for teaching and training institutes. Before too long not only will you have read it, you will be using the tools this book offers as a means to a deeper understanding of the art of Bahá’u’lláh!

5½"x8", 388 pp., foreword, contents, preface, appendix, bibliography Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United States

Ocean His Words - "This book is a classroom — an instructive enjoyable classroom. The teacher is kind, insightful, and sensitive. The contents are at once challenging and illuminating. And the students are so captured by the enchanting process of learning that they leave the classroom with the greatest of reluctance."

Professor Hossain B. Danesh, Dean, Landegg Academy, Switzerland

In Grandfather's Barn

In Grandfather’s Barn William Sears

A young boy "... begins to understand what it really means to live an upstanding life with compassion for others."

In Grandfather’s Barn by William Sears SC $8.95 (IGB)

Written from the perspective of a young boy named William who lives in Green Valley, Minnesota, during the 1920s, In Grandfather’s Barn is a humorous novel that recounts his adventures and misadventures growing up. Living in a small town is not always easy, but it can be the source of many hilarious lessons about life: His great crush on the beautiful Angela Raffodil; his first confession at church with Father O’Malley; his befriending Jerry Haller, the only black boy in town; and more—we always find him resolving the perplexities of life in Grandfather’s barn. Relying on the practical, no-nonsense advice of his facetious grandfather, who helps him see through others’ pretenses, William begins to understand what it really means to live an upstanding life with compassion for others.

5½"x8", 96 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United States

Without a Net

WITHOUT A NET Without a Net A Sojourn in Russia by Esther Bradley-DeTally SC $9.95 (WAN)

In 1990, the Universal House of Justice stressed the importance of sharing the Faith in the Soviet Union. Without a Net is 23 stories of an American couple’s emotional, physical and spiritual journey while sharing the Faith with the people of Belarus, Russia, and the Ukraine. This book is "a fascinating account of daily lives" taking first steps away from the spiritual shackles of communism towards the light of Bahá’u’lláh. Humorous, reflective essays reveal a willingness of the "ordinary human being" enamored by the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh arising to serve because the important had to be discarded for the most important.

5½"x8", 137 pp. Bahá’í Booksource International

Overcoming Barriers to Unity

Overcoming Barriers to Unity An Essay on Group Harmony by Steven E. Ellis SC $6.00 (OBU)

In this enlightening discourse on the dynamics of unity and disunity, the author, Steven Ellis, provides insights into creating harmonious consultative groups. Using extensive references from the Bahá’í writings, Mr. Ellis provides a very practical set of "red flags" so that we may learn to recognize when our behavior is not in accordance with the promotion of unity. This book also includes a short compilation on the subject of unity.

5½"x8", 98 pp., references The Alaska Bahá’í Bookshop

OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO UNITY AN ESSAY ON GROUP HARMONY BY STEVIN E. ELLIS

Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Abdi Bah SELECTIONS FROM THE WRITINGS OF ABDUL-BAHA

Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ‘Abdu’l-Bahá PS $3.95 (SWAP)

A compilation of 236 passages from Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the East and West. Published to "increase the fervor" of Bahá’ís and to "add to their perception of that wondrous harmony of the human and divine" that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá exemplified.

44"x7", 359 pp., index, paragraph numbering Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United States [Page 6]

Local Spiritual Assembly Handbook

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Australia SC $24.95 (LSAH)

This Australian LSA Handbook is designed for ease of use by administrators and individuals who want to be fully functioning members of Bahá’í society. Some of the content is relevant only to Australia, but 95 percent of the guidance applies to Bahá’ís living anywhere in the world. Bahá’ís will benefit enormously from studying and referencing this handbook, now in its third edition. The question-and-answer format and comprehensive index make the content easy to access. Also included is a study guide on consultation and a number of workshops dealing with such issues as Bahá’í marriage without consent, the appearance of drinking, a predominantly Persian community and dominant personalities.

8"x11", 451 pp., contents, foreword, index Bahá’í Publications Australia

The Bahá’í World 1995-96

HC $25.95 (BW96H) SC $13.95 (BW96S)

In addition to regular features, this year's volume includes the following highlights: coverage of Bahá’í involvement in the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing and in the events associated with the Fiftieth Anniversary of the United Nations (UN 50); a report on the December 1995 Counselor's Conference held at the Bahá’í World Center; an essay titled "Covenant and the Foundations of Civil Society"; "World Watch", written this year on values and governance in an emerging global society; Turning Point for All Nations and other major statements of the Bahá’í International Community; a profile of a Bahá’í social and economic development project in Brazil; and "The Year in Review", surveying the activities of Bahá’í communities and featuring some 30 color photographs.

6"x9", 346 pp., photographs, contents, glossary, index World Centre Publications

Dialogue and Universalism

The Bahá’í Faith Universalism in Praxis SC $9.00 (BFUP)

This special Bahá’í issue of the journal Dialogue and Universalism marks the first joint publication project of the Association of Bahá’í Studies North America and a non-Bahá’í journal. The culmination of a three-year cooperative venture with the International Society for Universalism (Warsaw), this issue features articles from the perspective of a number of different disciplines as well as position papers from the Universal House of Justice, all dealing with the concept of the universality of the Bahá’í Faith. It should appeal to a wide range of scholars and thoughtful readers looking for new ways to think about and apply an understanding of universalism to the powerful challenges offered by the contemporary world.

6½"x9", 232 pp. Centre of Universalism

The Mission of This Generation

Messages from the Universal House of Justice to Bahá’í Youth $12.95 SC (MGS)

A helpful and timely new book, containing the complete texts of 16 messages from the Universal House of Justice to young Bahá’ís, compiled by the European Bahá’í Youth Council. Also contains a section of exploratory questions on each of the messages, to aid study and deepening, plus a compilation of extracts from the messages, helpfully organized around themes and subjects of particular relevance to the Bahá’í youth of today.

5"x8", 144 pp., preface, contents, introduction, bibliography, notes, references, index Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United Kingdom

The City and the Heart

by Arthur M. Weinberg SC $7.95 (CH)

Ismael, Lisa, Helen, Aaron and the other children from Arthur Weinberg's story The Refuge and the Cage are back in another installment of a popular children's tale. Picking up where the last book left off, the characters continue their adventures while they acquire spiritual understanding.

54"x8", 109 pp. Brilliant Books

Two Wings of a Bird

The Equality of Women and Men

GENERAL EDITION EACH $.75 (SWS) 10 PACK $4.50 (SW10) 100 PACK $34.00 (SW100)

PRESENTATION EDITION $9.95 (SWPE)

DELUXE EDITION $29.95 (SWDE)

The National Spiritual Assembly's statement on gender equality and the advancement of women is now available in a general edition format suitable for large-scale distribution. Due out soon are the presentation and deluxe editions.

Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United States

Women: Peacemakers, Reformers, Leaders

by Wilma Ellis SC $2.95 (WPRL)

In Women: Peacemakers, Reformers, Leaders, Dr. Wilma Ellis, an international advocate for the advancement of women, points to a "revolution" in values taking place around the world, a revolution that is sometimes quiet and other times raucous but which cannot be stopped. Women are becoming the agents of change in their home communities. They are challenging outmoded ways of thinking about peace and leadership, abandoning competitive tactics for tactics that foster unity of actions and are discovering that through consultation their effectiveness as leaders is enhanced. Women not only can change the world—they are changing it now!

54"x8", 14 pp.

Women

Extracts from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice SC $3.95 (WCOMP)

This recently reprinted compilation assembled by the Research Department of the Universal House of Justice is the standard source for complementing any effort to study the Faith's perspective on the issues concerning the advancement of women and their equal station with man.

5½"x8", 59 pp. Bahá’í Publishing Trust, United States

Lift Up Your Voices and Sing

Favorite Songs of Bahá’ís Around the World

Finally! A collection of your favorite Bahá’í music! Since the early days of their Faith, Bahá’ís have enjoyed singing as a way of celebrating and communicating their belief in the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. Here for the first time is a comprehensive collection for many of the best-loved and well known songs written and performed by Bahá’ís for almost a century. All are new recordings presented here for the first time. Featured artists include Dash Crofts, Dan Seals, Van Gilmer, Red Grammer, Adrienne Ewing-Roush, Ává, Paul Seaforth, Castadarrow Thompkins, and Rachael Price. Produced and arranged by Tom Price.

Individual CDs $15.95 (LU1CD, LU2CD, LU3CD) or all three for $39.95 (LUCDP)

Volume 1 (LU1CD) Soldiers in God's Army; Look at Me, Follow Me; Ay Yad-1-Toh; Nightingale of Paradise; Have You Heard of Bahá’u’lláh; Hummingbird; The Prisoner; God Is One; The Prince of Peace; Benediction

Volume Two (LU2CD) Bahá’u’lláh's Getting us Ready for that Great Day; Proclaim the Greatest Name; Would You Give Your Life to Bahá’u’lláh; We Will Have One World; World Citizens; Queen of Carmel; O Agyani; East of Ginger Trees; We May Never Pass this Way Again; God Sufficeth

Volume Three (LU3CD) We Are One; Windflowers; Toko Zani; Farkhundi Tayiri; One Planet, One People, Please; Advance Guards; Bahá’u’lláh; Mount Your Steeds; Oh Bahá’u’lláh; Blessed Is the Spot

Don't miss the other volumes in this series due out beginning later this year! [Page 7]

The Path Toward Spirituality

Sacred Duties and Practices of the Bahá’í Life Shahin Vafai $5.00 SC (PTSS)

Every Bahá’í has as his or her goal the perfection of spiritual attributes and an ever-increasing level of spirituality. Our faith in this process of change is a principal reason for our being Bahá’ís. Here in The Path Toward Spirituality is a synopsis of the steps that the Bahá’í Faith outlines as the prerequisites to that change. This book is already being used in many communities as a reference book for training institutes on the process of personal transformation and is organized specifically to instruct and train the reader in fundamental and concrete approaches to starting on the path toward spirituality. Includes practical exercises, quotations for reflection, appendices on related topics, and more.

6"x9", 149 pp., introduction, appendices, bibliography, references Palabra Publications

Electing Bahá’í Assemblies

$2.50# SC (EBA)

This booklet, produced under the direction of the Office of Assembly Development and the National Teaching Committee, is a primer on the divine nature of the local Spiritual Assembly and its principal roles in a community. Developed to provide the basic information regarding this divine institution in an easy to assimilate and inspirational format, this booklet will help Assemblies educate all of the individuals in their community on these fundamental points of Bahá’í administration. Bulk priced at $2.00 each for 10 or more.

11"x8", 16 pp., photographs Office of Assembly Development and the National Teaching Committee

Rainbow

Segey Valdivieso-Sinyakov $5.95 SC (RAIN)

What would the world be like if there were no color? Find out when seven brothers—Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Orange, Indigo and Violet—lay down their brushes and stop painting everything we see! This story for children is a lesson in appreciating everyone's contribution to the world.

5"x7", 18 pp., illustrations Brilliant Books

Miracles and Metaphors

by Mírzá Abu’l-Fadl SC $19.95 (MMS)

In this classic collection of essays and short commentaries, Mírzá Abu’l-Fadl discusses the most significant religious topics with a freshness and originality that is both challenging and exciting. He subjects time-honored dogmas of both Christianity and Islam to a brilliant and penetrating logic, sweeping them aside in an uncompromising search for truth. Abu’l-Fadl's arguments are as current today as they were when he wrote them. His thought has tremendous relevance for contemporary Bahá’í scholarship. Required reading for any serious student of the Bahá’í Faith.

5½"x8", 211 pp., introduction, notes Kalimat Press

Huqúqu’lláh

The Right of God CS $9.95 (HC)

Taken from the video of the same name, this audio edition is perfect for those times when you're not able to watch and learn and the same time.

51 minutes Badiyan Productions

Investigate Bahá’u’lláh

J. Peter Smith $1.25 SC (IB)

In this brief booklet the author, Peter Smith, outlines the questions that framed his personal investigation of the claims of Bahá’u’lláh. As a Christian, Mr. Smith asks and answers the most frequent questions that many Christians will have in making the same determination he has: that Bahá’u’lláh is the Promised One. Deriving most of the material from the Bible and the Bahá’í sacred writings, this booklet provides Bahá’ís with the information to respond to these same questions quickly and accurately. The booklet ends with an invitiation for the reader to further investigate the claims of Bahá’u’lláh.

54"x8", 20 pp. White Mountain Publications

Revisioning the Sacred

New Perspectives on a Bahá’í Theology Studies in the Bábí and Bahá’í Religions, Volume Eight edited by J. A. McLean HC $35.00 (RTSH), SC $29.95 (RTSS)

This book is the first academic volume dedicated to the serious understanding of Bahá’í theology as an area of Bahá’í studies. It is an historic attempt to investigate Bahá’í theological teachings and Bahá’í Sacred Texts using systematic and scholarly methods. Each essay in the book is well argued and is the product of thorough research. Since the Bahá’í Faith has no clergy, the opinions of each author are only his or her own and cannot be regarded as authoritative statements of Bahá’í belief. Yet the insights that these scholars bring to bear will impel the reader to a closer, more prayerful reflection on the Bahá’í scriptures.

6"x9", 231 pp., introduction, bibliography Kalimat Press

Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings on Spiritual Reality

SC $3.50 (BTSR)

A long awaited follow-up to Proofs of Bahá’u’lláh’s Mission, this book is a compilation of writings dealing with spiritual reality. An excellent introduction for seekers and new Bahá’ís on the Bahá’í theology of the quest for spirituality, what it means to be spiritual, the progress of the soul, and spiritual education. An equally vital refresher as well for any Bahá’í who wishes to reacquaint himself or herself with the Sacred Text's pronouncements on these and other corollary topics such as prayer and meditation, mastery of self, suffering, immortality, sacrifice, and an array of critical topics about which every Bahá’í should have an understanding. Bahá’u’lláh’s Teachings on Spiritual Reality is an excellent opportunity for presenting the transforming Word of God to yourself or to another.

4"x7", 204 pp., introduction, bibliography Palabra Publications

A Short Introduction to the Bahá’í Faith

by Moojan Momen $11.95 SC (SIBF)

The Bahá’í Faith is the youngest of the world religions, with social and spiritual teachings very much in tune with the concerns of the present. Yet despite being the second most widespread religion after Christianity, many people are unfamiliar with Bahá’í history and beliefs. This book offers a clear, readable and informative introduction to all aspects of this fast-growing faith, from its teachings on the spiritual development of the individual to the Bahá’í belief in the oneness of all religions and the need for world peace. Sections of the book include personal spirituality, family and community life, worship and festivals, social and theological teachings, history of the Faith and an overview the present-day worldwide Bahá’í community.

54"x9", 150 pp., index, bibliography Oneworld Publications

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

Treasurer's corner

The Treasurer's Corner is devoted to helping local treasurers and others who have a special interest in development of the Funds by offering suggestions and ideas that might be helpful in this work. If you would like to offer stories or ideas that have proven useful in your community, you are invited to share them with other communities through this column. Contact the Office of the Treasurer and Development, 847-733-3472, or e-mail

Stewardship and Development Seminar participants are enthusiastic

Nearly one-half of the 150 Stewardship and Development Seminars scheduled for this summer were held in 27 states during May. Participants' evaluations indicate enthusiasm for the seminar content and for the new manual being used as the centerpiece for the program (See "new manual" below). Following are a few of the comments from participants:

"I enjoyed [it] because it included an exploration of the spiritual principles surrounding material support of the Faith. Surely this seminar is connecting our hearts to the Fund in a profound way."

"It was very confirming and inspirational with the emphasis on creating love in the community."

"I loved the atmosphere, the overheads, the pace, the calm, the stories. I'm really glad to have the book [manual] as a resource. It is well put together."

Every community member is encouraged to attend a seminar near them. For a list of the remaining seminars, contact the Office of the Treasurer and Development, 847-733-3472, or email

New manual

The new manual, Stewardship and Development: A Desktop Reference for Spiritual Assemblies and Treasurers, referred to in the preceding paragraphs is now available through the Bahá’í Distribution Service, 1-800-999-9019. The cost for the book, which is loose-leaf, is $8.95. This manual is full of references on the Fund and giving and includes invaluable information for the Spiritual Assembly's management of the local treasury.

National Spiritual Assembly website

The new website, launched during Convention, includes a page for the Office of the Treasurer and Development that lists many of the most frequently asked questions about the Funds with their answers. Over the coming months, we hope to include more information intended to assist treasurers. You can log-on the website at www.usbnc.org.

Goal sheets due

Goal Sheets are arriving daily in the Office of the Treasurer. If your Spiritual Assembly has not set its goal for 154 B.E. and has questions about the National Fund goal and how it may impact the setting of your local Fund goals, you may contact us with your questions at 847-733-3472 or email

Automatic Contribution System continues to grow

Almost one-third of monthly contributions to the National Fund are made through the Automatic Contribution System (ACS), and the amounts are increasing each month. In addition to savings in time and postage, ACS is one way that we can ensure our contributions are consistent and timely. Many believers allocate a part of their regular contribution through ACS and, each Bahá’í month, give the balance of their contribution through their local Fund or directly to the National Fund. ACS forms are available from the Office of the Treasurer and Development, 847-733-3472. Forms for duplication are available for treasurers.

"O my God! I ask Thee, by Thy most glorious Name, to aid me in that which will cause the affairs of Thy servants to prosper, and Thy cities to flourish. Thou, indeed, hast power over all things!"—Bahá’u’lláh

National Spiritual Assembly simplifies process of giving with new Fund gauge

For the last several months, the National Spiritual Assembly has heard from scores of individuals and communities who have expressed their sense that the current giving process, and the forms we use, are too complicated. The number of Funds; questions of local Spiritual Assembly goals and local objectives; preserving tax deductions on gifts—all these factors have combined and now a large number of believers feel confused about the whole issue.

The National Assembly has therefore changed the way the national goal is set so that a single contribution to the Bahá’í National Fund will be allocated to each of the national, continental and international Funds of the Faith.

As related in an accompanying story, the $27 million total goal includes specific sub-goals for each Fund. As a result of this action by the National Spiritual Assembly, many individuals and local Spiritual Assemblies will feel freed from the need to earmark their contributions or to make their own specific budget allocations. A single contribution to the Bahá’í National Fund would now represent a contribution to each of the Funds.

The intent of this measure is not to hinder those friends who wish to earmark their gifts for a specific purpose; that is an option derived from the guidance of the beloved Guardian.

At the same time, the Guardian himself wrote, in a letter to the Hand of the Cause of God Corinne True, that "With regard to the National Fund, it must not be felt that the believers are required to send unlabeled contributions to the Fund but that it is only extremely desirable to do so. Individuals are free to specify the purpose of their donations." (emphasis is the Guardian's own)

The desirability of unrestricted giving was highlighted last February by the Universal House of Justice when it indicated that "Even though there has been a striking increase in the total amount received at the World Center during the past several years, the level of contributions to the Bahá’í International Fund itself has diminished during that period.... The increase has come from our gifts to the Arc Projects; funds available for the Supreme Body to use at its discretion have declined."

The Guardian's secretary wrote on his behalf: "...it is only evident that unless the flow of donations is regularly maintained by means of generous and continual support by all the believers, individually and collectively, the National Fund will never be able to meet the needs...of the Cause."

The new approach to the goal will help the National Spiritual Assembly meet those needs.

Year-end Fund results are a mixed bag

Final results on giving and expenditures this year show a mixed panorama of victories and setbacks. The friends' support and careful budget planning and control nearly balanced the budget, but left little room for the growth we know must take place.

Over-all, contributions reached $20.4 million, down 44 percent from last year's record-breaking high of $36 million. Giving for the National Fund, at $11.6 million, was up just 2 percent. Compared with inflation, the resources of the national administration declined in real terms, as they have for the last five years.

Support for the Bahá’í International Fund (BIF) fell 48 percent, to $706,000. Even after discounting last year's $500,000 special individual gift to the BIF, we were even lower this year. The important development here, though, is that initial estimates of the international total were even lower: the friends began to respond almost immediately to the February call of the Universal House of Justice, boosting the contribution total by more than $100,000 before the clock ran out.

Giving to the Continental Fund was up 21 percent. At $334,000, however, the total seemed too low to the National Spiritual Assembly, prompting it to set a higher goal for next year for this crucial Fund.

A clear victory was accomplished by the community in relation to the Arc Projects. Facing the worldwide goal of the Universal House of Justice for $10 million for the first year of the Four Year Plan, the American Bahá’í community offered nearly three-quarters of the full amount: $7.2 million.

Unlike previous years, this goal was not surrounded by special campaigns, at least at the national level. The result is due in the main to the daily, dedicated and resolute action of the believers across the U.S.

Income to the National Fund was $18.4 million, up 6 percent from last year. Cash outlays for operations reached $18.7 million, a 5 percent increase, yielding an operating cash deficit of $331,000. The friends rallied in the last four Bahá’í months, many of them raising their regular contributions by the suggested 30 percent, and this helped bring the operating deficit down from the level initially predicted.

Also in the last three weeks of the year it became clear that certain reserves, created as insurance against certain costs related to the Second World Congress, could be added to income; the inclusion of these items brought the cash position of the National Fund into surplus, in the amount of $94,000.

The sense of the National Spiritual Assembly, however, is that it is not sufficient just to manage scarce resources effectively. By announcing the new $27 million goal for the present year, a message is being sent: let us take realistic steps to increase our capacity, and that is how we will be able to reap victories.

Tapes on Huqúqu’lláh are available

As announced at the 88th Bahá’í National Convention, audio and video tapes on Huqúqu’lláh are available in English or Persian from Badiyan Productions in Minneapolis.

These tapes are excellent introductions to the spiritual significance and details of the sacred Law of Huqúqu’lláh and are of great value for presentation at deepening programs.

The videos include rare historical pictures and incorporate segments filmed in the Holy Land with the participation of the Hands of the Cause of God Ali-Akbar Furútan and Trustee of Huqúqu’lláh Ali-Muhammad Varqá.

To order tapes, contact Badiyan Productions, Minneapolis, MN 55420 (phone 612-888-5507; fax 612-888-5250).

Two Sweet Stories

One believer wrote this with her contribution:

"I feel so blessed to believe in Bahá’u’lláh. ...Last year, I had a stroke and my left side is 'asleep.' God was gentle, though, and I can still talk and do some things. Enclosed is my contribution, which includes the 120 percent increase [for the four last Feasts], which I hope you will accept in the names of my four children...."

Another writes:

"A $10 donation seems insignificant with a $1.5 million deficit. Right now I am struggling to just get by myself. In the next two months I will do what I can to create more money and sacrifice to send more. As a member of our local Assembly I recommended that we send our surplus to National and will be doing that which will be more than the 30 percent asked for by the Treasurer's office....Our teaching efforts have brought in new believers who are finally beginning to understand about giving to the Fund and donations have increased dramatically recently. ...I have a new job and though still in debt, things are getting better and I am budgeting all the Funds into my finances again." [Page 9]

THE LIFE-BLOOD

TOTAL ENROLLMENTS May .160 Total for year............ 160

THE FUND

(As of May 31, 1997) All Bahá’í Funds YTD Goal Difference $2,250,000 $-1,081,000

thru May 96 thru May 97 National Bahá’í Fund $820,000 $880,000 International Bahá’í Fund $47,000 $64,000 Arc Projects Fund $859,000 $192,000 Continental Bahá’í Fund $21,000 $23,000 Other Earmarked $120,000 $10,000 Subtotal/Int'l Funds $927,000 $279,000 Total/All Funds $1,868,000 $1,169,000

Debt Watch Loans Outstanding May 96 $0 May 97 $1,200,000

All Bahá’í Funds: Goal & Actual Where we are $1,169,000 Where we need to be $2,250,000

All International Funds Where we are $279,000 Where we were last year $927,000

Arc Projects Fund Where we are $192,000 Where we were last year $859,000

International Bahá’í Fund Where we are $64,000 Where we were last year $47,000

Continental Bahá’í Fund Where we are $23,000 Where we were last year $21,000

National Assembly appeals to friends to overcome crippling 'summer swoon'

National Treasurer William Davis made an emphatic appeal to delegates and visitors at the recent 88th National Convention to do their part to avoid the "summer swoon," the yearly drop in giving that is a chief factor in the national deficit.

Coming at a time when expenses are at their yearly peak, Mr. Davis said, "the summer swoon becomes a hole we spend the rest of the year digging out of. When contributions drop like this, we are constantly running just to catch up. We need to be concentrating on the future needs of the Faith and not using all our time trying to remedy past shortfalls."

Looking back over the last several summers, giving between June and August has dropped every year except for the summer of 1995, when contributions to all Funds rose as a result of the mission of the representative of the Universal House of Justice, ‘Alí Nakhjavání.

During 1993, for example, the Gregorian monthly total for contributions to the National Fund averaged $875,000. Between June and August 1993, however, the average was closer to $740,000; multiplying the $135,000 difference by three, an estimated summer shortfall would be roughly $400,000. In other words, the drop in contributions is between $300,000 and $400,000 below the average every summer.

This is just looking at the income side of the equation, however. Although detailed historical data on expenses was not available in time for this article, they would likely show a gap between income and expenses that was even larger than the contribution shortfall. During the last five years major projects have been completed during the summer at all the permanent schools and at the House of Worship, in addition to costs associated with a seasonal upswing in teaching and proclamation activities.

Preparing one's will has practical, spiritual value in accordance with laws of the Faith

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

There are laws that are obviously quite practical in the context of our present-day lives in this world. One of these is the directive in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas about the writing of a will:

"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, Kitáb-i-Aqdas, p. 59)

First, let us look at the practical benefits of following this guidance.

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

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

2. A will can indicate the persons we wish to appoint as guardians of our children, and facilitate our desire that the children be reared as Bahá’ís.

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

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

Dying "intestate," or without a will, can be expensive and troublesome for loved ones. The taxes payable under this circumstance can also be a much larger part of the estate, and the settlement of an estate can take months, even years. Meanwhile, those who have depended on us for their material welfare may suffer from the delay and uncertainty involved.

What if we feel that we have no money or possessions of value to bequeath? Or perhaps we are young, have no family as yet, and believe that this law does not apply to us at this time? Bahá’u’lláh says that "Unto everyone hath been enjoined the writing of a will," and that means rich or poor, young or old, single or married, man or woman.

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

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

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

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

"The execution of the provisions of the will causes the spirit of the deceased to rejoice in the Abhá Kingdom." (Written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, quoted in a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice dated August 24, 1982, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States)

HUQUQU’LLÁH

Payments to Huqúqu’lláh should be made to "The Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust" and sent to one of the Trustees:

• Dr. Amin Banani, Santa Monica, CA 90402 (phone 310-394-5449).
• Mr. Stephen Birkland, Arden Hills, MN 55112 (phone 612-484-9518).
• Dr. Daryush Haghighi, Rocky River, OH 44116 (phone 216-333-1506).
• Mrs. Thelma Khelghati, Lunenberg, MA 01462 (phone 508-582-9216).

Due to a recurrent illness, Trustee Dr. Elsie Austin is unable to receive payments for Huqúqu’lláh at this time.

Inquiries about 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 10]

Bahá’í Tangrams

from the pages of Brilliant Star.

Do you like to solve puzzles? Do you like to make things with your hands? Do you enjoy mental and physical challenges? Challenge yourself and your friends to make special shapes from puzzle pieces. Then explain how the shapes are special to you with verses from the Sacred Writings.

Make a Teaching Tool

1. Copy this pattern onto a square of cardboard. 2. Cut out the puzzle pieces along the heavy black lines. 3. Use all the puzzle pieces to make each shape. Then read the matching verse. 4. Store the puzzle in an envelope in your backpack. 5. Try to memorize the verses and puzzle solutions or write verses and solutions on your envelope. 6. Invite a friend to arrange the pieces into one of the shapes.

"Ignite a candle of love in every meeting, and with tenderness rejoice and cheer ye every heart." — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 34

"Verily, divine bestowals are like the sea, and we are the fishes of that sea. The fishes must not look at themselves; they must behold the ocean, which is vast and wonderful." — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 131

"The number nine, which in itself is the number of perfection, is considered by the Bahá’ís as sacred." — Shoghi Effendi, Directives of the Guardian, p. 51

"We may think of science as one wing and religion as the other; a bird needs two wings for flight, one alone would be useless." — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 130

"Set before thine eyes God’s unerring Balance and ... weigh in that Balance thine actions every day, every moment of thy life." Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, p. 236

"God has crowned you with honor and in your hearts has He set a radiant star." — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 68

Try to make these shapes. If you want some help, you will find the answers on page 12 in My Spiritual Backpack, Brilliant Star, March-April 1997. Have fun teaching the Faith with your new teaching tool!

Reprinted from Brilliant Star, March-April 1997

Purchase a Subscription from Bahá’í Subscriber Service:

Please enter my subscription for (check box) □ $18 United States, one year (six issues) □ $32 United States, two years □ $18 All other countries, surface mail, one year □ $32 All other countries, surface mail, two years □ $28 Airmail, one year □ $52 Airmail, two years Bahá’í ID # ______________________________ Name __________________________________ Street __________________________________ City & State ______________________________ Zip/Postal code ___________________________ Payment must be enclosed. Canadian/International orders enclose international money order or bank cheque drawn on a U. S. bank in U. S. dollars. To charge your VISA/MC account, give number, expiration date, and name on account. Telephone orders accepted. VISA/MC # ______________________________ Exp. Date ________ Name __________________ Make check out and mail to: Bahá’í Subscriber Service Bahá’í National Center 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201 847-251-1854, Ext. 11

[Page 11]

To the American Bahá’í community

Beloved friends,

The National Spiritual Assembly, having learned that only 45 registrations have been received for the National Youth Training Conference scheduled for July 2-6 in Knoxville, Tennessee, deeply regrets the necessity to cancel the conference.

We realize that those of you who made your reservations and others who were planning to attend the conference will be disappointed. We know you can appreciate that the costs for such an undertaking would have required substantially greater numbers of registrants by this date to offset the anticipated expenses.

The National Spiritual Assembly believes that increased local and regional activities, which will continue through the summer, have been the focus of youth from around the country. We encourage those young people who have not yet committed to a summer of service to take full advantage of the opportunities in North America for "the advancement of the process of entry by troops, the like of which presently exist in no other place on earth."

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States June 11, 1997

1. To mobilize and unite the Bahá’í youth of the nation 2. To further develop skills and knowledge that will help us to serve 3. To launch a summer of teaching and service

This will be a training conference. Our time will be spent developing some practical tools and spiritual insights needed to serve the Cause of God more effectively. Participation in workshops, competitions, plenary sessions, recreation, and the arts will focus on acquiring real skills and knowledge that you can take with you to sustain and enhance those activities you already participate in at home—or to help you develop new activities.

Highlights

Bahá’í Youth Art Gallery—see below Bahá’í "Jeopardy" Quiz Game Bahá’í Youth Choir—made up of conference attendees Parents' Program organized by the National Education Task Force.

Sample classes include

The life of Bahá’u’lláh The Covenant Career Choices Preparation for Marriage. Racism: the Most Vital and Challenging Issue Asking and answering tough questions about the Bahá’í Faith Scholarship / Bahá’í College Clubs' role in the Four Year Plan

BAHÁ’Í YOUTH GALLERY/JEOPARDY QUIZ GAME

Fill out the attached Jeopardy & Gallery Dentry form and send it to: National Youth Committee, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201-1611. For more information, send email to

REGISTRATION

Deadline is June 16. Send one registration form per person. Individuals Nwho will be sharing rooms should send their forms together along with their payment. Registration forms without payment included cannot be processed. Roommate requests can be processed only if each roommate's form is enclosed.

According to University of Tennessee regulations, youth under 18 years old must be accompanied by a same-sex parent or adult sponsor 21 or older. Please have your parent or guardian fill out the information on the registration form. A medical card should be carried by attendees under 18.

All registration will be conducted through the University of Tennessee, not the Bahá’í National Center. Please make checks payable to "University of Tennessee." Mail-in registrations must be post-marked by June 16, 1997.

UT Conferences / P.O. Box 2648 / Knoxville, TN 37901

Those registering after June 16 will be assessed a late fee of $20.00. Individuals cancelling before June 16 will be reimbursed, but assessed a $20.00 processing fee. A $50.00 penalty will be charged for those cancelling after June 16.

Registration can be submitted by fax, electronic mail, or through the UT Conferences web site before June 16. Registration by phone must be conducted from Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm EST, by June 16.

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM

Send this form to: UT Conferences, P.O. Box 2648- Knoxville, TN 37901 by June 16, 1997.

The registration deadline is June 16. Individuals who will be sharing rooms should send their forms in together along with their payment. Registration forms without payment included cannot be processed. Roommate requests can be processed only if each roommate's form is enclosed.

Name: Address: Telephone: Email address: Gender: FEMALE MALE Age: I consider my ethnicity to be: ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER AFRICAN AMERICAN CAUCASIAN HISPANIC MULTI-ETHNIC NATIVE AMERICAN OTHER

Parent (please be sure to provide information above) Adult chaperone (please be sure to provide information above)

Check here if you wish to participate in the parent/adult chaperone program. Check here if you will need special accommodations at the conference. The UT Conference office will contact you.

YOUTH UNDER 18

Youth under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a same-sex sponsor 21 or older. Please have your parent or legal guardian fill out the information:

I, (PLEASE PRINT) the parent/guardian of appoint to be my child's sponsor at the conference. I also authorize the sponsor to consent to any medical treatment by a physician or surgeon licensed in the State of Tennessee. The sponsor will serve as a good adult role model (Attendees under 18 should carry a medical card).

Signature: Date:

LODGING

CANCELED because of low registration

I would like to share a room with: (LIMIT TO THREE PEOPLE. PAYMENT MUST BE INCLUDED TOGETHER)

Dorms: women's, men's, and mixed-gender dorm for parents with children under 12 only. Please send one registration form per person.

TRANSPORTATION

All participants driving to the conference will be assigned a campus parking space. Parking in other areas or driving on campus will result in a fine. Check here if you will be driving to the conference.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

Check/Charge: AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $185 (+ $15 IF ARRIVING ON JULY 1) = TOTAL $ Credit Card: VISA MASTERCARD DISCOVER CARD NUMBER: CARDHOLDER'S NAME (PLEASE PRINT): CARDHOLDER'S SIGNATURE: EXP. DATE:

JEOPARDY & GALLERY ENTRY FORM

Send this form to: National Youth Committee 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201-1611

Deadlines: May 26 for College Club Bahá’í Jeopardy and the Bahá’í Youth Gallery. For informational inquiries email to

Name: Address: Telephone: Email address:

Area of participation: College Club Bahá’í Jeopardy Bahá’í Youth Gallery

Phone: (423) 974-0258 Fax: (423) 974-0264 Email: Web: http://web.ce.utk.edu/conferences

COST

The conference package is $185.00, including $145.00 for four nights' lodging and ten meals, transportation to and from the Knoxville airport, and a $40.00 materials fee.

HOUSING

To request a specific roommate, please register together. There will be separate dorms for males and females. Linen service will be provided at the dorms, including a pillow and pillow case, sheets, a blanket, two towels and a washcloth. A mixed-gender dorm will be available for parents with children under 12 years old. There will be no charge for children two years old or younger. Cribs and child care will not be provided.

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS

Individuals needing special accommodations must indicate this in the space provided on the registration form, as required by the Americans With Disabilities Act.

MEALS

Ten meals will be provided, beginning with breakfast on Thursday, July 3 and ending with breakfast on Sunday, July 6. All meals will be served in cafeterias.

TRANSPORTATION

Please indicate on the registration form if you will be driving to the conference. You will be assigned a campus parking space for the duration of the conference. Parking in other areas or driving on campus will result in a fine.

The University of Tennessee is 20 minutes from the Knoxville airport. Transportation to and from the airport will be provided at no charge for those arriving on or after Wednesday, July 2. The University of Tennessee will arrange transportation with individuals upon registration.

EARLY ARRIVAL

Transportation to and from the airport will be provided only on Wednesday, July 2 and Sunday, July 6. Dorm beds for early arrivals are available the night of Tuesday, July 1 for $15.00 per bed. Individuals will be able to purchase meals at the cafeteria before the conference begins.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

For special air travel rates, call Total Travel at 1 (800) 385-4133. Reservation hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:30 pm EST. After hours, call 1 (800) 8233695. [Page 12]and "pattern" of that World Order. Thus, the evolution of the institutions of the Administrative Order, while following many variants to meet changing conditions in different times and places, should strictly follow the essential principles of Bahá’í administration which have been laid down in the Sacred Text and in the interpretations provided by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the Guardian.

One of the subtle qualities of the Bahá’í Administrative Order is the balance between centralization and decentralization. This balance must be correctly maintained, but different factors enter into the equation, depending upon the institutions involved. For example, the relationship between a National or local Spiritual Assembly and its committees is of a different nature from that between National and local Spiritual Assemblies. The former is a relationship between a central administrative body and "its assisting organs of executive and legislative action" (letter of October 18, 1927, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States and Canada), while the latter is a relationship between national and local levels of the House of Justice, each of which is a divinely ordained institution with clearly prescribed jurisdiction, duties and prerogatives.

Regional Bahá’í Councils partake of some, but not all, characteristics of Spiritual Assemblies, and thus provide a means of carrying forward the teaching work and administering related affairs of a rapidly growing Bahá’í community in a number of situations. Without such an institution, the development of a national committee structure required to cover the needs in some countries would run the danger of overcomplexity through adding a further layer of committees under the regional committees, or the danger of excessive decentralization through conferring too much autonomy on committees which are characterized by the Guardian as "bodies that should be regarded in no other light than that of expert advisers and executive assistants."

The distinguishing effects of the establishment of Regional Bahá’í Councils are the following:

It provides for a level of autonomous decision making on both teaching and administrative matters, as distinct from merely executive action, below the National Assembly and above the local Assemblies.

It involves the members of local Spiritual Assemblies of the area in the choice of the members of the Council, thus reinforcing the bond between it and the local believers while, at the same time, bringing into public service capable believers who are known to the friends in their own region.

It establishes direct consultative relationships between the Continental Counselors and the Regional Bahá’í Councils.

It offers the possibility of forming a Regional Bahá’í Council in an ethnically distinct region which covers parts of two or more countries.

In such a situation the Council is designated to work directly under one of the National Assemblies involved, providing copies of its reports and minutes to the other National Assembly.

The greater degree of decentralization involved in the devolution of authority upon Regional Bahá’í Councils requires a corresponding increase in the capacity of the National Spiritual Assembly itself to keep fully informed of what is proceeding in all parts of the territory over which it has ultimate jurisdiction.

For those National Spiritual Assemblies which have already established Regional Bahá’í Councils or Regional Teaching and Administrative Committees, we enclose a document which outlines the various policies governing the formation and functioning of Regional Bahá’í Councils. For the sake of simplicity, we have used the designation "Regional Bahá’í Councils" throughout, but the actual name used will, as heretofore, vary from country to country, including such names as "State Bahá’í Councils," "Provincial Bahá’í Councils" or, when referring to an individual Council, "The Bahá’í Council for......" etc. To avoid the confusion of thought which seems to have been caused by referring to "Regional Teaching and Administrative Committees," we have decided to cease using this designation and to refer to these bodies as Bahá’í Councils formed by appointment rather than election. We shall be writing separately to these National Spiritual Assemblies, indicating what modifications, if any, they should now make to the existing structures.

It is our ardent prayer at the Sacred Threshold that the establishment of Regional Bahá’í Councils will greatly enhance the ability of the Administrative Order to deal with the complex situations with which it is confronted in a number of countries at the present time, and thus carry forward, with increased vigor, the propagation of the Cause of God.

The Universal House of Justice 30 May 1997

The establishment of Regional Bahá’í Councils in certain countries, their characteristics and functions

1. The formation of Regional Bahá’í Councils:

1.1 Authority for the formation of Regional Bahá’í Councils: The formation of Regional Bahá’í Councils in any country, and the choice of the regions to be assigned to them, are dependent upon the approval of the Universal House of Justice in each case.

1.2 Conditions indicating a need for the formation of Regional Bahá’í Councils: Regional Bahá’í Councils will be formed only in certain specific situations where this kind of decentralization is judged by the Universal House of Justice to be appropriate.

2. The characteristic features of Regional Bahá’í Councils:

2.1 Mode of establishment and membership:

2.1.1 Regional Bahá’í Councils are not necessarily established universally throughout a country, but rather in those regions where the condition and size of the Bahá’í community indicate that such a development would be beneficial. In such cases, all other parts of the country remain under the well-established pattern of national committees including a national teaching committee and its regional teaching committees.

2.1.2 The number of members of a Regional Bahá’í Council is nine or, in certain cases, seven or even five, depending upon the decision of the National Spiritual Assembly in each case.

2.1.3 In accordance with local requirements and the condition of the Bahá’í community, the Universal House of Justice will decide which Regional Bahá’í Councils are to be formed by election and which by appointment.

2.1.4 It is within the discretion of the National Spiritual Assembly to decide, case by case, whether its members may also serve on Regional Bahá’í Councils. In general the preference is for members of National Assemblies not to serve on Councils, whether these be elected or appointed bodies.

2.2 Regional Bahá’í Councils formed by election:

2.2.1 The members of an elected Regional Bahá’í Council, who shall be nine in number, are elected from among all the adult believers in the region by the members of the local Spiritual Assemblies in that region every year on 23 May, the anniversary of the Declaration of the Báb according to the Gregorian calendar, or on a weekend immediately before or after that date.

2.2.2 Owing to the large number of voters involved and the brief interval between the National Convention and the elections of the Regional Bahá’í Councils, these elections are to be conducted primarily by mail, through methods to be decided by the National Spiritual Assembly. The voting is to be by secret ballot. The members of the local Spiritual Assemblies may send in their ballots individually or they may be collected by the Secretary of the local Spiritual Assembly and mailed together.

2.2.3 If feasible and desirable, an electoral meeting, or several electoral meetings, may be held in the region for those voters able to attend, in order to provide an occasion for members of local Spiritual Assemblies in the region to consult about the progress of the Cause. Other believers may attend, but would not take part in the voting.

2.2.4 If there is a tie vote, the tie is to be broken by lot, in view of the impracticability of holding a re-vote in such a situation.

2.2.5 Any vacancy on a Regional Bahá’í Council should be filled by the person who had the next highest number of votes on the ballot in the preceding election.

2.2.6 Auxiliary Board members are not eligible for service on a Regional Bahá’í Council.

2.2.7 The result of the election is to be confirmed by the National Spiritual Assembly.

2.3 Regional Bahá’í Councils formed by appointment:

2.3.1 It is left to the National Spiritual Assembly to decide whether the number of members is to be five, seven or nine.

2.3.2 Balloting takes place among members of local Spiritual Assemblies in the region, similarly to that for the election of a Regional Bahá’í Council, but the outcome of the voting constitutes a confidential list of nominations for the National Spiritual Assembly, which appoints the members of the Council from among these nominees and others including persons proposed by the members of the Auxiliary Boards within whose areas of responsibility the region lies.

3. The functions of Regional Bahá’í Councils:

The functions of a Regional Bahá’í Council and the degree of authority conferred upon it are within the discretion of a National Spiritual Assembly. However, they should not be limited to those of a national or regional committee for, in such a case, there would be no justification for bringing into being a Regional Bahá’í Council rather than appointing a national or regional committee. The functions and responsibilities generally envisaged for a Regional Bahá’í Council are as follows:

3.1 To carry out the policies of the National Spiritual Assembly and to supervise, on behalf of the National Assembly, the smooth and efficient execution of the plans and projects for its region.

3.2 To keep the National Spiritual Assembly regularly informed of the Council's activities and of the conditions of the Faith throughout the region. Regional Bahá’í Councils are allowed to develop their own strategies and programs, and to carry out their day-to-day work without having to obtain further approval from the National Spiritual Assembly However, through their frequent reports and the minutes of their meetings, the National Assembly is kept informed of their activities and maintains its over-all supervision of the affairs of the Cause in all parts of the country.

3.3 To take initiative in the promotion of the Faith in the region and to carry out its decisions within the range of authority vested in it by the National Assembly. The National Assembly allows the Council a wide latitude for autonomous action, intervening in its work only in matters which the Assembly regards as being of major importance. The main task of a Regional Bahá’í Council is to devise and execute expansion and consolidation plans in close collaboration with the local Spiritual Assemblies and the believers within its area of jurisdiction. Its goal is to create strong local Spiritual Assemblies which will be the focal centers of Bahá’í activity, will exercise their vitally important role in the development of the Faith and will demonstrate their ability to regulate the affairs of their local communities.

3.4 To deal with both teaching and administrative matters within the region including the appointment of committees for issues within its terms of reference, such as external affairs and the translation, publication and distribution of Bahá’í literature.

3.4.1 In the area of teaching, a Regional Bahá’í Council may be given authority by the National Assembly to appoint, direct and supervise the work of a number of area or district teaching committees. In those cases where a Regional Bahá’í Council has to carry out a wide range of functions, it may also be authorized by the National Spiritual Assembly. [Page 13]

Councils

3.4.1 Assembly to appoint a regional teaching committee to be responsible to it for the teaching work in the region as a whole and for the direction and supervision of the area or district teaching committees.

3.4.2 A Regional Bahá’í Council may be asked by the National Spiritual Assembly to arrange and supervise the unit elections for delegates to the national convention.

3.4.3 The working relationship between the local Spiritual Assemblies and the National Spiritual Assembly in an area where there is a Regional Bahá’í Council will depend upon the range of functions and responsibilities conferred by the National Assembly upon the Council. In any case the authority to deprive a believer of his or her administrative rights, or to restore them, remains with the National Assembly. The right of direct access to the National Assembly by a local Spiritual Assembly is preserved.

3.5 To be responsible, under the general guidelines and policies established by the National Spiritual Assembly, for conducting, on behalf of the National Assembly, the external affairs of the Faith at the level of the region, representing the Bahá’ís of the region in relation to the civil authorities of that region.

3.6 To take part, under the guidance of the National Spiritual Assembly and in consultation with the Counselors or their deputies, in the formulation of a plan for its region as part of the national plan within the framework of each worldwide Plan.

3.7 To devise, for the approval of the National Assembly, its own expansion and consolidation programs for the achievement of the plan for its region, within the over-all framework of the national plan.

3.8 To formulate an annual budget for the region, in consultation with the Counselors or their deputies when advisable, and to submit this budget to the National Spiritual Assembly for its approval.

3.8.1 Alternatively, should conditions indicate the advisability of such a method, the annual budgets of Regional Bahá’í Councils may be specified by the National Spiritual Assembly.

3.9 To administer the budget for the region, sending regular reports and financial statements to the National Spiritual Assembly.

3.10 A Regional Bahá’í Council can be authorized by the National Spiritual Assembly to act as its agent in operating a regional branch of the national Bahá’í fund. In this respect the Council may perform the following functions.

3.10.1 It encourages believers within its region to contribute to various funds of the Cause, including the regional branch of the national fund, with the aim that, in due course, the entire expenditure for the region would be provided by the believers in the region.

3.10.2 If the whole of the budgeted expenditure for a year cannot be met by contributions from the believers in the region, the Council may apply to the National Spiritual Assembly for an allocation from the national Bahá’í fund.

3.10.3 It is also within the discretion of the Counselors to allocate financial assistance to a Regional Bahá’í Council from the funds at their disposition.

3.11 Under normal conditions, correspondence between Regional Bahá’í Councils and the Bahá’í World Center should be addressed to the National Spiritual Assembly, which would then convey the communication to its intended recipient.

3.11.1 If, because of local conditions, the Universal House of Justice authorizes certain Regional Bahá’í Councils to correspond directly with it, copies of all such correspondence should be sent to the National Assembly.

3.11.2 Copies of the Bahá’í International News Service and of certain circular letters may be mailed from the Bahá’í World Center directly to all Regional Bahá’í Councils.

3.11.3 When Regional Bahá’í Councils publish Bahá’í literature or regional newsletters, copies of such publications should be sent directly to the Bahá’í World Center under the same guidelines as apply to national Bahá’í publications.

3.11.4 Although, in general, Regional Bahá’í Councils can be authorized to correspond directly with the World Center to share current information about the activities of their respective communities, this should not be misconstrued as a means to bypass the institution of the National Spiritual Assembly in matters requiring guidance or decision.

3.12 In most countries the legal status of Regional Bahá’í Councils would seem to be adequately covered by the National Assembly's incorporation.

3.12.1 Just as Counselors have direct consultative relations with National and local Spiritual Assemblies, so they also have direct relations with Regional Bahá’í Councils.

3.12.2 Whenever the Counselors feel it necessary or desirable, they are free to deputize one or more Auxiliary Board members to represent them in consultations with a Regional Bahá’í Council. Also, occasional meetings should be arranged between a Regional Bahá’í Council and the Auxiliary Board members responsible for areas within its region, for the discussion of the vision and strategies for the work. A regular and free exchange of information between Auxiliary Board members on the one hand and Regional Bahá’í Councils on the other is encouraged.

National committees in the new structure

It is advisable for a National Spiritual Assembly to have a National Teaching Committee even if Regional Bahá’í Councils are formed in every part of a country. The functions of the National Teaching Committee in a country in which Regional Bahá’í Councils have been established are as follows.

4.1 The Guardian has referred to national committees as expert advisers and executive assistants of a National Spiritual Assembly. This suggests that, rather than diminishing the role of its National Teaching Committee when Regional Bahá’í Councils are formed, a National Spiritual Assembly would develop further the advisory and executive aspects of its responsibilities in certain respects.

The capacity of the National Teaching Committee to monitor the effectiveness of the teaching work throughout the country could be enhanced. Through its knowledge of the progress of the work, it should be able to bring to the National Assembly's attention strengths and needs in any region. There are also a number of specific matters, such as the analysis of opportunities for expansion and consolidation in rapidly changing conditions, the identification of successful approaches to teaching, and the dissemination of promising teaching methods, which would benefit from the constant attention of a vibrant and competent National Teaching Committee.

Issues related to teaching among minorities and specific groups who reside in more than one region of the country present another area which would benefit from a National Teaching Committee's attention.

4.2 The work of the National Teaching Committee in relation to Regional Bahá’í Councils is one of service and assistance, rather than direction and supervision as it is in relation to regional teaching committees. A parallel can be seen in the work of a national training institute, to which the National Assembly assigns the task of developing human resources: the institute assists the Councils by offering them programs for the training of the human resources needed to carry out their plans in each region. The National Teaching Committee would, similarly, offer services to the Councils in support of the teaching work.

4.3 In countries where Regional Bahá’í Councils have been introduced only for certain areas, the National Teaching Committee is expected to perform not only the functions outlined above, but also to remain responsible, both directly and through its Regional Teaching Committees, for serving those areas not under the care of a Council.

In carrying out such functions there must, of course, be close collaboration between the National Teaching Committee and its Regional Teaching Committees on the one hand, and the Regional Bahá’í Councils on the other.

4.4 In the case of all national committees, it is important to ensure that legitimate national programs do not run counter to the process of decentralization, except in special emergency situations.

Teaching bus spreads Faith in Southeast

Bahá’ís in the Southeast are starting to catch on to the tremendous resource available to them in the mobile Bahá’í Information Center van.

The teaching bus, as it is known, was imaginatively used two weekends in a row in April to augment teaching efforts in Georgia and Tennessee.

The Chattanooga-based van headed down Interstate 75 toward Atlanta on April 18. First up were visits to many of the Southeast Asian friends in Chamblee, Doraville and North Dekalb County under sponsorship of the Spiritual Assembly of North Dekalb County. Although there were no enrollments on the first day, the friends were excited about the van and invited many of their neighbors into it for a fireside.

The next day the teachers visited some new neighborhoods as well as ones with which they were more familiar. They would park the van in a prominent place and people would be hanging out their doors and windows to see what it was.

The teachers invited interested people in for a fireside. This led to enrollment of two Guatemalan families in Doraville (three adults and five children), one Vietnamese family (two adults and one child) in Chamblee, and a Cambodian woman who had been learning about the Faith from one of the Cambodian friends.

In addition, the teachers made contacts with dozens of people (black, white, Asian and Latino) and distributed literature in five languages.

The van returned to Tennessee on Saturday evening, but the excitement in the community remained with the additional enrollment of a Cambodian gentleman on the First Day of Ridván. That raised the total of new believers to seven adults and six children.

Teachers were helped at various times over the weekend by six metro-area adults. Also, five Chamblee Bahá’í children ages 9-13 helped translate and invited people to see the van. This was a wonderful opportunity for them to serve.

One other important accomplishment of the weekend was that the teachers were able to collect absentee ballots from the Chamblee friends, and for the fourth year a Spiritual Assembly was elected in Chamblee. The Assembly has yet to function, but perhaps this will be the year, especially since a deepened Bahá’í family, recently arrived from Iran, is now living there.

Follow-up efforts in the ethnic communities are continuing. Translators are needed in Spanish and Persian in addition to Vietnamese and Khmer. Also, there is a Chinese family who speak no English that the teachers would like to visit again.

For more information, phone Elizabeth Donnelly, 770-457-4350.

The next weekend, the van stayed in the Chattanooga area but was put to good use helping the Bahá’í Group of Red Bank with its first-time participation in the annual Red Bank Jubilee.

Participation was planned for about a month. Bahá’ís from Red Bank and nearby areas met first at a restaurant to plot their strategy and begin daily prayers for success in teaching. As they left, they presented the owners with a bouquet of roses.

Since the Jubilee's theme this year was "Education Excellence," quotations from the Writings on the topic were printed up as a handout.

Area Bahá’ís marched in the parade behind the van and a banner bearing the quotation "The source of all learning is the knowledge of God."

As they approached the reviewing stand, the announcer informed parade-goers that among the Bahá’í marchers were the valedictorian of this year's senior class at Red Bank High School and his sister, who is graduating from Red Bank Middle School.

After the parade, Bahá’ís staffed a booth in the elementary school yard. They chatted with residents, handed out literature and directed interested people to the nearby van.

Follow-up will include a weekly fireside with the topic published in the Chattanooga newspapers. Five Red Bank educators also were invited to an appreciation tea for area teachers.

The mobile Bahá’í Information Center van is sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Hamilton County, Tennessee. Its use is coordinated by Lois Osborne, who can be reached at 423-476-6248. [Page 14]

REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE Southern States ORDER FORM

Committee has new T-shirt

A bold new T-shirt design has been created by the Regional Committee for the Southern States to compement the work of the newly appointed Southern Regional Race Unity Task Force. The slogan, "Racism Hurts Everybody," in black and red lettering, reminds us that the divisive effects of racial discord are detrimental to all humanity.

The shirts, in 50/50 poly/cotton, are available in small, medium, large and extra-large sizes and sell for $12 each. There is a 20 percent charge for shipping. The T-shirts can be ordered through the Southern Regional Com- mittee (see order form), and all proceeds will be forwarded to the Southern Regional Race Unity Task Force to advance its work.

Southern Regional Committee seeks information on teaching

The Regional Committee for the Southern States is compiling information on teaching projects of all sorts and sizes: summer, winter, year-round and short-term.

Send us the details of where and when and who to contact and we will publicize your project at the National Youth Training Conference this summer!

Send the details today to: REGIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE SOUTHERN STATES Email:

NAME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP PHONE EMAIL

Qty	Description	Each	Total
Compilations | $ 1.00 |
T-shirts (S M L XL) | $12.00 |
Subtotal | |
Plus 20% Shipping | |
Total | |

Please mail your form and make your payment to: RCSS Oakland Park, FL 33309

QUESTIONS? Oakland Park, FL 33309 phone 954-202-9421/fax 954-351-8023

Call: (954) 202-9421 Fax: (954) 351-8023 Email:

Pried lapbivibni iamrolavab by

Southern Regional Committee names Race Unity Task Force to make plans, clarify vision

A fresh initiative to address the "most challenging issue" was launched in May with the appointment by the Regional Committee for the Southern States of the Southern Regional Race Unity Task Force. The task force is charged with helping the friends in their efforts "to create a Bahá’í community that will offer the entire world a vibrant model of unity in diversity."

The newly appointed task force had its first meeting May 17-18 in South Carolina. Its members are Chuck Egerton (Asheville, NC), Jack Guillebeaux (Montgomery, AL), Hoda Hosseini (Weston, FL), Roy Jones (Charleston, SC) and Sue Whitfield (Old Hickory, TN).

The Race Unity Task Force is developing a dynamic grassroots initiative:

• to sharpen the distinctiveness of the Bahá’í approach to creating unity in diversity;
• to identify strategies and approaches to help Bahá’ís in the southern region to study, digest and internalize Bahá’í teachings on racial and ethnic diversity to help in personal transformation, teaching, and building models of unity;
• to clarify the vision of the friends in the southern region relative to the Bahá’í community and its institutions as models of unity in diversity;
• to help the Bahá’í community develop socially so that it will be increasingly distinguished as a model and resource in building racial unity;
• to identify barriers that may prevent or slow the enthusiastic involvement of the community in building models of unity;
• to introduce significant numbers of Bahá’ís to new approaches that will enhance their commitment to race unity work;
• to increase the capacity of Bahá’ís in the region to effectively attract, teach and consolidate new believers from all ethnic groups and social strata;
• and to help every Bahá’í in the southern region release the energy required to overcome the fear, anger, guilt, shame, suspicion and other qualities that have hindered the process of achieving racial unity.

The Race Unity Task Force will soon share specific

See SOUTH page 43

Committee tracks enrollment figures in Southern area

The Regional Committee for the Southern States has been tracking the figures for enrollments in the 16 states comprising the region during the first year of the Four Year Plan and in comparison to the gains made in each year of the Three Year Plan.

The table shows the number of adult enrollments in all states, as well as the District of Columbia, for all years. It should be noted that youth enrollments and child registrations have not been included because it cannot be readily determined which are new enrollments and which are children that have reached the age of maturity.

An analysis of these figures indicates that an average of three Bahá’ís out of 100 are currently enrolling new believers. The column titled "Percentage of Enrolling Bahá’ís" measures the percent of adults who, statistically, are enrolling new believers in each state. For example, the figures demonstrate that while only 1.7 percent of the adult believers in Alabama have enrolled new Bahá’ís, 6.9 percent in Oklahoma have achieved this success in teaching.

Imagine our growth if all states attained the percentage of teaching success reached this year in West Virginia. Statistically, there would have been more than 3,250 new believers enrolled in the region during the first year of the Plan, thereby exceeding the number of all enrollments for the first year of 2,126 adults.

ENROLLMENTS IN THE SOUTHERN REGION

STATE	Adults with Good Addresses	Year One: Adult Enrollments	Percentage of Enrolling Bahá’ís	150 BE 93-94	151 BE 94-95	152 BE 95-96
Alabama	472	8	1.7%	3	14	7
Arkansas	373	8	2.1%	13	8	11
Delaware	111	3	2.7%	1	0	6
D. C.	118	3	2.5%	5	3	7
Florida	2916	146	5%	143	126	73
Georgia	2490	45	1.8%	67	84	51
Kentucky	316	20	6.3%	14	9	20
Louisiana	407	5	1.2%	13	13	7
Maryland	1059	21	2%	34	35	36
Mississippi	216	3	1.4%	3	0	2
North Carolina	1700	88	5.2%	30	37	36
Oklahoma	549	38	6.9%	10	15	32
South Carolina	5598	36	0.6%	62	75	70
Tennessee	598	24	4%	22	19	23
Texas	3501	135	3.9%	87	73	278
Virginia	1537	52	3.4%	32	34	33
West Virginia	128	19	14.8%	3	3	2
All States	22089	655	3%	542	546	694

[Page 15]

THE ANNUAL REPORT Of the National Spiritual Assembly and its agencies Ridván 1997

Beloved Friends,

Assessing the progress of the United States Bahá’í community in 1996, the Universal House of Justice wrote that any survey of the distinguished accomplishments of the American Bahá’ís over the past three years provides striking evidence of the continuing applicability of Shoghi Effendi’s description of this community as "the outstanding protagonists of the Cause of God; the stout-hearted defenders of its integrity, it claims and its rights; the champion builders of its Administrative Order; the standard-bearers of its crusading hosts; the torchbearers of its embryonic civilization; the chief succorers of the downtrodden, the needy and fettered among its followers..." These words are the foundation on which we now labor to carry out the next stage of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s grand design for the spiritual conquest of the planet, namely, advancing the process of entry by troops.

The Universal House of Justice tells us that the need at this time is so to intensify our efforts in building the Bahá’í system that we will attract the confirmations of Bahá’u’lláh and thus invoke a spiritual atmosphere that will stimulate the release of pent-up forces, bring about large-scale growth of the Bahá’í community, and change the direction of human affairs throughout the planet. To do this requires meeting the primary challenges of the Four Year Plan: mounting and sustaining a broad campaign of teaching in which everyone is enthusiastically involved, developing institutes for training the friends, and completing the projects on Mount Carmel.

The Supreme Body tells us that the process of entry by troops is already in progress and that local and national communities are at different stages of it and that it requires marked progress in the activity and development of every individual Bahá’í, local community and institution. However, we cannot expect entry by troops to unfold systematically. Instead it will advance in quantum leaps aided by the alternation of crisis and victory. Our role is to foster conditions that accelerate the process by working to assure a steady stream of new Bahá’ís, building Bahá’í communities that people are eager to join and institutions they will love and trust, and striving to become individual models of the true spirit of Bahá’í love and steadfastness in the Covenant.

The breadth of activities in the United States Bahá’í community has grown exponentially in past years. Yet many Bahá’ís ask themselves, when will all of our many undertakings result in large-scale growth? The Universal House of Justice explains that our mandate to advance the process of entry by troops results from current circumstances that "demand and existing opportunities that allow for a sustained growth of the Bahá’í world community on a large scale...." In particular, the Supreme Body notes that 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. These opportunities are due to the unparalleled strength of our communities, their institutions and their youth, the success of our external affairs, and the diversity of our national population.

Social science researchers state that more than 15 million Americans are now searching for a new religion. Moreover, they agree that general receptivity to spiritual and social issues is greater now than in past generations. Millions of Americans are craving for knowledge of the soul and spiritual life. In the past large-scale growth of the Bahá’í community has taken place only during similar periods of heightened spiritual and social receptivity in the national population.

Evidence exists that we are now entering another such period, rich with potential for a spiritual breakthrough on a national scale. The current requirement is to liberate ourselves from the doubts that have held us back in the past, accept the imminent possibility of entry by troops, and commit ourselves to its achievement. The schools and institutes we operate, the wide diversity of programs currently under way throughout the community, our social justice and development initiatives are serving to advance our learning process and to lay cornerstones for the home we are building to accommodate the tremendous growth of the Bahá’í community, which Shoghi Effendi told us to expect.

We must act immediately to take advantage of the current favorable conditions. Every Bahá’í can proceed with confidence that powerful spiritual forces will be released through our prayers and regular study of the Bahá’í writings, our daily exertions to conform our conduct to the standards of Bahá’í teachings, and our sustained action in teaching. Every institution, every Bahá’í community, and every individual soul will be guided by those heavenly forces in their struggle to meet the needs of people who are yearning for "a society in which a rectitude of conduct prevails, which is animated by a nobility of moral behavior, and in which the diverse races are firmly united...." Our challenge is to demonstrate the efficacy of the Message of Bahá’u’lláh in ministering to their needs and in recreating the very foundation of individual and social life.

The process of entry by troops can be divided into three stages:

1. Start-up, during which the Four Year Plan's conceptual elements were studied, strategies were formulated, an infrastructure was built and put into operation, and the national community was mobilized.

2. Concerted action, during which the Plan is vigorously pursued on all fronts, our understanding grows and refinements are made. In this stage we anticipate clear evidences that our activities are coalescing into a unified, systematic endeavor embracing all of the elements necessary to advance the process of entry by troops.

3. Harvest, during which we see an acceleration of growth resulting from our struggle to sustain vigorous teaching efforts, to embody individually a greater degree of the Bahá’í spirit and virtues, to train the friends, to build loving and vibrant communities, and to foster the maturation of our institutions.

Start-up

The start-up phase of the Four Year Plan is now largely completed at the national level and in many local communities as well. The following assessment of some important results and discussion of some of the National Spiritual Assembly's cares, hopes and plans are presented for your consideration and discussion.

Our first step was to seek the advice of the Continental Board of Counselors. Together we studied the House of Justice's Ridván messages, consulted on the condition and capacity of the community, and discussed a range of strategic options for the Four Year Plan. We owe the Counselors a great debt of gratitude for their loving and wise counsel, tireless exertions, and never-ending encouragement.

The National Assembly then published a Vision Statement to guide the community during the first year of the Plan while more detailed goals were being set. The Vision Statement asked the friends to pursue three lines of action: (1) double the active core of every Bahá’í community; (2) establish local training institutes wherever feasible; and (3) study the Ridván messages of the Universal House of Justice.

Doubling the core of Bahá’í communities

The intent of the goal to double the active core of Bahá’í communities is to double the size of the Army of the Lord of Hosts in every community by increasing the number of new believers and by increasing the number of enrolled Bahá’ís who actively take part in the teaching work and in community life.

Surveys of the national community reveal that a small number of Bahá’í communities are making great progress toward this goal. The Spiritual Assembly of Houston, Texas, has welcomed 40 new believers as a result of their cable access television program that encourages viewers to call in; those who do are invited to firesides. The Bahá’ís of Dover, Delaware, doubled their community during the past year and tripled it in the past two years by concentrating on study of the Bahá’í sacred writings and on teaching and fellowship among the youth. The Bowling Green, Kentucky, Bahá’í community has grown steadily over the past three years, averaging one new Bahá’í every five weeks. Teaching programs in the New York City and Edwardsville, Illinois, communities have enrolled 28 and 40 new believers, respectively.

Youth activities continue to be one of the brightest aspects of the teaching work. Across the country Bahá’í youth are vigorously pursuing a broad array of teaching and service activities. A significant share of new enrollments, generally, is attributable to the work of the youth.

A recent survey of 300 Bahá’í communities offers some insight into the general rate of progress. The report shows that 329 new believers were enrolled this year from that group. Eight of these communities have doubled their active core. Sixty-six percent of the communities surveyed hold regular devotional meetings open to seekers. Race unity activities and deepenings are standard in 63 percent of the localities. Children's classes are well established and widespread, as is the use of the Core Curriculum. Also, use of the media is steadily growing. Of the 300 communities, 52 have established training institutes, most of which hold weekly meetings for the members of more than one community.

The survey cites broad involvement in the life of society, particularly in social-justice issues such as race unity, equality and the environment. However, only 33 percent of the communities surveyed have organized plans of teaching, most choosing to rely on individual teaching efforts. This approach is not adequate, as only six percent of the residents hold regular firesides. Roughly one-half of the believers in these localities participate regularly in community life and 34 percent regularly attend the Nineteen Day Feasts.

The data obtained from the survey help us focus more precisely on some of the fundamental challenges in Bahá’í community life and in our teaching work that are impeding our efforts to advance the process of entry by troops. Most important, they are easily overcome.

Reports from the field indicate that the American Bahá’í community, in general, is intensely active. However, it is apparent that activity alone is not enough. Communities that are growing show common characteristics that must become standard among all communities. They work persistently to improve the Nineteen Day Feasts, to stimulate individual participation in community life, and to find creative ways to meet the needs of the friends. They facilitate candid and loving discussion of the shortcomings in community life and take consistent action to correct them.

For example, the Dover, Delaware, community overcame crippling conflicts and galvanized the community by focusing on youth activities and teaching. Also, successful communities analyze what works and what does not. Bowling Green, Kentucky, deduced seven fundamental lessons that they regard as the keys to their consistent progress (see the March 7, 1997, issue of The American Bahá’í).

These communities make a plan, carry it out, and refine it as they go. The keys to advancing the process of entry by troops lie in the resolute determination of the Bahá’ís to achieve a disciplined consistency in their efforts to carry out fundamental teachings and requirements of Bahá’í life.

Large-scale teaching programs

The National Teaching Committee and its regional and state committees are working intensely with scores of Spiritual Assemblies and with Auxiliary Board members to construct large-scale teaching projects in Atlanta, Georgia; Los Angeles, California, and a number of other cities that have shown high potential for expansion. These projects are in the start-up phases. Months of continuous meetings are being invested to assure that the Spiritual Assemblies and the friends take part in the design and are galvanized in its implementation. [Page 16]

External affairs

Building on its contribution to the unprecedented thrust of the external affairs work, the National Spiritual Assembly has continued to collaborate directly with the forces leading toward the establishment of order in the world. The National Assembly's external affairs office entered its 14th year of activity and collaboration with other non-governmental organizations. Through association with like-minded national organizations and frequent consultations with the United States government and various international agencies, the National Assembly promoted the further development of the international legal system; supported United Nations reform and urged full UN financing by the U.S. government; and defended the rights of women in countries where severe violations have occurred.

In citing the contributions to the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh that would be made by the American Bahá’í community, the Guardian mentioned "the deliverance of Bahá’í communities from the fetters of religious orthodoxy." The National Spiritual Assembly rejoiced at the two congressional resolutions passed during 1996, the seventh such resolutions since 1982 condemning the persecution of the Iranian Bahá’í community. Those refugees from the Cradle of the Faith who continue to resettle in the United States join their brethren from East and West whose shining example of unity will be a powerful source of attraction to the Cause.

Statement on women

The recent completion of the statement on women entitled Two Wings of a Bird: Equality, the Foundation of All Human Progress signals the beginning of a major proclamation and teaching campaign on equality issues. To facilitate this initiative, the National Committee for the Advancement of Women was appointed and charged with responsibility for planning the dissemination of the statement, encouraging its broad discussion within and outside the Bahá’í community, identifying and mobilizing a national network of resources, and evaluating our progress and recommending the next stage of activity.

Youth

The deeply gratifying expansion of youth leadership in the teaching work inspired the National Spiritual Assembly to strengthen the administrative structure for coordinating youth activities by appointing a National Youth Committee and establishing a National Youth Desk at the Bahá’í National Center. In its first year the Youth Committee completed a national study of Bahá’í youth participation in and assessment of the Army of Light program. Data from this study are serving as the foundation for the youth teaching and development strategy and the National Youth Conference planned for the weekend of July 4, 1997.

The Committee also held a national series of Bahá’í College Club Weekends to study the Ridván message, develop teaching plans, and break down any barriers to youth leadership in the process of entry by troops.

Media plan

The use of media to reach the millions of Americans who are potentially interested in the Bahá’í Faith is a fundamental strategy of the National Teaching Plan. The National Teaching Committee, in consultation with the National Spiritual Assembly's Office of Public Information, Bahá’í Media Services, the Office of Bahá’í Publications, and volunteer media experts, developed a National Media Campaign aimed at using broadcast media, the arts, public relations and other means in conjunction with synchronized local teaching efforts.

The National Teaching Committee is working with the Satellite Broadcast Development Corporation, an independent Bahá’í media initiative, and Bahá’í Media Services to develop the first in a series of broadcast-quality videos, repeatedly tested in focus groups, for use in carefully organized teaching campaigns. The first video in the series presents the Bahá’í teachings on race unity.

Pioneering

Pioneering and international traveling teaching continue to be among of the most outstanding areas of service for American Bahá’ís. In response to requirements of the Four Year Plan the National Spiritual Assembly set a goal of 5,700 pioneers and international traveling teachers. This year 249 pioneers settled abroad, and 2,023 traveling teaching trips were undertaken. In addition, 50 Bahá’í youth served internationally through the Bahá’í Youth Service Corps.

Responding to the Universal House of Justice's unprecedented call for Bahá’ís of African descent to pioneer and to serve as traveling teachers to the African continent, 42 Bahá’ís traveled to Africa this year—four as pioneers and 38 as traveling teachers. Forty-one more Bahá’ís of African descent are now preparing to pioneer to Africa.

Institutes and centers of learning

Local Spiritual Assemblies were encouraged to collaborate with Auxiliary Board members and each other to establish institutes for training Bahá’ís in the fundamental verities of the Faith and in teaching and administration. To date 189 local institutes have been established.

Six regional institutes have been established serving the areas of Greater Atlanta, Georgia; Florida; St. Louis and surrounding areas; Minneapolis and surrounding areas; New Mexico; and Southern Texas. To support the institutes the National Assembly's Office of Education and Schools developed a curriculum for teaching the course series titled "Fundamental Verities of the Bahá’í Faith," modeled after the Core Curriculum, which will be available soon.

In addition to the ongoing work of the permanent schools and institutes, and the 37 regional schools, important new developments are progressing rapidly. The Family Unity Institute, co-sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of South DeKalb County, Georgia, and Mottahedeh Development Services, has continued to expand its program offerings and activities. The Institute's growing reputation for the high quality of its Sunday services, youth training and tutoring, and family services has attracted broad participation from the community and increasing enrollment of new Bahá’ís.

The Wilmette Institute, an agency of the National Spiritual Assembly, enjoyed a highly successful launching of its four-year systematic program, "Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization," the purpose of which is to train Bahá’í teachers. Forty students from all parts of the country attended the four-week residential session held at the National-Louis University in Wilmette. The students continue to pursue a 10-month home-study course buttressed with small conference calls and electronic-mail support for those who own computers.

Building infrastructure

The National Teaching Plan was completed and published in the February 7 edition of The American Bahá’í. To help carry out the plan and further to decentralize the administration of the teaching work, four regional committees were established to enhance the community's ability to customize teaching plans and teaching materials to fit a wider range of needs, to facilitate the sharing of resources, and to stimulate local and individual action. The committees have made rapid progress in winning the confidence of the friends and developing regional adaptations of the National Teaching Plan.

National Task Forces were appointed to extend our reach to specific populations mentioned in the Tablets of the Divine Plan. The African-American, American Indian, Chinese and Latin-American Teaching Committees are at various stages of their work, but all have been working throughout the community. Their mandate is to develop special materials and teacher-training programs and to assist communities in designing and implementing plans to reach these populations with Bahá’u’lláh’s message.

Among the early developments reported was a conference sponsored by the National American Indian Teaching Committee, blessed by the participation of Counselor Jacqueline Left-Hand Bull, to coordinate a teaching plan to reach American Indians. Their work with several communities to advance teaching focused on this population is quite encouraging and has revitalized enthusiasm and action in this most important field.

National Persian Integration Committee

The constancy of faith and courage shown by the Persian Bahá’ís during 17 years of persecution has caused the Faith to emerge from obscurity and provided living evidence in our own time of the potencies of crisis and victory. The Supreme Body's urgings for Persian Bahá’ís, who constitute a most valuable source of ability and experience, "to dedicate themselves to an extent surpassing their passed services" inspired the National Assembly to develop a national plan for Persian integration and teaching and to appoint a National Persian Integration Committee and regional affiliates. These committees are charged with the responsibility to mobilize and involve Persian believers in the teaching and development work, to develop and carry out protection strategies, and to use increase the use of Persian media to educate non-Bahá’í Persians about the Faith.

Spiritual Assembly development

An Office of Spiritual Assembly Development was established at the Bahá’í National Center to serve as a resource and training agency for Spiritual Assemblies, regional committees, institutes and schools and to help Spiritual Assemblies achieve a new stage in the exercise of their indispensable duties. A national plan for Spiritual Assembly Development, designed with the help of the Counselors, is now in operation.

The highlights of this year's work included the training of 30 Bahá’ís from various localities to serve as local Spiritual Assembly Development representatives, the production of a training video entitled "The Local Spiritual Assembly, A Miracle of Governance," the publication of a booklet on Bahá’í elections, and the holding of three Spiritual Development Forums for 70 Assemblies in the Chicago, Atlanta and Milwaukee areas. To assure coordination in the approach to the complex issues of Assembly development, the Office works in close collaboration with the National Teaching Committee, the National Office of Education and Schools, and the National Spiritual Assembly's Office of the Treasurer.

Decentralization and Spiritual Assembly automation

The further decentralization of the Bahá’í national administration took important steps with the appointment of the four regional committees, teaching committees for specific populations, and the restructuring of national offices. The progress of Spiritual Assembly automation is a cornerstone of the decentralization process, which is aimed at strengthening and expanding the administrative foundation of the national community. The Spiritual Assembly Automation Plan is creating an electronic communications network that will link all local Spiritual Assemblies with the National Spiritual Assembly and its agencies, the Counselors' liaison to the United States, and the Counselors' Auxiliary Board members.

The plan requires the computerization of all Spiritual Assemblies with special software to facilitate the assemblies' administrative work, communications and research of the Bahá’í writings.

The plan progressed steadily this year with the successful establishment of five pilot test communities: Los Angeles, California; Portland, Oregon; Salt Lake City, Utah; San Diego, California; and San Francisco, California. The momentous launching of the National Spiritual Assembly's Administrative Web Site at Ridván will take us to the next stage in our communications strategy. A teleconference during the 1997 National Convention proceedings to provide an assessment of our progress in the Four Year Plan, offer a strategic vision, and present the goals for the second year of the Plan is an example of the current technology that enables the National Spiritual Assembly to communicate effectively and immediately to the Bahá’ís across the country.

Lifeblood

The community has made admirable progress in providing the resources essential to the development of Bahá’í communities and institutions. Contributions for the Arc Projects passed the $7 million mark, accounting for 70 percent of the worldwide goal for these projects. Contributions to the Bahá’í National Fund increased one percent to $11.5 million, although contributions to the Bahá’í International Fund declined 57 percent.

Our challenge next year will be to make an unwavering commitment to provide the national and international institutions of the Cause with the income they require to do the work that must be done. No less than $22 million is needed to assure that our contributions to the international and continental funds are met and that the progress of the Four Year Plan [Page 17]

ANNUAL REPORTS

can continue forward without impediment.

Other matters

Attacks on the Covenant and institutions. During this past year the American Bahá’í community weathered several attacks on the Covenant and organized campaigns of criticism of the Bahá’í institutions. In a tragic case instigated by a man later named a Covenant-breaker, the Spiritual Assembly of Huntington, West Virginia, was dissolved by the National Spiritual Assembly. Increasingly, the Counselors and the National Assembly have noted that Covenant-breakers are using the Internet in their attempts to engage Bahá’ís in discussion of the Guardianship and the authority of the Universal House of Justice.

A small group of individuals continues to advance coordinated campaigns of criticism and ridicule of the Bahá’í judicial process, accusations of abuse of power within Bahá’í institutions, attempts to influence the electoral process, and allegations of financial misconduct. Recently the Religious News Service published a news article in seven newspapers quoting individuals who have alleged corruption of the national administration, the Bahá’í electoral process, and suppression of free speech, among other things.

The questions raised by these attacks and complaints do not in themselves pose a problem. Our concern centers on the partisan marshaling of various groups to bring pressure on the institutions, the intemperate criticism they employ and its effect on the community. In its Ridván message the Universal House of Justice urged the friends to "manifest unwavering adherence to the provisions of the Covenant, while ever striving for a deeper understanding of its challenging features and of its implications, which far transcend the familiar arrangements of present society. Steadfastness in the Covenant is the eternal safeguard of every soul, and the prerequisite of the success of the Divine Plan itself."

The Bahá’í writings warn that attacks will increase. They will come from within and outside the Faith. Shoghi Effendi himself 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." With this reassuring guidance in mind, the National Spiritual Assembly, in collaboration with the Continental Counselors, has undertaken the development of a strategy for the continual strengthening of this critical aspect of individual and community life.

World Congress

After three years of painstaking analysis, the final report of the finances of the second Bahá’í World Congress was submitted to the Universal House of Justice in May 1996. The House of Justice expressed its gratitude in receiving the report and wrote that "the diligence with which your Assembly handled this immensely complex undertaking, and has persisted in establishing a detailed accounting of all the confused financial transactions involved, has earned the great appreciation of the House of Justice." They further noted that aspects of the financial management of the World Congress that were dealt with by the National Assembly had been scrupulously examined to the "complete satisfaction" of the House of Justice and that other expenditures incurred in connection with the Congress that were financed directly from the Bahá’í World Center have, likewise, been checked and approved by the House of Justice.

Conclusion

In its letter of May 19, 1994, the Universal House of Justice warned against "over-anxiousness about the success of the teaching work and feelings of failure at every disappointment" because they are self-defeating. It explained that "the desire for instant gratification must give way to a deeper appreciation of the divine process." The Supreme Body stated that "whatever the immediate response to the Message, and however inadequate the vehicle that conveyed it, the power of its Author will, as He sees fit, enable those seeds to germinate, and in circumstances which no one can foresee enrich the harvest which the labor of His followers will gather. So long as the friends remain constant and confident in the teaching work, they may rest assured that [our] particularly blessed community will not be denied a triumphant expansion...."

The start-up phase of the Four Year Plan is nearing completion. The plans have been made, the administrative architecture erected, the community mobilized. The stage of concerted action is now at hand. In the coming year the Plan must be vigorously pursued on all fronts, giving rise to clear evidences that our activities are coalescing into a unified, systematic endeavor embracing all of the elements necessary to advance the process of entry by troops.

Confident as we are that the harvest is sure to follow, let us remember these words of Shoghi Effendi, written to the American Bahá’í community in 1939: "The stage is set. The irrevocable promise is given. God's own plan has been set in motion. It is gathering momentum with every passing day. The powers of heaven and earth mysteriously aid in its execution. Such an opportunity is irreplaceable. Let the doubter arise and himself verify the truth of such assertions. To try, to persevere, is to ensure ultimate and complete victory."

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

In its Ridván 1996 letter to the Bahá’ís of the world, the Universal House of Justice referred to the Bahá’í community's direct collaboration "with the forces leading toward the establishment of order in the world," and to the influence Bahá’ís will have on "the processes toward world peace, particularly through the community's involvement in the promotion of human rights, the status of women, global prosperity, and moral development." These issues formed the thematic emphases of the House of Justice's global external affairs strategy presented to National Spiritual Assemblies in October 1994. During the past year the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly continued to be deeply involved in several dimensions of these processes.

The National Assembly's paramount effort remained the defense of the Bahá’í community in Iran and other countries. In its 1996 Ridván message the House of Justice explained that "increased efforts to emancipate the Faith in [Iran] and other countries where it is proscribed will constitute a vital part of our dealings with governments and other non-governmental organizations." Representatives of the National Assembly continued to provide information on the status and condition of the Iranian Bahá’í community to the various branches of the U.S. government.

In November 1996 President Clinton appointed an Advisory Committee on Religious Freedom Abroad to inform and advise him and the Secretary of State on matters of religious persecution. Dr. Wilma Ellis, a member of the Continental Board of Counselors, was appointed to serve as the Bahá’í representative, a further sign of the Faith's growing prestige and recognition at the highest levels of the U.S. government.

The National Spiritual Assembly continued to develop its ties to the United Nations and to work with networks of like-minded organizations on issues such as developing and implementing international human rights law, U.N. reform, and United States obligations to and participation in the United Nations. The National Spiritual Assembly sent representatives to the UN World Conference on Human Settlements in Istanbul. It also continued its national leadership role in the effort for U.S. ratification of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

The National Spiritual Assembly also continued to educate the Bahá’í community in the external affairs work of the Faith. Given the emphasis placed in the 1996 Ridván message on the development of human resources, the National Assembly will pursue more systematic training in external affairs for the Bahá’í community during the Four Year Plan. The Ridván message also calls on local Spiritual Assemblies to "rise to a new stage in the exercise of their responsibilities." Several outstanding examples of the growing maturity of local Assemblies in the arena of external affairs are reflected in their setting up external affairs offices or committees, discerning opportunities for grassroots service in collaboration with other groups, seeking guidance from the National Spiritual Assembly, and launching activities with potential for long-term engagement in the life of their communities.

Several personnel changes took place in the National Assembly's four external affairs offices during the first year of the Four Year Plan. The heads of the National Assembly's New York offices, the U.S. UN Office and the Office of Public Information, resigned after years of deeply appreciated service to the National Spiritual Assembly. Two new directors were appointed. New assistants and support staff joined the Refugee Office in Wilmette and the secretariat for external affairs in Washington, D.C.

Defense of the Bahá’ís in Iran

The paramount concern and activity of the National Spiritual Assembly continued to be the defense of the Iranian Bahá’ís and Bahá’ís in other Muslim countries. The uncertain situation faced by four Bahá’ís on death row in Iran was the focus of meetings with government officials, letters of concern by members of the U.S. Congress, and three official statements by the U.S. Department of State. The Congress passed yet another resolution, the seventh since 1982, calling for the emancipation of the Iranian Bahá’í community.

The National Spiritual Assembly's secretary for external affairs, Dr. Firuz Kazemzadeh, visited Washington regularly, keeping government officials in the State Department, the White House and Congress informed of developments in the situation of the Iranian Bahá’í community. On these visits he was accompanied by the deputy director for external affairs, Kit Cosby, and the National Assembly's public relations consultant, Marjorie Sonnenfeldt

Death sentence of Iranian Bahá’ís

The National Spiritual Assembly learned last September that Musa Talibi had been sentenced to death for apostasy. The National Assembly at once informed the U.S. government of Mr. Talibi's plight. As a result, on October 1 a U.S. State Department spokesman condemned the conviction and called on the government of Iran to repudiate it, release Mr. Talibi, and guarantee his safety. In addition, on October 31 a letter expressing grave concern over Mr. Talibi's death sentence was signed by 30 members of Congress and sent to the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations.

In January the National Assembly learned that the Supreme Court of Iran had confirmed the death sentences of Mr. Talibi and of Zabihullah Mahrami. Mr. Mahrami had been sentenced to death for apostasy by the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Yazd, Iran, in February 1996, at which time the State Department had issued a strong condemnation of the death sentence.

On January 31 the U.S. State Department again made an urgent public appeal on behalf of the two men. Congressmen John Porter and Tom Lantos wrote again in February 1997 to the Iranian ambassador to the UN expressing concern for the two Bahá’ís on death row. In March Congressmen Benjamin Gilman and Lee Hamilton, chairman and ranking minority member of the House International Relations Committee, wrote to the U.S. delegation to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and to the UN Special Representative on Iran and the Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance asking that the cases of Mr. Mahrami and Mr. Talibi form part of resolution condemning the human rights situation in Iran during the Commission's session in March.

Congressional resolutions

In March 1996 the House of Representatives voted 408-0 in favor of House Congressional Resolution 102, "a resolution condemning Iran's ongoing repression of its Bahá’í community, Iran's largest religious minority group." Senate Concurrent Resolution 42, which was identical to the House resolution, passed in the Senate in June. The resolutions were the seventh congressional resolutions since 1982 in defense of the rights of the Iranian Bahá’í community.

Diplomatic work

In February the National Spiritual Assembly's [Page 18]secretary and deputy director for external affairs were invited to Haifa together with representatives from several other National Spiritual Assemblies and the Bahá’í International Community's UN offices. They took part in detailed discussions about the conduct of the diplomatic work, particularly aspects related to the defense of the Bahá’ís in Iran.

As an indication that the diplomatic work of the Faith was advancing to a new stage, in August 1996 the Bahá’í International Community invited external affairs representatives from 28 National Spiritual Assemblies to a diplomatic training seminar at Landegg Academy in Switzerland. The meeting focused on fostering greater integration and coordination of the Faith's diplomatic efforts internationally. The National Assembly's representatives—the secretary for external affairs and the deputy director—made presentations on working with governments and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).

Advisory Committee on Religious Freedom Abroad

Dr. Wilma Ellis was appointed in November 1996 to represent the Faith on the Advisory Committee on Religious Freedom Abroad established by the Secretary of State. Dr. Ellis is one of 20 prominent religious leaders and scholars on the committee and has been appointed co-chair of its subcommittee on religious persecution. The purpose of the committee is to foster greater dialogue between religious communities and the U.S. government; to increase the flow of information to the government concerning the conditions faced by persecuted religious minorities around the world; and to provide information about the government's efforts to address issues of religious persecution and religious freedom. On January 6, Dr. Ellis represented the Bahá’í Faith at the annual White House ecumenical breakfast where she was able to greet the President and Mrs. Clinton on behalf of the Bahá’í community.

Refugees

In Wilmette the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office (USBRO), under its director, Puran Stevens, continued to help Bahá’ís seeking refugee and other non-immigrant status to transfer to the U.S. and helped to obtain humanitarian parole for Bahá’ís with urgent medical and asylum cases. The Refugee Office also represented the Bahá’í community to state and national government agencies that address issues concerning refugees; shared information about Bahá’í refugees with individual Bahá’ís, Bahá’í institutions and communities; and introduced Iranian Bahá’í refugees to their American Bahá’í communities.

Three hundred Iranian Bahá’í refugees resettled in the United States via Austria during the year, with the help of an international volunteer agency that was contacted at the suggestion of the Department of State. The USBRO has continued to work with its international liaisons in Turkey and Pakistan to facilitate the introduction of Bahá’í refugees from Iran into the U.S. and to locate sponsors for Iranian Bahá’í refugees without U.S. family ties.

The U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office worked closely with Amnesty International and the Committee for Humanitarian Assistance to Iranian Refugees (CHAIR) to consider solutions to the problems caused by the return from Turkey to Iran of 20 Iranian Bahá’í refugees in August 1996.

The USBRO director maintained relations with officials from the Immigration and Naturalization Service, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, the U.S. Committee for Refugees and the Department of State, communicating regularly with these agencies about policy for interviewing and resettling Iranian Bahá’í refugees. To support legislation that proposed to maintain the right of Iranian Bahá’í refugees to seek asylum in the United States, she joined the Committee to Preserve Political Asylum's letter-writing campaign to members of the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.

The USBRO director took part in conferences sponsored by the Center for Migration Studies and the U.S. Department of State Office of Refugee Resettlement that related to issues concerning Iranian Bahá’í refugees and presented a paper on immigration at the Association for Bahá’í Studies in Canada.

United Nations activities

Support for selected UN activities and collaboration with other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that participate 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 U.S. ratification of the UN Convention on Genocide, the National Assembly has expanded its activities by working on preparations for the UN conferences on the environment and development, human rights, social development, women, and human settlements. In recent years its staff has held positions of leadership 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 Spiritual 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.

UN Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II)

The Bahá’í International Community encouraged National Assemblies to participate in the Second UN Conference on Human Settlements, also called Habitat II, held in June 1996 in Istanbul. The conference focused on the problems and concerns of cities and on human settlements in general. Peter Adriance, the National Assembly's NGO liaison, represented the National Spiritual Assembly at the Habitat II Conference. He was involved in preparations for the conference for several months. The National Assembly was a member of the U.S. Network for Habitat II, the network of U.S. NGOs preparing for the conference. Mr. Adriance co-chaired the network's Documents Working Group that helped gather NGO recommendations for the Habitat Agenda, the official conference document signed by the governments represented in Istanbul. He and the National Assembly's external affairs deputy director were members of the network's Administrative Committee.

The Assembly's NGO liaison spent most of his time in Istanbul working with other representatives of NGOs from around the world to prepare for an NGO dialogue that took place with government representatives. The process was a unique feature of the Habitat conference that allowed for greater contributions by non-governmental groups than had been allowed at previous UN conferences. The dialogue was largely successful and potentially paved the way for greater NGO participation at future UN gatherings.

Follow-up to World Conference on Women

The National Spiritual Assembly, primarily through its secretariat in Washington and the U.S. UN office in New York, engaged in several activities to implement the Platform for Action, the official document agreed upon by the United States and 188 other nations represented at the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing. The Platform for Action called upon governments, the international community and civil society to take action in 12 critical areas of concern. The National Assembly encouraged Bahá’ís to join other individuals and local groups throughout the country to implement the Platform for Action on the local level.

In Washington the deputy director for external affairs met regularly with State Department and White House staff on the President's Interagency Council on Women, the government agency created to ensure that the commitments made by the U.S. at the Fourth World Conference on Women are acted upon by the various government agencies. The deputy director met to discuss primarily the urgent need for U.S. ratification of the UN Convention on Discrimination Against Women, a U.S. Government commitment reiterated at the 1995 UN Conference on Women.

On September 28 the deputy director for external affairs was invited to be in the studio audience during a live broadcast of a national teleconference marking the one year anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women. During the two-hour telecast the First Lady and members of the U.S. delegation to the conference discussed the numerous activities undertaken to promote the advancement of women across the country. Thousands of Americans gathered at almost 500 local telecast sites for the "Year After Beijing" conferences. Many Bahá’ís took part in these day-long conferences. Ms. Cosby also led a workshop on U.S. ratification of the UN Women's Convention at the local conference in Washington, D.C.

In 1996 the deputy director was an initial member of a group of NGOs that worked on establishing a national NGO organization to communicate with the U.S. government to monitor and assist with its implementation of the Platform for Action. The working group received funding for its project from two foundations and will hold meetings around the United States during 1997 and 1998 to seek the broadest possible participation from the women's and NGO community. Three members of the working group, including Ms. Cosby, met in February 1996 with the First Lady's deputy chief of staff to discuss the relationship between the President's Interagency Council and an NGO monitoring organization.

Through its U.S. UN Office the National Assembly coordinated Bahá’í participation in the California Women's Agenda (CAWA) Assembly held in June 1996 in San Francisco. The conference brought together 350 individuals and representatives from more than 75 California-based organizations to draft a CAWA Platform for Action designed to implement in California the provisions of the Platform for Action. The National Assembly appointed two persons to organize Bahá’í participation at the conference. The Bahá’í representatives invited selected local Spiritual Assemblies to appoint delegates to the conference and organized a conference briefing for the Bahá’ís who attended. Twenty-one delegates representing seven local Assemblies participated, and the San Jose-based Bay Area Youth Workshop performed at the conference. The Office of Public Information collaborated with the U.S. UN Office by preparing a press release for Bahá’í representatives at the California Women's Agenda.

In New Hampshire two Bahá’ís were among 14 women in that state who attended the UN Fourth World Conference on Women. Following the conference, these women formed the "NH Organizing Committee," which met weekly for seven months to organize a conference, "Bringing Back Beijing '95," held at the New Hampshire State House in Concord last September. The organizers systematically gathered public support by publicizing their efforts through major state newspapers, radio and television, as well as by cultivating the support of influential organizations such as the New Hampshire Commission on the Status of Women and the NH Women's Lobby. As a result, more than 500 people, including more than 20 Bahá’ís, attended the conference where they enjoyed talks, workshops and cultural events. One of the two Bahá’ís who attended the conference in Beijing designed and produced all of the conference materials while the other successfully persuaded other organizers to include on the conference agenda U.S. ratification of the UN Convention on Discrimination Against Women.

In March 1997 National Assembly member Juana Conrad, the deputy director for external affairs, and U.S. UN representative Jeffery Huffines joined representatives from the Bahá’í International Community and other National Spiritual Assemblies in an NGO consultation on the 41st session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. This year's UN Commission focused on implementing the Platform for Action's critical areas of concern: the environment, the economy, women in power and decision-making, and the education and training of women. Preparations for activities during the 1998 Commission have already begun. The critical areas of concern will include human rights and violence against women, issues that are priorities for the National Spiritual Assembly's external affairs work.

UN human rights treaties

For the past several years the National Assembly's deputy director for external affairs has been the co-chair of the General Human Rights Working Group, which has coordinated NGO efforts to ratify UN human rights treaties since 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 American Convention on Human Rights.

The U.S. UN representative was invited by the American branch of the International Law Association to take part in a panel discussion on "U.S. Ratification of Human Rights Treaties" at its annual International Law Weekend last November 1 in New York City. [Page 19]He was subsequently invited to publish as an article in the ILSA Journal of International & Comparative Law his presentation on the role of national organizations in U.S. ratification of human rights treaties.

UN Convention on Women

The National Spiritual Assembly, through its secretariat in Washington, has assumed a leadership role, along with Amnesty International USA, in coordinating a national campaign of educational and advocacy efforts by more than 100 national NGOs to achieve the eventual ratification by the U.S. of the UN treaty that bans discrimination against women.

The National Assembly's deputy director for external affairs and Amnesty USA's chief counsel are co-chairs of the "Working Group on Ratification of the UN Convention to Eliminate Discrimination Against Women," which met regularly to discuss strategies for national outreach and education about the treaty's ratification as well as to arrange visits to Senate offices. In August and December 1996 the Working Group, along with the American Bar Association and the Stanley Foundation, hosted national meetings to broaden NGO support for ratification. The meetings included groups such as the League of Women Voters, the National Bar Association, the Soroptomists, the American Nurses Association, and the National Council of Women.

Ratification of the UN Women's Convention was one of the commitments made by the U.S. government at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. At a Human Rights Day event at the White House last December 10, President Clinton once again called on the Senate to ratify the Convention. The White House event was attended by the National Spiritual Assembly's secretary and deputy director for external affairs who had the opportunity to speak with Mrs. Clinton about the effort to obtain U.S. ratification of the Women's Convention. Two days after the White House event Ms. Cosby and three NGO colleagues met with the First Lady's deputy chief of staff to discuss strategies for working with the Senate to achieve ratification.

The deputy director gave numerous presentations about ratification of the Women's Convention including a talk at the National Democratic Women's Club and at a conference of the Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN). She also spoke on the issue to university classes at Miami University in Ohio and the American University in Washington.

The National Assembly provided guidance to local Spiritual Assemblies interested in working with local organizations and citizens to stimulate community interest in applying the provisions and goals of the Women's Convention. In New Hampshire the NH Organizing Committee successfully introduced a resolution to be considered by the New Hampshire state legislature that "strongly urges the Congress of the United States to ratify" the UN Convention on Women. On February 18, the National Assembly's UN representative testified before the Committee on State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs of the NH House of Representatives in support of the resolution. The U.S. UN Bahá’í Office subsequently contacted the Spiritual Assemblies in New Hampshire to encourage members of the Bahá’í community to call their state representatives and senators to urge support of the resolution.

Race and torture Conventions

The National Spiritual Assembly took part in efforts to help the U.S. government prepare its first reports under the UN Conventions on Race and Torture which, although due to be submitted to the UN by September 1996, have not yet been completed. Therefore, the intention of several NGOs to publish a response to the U.S. reports had to be postponed. The government reports are intended to examine the degree of compliance in the U.S. with the standards and provisions in the conventions on race discrimination and on torture. The National Assembly submitted information to the Department of State for inclusion in the report under the Race Convention, including the Models of Unity surveys and other information about the Bahá’í community's efforts to advance race unity.

United Nations Association of the United States

In June 1996 the National Assembly's NGO liaison, Mr. Adriance, ended his two-year term as chair of the Washington Executive Committee of the Council of Organizations but continued to maintain strong relations with the United Nations Association (UNA-USA). He was asked to retain membership on two committees of the Board of Governors. One was the Search Committee, which sought a new president for UNA-USA, the other was the Strategic Planning Committee, which is engaged in formulating "strategic directions" for UNA-USA in preparation for the next several years under a new president. In mid-1996 he submitted to the Strategic Planning Committee a report recommending directions for the Council of Organizations. He also took part in several interviews with prospective presidential candidates and helped to select the new president of the UNA-USA. He was asked by UNA-USA to chair its 1997 Convention Advisory Committee.

Mr. Adriance attended several other UN-related meetings throughout the year including a Summit on U.S./UN Relations with Vice President Gore, Madeleine Albright, (then) U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN and many other dignitaries including two former Secretaries of State, UN officials, and leaders from the business, governmental and non-governmental sectors. He represented the UNA Council at monthly briefings for Washington representatives of UN agencies.

United Nations funding

Through its membership in the UNA, the National Spiritual Assembly played a significant role in drafting and distributing an "Open Letter to the Administration and Congress" calling on the U.S. government to fulfill its financial obligations to the UN. The Assembly's NGO liaison chaired the drafting committee for the "Open Letter." The committee initiated an inclusive and transparent drafting process later termed "a model for the Association, unprecedented in its history" by UNA's Vice President for Programs. Ultimately endorsed by 138 organizations representing tens of millions of Americans, the Open Letter was delivered in February to the President, members of his administration, and all 535 members of the U.S. Congress.

The National Spiritual Assembly asked selected local Spiritual Assemblies to meet with members of Congress to present the Open Letter and encouraged other interested Assemblies and individuals to send it to their members of Congress by mail. Through an article published in The American Bahá’í, the National Assembly also encouraged Bahá’ís to distribute the letter in cooperation with other local organizations.

In early 1997 the National Assembly and several other national organizations, including UNA-USA, became members of the Emergency Coalition to Fund the UN. The goal of the Coalition is to obtain a commitment by the U.S. government in 1997 to pay U.S. dues and arrears to the UN.

Sustainable development

The Assembly's NGO liaison continued to serve as a member of the National Steering Committee of the Citizens Network for Sustainable Development. The committee followed the progress in the implementation of Agenda 21, the agreement signed by 180 nations at the 1992 Earth Summit. In the spring of 1997 the Network focused on NGO participation in the fifth session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development and preparations for the June UN General Assembly special session to review the progress on agreements made at the Earth Summit. The Network is also creating connections among "sustainable communities" initiatives across the U.S.

In March Mr. Adriance represented the Bahá’í International Community at an international conference, "Rio+5: from Agenda to Action," held in Rio de Janeiro. The conference, organized by the Earth Council, was an invitational meeting held to prepare recommendations for the upcoming UN meetings. He took part as a member of the "values group" focusing on the development of an Earth Charter, which will articulate an ethical framework for the relationship between human life and the earth.

During much of the year the National Assembly's NGO liaison was part of a group of NGO representatives who helped to create a network interested in advancing sustainable development through the UN system. The Alliance for UN Sustainable Development Programs will monitor and appraise the work of UN agencies in fostering sustainable development; undertake activities to widen public understanding on the importance to the U.S. of sustainable development through an effective UN system; and express its concerns to policy makers in the Administration and Congress. The National Spiritual Assembly joined the Alliance shortly after its founding.

The National Spiritual Assembly, in cooperation with Health for Humanity, sponsored an exhibit at the International Development Conference held last January in Washington, D.C. The three-day biennial conference was host to more than 1,000 development specialists, representatives of NGOs, and government and UN officials. The National Assembly's Washington office, in consultation with the Office of Public Information and Health for Humanity, developed the exhibit, which conveyed the operating principles of Health for Humanity and showed how those principles are translated into action in the field.

U.S. Representative to the United Nations

In May 1996 the National Spiritual Assembly appointed Jeffery Huffines as the U.S. Representative to the United Nations in New York. He replaced Rebequa Getahoun Murphy, who had served as the U.S. UN representative since 1993. The new Representative had been the assistant to the deputy director at the National Assembly's Washington office for six years.

The 50th anniversary of the National Spiritual Assembly's presence at the UN, as an NGO recognized by the UN Department of Public Information, was in 1997. To mark the occasion the U.S. UN Office published in The American Bahá’í a series of articles written by Lewis Walker entitled "Bahá’ís and the UN" that provided an overview of Bahá’í activities at the UN.

The National Spiritual Assembly collaborated with the Bahá’í International Community on a number of activities. On August 9, Patricia Locke, a member of the National Assembly, was the representative of the Bahá’í International Community at the UN observance of International Day of the World's Indigenous People. Two representatives from the Native American Bahá’í Institute were invited to the event by the conference organizers. The Bahá’í International Community also appointed Leili Towfigh, a member of the National Youth Committee, to be its representative at meetings in New York of the UN World Youth Forum, which had been held in November 1996 in Vienna, Austria.

The U.S. UN Office encouraged the American Bahá’í community to observe annual UN days dedicated to such themes as human rights, women, the environment and peace. The Office promoted UN days by publishing articles in The American Bahá’í; by sending letters and information to selected local Assemblies, college clubs, and agencies of the National Assembly, including the permanent schools; and by sending messages through the Internet to relevant Bahá’í electronic bulletin boards. The National Assembly's Office of Public Information also sent notices through the Public Information Network. The National Assembly collaborated with the UNA-USA in the promotion of UN Day last October 24 by sending a joint letter to selected local Assemblies and Bahá’í college clubs.

The U.S. UN representative worked with various agencies of the National Assembly, including the National Teaching Committee, National Youth Committee, Education and Schools Office, and the World Order Editorial Board to incorporate UN-related themes into Bahá’í curricula and publications. The UN representative also took part in a panel discussion on external affairs at the Association for Bahá’í Studies annual conference and at the Bahá’í House of Worship in observance of UN Day.

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 UN Department of Public Information, the NGO Committee of Religious NGOs at the UN, the NGO Committee on Youth, the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development, the U.S. Committee on UNICEF. They also attended briefings at the U.S. Mission at the UN. The UN representative also joined the Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs.

The office handled daily requests for information and guidance from the American Bahá’í community and the public. The U.S. UN Office also forwarded copies of UN publications on a periodic basis to the National Spiritual Assembly and its agencies. Carl Murrell, assistant to the U.N. Representative, served on the planning committee for the 1996 annual NGO/DPI conference and was invited to serve in the same capacity in 1997. He was asked by the NGO Values Caucus to help establish a program of events designed to identify and examine the underlying values guiding the work of the UN and its member states. He also spoke at several events including a cultural program hosted at the UN to celebrate Black History Month.

50th anniversary of Declaration of Human Rights

The National Spiritual Assembly appointed its U.S. UN representative to serve on a national steering [Page 20]committee organized by the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute. The committee will develop a national campaign to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR50) on December 10, 1998. The UDHR50 campaign has three objectives: fostering a wider appreciation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, enhancing legal regimes by encouraging U.S. ratification of UN human rights treaties, and strengthening international institutions.

World Conference on Religion and Peace

In 1996 the National Spiritual Assembly became a founding member of the U.S. chapter of the World Conference on Religion and Peace (WCRP), an international interfaith organization first established in 1970 of which the Bahá’í International Community is a member. The National Assembly appointed National Spiritual Assembly member James Nelson to be its representative on WCRP/USA's Council of Presidents, and its UN Representative was appointed to serve on the Executive Council. Last October the UN Representative spoke at an interfaith prayer service sponsored by WCRP and the UN Development Program on the occasion of the Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The National Spiritual Assembly sponsored a Bahá’í youth to work as a part-time intern at WCRP/USA. She was also a part-time intern at the U.S. UN Office.

Working Group on Human Rights OF WOMEN

The Working Group on the Human Rights of Women (WGHRW), founded and co-chaired by Ms. Cosby, engaged in extensive preparations for and activities during the UN Fourth World Conference on Women. Since the conference the Working Group has worked closely with the President's Interagency Council on Women to coordinate the implementation of the Platform for Action, including the U.S. human rights commitments announced at the conference.

The Working Group also met with State Department officials from the Human Rights and South Asian Bureaus as well as the Senior Coordinator for International Women's Affairs in the Undersecretary's office to encourage a strong U.S. position on the violations of the rights of women in Afghanistan.

The Working Group coordinated two letter campaigns on the situation of Afghanistan's women to U.S. and UN officials. Last October the National Spiritual Assembly and several other national organizations sent a letter to President Clinton, the Secretary of State, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN and several members of Congress expressing concern for the violations of the rights of women in Afghanistan. In March the National Spiritual Assembly joined other groups in a letter to the new UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, asking that specific actions to be taken by the UN on behalf of women in Afghanistan

Other activities

On March 12 the secretary and deputy director for external affairs and Dr. Wilma Ellis attended a State Department event commemorating International Women's Day. The First Lady and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright spoke about women's rights and the need for immediate ratification of the UN Convention on Women.

The Assembly's external affairs deputy director continued to take part in the Washington Coalition on Human Rights, which initiated a new project on the UN and human rights. She attended the monthly meetings of directors of Washington-based human rights organizations and also attended several briefings held by the Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights on subjects such as religious intolerance, Bosnia, and the UN Commission on Human Rights.

The National Assembly was invited to take part in a series of YWCA seminars on eliminating racism. The Assembly was represented by Ms. Cosby at the meetings that were designed for women leaders in national organizations. Last September the deputy director spoke about Bahá’í projects in girls' education at a U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) conference. The Administrator of USAID was present during the presentation. In October she also spoke about the Bahá’í perspective on violence against women at the annual Interfaith Breakfast: A Call to End Violence Against Women.

The director of the USBRO in Wilmette served as a board member of the North Shore Race Unity Task Force and its liaison to the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations. She attended local humanitarian events hosted by the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, and the Interfaith Action Network for Tibet. By the invitation of Chicago-area religious leaders, she attended receptions for Justice Richard J. Goldstone of the Constitutional Court of South Africa and former prosecutor of the War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague; First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton; and His Holiness The XIV Dalai Lama of Tibet. Illinois Governor Jim Edgar presented Ms. Stevens and the Refugee Office with a Certificate of Appreciation for an "outstanding contribution to the resettlement of the Illinois refugee community."

The National Spiritual Assembly appointed several individuals to be its representatives to other national organizations, such as the North American Interfaith Network, the AIDS National Interfaith Network, and the National Council of Women.

Public information

In June 1996 the National Spiritual Assembly appointed Pamela Zivari as the new director of its Office of Public Information (OPI) in New York. She replaced Trish Swanson, who had served as the director of the OPI since 1994. Ms. Zivari had served several years ago in the Bahá’í International Community offices in New York.

Response to the burning of black churches

Last July the National Spiritual Assembly issued a statement in response to the burning of black churches. The Office of Public Information coordinated the distribution of the statement to prominent African Americans as well as to all U.S. public information representatives (PI reps). The PI reps and Bahá’í communities around the country responded enthusiastically by submitting letters to the editor concerning the statement and by organizing prayer vigils. They also created race-unity response teams, initiated fellowship gatherings, and created volunteer task forces to help rebuild churches destroyed by arson.

Contact with communications media

The Office of Public Information helped the communications media in a variety of projects throughout the year. Requests for help came from such sources as HBO, which asked for interviews with Bahá’í children to include in a holiday special entitled "How Do You Spell God?"; from Harvard University, which asked for photographs to be used in an interfaith CD-ROM project; and from Odyssey Cable Company, which asked for images of the House of Worship to be included in the series Landmarks of Faith.

In February the Religion News Service carried an article by Ira Rifkin under the title "Critics Chafe at Bahá’í Conservatism." The article presented the views of a small group of embittered former Bahá’ís. The office supplied the reporter with general information and materials about the Faith. The director subsequently advised PI reps on how to respond to the issues raised in the news service article, especially in localities where the story had been published. The article was indicative of the types of pieces that the U.S. Bahá’í community can anticipate with more frequency due to the many references about opposition to the Faith in the Bahá’í writings.

New initiatives

To expand the Faith's exposure in news stories, OPI subscribed to "ProfNet," an electronic expert query service that delivers to OPI three times daily a list of journalists' needs for experts in stories being written in the U.S. media. As a result of this service Bahá’ís provided expert opinions in a Parenting magazine article on gender differences and a Florida newspaper article on race relations.

The Office instituted "OPI Top Five," a monthly collection of the top Bahá’í stories in American media. These articles are distributed to the National Assembly members and to the heads of several of its agencies.

OPI distributes PI-News, a bimonthly newsletter that includes tips for reaching the media, ideas about proclamation events, and humorous anecdotes designed to encourage PI reps in their work. It also provides contact information so that PI reps planning their own events can find help with their initiatives.

Public information network

OPI continued to strengthen its public information network, which in 1996-1997 included 1,240 local PI reps. In collaboration with Media Services and other Bahá’í media professionals, OPI completed and distributed to all local Spiritual Assemblies and groups the PI training video "First Class Publicity." OPI continued to encourage PI reps to organize study groups around the video.

OPI also linked electronically with PI reps who sent OPI their e-mail addresses. The office distributed electronically to PI reps two National Assembly press releases concerning the situation of the Bahá’ís in Iran. When the National Spiritual Assembly issued a press release last January, more than 300 releases were delivered electronically to PI reps throughout the country. The ability to receive the news more quickly led to increased coverage of Bahá’í issues in local communications media. OPI also made its press releases about holy days, Bahá’í events, and UN events available on-line and on the World Wide Web.

Further technological innovations included collaboration with Management Information Systems to develop "PI Discuss," a moderated public information electronic discussion group that will allow PI reps to discuss their challenges and opportunities with one another.

Several Bahá’í communities recently organized their PI work by setting up "metro-committees" that These committees, with their diversity of talent and span several Spiritual Assemblies' jurisdictions. plished more than PI reps working alone. OPI surveyed the current committees to learn about effective organizational structures and to share the information with other PI reps.

At its inaugural event the Metro Atlanta Media Committee hosted a two-day training seminar for area PI reps. OPI's director conducted a one-day training. The religion editor of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution spoke about how to make religious news appealing. Three weeks after the training conference one of its participants generated unprecedented television and radio coverage for a Martin Luther King Jr. International Dinner and Dance. Two television stations covered the event. One television crew had a live feed from the dance, which figured prominently on that evening's 10 o'clock news.

Other public information activities

The National Teaching Committee, Media Services and Office of Public Information collaborated to develop a national media campaign. The three agencies of the National Assembly discussed the development and implementation of a campaign that will be national in scope but implemented on the local level.

The office continued to collaborate with the secretariat in Washington on the distribution of more than 300 copies of each issue of World Order magazine to colleagues and organizations with whom the National Assembly has established relations. The office also encouraged PI reps to develop their own databases and to offer or solicit subscriptions for World Order.

Since the beginning of the Four Year Plan, the number of requests for information and materials has doubled. During the last quarter the office responded to more than 350 such requests. OPI responded to this increased workload by standardizing responses and handling many requests by electronic mail.

Ms. Zivari was active in the Religious Public Relations Council (RPRC) and joined the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

Southeast Asian Bahá’í refugees

In addition to its work with Iranian Bahá’í refugees, the U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office (USBRO) in Wilmette continued to locate Southeast Asian Bahá’í refugees living in the U.S. and to aid their cultural integration and spiritual development through a nationwide network of Bahá’í "helpers."

The office identified Southeast Asian communities that were receptive to Bahá’í teachings and recruited and trained networks of Bahá’í volunteer helpers who assisted Southeast Asian Bahá’ís to integrate into their local communities. The office also educated Bahá’í communities about refugee issues and Southeast Asian cultures and encouraged the grassroots activities of Southeast Asian Bahá’ís, particularly for women, youth and children.

The Refugee Office continued to publish quarterly the Southeast Asian Helpers Bulletin, which supports the deepening and teaching efforts of Southeast Asians, helpers, and local Bahá’í communities. The Bulletin is sent to 300 subscribers.

The USBRO continued to supply Southeast Asian teaching materials, shipping more than 500 printed and audio-visual publications during the year. It produced 48 new Bahá’í materials in Southeast Asian languages including two new videotapes.

The U.S. Bahá’í Refugee Office sponsored efforts by traveling teachers to consolidate areas with large populations of Southeast Asian Bahá’ís, and the USBRO director made several on-site visits to these [Page 21]

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communities. The office organized the seventh annual Southeast Asian Community Builders Roundtable Discussion Conference at Bosch Bahá’í School. The conference focused on training and preparing Southeast Asians to be Bahá’í teachers in their own communities and included discussions about Spiritual Assembly formation. A separate conference that focused on deepening in the fundamental verities of the Bahá’í Faith was held for youth. The Bahá’í International News Service published an article about the conference.

The USBRO director presented a workshop on teaching Southeast Asians at the Social and Economic Development Bahá’í Conference in Orlando, Florida, and a similar paper on refugee integration at the annual meeting of the Association for Bahá’í Studies. The USBRO director also took part in several conferences related to Southeast Asian refugee issues, sponsored by organizations including the Center for Migration Studies; the National Association for the Advancement of Cambodian, Laotian and Vietnamese Americans; the National Hmong Development Conference; and the U.S. Department of State Office of Refugee Resettlement in Washington. The Illinois governor’s office displayed an exhibit, accompanied by hand-outs, on Southeast Asian Bahá’ís in the State Building during Refugee Week.

Olympics in Atlanta

Two representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly served for three and a half years on the Interfaith Advisory Committee for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. The committee was responsible for planning and developing religious services inside the Olympic Village and consisted of representatives of 40 religions and denominations. One of the Bahá’í representatives, Pat Steele, served on a steering committee that met weekly to implement programs for the Religious Center and to select and train chaplains. The Bahá’í representative was the only woman, the only minority, and the only person not of Christian or Jewish background who served on the steering committee. All the members of the steering committee served as chaplains in the Olympic Village along with 30 other people representing various traditions from across the U.S. and other countries.

During the Olympic Games, Bahá’í prayer books and other Bahá’í writings such as the Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and The Hidden Words were available at the Religious Center. Several prayer meetings were attended by Bahá’í volunteers. All of the available Bahá’í literature was taken by athletes and other chaplains.

TREASURY

Fiscal year 1996-97 was a year of building and preparation. When the Four Year Plan arrived in April 1996, it set in motion within the national administration a number of processes aimed at study, analysis, and careful, controlled experimentation. These processes will serve as a springboard for rapid advances during years two, three and four of the Plan and into the future.

The initial phase was reflected in a 6.5 percent increase in operational outlays by the National Spiritual Assembly. Excluding contributions for the International, Arc, and Continental Funds, overall expenses rose from $18.95 million in 1996 to $20.2 million in 1997. After accounting for inflation, the rise in operational expenses was roughly 4 percent.

One implication of the increase is that, while certain basic expenses of the national administration increased owing to general economic forces, the National Spiritual Assembly made modest but judicious investments in areas that should accelerate the process of entry by troops. Another implication is that the American Bahá’í community will soon leave the preparatory phase and begin to push forward more rapidly. Naturally, the expenses associated with that next phase will likewise increase much more quickly. The challenge for the community will thus become one of providing those means before rapid growth in our numbers takes place. The challenge for the National Spiritual Assembly will be to continue to use those resources in the most judicious way.

Income

Contributions to the Bahá’í National Fund rose 1 percent during the year, to $11.5 million. Compared with inflation, this “twin institution” of the National Spiritual Assembly actually lost ground, a drop in real income that impeded the progress of the community and its national administration. When income drops, opportunities are lost, communication slows down, and the attention of those who serve the National Assembly is distracted from the mission of the Faith and is directed instead to the daily struggle of keeping the motor running with little fuel. The number of messages about the status of the Fund rises, causing some of the friends to become annoyed and uncomfortable, and slowly we move away from that spiritual atmosphere so crucial to growth.

If our giving behavior represents a barometer of our commitment to the Cause, “a practical and effective way whereby every believer can test the measure and character of his Faith,” our contributions to the Arc Projects stand out as evidence of our true capacity: $7.1 million, our second highest total since the Projects began. We offered this amount without fanfare or great campaigns, quietly and steadily accounting for almost three-fourths of the worldwide Arc Fund goal for the year.

Contributions for the Bahá’í International Fund fell by 60 percent.

Offerings for the Continental Bahá’í Fund, which supports the work of the Continental Board of Counselors and their auxiliaries for protection and propagation throughout the Western Hemisphere, were $319,000, up 16 percent from last year.

Earned income from school tuition, book sales and short-term investments rose 12 percent, to $4.3 million. This result is due to improved attendance at the schools, to careful, sustained efforts to build new sources of income at the permanent schools, and to including more voices in the process of choosing and producing titles at the Publishing Trust. Youth and adult volunteers have been key to many of these accomplishments, whether as year of service volunteers, committee and task force members or members of the three new editorial boards. Out of the restructuring of 1992, where many new relationships and approaches were called for by the National Assembly, we are seeing tangible results.

Expenses

The National Spiritual Assembly pursued a twofold financial strategy during the year: (1) increase spending in key strategic areas and (2) build financial strength by controlling other expenses and paying down long-term debt obligations.

Spending increased in the teaching field, although looking at the Teaching Committee’s expenses alone, it appears that spending was flat at $488,000. This figure is deceptive, however, because last year the National Teaching Committee budget included coordinating youth activities, which now have their own budget under the National Youth Committee, and regional committees, which were only in the planning stage last year and now have their own budgets, as well. Adding together the expenses of the Teaching, Youth and Regional Bahá’í Committees, aggregate spending actually grew 22 percent, to nearly $600,000.

Other areas singled out for major increases are those that directly affect the community’s understanding of the Faith’s basic verities, its ability to welcome new believers, the capacity of the local Spiritual Assemblies to “rise to a higher level of functioning,” and aid efforts to unite the hearts of populations inside the community and outside that have traditionally been marginalized. These increases included: The Bahá’í Encyclopedia Project, up 410 percent; local Spiritual Assembly development, up 139 percent; Information Services, up 60 percent; Media Services, up 29 percent; Native American Bahá’í Institute, up 59 percent; Persian integration, up 19 percent.

These and other centers of action will no doubt increase in the years ahead. Information Services is working to create a national information network that will unite local Spiritual Assemblies and individuals, opening vastly greater opportunities for sharing information, news and ideas instantly. A group of local Spiritual Assemblies in the Western states has committed to raise the $509,000 required to develop new software for local use, install new equipment, and add the support staff who will help local communities enroll in and make the most use of the new systems.

Local Spiritual Assembly Development, whether through the office that bears that name or in the activities of the Development Department of the Office of the Treasurer and Development, the work of Mottahedeh Development Services or the permanent schools and institutes, is a firm strategic commitment of the National Spiritual Assembly that will be funded adequately.

Travel and meeting expenses rose 11 percent and 19 percent, respectively. These increases suggest two major trends. First, there has been an increase in the number of meetings and training sessions attended by representatives of the National Spiritual Assembly, as well as a growing number of meetings with friends engaged in a variety of activities, where a national perspective on teaching, training institutes and other matters informs and enhances local efforts. Second, the Bahá’í National Center facility, which was once largely unused on weekends, has become a conference center: scarcely a week goes by when there is not some event held on its premises, ranging from conferences on topical issues and Bahá’í scholarship to meetings of regional committees, editorial boards and advisory groups of the National Assembly, or study sessions for national staff and local Bahá’ís. All these activities bring costs and benefits, as well as financial revenues in some cases, but all result in higher maintenance expenses. Discounts on travel, lodging and food costs are carefully sought and used to accomplish more with less in facilitating the vital face-to-face consultation that often is the only way to advance important work.

Other departments’ expenses were held on a tight rein during the year. The Human Resources total decreased 20 percent; The American Bahá’í budget increased just 2 percent; and the Education and Schools Office, which coordinates three permanent and 37 regional schools, two teaching institutes, and the National Teacher Training Center, saw a 2 percent increase in its outlays.

Capital projects

Capital expenditures were up 67 percent, to $1.8 million. Major items this year included completion of the elevator installation in the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, new classroom buildings at the Bosch Bahá’í School, Bahá’í School, and replacements at several facilities restoration of the Ole Bull Cottage at the Green Acre of vehicles that had become safety hazards. In each of these areas significant contributions were received from individuals, either in the form of cash or contributed labor and materials. The sacrificial efforts of these volunteers and donors are deeply appreciated, not least because their gifts of time and resources produced first-class results at a fraction of the market cost.

Much-needed work was also done on the Bahá’í Home, that first dependency of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár: the water system was brought up to standard, roof repairs were carried out and a new security system was installed. Air conditioning units at the National Center building, which had far outlived their designed useful life, were replaced this year—valuable insurance against the work stoppage that would have taken place with the failure of one of these units.

The over-all result of these investments has been to address life-safety needs at Bahá’í facilities, to improve the standard of service they provide, and, in the case of the schools, increase their capacity to generate revenue from rentals to non-Bahá’í organizations.

Debt reduction and reserves

Following its long-term plan for building financial strength, the National Spiritual Assembly reduced its debt still further in fiscal 1997. Total liabilities dropped from $10.9 million to $9.3 million, a reduction of 15 percent. At year-end, short-term loans outstanding with commercial banks were $600,000, down from $1 million during the slow summer months. Reserves stood at $1.7 million, thanks to the receipt of an estate bequest of $1.3 million that arrived during the last weeks of the year. The National Spiritual Assembly took the decision to invest the full bequest amount to rebuild reserves; contributions were not adequate to allow additions to that account from general revenues.

Bahá’í development

The Office of the Treasurer became the Office of the Treasurer and Development, in recognition of the role it plays not only in managing the Fund but as a community resource for training and education and as the liaison between the National Spiritual Assembly and its two development agencies—Health for Humanity and Mottahedeh Development Services.

A major program initiative began last February with the training at the Louhelen School of 47 facilitators from across the country. The role of these volunteers will be to meet with Assemblies, their Trea- [Page 22]

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surers, and interested community members during May and June and offer Stewardship Seminars. The seminars are designed to explore new materials and practices that will support the work of local Spiritual Assemblies in mobilizing and managing spiritual and material resources at the local level. A new reference work entitled Stewardship and Development will be released at these seminars, the first such material to be produced in 18 years. The National Assembly intends for these seminars to be an annual event tailored to the changing needs and concerns of the local Spiritual Assemblies and the friends. A new corps of volunteer facilitators is expected to be trained each year, thereby developing our human resources in new ways.

For the development agencies, it has been a busy year. Health for Humanity (HH) was asked by the Office of Social and Economic Development of the Universal House of Justice to become involved with the struggle to combat river blindness in Africa. By the end of the year representatives of HH had begun to make contacts with the governments of several African nations and with health agencies active in this fight and to link the local Bahá’í communities with these agencies. Other HH representatives continue to be involved in a major eye-care project in Albania begun two years ago and funded via a grant from the Soros Foundation, as well as a variety of programs and projects in Eastern Europe and Central and South America.

On the domestic front, the partnership between the local Spiritual Assembly of South DeKalb County, Georgia, the Family Unity Institute, and Mottahedeh Development Services (MDS) continues to attract widespread interest to the Institute and to the Bahá’í teachings that inspire it. A local network affiliate recently filmed a lengthy segment on the Institute and MDS, which was broadcast throughout the Atlanta area. Students in the Institute's programs are seeing improvements, sometimes dramatic ones, in their academic performance. New Bahá’ís, of which there have been several dozen since the Institute's founding three years ago, have discovered a wide range of service opportunities that have encouraged them to become some of the most active, dedicated members of local communities in the Atlanta area. For its part, MDS is gearing up to replicate this experience and to provide development training to individuals and Spiritual Assemblies nationwide.

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 part 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, CA 90402 Dr. Stephen Birkland, Arden Hills, MN 44112 Dr. Daryush Haghighi, Rocky River, OH 44116 Mrs. Thelma Khelghati, Lunenburg, MA 01462 Santa Monica,

Note: The Trustees of the Bahá’í Huqúqu’lláh Trust have directed the Office of the Treasurer to return to the sender any checks received for Huqúqu’lláh.

Goal

The office consists of two sections: Community Administration and the Office of Assembly Development. Community administration provides administrative support to the National Spiritual Assembly by monitoring the development of Bahá’í communities; 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; and maintaining files of correspondence received from the Universal House of Justice. The Office of Assembly Development provides training for the development of local spiritual assemblies and serves as a resource for assemblies, regional committees, and Centers of Learning in the training of Bahá’ís in the principles and processes of Bahá’í administration.

Community Administration

Received and processed approximately 2,600 letters and approximately 7,000 telephone calls.

Prepared 70 personal status cases for the National Spiritual Assembly's consideration. A total of 234 requests for withdrawal were granted and 27 people were reinstated after having withdrawn from Bahá’í membership.

Office of Assembly Development

Trained 30 believers from around the country as local Spiritual Assembly Development representatives who will respond to requests received by the Office of Assembly Development for training modules, make presentations at permanent and regional schools, and represent the National Spiritual Assembly in situations where a local Assembly or community needs direct assistance.

Conducted an analysis of voting patterns over the last four years of Assembly elections to single out Assemblies that might have difficulty re-forming without outside help and reported the data to assist Auxiliary Board members, regional committees and other agencies of the National Spiritual Assembly to prepare for educating those Assemblies before Ridván.

Produced a video to help Assemblies in their development and in educating their communities about the station and functioning of local Spiritual Assemblies. The video, The Local Spiritual Assembly: A Miracle of Governance, provides deepening on quotes from the Local Spiritual Assembly compilation reinforced by activities in a companion workbook that was developed in cooperation with the National Teacher Training Center at the Louhelen Bahá’í School and the National Education and Schools Office. These materials were sent to all local Spiritual Assemblies and large registered groups.

Produced a booklet in cooperation with the National Teaching Committee to be used by regional teaching committees and Auxiliary Board members to deepen communities that usually require outside help with their Assembly elections. The material also was sent to all local Spiritual Assemblies and large registered groups to help educate communities about Bahá’í elections.

Held three Local Spiritual Assembly Development forums in the Chicago, Atlanta and Milwaukee metropolitan areas, bringing local Spiritual Assemblies together for consultation with each other about issues of common concern and providing workshops on topics essential to efficient Assembly functioning.

Sent special recognition letters, instructions on holding a recognition ceremony, a copy of Developing Distinctive Bahá’í Communities, the compilation The Local Spiritual Assembly, and various other resource materials to 13 Assemblies that formed for the first time last year. Also sent recognition letters, the compilation The Local Spiritual Assembly, and other resource materials to 41 Assemblies that had re-formed after a lapse of two or more years.

Conducted a preliminary analysis to determine the demographic makeup of local Spiritual Assemblies and initiated steps with Management Information Services to develop a means of collecting such information directly through a revised local Spiritual Assembly formation form.

Developed a packet for local Spiritual Assemblies and large registered groups providing a list of resources available from the Bahá’í Distribution Service to assist in the election process, a compilation of quotes from the Bahá’í writings about Bahá’í elections (sent to Assemblies only), and a question-and-answer sheet about Assembly formation.

Coordinated twice-monthly meetings of the Local Spiritual Assembly Development Working Group, comprised of representatives from the National Teaching Committee Office, the Treasurer's Office, the Assembly Development office and the National Education and Schools Office, to help ensure the coordination of local Spiritual Assembly development efforts by the various offices.

Developed and tested a self-assessment tool for Assemblies that asked them to evaluate themselves on the basis of the roles and responsibilities outlined in the Universal House of Justice's Ridván 153 message. The results received were used to develop a final version of the self-assessment tool.

Held a week-long class at Bosch Bahá’í School on Assembly development, a weekend workshop at Green Acre Bahá’í School, and shorter workshops at the Green Lake Conference and the North Dakota Bahá’í Winter School.

Responded to more than 50 requests for information about the local Spiritual Assembly development modules from Auxiliary Board members and assistants, training institutes and local Spiritual Assemblies.

Made available to Bahá’í communities a free booklet published by the National Information Center on Deafness entitled Communicating With Deaf People: An Introduction.

Goal

To plan, coordinate and direct the implementation of the national and electoral unit conventions; to educate the American Bahá’í community on the principles of Bahá’í electoral unit and national elections; to plan and coordinate the reapportionment of electoral unit boundaries on a regular basis; and to educate the American Bahá’í community on the purpose and principles of reapportionment.

Activities

Coordinated all activities and reporting procedures for 167 electoral unit conventions including providing recommendations to the National Spiritual Assembly of local Spiritual Assembly hosts for the electoral unit conventions and supporting and helping those Assemblies in their tasks.

Planned and coordinated the 1997 Bahá’í National Convention to accommodate 171 delegates and up to 2,000 visitors including making arrangements for a national teleconference and a special archives exhibit.

Coordinated the work of the Redistricting Task Force that compiled data about Bahá’í population and made recommendations to the National Assembly about boundary changes.

Prepared articles for The American Bahá’í about the importance of national and local conventions; informing believers about National Convention; presenting information about electoral unit conventions; and summarizing a statistical analysis about delegates to the national and electoral unit conventions describing how participation by American Bahá’ís at electoral unit conventions has improved by two percent to an average of 28 percent.

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

Revised and prepared for reprinting several publications in Persian: An Introduction to the Bahá’í Faith, Perspectives on Spiritual Integration, Handbook for Newly Arrived Persian Bahá’ís and Response to the So-called Memoirs of Knias Dolgorouki.

Translated into Persian and typeset the text for the publication of The Writing of a Will; prepared the three Persian pages per issue for The American Bahá’í; translated the messages of the National Spiritual Assembly for the Nineteen Day Feasts into Persian and mailed them to some 600 communities; helped translate into Persian the Ridván message of the Universal House of Justice and 10 other messages from the Bahá’í World Center and made them available to selected National Spiritual Assemblies; and published four issues of Tabernacle of Unity, a bi-lingual quarterly publication dealing with issues of integration, and mailed them to more than 500 individuals including members of the Continental Board of Counselors and the Auxiliary Board.

Coordinated the work of the national and regional Persian Media Task Forces and coordinated the work of the Persian Reviewing Panel that completed 35 reviews.

Reproduced for sale five calligraphy pieces (passages from Bahá’í writings); made available for sale a number of new publications in Persian not sold through the Bahá’í Distribution Service; and coordinated the collection of $34,772 in subscription fees for Payám-i-Bahá’í. [Page 23]

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 3,600 written communications (a three percent increase over last year) 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 181 literature reviews (a six percent increase over last year) and 357 reviews of special materials (a 530 percent increase over last year and a 300 percent increase over the year before).

Researched and wrote three major projects assigned by the National Spiritual Assembly during the year: the Annual Report of Agencies of the National Spiritual Assembly, an annual compilation of statistical information for the Universal House of Justice, and a statistical report for the Universal House of Justice about the Three Year Plan.

Expanded, revised and published A Curriculum Guide for the Bahá’í Faith, a 180-page booklet describing ways to create university courses on the Bahá’í Faith and providing an extensive annotated topical bibliography on the Faith; wrote an article giving information about the number of Bahá’ís in the United States from 1893 to the present for The American Bahá’í; assembled several "frequently asked questions" documents for the Office of Public Information; and oversaw the research and writing of more than 30 memorial 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 World Order magazine, the Bahá’í Encyclopedia project, the Association for Bahá’í Studies and the Journal of Bahá’í Studies, involving attending committee meetings; setting up or taking part in conference calls; evaluating manuscripts; and helping to plan the Association for Bahá’í Studies' annual meeting in Edmonton, Alberta. The office devoted considerable resources to the Wilmette Institute, the Institute for Bahá’í Studies and the Haj Mehdi Arjmand Memorial Fund, all of which were largely run through the Research Office.

Communicated with dozens of Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í university students and faculty, helping them with research, giving suggestions about scholarly matters, and helping network them with others having similar interests; the Research Office's special interest mailing list now has more than 400 names.

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

Drew up a four year plan for the activities of the Institute; helped several religious studies scholars doing research on the Bahá’í Faith; completed a document giving spellings and definitions of key Bahá’í terms; corrected errors about the Faith in one religious studies textbook; initiated correspondence about the Faith with an extremely prominent religious studies scholar; and entertained a visiting Bahá’í professor of Islamic Studies.

Held the sixth annual conference of the Friends of Persian Culture Association in Skokie, Illinois, welcoming more than 600 Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’í friends of the Faith including special guests Mr. and Mrs. Hooshmand Fatheazam. For the first time the conference was conducted in three parallel parts: in Persian, in English, and a special program for children under 12 years of age. Also supported the Texas chapter of the Friends of Persian Culture Association in planning a conference held in Dallas, Texas, that was attended by more than 400, including one evening session where nearly 100 non-Bahá’í guests were present.

Sponsored a conference on Bahá’í history held at the Bahá’í National Center in June and hosted, in conjunction with the Haj Mehdi Arjmand Fellowship, two conferences on the study of the Bahá’í writings in Persian (one at Acuto Bahá’í School in Italy in June 1996 and one at Louhelen Bahá’í School in October 1996), and one in English on the Bahá’í Faith and Islam held in Newcastle, U.K., last December. Also initiated planning for colloquia on the Bahá’í Faith and world religions to be held in Manchester, U.K., in July 1997 and in Wilmette, Illinois, in August 1997.

Assembled the largest Bahá’í presence ever attempted at the American Academy of Religion (AAR) and Society of Biblical Literature (SBL), an annual convention attended by more than 8,000 scholars of religion, including two panels of talks on the Faith, an ambitious display in the exhibition hall, and a reception for scholars. Also coordinated a Bahá’í program at the Religious Education Association, a gathering of several hundred scholars of religious education.

Held two consultations concerning the implementation of the action plan approved by the National Spiritual Assembly for enlisting the resources of the Persian-speaking members of the community in achieving the goals of the Four Year Plan.

Organized a gathering of Iranian academics and professionals in northern Illinois to meet Dr. Tahereh Berjis Missaghi, a representative of the Bahá’í Institute for Higher Education organized in Iran for Bahá’í youth who are not permitted to study at university. The meeting resulted in a number of participants pledging to explore ways to help the Bahá’ís in Iran with that project.

Facilitated the Persian-language session of Irfán Colloquium held at the Louhelen Bahá’í School; helped promote and conduct the Wilmette Institute's "Spiritual Foundations of a Global Civilization" program; and organized a reception for Dr. Yuli Ioannessian, a visiting professor of Islamic Studies from Russia.

National Teaching Committee

Goal

To support and guide teaching efforts across the country; to administrate the teaching work on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly; and to develop, promote and execute the national teaching plan.

Introduction

The first year of the Four Year Plan has been a building year during which the National Teaching Committee formulated a national teaching plan and established most of the infrastructure necessary for its successful prosecution. Next year will be characterized by concerted action at the local, regional and national levels to pursue the goals of the Plan.

The teaching plan is designed to achieve a significant advance in the process of entry by troops, the elements of which have been established by the Universal House of Justice. The strategies to be implemented in this country apply those elements in the light of our circumstances and opportunities.

Activities

Formulated the national teaching plan through a combination of approaches: analysis of the progress of the American Bahá’í community during the Three Year Plan; in-depth study of the various messages of the Universal House of Justice pertaining to the Four Year Plan; research on the opportunities for teaching that exist in the United States as a whole; and delineating the specific strategies and lines of action that make up the plan. Implementation began immediately following the plan's approval by the National Spiritual Assembly in late June. The first phase, which took up the remainder of the year, established the administrative structure that will enable the National Teaching Committee to pursue the plan's various strategies.

The plan is printed in the annual report on pages 51-53. It has been sent to all local Spiritual Assemblies and registered groups and has been published twice, with updates, in The American Bahá’í.

Convened in July at the Bahá’í National Center the four Regional Teaching Committees appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly in April 1996. The regional committees, one each for the Northeastern states, the Southern states, the Central states and the Western states, serve the geographic areas of the country delineated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in the Tablets of the Divine Plan. Operating under the supervision of the National Teaching Committee, their function is to advance the teaching work by fostering the emergence and development of sustained patterns of proclamation, expansion and consolidation activity in their respective areas of service by formulating regional plans that include provisions for such activities as conferences, teaching campaigns, training institutes, the development and distribution of literature, promoting individual teaching, and strengthening local communities.

The establishment of the regional committees makes a number of important things more possible:

1. Teaching plans can be made that more effectively take into account regional circumstances, provide for regional sharing of resources and stimulate local and individual action.

2. The regional committees can help create a united, national vision for growth by communicating and acting on the national plan and by providing strategic input to the National Spiritual Assembly and National Teaching Committee.

3. The regional committees are active forces for the organization of effective campaigns already in progress.

Reaching receptive populations

a. minority teaching committees

Established national task forces and committees to reach four of the most important American ethnic groups singled out for special attention in the authoritative writings of the Faith with the message of Bahá’u’lláh. The National Latin American Teaching Task Force and National Chinese Teaching Task Force (both continued from the previous Plan), the National American Indian Teaching Committee and National African American Teaching Committee are responsible for establishing teaching projects designed to reach these ethnic groups, for developing specialized teaching and deepening materials, and for fostering and supporting local initiatives.

b. national media campaign

One of the most important premises of the national teaching plan is that there are millions of people in this country who are potentially receptive to the teachings of the Faith. Available research offers a great deal of information about who these people are, where they live, and what their issues of concern are. The National Spiritual Assembly determined early this year that the time had come to begin developing a more sophisticated approach to proclaiming the Faith to these souls and instructed the National Teaching Committee to begin work in this area.

Collaborated for several months with the National Spiritual Assembly's Office of Public Information, Bahá’í Publications, Bahá’í Media Services and a number of experts from various fields to establish a process for developing a national media campaign. The resulting proposal was approved by the National Spiritual Assembly in February.

Established a national media task force to organize a coordinated proclamation effort that uses broadcast media, public relations, arts and other activities to proclaim the Faith. These efforts will be linked to systematic efforts in local communities to respond to all inquirers and effectively nurture their interest in the Faith. The first phase, implemented in selected "pilot" communities, will allow for testing and refining methods.

Collaborated with Bahá’í Media Services and the Satellite Initiative Development Corporation, an independent Bahá’í media initiative, to develop the first in a series of broadcast quality videotapes for use in proclamation efforts. The National Teaching Committee has worked with the above groups to pilot the first tape, about the issue of race unity, through a series of focus group studies and revisions prior to its first test broadcast in the local Atlanta, Georgia, media market in May.

Developing human resources

Began working with the existing permanent schools and institutes to refine programs and establish new efforts in response to the Universal House of Justice's call for raising up dedicated and capable teachers and administrators of the Cause through systematic programs of training and education.

Worked to establish new regional institutes in every region. The regional institutes are agencies of the National Spiritual Assembly that operate under the general supervision of the regional committees. The National Teaching Committee has formulated a mandate describing their goals and general operations. There are now six new regional training institutes, in addition to the pre-existing schools and institutes, that will help train the human resources necessary for advancing the process of entry by troops. These regional training institutes serve greater Atlanta, Georgia; southern New Mexico; southern Texas; St. Louis and surrounding regions; Minneapolis and surrounding regions; and Florida. In addition, five [Page 24]more regional institutes were scheduled to be established by Ridván 1997, and another six in the early months of next year. The hope is to have a well-established network of regional institutes spanning the country by the midpoint of the Plan. In addition, there are 189 known local institute efforts under way, sponsored by local Spiritual Assemblies. Over time the local institutes will be linked with the regional entities in a system of mutual support that will allow for the development of complementary approaches to training the believers.

Organizing teaching campaigns

A fundamental aspect of the national teaching plan is to help local communities organize effective teaching campaigns that reflect all of the necessary elements for growth as described by the Universal House of Justice. The National Teaching Committee and regional committees are working in settings where local communities in concentrated areas can pool resources in collective, united efforts.

Worked with communities in the greater Atlanta area and in Los Angeles County to mount united and systematic teaching campaigns by consulting with local Assemblies, the Auxiliary Board and others in each area to build a united vision for such campaigns including definite plans and coordinating structures.

Held 12 consultative sessions over the course of four months with local Assemblies, Auxiliary Board members and others in the greater Atlanta area to develop a plan for dramatically advancing the process of entry by troops. One result was the appointment of a coordinating task force, under the sponsorship of the National Teaching Committee, that will lead the campaign in collaboration with the local institutions and friends. In February and March the task force developed a detailed plan to present to local Spiritual Assemblies and the area Bahá’í community immediately after Ridván 1997.

Completed a similar process in Los Angeles County, the first phase of which organized local communities in the county in various efforts toward a united campaign for growth. In both Los Angeles County and in greater Atlanta, the National Teaching Committee enjoyed the benefit of outstanding, enthusiastic consultative input and dedication on the part of the believers.

Instructed the regional committees to begin a similar process in other areas, beginning with those that show high potential for growth based on two essential criteria: the existence of identifiable receptive populations and the presence of active Bahá’í communities. This new focus will not take attention away from regional committees' other areas of concern, nor will it diminish their responsibility to serve all of the communities in their respective regions.

Identified a number of significant teaching efforts and supported them through such means as consultation, the provision of homefront pioneers and/or traveling teachers, the provision of teaching and deepening materials, deputization, the coordination of intercommunity support, and visits by members of the National Teaching Committee, the Regional Teaching Committees or the National Teaching Office staff. The number of communities with which the National Teaching Committee worked directly fell considerably this year, from more than 600 at the end of the Three Year Plan to less than 100 this year, owing to the existence of the new regional committees, who will play an increasingly greater role in stimulating and supporting local efforts.

Promoting the arts

Re-established the National Arts Task Force, charging it with developing strategies to promote the use of the arts in teaching. During the Three Year Plan the task force published Art Matters, a magazine dedicated to promoting teaching through the arts.

PROMOTING YOUTH

Continued overseeing the domestic Bahá’í Youth Service Corps program, placing 41 youth in domestic service posts, more than doubling the number placed last year and tripling those placed the year before last.

Worked with the National Youth Committee to transfer to its jurisdiction the domestic Bahá’í Youth Service Corps program and other youth programs such as Campus Clubs and Army of Light. Also held regular consultations with the newly established National Youth Committee with the goal of developing complementary plans and activities.

MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITIES

Collaborated with the National Education Task Force in the early stages of developing the New Believers' Course, which will be made available to all local and regional training institutes.

Met regularly with Bahá’í Publications' editorial boards to develop a publishing agenda that is complementary with the themes in the national teaching plan.

Collaborated with the Office of Assembly Development, the Regional Committee for the Southern States and the editor of Brilliant Star to develop a new manual for training believers on the nature and functions of local Spiritual Assemblies.

Sent representatives to a number of events including a conference for teaching American Indians held in Lyons, Nebraska; local and regional conferences and training sessions; Special Visitors programs; and various other meetings and conferences.

Regional Committee for the Central States

Developed a vision statement aimed at unifying the believers in the region to reflect ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s statement in the Tablets of the Divine Plan that "...all the aims may be merged into one aim, all the songs become one song and the power of the Holy Spirit may become so overwhelmingly victorious as to overcome all the forces of the world of nature."

Met with the majority of the Auxiliary Board members in the Central States to discuss the committee's mandate, community evaluations and mutual collaboration, and met with area Bahá’ís in several community meetings and regional conferences.

Established two Regional Training Institutes in the region, one in Minneapolis, the other in St. Louis. Curricula for these Institutes include: From Believers to Teachers, Consultation, and Devotional Meetings. Also, these Institutes will pilot the Fundamental Verities of the Bahá’í Faith curriculum.

Launched a campaign to promote the regular use of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s prayer for the Central States and distributed more than 2,000 prayer cards throughout the region.

Called for devotional meetings during the Fast-a total of 200 communities responded as of March 10, 1997, with a total of 306 such devotional meetings held during the Fast.

Developed the "2B1 campaign," to be launched during the National Convention at Ridván, to address spiritual transformation, unity, teaching, proclamation and institute development.

Helped organize regional conferences in St. Louis and Minnesota to usher in the second year of the Four Year Plan.

Divided the region into four traveling teaching regions and will appoint a traveling teaching coordinator for each region.

Regional Committee for the Northeastern States

Generated a regional plan that supports the national plan containing strategies supporting eight specific issues: race unity, the advancement of women, leaders of thought and prominent people, training institutes, youth, use of the arts, and devotional meetings.

Produced and distributed a questionnaire to individuals attending 18 electoral unit conventions to ascertain race unity initiatives, teaching opportunities and patterns, and regional interests and resources.

Mobilized a race unity task force charged to investigate and develop recommendations pertaining to the establishment of a regional chapter of the National Association for Promoting Racial Understanding.

Created a Media Task Force to ascertain the general public's knowledge of the Faith as well as issues about which it is concerned, especially with regard to race unity.

Consulted with the National American Indian Teaching Committee about regional network and support.

Regional Committee for the Southern States

Developed and distributed to all electoral unit conventions a regional vision statement describing the unique role of the Southern Region in advancing the process of entry by troops.

Developed and distributed a regional plan of action, "Unlocking the Power of Action," to all local Assemblies and registered groups in the region.

Appointed a network of 10 State Teaching Committees mandated to promote teaching activities, establish state goals, hold state conferences and initiate teaching projects for large-scale growth in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia.

Published regular articles and updates on the teaching work in The American Bahá’í.

Worked closely with the National Teaching Committee to establish Regional Training Institutes in Atlanta and south Texas.

Contacted seven Bahá’í College Clubs that have the potential to attract large numbers of new believers through special focused teaching campaigns.

Regularly monitored enrollment statistics and trends and offered analyses to the National Teaching Committee.

Appointed a task force to focus on race unity initiatives in the South.

Gave presentations at a variety of conferences including state teaching conferences in several states.

Regional Committee for the Western States

Worked toward establishing regional training institutes in Arizona and Washington.

Began efforts to launch major teaching campaigns in Denver, Colorado, and Portland, Oregon.

Began planning a series of teaching conferences scheduled to be held simultaneously in 10 cities in February 1998 on the anniversary of the revelation of the Tablets to the Western States.

Helped Spiritual Assemblies needing assistance toward re-election at Ridván and helped jeopardized Assemblies and communities where there are nine or more believers without Assemblies.

Began efforts to establish an integrated regional network of traveling teachers and traveling teaching coordinators.

American Indian Teaching Committee

Goal

To encourage and support efforts to advance the process of entry by troops among American Indians residing in cities, rural areas and on reservations and to advise, support and assist the Regional American Indian Teaching Committees in promoting these goals. The committee initiates, supports and assists in developing programs and institutes to foster the spiritual education of indigenous and non-indigenous believers and fosters in the American Bahá’í community the recognition that teaching American Indians is of great and urgent importance.

Activities

Adopted a top priority goal of developing training institutes focusing on raising human resources among American Indian believers who will help other indigenous believers progress along the path to their destiny and arise to travel teach and pioneer.

Began preparing a curriculum that serves the unique cultural qualities of American Indians and a program aimed at training non-indigenous believers to advance the process of entry by troops in American Indian communities.

Began organizing regional gatherings to launch teaching initiatives in all regions. Upcoming efforts include a gathering of indigenous believers to be held in Florida over the July 4 weekend in 1997 and a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the formation of the first all-Indian Spiritual Assembly on the Omaha Reservation to be held in 1998.

Latin American Task Force

Goal

To encourage and support the efforts of individual believers and communities in reaching Latin American people with the message of Bahá’u’lláh through developing and distributing Spanish literature for teaching and deepening; helping organize teaching campaigns aimed at this population; building and maintaining a strong network of believers who are actively involved in Latino teaching; and promoting Latino teaching in every area of the U.S. through conferences and other means.

Activities

Made efforts to obtain Spanish-language radio programs from a variety of sources to be used for broadcasting in communities with large populations of Spanish-speaking people, including requesting assistance with this project from National Spiritual Assemblies in Spanish-speaking countries.

Disseminated information about existing Spanish literature. Two publications, Palabras de Díos and Introducción a la Fe Bahá’í by Gloria Faizi are ready for printing, and translation into Spanish of the book So Great an Honor is under way for deepening new believers.

Encouraged the formation of training institutes; the use of Ruhi Institute and Core Curriculum materials to start children's classes in Latino communities; and the use of Internet and e-mail among believers in- [Page 25]

National Youth Committee

Goal To conduct expert study and provide strategic advice to the National Spiritual Assembly in matters pertaining to youth; to rally Bahá’í youth in support of goals and directives of the National Spiritual Assembly; to help define, address and remove barriers to youth's wholehearted leadership in advancing the process of entry by troops; to expand and develop a national architecture for youth that will help to foster united action; to stimulate activity at the local level, and to increase each individual youth's capacity to serve the Cause.

Activities Organized and facilitated a series of College Club weekends at the permanent Bahá’í schools as an initial step toward networking university students in those regions and rallying students around national goals. Participants deepened on the 153 B.E. Ridván messages, raised money for the Arc Projects fund, used the arts to address controversial campus topics, wrote letters of love and support to the National Spiritual Assembly, and formed teaching plans for their return to campus.

Conducted a systematic review and study of the Army of Light program and took initial steps to consolidate its structure and chart a new direction for it during the Four Year Plan.

Co-sponsored and took part in several regional Bahá’í Youth Workshop gatherings that reviewed the current status of workshop activities and focused on responding to the goals of the Four Year Plan. Also co-sponsored the "Be Thou Assured" workshop at the Bahá’í House of Worship, helping youth and adults to gain confidence and overcome fears in teaching.

Spent extensive time organizing the upcoming National Bahá’í Youth Training Conference in Knoxville, Tennessee, to be held in July. Initial work included surveying youth about past conferences, analyzing the data, collaborating with the Education Task Force in preparing a parents' program, encouraging local communities to prepare youth for the spirit and purpose of the conference, and making provisions for opportunities for youth to serve upon their return home.

Organized a series of youth deepenings on the Ridván messages hosted by college students and other individuals across the country, and sent letters to the Nineteen Day Feasts and via the Internet to encourage youth to support the National Spiritual Assembly's calls for periods of deepening and reflection on the Covenant.

Established a Youth Services Desk at the Bahá’í National Center that began developing a database for Bahá’í college students as a first step in more systematic and regular communication with college clubs and began systematizing and organizing youth-related files and archival material at the National Center.

Worked with the staff of ONE magazine, a Bahá’í youth publication, in developing the Youth Page for The American Bahá’í.

Consulted extensively with the National Teaching Committee about ways in which youth can take leadership roles in supporting the national teaching plan. Consulted with and sought input from representatives of the Regional Teaching Committees, the Education Task Force, the Editorial Board for Youth and Children, the Office of the Treasurer, the Office of Pioneering and other Bahá’í agencies.

Contacted representatives from a number of other national youth committees including those of Brazil, Peru, the Netherlands and Ethiopia.

Sent a representative to the preparations for the United Nations World Youth Forum; sent committee members to represent the National Youth Committee at youth teaching projects and conferences throughout the country; and sent letters of support and encouragement to a number of local and regional youth gatherings.

Office of Pioneering

Goal To send 5,700 pioneers and traveling teachers abroad in the Four Year Plan in response to the Universal House of Justice's call stating, "the descendants of the early inhabitants of your continent...should be ever mindful of the vital contribution they can make to the work of the Faith throughout the American continent, in the circumpolar areas and in the Asian region of the Russian Federation....We direct the believers of African descent...to the pressing needs for pioneers, who will contribute to the further development of the Cause in distant areas, including the continent of Africa for which they were assigned a special responsibility by the Guardian....[T]he friends of Hispanic background have fertile fields before them throughout Latin America. Let all believers consider the extent to which they can use familial and ethnic ties to other regions of the world for the fulfillment of the global mission conferred upon the recipients of the Tablets of the Divine Plan."

Activities Sent 249 pioneers abroad from May 1, 1996, to March 1, 1997. During the same period 2,023 traveling teaching trips were undertaken; 50 youth served internationally through the Bahá’í Youth Service Corps program; and 42 believers of African descent arose to serve in first year of the Plan, four as pioneers and 38 as traveling teachers, with 41 more preparing to pioneer.

Trained 76 prospective pioneers at three regularly scheduled Pioneer Training Institutes; 10 more were trained by Resource Network volunteers.

Established two resource networks of veteran pioneers to enhance recruiting and training prospective pioneers and Bahá’í Youth Service Corps volunteers, expanding one network that serves pioneers to special areas to 86 volunteers and completing the team structure of the Bahá’í Youth Service Corps Resource Network with 62 volunteers throughout the country.

Bahá’í House of Worship Offices

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 191,962 visitors from 93 countries; conducted 178 scheduled tours for more than 4,591 people; drew an additional 527 visitors with garden teaching; and conducted interviews with students preparing class papers on religion for many area colleges, universities and high schools.

Greeted the following special visitors and people of prominence: Dr. M. Enamul Huq, member of Interpol, and his wife, Lily, from Bangladesh; Marbrew Immigration Aid Society; 20 Great Lakes Natin A. Wenick, executive vice-president of the Heval Base Pastors; Dr. Yuli Ionnesian, chairman of the local Spiritual Assembly of St. Petersburg, Russia; Mr. Deolalikar, engineer for the House of Worship in India; Gillian Sorensen, under secretary at the United Nations; the wife of the Prime Minister of Belgium, Mrs. Celia Dehaene, and the wife of the Belgian Consul for Chicago, Mrs. Arlette Vandemuelebroucke; and the consul-general of India to Canada.

Supervised the activities of 375 volunteers (57 of whom are regularly scheduled guides) who gave more than 13,783 hours of service (representing a 27 percent increase over last year) as guides, tour leaders, discussion leaders, choir members, readers, ushers/hosts, office aides, program or hospitality coordinators and flower arrangers.

Oversaw the activities of several committees and task forces including the Ascension Task Force, Devotions Committee, Children's Program Committee, Committee for the Celebration of Humanity, Garden Teaching Committee, Hospitality Committee, Music Committee, Introductory Class Task Force, Youth Speakers Forum Founding Mentors and Program Planning Committees from six local Spiritual Assemblies.

Coordinated instructional and consultative meetings including the Training Workshop and Appreciation Program for volunteers and meetings of the North Shore Race Unity Task Force, the Ascension Task Force, the Children's Committee, the National Education Committee and the Corinne True Institute. Held the 13th annual David Kellum Awards, presenting awards to David K. Braden, a film producer for cable TV in Milwaukee and president of "Po'Davy Talent, Ltd.," a youth-oriented activity, and Olusegun Sijuwade, founder of Safe Nights in Milwaukee.

Held the "Be Thou Assured" Teaching Workshop that was attended by 250 volunteers.

Held twice-monthly firesides, one in English and one in Spanish, and sponsored a weekly introductory class series on the Faith.

Initiated plans for and/or implemented new activities as follows: Story Time, a weekly children's program; a fundamental verities deepening class; a Youth Speakers Forum to train youth as public speakers; a music committee to initiate a permanent music program at the Bahá’í House of Worship; and Spanish-language deepenings.

Held devotions Mondays through Saturdays at 12:15 p.m. and on Sundays at 1:15 p.m. that were attended by 10,383 individuals, representing a 40 percent increase over last year.

Commemorated all Holy Days and provided special programs for children; held open meetings to honor Universal Children's Day, United Nations Day (two events, one focused for youth), 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.

Supervised the operation of the Bahá’í House of Worship Book Shop, which realized sales of $231,986 through improved service by announcing new titles via e-mail and quarterly postal mailings and by opening the shop after Holy Day events.

Responded to 698 interest cards, with the majority of cards being from the United States, and witnessed 11 declarations 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 quarterly newsletter for volunteers for the fourth year; sent three quarterly mailings about House of Worship activities to local Bahá’í communities; submitted articles about volunteers to The American Bahá’í; and collaborated with Media Services to produce a Bahá’í House of Worship video. Added The Dawning Place, a new slide presentation, to Foundation Hall as well as five other informational presentations for visitors in the Viewing Room.

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, participating in its Interfaith Thanksgiving Service held at the Bahá’í House of Worship that was attended by 350 people; and attended several conferences as a way of building relationships.

Helped host the Office of the Treasurer's Special Visit programs and provided facilities for a special address by member of the Universal House of Justice Glenford Mitchell, six memorial services and 12 weddings.

Education and Schools Office/Education Task Force

Goal To oversee the five permanent schools and institutes and the 37 regional schools committees; to supervise and provide support to the Education Task Force; and to create various curricula as designated by the National Spiritual Assembly including emphasis on the goals of the Four Year Plan.

Activities Disseminated to all local Spiritual Assemblies, Counselors, Auxiliary Board members and National Spiritual Assembly agencies a course for new believers, featuring a facilitator's guide and an audio tape with a participant's workbook, and arranged for its distribution through the Bahá’í Distribution Service.

Collaborated with the Office of Assembly Development and the Office of Fund Development on creating training programs designed to foster the maturation and skill building of local Spiritual Assemblies.

Developed an activity booklet on the life and teachings of the Báb to be used in conjunction with the Core Curriculum.

Produced parts one and two of a three-part course on Fundamental Verities of the Faith, disseminating it to all regional committees and interested individu... [Page 26]

ANNUAL REPORTS

als and making it available through the Bahá’í Distribution Service, and began developing part three of the course.

Coordinated with the Facility Task Force to develop a master plan for facilities of the permanent schools and institutes; administratively guided and assisted the five permanent schools and institutes; guided the regional schools and enriched their programs through focus on the Four Year Plan and intergenerational, interracial and intercultural harmony; and provided 41 regional school sessions through the 37 regional school committees, serving more than 8,500 individuals.

Provided curriculum development support for the Wilmette Institute's "Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization" program, as well as oversight to the project, and executed tasks associated with registration and program development.

Provided content and development support to Brilliant Star magazine, particularly for the special edition on the annual school theme.

Further refined the materials and training processes associated with the Core Curriculum for Spiritual Education, completing and distributing three new Core Curriculum strand booklets: Race Unity, The Covenant and Huqúqu’lláh and the Bahá’í Funds.

Held quarterly Core Curriculum trainings at the National Teacher Training Center including Teacher Training, Parent Facilitator Training, Race Unity Training and Marriage and Family Training.

Trained 47 new Teacher Trainers, 40 new Parent Trainers, 29 new Race Unity Trainers and 27 new Marriage Trainers. The cumulative numbers of individuals trained since the inception of the Core Curriculum are: 240 Teacher Trainers, 113 Race Unity Trainers, 90 Parent Facilitators and 27 Marriage and Family Life Trainers.

Made a presentation about the Core Curriculum at the Religious Education Association's national conference and presented on the integration of Bahá’í principles into education and administration at the Education Seminar held at Louhelen Bahá’í School.

Designed a parents' program for the National Bahá’í Youth Training Conference to be held in Knoxville, Tennessee, in July.

Coordinated and exchanged knowledge with other National Spiritual Assembly agencies and made presentations at conferences and consultations on the development of Training Institutes and Centers of Learning.

Bosch Bahá’í School

Goal

To provide for the spiritual and intellectual growth of the American Bahá’í community and the realization of a significant advance in the process of entry by troops by incorporating the triple themes of the Four Year Plan—consecration of the individual, the flourishing of Bahá’í communities, and the maturation of the institutions—in programs offered at Bosch while striving to create an environment that encourages participants to internalize and put into action the moral and spiritual principles of the Faith.

Activities

Created opportunities for individuals to learn practical skills as teachers of the Cause, in collaboration with the Auxiliary Board, the National Teaching Committee and the Office of Pioneering, by offering sessions on Becoming Teachers of the Cause, Teachers on the March, a Teacher Training Institute, a Pioneering Institute, Youth Service Corps Training and SITA Training.

Offered two sessions geared specifically for seekers, emphasizing intensive study of the Bahá’í writings, that incorporated arts and used Core Curriculum teaching methods. Bahá’ís were encouraged to bring seekers to all general sessions; nearly 100 seekers attended and more than 40 declared their faith in Bahá’u’lláh.

Offered a variety of programs for youth and children, emphasizing intensive study of the sacred texts as a means of fostering spiritual strength and transformation, including a summer College Institute; Youth Institute; two Junior Youth Institutes; two Children's Academy sessions; four Youth Deepening weekends, including one focused for Southeast Asian youth; two College Club Symposium weekends; two deepening weekends for members of the Bay Area Bahá’í Youth Workshop and the L.A. Workshop; and a summit of the Western Regional Bahá’í Youth Workshop coordinators.

Provided opportunities to explore Bahá’í scholarship and the mystical aspects of the Faith by hosting a regional Association for Bahá’í Studies Conference in collaboration with the California Regional ABS Committee, a Prayer and Meditation weekend, a 10-day Advanced Academy, a Mysticism Conference, and a Seven Valleys study weekend.

Offered in-depth study of the Covenant during all general summer sessions as a means of fostering spiritual strength and transformation.

Encouraged use of the arts for teaching, deepening and consolidation efforts, offering an Arts and Teaching session over the Labor Day weekend; Youth and the Arts deepening weekend; several meetings of the GWEn Art Council (Gwen Wakeling Endowment for the Arts); a performance of the play Believers, based on Howard Colby Ives' and Juliet Thompson's recollections of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá; an Artist-in-Residence as part of the program for all summer sessions; and the third annual intensive six-day Choral Training session, focused on using Bahá’í scripture and prayer in choral music writing and performance.

Provided a variety of sessions aimed at increasing the core of active believers and establishing greater unity within the Bahá’í Community including hosting a Latino Teaching Conference, a Southeast Asian Leadership Conference, a Pacific Islander Teaching Conference and a Black Heritage Celebration weekend.

Offered the following focused sessions: Creating and Sustaining Unity in the Urban Community; Race: Examining Myths of Tradition; The LSA: A Channel of God's Grace; Building Relationships, Friendships and Opportunities to Teach; Teaching the Faith Through Story-telling; the third annual Health and Healing Symposium; and a Women's Awakening Retreat.

Offered comprehensive children's classes at every general and intensive session with curricula that paralleled adult programming.

Furnished programs aimed at strengthening the family as the core of a unified community including the annual Marriage Enrichment Retreat; created a new, intensive program called Renewing the Spirit of the Fortress for Well-Being, a three-weekend series for marriages in crisis; offered a new intergenerational Redwood Family Conference to explore the practical application of Bahá’í principles to the growth and unity of the family; and offered a Singles and Relationships workshop session.

Supplied programs conducive to the growth, collective learning and maturation of Bahá’í Institutions including two LSA Team Development weekends attended by eight local Spiritual Assemblies; a training session for more than 90 assistants to the two local Auxiliary Board members for protection and propagation; two meetings of the LSAI (LSA Integration and Automation) working groups, in collaboration with the Bahá’í National Center's Management Information Services office; and two meetings of the Western Regional Teaching Committee.

Increased attendance at Bahá’í sessions by about 15 percent over last year, with Bahá’í program fees projected to be more than $285,000, up almost 11 percent from last year. Outside rental fees rose substantially from $4,600 to about $35,000 (projected). Revenues from the bookshop/café are expected to exceed $132,000, up about 10 percent from fiscal 1996-97.

Completed construction in June of the new classroom building complex, begun in August 1994, at a final cost of under $320,000. More than $42,000 in earmarked contributions for the classroom building project were received in 1996, with over $17,000 raised during the Grand Opening weekend in June 1996. All but approximately $20,000 of the cost was covered by earmarked contributions.

Completed other key capital improvement projects including a major upgrade of the water system (required for the new building project), significant interim road repairs, new fiberglass resurfacing of both pools, the purchase of a new mini van, refinishing of the hardwood floors in the Lodge and Yogurt Shoppe, and a partial renovation of two cabins. A highly visible addition to the Bosch campus was the start of an organic garden; more than $6,000 of earmarked contributions allowed for the construction of a large fenced enclosure with raised beds and a large greenhouse, all generating a year-round supply of fresh vegetables, fruit and flowers.

Received more than 28,500 volunteer hours from more than 27 Youth Service Corps volunteers and seven long-term volunteers.

Expanded the program calendar for greater facility utilization, with sessions offered year-round including 33 weekend sessions, a 10-week summer schedule, two five-day and one 10-day winter sessions, and two four-day spring sessions. Many weekends included two or more programs running concurrently to increase over-all attendance and facility utilization. Also, outside rentals were up significantly from last year, including 14 residential sessions, three weddings and 17 other non-residential rentals hosted, leaving only one weekend when the facility was not in use.

Green Acre Bahá’í School

Goal

To deepen the knowledge, stimulate the zeal and increase the spirit of fellowship among the friends to foster their spiritual transformation and develop their capacities and skills needed to win the goals of the Four Year Plan.

Activities

Welcomed 1,271 adults to a total of 10 five-day courses and 22 weekend programs focused on specific goals of the Four Year Plan and advancing the process of entry by troops; the role of the individual believer; the Covenant; the establishment of Training Institutes; the writings of Shoghi Effendi; race unity; the equality of women and men; spiritual transformation; world peace; and the establishment of an international center of Bahá’í learning.

Offered 32 classes and institutes for children and youth and four institutes for pre-youth and youth, serving a total of 472 young people.

Provided opportunities for youth to deepen their knowledge of the Faith and serve at Green Acre; 22 youth volunteers served at Green Acre over the past year for periods ranging from two to 12 months.

Furthered educational exchange with Brazilian Bahá’í schools: Heather Marques from the Schools Committee in the State of Bahia and the Administrative Council of the School of the Nations in Brasilia visited Green Acre, offered a course on "Social and Economic Development" and took a Core Curriculum course at Louhelen Bahá’í School. Later in the year administrators from Bahá’í schools in Brazil and the U.S. met with other educators at the Social and Economic Development conference in Orlando, Florida. Luis Henrique Beust, academic director of the Soltanieh Bahá’í School in Brazil, visited Green Acre in December and gave a course on "Human Plenitude." A formal collaborative agreement between the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace, Green Acre Bahá’í School and Soltanieh Bahá’í School has been proposed to the National Spiritual Assemblies of the United States and Brazil.

Instituted regular quarterly meetings with the Spiritual Assembly of Eliot, Maine, to promote collaboration in service to the Cause.

Hosted a number of diverse groups during the year including a prayer gathering for peace held to support a nationwide call to prayer by the Native American peoples; a multi-faith prayer breakfast that brought together religious and community service agencies working to reduce domestic violence against women; a dinner and reception for visiting Brazilian Bahá’í educator Luis Henrique Beust and the executive committee of the Partners of the Americas of the State of Maine; and an event for Eliot area residents as part of the Eliot Festival Days to which 120 people came to the Sarah Farmer Inn for dinner, tour and short presentation on the history of Green Acre.

Rented Green Acre facilities a total of 13 times during the year including three weddings, a wedding reception, and three meetings of the newly-appointed Northeastern Regional Teaching Committee.

Completed renovation of Ole Bull Cottage and exterior painting of Shopflocher House.

Louhelen Bahá’í School

Goal

To support the education goals of the Four Year Plan, emphasizing "a significant advance in the process of entry by troops"; "systematic attention...to devising methods of educating large numbers of believers in the fundamental verities of the Faith"; "well-organized, formally conducted programs of training on a regular schedule" and "fostering the maturation and development of local and national institutions."

Activities

Achieved a 23 percent increase in attendance at Bahá’í educational programs over the previous year, with more than 10,000 persons attending nearly 70 programs relating to the over-all theme of advancing the process of entry by troops. [Page 27]Achieved a 22 percent increase in attendance by non-Bahá’ís associated with rental use of Louhelen facilities, with more than 2,000 non-Bahá’í guests from more than 50 rental groups benefiting from Louhelen services. This primary avenue of proclaiming the Cause regularly results in requests for presentations about the Faith to visiting groups and in guests later attending firesides.

Offered well-organized, formally conducted courses on a regular schedule for families, youth, adults and children relating to goals of the Four Year Plan, such as studying the fundamental verities of the Faith; assisting individual believers to arise to teach and serve; promoting the maturation of Assemblies, and fostering firmness in the Covenant.

Other courses emphasized central principles of Bahá’í belief and life, such as advancing race unity; promoting true partnership between women and men; strengthening Bahá’í families and marriages; helping Bahá’í youth respond to troubling current social issues; deepening individual and community spiritual life; and fostering the raising up of the first prejudice-free generation.

Served as the home site of the National Teacher Training Center and supported the rapidly increasing training programs offered through the auspices of the NTTC.

Provided Youth Year-of-Service posts which fostered spiritual deepening, development of capacity for Bahá’í service, and development of human resources toward wider paths of action and service.

Offered, in collaboration with the Auxiliary Board, two Local Spiritual Assembly Development workshops to foster the development of the institutions.

Received more than 15,000 hours of volunteer service in the operations of Louhelen.

Completed the construction of two new homes for full-time staff at the School, with 70 percent of the necessary funds coming from earmarked contributions.

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; to collaborate with and support the local community in areas of community and human resource development; and to provide radio programming that will help deepen Bahá’ís, provide support for teaching efforts and help uplift local communities.

Activities

Co-sponsored the South Carolina Department of Mental Health's fifth annual "Enabling and Supporting the Development of Black Males" conference and provided support and resources for the Race Unity Conference in Charleston, South Carolina.

Hosted the 12th annual "Peace Fest"; the Black Men's Gathering; the Louis G. Gregory/Magdalene Carney Teaching Initiative; two women's conferences; the Black Women's Gathering; a Youth Summit; unity worship services; and Ayyam-i-Há and Naw-Rúz celebrations.

Held the South Carolina summer and winter schools; weekly children's classes; community development workshops; Pioneer and Youth Service Corps trainings; classes on the fundamental verities of the Faith, local Spiritual Assembly development, and the individual and teaching; Youth Leadership weekends; Children's Leadership weekends; Junior Youth Leadership weekends; and advanced, youth, junior youth and children's summer academies.

Sponsored the gospel workshop and gospel choir performances; offered resources for agricultural projects, and provided transportation for door-to-door and traveling teaching.

Broadcast more than 5,700 hours, airing daily devotions each morning and evening including a "Daily Pearl" quote from the sacred Writings and the short obligatory prayer; Feast and Holy Day programs; a daily community calendar of Bahá’í events and activities from 15 Bahá’í institutions; public service spots on the teachings of the Faith including "Who is Bahá’u’lláh?," "Peace Talks" and "What is a Bahá’í?"; a series of spots on what it means to be a Bahá’í that include basic information on the Fund; a series on the relationship of Christ and Bahá’u’lláh; various Bahá’í talks; special programs for the Fast and Ayyam-i-Há; spots highlighting race unity and music promoting racial harmony; spots on the equality of men and women; and a daily weather and Bahá’í program live from Wichita, Kansas, called "The Weather and the Word."

Aired special programs celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; several programs focusing on various African-Americans' experiences and contributions to the nation, and the program "America's Hispanic Heritage."

Included other community service programming such as a "Student of the Month" spot for a local elementary school; a daily community calendar of events and activities from 28 schools and colleges, 93 churches and 96 community organizations and agencies; and family health and other programs.

Offered community outreach to many local organizations and media outlets through 16 remote broadcasts, 12 events where recording and sound reinforcement were provided, and service on various committees and boards.

Screened more than 1,100 CDs for possible airing; installed a fiber optic audio link between the studio and the transmitter; and set up a Radio Bahá’í Web page on which approximately 5,000 visitors logged in.

Received more than 4,000 hours of volunteer service from 35 volunteers, 12 of whom were trained for on-air and production work.

Goal

To develop local educational projects related to the indigenous culture as a means for teaching the Faith.

Activities

Sponsored a Circle of Native American Teaching Work with Counselor Loretta King from the International Teaching Center in Haifa and with Continental Counselor Jacqueline Left-Hand Bull. NABI administrators met with the Counselors to discuss the NABI's mission and the various teaching projects on the Navajo/Hopi reservations; the Counselors also met with the surrounding Bahá’í community to consult on a number of indigenous teaching projects.

Hosted a meeting of the NABI Advisory Council to consult on systematic teaching, proclamation and SED projects for the Institute and another meeting to consult on various teaching projects and programs to reach the local Navajo and Hopi reservations.

Welcomed Native believers who gathered at NABI for the National Bahá’í Indigenous Gathering last October 11-13 at which they deepened on the Four Year Plan and planned systematic teaching projects to further the Cause among indigenous populations within the United States.

Hosted a representative from the Office of Public Information who conducted a weekend training program for representatives of Spiritual Assemblies in the region (NM, AZ, CO, TX) on how to market information about the Faith in the media.

Hosted several Nineteen Day Feasts for the local community to help consolidate the local believers; a Unity Feast for the surrounding Navajo community as a teaching event and a proclamation project to consolidate the Navajo believers; the Houck, Arizona, Bahá’í Group for a potluck dinner and consultation on "building a stronger indigenous community" to develop consolidation and teaching projects for the local area; and initiated the first "Unity Circle" (fireside) in October for local Navajo families to introduce and discuss various Bahá’í principles.

Held a Spiritual Warrior sweat at NABI's traditional sweat lodge for young male volunteers into which Bahá’í principles were integrated for spiritual cleansing and development; welcomed three male youth who served at NABI for three weekends during the LGI Youth Exchange program, a collaborative project with Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute for youth to experience native culture and individual growth and development; organized a Young Women's Conference attended by 15 youth to introduce Bahá’í principles for young women's issues; hosted a youth-sponsored in-service deepening for NABI staff and volunteers and continued to hold bi-weekly staff deepenings and projects to build stronger friendships within NABI; presented a youth development pilot program to NABI staff and volunteers designed to help youth develop their full potential to serve the Cause, and hosted a Bahá’í College Club weekend designed for college clubs to deepen on the Four Year Plan and to develop systematic teaching strategies to reach Native American students on college campuses.

Provided time for two members of the NABI staff and a volunteer to travel to Thailand and Malaysia (December 2-30) for a teaching and consolidation project organized by the Bahá’í External Affairs Office in Atlanta, Georgia, and the National Spiritual Assembly of Malaysia. The NABI contingent gave indigenous presentations throughout the area using Bahá’í principles as a cultural exchange with the native peoples and various communities. On their return they presented a slide presentation on "The Asli: Original People of Malaysia" and shared stories about their experiences.

Hosted 10 students from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, for two weeks for a three-hour credit course on Native Cultures and Southwest literature. Bahá’í text was integrated into the program and students also took part in a community service project with Navajo child care by spending a day with the children in activities and attending NABI's artist-in-residence program for the children.

Hosted 20 students from Rice University and 20 from the University of Montana who each spent a week at the Institute for service and learning projects as an alternative form of spring break. Their curriculum integrated Bahá’í principles into community service projects and the Native American culture.

Sponsored a community dinner for University of Montana students to meet local community members at which members of the Institute had the opportunity to teach the Faith to the students and to build stronger relationships with the community.

Sponsored a six-week Navajo language course conducted by NABI staff, volunteers and local community members as a social and economic development program to maintain the native language within the community.

Established a service program with the Bahá’í-managed child care center at Navajo, New Mexico. NABI staff and volunteers visit and help at the center, which serves more than 240 youth and children.

Took part in an educational and cultural program emphasizing the importance of education and maintaining the native culture at Sanders High School attended by 300 high school students.

Hosted 10 members of the National Indian Youth Leadership Project (NIYLP) which held a two-day organizational development retreat at NABI; the NABI administrator participated as a consultant, incorporating Bahá’í perspectives on consultation.

Researched and composed a proposal on Bahá’í administration at the request of the Hopi Tribal Government to help in reorganizing the tribal government. The proposal of The Foundation of a Just Form of Government Based on the Bahá’í Sacred Writings, submitted to the Hopi government on September 9, 1996, is an important teaching, proclamation and social and economic development project that will help develop trust with the Hopi people.

Facilitated further social and economic development by hosting a meeting of the Integrated Health Project Steering committee. This health project, an outcome of the second annual Unity Pow-wow, involves medical practitioners from all disciplines who are developing a proposal for a health system incorporating traditional ways of healing with western conventional and alternative medicine as an integrated health care system for the native people.

Hosted an in-service deepening for youth on health and nutrition (spiritual and physical) given by a Bahá’í who is an associate professor and researcher at the University of Arizona College of Medicine; continued a healing circle program to help community members (Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís) learn positive ways to heal day-by-day using Bahá’í principles, teaching, prayer and counseling techniques to change negative behaviors such as anger, drinking, etc.; facilitated a weekly men's-only group circle for alcohol recovery through spiritual paths where Bahá’í principles are integrated in the program along with counseling techniques; and took part in a community program sponsored by the Office of Local & Minority Health Services that served as a forum to begin implementing health projects within the community.

Sent NABI administrators and members of the NABI Integrated Health Steering Committee to meet with Sage Hospital to introduce a pilot integrated health care service project concentrating on substance abuse and mental health, facilitated consultation on the spiritual aspects of sobriety and provided a keynote talk at the San Carlos Apache Reservation Sobriety Conference held last August.

Held an in-service deepening on hygiene at which recommendations from the consultation were gathered for implementation in raising sanitation and [Page 28]hygiene standards at the Institute and provided a hygiene workshop to children in the Navajo, New Mexico, community in conjunction with the Navajo day care center to establish stronger relationships for future community service projects.

Sent eight men from NABI to take part in the program at the Native American Men’s Gathering in central Colorado where more than 1,000 attendees of native ancestry from the U.S. and Canada gathered; attended the eighth annual Navajo Cultural Gathering where the NABI administrator presented Bahá’í pamphlets to the president of the Navajo Nation and Bahá’í principles were introduced during the traditional talking circles; took part in a Martin Luther King celebration sponsored by the National Indian Youth Leadership Project on January 20, 1997, in Gallup, New Mexico, by giving a talk on "Building Prejudice-Free Communities" based on the Bahá’í writings; went to Hopi Mesa to meet with a former Hopi tribal man about the possibility of developing a social and economic development health care project designed for the Hopi people based on a spiritual foundation; traveled to Tucson, Arizona, for the annual Desert Rose Bahá’í Conference, presenting workshops on the importance of the Four Year Plan and teaching the indigenous population; and provided workshops for adults, youth and children, presented a talk and performed some Native American songs and music at the Social and Economic Development Conference held in Orlando, Florida.

Provided to a local elementary school a master of ceremonies and the NABI artists-in-residence drum group who performed at its pow-wow. Also sent the drum group to perform traditional native dances and songs at the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute’s 1996 Peace Fest and at two South Carolina schools; to perform for the nationally acclaimed youth group Up With People for a community service project at Sanders High School; and to Bona Vista to take part in a local pow-wow.

Invited two Navajo medicine men and the surrounding community to a prayer ceremony for rain to help with the severe draught; held a Blessing-way ceremony incorporating the Bahá’í writings into the traditional Navajo ceremony and made new connections with more than 100 Navajo people living on the reservation who attended, prayed and enjoyed fellowship; and accepted an invitation from a local Pow-wow Club to recite blessing prayers for the club's newly-elected officers and explained to them the concept of consultation based on Bahá’í principles.

Goal

To create and run educational programs to raise up a new generation of diverse, knowledgeable, articulate teachers and administrators of the Bahá’í Faith.

Activities

Assembled a comprehensive plan stating the current organization of the Wilmette Institute and the future expansion of its programs and designed a four-year fund-raising plan to provide the Institute with an endowment.

Completed the first year of the "Spiritual Foundations of a Global Civilization" program. Thirty-nine students attended the historic first summer session of the program at National-Louis University in Wilmette, which involved four weeks of intensive classes, workshops, seminars, field trips, social activities and prayer sessions. Four students obtained undergraduate credit for their work through National-Louis University; two obtained undergraduate credit through their own universities; and one obtained graduate credit through the Graduate School of America. About 70 students from the U.S., Canada, Israel and South Africa took the home-study portion of the first year, which focused on world religions, philosophy and Bahá’í theology. The program included monthly conference calls with groups of students and an e-mail listserver for students, faculty and staff.

Designed the second-year course of study of the Spiritual Foundations program to focus on the development of the individual, the creation of strong marriages and families, and the relationship between the individual and institutions including minicourses on Bahá’í history from 1863-1921, Bahá’í scripture from 1863-1921, teaching the Faith to others, and creative writing. An excellent faculty has been retained to teach these subjects and to plan the home study components.

Initiated discussions with National-Louis University about obtaining undergraduate and graduate credit for the second-year course of study and began enrolling students for the program from North America and the Middle East.

Designed the Wilmette Institute's first correspondence course topic of Bahá’í scripture, assembled its textbook, and designed a pilot course on the Bahá’í Faith involving the study of two brief introductory books.

Obtained a full-time youth year of service volunteer to coordinate the Wilmette Institute's office; created a database of Wilmette Institute students and a financial database of tuition payments; and completed and mailed three issues of The Lamp, the Wilmette Institute's newsletter.

Completed an agreement with the Graduate School of America (TGSA) about Wilmette Institute students obtaining graduate credit through TGSA; continued to assist the Faizi Institute in its Bahá’í educational program; and provided help to Bahá’í educational projects in India, Iran and Pakistan.

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 repairs of other Bahá’í properties.

Activities

Assessed the present condition of the building and began preparing for the next phase of repairs to renew materials that are now 45 to 50 years old. Although the necessary work covers only a small part of the Temple, when viewed together the repairs require a sizable commitment of financial resources.

Continued establishing the Conservation Program's staff, initial plans, knowledge base and support facilities, conducting extensive training and research on such topics as concrete materials science; repair methods and molds; project management, contract management and supervisory skills; architectural photo documentation and report writing; maintenance and repair of historic windows; and maintenance of historic structures.

Painted the extensive structural steel truss system that supports the dome; painted the second and third story windows, exterior handrails and signs; replaced the hot and cold water piping and the pressure pump system from the boiler room up through the mezzanine levels and the dome; and performed seasonal inspections and preventative maintenance for the building's roof, gutters and waterproofing systems.

Employed 11 youth during the summer for cleaning, concrete repairs, documentation and bird protection tasks.

Continued to provide technical help for the development and maintenance of local, national and international Bahá’í properties, schools and institutes.

Estimated repairs needed over the next four years by investigating existing conditions and projecting measured rates of deterioration. Major projects include the following: replace all monumental stairs and landings; replace the ornamental pavers in the terrace at the bottom of the monumental stairs and add proper drainage; replace the ornamental concrete caps on the top of the first story pylons; repair limited deterioration of ornamental concrete on the first story cornice; replace all of the garden fountains' plumbing, concrete, tile and ornamental coping stones; and replace the gardens' sprinkler system, lighting, aged trees and shrubs.

Goal

To oversee the maintenance and development of all nationally owned Bahá’í properties in the United States without allowing deferred maintenance to cause properties to fall into neglect; 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

Monitored the approximately 90 properties owned by the National Spiritual Assembly, a portfolio valued at nearly $50 million, maintaining them with the highest standards of workmanship, maintenance, repair and expansion to reflect a positive image of the Faith.

Managed several contracts for the improvement of the Bahá’í Home including hiring independent contractors to re-pipe the hot and cold water lines and install a new boiler, re-roof the flat roof and rebuild the chimney.

Made repairs to the National Center building including restoring both elevators to working condition, replacing two roof-mounted ventilators, and repairing and calibrating the Andover sensors and water pressure regulators.

Completed installation of an entry and alarm system at the National Center and upgraded the security alarm system at the Publishing Trust.

Remodeled the entrance area into the Cornerstone Room and built a new archives display room in the House of Worship; resurfaced the House of Worship parking lot; and met with a landscape architect to develop improvements for the House of Worship's grounds and lighting.

Planted 26,700 tulips and 11,568 annual plants, in addition to mowing, raking, weeding, trimming, cleaning, watering and nurturing all grounds at the House of Worship, the National Center offices, the Bahá’í Home, the Hazíratu’l-Quds and the Linden and Sheridan Road residences.

Cleaned and re-supplied all buildings daily at the National Center; cleaned all carpets twice during the year and stripped and waxed all hard surface floors; washed the 300-plus windows, inside and out, three times during the year; and provided room setup at the National Center 216 times.

Completed 782 work orders for electrical, plumbing, carpentry, painting, keys, light replacement and maintenance repairs to hundreds of equipment and stationary items.

Conducted property inspections and reviews with administrators at the Bosch, Green Acre and Louhelen Bahá’í Schools and the Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute and conducted inspections and consulted with caretakers about custodial, maintenance and repair needs at the Wilhelm, Dorothy Baker, Mottahedeh and estate bequest properties.

Sent nine staff members from Properties and the schools to a week-long intensive seminar on the preservation of historic structures at the Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies.

Goal

To support the teaching and consolidation work of the Faith in the United States; publish and distribute the sacred writings, authoritative texts, teaching literature, introductory works, historical accounts, literature for children and youth, audio and video materials, pamphlets, magazines and a newspaper; and provide production and support services for audio, video and print communications as agencies. Bahá’í Publications includes the activities needed by the National Spiritual Assembly and its of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust, Bahá’í Distribution Service, Media Services, Subscriber Services, The American Bahá’í, Brilliant Star magazine and World Order magazine.

Publishing Trust

Completed 28 major projects during the year ending April 30, comprised of 12 new titles, 15 reprints and one collaborative, inter-agency project.

Released the following new titles or new editions: Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (pocket-size edition with reference numbers); Messages from the Universal House of Justice, 1963-1986: The Third Epoch of the Formative Age; Memorials of the Faithful; My Pilgrimage to Haifa, November 1919; Bahá’í Datebook; Bahá’í Wall Calendar; Bahá’í DayBook; The Bahá’í Faith: Its Principles and History; In Grandfather's Barn; The Ocean of His Words: A Reader's Guide to the Art of Bahá’u’lláh; and Welcome to the Bahá’í Faith (booklet for the New Believers' Packet). [Page 29]

ANNUAL REPORTS

Reprinted Bahá’í Prayers; Prayers and Meditations; The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys; Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh; The Kitáb-i-lqán; Some Answered Questions; Citadel of Faith; The Divine Art of Living; The Dawn-Breakers; Translation of the French Foot-Notes of the Dawn-Breakers; Foundations for a Spiritual Education; The Vision of Race Unity; The Purpose of Physical Reality; Bahá’u’lláh, God’s Messenger to Humanity (brochure); The Bahá’í Faith and the World Community (pamphlet); The Bahá’í Faith: Its Principles and History (booklet); and The Bahá’í Faith and Its Literature (catalog).

Published the New Believer’s Packet, a gift item given from the National Spiritual Assembly to every new believer, in cooperation with the institution of the Huqúqu’lláh, the Office of the Treasurer, the National Teaching Office, the Bahá’í Schools and Institutes and Management Information Services.

Appointed three editorial boards with mandates to identify the literature needs of the community and perform the new-title acquisitions function of the publishing process, and hosted the first annual Publishing Conference for these boards in June 1996.

Distribution

Realized, as of March 1, year-to-date net sales of $1,444,236, an 8 percent increase over the same 10-month period last year. Sales for the fiscal year ending April 30 are projected to be approximately $1,714,000, compared to $1,572,325 last year. New title sales accounted for 22 percent of total sales, 2 percent higher than last year. Sales of titles published by the Bahá’í Publishing Trust increased significantly to 34 percent of total sales, compared to 26 percent last year. This can be attributed to the strong sales of The Dawn-Breakers and Messages of the Universal House of Justice, 1963-1986, the year’s two top-sellers.

Increased inventory investment in response to the increase in new titles and a commitment to reduce the number of out-of-stock back-ordered items. Inventory value at the Bahá’í Distribution Service was $541,852, up from $461,842 last year.

Established an estimated 3,200 new customer accounts during the year, a 66 percent increase over last year. BDS filled 12,900 orders and shipped 376,700 units, a 13 percent and 11 percent increase, respectively, over last year.

Increased the number of active accounts by more than 3,500 to a total of 14,021—a 34 percent increase over last year’s level.

Operated the book store at the 1996 Bahá’í National Convention and instituted a Special Events program—to be sponsored by local Spiritual Assemblies, staffed by local people and supported by the Bahá’í Distribution Service to facilitate the establishment of well-stocked book stores at electoral unit conventions, national and regional conferences and Bahá’í schools.

Restructured and expanded sales discounts for local Spiritual Assemblies to facilitate larger orders and the building of local community inventories.

Produced and mailed two Bahá’í Distribution Service Price List catalogs, held two inventory reduction sales for local Publication Coordinators, and mailed postcards to advertise the re-release of The Dawn-Breakers.

Upgraded customer service workstation computers to allow for faster, more streamlined operation. Researched and chose a new computerized operating system (to be installed during the next fiscal year) integrating publishing, distribution and order entry to provide better service, quality control and management capabilities to the Bahá’í Publishing Trust and the Bahá’í Distribution Service.

Media Services

Produced audio/video productions that contributed to the development of the Bahá’í community including a new program shown daily in Foundation Hall called The Dawning Place that introduces new visitors to the Bahá’í Faith and the House of Worship.

Produced First Class Publicity, The Miracle of Governance, three issues of The Bahá’í Newsreel, Spanish and French translations of past newsreel issues, as well as talks of visiting Universal House of Justice members and others.

Supported requests by local and national Spiritual Assemblies, the Bahá’í Office of Public Information and commercial broadcasting organizations for clips and images stored in the Media Services Library.

Completed the first phase of a computerized survey kiosk designed to determine the extent of visitor appreciation for the programs at the Bahá’í House of Worship; maintained an ongoing volunteer training program; and produced the National Convention Teleconference broadcast to cities across the United States.

Adopted specifications and implemented plans for the installation of new production equipment as the agency prepares to undergo a facilities upgrade for the first time since the Six Year Plan. Such new equipment would facilitate digital storage of archived videos and greatly increase the video program production process as well as the ability to re-use footage in a number of programs without image degradation or "generation loss," protecting original footage from accidental damage.

Brilliant Star

Published six regular issues—The Light of Unity, True Wealth, The Future is NOW, Kids are Teachers, By Spiritual Backpack, and Bahá’í Beliefs and Bonds of Love, Special Edition 1996, for the Education and Schools Office for use at the permanent and regional schools last summer.

Produced the next two publications in the Activity Book Series, Bahá’u’lláh—His Life and Station and Oneness of Humanity, as support materials for the Core Curriculum.

Produced Brilliant Star Index ’92-97, a five-year thematic index for parents and teachers, based on themes in the Core Curriculum strands, and supplied 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.

The American Bahá’í

Published 10 issues of The American Bahá’í during the past year including regular reports from the Bahá’í World Center on the progress of the Arc and Terraces building project on Mount Carmel; completed a four-part series on social and economic development; began a year-long series of articles marking the 50th anniversary of official Bahá’í represen- reports of the National Spiritual Assembly and its tation at the United Nations; reprinted the annual agencies; published the Ridván messages from the Universal House of Justice to the Bahá’ís of the world and to those in North America; and set forth complete details of the National Spiritual Assembly’s strategies for the Four Year Plan and its plan to foster large-sale growth in the U.S. Bahá’í community.

Reprinted from Deepen Magazine "The Flow of Divine Authority," an essay that presents the scriptural basis for the Universal House of Justice’s functioning infallibly without the presence of a Guardian.

Reported on the formation of regional committees as arms of the National Teaching Committee; the National Assembly’s plans to establish Training Institutes as requested the Universal House of Justice in its Ridván messages; the honors bestowed by the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies on the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l-Bahá Ruhiyyih Khánum; and the publication by the U.S. Bahá’í Publishing Trust of Messages from the Universal House of Justice: 1963-86. Reported on large-scale conferences held in the U.S. and elsewhere including: the 87th Bahá’í National Convention; the "Wings of the Eagle" gender equality conference in Louisville, Kentucky; the 1996 Black Men’s Gathering at the Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute in South Carolina and the Institute’s 12th annual Peace Fest; the Native American Bahá’í Institute’s second annual pow-wow in Arizona; the 20th annual Conference of the Association for Bahá’í Studies; the first Bahá’í Development Seminar for the U.S. and the fourth Bahá’í Conference for the Americas, both held in Orlando, Florida.

Reported on many other significant events including the ratification by the U.S. Senate of another resolution condemning the persecution of Bahá’ís in Iran; the National Spiritual Assembly’s representation at the first major address by the new UN Secretary-General in Washington, D.C.; the National Assembly’s advocacy of a letter to President Clinton and the Congress urging closer U.S. support for the United Nations; the National Spiritual Assembly’s support for the National "Stand for the Children" Day in Washington, D.C.; the observance by Bahá’í communities across the U.S. of Race Unity Day in June and Martin Luther King Jr. Week in January; the inaugural summer residential session of the Wilmette Institute; the National Spiritual Assembly’s plan to build a nationwide automated infrastructure to support entry by troops; completion of the $1.5 million endowment of the Bahá’í Chair for World Peace at the University of Maryland; and the completion of a 10-nation European tour by the Voices of Bahá Choir.

Initiated regular pages for Bahá’í youth, the permanent Bahá’í schools, and an activities page generated by the editors of Brilliant Star magazine; presented an overview of Bahá’í membership in the U.S. from 1894-1996 compiled by the Research Office, and published the text of the Bahá’í International Community’s address to an international public relations seminar in Prague, Czech Republic.

World Order

Published the Spring 1996 issue on population and development, the wonder of life on earth, and the early Bahá’í history of England and Germany; the Summer 1996 issue on interdependence, cooperation, and the emergence of global institutions, international relations, post-Cold War collective sanctions, and an editorial on church burnings in the South; the Fall 1996 issue on the new family and the martyrs of Manshad together with a concurrent resolution on the persecution of Iranian Bahá’ís; and the Winter 1996-97 issue on the journey out of the racial divide and a 19th-century Kansas Bahá’í, with a review of two poetry anthologies suggesting that poetry can cure hatred.

Began preparing the Spring 1997 issue on moral development, a study of the story of Joseph, and the Bahá’í perspective on freedom of religion. The article on moral development is the result of a non-Bahá’í professor’s having been given an issue of World Order at a meeting of the Coalition for a Strong United Nations. He subscribed to the magazine because of its explicit moral focus. An article on global transformation with a section on moral development prompted him to write the article, which he felt would not be accepted in professional journals in international relations and political science, which frequently have an amoral bias.

Began assembling articles for issues on the 100th anniversary of Shoghi Effendi’s birth, prayer and spirituality, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, and the Bahá’í International Community’s representation at the United Nations.

Subscriber Services

Furnished Bahá’í periodicals to 3,220 subscribers, an increase of 58 subscribers over last year.

Undertook promotional efforts for World Order and The Bahá’í Newsreel, resulting in an increase in subscriptions for those periodicals.

Provided subscription information at two annual conferences, the Green Lake Bahá’í Conference in Wisconsin and the 1996 Conference on Social and Economic Development in Florida

Goal

To publish A Short Encyclopedia of the Bahá’í Faith, a comprehensive, authoritative and easy-to-use reference work on the Faith for Bahá’ís, the media, students, scholars, diplomats and others.

Activities

Completed establishment of an office at the Bahá’í National Center in Wilmette with a full-time editorial coordinator and a full-time administrative assistant and held one Editorial Board meeting, several editorial team meetings, and consulted frequently by email.

Consulted on guidelines gleaned from five letters from the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States regarding the Encyclopedia, and adopted a revised cover sheet, incorporating those guidelines, to be used by the Editorial Board in reassessing all articles.

Reorganized the vast store of material in various stages of completion that will become the basis of an encyclopedic work, and consolidated files previously held in the United Kingdom and Canada.

Began reassessing articles at the rate of about 25,000 words per month with the goal of bringing a spectrum of articles to editorial conclusion.

Updated contributors’ addresses, incorporating them into an expanded database; sent about 750 letters to contributors; and thoroughly reorganized and expanded an article/author database to facilitate mass mailings, provide an overview of the contents of the encyclopedia according to various categories, and give a clear indication of the progress made on each article.

Disseminated information about the reactivation of the project by publishing an article in the April 9, 1996, issue of The American Bahá’í, by distributing a [Page 30]...reprint of the article at a booth at the National Bahá’í Convention, and by making presentations on the encyclopedia project to visitors to the Bahá’í National Center.

National Bahá’í Archives

Goal

To acquire, arrange, store and preserve National Bahá’í Archives collections including sacred writings and relics, letters written by or on behalf of Shoghi Effendi, National Spiritual Assembly records and other archival collections; to provide references and services to the National Spiritual Assembly and its agencies, other Bahá’í institutions, local communities and individual researchers; and to maintain and develop the National Bahá’í Library and improve access to its holdings by Bahá’í National Center offices and scholars.

Activities

Acquired 12 original letters written on behalf of the Guardian; received a total of 208 accessions including 130 boxes of Bahá’í National Center records, 11 new collections of personal papers and 14 additions to existing collections; made f41 inquiries concerning the potential acquisition of archival materials; processed 100 boxes of Bahá’í National Center records, 344 historical photographs, and created Bahá’í clothing, jewelry and filmstrip collections.

Arranged and opened for research 15 collections of personal papers and added material to five existing collections including papers of Ella Quant, Valerie Wilson, Curtis & Harriet Kelsey, Magdalene Carney, Juanita Storch, Frederick & Beth Laws, Jesse & Berdette Matteson and Allen McDaniel.

Preserved archival materials by microfilming computer printouts of National Teaching Committee Locality Membership Statistics, 1982-1991; photocopying on acid-free paper 1,300 pages of newspaper clippings; having a professional paper conservator unbind four volumes of documents from the Ahmad Sohrab Papers; sending a seven-roll set of microfilms of The American Bahá’í, 1970-1993, for deposit at the Library of Congress; binding two Association for Bahá’í Studies Journal volumes and two World Order magazine volumes; and preparing computer indices for 277 manuscript collections with total entries now at 25,547.

Answered 346 research requests (117 from the National Assembly and its agencies, 28 from other Bahá’í institutions and 201 from individuals), 95 percent of which were answered within 10 business days, providing 7,223 photocopies of documents and 224 copies of photographs.

Provided requested information about archives to the Canadian National Bahá’í Archives and sent information on local records and archives to 15 local communities in 13 states.

Welcomed 16 researchers and Bahá’í National Center staff from eight offices to the Archives reading room. Among the topics researched were Robert Hayden, Edna True, Roy Wilhelm, Horace Holley, Martha Root, Louis Gregory and Bahá’í refugees.

Conducted tours of the Archives for a total of 532 persons including an archives open house and relics display for the 1996 National Convention. Prepared a special display for the 1997 National Convention of the Tablet of Ahmad and the Tablets of the Divine Plan.

Supplied 19 local communities with a set of biographical sketches of noteworthy African-American, Asian, Hispanic and Native American Bahá’ís for use in proclamation and teaching activities.

Increased the National Bahá’í Library collections by 6,922 items to a total of 65,720 items.

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

Used computer-generated Braille technology to create materials; advertised the Faith in numerous world-wide publications for the blind; and maintained a lending library of materials for the blind.

Replaced old recording equipment with all new recorders at a cost of about $1,600. Recording for the blind requires specialized machinery capable of running at half speed and recording on each of the four tracks separately. This allows a standard cassette to hold the equivalent of four cassettes on one tape and for making tone indexes on the tapes that indicate page and chapter beginnings so that "readers" can find various points on tapes relatively quickly.

Served between 100-125 registered clients, 30 of whom regularly receive The American Bahá’í on tape. Provided information about the Faith in Braille and on cassette tape, free-of-charge, to seekers world-wide. Many requests came from overseas, especially from India and Africa.

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 work of the National Assembly.

Activities

Placed approximately 80 new employees in positions at the National Center including about 30 youth, 11 of whom served on the summer House of Worship conservation project providing invaluable assistance to the small regular staff of four.

Hired new consultants to advise the National Spiritual Assembly on its medical plan and to act as a liaison between the Bahá’í National Center and its health-care administrators. The consultants fine-tuned the benefits program, reducing numerous fees paid to providers, which resulted in a savings to the Fund of more than $100,000.

Offered several staff development activities, presented by professionals in various fields, at no cost to the National Fund.

Localized selected recruitment efforts by concentrating advertising in and around locations where positions needed staffing, thereby hiring local personnel and avoiding large relocation costs.

Attracted a number of staff who have retired from their careers and now serve the National Center at a minimal cost to the Fund; one such couple comes from Gary, Indiana, twice a week, traveling three hours per day round trip, to serve "wherever we are needed."

Management Information Services

Goal

To provide services in office automation, network services, document management and administrative systems to support the operation of Bahá’í National Center departments and agencies; to assist in the improved productivity of offices and individuals through computers and information technologies; and to assist in the decentralization of administrative activities from the national to the local level by developing information systems and a communication infrastructure that will serve the process of entry by troops by electronically connecting local Spiritual Assemblies to each other, to the National Spiritual Assembly and to the Institution of the Learned.

Activities

Processed 24,549 address changes, 1,205 name changes, 594 administrative corrections, 529 transfers into and 576 transfers out of the American Bahá’í community, verified and processed 1,329 local Spiritual Assembly formations, and recorded 504 deaths.

Sent out 826,640 pieces of mail through Mail Services; use of ZIP+4 and bar-coding resulted in a savings of $57,831 to the National Fund.

Installed a new telephone system and a campus upgraded the National Center computer network fiber optic computer network at Bosch Bahá’í School; with the latest computer communication technology, permitting faster, more reliable combinations between the desktop workstations and the file servers; completed storing all individual member files and began working on local spiritual assembly files, using laser disk and imaging technology that allows on-line access to files already on the system.

Assisted the National Spiritual Assembly in appointing a Web Task Force to determine the feasibility of establishing a Web site. The task force's findings recommended that two sites be established—a public site and another geared toward Bahá’ís only—and further specified strategies for content development and deployment of these sites.

Completed the conversion of the Bahá’í National Center's financial systems from mini-computer-based software to network software; migrated five years of related data to the new system; wrote software for processing all contributions; and re-wrote the software system used for processing automatic contributions.

Enhanced membership and agency systems, adding historical tracking of key information, tools to track members of households as a unit, locality population statistics and many integrated custom programs. New system automation includes a non-member system capable of tracking Bahá’í entities (i.e. Bahá’í-owned companies), Bahá’ís residing outside of the United States, and non-Bahá’ís.

Initiated a pilot project to proceed with decentralization in incremental steps, empowering local Spiritual Assemblies to assume a more consequential role in the administration of the Faith through decentralizing functions now centralized at the Bahá’í National Center and, with the aid of automation, to develop the Assemblies' abilities to regulate the affairs of their local communities. The first step, involving five local Spiritual Assemblies in the Western Region, identified the information needs of the local communities and the Assembly functions that should be automated, and determined the best means to link the pilot Assemblies electronically. As a result, five major functional areas were determined: communication, contributions, document management, membership, and teaching and proclamation. Each of the five local Spiritual Assemblies chose one of the areas to work on to define the detail requirements and design for that module. The project was divided into three phases, the first of which includes the communication and membership modules planned for implementation by the end of summer 1997, if resources permit.

Meeting Planning and Travel Services

Goal

To provide the National Spiritual Assembly and its committees and agencies with meeting and travel planning services to insure cost effective quality.

Activities

Provided full support regularly (air and land transportation, hotel accommodations and meals) for meetings of the National Spiritual Assembly and National Teaching Committee; the National Committee for the Advancement for Women; the National Youth Committee; the Publishing Trust Editorial Boards; Pioneering Institutes; all regional committees; the Latin, Chinese, Education, Native American and Web Task Forces; Brilliant Star staff; the Treasurer's Office Special Visitors; the school administrators; the World Order Editorial Board; the LSA automation groups, and the encyclopedia project.

Arranged site contracts for the 87th Bahá’í National Convention, the annual Persian Arts festival and the National Youth Conference.

Achieved total net sales for last year of $296,719.14—representing a savings of $1,421,156.26 over regularly charged fares—issuing tickets at an average cost of $272.13 each with an average lead time of 25 days. Travel expenses handled through this office have remained constant over the last three years despite an increased volume of travel.

Public Safety Office

Goal

To provide for the safety and security of staff, visitors 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

Used alarm and video monitoring equipment to observe activities at all National Center properties, 24 hours daily. In addition to regular patrol duties, officers are dispatched to investigate all unusual occurrences, alarms and suspicious situations.

Hired one shift supervisor and three officers to fill vacancies and promoted one officer to shift supervisor.

Conducted in-service training for all officers to inform and update them on current procedures, policies and objectives.

Took part in the "Vision 2000: Security Issues for the Future" seminar conducted by the American Society for Industrial Security.

Updated security alarm systems and video monitoring equipment at the House of Worship, the National Center offices and the Publishing Trust, performing maintenance and repair on security equipment to preserve those systems for as long as possible. [Page 31]

Nine embrace cause in Andaman-Nicobar campaign

At the request of the Island Teaching Committee of Little Andaman, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, three members of the local Spiritual Assembly of Port Blair traveled with two other friends to the island last January to help with a teaching and deepening campaign held in cooperation with the Fozdar Permanent Teaching Institute. The guests, accompanied by Auxiliary Board member Ch. Kumar Naveen, paid a courtesy call on the Chief Head of Little Andaman Island and met with other dignitaries as well. With teams of local Bahá’ís, the visitors went to Telugu, Bengali and Hindi-speaking areas, visited women in the Hut Bay area, conducted a three-day deepening course and moral education classes, and took part in consolidation work. T. Jaya Raju conducted classes in the Telugu-speaking areas, met with about 10 Bahá’ís in Hathidera and with five families in Kechednallah. As a result of these contacts, nine people embraced the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

The State Bahá’í Council of Orissa, India, was invited to take part last January 30-February 4 in a book fair inaugurated by Justice Chattarjee, a senior judge of the Orissa High Court, and Mrs. Malabika Ray, an actress and writer. More than 4,000 people visited the Bahá’í booth, 90 of whom declared their belief in Bahá’u’lláh.

Eighty-seven Bahá’ís took part last February 14-16 in a Spiritual Axis conference in Sydney, Australia. Among those attending were four members of the Continental Board of Counselors, four Knights of Bahá’u’lláh, and representatives of the National Spiritual Assemblies of Australia, Hawaii, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. Among the particular lines of action under consultation at the conference, according to a report, were "Bahá’í education of children, external affairs, enhancing the process of entry by troops, establishing an audio-visual unit based in Australia, Bahá’í studies, institutes, the advancement of women, the Ocean of Light campaign, continued publication of Herald of the South, and further Pacific Rim forums."

The program included a Bahá’í community meeting attended by some 500 people that featured the artistry of indigenous people of the Pacific, the Australian Aboriginal Dancers, and a Japanese musician playing the Koto.

A joint meeting of representatives of four National Spiritual Assemblies was held last November in Asunción, Paraguay. The goal was to coordinate efforts to achieve the goals of the Four Year Plan.

About 400 people from all areas of Brazil gathered last January 16-19 at the Soltanieh Education Center for the "Triumph Conference," geared toward training in aspects of service to the Faith. Also attending were youth from Argentina, Australia, Bolivia and Peru. Workshops and discussions were held on years of service, life after death, racism, future professions, the family, training institutes, the Four Year Plan, teaching in schools, moral development, audio-visual production, the use of theatre and dance as teaching tools, and other topics. At the end of the conference, 62 young people offered periods of service to the Faith.

3rd Annual Unity NABI POW-WOW & Native Baha’i Youth Conference

• • • • BAHA’I WORKSHOPS & TEACHING TEPEE ****

Thursday July 31 - Sunday August 3, 1997 Host Northern Drum: Eagle Butte Host Southern Drum: IVA Singers Master of Ceremonies: Jon Francisco (Navajo) / Mike Lindsey (Cherokee) Head Female Dancer: Wabinook Blackard (Potawatomi) Head Male Dancer: Carlos Peynetsa (Zuni/Ysleta) Special Proclamations: Tribal Dances; Orona’ Family (Apache/Yaqui) Special Invitations: Tribal Presenters; Continental Counselors INVITED PRESENTERS: Counselor Left-hand Bull; Patricia Locke; Kevin Locke; and others 4 Day Youth Conference $50; Pow-wow Only: Adults $3.00, Youth $2.00; Children $1.00

• • • • July 31 August 1....

Native American & Friends Baha’i Youth Conference (Baha’i Youth & Friends workshops, sweat lodge, etc.)

• • • • August 2nd: ****

5K Indian Trail Run: 7:00 AM Adult Workshops & Children's Activities: 9 AM - 12 PM Workshops: #1 Spiritual Education; # 2 Children as Peacemakers POW-WOW: First Session 1-5 PM / Second Session 7 - 12 PM

• • • • August 3rd ****

Adult Workshops & Children's Activities continue: 9 AM - 12 PM "They must endeavor to consort in a friendly spirit with everyone, must follow moderation in their conduct, must have respect and consideration one for another... Baha’u’llah. -ALL ARE WELCOME- 40 acre campus; hogans; outdoor facilities; camping; showers; picnic areas Native American Baha’i Institute (NABI); (520)587-7599; 830 Burntwater Rd.; Houck, AZ 86506 (30 mi. west of Gallup on I-40; To Big Arrow or Houck Exit; Frontage Rd. to Pine Springs Rd. to NABI)

The Bahá’í community of Berlin, Germany, has been given 13 one-hour spots in which to broadcast programs about the Faith on the Open Channel, a privately-run television station in that city. The programs, which began last January, are telecast every second Sunday afternoon. The first half is devoted to a specific topic, such as the equality of women and men or the prosperity of humankind, while the second half is open for viewers to telephone and ask questions about the Faith. Once each month the program is in German, and once each month it is in Turkish.

An historic all-Ireland teaching conference was held last February 22-23 in Derrygonnelly, Northern Ireland. The gathering, attended by more than 250 of the friends from all parts of the island, was the first of its kind since the establishment in 1972 of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Republic of Ireland. Among those attending were Counselor Hooshidar Balazadeh, three Auxiliary Board members, members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Republic of Ireland, and members of the Northern Ireland Teaching and Administrative Committee. A loving message to the conference was received from the National Spiritual Assembly of the United Kingdom.

The Bahá’í-owned and operated School of the Nations in Macau has won first prize for innovative secondary curriculum in a contest sponsored by the Macau educational department. The same program won third prize in a contest organized by International Schools Services for community service efforts at international schools around the world. The award received excellent publicity in six newspapers, on radio and television. The School of the Nations, established in 1988, is owned and directed by the Badi Foundation and seeks to provide an education inspired by Bahá’í principles and concepts to children from kindergarten to year 12.

The Bahá’ís of Didibuna, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) west of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, opened their Bahá’í Center last November with about 375 people attending the ceremony. "While youth string bands played through the night until dawn," says a report of the occasion, "so did the visitors continue their inquiries into the Faith, resulting in one declaration of belief in Bahá’u’lláh and an invitation for the Bahá’ís to visit and teach in a neighboring village."

The National Bahá’í Institute’s new permanent facility in Sartichala, near Tbilisi, Georgia, held its first course last January 28-February 2. Sixteen friends from six towns and villages attended the program, which was aimed at deepening new believers.

The January 22 issue of The Borneo Post carried an article about the commemoration of World Religion Day organized by the Bahá’í community of Sabah, Malaysia. "This event is currently being observed by over 80 countries throughout the world," the article said, "and this has been carried out for more than 40 years."

Forty-seven Auxiliary Board members from 15 countries attended a conference February 14-17 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Of these, 21 were from French-speaking countries, 20 from English-speaking and six from Portuguese-speaking countries of West Africa. [Page 32]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

OPPORTUNITIES to serve at the Bahá’í National Center. Conservation coordinator, Bahá’í House of Worship. Manages staff and projects, conducts inspections and training, prepares design and construction documents, oversees construction, assures complete record-keeping, coordinates with maintenance, custodial, grounds and activities departments so that all work performed on the building, its furnishings and site fosters the preservation of the Temple. Must have at least 10 years of responsible experience in building design and construction including at least six years supervising projects and staff. Must have outstanding communication skills and superbly developed powers of observation, especially with regard to architectural finishes and details. Must be well-organized, thorough and patient, cooperative, consultative and flexible. Preference for and ability to operate in teams. Prior preservation experience desirable. Programmerlanalyst, Management Information Services. Primary emphasis on maintenance of information systems presently in producting and fulfillment of customer service requests. Must have previous experience with GUI software packages in a Windows environment. Programming experience is necessary, as is the ability to work with minimal supervision and carry out specific goals in a timely manner. Should have 2-4 years programming experience, knowledge of and experience with using and programming a relational database such as Oracle, Ingres, Sybase, Microsoft SQL or SBT software. Should have some knowledge of networks, the Internet and WEB products. Program coordinator, Office of the Treasurer's Development Department. Must be well-grounded in the fundamental verities of the Faith, have exceptional written and oral communication skills, ability to coordinate many tasks simultaneously. Prefer a minimum of B.S. in human services-related field with experience in program design and management. Administrative assistant, Office of the Treasurer. Coordinates the administrative affairs of the office to include relieving department heads of routine administrative functions. Helps coordinate projects assigned to the office by the National Spiritual Assembly. Exercises leadership in streamlining the administrative work of the office. Must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Advanced knowledge of office technology and computer software such as WordPerfect 5.1, Microsoft Word, Excel, Windows and presentation software. Mainframe computer knowledge helpful. Benefits and recruiting administrator, Department of Human Resources. Primary responsibilities include hands-on administration of the benefits program, serving as contact on benefits issues, handling communications including FMLA, COBRA, STD, LTD, and coordinating employee presentations. Also responsible for recruiting for the National Center and Bahá’í schools in the U.S. The ideal candidate would be a computer-literate college graduate with at least two years proven background in all phases of human resources. This is a highly visible position and requires someone with service-oriented focus and superior interpersonal and intuitive skills. Project manager, conservation, Bahá’í House of Worship. Manages major repair, improvement and development projects. Must have at least eight years of responsible experience in project management and have a proven record as an effective administrator. Must have the personal qualities necessary to interact with members of the project team. Professional training and previous positions in project management with private developers or corporations is desirable. Concrete laborer, Bahá’í House of Worship. To help concrete/stone conservator in the ongoing conservation of the Temple's interior and exterior and its surroundings. Must have experience as a laborer/ helper in the construction industry. Experience in masonry preferred. Prior experience in conservation, preservation heritage restoration an asset. Must have valid driver's license, ability to communicate in English; should be organized and methodical, cooperative and flexible, able to interact with the public in a pleasant, friendly manner. Youth services assistant, National Youth Committee. Must be a strong communicator who is PC-literate. Secretarial skills a plus. At least two years of college preferred. Program coordinator, Office of Persian/ American Affairs. Must have good written and oral communication skills, a firm understanding of Bahá’í teachings, laws and principles as practiced in Iran and the U.S. Must be familiar with Iranian culture and able to type in English and Persian. Should be creative in program development, able to translate program-related documents and letters into and from Persian. Prepares and produces publications including the Persian pages in The American Bahá’í. For information, please contact Christine Stanwood, Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, Illinois 60201-1611, or phone 847-733-3429.

EXCITING opportunities in China. Numerous openings for teachers of English or English as a second language. China Europe International Business School is recruiting students for MBA and EMBA programs, taught entirely in English. For more information contact Ms. Gwili Posey, 847-733-3512 (fax 847-733-3509, e-mail

OPERATIONS supervisor, Bahá’í Distribution Service, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Supervises day-to-day operations of the BDS in concert with goals and policies established through consultation with the management. Ensures timely and economical fulfillment of literature and related materials. Should have business management skills in personnel recruitment and development as well as business operation skills including preparing and monitoring budgets, accounts receivable/payable, operations supervision. Must have excellent written and oral communication skills, ability to lift 70-pound boxes. Bachelor's degree (minimum) preferred. For information or an application, please contact Christine Stanwood, Department of Human Resources, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611, or phone 847-733-3429.

TECHNICAL services manager, Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute. Responsible for ensuring the continuity of technical and computer services for the Institute and WLGI Radio by providing planning and technical leadership, FCC, FAA and OSHA compliance, and project coordination to assure delivery of a quality on-air signal and technical services. Should have experience in Bahá’í teaching and administration, a bachelor's degree in broadcast engineering, related field or its equvalent, certification by the Society of Broadcast Engineers, experience as a broadcast engineer, and strong interpersonal skills. For information or an application, phone Christine Stanwood, 847-733-3429.

CUSTOMER service representative is needed at the Bahá’í Distribution Service in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to facilitate the distribution of Bahá’í literature and other products; respond to requests for information about accounts, publications and other materials; investigate and resolve customer queries and complaints; provide feedback to management, marketing and the Bahá’í Publishing Trust on trends and concerns in the community, and provide guidance to customers on the use and content of all distributed materials. Should be able to represent the National Spiritual Assembly in a consistent and dignified manner. Must have knowledge of the authoritative texts, literature and international plans for expansion and consolidation; a desire to promote the distribution and use of Bahá’í literature, and at least one year's experience in customer service, taking orders, resolving complaints and servicing accounts. For information or an application, contact Christine Stanwood, 847-733-3429.

ADMINISTRATIVE coordinator, Bosch Bahá’í School. Knowledge of computer programs, specifically Word, My List, Meeting Pro, Publisher, PageMaker, Quicken, CCMail and Pro-Cite desired. Communication skills including the ability to generate written correspondence, accounting and bookkeeping experience, typing skills and knowledge of most office business machines required. Some college required, bachelor's degree preferred. Candidates should be knowledgeable about the spiritual, administrative and historical precepts of the Faith. Experience on a local Assembly or other administrative committees is highly desirable. Please send resumés to Mark Bedford, Bosch Bahá’í School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060-9615, phone 408-423-3387, or fax 408-423-7564.

MOTTAHEDEH Development Services, a social and economic development agency of the National Spiritual Assembly, is seeking a qualified administrative assistant for its Atlanta office. The position is available September 1. For details, contact the office at 404-843-1995, or e-mail

PIONEERING (OVERSEAS)

EMPLOYMENT opportunities overseas. Although the Office of Pioneering tries to help by providing information on employment opportunities that come to its attention, it does not have the resources for actual job placement.

AFRICA: Angola-accountant/bookkeeper to manage accounting associated with IMC's health programs. Burundi-field coordinator to develop and oversee the implementation of community health and surgical intervention programs. Cote d'Ivoire small business program officer. Ethiopia-self-supporting volunteer to help the National Assembly secretary and to train a replacement. South Africa -chair in international business. Tanzania-teachers. Zambia-teachers, agribusiness specialist. AMERICAS: Belize caretakers for Belmopan Bahá’í Center, receptionist for National Secretariat. Brazil-teachers. Colombia-English language instructors. Costa Rica-resource economist needed by the School for Field Studies to become a full-time resident faculty member at its Center for Sustainable Development. Honduras-teachers. Mexico-social scientist for the Center of Wetlands Studies in Baja; faculty members with advanced degree, teaching experience and experience in fisheries ecology. ASIA: India-volunteers and teachers to teach moral education at a Montessori school. Japan-Ph.D. fellowship at the UN University Institute of Advanced Studies. Mongolia-English teachers, energy policy adviser for international development consulting firm. Kyrgyzstan-director of finance for FINCA. Taiwan-teachers to teach English to first- through sixth-graders. Tajikistan-health program manager needed to provide leadership for community-based health program. Thailand-preschool teacher. Macau teachers. Sakhalin-teachers. AUSTRALASIA: Western Caroline Islands-self-supporting assistant to the National Assembly secretary. New Zealand-lecturer in economics. EUROPE: Bosnia-occupational therapist. Denmark-chair in international business studies. Germany-research scientists for Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research; full visiting professorships in international management. Romania-program officer to administer and develop academic, policy and professional training programs. Spain-native English-speaking male as part-time teacher in language school. MULTI-REGIONAL: economist to conduct research program for the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center in Latin America. Project managers and consultants in Africa and Asia. The Washington D.C. office of Pacific Architects and Engineers Inc. (PAE) is seeking to fill the following positions in Russia, Moldova, Kyrgystan, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Armenia: carpenters, custodians, master electricians, elevator technician/electricians, HVAC master technicians, auto mechanics, diesel mechanics, master plumbers, refrigerator/appliance technicians. There are also positions in Germany, Korea, Japan, Italy and Liberia. International training administrator needed by international development firm. Belize-urgent need for caretakers for the Bahá’í Center in Belmopan; the Office of the Secretariat needs a self-supporting person to man the visitors' center and maybe serve as caretaker. Honduras-needs elementary and secondary school teachers. Lithuania-Kaunas Medical Academy accepts foreign students and has programs in therapy, dentistry and surgery in English. Kaunas University of Technology has engineering and business administration in English. Macau-the School of Nations needs qualified kindergarten, primary and secondary teachers. Portugal-needs pioneers, Spanish and English understood. Solomon Islands-self-supporting couple to serve as custodians of the Bahá’í Center in Honiara. Volunteer to train National Center office staff. Switzerland-the Bahá’í International Community in Geneva is seeking an office manager. The Peace Corps is recruiting for South Africa: agriculturalists, educators, health professionals, skilled trades professionals, environmental workers, businesspeople, math, science & engineering majors; associate Peace Corps directors for Africa and other regions. For application information, phone 800-424-8580 or write to Peace Corps, Washington, DC 20526. For more information about any of these positions, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Bahá’í National Center, Wilmette IL 60091 (phone 847-733-3512; fax 847-733-3509; e-mail

PIONEERING (HOMEFRONT)

DO YOU SPEAK fluent Spanish? Are you looking for a rural environment in which to raise your children? Would you like to help an Assembly reach its teaching goals? If so, the Spiritual Assembly of Hall County, 45 minutes northeast of Atlanta, Georgia, would like to hear from you. Hall County (pop. 13,000; county seat, Gainesville) is an attractive [Page 33]

ADS

retirement and recreational area (boating, fishing, hiking) near Lake Lanier and the lovely north Georgia mountains. There are two colleges (one state, one private) in Gainesville with the University of Georgia and North Georgia College each about an hour away. Jobs are available in a variety of areas including manufacturing, retail sales, government and medicine (pharmacists, physicians, nurses, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, lab technicians, etc.) with two hospitals in Gainesville. Bahá’ís who are familiar with the language and culture of Mexico are especially needed, as Gainesville has a large Mexican population. The Bahá’í community is small, diverse and dedicated. If interested, please contact the Spiritual Assembly of Hall County, c/o Vida Monajem, secretary, Gainesville, GA 30506 (phone 770-535-1177; fax 770-534-2121).

THE BAHÁ’Í Group of Big Rapids, Michigan, is looking for homefront pioneers to help form an Assembly. Also looking for mature youth to help establish a Bahá’í college club at Ferris State University, a nationally ranked school that offers more than 100 academic programs in such fields as education, business, arts and sciences, health sciences, optometry, pharmacy and technology. Ferris is centered in Big Rapids, a small town blessed with scenic parks, golf courses, a nature bike trail and lovely colors during spring and autumn. Big Rapids is a four-hour drive from the Bahá’í House of Worship, two and one-half hours from Louhelen, three hours from Detroit and close to Grand Rapids and Mt. Pleasant. For more information about Big Rapids or Ferris State University, please phone Vivian at 616-796-4992 or Rick at 616-796-1120.

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: Olivia H. Blackwell, Elsa Blakely, B.A. Blank, Eunice C. Bliss, Arthur W. Block, Joyce Block, Ralph W. Blohm, Mercedes Blue Mountain, Pacora Blue Mountain and Ruby Easter Blute. Anyone knowing family members or relatives who may 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 available several free information sheets on local archives and records. Any local Bahá’í community that would like to have a set is asked to send a request with mailing address to the National Bahá’í Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611, or to phone 847-869-9039.

WANTED

PROFESSIONAL illustrator is looking for a professional writer interested in teaming up to create lovely and inspiring books for children. Bahá’í themes and virtues a must. Ideal situation would be work that emanates from the heart of the Bahá’í teachings and is accessible to everyone. Please send correspondence to Aaron Kreader, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, phone 412-363-1774, or e-mail

MUSICIANS and composers wanted to create music with themes celebrating Ridván. Enter a competition with a $50 prize in each category: English lyric, Persian lyric, lyrics in other languages, and instrumental, by composing and presenting music related to Ridván on cassette, CD, sheet music, 8mm or VHS video (NTSC). Historical accuracy is important, poetic imagery encouraged, various styles sought. Send music (with title, length, name(s) of composer(s)/ performer(s), translation of lyrics if other than English, address of contact person, and permission to use in Ridván programs) by November 19 to Anne and Tim Perry, Arts Afire, Dallas, TX 75243 (fax 972-680-9128; e-mail). Please write for ideas for themes and listing of known music about Ridván.

WANTED: to know if any former (or present) Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Zoroastrians or others had a near-death experience in which they saw a "light" at the end of a tunnel as being the Manifestation of God for the religion to which they belonged at the time, or as representing a Power other than a particular Manifestation of God. This is for a book I am writing; I already have accounts from two who were Bahá’ís and saw the light as Bahá’u’lláh. Christians have seen the light as Christ. Other experiences from Christians or Bahá’ís would be welcome. Your story will of course be treated in a dignified way, and I will submit the narrative to you in advance for your approval. Contact James K. Walker, C.P. 9881, 70.001-970 Brasília DF, Brazil, South America. Fax-phone 55 16 500-0903; cellular, 55 16 981-3739.

WANTED: out-of-print book, Bahá’í World Faith: Selected Writings of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, published by the U.S. Bahá’í Publishing Trust. Any printing would be fine, but I would prefer 1971 (fifth printing of the 1956 edition). I am a new believer who borrowed a copy of the book, as a seeker, from friends; I would love to have my own copy for sentimental reasons. Will pay for the cost of the book and shipping. Please contact Elizabeth Schaffer, DeKalb, IL 60115, or phone 815-758-1103.

YOUTH

THE ENTHUSIASTIC services of Bahá’í youth are needed all over the U.S. and the world. The wide gamut of opportunity encompasses such activities as reaching the masses with the message of Bahá’u’lláh, deepening new believers, conducting classes for children and youth 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, supporting the growing number of training institutes throughout the world, mobilizing the youth of a region or even a country, teaching fellow students and teachers, and many others. In the document "Countries and Territories in Need of Pioneers and Traveling Teachers" recently updated by the Bahá’í World Center, 79 countries listed specific needs and opportunities for young pioneers including many university study options. National Spiritual Assemblies and other institutions continually write to our national community to advise of the following needs, which serve as further examples of their diversity. Due to space limitations, the following opportunities are summarized only from letters received from Bahá’í institutions overseas and not from the above-mentioned document compiled at the Bahá’í World Center.

AFRICA—Cameroon (French) Youth Service organizer to help mobilize youth and further organize youth service program. Ethiopia (Amharic, Italian, Arabic and English) Youth with office experience to assist the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly of Ethiopia with the administrative work of the National Office. The Gambia (English) Assist with the urban pre-school, the Rural Education Center or with national office administrative assistance, possibly involving the production of educational materials. 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. Zimbabwe (English) Help develop the permanent deepening institute and teach the Faith in secondary schools.

AMERICAS—Alaska (English and indigenous languages) Nome youth service project, Norton Sound Project as well as assisting the efforts of the many Bahá’í youth in Anchorage. Also check out the Alcan youth institute's programs this summer. Bolivia (Spanish) Variety of opportunities from the long-term ongoing Faizi teaching project in Santa Cruz to work with Radio Bahá’í or social and economic development projects in the cool highlands. Brazil (Portuguese) 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 and help with community development in the favelas that surround Brasilia. Canada (English) The Maxwell International Bahá’í School needs volunteers in administrative services, finance and personnel services, student services, academic services and facilities services. Colombia (Spanish) Seven-week "year of service deepening course" offering ideal preparation for Latin American service posts, offered twice per year at Ruhi Institute. Also, need youth with performing arts abilities. Costa Rica (Spanish) Spanish-speaking Bahá’í, willing to live on a small rural island with limited material resources, to take charge of Bahá’í kindergarten to allow present teacher to continue studies. Ecuador (Spanish) Guayaquil project, designed to function around planned Bahá’í activities in rural communities with full logistical and training support of the national and regional teaching committees. El Salvador (Spanish) Variety of needs for volunteers at the Jamáliyyíh Bahá’í Institute, New Garden Bahá’í Institute, Badasht Institute or Ridván School, or in supporting the local youth year of service efforts on other fronts. Guatemala (Spanish) Ruhiyyih teaching project in Peten, in the tropical rain forest and Mayan ruins area, needs youth to help with direct teaching, community development, children's classes, deepening and training believers. Haiti (French) Serve at the Anis Zunuzi school teaching English, oral French, and arts and crafts, among others. Honduras (Spanish) At Project Bayán 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. Jamaica (English) Serve for the summer or for a year assisting 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—India (English) New Era Development Institute, "an exciting place to work [that] offers a unique opportunity to learn about social and economic development in a Bahá’í context" needs one or two deepened Bahá’ís who enjoy working closely with others for between four months and a year, preferably arriving in June. Macau (Cantonese [Chinese], Mandarin [Chinese], English and Portuguese) Variety of ongoing opportunities at the increasingly-renowned School of the Nations, as well as other office administrative assistant post for qualified youth. 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," needs dedicated volunteers for periods of at least six months. Taiwan (Mandarin [Chinese], Taiwanese, Hakka and English) Service opportunities possible for youth with initiative. Other urgent needs in Asia. Contact the Office of Pioneering as soon as possible.

AUSTRALASIA—Australia (English) Youth Year of Service Project Directory, listing three major teaching and service projects operating in 21 areas of the country including the Australian House of Worship, available from the Office of Pioneering. Cook Islands (Cook Island Maori and English) Youth groups needed to help local youth reach a wider audience through drama, dance and music. Eastern Caroline Islands (Carolinian, English and Japanese) Youth teaching, development and consolidation work. Fiji (English) "Our youth are very interested in dance and drama workshops and are practising daily." Ongoing training courses, institutes and teaching projects. 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. Mariana Islands (Chamorro, Carolinian and English) Assist teachers, help teach classes such as "virtues," and work with students at the new, still small Marianas Bahá’í School on Guam. 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. Solomon Islands (Pidgin and English) Help local youth reach a wider audience through drama, dance and music. Tonga (Tongan and English) Youth to assist with development of existing youth workshop. Vanuatu (Bislama, French and English) Help local youth reach a wider audience through drama, dance and music.

EUROPE—Europewide: (1) Diversity Dance Theater traveling Year of Service project needs 14 youth from around the world to begin 9-month performing tour of Europe beginning in January 1998, followed by three months of individual performing arts teaching plans. Has application deadline. (2) European Bahá’í Youth Council's Year of Service Directory available from the Office of Pioneering. Baltic States (Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian and Russian) Community service including children's classes, youth activities, publication work, expansion consolidation projects. Possibility to pursue university studies in medicine or engineering, in English. Consider starting this summer with the Martha Root Project. Belarus (Belorussian and Russian) Youth to serve at the National Office, preferably with computer skills, to staff Bahá’í Centers and carry out teaching work, with option to study Russian simultaneously. Art and music especially effective in the teaching work. Denmark (Danish, English and German) National Office and Bahá’í Information Office need assistants to secretary of each. Help work on preparations for the UN decade on Human Rights, possibly contacting NGOs. France (French) Occasional needs for volunteers at the Office of Public Information of the Bahá’í International Community in Paris. Lithuania—Study engineering or medicine in English at Kaunas Medical Academy for an annual tuition equivalent to U.S. $3,000. Malta (Maltese, English and Italian) Urgent need for youth to join teaching project by fall 1997 aiming to establish the first National Spiritual Assembly of Malta as soon as possible in the Four Year Plan. Russia (Russian) Earn [Page 34]

Teen-age Bahá’í collects food to help Philadelphia's homeless

An encounter with a homeless man made an indelible impression on six-year-old Bahá’í Collin Darrell.

So much so that when Ayyam-i-Há rolled around he began collecting food for the Philadelphia Food Bank.

Eight years later, Collin is still at it. Helped by his younger brother, Alex, he collected more than 1,800 pounds of food this February from his Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, neighbors.

His modus operandi is to leave a paper bag and an explanatory note on the front steps of a home. A few days later he returns to pick up the goods.

The annual effort has caught the attention of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Reporter Ellen O'Brien interviewed Collin and his parents for a feature story in the new "Living Religion" section of the newspaper.

The article described the young skateboard enthusiast's project as "simply an expression of his need to help and part of the structure of his beliefs."

Those beliefs, said the article, include "a gentle sort of public-spiritedness that seeks to eliminate economic extremes in society."

Collin doesn't dwell on the spiritual aspect of his service, according to the article. But he is quite aware of the need he is filling.

"Just to know the average person eats a pound of food [a day], and that I've fed a couple thousand people over a few weekends," he told the reporter, his voice trailing off.

Welcome to the Bahá’í House of Worship

The staff at the Bahá’í House of Worship extend to you an invitation to take part in the Special Visit Program at the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár, to be held Thursday, July 24–Sunday, July 27.

Program highlights: Orientation; tours of the Bahá’í Home, Bahá’í Publishing Trust, Media Services, Archives and Bahá’í House of Worship; presentations on properties and restoration; audio-visual programs; historical films; visit to the Bahá’í National Center; opportunities for garden teaching and guiding; luncheon; option to read in daily devotions in the Auditorium; shopping at the Bahá’í bookstore; deepening sessions; group photo; structured classes with activities for children and youth; free time including access to Lake Shore park and beach.

Bahá’ís may bring friends and family who are not registered Bahá’ís with the understanding that some events may require supplementary explanations for these visitors.

Please direct inquiries to the Activities Office, 847-853-2326, or e-mail Bahá’í House of Worship

1997 Special Visit Program REGISTRATION FORM - Please return by: June 23, 1997 We wish to attend the Special Visit Program on: July 24-27

PARTICIPANTS: Number in your party. Telephone (hm./ wk/ other) List name(s) and Bahá’í I.D.#'s/Attach additional sheet as needed. Indicate Children/Youth and I.D. #'s (ages 4 and up may register). Children's and youth activities will be available. Infant care and toddler care will not be provided.

Address: City State Zip

Registration fee - $20.00 per person age 12 and older, $10.00 for each younger child. Please make checks payable to the Bahá’í Services Fund. A schedule of activities and check-in will be sent to you upon receipt of deposit. Canadian monies need to be sent by cashiers check in U.S. dollars.

HOTEL/TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION: The hotel listed below has been selected to provide a group rate for your stay. We can make your reservations based on this hotel selection. However, you will handle all financial arrangements with the hotel. For those who wish to select their own accommodations, we will send you a list of hotels. Bus transportation will be provided to and from Howard Johnson Hotel. Transportation to and from other hotels will be your responsibility throughout the weekend. All registrants will receive transportation information and an itinerary of program activities. Major meals and free time transportation will be your choice.

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

Skokie Howard Johnson Yes_ No_

• Hot Buffet Breakfast included
• 1 room, 1 to 4 persons - $77.00
• Airport shuttle service option

Send alternative hotel listing? Yes No

Return this form to: Bahá’í House of Worship, Special Visit Program, Wilmette, IL 60091

Three young Bahá’ís raise $6,900 to benefit Heart Association

When their school didn't repeat its fund drive for the American Heart Association (AHA) this year, two young Bahá’ís from Renton, Washington, fifth-grader Jeremy Lewis and his brother, third-grader Michael, decided to do some fund-raising of their own.

Beginning last October, Jeremy and Michael began going to their neighbors and asking for a $5 donation, saying they were raising money for the AHA. Most people gave, some after phoning the Association to make sure the plea from the young man at their door was legitimate.

It didn't take long for them—often working with their 15-year-old brother, David—to canvass their Renton neighborhood, then Kent, Bellevue and Issaquah.

Also, it didn't take long for them to realize they'd raise more money asking for a $10 contribution instead of $5.

When the fund drive ended April 30, the Lewis brothers turned in $6,900 to the AHA. Michael had collected $1,900, David $900 and Jeremy the rest.

Jeremy hopes it's enough to win second prize in the AHA's statewide fund-raising contest. First prize is a trip to Disneyland, but the brothers would rather have second prize, a computer, "because it lasts longer."

Last year, Jeremy and Michael together raised $1,400 for the Heart Association. Says their mother, "They like to help people."

Bahá’í painting mural in N. Mexico depicting Navajos who have excelled

Chester Kahn, a Bahá’í who is a well-known Navajo Indian artist, has spent the last two years painting a mural that depicts Navajos who have "excelled in their chosen fields, successfully walking in harmony in both the white man's world and the Navajo world."

The mural, which is about half complete, was commissioned by Ellis Tanner, a fourth-generation trader in Gallup, New Mexico, who was concerned by the fact that many of the younger Navajos weren't learning their language or traditional ways.

The mural, entitled "Circle of Light," adorns the upper walls of Mr. Tanner's trading post in Gallup. It presently includes 28 portraits of Navajo leaders.

Mr. Kahn is perhaps best known for the mural he completed at the Gallup Indian Center, which was destroyed when the Center was demolished in the mid-1980s. [Page 35]

EXCELLENCE IN ALL THINGS

COMPUTER-CONTROLLED Bahá’ís Daran Kravanh (left) and his wife, Darachan Ros, receive their Special Service Awards from Alan Corel, director of the City of Tacoma, Washington's Human Rights Department, during the city's Martin Luther King Day observance in January.

Mary Roya Presley poses with her award-winning science exhibit.

MARY ROYA PRESLEY, a 13-year-old Bahá’í from San Diego, California, won the Sweepstakes Award in physical sciences (the top honor in the junior division) in the San Diego Science and Engineering Fair for designing and building a computer-controlled robotic arm capable of moving a raw egg between two stands under computer control. She also won special prizes from the Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association (AFCEA), the Marine Technology Society, the Instrument Society of America and the Society of Women Engineers, as well as a first-place award in engineering.

DR. JOHN HOFERT, a Bahá’í from Council Bluffs, Iowa, was presented the 1997 Distinguished Teacher Award at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, where he has taught for 33 years. The award was given for "demonstrated excellence in instructional endeavor as recognized by students and faculty of the University of Nebraska College of Medicine."

JAMES C. HARRIS II, a 45-year-old Bahá’í from Richmond, Virginia, has been named Safety Professional of the Year for 1995-96 by the Colonial Virginia chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers. Mr. Harris, a member and past president of the chapter, is a loss control consultant for The Hartford Insurance Group in nearby Glen Allen.

SAHR MBAWA TUGBA ABU, a Bahá’í from Chicago, is one of 34 students across the country to receive the prestigious USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture)/1890 National Scholar Program scholarship, which provides for the entire cost of a college education. Sahr, who was born in Sierra Leone, West Africa, came to the U.S. at the age of five with his mother and two sisters. At the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, he was chairman of the theatre workshop, earned many gold and silver medals in the Academic Decathlon, and was inducted into the National Honor Society. He is a member of the Chicago Bahá’í Youth Workshop.

CHRISTOPHER J. JOHNSON, a Bahá’í who is executive director of gerontology at Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe, has been named a Charter Fellow of the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE). Fellow status recognizes outstanding leadership in gerontology and geriatrics education by established scholar/educators. Mr. Johnson is author of the book How Different Religions View Death and the Afterlife, published by Charles Press.

Chattanooga, Tennessee, has two high school valedictorians in its Bahá’í community this year: JESSICA ROBINSON of Signal Mountain and SETH MENNILLO of Red Bank. Jessica will attend Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, where she has been named a Presidential Scholar. She is a National Merit Scholar, was inducted into the Cum Laude Society at Girls Preparatory School, and placed first in Chattanooga and third in Tennessee in the National French Competition for high school students. She scored a perfect 800 on the verbal portion of the Scholastic Aptitude Test. Seth will major in Cinema-Television Critical Studies at the University of Southern California as a Trustee Scholar and National Merit Scholar. At Red Bank High School, he won many honors including National Honor Society; Who's Who Among American High School Students; Bausch & Lomb Science Prize; Tandy Technology Scholar as outstanding student in math, science and computer science; Junior Achievement Economics Student of the Year; two Alan C. Witt Television Production Awards; Television Technician of the Year Award; and gold medals in regional and state Academic Decathlon competition. His team also won first place in Tennessee for high school television production. He and his partner travel to Kansas City, Missouri, this month for the national competition.

Cambodia refugee, wife receive awards in Tacoma for human rights endeavors

In the early 1990s, when Daran Kravanh arrived in Tacoma, Washington, as a refugee from Cambodia with his wife, Darachan Ros, and two children, none of them spoke English.

In January, Mr. Kravanh spoke to an audience of about 5,000 at the Tacoma Dome at which was perhaps the largest indoor celebration of Martin Luther King Day in the country.

Mr. Kravanh and his family are active members of their local Bahá’í community and have attended college, overseen a Khmer elementary summer school, and found excellent jobs in the area of social service in the community. As a result of their endeavors, the two were given Special Service Awards at the MLK celebration by Alan Corel, director of the City of Tacoma's Human Rights Department.

Use World Order in your external affairs and proclamation work! Order a gift subscription for your local organizations or libraries.

The Spring 1997 issue addresses the weighty issue of gender equality with a timely and powerful statement by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, Two Wings of a Bird: the Equality of Women and Men. Also in this issue are compelling articles on "Children, Development, and Global Transformation" by Winston E. Langley; "Freedom of Religion in the U.S. Bill of Rights: A Bahá’í Perspective" by William P. Collins; and "The Story of Joseph in Five Religious Traditions" by Jim Stokes.

And, in case you missed it, the Winter 1996-97 issue addresses an equally important topic, namely the pressing need to overcome racial prejudice and division. Included are articles by Michael Penn ("The Journey Out of the Racial Divide") and Duane Hermann ("Letters from a Nineteenth-Century Kansas Bahá’í"); "Can Poetry Promote Peace?" a book review by Peter Murphy; and "On Restitution and Absolution," a poem by Rhea Harmsen.

Single issues may be ordered from the Bahá’í Distribution Service, 5397 Wilbanks Dr., Chattanooga, TN 37343, or call 1-800-999-9019.

To subscribe to World Order, simply fill out the form below, and mail to Bahá’í Subscriber Service, 415 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091-2886.

Payment must be enclosed. For Canadian or international orders enclose international money order or bank cheque drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars payable to Bahá’í Subscriber Service.

To charge your VISA/MC account, give number, expiration date, and name on account. Telephone orders accepted: phone (847)251-1854, ext. 11.

Type of Subscription: o $19 United States, one year o $36 United States, two years o $19 All other countries, surface mail, one year o $36 All other countries, surface mail, two years o $24 All other countries, airmail, one year o $46 All other countries, airmail, two years

Name Street City & State Country Zip/Postal code VISA/MC # Exp. Date [Page 36]

Community honor roll: 153 B.E.

We are delighted to publish the Community Honor Roll for 153 B.E. This year the list of Local Spiritual Assemblies and registered Groups showing exemplary patterns of giving to the Bahá’í National Fund includes 761 Assemblies and 177 Groups. Overall, 1,494 Assemblies and Groups contributed to the Fund during the year. Those whose names appear below have distinguished themselves by the diligence and care they have displayed in support of the National Spiritual Assembly.

The criteria for being listed on the Honor Roll are the same as last year. To be eligible, a community must either give 15 times or more during at least 12 of 19 months of the Bahá’í Year, or a community must have taken part in the Automatic Contribution System for at least 10 of 12 Gregorian months between March 1996 and February 1997. Communities whose combined contributions by mail and through the Automatic Contribution System fulfill either criterion are also included.

Regularity, consistency, reliability and responsibility—all hallmarks of maturity—characterize these communities’ material expressions of unified action.

ALABAMA

BIRMINGHAM JEFFERSON COUNTY FAIRHOPE FLORENCE HUNTSVILLE JASPER MADISON MOBILE MONTGOMERY TUSCALOOSA

ARIZONA

AVONDALE CHANDLER CHINO VALLEY CLARKDALE COCHISE COUNTY SW COCONINO EAST FLAGSTAFF GANADO CHAPTER GILBERT GLENDALE HOLBROOK MESA ORO VALLEY PARADISE VALLEY PEORIA PHOENIX PIMA COUNTY EAST PIMA COUNTY SOUTH PIMA CO. CENTRAL PRESCOTT RURAL VERDE VALLEY SCOTTSDALE SIERRA VISTA SUN CITY TEMPE TUCSON

ARKANSAS

FAYETTEVILLE LITTLE ROCK ROGERS RUSSELLVILLE

CALIFORNIA

AGOURA HILLS ALTADENA ANAHEIM ARCADIA ARCATA ARROYO GRANDE BELMONT BERKELEY BEVERLY HILLS BOULDER CREEK BREA BURBANK BURLINGAME CALABASAS CAMARILLO CAMPBELL CAPITOLA CARLSBAD CHICO CHINO HILLS CHULA VISTA CITRUS HEIGHTS CLAREMONT CLOVIS CONCORD CORONA COSTA MESA COVINA CULVER CITY CUPERTINO DANA POINT DANVILLE DIAMOND BAR EL CAJON EL CAJON JUD. DIST. EL DORADO CO. NW EL DORADO CO. SE ENCINITAS ESCONDIDO EUREKA FAIR OAKS-ORANGEVALE FALBROOK-SAN DIEGO FILLMORE FOUNTAIN VALLEY FREMONT FOLSOM GARDEN GROVE GILROY GLENDALE GLENDORA HANFORD HAYWARD HEALDSBURG HEMET INGLEWOOD IRVINE LA CANADA-FLINTRIDGE LA CRESCENTA LAFAYETTE LAGUNA BEACH LAGUNA HILLS LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKESIDE LAKEWOOD LA MESA LANCASTER LEMON GROVE LOMITA LONG BEACH LOS ALAMITOS LOS ALTOS LOS ANGELES LOS GATOS LIVERMORE MANTECA MARIN COUNTY MARTINEZ MILPITAS MISSION VIEJO MODESTO MONROVIA MONTEREY MOORPARK MORENO VALLEY MOUNTAIN VIEW MT. SAN JACINTO JD MURRIETA NEVADA CO. CENTRAL NEVADA CO. SW NEWARK NEWHALL JUD. DIST. NEWPORT BEACH NORTH FORK NOVATO OAK PARK OCEANSIDE ONTARIO ORANGE ORANGE CO. SOUTH JD ORINDA OXNARD PALM SPRINGS PALO ALTO PARADISE PASADENA PETALUMA PLACERVILLE PLEASANTON POWAY PRUNEDALE RANCHO CUCAMONGA REDLANDS REDWOOD RIDGECREST RIVERSIDE RIVERSIDE JD ROCKLIN ROSEVILLE SACRAMENTO CO. NW SACRAMENTO CO. SE SAN ANSELMO SAN BERNARDINO SAN BERNARDINO MDC-VICTORVILLE SAN CLEMENTE SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO COUNTY NORTH JD SAN FRANCISCO SAN JOSE SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO SAN LEANDRO SAN LEANDRO-HAYWARD JD SAN LUIS OBISPO SAN LUIS OBISPO CO. NW SAN LUIS OBISPO CO. SOUTH SAN MARCOS SAN MATEO SAN MATEO CO. SOUTH JD SAN RAFAEL SAN RAMON SANTA ANA SANTA CLARA SANTA CLARITA SANTA CRUZ SANTA CRUZ CO. NORTH SANTA MARIA SANTA MARIA JD SANTA MONICA SANTA PAULA SANTA ROSA SANTEE SARATOGA SEAL BEACH SIERRA MADRE SIMI VALLEY SOLANA BEACH SONOMA CO. SUPV. DIST. #2 SONOMA CO. SUPV. DIST. #4 SPRING VALLEY STANFORD STOCKTON SUISUN CITY SUNNYVALE TEMPLE CITY THREE LAKES JD TIBURON THOUSAND OAKS TORO AND LAGUNA SECA TUOLUMNE CENT. JD UNION CITY UPLAND VACAVILLE VALLEJO VENTURA VENTURA COUNTY VICTORVILLE VISTA WALNUT WALNUT CREEK WEST HOLLYWOOD WESTLAKE VILLAGE WHITTIER WINDSOR YORBA LINDA

COLORADO

ARAPAHOE COUNTY AURORA BOULDER BOULDER COUNTY COLORADO SPRINGS CORTEZ DOUGLAS COUNTY FORT COLLINS JEFFERSON COUNTY LAFAYETTE LAKEWOOD LA PLATA COUNTY LARIMER COUNTY LONGMONT LOUISVILLE NORTHGLENN WESTMINSTER

CONNECTICUT

FARMINGTON TOWN HARTFORD NEW CANAAN NEW HAVEN RIDGEFIELD TOWN ROXBURY TOWN STAMFORD WEST HARTFORD TOWN

DELAWARE

DOVER NEW CASTLE CO. NORTH NEW CASTLE CO. WEST SUSSEX COUNTY WILMINGTON

DIST. OF COLUMBIA

WASHINGTON

FLORIDA

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS ATLANTIC BEACH BOCA RATON BREVARD COUNTY BROWARD CO. SOUTH CHARLOTTE COUNTY CITRUS COUNTY CLEARWATER COLLIER COUNTY CORAL SPRINGS DADE COUNTY NORTH DADE COUNTY SOUTH DADE COUNTY CENTRAL DEERFIELD BEACH DE LAND FT. LAUDERDALE GAINESVILLE GREATER GAINESVILLE HILLSBOROUGH CO. NW HOLLYWOOD INDIAN RIVER COUNTY JACKSON KEY LARGO KEY WEST LAKELAND LARGO LEE COUNTY LEON COUNTY MANATEE COUNTY MARION COUNTY MIAMI ORANGE CO. EAST ORLANDO OSCEOLA COUNTY PALM BEACH CO. CENTRAL PALM BEACH CO. SOUTH PEMBROKE PINES POLK COUNTY POMPANO BEACH SARASOTA COUNTY NORTH ST. PETERSBURG BEACH TAMARAC TALLAHASSEE WILTON MANORS

GEORGIA

ALBANY ALPHARETTA ATLANTA CLAYTON COUNTY COBB COUNTY COBB COUNTY NE COBB CO. SOUTH COBB COUNTY SE COBB CO. WEST COLUMBIA CO. EAST COLUMBUS DALTON DEKALB CO. CENTRAL DEKALB CO. NORTH FULTON CO. CENTRAL GLYNN COUNTY GWINNETT CO. NORTH HALL COUNTY LITHONIA PEACH COUNTY SAVANNAH VALDOSTA

IDAHO

ADA COUNTY BOISE COEUR D'ALENE IDAHO FALLS LEWISTON MOSCOW VALLEY COUNTY

ILLINOIS

ANDALUSIA ARLINGTON HEIGHTS AURORA BLOOMINGTON BOLINGBROOK CAROL STREAM CHAMPAIGN CHEMUNG TOWNSHIP CRYSTAL LAKE DARIEN DECATUR DEERFIELD EAST PEORIA EDWARDSVILLE ELGIN EVANSTON GLENCOE GLEN ELLYN GLENVIEW HOFFMAN ESTATES JOLIET MAINE TOWNSHIP NAPERVILLE NORTHBROOK PARK FOREST PARK RIDGE PEORIA ROCKFORD ROSCOE TOWNSHIP SKOKIE SPRINGFIELD ST. CHARLES URBANA WHEATON WILMETTE WOODSTOCK

INDIANA

BLOOMINGTON BLOOMINGTON TOWNSHIP FORT WAYNE GARY INDIANAPOLIS KOKOMO LAFAYETTE MISHAWAKA MOUNT VERNON MUNCIE SOUTH BEND VINCENNES

IOWA

AMES BETTENDORF CEDAR FALLS CEDAR RAPIDS COUNCIL BLUFFS DAVENPORT DES MOINES IOWA CITY MOUNT VERNON SIOUX CITY WARREN COUNTY WATERLOO

KANSAS

BUTLER COUNTY DERBY DODGE CITY HUTCHINSON KANSAS CITY LAWRENCE NEWTON OVERLAND PARK WICHITA WINFIELD

KENTUCKY

BOYLE COUNTY FRANKFORT JEFFERSON COUNTY JEFFERSONTOWN [Page 37]

HONOR ROLL

LEXINGTON LOUISVILLE MURRAY

LOUISIANA

AVONDALE BATON ROUGE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH JEFFERSON PARISH EAST LAFAYETTE LA PLACE MONROE NEW ORLEANS OUACHITA PARISH SHREVEPORT

MAINE

ALFRED AUBURN AUGUSTA DEXTER TOWN ELIOT TOWN GORHAM TOWN KINGFIELD PORTLAND SOUTH BERWICK

MARYLAND

ANNE ARUNDEL CO. EAST BALTIMORE CO. CENTRAL BALTIMORE CO. WEST BELAIR CALVERT COUNTY CARROLL COUNTY FREDERICK FREDERICK COUNTY GAITHERSBURG GREENBELT LAUREL MONTGOMERY CO. EAST MONTGOMERY CO. NORTH MONTGOMERY CO. NW MONTGOMERY CO. SOUTH MONTGOMERY CO. SE MONTGOMERY CO. SW PRINCE GEORGES CO. NORTH PRINCE GEORGES CO. SOUTH TAKOMA PARK

MASSACHUSETTS

AMHERST TOWN ARLINGTON TOWN BARNSTABLE TOWN BOSTON BOURNE TOWN CAMBRIDGE CHELMSFORD TOWN CONCORD TOWN DARTMOUTH TOWN EASTHAMPTON TOWN FOXBORO TOWN GREENFIELD TOWN IPSWICH LEXINGTON TOWN MALDEN MEDFORD LONGMEADOW TOWN MILFORD TOWN MONTAGUE TOWN NANTUCKET NEWTON NORTHAMPTON SOMERVILLE SOUTH HADLEY TOWN SPRINGFIELD WAREHAM TOWN WATERTOWN TOWN WESTFIELD WESTFORD TOWN WILBRAHAM TOWN WORCESTER

MICHIGAN

ALLEN PARK ANN ARBOR BIG RAPIDS BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP CANTON TOWNSHIP CLINTON TOWNSHIP DETROIT EAST LANSING FLINT GRAND RAPIDS HOLLAND HUNTINGTON WOODS JACKSON KALAMAZOO LANSING MARQUETTE MIDLAND NILES TOWNSHIP PITTSFIELD TOWNSHIP OAK PARK SAGINAW SAGINAW TOWNSHIP ST. CLAIRE SHORES SCOTTVILLE SOUTHFIELD ST. JOSEPH TROY WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP YPSILANTI YPSILANTI TOWNSHIP

MINNESOTA

AITKIN COUNTY ARDEN HILLS BAUDETTE BELTRAMI COUNTY BROOKLYN PARK CLEARWATER COUNTY COON RAPIDS DULUTH FOLEY GOLDEN VALLEY GRAND RAPIDS GREENWOOD LITTLE CANADA MAY TOWNSHIP MINNEAPOLIS MINNETONKA MOORHEAD PLYMOUTH ROSEVILLE SARTELL STILLWATER ST. LOUIS PARK ST. PAUL WEST ST. PAUL WOODBURY

MISSISSIPPI

GULFPORT JACKSON MADISON VICKSBURG

MISSOURI

COLUMBIA JEFFERSON CITY KANSAS CITY PHELPS COUNTY ROLLA SPRINGFIELD ST. CHARLES ST. CHARLES COUNTY UNIVERSITY CITY WEBSTER GROVES

MONTANA

BILLINGS BOZEMAN BUTTE-SILVER BOW FLATHEAD COUNTY LEWIS & CLARK COUNTY MISSOULA

NEBRASKA

AURORA BELLEVUE GERING LINCOLN NEBRASKA CITY NORTH PLATTE SCOTTSBLUFF CO.

NEVADA

BOULDER CITY CARSON CITY CHURCHILL COUNTY CLARK COUNTY WEST LAS VEGAS NORTH LAS VEGAS PARADISE TOWN RENO SPARKS SUNRISE MANOR WASHOE CO. SOUTH

NEW HAMPSHIRE

CONCORD EXETER TOWN KEENE LEBANON LEE TOWN MANCHESTER NASHUA PETERBOROUGH

NEW JERSEY

BLOOMFIELD CLIFTON EAST BRUNSWICK TWP. FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP GLASSBORO HAMILTON TOWNSHIP HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP LAKEWOOD TOWNSHIP LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP MONCLAIR TOWNSHIP PISCATAWAY TOWNSHIP RIDGEWOOD TEANECK TRENTON VENTNOR CITY

NEW MEXICO

ALAMOGORDO ALBUQUERQUE BELEN FARMINGTON GALLUP HOBBS LAS CRUCES LINCOLN COUNTY LOS ALAMOS COUNTY LOS LUNAS PAJARITO PARADISE HILLS RIO RANCHO ROSWELL SANTA FE SANTA FE COUNTY VALENCIA COUNTY

NEW YORK

ALBANY AMHERST TOWN BEACON BROOKHAVEN TOWN CLARENCE TOWN GARDEN CITY GENEVA GLEN COVE GREECE TOWN GREENWICH HOOSICK FALLS HUNTINGTON TOWN ISLIP TOWN ITHACA MOUNT VERNON NEW YORK CITY NORTH HEMPSTEAD TOWN OLEAN ORCHARD PARK TOWN PITTSFORD TOWN ROCHESTER SCHENECTADY SMITHTOWN TOWN TONAWANDA TOWN UTICA VICTOR TOWN WEBSTER TOWN

NORTH CAROLINA

ASHEVILLE BUNCOMBE COUNTY CARRBORO CARY CHAPEL HILL CHARLOTTE CHATHAM COUNTY DURHAM DURHAM COUNTY GREENSBORO HAMLET HENDERSON COUNTY HIGH POINT ORANGE COUNTY RALEIGH WAKE COUNTY WILMINGTON

NORTH DAKOTA

BISMARCK FARGO JAMESTOWN

OHIO

BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP BEXLEY BOWLING GREEN BUCYRUS CLEVELAND HEIGHTS COLUMBUS DAYTON JACKSON TOWNSHIP KENT KETTERING MANSFIELD MENTOR MIAMI TOWNSHIP POLAND SHAKER HEIGHTS STOW SYLVANIA URBANA WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS WELLER TOWNSHIP WILLOUGHBY YELLOW SPRINGS

OKLAHOMA

EDMOND MIDWEST CITY MOORE NORMAN OKLAHOMA CITY PONCA CITY SAPULPA SHAWNEE TULSA YUKON

OREGON

ASHLAND BEAVERTON CLACKAMAS CO. NW CLACKAMAS CO. SOUTH CLATSOP COUNTY COOS COUNTY CORVALLIS DESCHUTES COUNTY DOUGLAS COUNTY EUGENE FOREST GROVE GREATER GRANTS PASS HILLSBORO JACKSON COUNTY KLAMATH FALLS LA GRANDE LAKE OSWEGO LANE CO. CENTRAL MANZANITA MCMINNVILLE MEDFORD OREGON CITY PORTLAND ROSEBURG SPRINGFIELD TIGARD WALLOWA COUNTY WASHINGTON COUNTY NORTH WASHINGTON COUNTY SOUTH

PENNSYLVANIA

BETHLEHEM BUCKINGHAM TOWNSHIP HARRISBURG LOWER MERION TWP. PHILADELPHIA PITTSBURGH SUSQUEHANNA TOWNSHIP

RHODE ISLAND

HOPKINTON TOWN WARWICK

SOUTH CAROLINA

AIKEN ANDERSON COUNTY CHARLESTON COLUMBIA CONWAY CROSS DARLINGTON FLORENCE GREATER DARLINGTON GREENVILLE COUNTY GREENWOOD CO. NORTH HORRY COUNTY LEXINGTON CO. NORTH MAULDIN NORTH AUGUSTA PENDLETON PICKENS COUNTY SPARTANBURG

SOUTH DAKOTA

CUSTER PIERRE RAPID CITY

TENNESSEE

BRENTWOOD CHATTANOOGA FRANKLIN HAMILTON COUNTY HENDERSONVILLE KNOX COUNTY KNOXVILLE MARYVILLE MEMPHIS MURFREESBORO NASHVILLE RUTHERFORD COUNTY SHELBY WILLIAMSON COUNTY WILSON COUNTY

TEXAS

ADDISON ALLEN AUSTIN BAYTOWN BEDFORD BELLAIRE BENBROOK BEXAR COUNTY CARROLLTON COLLEGE STATION COLLEYVILLE CORPUS CHRISTI COPPELL DALLAS DEL RIO DENISON DENTON DUNCANVILLE EAGLE PASS EDINBURG EL PASO FLOWER MOUND FORT WORTH FRISCO GARLAND GRAND PRAIRIE GRAPEVINE HARRIS CO. NW HARRIS CO. SW HOUSTON HURST IRVING LAKE JACKSON LEAGUE CITY LEWISVILLE MCALLEN MCKINNEY NORTH RICHLAND HILLS ODESSA PASADENA PLANO PORTLAND ROUND ROCK RICHARDSON SAN ANTONIO THE COLONY THE WOODLANDS TRAVIS COUNTY TYLER VICTORIA WACO WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE WILLIAMSON COUNTY

UTAH

LOGAN OGDEN SALT LAKE CITY SALT LAKE COUNTY SANDY

VERMONT

BRATTLEBORO BENNINGTON TOWN FAIRFAX TOWN NORWICH ROCHESTER TOWN SHOREHAM TOWN

VIRGINIA

ALBEMARLE COUNTY ALEXANDRIA ARLINGTON COUNTY CHARLOTTESVILLE CHESTERFIELD CO. FALLS CHURCH FAIRFAX CO. CENTRAL SOUTH FAIRFAX CO. WEST GREAT FALLS GREATER VIENNA HENRICO COUNTY HERNDON JAMES CITY COUNTY LOUDOUN COUNTY MCLEAN MOUNT VERNON NEWPORT NEWS NORFOLK RESTON ROANOKE SCOTTSVILLE SHENANDOAH CO. STAFFORD COUNTY STAUNTON [Page 38]

Green Acre session to explore 'most challenging issue'

July programming at the Green Acre Bahá’í School kicks off on the July 4 holiday weekend with a special session designed to explore the "most challenging issue."

Meeting the Challenge (July 4-9) will feature psychologist Jane Faily who will examine the dynamics of individual change and community growth as defined in the Bahá’í writings and relate them to the establishment of race unity in America. Complementing the course will be educational specialist Leonard Smith who will lead participants through an exploration of the 11 steps Louis Gregory identified as prerequisites to race unity. Both programs will explore the shining example of Mr. Gregory in arising to meet the challenge of unity.

The weekend will also include the first of Green Acre's summer concert/picnics on the Piscataqua (Sunday afternoon, July 6). The special gospel concert will feature the Bahá’í choir "Voices of Glory" as well as other musical guests. Lunch, ice cream, snacks and beverages will be offered for sale. Admission is $3/person (maximum $10/family). All are welcome to attend, bring or buy a picnic lunch and enjoy an afternoon of music, fellowship and fun. The second concert/picnic will be held Sunday, August 1, with recording artist Mary Davis as the special guest.

Seek "Physical and Spiritual Transformation" July 11-16 in an empowering symposium with physician Kerry McCord. Find life-changing tools to interrupt the health-damaging effects of stress and imbibe inspiration from the rich wellspring of guidance on health and healing in the writings of the Faith. In that same session, explore "The Bahá’í Community as a Workshop for Transformation" with Peter and Pepper Oldziey, whose Bahá’í community doubled its active core during the first year of the Four Year Plan.

"Investigate Reality" (July 18-23) and experience the transforming power Bahá’u’lláh has renewed in this day when members of the Foundation for the Science of Reality outline the application of simple techniques that can change your personal life and the world around you. Clinical psychologist Eric Fienig of the Netherlands and Niels Hansen-Trip of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will describe the transformation taking place in the world of science and how to relate it to the Faith.

July 25-30, learn "Business Management from a Bahá’í Perspective" through specialist Larry Miller's look at Bahá’í principles of organization and economics and their growing acceptance in today's business world. Also, Carole Miller of the Family Unity Institute of Atlanta will describe how "Unity in Spirit and in Action" forms the basis for the work of this exciting Institute, and Adrienne Reeves examines "The Power of Love" to reconstruct the world.

To register or to obtain more information, e-mail or phone 207-439-7200.

1997 Regional School Summer Schedule

California (Southern)-June 27-29. Registrar: Edye York, Ontario, CA 91764. For information phone 909-983-1022; 909-735-1509; 909-987-7129.

Four Corners (Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah corners)-August 4-8. Registrar: Bill Bright, Gallup, NM 87301, 505-722-0039.

Florida Southern Flame Bahá’í School-July 2-7. Contact: Karen Pritchard, 954-587-1863

Illinois (Heartland)-July 23-27. Registrar: Carl Clingenpeel, Aurora, IL 60504, 708-898-6385.

Iowa-July 18-22. Registrar: Rita Landers, Davenport, IA 52802-2603. Day phone, 319-323-1717; evening phone, 319-323-8242.

Maryland/Virginia-July 31-Aug. 3. Registration info at: http//www.clark.net/pub/olson/ dayspring. Registrar: Ingrid Olson, Herndon, VA 20170, 703-481-8393,

Minnesota William Sears Great North Woods Bahá’í School-August 13-17. Registrar: Ali Mahabadi, Plymouth, MN 55441, 612-557-6039.

Montana John H. Wilcott Bahá’í School-July 27-August 1. Registrar: Sandi Marisdotter, Helena, MT 59601, 406-442-7526.

New York Solomon Hilton Bahá’í School-August 15-24. Contact Stephanie Jaczko, 914-566-7864, or

Western Oregon (Badasht)-August 13-17. Registrar: c/o Lynn Nesbit, Portland, OR 97211, 503-335-0703; e-mail

Western Oregon (Camp Carmel)-Session I, July 25-27; Session II, July 27-August 1. Registrar: Lynn Nesbit, Portland, OR 97211, 503-335-0703; e-mail

Tennessee-August 29-Sept. 1. Registrar: Kaihan Strain, Hixson, TN 37343, 423-842-1750.

E. Washington/N. Idaho Sheltering Branch School-June 28-July 4. Registrar: Shannon McConnell, Richland, WA 99352, 509-943-1236.

Virginia, Massanetta Springs School-contact the Education and Schools Office at 847/733-3492 for more information.

Wisconsin-July 14-18. Registrar: Lisa Reimer, West Bend, WI 53095, 414-338-3023.

Wisconsin, Green Lake Bahá’í Conference-September 12-14. Register for rooms directly with American Baptist Assembly, 800-555-8898.

Summer programs at Louhelen Bahá’í School

July 4-9: Persian/American Bahá’í Studies, facilitated by Auxiliary Board member Tahereh Ahdieh and Habib Riazati. Mr. Riazati's course on the Kitáb-i-Aqdas provides an in-depth look at the Most Holy Book, while Dr. Ahdieh will consider practical strategies for advancing the process of entry by troops. A full children's program is offered.

July 11-16: Spiritual Empowerment Institute for Youth and Junior Youth, facilitated by Larry and Traci Gholar and Cam and Elizabeth Herth. Designed for youth ages 12-16, the session seeks to develop self-confidence, reliance on God, love for humanity, and a burning desire to teach and serve mankind. Includes study, devotions, consultation skills development and recreation.

July 18-23: Education Seminar, facilitators to include Dr. Terry Kneisler and Dr. Beatriz Curry of the National Education and Schools Committee and Mrs. Joannie Yuille, a member of the National Bahá’í Education Task Force, and Stefany Unda of Nur University. The primary focus will be advancing the process of entry by troops by implementing Bahá’í principles in public schools and other academic settings.

July 18-23: Family and Friends Session I, "Every Believer Is a Teacher," with Auxiliary Board member William Smits, Central States Regional Committee member Lisa Smits, and National Bahá’í Education Task Force member Kathy Penn who will introduce this new course on teaching the Faith developed at the request of the National Spiritual Assembly. A full children's program will be offered along with music by Susan Engle.

July 25-30: "Shoghi Effendi: The Planner," with Dr. June Thomas, and "The Path to Spirituality," with Auxiliary Board member Shahin Vafai. Dr. Thomas will survey the extraordinary planning style exemplified by the Guardian, while Mr. Vafai will present spiritual insights acquired in preparing his recently published book, The Path Toward Spirituality.

August 1-6: Family and Friends Session III, "The Kitáb-i-Aqdas," with Bahá’í lecturer Habib Riazati who will apply the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh to contemporary humanitarian issues, spiritual development and effective teaching. A full children's program will be offered with music all weekend by Rick and Brenda Snyder.

August 8-13: Youth Eagle Institute, "Every Believer Is a Teacher," facilitated by Liz Dwyer of the National Youth Committee and Russell Bellew of the Magdalene Carney Training Institute. Fosters the capacity for youth ages 15 and older to arise to serve by developing spiritual, intellectual and physical capacities.

August 15-17: Multicultural Family Camp with Dr. Joel and Mrs. Esther Orona, administrators of the Native American Bahá’í Institute. Designed to help parents and teachers raise up a generation of children who are firmly grounded in the principle of oneness. A full children's program will be offered.

August 29-September 1: Homecoming, a weekend of pure beauty with Dr. David Ruhe, former member of the Universal House of Justice, sharing presentations including "The World Prepares for the Bahá’í Faith" and "Tools for World Peace." Also, Mrs. Ruhe will share stories of the Hands of the Cause of God and others while Dr. Kerry McCord will consider the "matters of the heart and mind" among other topics. The weekend will also be filled with music and song.

Gregory Institute seeking youth

The Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute is looking for mature youth for its Year of Service program. All skills and interests are invited for consideration. Areas of service include support in the following: clerical assistance, general programs, maintenance, agriculture, radio station, children's classes. Inquiries may be directed to the Youth Service Corps desk at the Bahá’í National Center.

Gregory Institute Bahá’í Academies

The Louis Gregory Institute's Bahá’í Academy is an intensive residential summer experience designed to train and empower youth and children to fulfill their destined roles as servants and teachers of the Cause of Bahá’u’lláh.

Basic Academy: a two- to three-week session for children, junior youth and youth conducted on the campus of the Louis Gregory Institute.

Field Academy: These are held off-campus in established Bahá’í communities, and offer an opportunity to put into practice the knowledge and experience gained from the Basic Academy. Prerequisite: must have attended the Basic Academy.

June 15-July 12: Field Academies June 22-July 22: Jr. Youth Academy I June 22-July 5: Children's Academy July 13-August 2: Jr. Youth Academy II July 13-August 2: Youth Academy

Think about attending a session at a permanent school or institute

Bosch Bahá’í School 500 Comstock Lane Santa Cruz, CA 95060-9677 408-423-3387

Louhelen Bahá’í School 3208 S. State Rd. Davison, MI 48423 313-653-5033

Louis Gregory Bahá’í Institute Rt.2, Box 71 Hemingway. SC 29554-9405 803-558-9131

NABI 830 Burntwater Road Box 3167 Houck, AZ 86506-3167 520-521-1064

Green Acre Bahá’í School 188 Main Street Eliot, ME 03903-1827 207-439-7200 [Page 39]

University to give credit for Wilmette Institute course

National-Louis University in Wilmette, Illinois, has agreed to grant both undergraduate and graduate credit to a one-semester course on "Development of the Individual and Creation of Strong Marriages and Families."

The course, offered by the Wilmette Institute, constitutes the core of the 1997-97 offerings of the Spiritual Foundations for a Global Civilization program. The course will be taught at National-Louis University, a five-minute walk from the Bahá’í House of Worship, from July 19-August 8.

Faculty include Dr. Saba Ayman-Nolley, a professor of psychology at Northeastern Illinois University and member of the National Education Task Force; Dr. Michael Penn, a psychologist at Franklin & Marshall University; Mary K. Radpour, a practicing marriage counselor; Marzieh Radpour, a doctoral candidate in psychology; and others.

The course will explore the writings of renowned psychologists and sociologists while providing a Bahá’í perspective on their work.

Among the topics to be covered: the power of language; the nature and purpose of emotion; knowledge, learning and education; the development of hope and faith; the relationship of mind, soul and spirit; moral development and the unfoldment of virtues; the nature of marriage; sexuality in marriage; marriage and individual growth; parenthood as a stage in human development; hierarchy, unity and equality in the family; children's relationship to their parents; issues of individual freedom and obedience; interpersonal relations; equality of rights; work, sacrifice and service to others; and participation in the Bahá’í community and its elected institutions.

Students will also study Bahá’í history from 1863-1921 as well as Bahá’í scripture, take a course on writing, and attend a seminar on teaching the Faith. Faculty will include David Ruhe, Heshmat Moayyad and Habib Riazati.

After the summer session there will be home study from October 1 through next April 30, wherein students will read more deeply about the subjects studied during the summer, complete study exercises, and carry out local projects such as firesides and deepenings.

Monthly conference calls with a faculty member and other students help them organize their study, while an electronic list server provides an ongoing discussion for students with e-mail.

There is also a take-home examination. Unfortunately, it is not possible to take the home-study part of the course without taking part in the residential session in Wilmette because the home study assumes that the student is familiar with the classes and because National-Louis University will only accredit courses held in its classrooms.

The Wilmette Institute has also made an agreement with The Graduate School of America (TGSA), a distance-learning institution based in Minneapolis, to grant graduate credit to students in the Spiritual Foundations program if they register for a degree at TGSA. Some students have also been able to arrange for credit through their own universities.

Course tuition is $800, payable to the Bahá’í Services Fund. For those who want college credit through National-Louis University, an additional fee of about $600 must be paid to the school.

Lodging and meals at National-Louis University, arranged through the Wilmette Institute, costs another $725.

Space is limited, so those who are interested should register as soon as possible. Contact Lisa Young, registrar, at 847-733-3415 (fax 847-733-3563; e-mail).

NABI initiates community outreach

For the past four months the administrative staff at the Native American Bahá’í Institute has doubled its efforts to serve the population in the surrounding communities.

NABI, on the Navajo reservation in Houck, Arizona, has initiated community-wide events through many of its outreach programs that are focused on promoting the Faith through service and community development.

Of the many programs taking place at NABI, one of the most successful to date has been the Men's Unity Circle for Discovery of Spiritual Paths.

The men's gathering has been ongoing since January and has attracted men from on and off the reservation, both Bahá’ís and friends of the Faith. The weekly meetings allow those attending to discuss relevant topics that have an effect on their lives, family and community.

During consultation, the members of the group incorporate prayer and the writings of the Faith in an attempt to strengthen and develop their relationship with Bahá’u’lláh.

The men's group has had a positive effect in its service to the community by way of consolidation and drawing new believers to the Faith. Because the meetings use the Writings and focus on relevant topics affecting the community, one gentleman has declared his faith in Bahá’u’lláh while other families have returned to become active members of the community.

The response to the men's group included a request for a similar program for women. The women's group started its first program in early May, and from the beginning has attracted members from the surrounding area.

At the conclusion of both meetings, members of the men's and women's groups come together to further discuss the issues and to spend time together as a community.

Houck, AZ, on Navajo Reservation, gathers at NABI to elect first Spiritual Assembly in five years

At Ridván the Bahá’í community of Houck, Arizona, on the Navajo Reservation, elected its first local Spiritual Assembly in five years.

The members of the community gathered for the election in the traditional prayer hogan at the Native American Bahá’í Institute.

The election was accomplished by the enrollment of several new believers and a strong effort to consolidate the existing community.

The Assembly has begun holding regular meetings and already has planned community programs. Such events have drawn the interest of many friends of the Faith who have begun attending the programs.

Volunteer Gathering at the House of Worship

The spiritual precincts of the Holiest House of Worship formed an appropriate backdrop April 12 as some 75 volunteers enjoyed an evening of praise and gratitude, love and fellowship, classical music, an inspiring presentation by Juana Conrad, assistant secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, and, of course, food.

The volunteers also saw a premier showing of the video 'Mount Carmel Bahá’í Projects: A Presentation of the Bahá’í World Center.' The staff at the House of Worship is grateful for the many hours of service rendered by these volunteers, and welcomes new and visiting Bahá’ís to serve at the Temple. For information, phone 847-853-2325 or e-mail mlmclaughlin@usbnc.org.

Bosch summer institutes

This summer, the Bosch Bahá’í School is pleased to offer the Bahá’ís and their friends a variety of intensive study programs for children, youth and adults. For more information about these and other programs, please contact the school.

If you are serious about efforts to help the process of entry by troops, the Teachers on the March Training Institute (July 8-13) is for you. The program offers a unique opportunity to study, work and practice techniques critical to becoming an effective teacher of the Cause. The session is designed after the Youth Institutes and will prepare youth and adults to travel and teach, join summer teaching projects, and/or pioneer. Facilitated by Auxiliary Board member Gary Bulkin, Margie Bulkin and Ed Diliberto.

The Summer Children's Academy (July 14-17) is a special edition of the popular Spring Children's Academy to offer more options for children entering grades 4-6 this fall. The children are trained in the verities of Bahá’í life and are encouraged to see themselves as catalysts for change in their family, school and community. A rigorous course of study, exercise, service, prayer and moral training, all based on the sacred Writings, is taught using Core Curriculum methods and teachers. Adult supervision at all times.

Two Junior Youth Institutes (August 2-7, August 9-14) for students entering grades 7-9 will be facilitated by Mr. and Mrs. Yuille. Students entering grades 10-12 will want to take part in the Youth Institute (July 26-31), facilitated by Mrs. Gholar and Mrs. Allen. The disciplined programs will focus on the intellectual, physical and spiritual transformation of the individual. Training methods will include lecture, study and discussion as well as exercise, prayer and service projects.

For those students who are in college, the Bosch College Institute (July 8-13) is a program of serious study, service and transformation designed with the mandate of studying the fundamental verities of the Faith. This year, the Institute will focus on exploiting opportunities to teach the Cause in a college environment. [Page 40]یکی از کلاسهای خردسالان

کنفرانس از احباء بودند چند نفر از دوستان غیربهائی ایرانی atter هر چند بیشتر سخنرانان و مجریان برنامه های مناجات و موسیقی و تذکرات ناظم جلسه بود. در طی جلسات روزانه معمولاً ۴ سخنرانی ایراد می شد و در میان سخنرانیها نیز برنامههای هنری به ویژه موسیقی اجرا می شد. و غیرایرانی نیز در اجرای برنامه ها دست داشتند.

یکی از ویژگیهای کنفرانس دو فرهنگی بودن بعضی از بخشهای برنامه فارسی و انگلیسی بود یک پیانیست ایرانی قسمتی از یک سونات بتهون را اجرا کرد و یک رقص سنتی ایرانی با آواز یک خواننده امریکائی همراه بود. همچنین میزگردی با شرکت زن و شوهرهانی که یکی از آنها ایرانی و دیگری امریکائی است تشکیل شد و در آن راجع به اینگونه خانواده ها بحث شد.

در یک سالن مجاور تالار جلسات کنفرانس بساط فروش کتاب چیده شده بود. در میان کتابها تعدادی به زبان فارسی کتاب انگلیسی دربارۀ ادب و فرهنگ ایران نیز بود. بخش دیگری از این سالن نمایشگاهی ترتیب داده شده بود که هنرمندان بهائی آثار خود را در آن برای نمایش یا فروش عرضه می کردند.

شرکت کنندگان در کنفرانس

در مجموع بیش از ۸۵۰ نفر از احباء و عده ای از دوستان و خویشان غیربهائی آنان در کنفرانس شرکت کردند.

در کنفرانس امسال نسبت به سالهای گذشته تعداد بیشتری از جوانان بهائی ایرانی تبار و دوستان غیرایرانی آنان حضور داشتند. و این مورد گام مثبتی در راه تأمین یکی از اهداف اصلی انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی است.

هر چند بیشتر شرکت کنندگان در کنفرانس از ساکنان نقاط گوناگون ایالات متحده بودند، در عین حال دوستانی از کانادا و آمریکای جنوبی و اروپا و امارات عربی نیز در این کنفرانس شرکت جسته بودند.

ترتیب برنامه ها

بعد از ظهر روز پنجشنبه ۲۲ می نام نویسی برای کنفرانس آغاز شد. غروب آن روز مصادف با سالگرد اظهار امر حضرت اعلی بود و کسانی که در هتل بودند به مشرق الاذکار رفتند و در جلسه مخصوص آن شب شرکت کردند.

کنفرانس رسماً صبح روز جمعه ۲۳ می آغاز شد و شب یکشنبه ۲۵ می پایان یافت جلسات کنفرانس به سه قسمت صبح و بعد از ظهر و شب تقسیم شده بود که ترتیب و توالی برنامههای آن تقریباً یکسان بود.

برنامه صبح از ساعت ۹ شروع میشد و شامل مناجات و موسیقی و تذکرات ناظم جلسه بود. در طی جلسات روزانه معمولاً ۴ سخنرانی ایراد می شد و در میان سخنرانیها نیز برنامههای هنری به ویژه موسیقی اجرا می شد.

برنامه شب از ساعت ۷ و ۳۰ دقیقه با برنامه خردسالان به مدت ۵ تا ۱۵ دقیقه آغاز میشد و با نمایش فیلم و تئاتر و رقص و موسیقی تا ساعت ۱۱ شب ادامه می یافت.

سخنران ها و سخنرانی ها

سخنرانیهائی که در کنفرانس ایراد شد با ذکر سخنرانان گرامی به ترتیب اجرا به قرار زیر بود:

- پیام خانم گلوریا فیضی توسط خانم لیلی ایمن خوانده شد - خدمات جناب فیضی در نجف آباد توسط دکتر علی توانگر - نگاهی به منتخبی از آثار جناب فیضی توسط جناب شکوه رضائی - خدمات بین المللی ایادی امرالله ابوالقاسم فیضی در دو بخش توسط دکتر منوچهر سلمانپور - فؤاد میثاقی یادی از جناب فیضی توسط جناب رضا جهانگیری - ابن سینا سرآمد پزشکان ایرانی توسط دکتر رامین بهادر منشادی - حضرت شوقی ربانی ولی امر آئین بهانی توسط دکتر امین بنانی - امین الله حسین موسیقیدان معاصر ایرانی توسط دکتر ایرج خادمی - پیدایش سینما در ایران توسط دکتر کامبیز محمودی - آثار هنر ایران از پیش از اسلام تا صفویه توسط خانم ژالة خادم - واقعه نگاری و خاطرات جناب میرزا حبیب افنان توسط خانم مریم ربانی - شعرای معاصر بهائی توسط جناب بهروز جباری - شعر فارسی در قرن بیستم توسط دکتر سیروس مشکی - بررسی تطبیقی مضامین قصیده تانيه و قصيدة عز ورقانیه توسط جناب معین افغانی - زن ایرانی در گستره تاریخ به روایت نقاشی توسط خانم ماه مهر گلستانه - نظری به تاریخ فیلم ایران توسط دکتر مهرناز سعیدوفا - جستجوی حقیقت در تاریخ بابیان در ایران زمان قاجار توسط دکتر آهنگ ربانی - شاهکارهای هنر ایران توسط خانم ژاله خادم - مولانا و حافظ ۲۲۵ سال شعر فارسی در زبان انگلیسی توسط دکتر فرنكلین لوئیس - زمان و مهار شر در آئین زردشتی توسط دکتر سوزان ستایلز مانک Susan Stiles Maneck - چادر و سخن مروری بر کتاب دکتر فرزانه میلانی توسط دکتر مانا درخشانی - خوشنویسی توسط جناب بیژن فردوسی - پژوهشی درباره خودآگاهی فرهنگی توسط خانم گرچن پیترز ماستر Gretchen Peters McAllister - داستان نویسی از حاجی "بابا" تا "دانی جان ناپلئون توسط دکتر امین بنانی

به زبان انگلیسی: - ادب و فرهنگ نوین در ایران توسط دکتر فرنكلین لوئیس Franklin D. Lewis

فیلم و نمایش نامه

شب جمعه فیلم باشو غریبه کوچک نوشته و به کارگردانی جناب بهرام بیضائی نشان داده شد و چندین نمایش کوتاه و بلند در کنفرانس به صحنه آمد که بازیگران همه آنها خانم مژدۀ مولوی و جناب منصور تأیید بودند.

این نمایشها عبارت بود از زن در خانه زن در پندارها مانکن، تقصیر.

صحنه ای از نمایش مانکن

هنرمندان

هنرمندان عزیزی که در کنفرانس به اجرای برنامه های گوناگون هنری پرداختند به ترتیب الفبا عبارت بودند از:

خانم ها: واندا ابو، آتیسا آذر، مرجان جباری، کیلی حقیقی، شکوه رضائی، روحا سبحانی، الهام ضیائی، ماه مهر گلستانه، مژده مولوی، طاهرة نجمی.

آقایان: شالکا آبدالیان، هروس آبدالیان، نوید اردکانی، بهمن، منصور سبحانی، بهروز سنائی، هوشمند عقیلی، قدرت فردوس نیا، داریا مجذوبی، روح الله محمودزاده، پرویز موفق، منوچهر وهمن، بدیع یزدی، منصور تأیید، کیومرث حقیقی، عنایت ضیائی.

انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی از همه سخنرانان و هنرمندان و مجریان برنامه و نیز از همه دوستانی که در هفتمین کنفرانس شرکت کردند و بر رونق آن افزودند سپاسگزاری می کند و امیدوار است در آینده نزدیک اطلاعات لازم برای کنفرانس بعدی را در اختیار دوستان قرار دهد. [Page 41]سال گذشته از جون تا آگست نشان می دهد که تقدیمیهای احباء در ماههای مذکور تقلیل یافته است. تنها استثنای این روند در سال ۱۹۹۵ رخ داد که چنانکه دوستان به یاد دارند در سال مذکور جناب علی نخجوانی عضو محترم بیت العدل اعظم الهی به نمایندگی از سوی آن معهد اعلی یاران را از مسؤولیتهای روحانی خود آگاه ساختند و در نتیجه، احبا نیز همت کردند و به ایفای وظیفه روحانی خود برخاستند.

به جز آنچه در سال مذکور صورت گرفت در دیگر سالها روند کاهش همچنان ادامه داشته است. به عنوان مثال در سال ۱۹۹۳ تبرعات به صندوق ملی ماهانه بالغ بر ۸۷۵ هزار دلار بود. اما در سه ماه تابستان همان سال ماهانه ۱۳۵ هزار دلار کمتر از مبلغ معمول ماهانه به صندوق ملی تبرع شد این کاهش که در مجموع حدود ۲۰۰ هزار دلار است لطمه سنگینی به بودجه سالانه وارد می سازد.

جناب ویلیام دیویس امین صندوق محفل ملی در کانونشن ملی از همه احبا درخواست کرد که نظر را به افق های بالاتری بدوزند و در واقع چشم اندازی را که حضرت بهاءالله برای یاران معین فرموده در مد نظر داشته باشند. به گفته جناب دیویس برای این کار به کمک مالی احتیاج دارد به همین جهت نیز هدف مالی سال جاری را ۲۷ میلیون دلار تعیین نموده است تا در حدود سه چهارم آن را تأمین نماید. در خاتمه باید گفت که محفل روحانی ملی چنین صلاح دیده است که برای پیشرفت امر مبارک میباید ارتباط مستقیم با منابع مالی جامعه امری داشت و ارقامی که تعیین شده در واقع حد اقلی است که میتوان انتظار داشت احبا هم میتوانند و هم میباید با تأمین آن امکانات لازم برای پیشرفت و اداره جامعه امری و نیل به همه اهداف امری فراهم گردد و همت بیشتری در این خصوص نشان دهند.

تسهیل در تقدیم تبرعات

در چند ماه گذشته تعداد زیادی از احباء و جوامع امری با محفل روحانی ملی تماس گرفته و اظهار داشته اند که روال کنونی تقدیم تبرعات و اوراق مربوط به آن گیج کننده است. تعداد صندوقهای امری و مواردی چون اهداف محافل روحانی محلی و اهداف محلی و معافیت مالیاتی و دیگر مسائل سبب شده که بسیاری از یاران در مورد تقدیم تبرعات احساس سردرگمی کنند.

بدین جهت محفل روحانی ملی طریق تقدیم تبرعات را تغییر داده است به نحوی که یک تبرع به صندوق ملی در میان صندوق ملی و قاره ای و بین المللی تقسیم شود. بدین ترتیب احباء و محافل محلی لازم نخواهد بود که معین کنند چه مقدار از تبرعاتشان به کدام صندوق تقدیم خواهد شد. بنابراین تبرعات به صندوق ملی به معنی تبرع به همۀ صندوقهای امری خواهد بود.

باید در نظر داشت که احباء هنوز هم مختارند به هر نحوی که مایل باشند به صندوقهای گوناگون تبرع نمایند و این نکته ای است که حضرت ولی عزیز امر الله بدان اشاره فرموده اند.

در نامه ای که از جانب هیکل مبارک خطاب به یکی از احباء نگاشته شده بیانی به این مضمون آمده است که صندوق ملی بدون حمایت کریمانه و مداوم یاران نخواهد توانست نیازهای امر مبارک را تأمین نماید تسهیلاتی که محفل روحانی ملی در چگونگی تقدیم تبرعات ایجاد کرده به منظور تأمین نیازهای مذکور است.

تعیین هدف مالی در سال ۱۵۴ بدیع

محفل روحانی ملی اعلام کرد که هدف مالی جامعة بهائی در ایالات متحده در سال ۱۵۴ بدیع ۲۷ میلیون دلار خواهد بود هدف مذکور هر چند در ظاهر هدفی مالی است، اما حاکی از برداشت محفل روحانی ملی از قابلیت و حس وظیفه شناسی جامعه بهائی این دیار است.

رقمی که محفل ملی برای سال جاری تعیین کرده نمودار ۳۵ درصد افزایش نسبت به تبرعات رسیده در سال گذشته است. بدین ترتیب هدف مالی ماهانه ۲/۲۵ میلیون دلار خواهد بود این مبلغ مطابق تقویم بهائی ماهانه حدود ۱/۴ میلیون دلار است. هدف مالی سال گذشته مطابق همین تقویم ۱/۱ میلیون دلار بود.

تفاوت اصلی هدف مالی سال جاری نسبت به چند سال گذشته این است که در هدف مالي فعلى دقيقاً مشخص شده است که چه مبلغی باید به صندوق قاره ای و بین المللی تقدیم شود. بیت العدل اعظم الهی در پیام مورخ ۴ فبروری اهمیت رفع نیازهای صندوق بین المللی را تأکید فرموده بودند در عین حال در چند سال گذشته چنانکه باید به آن دو صندوق کمک نشده بود، بدین ترتیب محفل روحانی ملی چنین مصلحت دید که اهداف معینی برای هر صندوق معین کند.

بنا به تصمیم محفل روحانی ملی ۱۹ درصد از کل تبرعات رسیده به دفتر محفل حد اکثر ۵ میلیون دلار به صندوق ساختمانهای قوس ارسال خواهد شد. این مبلغ نیمی از هدف مالی جهانی در هر یک از سالهای نقشه چهار ساله است.

۷ درصد تبرعات رسیده به دفتر محفل تا حد اکثر ۲ میلیون دلار به صندوق بین المللی تعلق خواهد داشت. در سال گذشته این مبلغ ۷۰۶ هزار دلار بود. ۲ درصد تبرعات نیز تا حد اکثر ۵۰۰ هزار دلار به صندوق قاره ای فرستاده خواهد شد. تبرعات سال پیش به این صندوق بالغ بر ۳۳۴ هزار دلار بود. اگر خدای نکرده تبرعات ماهانه کمتر از هدف مالی باشد امکان دارد در این ارقام نیز تغییری داده شود. از سوی دیگر در صورتی که تبرعات ماهانه بیش از هدف مالی باشد مبالغ بیشتری به صندوقهای مذکور فرستاده خواهد شد.

کارنامه آخر سال

تبرعات رسیده به صندوق ملی و مخارج امور امری در پایان سال آمیخته ای از پیروزی و عقب نشینی بود تبرعات احباء و برنامه ریزی و تعیین دقیق بودجه دست به دست هم داد و باعث شد که هدف مالی تأمین شود اما امکانات لازم برای رشد بیشتر حاصل نگردید.

تبرعات احبا تا پایان سال در مجموع بالغ بر ۲۰/۴ میلیون دلار بود تبرعات به صندوق ملی دو درصد بیش از سال پیش و بالغ بر ۱۱/۶/۸ میلیون دلار بود. اما با در نظر گرفتن تورم سالانه، عایدات صندوق ملی در واقع کاهش یافته و این روندی است که در ۵ سال گذشته ادامه داشته است.

تبرعات به صندوق بین المللی ۷۰۶ هزار دلار بود و این رقم ۴۸ درصد کمتر از سال گذشته است. در عین حال تبرعات به صندوق قاره ای بالغ بر ۳۳۴ هزار دلار یعنی ۲۱ درصد بیشتر از سال گذشته بود. اما این رقم قلیل به نظر میرسید و بدین جهت در سال جاری هدف مالی برای صندوق مذکور افزایش یافته است.

بیت العدل اعظم هدف مالی سالانه برای صندوق قوس را در خلال نقشه چهار ساله ۱۰ میلیون دلار در سراسر جامعه جهانی بهائی معین فرموده اند. جامعه بهائی ایالات متحده موفق شد ۷/۲ میلیون دلار از این هدف یعنی در حدود سه چهارم آن را تأمین نماید.

گزارش هفتمین کنفرانس سالانه انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی

هفتمین کنفرانس سالانه انجمن دوستداران فرهنگی ایرانی از ۲۳ تا ۲۵ می سال جاری در هتل هیلتون شیکاگو (Chicago Hilton and Towers) برگزار شد.

برنامه های اصلی کنفرانس

هفتمین کنفرانس انجمن مرکب از سه بخش بود که کم و بیش به موازات یکدیگر اجرا می شد -۱ برنامه به زبان فارسی از ۲۳ تا ۲۵ می -۲ برنامه به زبان انگلیسی ۲۴ و ۲۵ می -۳ برنامه خردسالان از ۲۳ تا ۲۵ می

هیئت اجرائی انجمن دوستداران فرهنگ ایرانی مسؤول طرح برنامههای فارسی بود این هیئت از خانم شیلا بنانی درخواست کرد که برنامه ریزی بخش انگلیسی را بر عهده گیرد. برنامه ای که خانم بنانی طرح ریخت با چند تغییر به تصویب هیئت اجرائی انجمن رسید.

گروهی آموزگار جوان نیز مسؤولیت فعالیت ها و برنامهها و کلاسهای خردسالان را بر عهده داشتند. کلاس های نونهالان بر اساس سن آنان به دو گروه تقسیم شده بود. این آموزگاران جوان با اینکه خود فارسی زبان نبودند بر طبق برنامه ریزی دقیقی کوشیدند کودکان بهائی را با فرهنگ ایران آشنا سازند.

سخنان افتتاحی و خوشامدگوئی دکتر فیروز کاظم زاده در صبح روز جمعه حاکی از آن بود که محفل روحانی ملی از خدمات انجمن برای آشنا ساختن اعضای جامعه با میراث فرهنگی زادبوم مؤسس امر بهائی پشتیبانی می کند و از تأثیرات مثبت اعضای ایرانی تبار جامعه بهائی ایالات متحده آگاه است.

برنامه های کنفرانس شامل ارائه بخشهائی از فرهنگ ایران از جمله ادبیات کهن و معاصر دین هنر سینما نمایش موسیقی و رقص بود. در بخش انگلیسی علاوه بر جلسات سخنرانی کارگاهی نیز درباره زندگی چندفرهنگی تشکیل شد.

بخشی از برنامههای کنفرانس به یادبود گرامی یاد ایادی محترم و مهربان امرالله جناب ابوالقاسم فیضی و همسر بزرگوار بود. متأسفانه آن عاشق دلداده امر الهی خانم گلوریا فیضی که بنا بود در کنفرانس حضور داشته باشند به عللی نتوانستند حاضران را شخصاً از خرمن تجربیات و خاطرات خود بهره بخشند. اما در عوض پیام پراحساسی درباره زندگی جناب فیضی فرستادند که در آغاز برنامه یادبود خوانده شد.

همچنین هیئت اجرائی انجمن دفترچه یادبودی شامل چند عکس از جناب فیضی و مختصری درباره شرح حال ایشان تهیه کرده بود که آن را در طی برنامه یادبود در میان شرکت کنندگان توزیع کرد. [Page 42]

PERSIAN TRANSLATION OF THE MESSAGE OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE DATED MAY 30, 1997 TO ALL NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES

به عموم محافل روحانی ملی ۳۰ می ۱۹۹۷

ترجمه پیام بيت العدل اعظم روحانی ملی بهائیان ایالات متحده آمریکا و کانادا در منصوب می شوند به محافل روحانی ملی که دارای چنین صورتی که در مورد دوم رابطه موجود عبارت از رابطه بین لجناتی هستند جداگانه نوشته خواهد شد که در صورت لزوم بیت العدل در سطح محلی و ملی است که هر یک از آنها چه تغییراتی باید در سازمان کنونی بدهند. دعای صمیمانه این مشتاقان در عتبة سامية مقدسه مؤسسه ایست که من عند الله تأسیس شده و حوزه عمل و وظایف و امتیازات آنان به صراحت مشخص گردیده است. آنست که تأسیس شوراهای بهائی منطقه ای توانائی نظم شوراهای بهائی منطقه ای نه از تمام خصوصیات، بلکه اداری را در مقابله با موقعیتهای پیچیده ای که حال در توسعة جامعة جهاني بهائی و پیچیدگی روز افزون از بعضی از خصوصیات محافل روحانی برخوردارند تا بدین تعدادی از کشورهای جهان با آن مواجه گشته بمراتب افزایش مسائلی که محافل روحانی ملی در پاره ای از کشورها با وسیله امکانات پیشبرد اقدامات تبلیغی و همچنین امور بخشد تا با نیرونی افزونتر به نشر نفحات الهيه و تبلیغ آنها مواجه هستند امر بهائی را به مرحله جدیدی از توسعه اداری مربوط به جامعه سريع التوسعه بهائی را در مواقع امر الله پردازد.

دوستان عزیز بهانی بيت العدل اعظم

و پیشرفت وارد نموده است این وضعیت سبب شده که عدیده فراهم نمایند بدون چنین مؤسسه ای توسعه لجنه ای بیت العدل اعظم در سنوات اخیر جوانب گوناگون موازنه بین ملی برای تأمین نیازمندیهانی که در بعضی کشورها وجود تمركز و عدم تمرکز را بررسی نماید. در چند کشور به دارد متضمن خطر پیچیدگی متزاید تشکیلاتی در اثر افزودن محافل روحانی ملی اختیار داده شد که شوراهای بهائی طبقه جدیدی از لجنات در تحت اشراف لجنات منطقه ای شرایط تماس با اولیای دولت ایالتی یا لجنه های منطقه ای تبلیغ و امور اداری تأسیس می گردد و یا خطر عدم مرکزیت افراطی را به سبب تفویض کنند از تجاربی که در اثر اقدامات این مؤسسات کسب خود مختاری زیاده از حد به لجنات باعث می شود لجناتی در سلسه

POLICY ON CONTACTING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

به آگاهی محفل روحانی ملی رسیده است که در ایالات یا اعضای مجلس سنا یا مجلس نمایندگان نمایندگان گردیده و با بررسی تفصیلی اصولی که حضرت ولی امرالله که حضرت ولی امرالله آنها را مؤسساتی که فقط باید به ماههای اخیر چند تن از احباء و تعدادی از محافل روحانی وضع فرموده اند این نتیجه حاصل شده است که موقع آن فرا عنوان مشاوران متخصص و مساعدین اجرائی محفل محلی بدون صوابدید محفل روحانی ملی با فرمانداران رسیده تا عنصر جدیدی در نظم اداری بهانی که شورای محسوب شوند مشخص فرموده اند. بهانی منطقه ای نامیده میشود بوجود آید که اثرات و فواید اختصاصی و ممیزۀ شوراهای بهانی تماس برقرار کرده اند. مراتب بين تشکیلات محلی و ملی قرار می گیرد و منطقه ای بقرار ذیل است محفل روحانی ملی مایل است به آگاهی احباء و متضمن نوع خاصی از مؤسسات امری است. مرتبه ای در اختیار تصمیم گیری در امور تبلیغی محافل روحانی محلی برساند که همانگونه که در بخش شوراهای بهائی منطقه ای فقط با اجازه بیت العدل و اداری در ظل محفل ملی و ما فوق محافل روحانی ۱۲/۵ راهنمای محافل محلی آمده افراد احباء و اعظم و تنها در کشورهانی که شرایط چنین اقدامی را محلی بوجود میآورد که متمایز از محدودیت در اقدامات تشکیلات باید پیش از تماس با اولیای دولتی از محفل ایجاب می نماید تأسیس میگردد با وجود این مطلوب اجرائی است. چنین به نظر رسید که جمیع محافل روحانی ملی از اعضای محافل روحانی محلی منطقه را در این دستورالعمل از آن جهت وضع شده است که کیفیت این اقدام تاریخی مطلع شوند و مقام و موقعیت انتخاب اعضاء شورا دخالت میدهد و بدین ترتیب علقة مانع دوباره کاری و ایجاد اغتشاش در روابط خارجی امر بین شورا و احبای محلی را تقویت میکند و سبب مبارک شود. در گذشته اینگونه دوباره کاری و اغتشاش تکاملی مؤسسات ملی و محلی • • این تأسیس جدید در سیر بهائی تصریح گردد. میشود که افراد لایقی وارد میدان خدمت گردند که نزد مؤسسات نظم اداری حضرت بها الله که ریشه و احبای منطقه معروف هستند. رابطه مستقیم مشورتی بین مشاورین قاره ای و بنیانشان مبتنی بر آثار قلم اعلی است، به تدریج و به موازات رشد و توسعۀ جامعۀ بهائى تحت تأثیر قوانی که شوراهای بهائی منطقه ای ایجاد میکند اراده الهی در این عصر به جامعه انسانی اعطاء نموده به در مناطقی که اهالی آنها از نظر قومی و نژادی منصه ظهور رسیده است خصوصیات و وظایف هر یک از یکسان هستند اما در دو یا چند کشور مختلف زندگی این مؤسسات و روابط بین آنها متدرجاً تحول یافته و تکامل مییابد توقیعات حضرت ولی امر الله عناصر ممکن می سازد در چنین وضعیتی شورای مزبور بنحوی تعیین میشود که مستقیماً در تحت اشراف یکی از محافل مقدر است ظهور امر بهائی آنرا بوجود آورد متفاوت است و خلاصه مذاکراتهای خود را به سایر محافل ملی منطقه "هسته مرکزی و هم طرح و نمونه ای اصلی این نظام نیرومند را تشریح نموده و مصرح میدارد که نظم اداری گرچه از بسیاری جهات با نظم جهانی که اما 9 روحانی ملی کسب اجازه نمایند. باعث سرافکندگی شده است. دوستان میتوانند برای کسب اجازه یا دریافت اطلاعات با دفتر منشی روابط خارجی در واشنگتن دی سی تماس حاصل نمایند تلفن: ۸۹۹۰-۸۳۳ (۲۰۲) :فکس ۸۹۸۸-۸۳۳ (۲۰۲)

NATIONAL FUND

گزارشی از دفتر امین صندوق کاهش تابستانه چنان که از پیش دیده شده سنت ناروانی در برای نظم جهانی است بنا بر این در حالی که تحول جامعه امری این دیار معمول گردیده و آن این است که در تكمان مؤسسات نظم اداری از تغییرات عدیده تبعیت شورای بهائی منطقه ای به همان اندازه نیازمند ازدیاد میکند تا با شرایط متحول در زمانها و مکانهای مختلف استعداد محفل ملی در اطلاع از جریان امور اداری در تمام ماه های تابستان هر سال مقدار تبرعات به صندوق ملی مواجه گردد در عین حال باید منحصراً تابع اصول اساسی سرزمینی است که تحت اشراف عالیه آن محفل قرار دارد. کاهش مییابد و بقیهٔ سال را باید با زحمت بسیار به تلافی نظم اداری بهائی ،باشد نظمی که در آثار و نصوص مبارکه برای محافل روحانی ملی که شوراهای بهائی این کاهش با نگرانی به سر بریم. و در تبیینات حضرت عبدالبها و حضرت ولی امر الله منطقه ای یا لجنات منطقه ای اداری و تبلیغ تأسیس کرده اند جناب ویلیام دیویس William Davis امین صندوق پیام دیگری به ضمیمه ارسال میگردد که خط مشی لازم محفل روحانی ملی در کانونشن ملی خطاب به نمایندگان تنصیص و تشریح و وضع گردیده است. می دهد. یکی از کیفیات دقیق نظم اداری بهائی موازنه بین برای تشکیل و فعالیت شوراهای بهانی منطقه ای را توضیح کانونشن و دیگر احبائی که در آن شرکت داشتند، به تاکید تمركز و عدم تمرکز است این موازنه باید بنحوی صحیح برای مراعات سادگی عنوان شورای بهائی این موضوع را خاطرنشان ساخت که باید از حصول این برقرار و حفظ شود ولکن نسبت به شرایط هر مؤسسه ای مختلف همان طور که از قبل مرسوم شده متفاوت کاهش علت اصلی کسر بودجه محفل ملی است. عوامل گوناگونی در این معادله وارد می شود. مثلاً منطقه ای بکار برده شده ولکن اسامی این مؤسسات در کاهش در ماه های تابستان جداً جلوگیری کرد زیرا این رابطه ای که بین محفل روحانی ملی یا محلی با لجنات تحت اشراف آنها وجود دارد با کیفیت رابطه ای که بین است از قبیل شورای بهائی ایالتی"، "شورای بهائی جناب دیویس اظهار میداشت که کاهش تابستانه محافل ملی و محلی موجود است متفاوت است. در مورد ناحیه ای یا وقتی که منظور یک شورای معین است درست در موقعی فرا میرسد که مخارج در حد اعلی است اول رابطة موجود عبارت از رابطه یک مؤسسه اداری شورای بهائی برای ... و امثال آنها برای ممانعت از و در نتیجه مشکلی ایجاد میشود که بقیه سال را باید مرکزی با اعضائی است که در امور اداری و اجرائی بدان تشتت اذهان که در اثر بکار بردن عنوان لجنات منطقه ای دست به گریبان حل آن ،بود بدین معنی که در اثر چنین مؤسسه کمک و مساعدت مینمایند از توقیع حضرت اداری و تبلیغ پیش آمده است تصمیم گرفته شد که بکار کاهشی به جای تمرکز قوا برای رفع نیازهای آینده مجبور ولی امر الله مورخ ۱۸ اکتبر ۱۹۲۷ خطاب به محفل بردن عنوان موقوف شود و مؤسسات مزبور نیز شوراهای بهائی محسوب شوند که اعضای آن بجای انتخاب می شویم فقط به جبران مافات بپردازیم نگاهی به آمار تبرعات در ماه های تابستان چند [Page 43]

Honor roll

VIENNA VIRGINIA BEACH WASHINGTON ABERDEEN ARLINGTON AUBURN BELLEVUE BELLINGHAM BOTHELL COWLITZ CO. COMM. DIST. 3 DES MOINES EDMONDS EVERETT ISSAQUAH JUANITA KENNEWICK KING CO. EAST CENTRAL KING CO. CENTRAL KING CO. SOUTH KING CO. SOUTH CENTRAL KIRKLAND LAKEWOOD LYNNWOOD MERCER ISLAND MOSES LAKE MOUNT VERNON MOUNTLAKE TERRACE MUKILTEO NORMANDY PARK OLYMPIA PASCO PIERCE CO. C.D. #1 PIERCE CO. C.D. #3 PORT ANGELES PULLMAN RAYMOND REDMOND RENTON SHELTON SHORELINE SNOHOMISH CO. NORTH SNOHOMISH CO. SE SNOHOMISH CO. SW SPOKANE SPOKANE CO. COMM. DIST. 1 SPOKANE CO. COMM. DIST. 2 THURSTON CO. EAST TOPPENISH UNIVERSITY PLACE VANCOUVER WALLA WALLA WEST RICHLAND WHATCOM CO. COMM. DIST. 3 WOODINVILLE YAKIMA YAKIMA CO. COMM. DIST. 1 WEST VIRGINIA CHARLESTON CHEYENNE JEFFERSON COUNTY LARAMIE MORGANTOWN PRINCETON WISCONSIN ALGOMA APPLETON ANTIGO BELOIT CEDARBURG DELAFIELD DE PERE EAU CLAIRE FARMINGTON TOWN GREENFIELD JANESVILLE KENOSHA MADISON MENOMONEE FALLS MILWAUKEE MUSKEGO NEW BERLIN OSHKOSH PORTAGE COUNTY RACINE SHEBOYGAN STEVENS POINT SUN PRAIRIE WAUKESHA WAUKESHA TOWNSHIP WAUSAU WAUWATOSA WILSON TOWNSHIP WINCHESTER TWP

Swarthmore Bahá’ís help Arc, one spaghetti dinner at a time

The Bahá’ís of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, are building the Arc and promoting universal participation—one spaghetti dinner at a time.

The monthly dinners were begun more than two years ago as a way for the friends to contribute toward a unit ($9,000) for the Mount Carmel Projects. But the dinners also were seen as a means to draw the friends together, and they continued even after the unit was achieved last year.

At these gatherings, Bahá’ís new to the area meet the other friends, people who live a distance away are reacquainted with those they haven't seen in awhile, and the friends from Swarthmore and surrounding communities simply get to know one another better.

A few Bahá’ís arrive with non-Bahá’í friends, and the emphasis on fellowship allows the guests to feel comfortable and relaxed. A little teaching takes place, but probably as much from observing Bahá’ís interacting as "just folks" than from any focused conversation.

The idea of raising a unit for the Arc was broached at a Feast in December 1994. That was a daunting goal for a Bahá’í Group about to lose five of its nine adults to moves.

But there was no lengthy consultation. The idea was offered up, a few supportive comments and caveats were expressed, and a few minutes later it was agreed.

At the Group's next meeting, the friends decided on an approach. They could focus on staging events intended to bring in significant sums, or they could focus on the community (and those nearby) and set a course to involve as many Bahá’ís as possible.

The latter was chosen, with the spaghetti dinners the primary vehicle. Some money also was raised through an auction. A longtime Bahá’í donated several books incribed by early believers, along with a charcoal sketch of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá drawn by retired Universal House of Justice member David S. Ruhe.

There's no contribution box by the door at the spaghetti dinners these days. No doubt it will reappear sometime down the road, but for now the Bahá’ís are getting together and staying together, and that's always a worthwhile goal.

Ads

...a college degree through a U.S. university while living in Russia! Tuition considerably less than in U.S. To prepare, consider serving the teaching work in Russia this summer with the Marion Jack Project. Switzerland (English and/or French) Two youth needed to work with the National Bahá’í Secretariat, caring for the Hazira, traveling teaching and possibly studying French or German. Occasional opportunities at the offices of the Bahá’í Interntional Community in Geneva. If you can arise to meet one of these or other critical international needs, please contact your local Spiritual Assembly for initial consultation 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 consult with you whenever needed. 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..." Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. Bahá’í Youth Service Corps/Traveling Teaching Desk, phone 847-733-3511, or e-mail

THE LOUIS Gregory Bahá’í Institute is looking for youth service volunteers to serve for six months or more. For more information please contact Greg Kintz, WLGI Radio Bahá’í, 803-558-9544.

THE NATIVE American Bahá’í Institute needs youth ages 18 and older for summer service or a year of service. NABI, on the Navajo reservation in Arizona, offers a great opportunity to serve the Cause, learn about another culture, and experience hands-on activities on the reservation. NABI also provides a unique chance for youth to study while they serve by providing many distalearning courses. For more information, phone NABI at 520-587-7599, e-mail or contact the National Teaching Committee for an application by phoning 847-733-3493.

MISCELLANEOUS

BAHÁ’ÍS who are currently operating, or who might be interested in operating, foster/custodial/assisted living/intergenerational homes for the elderly are invited to contact the Bahá’í Home Advisory Group, 401 Greenleaf Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091 (phone 847-251-7001; fax 847-251-6540; e-mail The information gathered is important to help in long-range strategic planning consultations.

Young Bahá’ís in Dallas-Fort Worth turn weekly fireside into inviting coffeehouse

Eighteen months ago, five young Bahá’ís from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex got together and decided to host a weekly fireside for their fellow youth at the Hurst Bahá’í Center.

These enterprising young people—Julie Afsahi, Mark Kazemzadeh, Hamed Yazhari, Michael Hogue (who is currently in the Holy Land doing his year of service) and Shadi Kourosh—dedicated much of their time to making the Saturday night firesides a success. As a reward for their hard work, they have seen attendance grow among Bahá’í and non-Bahá’í youth.

In response to this success and in an attempt to keep the Saturday evening gatherings interesting for their companions, Mark, Julie, Hamed and Shadi have embarked upon a new venture. The last Saturday of each month sees the youth fireside transformed into a coffeehouse where the emphasis is on the Faith, the arts and having a good time.

With the doors to the Hurst Bahá’í Center opening at 7:30 p.m., the coffeehouse gets under way at 8 with readings from the Writings about art. Poetry readings and musical performances by the youth follow.

To add ambiance to the atmosphere, the Center is decorated with artwork designed by Bahá’í youth. Refreshment and games are provided so that those attending can relax and spend some time getting to know one another better.

As a testament to the success of this latest endeavor by these talented and dedicated young people, more than 50 young people attended the most recent coffeehouse. Of these, more than half were seekers.

South

...plans with the community and will take part in the upcoming Vanguard Conference in Birmingham at the National Youth Training Conference in Knoxville.

To contact them with ideas, suggestions or information about local race unity activities or initiatives, e-mail

In Memoriam

Jetelyn Andrews Cleveland, OH March 2, 1997

Sayadullah Barghassa Garner, NC December 4, 1996

Joel Beverly Las Cruces, NM January 20, 1997

Wanda Lee Bradley Billings, MT February 21, 1997

Christine Cain Glendale, AZ March 12, 1997

Michael Chaplin Pierre, SD January 2, 1993

Henry Cooper Chicago, IL April 8, 1997

Remsey Coq Redding, CT May 27, 1997

Loraine Edward Laguna Beach, CA February 2, 1997

Charles Farmer Jr. Atlanta, GA November 27, 1996

Deborah Fowler Branch, MI March 23, 1997

Elmer Greenleaf S. Juan County, NM April 18, 1997

Marie Greenleaf Tulsa, OK April 1, 1997

Shed Hill Fort Valley, GA April 2, 1997

Harold Jenniffer III Baltimore, MD February 1997

Duane Johnson Bedford, NH January 29, 1997

Emma Lombard Albany, GA May 22, 1997

Dorothy Maitland Camarillo, CA April 4, 1997

Farid Malakouti Plano, TX May 4, 1997

Alice Mathias Sunland, CA April 3, 1997

Lurline McKeay Santa Rosa, CA January 2, 1997

Joyce Osterweil River Vale, NJ April 15, 1997

Rose M. Parker Pomona, CA February 14, 1997

Hossein Rastegar Duncanville, TX March 16, 1997

Sheila Rice-Wray Dominican Republic May 2, 1997

Patrick Shelton Chino Hills, CA April 7, 1997

Elizabeth Spear Hamburg, NY November 14, 1996

Marion Stukey Chardon, OH April 10, 1997

James B. Wade Minneapolis, MN December 26, 1996 [Page 44]‘Prejudices—Just Undo Them’ was the theme of a booth sponsored by the Bahá’ís of Manatee County, Florida, at this year’s week-long county fair. The display featured a giant jigsaw puzzle made up of many of the prejudices people may have. At the bottom of the puzzle, the pieces were becoming ‘undone’ and falling to the floor in disarray. More than 115,000 people visited the fair, and more than 950 stopped at the booth to pick up a free Bahá’í button, take home literature or ask for more information about the Faith. It was the 27th year in a row in which the Bahá’ís had a booth at the fair.

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 three weeks for processing. (This also updates the National Center’s data base.)

A. NAME(S)

B. NEW RESIDENCE ADDRESS

C. NEW MAILING ADDRESS

D. NEW COMMUNITY (Moving date)

E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER (Area code, Phone number, Name)

F. WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S) (Area code, Phone number, Name)

G. WE RECEIVE EXTRA COPIES BECAUSE:

• we do not have the same last name. We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) and I.D. number(s) listed above.
• the last names and addresses on our address labels do not match. We have listed above the full names of family members as they should appear on the national records, their I.D. numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive only one copy.

H. I WOULD LIKE A COPY

• Our household receives only one copy of The American Bahá’í. I wish to receive my own copy. I have listed my name, I.D. number and address above.

Bahá’í National Center 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201-1611

RAHMAT B.E. 154 • JUNE 24, 1997

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 G. 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

JUNE

28–29: Overnight Children’s Conference, “Teaching Begins—Teach Self,” YWCA gym, Flint, Michigan. Designed for ages 6–13 with adult attending fathers welcome. Cost: $12 per person payable to Flint YWCA. Attendance is limited to 75. Registration to: Darlene Rivers, Flint, MI 48503 (phone 810-235-5471 weekends only).

JULY

3–6: Bay Area Bahá’í Social Group Retreat, Bosch Bahá’í School.

4–6: Bellemont Bahá’í Summer School, Flagstaff, Arizona. Theme: “America’s Destiny.” Keynote speakers: Dr. J.S. Samandari, Dr. William Maxwell. For information, contact the Bellemont School Committee, c/o Val Latham, P.O. Box 233, Flagstaff, AZ 86003, or phone 520-526-5152.

4–9: “Meeting the Challenge of the Most Challenging Issue,” with Jane Faily and Leonard Smith, Green Acre Bahá’í School.

4–9: Persian-American Bahá’í Studies session with Habib Riazati and Auxiliary Board member Tahereh Ahdieh, music by Narges, Louhelen Bahá’í School.

6: Concert/picnic on the Piscataqua, Green Acre Bahá’í School. Gospel concert, lunch and beverages for sale. Admission: $3/person (maximum $10/family).

8–13: “Teachers on the March” Training Institute, Bosch Bahá’í School. Also, 10th annual College Institute (for ages 18–30).

11–16: “Physical and Spiritual Transformation/The Bahá’í Community as Workshop for Transformation,” with Dr. Kerry McCord, Peter and Pepper Oldjey, Green Acre Bahá’í School.

11–16: Spiritual Empowerment Institute for Youth and Junior Youth, Louhelen Bahá’í School.

13–August 2: Youth Academy, Junior Youth Academy II, Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute.

14–17: Summer Children’s Academy (for those entering grades 4, 5, 6), Bosch Bahá’í School.

18–23: “Investigate Reality” in your personal life and the world around you with members of the Foundation for the Science of Reality, Green Acre Bahá’í School.

18–23: Education Seminar with Dr. Terry Kneisler, Dr. Beatriz Curry and others, and Family and Friends Session I, “Every Believer Is a Teacher,” with Auxiliary Board member William Smits, Louhelen Bahá’í School. Full children’s program.

19: Centennial Celebration, Enterprise, Kansas. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of the second oldest Bahá’í community in the U.S. Pre-registration for lunch and dinner strongly recommended. For information, please contact the event coordinator, Judy Heikes, Hutchinson, KS 67502 (phone 316-662-4680).

19–24: General Session with Jack McCants, Gary Matthews and Christine Rayner, Bosch Bahá’í School. Also, first annual Art Camp sponsored by the Gwen Wakeling Arts Endowment.

25–30: “Business Management from a Bahá’í Perspective/Unity in Spirit and Action/The Power of Love,” with Larry Miller, Carole Miller, Adrienne Reeves, Green Acre Bahá’í School.

25–30: “Shoghi Effendi, the Planner,” with Dr. June Thomas, and “The Path Toward Spirituality,” with Auxiliary Board member Shahin Vafai, Louhelen Bahá’í School.

26–31: Youth Institute (for those entering grades 10, 11, 12), Bosch Bahá’í School.

AUGUST

1–6: “Consultation: Power of the New Age,” with Robert Harris, “Diversity: Beyond Color and Culture,” with Barbara Harris and Rodney and Janet Richards, and “A Woman’s Voice,” with artist-in-residence Mary Davis, Green Acre Bahá’í School.

1–6: Family and Friends Session III, “The Kitáb-i-Aqdas,” with Habib Riazati, Louhelen Bahá’í School.

1–9: Bahá’í Academy for the Arts, Ardingly College, West Sussex, United Kingdom. Classes on musical theatre (for ages 11–14), photography, voice, painting, music, theatre, dance and public speaking (for ages 15 and older). Registrar: Paul Booth, East Sussex TN22 1DR, UK. Telephone/fax 01825 761 443.

2–3: Third annual NABI Pow Wow and Workshops, Native American Bahá’í Institute.

2–7: Junior Youth Institute No. 1 (for those entering grades 7, 8, 9), Bosch Bahá’í School.

8–10: Ethlyn Lindstrom Family Retreat, Camp Kiwanilong, Astoria, Oregon, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Astoria. For information, write to Sali Diamond, P.O. Box 887, Astoria, OR 97103, or phone 503-325-1121.

8–13: “Two Wings: Advancement of Women in Partnership with Men,” with presenters to include Mary K. Radpour and Mona and Richard Grieser, Green Acre Bahá’í School.