The American Bahá’í/Volume 30/Issue 7/Text

From Bahaiworks

[Page 1]

AMERICAN BAHA

Destiny linked to spirituality



is in North America have a glorious destiny, but we can’t reach it unless ¥ in touch

with the words of God, U member



of — Justice Fatheazam reminded the Foundation Hall in the Baha of Worship.

“Your job as American believers is to lead the world spiritually,” he said, echo



ing assurances of the Guardian. “Are you prepared for it?” Hundreds from the Chicago area


flocked to the Temple in Wilmette Aug.

Semi ees varied views on equality \ X Torking toward equality of women

and men—does this mean something different to an Anglo-American woman than to, perhaps, a woman of

background? Or AfricanLatina, Asian,

Pe rsian

an, American


Intent on SDE lessons from the as well as common y of Bah anhood, the National Assembly’s Office of Women’s Affa mbled about 30 women from across the country for “So Powerful is the Light,” its first Women’s Seminar, June 26- it the Baha’i National Center.

The stories that unfolded inside the rose-bedecked chamber were intense, personal, heartbreaking, astounding and inspiring. They revealed that for all their differences, women everywhere have common bonds in the struggle for humanity to obtain true equality.

“We heard about strong mothers and daughters who kept their families together despite the death of a spouse and/or parent; women who had the courage to leave abusive situations, while others survived poverty,” said a report from the Office of Women’s Affairs.

And they arrived at a shared conviction that equality principally means respect and partnership between men and women, “and a belief on the part of men that in strengthening women’s capacity, both may soar higher,” the report said.

The National Spiritual Assembly has

ama:












SEE WOMEN’S SEMINAR, PAGE 6


Tt was te sgh ight ofa busy summer at the House of Worship (see story, photos on pages 16-17).

The Baha'is of Iran have had high hopes for the American community a long as he can remember, Mr. heazam said. He recalled collecting coins as a child in Tehran, to help pay for that very Temple’s construction in Wilmette.








“groomed by the hand of God” to pla pivotal role in world affairs, but the Baha’is in North America ha special role in the spiritual advancement of humanity—as ‘Abdu’l-Bahé, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House have repeatedly reminded us.

“You are the recipients of the Tablets of the Divine Plan,” he said. “You are charged with the spiritual conquest of the planet.”







SEE HOUSE MEMBER, PAGE II



Across generations and continents


Mai Vu Yang (left) and Tayebeh Aboonour, from different parts of California (and originally of the world), share a moment at the recent Southeast Asian Community Builders Roundtable Conference. See page 13 for tips from the U.S. Baha’i Refugee Office on reaching Southeast Asians locally. Photo by P. Stevens



U.S. friends asked to help appeal for payment of late debt to U.N.


his fall, Baha’is are urgently asked to phone, write or visit the district of their members of Congr s well as their represenask them to support ‘ion to pay U.S. financial obligations to the United Nations. They should ask those members of Congress to ensure: © That the legislation will provide enough funds to the U.N. to keep the U.S. from losing its vote in the General Assembly, and:

  • That imposed conditions for payment





will be kept to a minimum.

The U.S. owes the United Nations more than $1.3 billion in back dues and peacekeeping me For several years the National Spiritual Assembly diss worked with other organizations in

Washington to get Congress to uthorize payment of the growing U.S. debt to the world body.

Periodically, at the National Assembly's request, individual Bahé and Spiritual Assemblies across the










SEE DEBT TO U.N., PAGE 18

SEPTEMBER 8, 1999

eoeoeeeoeee


MASHIYYAT/WILL BAHAI ERA 156

VOLUME 30, NO. 7

  • lN°S°1-D°E


WEB SEARCH pon TRUTH


SUMMER AT THE TEMPLE PAGES 16-17


VINEYARD OF THE LORD PAGE 22 aere

YOUTH * {0-II CARTA A LOS AMIGOS - | CLASSIFIED + 20-21 UNIT CONVENTIONS + 23-25 IN MEMORIAM = 27 PERSIAN PAGES + 28-30 prasecs-arrecmesnasemmctnerUaUR TRS NTO

THE NATIONAL FUND

Between May 1 and August 31, 1999

$9,000,000 Goal/All Funds

$5,421,532 Received/All Funds

See page 3 for details


  • E-X-C-E-R-P-T-S:

“Blessed are they that remember the one true God, that magnify His Name, and seek diligently to serve His Cause.” —Bahé’u'llah




[Page 2]ALMANAC


Anniversary of the Birth of the Bab A Baha’i Holy Day

  • Observed between sundown Oct. 19 and

sundown Oct. 20

  • Work should be suspended


“The Bab, name was ‘Ali-Muhammad, was born in [in Persia], on the first of Muharram, in the year 1235 A.H. [Oct. 20, 1819]. He was the descendant of a hous which traced its origin to Muhammad Himself” ie (The Dawn-Breakers, p. 14)

A beautiful Tablet revealed by Bahd’u’lléh in honor of the anniversary of the Bab’s birth can be found on page 234 of Tablets of Babd’u'llab.

Some significant dates in Baha‘i history September and early October



Oct. 10-12, 1848: Mullé Husayn, journeying to the Mazindardn region of Persia on instructions from the Bab, arrived with more than 200 companions near the town of Barfurdsh. There a band of townspeople, stirred up by a local cleric, attacked the Babis. Though Mullé Husayn’s company was victorious, several were slain. Suffering snipings and an attempted surprise attack, they presented an able defense and took sanctuary in the shrine of Shaykh Tabarsi. Within weeks they were besieged and the shrine became a fort.

September 1867: Baha’u'llah, exiled in Adrianople (Edirne, Turkey), began the process of declaring His

mission to the world at large. His Tablet to the Kings and Rulers, revealed about this time, was described by Shoghi Effendi as His “most momentous Tablet.”


Sept. 23, 1893: The Baha'i Faith was mentioned publicly for the first time in North America, in a presentation at the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago by a former Christian missionary.


Sept. 10, 1911: ‘Abdu’l-Baha began His first series of public lectures in the Western world, starting at London and traveling to Paris on Oct. 3.



October 1935: The Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, wrote to the National $ al Assembly of the United States and Canada (then a single Assembly), affirming that the Baha’ laws of fasting, obligatory prayers, consent of parents before marriage, monogamy and avoidance of alcoholic drinks were binding on the believers.


Oct. 7-15, 1953: The Asian Intercontinental Teaching Conference, one of several conferences held to energize the 1953-63 ‘Ten Year Crusade, was held in New Delhi, Indi he first international Baha’i gathering in the



t.

Sept. 16-17, 1961: The House of Worship in Sydney, Australia, was dedicated by the Hand of the Cause of God ‘Amatu’l-Bahé Ruhiyyih Khanum in. private and public ceremonies.



Oct. 12, 1977: The world’ first Baha’{ cultural and education radio station, in Ecuador, made its first broadcast. @

Facts in the “Some significant dates” section compiled from A Basic Bahé’i Chronology


‘TANIKA CONNESERO, a 17-year-old Baha’f in Joseph City, Arizona, was selected as Elks Student of the Month for Marc also was awarded two scien holarships and the Prudential Spirit of the Community Award.




JoserH FRADE! Metairie, Loui: named a Na Finalist. He was vic the student council A School in New Orlea served as president of thi New Orleans Asso Student Councils. Involved in many a senior year—including several classroom pr tions on the Baha’i Faith—he was an All-D: football player.



Damiana NEssit, a 16-year-old Baha’i in Longview, Washington, was elected Junior Class president at R.A. Long High School. An honor roll student who is active in many areas, she also has been most valuable player on the varsity volleyball team.


NANAZ PirNiA, a Baha’i in Beverly Hills, California, was honored this spring as co-Citizen of the Year by the city’s Chamber of Commerce and Civic Association. The private psychologist has been involved with local schools since 1982, and was recognized for her continuing outreaches to help children, couples and families, as well as to promote understanding among people from varied cultures.






Berry ANNE REDSON, a Baha’i from Woodstock, Illinois, was one of 19 educators statewide given a Distinguished Service Award this year from the National School Public Relations Association, for her extensive committee and volunteer work aimed at improving local schools.

RANDALL ROBINSON, a Baha’ in Mesa, Arizona, was recently named by the mayor and City Council to the Human Relations Advisory Board, which advises government on issues of race, religious, ethnic, cultural and disability diversity.



Ketsty ROOK, a 10-year-old Baha'i from McMinnville, Oregon, was recognized at the end of her fifth-grade year with certificates of excellence in her studies, the Newberry Reader Award, and appreciation for her role as editor of the school newspaper. She performs volunteer work in the school office and reads to kindergarten students.







An article in the Aug. 1, 1999, issue of The American Babi’i titled “Sacred Justice: American Indians’ historic roles ...” misstated Valerie Phillips’ academic post. At Wa ington State

University, she tea k research in specific areas of | indigenous people’ righ worked with the Tribal Attorney's Office







sit 7A caer. Ue

ERECT

Managing Editor / Editorial Content James Humphrey

Managing Editor / Art Director Amethel Parel-Sewell

Associate Editor ‘Tom Mennillo

Associate Editor Ramzia Duszynski

Print Production Specialist Aaron Kreader

Facilities Manager Artis Mebane

Contributors Alex Blakeson, Rafael Castillo, Beatriz Reyna Curry, Jessica Decatrel, Randolph Dobbs, Ajit Giani, Ayned Louise McComb, Ruth Peterson, Vladimir Shilov, P. Stevens, Ellen Stone, Ruhi Vargha, Lally Warren




(plus one } zy ee oa) F "Assembly ofthe Baha's of the United States, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. ee 4 at Evanston, IL and additional mailing offices.

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page 2 THe AMERICAN BanA’i * ALMANAC/EXCELLENCE — September 8, 1999 [Page 3]

MESSAGE OF THE UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

TO ALL NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES AUGUST 24, 1999

Dear Baha’s Friends, The historic associations of the Cause of Baha’u’llah with Turkey, a land held sacred in the hearts of Baha’is, make of the disaster wreaked by the recent earthquake an event of inexpressible sorrow for the Baha’i world. While we are relieved to have received reports that the lives of our co-religionists were spared, we grieve with all those who have suffered incalculable loss both from the deaths in the thousands of their fellow-citizens and from the extensive destruction of property. In addition to our fervent prayers in the Holy Shrines for the bereaved and distressed, we have arranged for a financial contribution to be made towards relief efforts. Moreover, the principal representative of the Baha’ International Community at the United Nations has been asked to convey to the President of ‘Turkey heartfelt condolences on behalf of our world community.

—The Universal House of Justice


NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY CONTRIBUTES TO TURKEY EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND

cape National Spiritual Assembly has made a contribution on behalf of the U.S. Baha’{ community to an emergency relief fund setup by the Turkish Embassy in Washington, DG, for the victims of the earthquake in Turkey. The National Assembly made the donation as a gesture of the American Baha'i community's loving concern for all those who suffered devastating losses of their loved ones

and property.


Objective film on Faith draws positive response

BY JESSICA DECATREL, NEW YORK, NY



t was supposed to be a gift to his [e who is a Baha’s. But Justin

Golding’s movie ended up being an look at the Faith that has excited Baha’is and caught the attention of the film world.

‘The 36-minute documentary Mirrors of God: The Babd’i Faith was written, directed and produced by Golding, an independent filmmaker from Wales living in New York City. His wife, Nicole, a physician, embraced the Faith two years ago.

A number of distribution companies i t in the film, featured at the




ha




which rec Content 99 Fe

Although Golding’s plan was to focus on ‘Abdw’l-Baha’s trip to New York

City, the project took on a life of its own and its scope incr d.

Mirrors of God begins with a look at the ministries of the Bab and Baha’u’llah, then follows the story of ‘Abduw’l-Bahé in some de and includes a number of refe: to Shoghi Effendi. The film ends with a of the basic tenets of the th. ome rare and interesting footage is included, such as 16mm film of ‘Abdu’l-Baha in America; pencil drawings of the homes of the Bab and wllah; and film footage of the








SEE DOCUMENTARY, PAGE 26




Local school celebrates 40th year

Some of the 150 people at the 40th annual session of the Bellemont Baha’i School gather July 3-5 at the Baha’i-owned five-acre retreat center in the mountains in Arizona. Sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Flagstaff, the gathering drew Baha’is and their friends from Arizona and several neighboring states. Class sessions on the theme “From Transformation to Action” were presented by Michael Bruwer and Carl Ewing of Arizona, Fereshteh Bethel of California and Jeffery and Rachel Huffines of New York. Photo by Ellen Stone, Flagstaff, AZ

BS




Friends urged to maintain ‘Two Wings’ momentum

¢ National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men extends to you its most loving greetings. Our hearts are warmed by the continuous flow of reports we are receiving from every corner of the country, in which the friends have shared with us their valiant efforts in promoting the principle of the equality of women and men.

‘The American Baha’i community has been vigorously ablaze with the national campaign to distribute the statement Tivo Wings of A Bird: The Equality of Women and Men to its mayors and city council members. We have received reports from more than 170 communities nationwide.

Although the official target date for presenting the statement has passed, we will be happy to continue receiving


A message from the National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men




updates about activities in your communities and encourage you to continue with your plans to present the statement to your local officials.

Some communities have indicated to us that they were waiting for the release of the gender equality video and wanted to time their presentations to coincide with its release. There were some production delays with this video and its release date has been pushed back several months; however, we want to assure all the friends that work on the video is actively contin uing and that it is the hope of the National Spiritual Assembly that it will be completed shortly. We ask you not to delay your efforts in your communities. As the Universal House of Justice stated in its Ridvan B.E. 155 message: “One thing above all else is necessary: to act, to act now, and to continue to act.” What a wonderful bounty if all communities would continue onward in this important campaign. If you need ideas or suggestions about other events and programs you could coordinate, please contact the National Committee for the Equality of Women and Men c/o Baha’ National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone Sasha Williams at 517-484-8381, or e-mail .¢




Enrollments





THE FUND

May 1~Aug. 31, 1999 Contributions received by National Treasurer




Goal for entire year:

$27,000,000

Received since May 1, 1999: $5,421,532

20% of year’s goal

has been met

33% of fiscal year has passed

April 30, 2000 f







Allocations to

Other Funds




Arc Projects Fund $761,928

International Baha'i Fund

$292,180

Oe e Cwm ate RTM od

Other contributions: $170,680


Total cash-basis revenues and expenditures for Baha'i National Fund

May 1-July 31, 1999 (latest available)

$4,861,785

Revenues (contributions, book sales, school fees etc.)

$6,076,140

Expenditures (operations, capital and debt payments etc.)






Critical projects that could no longer be deferred have forced our Baha’i national operations into a cash deficit.



Mail contributions to:

National Baha’i Fund. ; 112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, IL 60091-2800 _ Please write Baha’i ID # on check




September 8, 1999 Tre AMERICAN BanA’l © THe Seconp Front

Page 3 [Page 4]


BY AJIT GIANI, HOUSTON, TX


he had been looking for a faith that was simply true. A

faith in which actions are just as important as words. The search was long and arduous, but it eventually turned up on the Internet: the Baha’ Faith.

Growing up Catholic in Houston, Texas, Charletta Martin had many questions about religion, faith, church, and anything that had a remote connection to God. She began questioning priests at age 13 during preparation for her confirmation as a Catholic.

Eventually those questions pulled her away from religion, but it was never in her heart to pull away from God. She believed that when all was gone, God would be there. She continued to pray and hoped for an answer.

The answer came two years ago as she randomly opened Web sites on the Internet.

Martin was aware of the Baha’is and remembered them from her childhood doing work in the community. She recalled that the Baha’is stood out as individuals who served in the community without expecting compensation. She had also seen billboards advertising the Faith. To her the Baha’is were just “good people.”

As she looked at various Baha’i Web pages, Martin became overwhelmed with what she calls simple truth that poured from each page. She began to download and copy information. It enkindled her so much, she stayed at her computer for many hours and printed out more than 150 pages from official Web sites.

Martin also used the Internet to communicate and learn about many of the teachings and principles of Baha’u’llah.

She spent the next couple of months deepening on the Faith, but she still found it difficult to declare herself a Baha’i. She wondered about losing her family. How could she tell her parents that she no longer believed the Catholic Church was right for her?

She continued to struggle with this issue until she read


Charletta Martin began seriously exploring the Baha’i Faith recently through the Internet, but had a positive impression of Baha’is from childhood.

the following quote from the Universal House of Justice on the Internet: “There must be revived among the individual believers a sense of mission, a feeling of empowerment to minister to the urgent need of humanity for guidance and thus win victories for the Faith in their own sphere of life.”

On reading that special quote, Martin could no longer stand by idly. She declared her faith the next day at a weekend coffee hour in Houston, hosted by the local teaching committee.

Since then, Martin says, she has faced many tests and difficulties. But she has learned to expect them, and realizes that she is becoming a stronger Baha’i. She now openly and frequently speaks with family and friends about the Faith.

Her family and friends have accepted the changes she made, and they all agree that the Baha’is are doing wonderful things—and that it takes courage to stand up for this Faith. @

Clarification on use of ‘Who is Writing the Future?’

n the February 25, 1999, letter from ¢ Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies that acoonnemet ie ueaates Lor De





Answering inquiries from the public: A helpful guide on the Net


wr are the most common questions people have when they find



Here is just a sample of suggested responses from the Frequently Asked Questions Web page


out about the Baha’f Faith through national broadcasts or our Internet site?

How do we answer those frequent questions when those inquirers contact the Bahé’{ community?

‘The National Teaching Committee has posted on the Web a set of several dozen “Frequently Asked Questions,” grouped by subject and accompanied by suggested answers drawn from widely available Baha’i literature.

Communities or individual Baha’is can take advantage of the full set of questions and answers in either of these ways:

  • Log in to the Administrative Web

Site (www.usbnc.org). You will need your Baha’i ID number to gain access. Click on the “1-800-22UNITE” link, then scroll to the right (if necessary) and click on “Frequently Asked Questions— With Suggested Answers.”

  • Request the document from the

National Teaching Committee Office, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3493).

Please explain progressive revelation.

  • Do Baha’is believe that all faiths are a

gateway to spirituality or that all faiths are identical in their themes? When Baha’is say that the various reli gions are one, they do not mean that the

various religious beliefs are identical.

Rather, they believe that there is only

one religion and all the Messengers of

God have progressively revealed its

nature. Together, the world’s great reli gions are expressions of a single unfolding divine plan, “the changeless Faith of

God, eternal in the past, eternal in

the future.”

People from all of the major religious backgrounds have found that the promises and expectations of their own beliefs are fulfilled in the Baha’f Faith. Baha’is from Native American, African and other indigenous backgrounds, similarly, find in the Baha'i teachings fulfillment of prophetic visions.

—Baha’i International Community, The

Babd’is magazine, p. 37 “In brief, every one of the divine religions

contains essential ordinances, which are not subject to change, and material ordinances, which are abrogated according to the exigencies of time. But the people of the world have forsaken the divine teachings and followed forms and imitations of the truth. Inasmuch as these human interpretations and superstitions differ, dissensions and bigotry have arisen, and strife and warfare have prevailed. By investigating the truth or foundation of reality underlying their own and other beliefs, all would be united and agreed, for this reality is one; it is not multiple and not divisible.”

—‘Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 105-106

  • How do tribal religions fit into this

concept and are they seen as religions? The Baha’i Writings do not specifical ly address indigenous religions,

although Baha'is know that there have been religions that have been lost in the passage of time or predate the period of written historical record which does not negate their existence or importance. Baha’is from Native American, African

and other indigenous backgrounds believe the Baha’f Faith fulfills their prophecies.

  • Is the Baha’i Faith a cult or a sect?

The Baha’i Faith is not a cult, a sect, an offshoot of Islam or a synthesis of religions. In the past, scholars sometimes referred to the Baha’i Faith as a sect of Islam—owing to the fact that its Prophet and early followers emerged from an Islamic society. Today religious specialists recognize that such a reference would be equivalent to calling Christianity a sect of Judaism, or referring to Buddhism as a denomination of Hinduism. Although Christ was indeed Jewish and Buddha was born a Hindu, Their religious messages were not merely re-interpretations of the parent religions—but went far beyond them. In the same way, Baha’u’llah laid entirely new spiritual foundations. His writings are independent scripture, and His work transcends that of a religious reformer. (Also see God Passes By, p. 366) @


page 4

Tre AMERICAN BAnA’i ¢ SPREADING THE TEACHINGS September 8, 1999 [Page 5]

Africans have special feeling for Black Americans


BY LALLY LUCRETIA M. WARREN

Ws the first group of Black Americans, as they are affectionately known in southern Africa, arrived in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia in 1994, Baha’is and non-Baha’is alike in all three countries were very happy to meet, welcome and spend time imply adored them.





n pone of are black like us, and yet they do not speak any language; they are well-educated, and yet they do not look down upon the many Africans who are not; they ‘ed, and yet they mix very freely with ackgrounds. Little wonder they are loved so much by their African brothers and sist

The history of slavery has always been a evokes feelings of empathy amongst the Africans, even though generally regarded as something that happened so many years ago that it is difficult to imagine that it really did happen.

Yet anybody living in Africa, especially southern Africa, knows only too well what it is like to be judged by the color of one’s skin. The average Black African longs to see, hear and touch their distant relatives, whom many have only read about, to learn from them and help them learn about Africa. Perhaps in the future there will be a general exodus from America to Africa which could bring its own problems, but if there is a people who truly believe in the brotherhood of man and in the unity of mankind, as a tenet of their religious belief, then this people should surely lead the way and be the first to show the way to those who will be doing it for mere curiosity.

In African Baha’i circles the term “pioneer” has come to mean a white Baha’i who comes from abroad to join a Baha’i community in Africa. With this conception goes the notion that these dear servants of the Cause know everything about the Faith. When points of disagreement arise, as they surely will, rather than simply love them and disagree with them, some Africai a drastic option—they have opted out of the Faith!

One wonders: If “pioneer” could also come to mean “black,” would disagreeing with them still have such a drastic outcome for these same people?






subject that







“We direct the attention of the believers of African descent, so beloved by the Master, to the pressing need 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 when the first systematic campaign was launched for its spiritual illumination.”

—WUniversal House of Justice, from Ridvan 153 message to the Baha’is of North America


‘The services that the American believers of color can render in this continent will perhaps never be adequately articulated. The skills that so many of them possess are very much needed here: from computer technology to artisan skills; from primary school teaching to senior secondary school teaching; all areas of the medical field; agriculture; different aspects of engineering; and so on.

Finding jobs has never been a particularly easy task in any part of the world, but when people deal in faith it amazing how doors open. How long these doors will remain open nobody knows, therefore to act and act right away is imperative if the friends re: lly want to mov

On the cultural side there are issues of interest like music, a common heritage of both African and American. The African is a born singer but often when meeting with non-singing cultures he hesitates, and sometimes when those who do not appreciate music make unmusical or uncomplimentary remarks, he gets a bit discouraged. With more self-confidence, more assertiveness, the absolute assurance that music is not only allowed but encouraged and highly praised in the Holy Writings, music will be reinstituted in our gatherings.

‘The influence of Black Americans will go a long way to encourage their African sisters and brothers to revisit their musical heritage. If those with so much finesse take music seriously, their less-sophisticated counter









eee

contact ahead of time. HOMEFRONT PIONEERING

Central States:

FOR THE FAITH

The decentralization process means a new view of coordinating the work of those who wish to pioneer or travel to teach the Faith—at home or abroad. Here is a list of people you should

TEACHING WITHIN THE U.S.

Central States:

INTERNATIONAL PIONEERING AND TRAVELING TEACHING




Lynn Wieties (phone 573-364- Marilyn Ray (phone 785-628- IF YOU LIVE IN: 9618, e-mail 1919, e-mail )

) Northeastern States: Northeastern or Central Northeastern States: Diana Kaufman (phone 908-709- — States: Joel Nizin (phone 201-652-6385, 1228, e-mail Alex Blakeson (phone 847-733-3511, e-mail ) e-mail ) Southern States: Southern States: Southern States: Anne Jalali (phone 912-825- Anne Jalali (phone 912-825- Sherdeana Jordan (phone 847-7333542, 3542, e-mail 3507, e-mail ) e-mail ) ) Western States: Western States: Western States: Aurore Ragston (phone 847Flor Toloui (phone 925-672- Cathy Yavrom (phone 209-234- 733-3512, e-mail

, 2231, e-mail ) )

e-mail )

  • INTERNATIONAL SERVICE/EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES—For youth, page I 1; general, page 31.
  • TO REPORT AN INTERNATIONAL TEACHING TRIP YOU'VE ALREADY TAKEN—See form on page 26.



parts will be encouraged to use music as dictated to them by their innermost feelings.

‘The most meritorious of all deeds is teaching, the Master, ‘Abdu’l-Baha, assures us. But He also advises us to love those we teach. It is so much easier to show love to those who love you already! The love that the Africans have for their long lost brothers and sisters is great, a and a message from the latter will have a special meaning, especially if it’s a message of hope and love. When someone already shows love for you and you lovingly give them the message of Baha’u'llah, how can you fail to evoke in them very sweet sentiments?

In 1994 when the rs’ group came to southern Africa, the general receptivity of the African people to the Faith was good, but now it has gotten even better. q is a critical time in the lives of humanity and souls have never been so ready for the Message of Baha'u'llah.

‘The century is fast approaching its end and none of us knows what the next century will bring. Why wait for the next century when this one is ready for you? This is the Century of Light—it must be, because our beloved Master said it is. What better way to bring it to a close than for those who have been affectionately referred to as “the black pupil of the eye” through which “the light of the spirit shineth forth” to go forth and with determination spread the tidings of light amongst their brethren, thus proving to all and sundry that Africa is far from being the Dark Continent it was said to be.

In short let me assure you, dear brothers and sisters, Africa needs you; Africa loves you; Africa is calling out to you. Plea

—Lally Warren, a rahe of the Continental Board of Counselors for Africa, lives in Botswana. ®













A boost for Wyoming teaching

INFORMATION FROM AYNED LOUISE MCCOMB

as small Baha’f community in Casper, Wyoming, grew by several times—at least for the weekend of July 9— thanks to 20 traveling teachers of all ages from Colorado.

Using a campground in Casper as a home base, the travelers from Arvada, Wheat Ridge and Parker, Colorado, helped the local Baha’is diffuse the fragrances of the Teachings at an observance of the Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Bab and evenings of food, music and fellowship.

In all, the teaching contingent told 17 souls about the Faith, including a few campers. They even came across other Bahé'‘s from Colorado Springs who were camping there.

Material preparation before and during the weekend, including advance publicity by the Baha’is of Casper and organization by several from Arvada and Wheat Ridge, was complemented by spiritual input, including prayers recited around the perimeter of the city.

Casper, one of the two largest cities in Wyoming, is a goal city of the state teaching committee. Homefront pioneers helped re-establish the Spiritual Assemblies of Cheyenne and Laramie in April, after the state had no Assemblies at all for a year. @





The Martyrdom of the Bab was commemorated at a shady pavilion at Fort Casper in Casper, Wyoming.


September 8, 1999

Tne AMERICAN BAnA’i * SPREADING THE TEACHINGS page 5 [Page 6]

The challenges of equality in U.S. Mexican culture

his essay by Beatriz Reyna Curry is

one of dozens of papers presented at the Women’s Seminar June 26-27 at the Baha’i National Center. In the interest of providing perspectives on gender equality through the eyes of women of diverse backgrounds, other essays will be printed periodically in The American Baha’.


"T® effects that the implementation of the principle of gender equality will have on Mexican culture in the United States can best be understood once one is made familiar with traditional gender roles in that cultu

‘The view of woman as mother is sacred. Mothers are put on pedestals, like that of the Virgin Mary, by sons and fathers. This encourages a “self- ficial” attitude on the mother’s part—even when such an attitude is not healthy for the family unit.

The level of maternal self-sacrifice is so great that women choose not to pursue an education in order to devote themselves to the husband and children—often seen in that order of priority by all family members. A woman will even stay in an abusive marriage, because she as her “duty” to be sacrificed.

The view of relationships between men and women, husbands and wives, is passed on to children in subtle but powerful ways. Mothers tend to be very indulgent of sons but not of daughters, thus creating unequal and










unjust relationships with their girl children.

This promotes a subconscious belief among women that boys are, in reality, litle men who must be served by their mothers and daughters. It also prompts men to feel that they are deserving of preferential treatment and of doting attention.

As a result, an attitude of superiority is fostered among boys and men—one which reinforces the perception of daughters, wives, and mothers as subservient

erior. This attitude inhibits familial consultation




In fact, as the “equality” principle is applied, it will prove to be very threatening to men. Because men's view of themselves (as superior) is so interwoven with



threatening to men to partnerships. “If women are equal to men, how will that change me? Who will I be as a man?”

e their relationships as equal

Conversely, because the self-views of women are also interwoven with their view of men, it may also prove difficult for women to fully embrace the application of equality.

‘The Mexican culture also holds some very positive qualities that will be very beneficial to the Baha’i community in this country: The family as a key focal point and the promotion of its welfare above that of the individual are important behaviors to be modeled in the American community. The attitude of warm, inviting hospitality toward guests and visitors to one’s home is reflected in the typical comment “mi casa es su casa.”






WOMEN’S SEMINAR, continuep From PAGE |






The education of girls and women in the principle of equality will be critical to the development of Mexican culture. As women are taught the Faith, their education in this principle, as well as its effects on family life, must be seen as necessary topics for deepening and dison. As Mexican women embrace the Faith, their education must include sessions on spiritualizing the home and on how to deal with family conflicts in a way that promotes unity, equality and justice.

In the end, it will be the woman’s readiness to embrace Baha’u’ll4h that will send her family on its journey to transformation. However, only the thoughtful education of women will ensure the successful culmination of that journey. @






WHAT’S NEXT FROM THE OFFICE OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS?

  • Gender equality is a man’s business as well as a

woman’s, so National Spiritual Assembly members William Roberts in the Northeast and William Davis in the West will organize men’s gatherings in much the same format as the women’s meeting in June.

  • Papers presented at the June conference are to be

compiled and published soon. To reserve a copy, please write the Office of Women’s Affairs, c/o Baha’i National Center, Wilmette, IL 60091.



reviewed and implemented several suggestions from the conference. Ideas from the conference will be invaluable in the office’s plans for future projects, and insights from the participants will be shared with the friends from time to time in the pages of The American Bahd’t.

“Tt truly was a historic moment, our very own Seneca Falls from which there is no turning back,” said participant Mary Lou McLaughlin, referring to a small but pivotal conference that launched the U.S. women’s movement in 1848. “We overcame the language barrier and the race barrier. ... A major inroad has been made.”

Another participant, Antonia Williams, said, “It was indeed such a bounty as a Baha’i to bring to the table the spiritual qualities and the principles we possess





and live by on a daily ba

strength I am able to stand up, ‘salute and

partake in addressing the issues on the equality of women and men.

As the newfound sisters bonded prayerfully brainstormed, some said they felt the presence of ‘Abdu’l-Baha and His sister, the Greatest Holy Leaf, whose portraits graced a wall of the room. Photos of other Baha’i heroines gazed from another wall:

  • Keith Ransom-Kehler, a Hand of the

Cause of God and the first American martyr for the Faith.

  • Martha Root, a Hand of the Cause of

God, who taught the Faith to people of all walks of life around the world— even roya

  • Carmen de ‘Burafato, one of the first

Continental Counselors for the Americas.





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  • Magdalene

the International Teaching Center and National Spiritual Assembly member.

  • Marian Steffes, an outstanding teacher

among the first American Indian Baha’ss.

  • Hilda Yen, the first Chinese woman to

embrace the Faith in the United States. The meeting was by invitation, to

ensure the intimate gathering would

benefit from a wide range of experiences and ethnic backgrounds.

‘To spark the story-sharing process, each participant presented a brief paper on traditional and changing roles of women in their cultures—often comparing their





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Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 (phone 609) (phone 440-333-1506, fax 440-333-6938, e-mail )

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Office of the Secretariat, Baha’i Huqtqu’ll4h Trust, Rocky River, OH 44116 (phone 440-333-1506, fax 440-333 lives with those of their grandmothers, often touching on crises that undercut the dignity and importance of men.

“Many told of their experiences and the effects on family life—broken homes, widows, divorces; of the role as a wife, mother, housekeeper, physician and spiritual guide; cultural practices that were demeaning to women, taboos and abusiveness,” Williams reported.

Consultation after each of the papers not only expanded the women’s understanding, it emboldened them to work for improvement inside and outside the Baha’i community.

Atala Ay



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page 6 Tne American BanA’l * News

September 8, 1999 [Page 7]

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Tre AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ BanA’i DisTRIBUTION SERVICE _ page 7 [Page 8]



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page8 THe AMERICAN BanA’‘i ¢ BanA’i DisTRIBUTION SERVICE

September 8, 1999


[Page 9]PIERRE








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September 8, 1999

Tre American BanA‘i © BanA’t DisTRIBUTION SERVICE

page 9 [Page 10]

The Four Year Plan’s success is dependent on “marked progress in the activity and development of the individual believer, of the institutions, and of the local community.” Past editions of the Youth Page have detailed certain national and regional youth activities. This month, we spotlight local communities and individual initiatives.

L.A.-area conference: Itsa unity thing

BY RANDOLPH DOBBS, LOS ANGELES, CA









fter it was all over, the eight members of the Los Angeles Youth who had organized the er held in



Com largest youth conference ¢ Los Angeles found themselves counting their victories.

Around 100 Baha’{ youths from as far away as Hawaii attended the conferen: new Baha’i

itt






Community













Youths gather at a retreat in Washington state. Organizers say they learned many valuable lessons, including the importance of involving youths in planning, good food, structured activities, unstructured free time, excellent speakers, adequate time for devotions, and time for the youths to share what is in their hearts. Photo courtesy of Erin Long

Youths at a recent Colorado retreat display an impromptu artwork they created as they studied the Hands of the Cause of God Dorothy Baker and Louis Gregory. Photo courtesy of Relleen Firooz

The three-day event fea workshops conducted by Auxiliary Board members Angeli and Gary Bulk: talks by Eddie Diliberto, Huerta and Sina Mossayeb.

three-day event w outside catering, the spiritual nourishment was provided by the intensive

ured intensive



Huerta of Los Angeles of San Diego, as well as


While more than 500 meals for the e handled by


prayer, music and mediation sessions in which every youth participated. In the warm sundown fee! accomplishment the youth commi tee couldn't believe its good fortune! Along with the excitement of a job well done came the anticipation of future pe Zack Heern, 21, one of the youth committee membe: id that the most memorable aspe of the conference for him was the spirit of the youth. “T mean, it’s a regular thing for young Bah: to get













L.A. Youth Committee members serve some of the more than 500 meals dished out at the June conference in Encino.

together and it’s great, with everyone thinking along the same spiritual lines,” he said. “But thinking and doing something together—that’s something totally different.”

Achieving a higher level of unity among Baha’i youth has been a consistent goal of the committee, and the weekend conference was viewed as a kickoff event for the summer.

A cumulative 200 hours of consultation went into the planning for the conference, and when asked what they would do differently the next time the immediate reply was, “Start sooner!”

The group benefited from the fact that





it was a summer conference. “Definitely,” Zack explained. “If we

were in school the whole time there’s no way we could have pulled it off.”

Portland-area communities rally together to make youth a high priority

‘be focus on systematization of the

Bahai community during the Four Year Plan bas had implications for youth activity on the national, regional, and, most fundamentally, local levels. An excellent example of a community rallying around its youth in the spirit of the Plan can be found in greater Portland, Oregon.


“Strive, therefore, to create love in the hearts in order that they may become glowing and radiant. When that love is shining, it will permeate other hearts even as this electric light illumines its surroundings. When the love of God is established, everything else will be realized. This is the true foundation of all economics. Reflect it.” —‘Abdu'l-Bahd, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p.239

‘The Spiritual Assembly of Milwaukie, with the support of neighboring communities and the Regional Council for the Western States, has charged the nine-member Portland/Vancouver Area Youth Task Force with “the capacity of Baha’f youth to be teachers, administrators, and active members of the Baha'i community.”


Metro






These efforts, concentrated on systemtraining, encouragement and jon, are meant to support the Regional Council’s comprehensive Youth Development Program. Armed with a thorough mandat the support of their local commur the task force works with individual youth, Baha’i Youth Workshops and




campus clubs. Youth in the area are very


A local newsletter and forthcoming Web site are other components of a unified youth plan for the are: tributing to what may be a powerful ple of the Baha’ youth movement. #




Youth Committee.


COLLEGE STUDENTS

DON’T LET YOUR CAMPUS ASSOCIATION GO WITHOUT IT!

A newly revised, much-expanded edition of the Baha'i Campus Association handbook has been prepared by the National Get your copy now by registering your Campus Association (or yourself) through the national Web site (www.usbnc.org) or by mail (address at right).


National Youth Committee Baha’i National Center 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201

phone 847-733-3499 e-mail




page 10

Tne American BanA’i ¢ Your September 8, 1999 [Page 11]

INTERNATIONAL BAHA’I YOUTH SERVICE CORPS OPPORTUNITIES.

pportunities listed here are from

Baha’ institutions all over the world (primary languages are in parentheses). More service opportunities, compiled by the Baha’i World Center, are available through the Office of Pioneering or your Auxiliary Board Member.

AFRICA Botswana (Tswana, English): John Robarts Long-Term ‘Teaching Project and other projects. Cameroon (French): Youth service organizer. Ethiopia (Ahmaric, Italian, Arabic, English): Youth with office experience to assist the nation al Secretariat. Tanzania (English, Swab

Help

the Local €s Salaam. Senegal (French): Olinga ‘Teaching Project near Dakar needs French-speaking youth


for teaching, children’s classes, women’s and

youth activities. Drama al

Africa (Afrikaans, ”

Check the Web-site! (www.icon.co.za/~

mojdeh/service.htm). Uganda (English,

Luganda, Swahili): National office administrative i Zambia (Bemba, Nyanja,


ity welcome. wana, Xhosa,




nglish):



social and economic development protitute development.

AMERICAS Alaska (English, indigenous languages) teaching projects plus summer Alcan youth institute programs. Belize (English, Spanish, indigenous languages): Baha’i center caretaker, visitor’s center host. Bermuda (English): Help with performing arts workshops. Bolivia


(Spanish): ‘Teaching projects in warm Santa Cruz, working with Radio Baha’s, social and economic development projects in the cool highlands, helping with Youth Workshop development, or more. Brazil (Portuguese): Volunteers at School of the Nations, in the Baha’ community and helping community development in Brasilia-area favelas. Canada (English): Maxwell International Baha'i School needs volunteers in administrative, finance and personnel, garde


, student services, academic and facilities services, etc. Chile (Spanish):


UN. activities can help generations get together

One presents Baha’f communities with

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/Baha’i Youth Service Corps volunteer form. As you work toward your goal, the Office of Pioneering will also work closely with you. Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, e-mail )

Colegio Niir in Santiago needs administrative and teaching volunteers for six months to a year. Costa Rica (Spanish): Active dance workshop in n José open to more volunteers. Ecuador (Spanish): Project Badasht, teaching in rural



communities with full logistical and training support of the national and regional teaching committees. Many youth participants. El Salvador at Jaméliyyth Bahé’s Institute, New Garden Baha’s Institute, Badasht Institute and Ridvan


Spanish): Variety of volunteer needs


School, as well as supporting other local youth efforts. Guadeloupe (French): Help with national office administration and development of the training institute. Jamaica (English): Help

youth workshops, teach in rural areas, help with



the radio show and/or a tel on conference,


with training programs, teach childrer or do administrative work at the National t


Center. Mexico (Spani


Furtitan Proj


focuses on promoting the C dents and faculty of universiti

among stuthe Edna Ford Continuous ‘Teaching Campaign in Juarez on


carrying the Message of Bahé’u'lléh to the ‘Tarahumara Panama (Spanish): ‘Teaching, children’s and youth classes and pub Indians.

lic school presentations to support Project Muhijir in an area of Panama City. Venezuela (Spanish): Three “entry by troops projects” and an ongoing year of service program supported by local youth. Proclamation, teaching, consolidation, theater, music etc.; need 6-10 youths at a time for at least six months’ service. Knowledge of Spanish a must. Low living costs. Virgin Islands (English): Spend a year at the University of the Virgin


lands; teach receptive souls in beautiful surroundings in free time.

opportunities to support two important

United Nations initiatives: the commemoration of United Nations Day Oct. 24, and the “Trick-or‘Treat for UNICEF” campaign culminating Oct. 31.

“Both events will facilitate unity between younger and older generations, which is an aspect of the oneness of humanity that does not receive enough attention in American society,” said Jeffery Huffines, U.N. representative of the National

Spiritual Assembly. “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF” through the Charles Lyons, president of the U.S. Committee _ (www.unausa.org).

for UNICEE, sent a joint letter with Huffines to all Local Assemblies and groups to urge Baha’i communities and schools, parents and children to participate in the “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF” program.

Call 1-800-252-KIDS to order campaign materials or visit the UNICEF-USA Web site (www. unicefusa.org) for information on educational and advocacy material, greeting cards and

current events.

mail

.o

United Nations Day, Oct. 24

In commemorating United Nations Day, Baha’ communities are encouraged to observe the 1999 International Year of the Older Persons as designated by the U.N. General Assembly.

The United Nations Association of the U.S. (UNA-USA) has published a resource for community organizers, “United Nations Day Program Manual: Towards a Society for All Ages,” available for $8 through UNA-USA headquarters or free UNA-USA

For further help on programming or materials for this event, please contact Liz Marmanides at UNA-USA, 801 Second Ave., New York, NY 10017 (phone 212-907-1300, fax 212-682-9185, e h ‘The Bahai US/UN Office can be contacted at 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 120, New York, NY 10019 (phone 202-803-2500, e-mail

ASIA Cambodia (Khmer, English, French): Coordinate movement of traveling teachers within Cambodia. Kazakbstan (Kazakh, Russian): Help the 200+ Baha'i youths develop youth workshops. Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyz, Russian): Open new areas of the country to the Faith and work toward their Thailand (Thai, English): ed volunteers needed at the National


development. De Baha’ Center, Nongkhai Baha'i Center and


Omgoi Development Project, and Santitham school. Other urgent needs in Asia. Contact the Office of Pioneering as soon as possible.

AUSTRALASIA Cook Islands (Cook Island Maori, English): Visiting youth performance groups to help local youth proclamations. Eastern Caroline Islands (Carolinian, English, Japanese): Youth teaching,


development, consolidation work. Hawaiian Islands. (English): Volunteers needed to help Maui Baha'i Youth Workshop for at least months. Kiribati (Gilbertese): Ootan Marawa Baha'i School needs mature youths as teacher aides, helping students learn English; also for school-related social and economic development projects. Mariana Islands (Chamorro, Carolinian, English): Marianas Bah’ Guam (guided by the National $ Assembly) seeks one or two youths as teachers’ aides. Marshall Islands (Marshallese, English): ‘Teaching, development, consolidation; continuance of dance/drama workshops. Samoa (Samoan, English): Guide at the ‘Temple, work at Montessori Baha’ School, help organize displays and Baha’ literature at book sales, teach and deepen new believers, teach children’ classes,





and more. Solomon Islands (Pidgin, English): Drama, music, dance abilities needed. Tonga (Tongan, English): Help develop youth workshop. Tivalu (Tavaluan, English): Encourage local youths and help develop children’s classes. Vanuatu (French): Drama, music, dance abilities needed for development of youth in villages.


EUROPE uropean Baha’


Europewide: Youth Council project encouraging youths to serve in small teaching groups in European Administrative assistant needed in Council office. Baltic States (Latvian, Lithuan Russian): Muhajir Mass-teaching Project. Belarus (Belorussian, Russian): Youths to serve at the National Office, preferably with computer skills, to staff Baha’s centers and carry out teaching work, with option to study Russian. Art and ally effective in teaching work. ich, Dutch): Up to three youths to serve half time in the national Secretariat and half in the Youth Secretariat. Bulgaria (Bulgarian): Dynamic youths to help the National Youth Committee and other work. France (French):

countries.


n, Estonian,



Periodic needs for volunteers at Office of Public Information of Baha'i International Community in Paris. Hungary (Hungarian): Join a team of one Roma and one Hungarian youth to teach the receptive Roma people of Hungary. Iceland (Icelandic, English): Urgent need for experienced Baha’é youth workshop member with artistic and organizational ability. Lithuania (Lithuanian): ‘Teach and serve while studying engineering or medicine in English at Kaunas Medical Academy for annual tuition equivalent to U.S. $3,000! Malta (Maltese, English, Italian): Urgent need for youths to join teaching projects aiming to establish the first National Spiritual Assembly of Malta, Poland (Polish, German): Dance workshop facilitator/coordinator, national office workx, community builder, carpenter, Switzerland (French, German): Periodic need for volunteers at the office of the Baha’ Community and at the Baha’ National Center, in a

Zurich and Lausanne.


International



‘eva, as well as to live in goal towns near


4 HOUSE MEMBER, continucp From pace |

But look at where we live: a sea of materiali vidualism, carnality, cheating and corruption. The

Coccccccccccccccccccccccccccs


indi Guardian wrote that we must be “wholly immune” to

Web _ site

these evils to withstand the crises history has in store for our civilization.

The strength to become immune is spiritual, Mr. Fatheazam said. To gain that strength, we must increase our love of Baha’u’llah—a love so strong that we can obey His prescription for the world’s salvation “without fear of fire, or hope of paradise,” in the words of the Bab.

We gain that love, Mr. Fatheazam said, by immersing ourselves twice a day in the words of God, and by

praying daily.

It’s like the working of a light bulb, he said: Each of

us is a tiny filament, a humble piece of metal. But brilliant illumination comes from “this same little wire, connected to a powerhouse. can change our hearts.” ‘This exhortation echoed recent words from another visiting member of the Universal House of Justice, Adib Taherzadeh. Two summers ago he stood at the same dais and issued a similar plea from the heart to

Only the words of God


our continent’s Baha’is: Read at least a little of the Sacred Writings each morning and each night, to increase our love for the Blessed Beauty.


September 8, 1999

Tue American BanA’l * Yourn/Conminuep page II [Page 12]

Young co-workers find unique ways to make efforts count for the Fund

tudents of the children’s and junior youth ‘classes from the Molly Robino Learning Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan, were each challenged to think of ways she or he could help to raise funds for the National Fund. They named their group project “Project National Baha’i Fund.” The following accounts how each person met the challenge: ¢ Every time Christopher Jeffery (8 months old) slept through the night without waking up, his parents made a contribution in his name.

  • Every time Mark (3 years old) finished his

meals without his parents’ help, his parents made a contribution.

  • At the Tri-County Baha’ School Unity Day,

Dominic, John and Justin took Polaroid pictures of guests for $3 each.

¢ Roya, Sophie and Gabbie helped bake cupcakes and cookies and John, Riley and Paula helped them sell the baked goods at the Unity Day event.

  • Justin and Trevor recited Hidden Words of

Baha’u’llah every morning and evening for two weeks, and their parents made a contribution for each time.

The group exceeded their goal. All involved said it was fun, exciting, and unifying. Congratulations to all those at the Molly Robino Learning Center! @

Module workshops help veteran Assembly members

ssemblies looking for help in their process of fe have new resources available: 10 new or revised Assembly Development Module Workshops.

These training tools can help your Assembly systematically develop a unified vision of its vital responsibilities and provide practical insights on how to achieve them. They comprise part of an ongoing process of Spiritual Assembly development.

A frequently asked question: Will the modules be too basic for Assemblies with experienced members?

Even long-established Local Spiritual Assemblies with deepened members are called to a new state of mind by the Universal House of Justice and can benefit from looking at the Writings with “new

PLANNED GIVING

extends our options


“The resources at the disposal of a i. eset Fi the community must, as a result TToMaking a gift through life insurance 3 of its expansion, be continually WG ee, : full led.” ceiving income my gift: : =dltuingloue io il : __Charitable Gift Annuities E mine } Charitable Remainder Trusts : Many of us can make substantial gifts to 3 E the Funds of the Faith beyond our regu- fine : lar cash contributions— : 3 and sometimes benefit ourselves through : Spouse’s Name (if Baha’t) : tax savings or increased available cash. : : 3 Address .

  • Bequests through wills : City :
  • Gifts of stock or securities 3 .
  • Gift annuities or trusts Zip

The National Spiritual Assembly has

announced a Planned Giving Program that allows believers to make these or other financial arrangements.

For a packet of information on how you might be able to plan a gift, please complete the form at right or contact the Office of the Treasurer (phone 847-7333476, e-mail ).



CLIP OR COPY THIS FORM

we would like more information about planned giving. | am particularly interested in:



Development Department, Office of the Treasurer,

eyes.” If you've already gone through another training, this will be a further step in your ongoing process of Assembly development.

A participant’s comment:

“We loved the spiritual infusion of new energy into long-known concepts.”

Topics cover several facets of partnership with community members, community-building, the Assembly’ role in giving guidance, consultation and encouraging teaching.

For more information call the Baha’i Distribution Service (800-999-9019) or the Office of Assembly Development (phone 847-733-3490, fax 847-733-3486, e-mail

) or access the Administrative Web site (www.usbne.org). @

___Providing for the Baha’i Faith in my will


refer that someone contact me by SE ea

Return form to:

Baha’j National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 TAB 9/8/99



The Local Treasurer’s Corner is devoted to helping local treasurers, and others who have 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 increased your community's understanding of and participation in the Fund, you are invited to share them with other communities through this column, Contact the Office of the Treasurer (phone 847-733-3472, e-mail ).

Treasurer's Office Q&A from National Convention 1999 jis month we continue to share questions and answers from the Office of the Treasurer that were offered to the delegates at this year’s National Convention:

Many Baha’is are giving a lot and they feel stretched.

Yes, they are and they do—those who give are giving generously, and many Baha’fs are feeling “stretched” financially.

We calculated the average given by Baha’is who contributed to the Fund through the National Center in 1995-96, and compared it with a Gallup survey of all Americans who gave to religious charities. The result: Baha’is gave more than twice as many dollars per household. And this was just through the National Center! It was in addition to any money given at the local level and smaller amounts sent directly to the Baha’i World Center.

Local Baha’i expenditures are much higher across the country than ever before, so its really a major victory that contributions at the national level have not dropped dramatically this year.

Have we overcome our feelings of guilt in talking about money? In March the Treasury published a graph in The American Bahd’t under the title “What do you think?” The handful of responses to that question suggests some friends still find it awkward to discuss money and the Faith’s financial needs. Local treasurers have the main responsibility to educate the friends about the spiritual forces that work through the institution of the Bahai Fund. As Baha’is come to understand why and how to discuss these powerful, constructive forces, our community’s spiritual and numerical strength will grow rapidly. The Stewardship and Development Program, with its seminars and materials, is designed to support the local work on these important matters.

Dozens more Stewardship trainers ready to serve tewardship and Development facilitators—55 of them—were trained by the Office of the Treasurer last summer. ‘To date, these hard-working souls have given more than 500 seminars and sessions nationwide, ranging from full-day workshops to 1- or 2hour consultations on sections of the Stewardship manual.

‘The manual is now in use in 15 countries in every continent. Last summer's training sessions were attended by the national treasurer of Brazil, who has translated the materials and adapted them for widespread use in that nation; other attendees included staff from the Canadian Treasury Office. this year’s National Convention, a number of ators have been trained and will make ves available to Local Spiritual Assemblies, regional and institutes wherever possible. Also, the manual has been shared with the National Spiritual Assemblies in at least five additional countries.)



“The unity of the believers, rich and poor alike, in their support of the Fund will be a source of spiritual © i far beyond our capacity to envisage.”

—The Universal House of Justice



page 12

Tue AMERICAN BAHA‘i * ADMINISTERING THE CAUSE — September 8, 1999


[Page 13]CONSOLIDATING the VICTORIES


Tips on reaching and teaching Southeast Asians

H™ can our Baha’i communities reach ind teach Southeast Asians living in our areas?

The U.S. Baha'i Refugee Office often hears this question, and would like to offer the following as one of many approaches to creating bonds of friendship. Southeast Asians living in the United States are quite approachable if one is sensitive to their culture and needs.

First and foremost, remember that Southeast Asian refugees have gone through tremendous traumas—leaving their homelands, perhaps seeing family members killed, living in refugee camps, and for some, torture and imprisonment.

More than material help, the Southeast

Asians need love and respect from their Baha’? friends. They need to know the Baha’is understand and respect their history and cultural heritage.

‘The family is of primary importance in Southeast Asian cultures. They greatly respect the family unit, which may encompass several generations. It is important to establish bonds of trust and friendship so they will understand that the Local Assembly and the Baha’i community are a part of their family.

As they deal with the basic issues of food, shelter and a job, Southeast Asian parents must deal with problems and challenges con

  • Loss of respect of the elders.


Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin,


Careful with those suds


Alex Garcia (left) and Brian Reed do cleanup duty as Baha’is from Eau Claire and

a meal recently at the Community Table, an organization for the needy in Eau Claire. Photo by Ruth Peterson, Eau Claire, WI



  • Issues of freedom and becoming

“Americanized,” which means loss of control of their children’ lives.

  • The influence of gangs.
  • Lack of interest in education.

Local communities can offer practical solutions to Southeast Asian Baha'is through the principles and guidance in the Baha’i writings. It’s very important for Baha’i youths to reach out and become friends with Southeast Asian youths. Baha'i clubs and youth workshops are excellent ways to provide positive alternatives to negative influences that prey on all youth.

Generally speaking, Southeast Asians do not respond well to fliers and newsletters, nor do the vast majority of them have e-mail access. To reach them, one generally needs to go to their homes, first establishing ties of friendship through regular visits—then invite them




struggle with raising their cl working at more than one job. Eve are invited they may not attend. should not be taken as disinterest in Baha’i community life.

Finally, ask Southeast Asian Baha'i friends if they would like to have a Unity Feast in their home. Many love to show hospitality, so let them plan the event and provide music, games and food. They will feel more a part of the community, and their extended family and friends can meet the Bah:

For information about the work of the U.S. Baha’i Refugee Office, or to receive a free subscription to our helpers bulletin, please call 847-733-3525.



Baha'i mental health professionals gain forum for enriching their service

at Louhelen, and now the first

meeting of the Association of Baha’i Mental Health Professionals will be held Nov. 19-21 at Louhelen Baha’i School.

All Baha’is who are mental health professionals are invited to attend. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Michael Penn, psychologist and faculty member of Landegg Academy.

‘The purpose of the association is to combine the highest scientific and professional knowledge in the field with study of the Baha’f writings and their

[: was inspired by a 1998 gathering

application to mental health education, training and practice.

“There is a growing concern for those in our community who struggle with addictions and other disorders, as well as a wish to offer the healing remedy in the Baha’i revelation to the whole of humanity,” said Mary K. Radpour, a Baha’i and a psychotherapist. “It is our wish to mobilize this association of competent professionals to be prepared to offer this service.”

‘The association is an outgrowth of the first Therapist’s Conference, held at

Louhelen in May 1998—“one of the most impressive Baha’i events I have ever attended,” according to author William Hatcher. He plans to present a paper at the conference titled “From Freud to Baha’u'llah, the Spiritualization of Psychology.”

‘To attend the conference, register through Louhelen Baha’i School (810653-5033). To submit a paper for presentation or distribution at the conference, or to inquire further about the association, contact Adrienne Stengel (phone 765-497-8223, e-mail

+

South Carolina summer school gains new momentum, reaches out to the public

“ o Lack of Courage” was the theme challenging the more than 110 people—including two

Knights of Baha’u’llah—at the South Carolina Baha’i School on July 11-16.

The first full-week session of the school in several years, it drew people from as far away as Maryland.

The school made a special teaching outreach to the public with a well-advertised evening talk July 14 by Susan Aude Fisher, a news anchor for WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina.

On the topic “So Great an Honor,” her talk was an overview of the Baha’i Faith and its links to other religions.

“When we think of telling others about the Faith and perhaps feel a little intimidated,” she told Baha’is in attendance, “we might think of the day we were bestowed with ‘so great an honor’ and ask if we are sorry someone told us about the Faith. I think not, or you wouldn’t be here.”


How can the Wilmette Institute

help you serve?

ust in the last year, surveyed students of the Wilmette Institute reported these accomplishments as

a direct result of their study:

  • Bringing 31 new believers into

the Faith.

  • Giving 186 firesides.
  • Conducting 188 deepenings.
  • Facilitating 19 classes in local and

regional training institutes. ‘These 37 students, from all across

the country, are of a variety of ages

and backgrounds. Yet these “ordinary Baha’is” have seen this transformation because the Wilmette

Institute emphasizes training in

active service, in addition to thor ough study of Baha’i writings.

A woman in Florida wrote, “Without question, [the Institute] has enabled me to serve the community with far greater confidence. I would never have attempted to speak in front of any group prior to WI. The most notable [achievement] was speaking to another church congregation (100 plus).”

A man in New York commented, “The Institute has ignited my activities in a variety of areas and other friends are aware of this and call upon me. Itis my delight to serve Baha’u’lléh!”

“I am finding that I do

comprehend the Writings at both the deeper level of intended meaning, and at the level of metaphorical

or culturally specific language,” — wrote a newer | pee fa Illinois.


Distance-! a‘ “The Kitib-i-Aqdas and Related Texts,” Nov. 1, 1999-April 30, 2000. “Tuition is $225 ($180 if you are regee ee _ “Chinese




A, 1999-Jan. 31, 2000. Tuition is $100 ($80 if you are registering as a member of a local study group of three or more).

‘All di



24-hour info line 847-733-3595 Registrar 847-733-3415 E-mail

Information on the Internet

oP at






September 8, 1999 ‘Tue American BanA'i ¢ ConsoLipaTinG THE VICTORIES page 13 [Page 14]



A youthful summer

yu have been in the spotlight this summer at Bosch Baha’i School.

A July 10-15 family session featured a special youth program, “Teaching Oneness: Race and Gender Issues for Youth.” In developing the program, Justin Yuille and Ben Marx fulfilled a pledge they made three years ago as Youth Service Corps volunteers at Louhelen Baha’s School.

What they created, and presented at Bosch, was an interactive course helping students better understand:

  • The roots of racism in our society

and the vision of race unity Baha’u'llah provides for us.

  • The history of the U.S. women’s

rights struggle and the Baha’is’ role in achieving gender equality.

At the same time was the Organic Agriculture Project for Youth and Junior Youth presented by Bosch staff member Sima Cockshut.

Students learned the basics of organic gardening, studied the Writings on the importance of agriculture and service, prepared a presentation, planted their own garden, and had fun together during recreation time.

Participants came away with a new appre


‘Lights of the Spirit’

Fall programs

Sept. 24-26: “Lights of the Spirit: A History of Black Bahd’is in the Diaspora” with Richard Thomas and Gwen Etter-Lewis. Explore how Bah@’w'llah’s revelation has revolutionized the historical and spiritual significance of being a person of African descent.

Sept. 24-26: Campus Association Weekend. Hosted by the National Youth Committee and the Regional Youth Committee for the Northeastern States. Network with others and focus on becoming leaders in social activism and in sharing the Baha’f perspective on your college campus.

Noah Turner-Jones gets ready to tap the ball during recreation time at last summer’s third Family Session, July 10-15, at Bosch Baha’i School. Photo courtesy of Bosch

ciation for Baha'u'llah as a Gardener and the significance of the garden metaphors in His writings. They also developed a new set of skills in service to humanity.

Youths and children from the Ocean of Light Pacific Islander Teaching Conference, July 2-7, were again the hit of the Fourth of July Parade in Aptos, a community in the Santa Cruz area, winning the “Most Unusual” award and dancing in front of the stage at the celebration following the parade.

Wearing “Race Unity” T-shirts and Polynesian garb, the youths carried banners with the theme “Celebrate Diversity.” Representatives from the NAACP and Temple Beth El marched with them. A front-page article in the local newspaper described the group.

Fall programs Oct. 8-10, “Chinese Culture: Be Imbued with the Spirit” with Charles Pau. Workshops deal with Chinese cul Oct. 8-10: “Talking and Listening: The Art of Spiritual Parenting” with family therapist Keyvan Geula. Build skills in communicating across generations, consulting as a family, resolving conflicts, discussing sensitive issues, and helping shape your children’s behavior.

Oct. 8-10: Youth Weekend Institute: Preparation for Marriage, \ed by Claudine and Aeric Meredith-Goujon. Closed-campus course for youths ages 15 and up; enrollment is limited. This dynamic, interactive course uses artistic expression to help students apply Baha’f teachings on a practical level.

Classes for ages 3~14 will also be held that weekend.

More fall programs

Oct. 15-17: “Baha’i-Centered Management: Principles and Practice” with Larry Miller.

Oct. 28-31: ‘Training Institute Facilitator Training with Farah Rosenberg; also Pioneering/BYSC/ SITA Institute.

Nov. 5-7: “For the Love of God” with Peter Terry; also Conference on Substance-Abuse Prevention with Counselor A.-M. Ghadirian, Beth Bowen and others.


ture, philosophy and history and their relation to the Baha’f Faith. Enrollment is limited, so don’t miss out!

Oct. 29-31: “Don’t Yell at Your Watchman” with Peter Oldziey. This workshop employs the arts—storytelling, mask-making, poetry, dramatic presentations, group sculpture—as well as personal reflection and group discussion, to help participants respond creatively to life’s challenges and gain a deeper love for Baha’u’llah.

Oct. 29-31: Social and Economic Development (SED) Training, with Robert Phillips. Is there a project that would benefit your community? ‘Teaching English to Spanish- or Persianspeakers? Literacy classes? Health-care projects or day care for children or the elderly? Gain the skills to plan and implement a successful program.

Check the calendar in the back of this paper for many additional offerings this fall and winter. See you at Bosch!



ie Www ihelen.org

A poetic calling

‘ou expect a Baha’i school to have

love of God and the upliftment of the friends at the core of its mission. Louhelen Baha’i School has that and more—there’s poetry in its heart.

Since the mid-1980s, the school’s Robert Hayden Fellowship Program periodically invites talented Baha’i poets to take a little time out and hone their art in the prayerful atmosphere of the Louhelen campus.

This year’s Hayden poet, Lynn Ascrizzi of Waterville, Maine, used her two-week retreat to work on a poem titled “Gold Leaf.” That poem not only is grounded in respect for her husband’s craft of restoring antiques, but also was a sort of tribute to the late

Conferences each year unify education efforts

DS of human resources is one element in the pro by or Econ ng more



gton and ve blended the two in recent years with annual Baha’f School Education Conferences. More than 60 people attended the latest one June 19 in the spiritual atmosphere of Brighton Creek Baha’ Conference Center in McKenna, Washington, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Pierce CCD#3. The conference helped unify the vision of spiritual education and trainamong organizers, teachers and Core Curriculum trainers from: ¢ The Regional Training Institute of Washington and Northern Idaho.

  • The Western Washington

Regional Baha’{ School.

  • Seventeen local Baha’i schools in

the region.

Auxiliary Board members Celia Johnson and Todd Kutches addressed the gathering. It featured workshops on tools and techniques, scope and sequence, lesson planning, inviting the public, developing youth and humor in our problem-solving.

Last year’s conference resulted in formation of the Western Washington regional Baha’i school, affiliated with the national Education and Schools Office. At this year’s event, the interaction and training encouraged two communities to pursue formation of local Baha’i schools. #



poet Robert Hayden himself. —

A newspaper in Flint, near Louhelen, related the tale in a feature story that also illuminated the role of the Baha'i Faith in the life and art of Ascrizzi, who works as lifestyle editor of the Central Maine Morning Sentinel.

While browsing Hayden’s collection in the Louhelen library, Ascrizzi found a 1909 book on gilding—an integral part of her husband’s work. “Applying gold leaf is an ancient art,” she was quoted as saying. “I use it as a metaphor to talk about poetry.”

Ascrizzi’s first link with Hayden came in 1979 when she submitted a poem for publication in World Order. Hayden, then editor of the Baha’i magazine, turned the poem down—but mailed her an encouraging analysis that she cherishes to this day.

Hayden was a nationally prominent poet and a professor at the University of Michigan. His widow established the fellowship at Louhelen in the spirit of the high esteem that Baha’u’llih placed on poetry and all the arts.

Rick Johnson, co-administrator of Louhelen, told the Flint newspaper that most of the Hayden poets have gained greater exposure within the field since they took advantage of the fellowship.


page 14 THe AMERICAN BanA’i * CoNsOLIDATING THE VICTORIES September 8, 1999 [Page 15]ar

Ni BF

Nae & hin. too ae.

  • ., See page 21. 3



By the Office of the Treasurer

Pint kids in America are asked to help light up our country through a special project just for children and junior youth. It’s called Project Unity! With Project Unity!, each time you give money to the National Baha’i Fund, Liang will put a star where you live on a U.S. map like the one to the right.

Project Unity! will last until Ridvan, April 21, 2000. Let’s see how bright we can make the United States! If you want to be a part of Project Unity!, draw a big star on the outside front of your contribution envelope. Liang can show you how to draw five- and nine-pointed stars below.

In a few months, Liang will share with you an update of how bright you are making the United States. So, look and listen for it at Baha’i Feast! Draw a star on your envelope for each contribution so that a star can rise each time you are helping Baha’u'llah. @

[rs jeet Unity!

To make a star, follow the dotted lines & numbers. Begin at the star and end at the same star!


POSTER CONTEST!

WE INVITE YOU TO participate in Brilliant Star’s poster contest for kids ages 5-12. The theme is “Save the Earth.” Your poster should show your ideas of how we can protect and preserve our one and only precious earth. What do you think harms our planet? What can we each do to keep it healthy and dean? Share your vision!

METLINT se 2S See




St



rr

Here are the details:

j * The posters can be no larger than 8 1/2” x 14°.

  • You can use any materials

you like (paint, crayons, etc) ¢ We must receive entries by October 18, 1999 Mail your posters to: Brilliant Star Submissions Baha'i Media Services

1233 Central St.

Evanston, IL 60201

¢ Include your name, age, community, and a short letter telling us about your poster.

  • The first-place poster will be

published on the upcoming

YW os cover of Brilliant Star. The winner will also

ye “Mee a hu hes a IE .

Ange alle one-year subscription to

s i ° 4 Brilliant Star. »* Using BRILLIANT STAR at Unit Convention fl ecscondand third-place “We're All In This Together”—the 1999 Special ($3.50 each, or $2.50 each for five copies or more). }} winners each will receive Edition of Brilliant Star—is full of community- Teacher’s notes available at www.usbnc.org. For more 1) sae building ideas and activities. Use it in class or as a gift information, contact the Education and Schools Office ;

call 847.853.2354 @ for the children. Call 800.999.9019 to order from BDS (phone 847.733.3492, e-mail ).¢



Practice without numbers or dotted lines using your memory. Or try drawing some of the

stars bordering this paper.






=r




SOe2ze77rTe

Can you draw a nine-pointed star? Have fun!






EET









September 8, 1999 Tue American BanA’i ¢ Briwuant Stak Kin’s Cornek page I5 [Page 16-17]

Summer at the Baba’t House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois, is like summer nowhere else. A member of the Universal House of Justice visits (see page 1). So does the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly entrusted with the Mother Temple of Africa. Music rises, the Faith is taught, youth and children are specially welcomed. Troubled citizens inch toward a common vision in the wake of racially motivated violence. Hundreds of thousands of visitors each take in a little or a lot of the Message of Babd’w'llib. They meditate privately or gather for midday worship services. Some simply wander inside or around the gardens, taking in the visual grandeur. They must be welcomed, even late in the evening. And mindful of the price this building pays for its service to the Cause of God, a dozen young people set aside three months for an extra burst of loving care.







H™ many volunteers does it take to run a Baha’i House of Worship from May through September?

The world doesn’t yet know, because the full capacity for service appears inexhaustible, according to Caswell

éllis, activities director.

The number of visitors to the Temple has more than doubled from 112,000 in 1990 to a projected 250,000 in 1999.

“The impact these numbers place on the requirement for volunteer services is obvious,” Ellis said, “especially as more and more visitors are asking serious and searching questions about Baha’u’llah






and His re de House of Worship.”

Here’s a rundown of who served the public at the Temple over the summer (not including building and_ utility maintenance, security, or the Temple Conservation Team): ¢ The equivalent of eight full-time staffers, including act bookstore and music direction.

250 Baha'is from across the country volunteering at least some time during the samme 3,200 person-hours spent greeting and guiding visitors, arranging flowers, performing or providing hospi y for programs, reading and



g place at the











storytelling, planning and presenting events, or any of a number of services


to help this Temple carry out its work

as a teacher of the Cai

Sometimes dozens of visitors arrive after the Visitors’ Center closes at 10 p.m. On summer Fridays and Saturdays, they are greeted by an energized cadre of “garden teachers,” who often linger after the Auditorium closes at midnight.

In daytime, many Baha'is take a few hours out to welcome masses of people, arriving singly or in tours of up to 50 or even 200 at a time.






°

racially motivated shooting ramAme over the July 4 weekend gave Wilmette and nearby Skokie a moment of national infamy. But months before




that, Wilmette had been reawakened to | the fact that coexistence among the — races requires a neighborly atmosphere | and a positive attitude from the heart. So the forum at Foundation Hall on July 22, with 140 in attendance, was not just the Baha’is’ idea—it was part of a s of village meetings on the subject of racial amity. Camille and Ange! Henderson, sisters who are Baha’is, n that g:



seri




|

|

moderated a group d

residents a chance to express their fe |

and hopes without making each other | feel threatened. | OF course, several Baha |

perspectives that were openly or s i imbued with the teachings of Baha’u’llih, and offered some patterns for healing of racism. But some of the audience's warmest responses went to other residents whose words paralleled our teachings.

A woman from Skokie informed the | } | | | | | | | }




presented ibtly


gathering of a nightly interracial walk that started at the site where a former h was shot to death. de incredible friends in just she said. “Out of this grows so much safety .,. that we can get together and talk about the hard thin; A white man who has organized gatherings to fight discrimination in Wilmette for decades asserted that diversity of races and nationalities is a gift to be welcomed. He admonished the meeting: “White people are going |










About 150 youths gather on the Temple grounds July 24 during a summer Youth Conference, the second in as many years organized by the Regional Baha’i Council for the Central States. Photo by Vladimir Shiloy

to be a minority. It is going to happen. We'd better get used to it.”

A woman whose son was killed years ago in a racially motivated attack spoke grippingly of the need to “choose to forgive.” She had to consciously summon the will to forgive, she said, so she could regain trust in people—“not because [forgiveness] felt right. It never felt right; it felt right to hate.”

coe







reating an atmosphere for healing hearts in an estranged society tral to all Temple activities. But the “s teacher” itself does much of the worl

Walk up the steps and you are, in a way, putting in energy to “earn” the entry to the main Auditorium. (There is an elevator for people who find stairs an obstacle rather than a challenge.) Engraved over the main entrance are words of Baha'u'llah: “Thy heart is My home; sanctify it for My descent.”

In the Auditorium, the most sanctified spot in the building, the visitor has the best chance to connect intimately with the spirit flowing through _ this “Dawning-place of the Mention of God.”

At midday and on special occasions such as Holy Days, the Sacred Writings and prayers are read aloud for shared inspiration. Otherwise, the meditation and communing and healing are silent.




The House of Worship is not falling apart. But it

is slowly “melting”—eroding over time. And the 17 hard-hatted young men



George Olinga (left),



and women of the Temple Conservation Team, 12 here for the summer only, put boundless energy into countering the natural processes that attack the physical structure or pose hidden safety hazards.

They wash dust and grime from the inner steel support structure—bit by bit, with a wet rag—exposing any rust spots that may need quick attention.

They inspect and repair unobtrusive nets that keep birds from entering the 10,000 openings in the exterior dome.

They use high-pressure hoses to clean the outside of the great dome, so acids from pollutants don’t speed up the concrete’s erosion from wind and rain.

Though garden renovations are some time in the future, the Conservation Team has been casting new concrete sections for each fountain. This is partly a “dress rehearsal” to build skills for replacing the sometimes-crumbling monumental stairs outside the Temple.

This summer was unique for the ‘Temple Conservation Team, according to Dennis Davis, director of conservation. For the first time, the summer workers came from all four regions of the country, not to mention El Salvador and Puerto Rico. Several had served the Faith internationally.

“Talk about practicing unity in diversity,” Davis said, “the group not only worked together ... they spent a great deal of their spare time socializing and exploring the Chicago area together.”

Many other hands work full time behind the scenes. Daily, the facility













ing from Uganda, greets ‘two local Baha’is at the House of Worship:

Gayle Woolson, a Knight of Baha’u’llah; and Patricia Campuzano. Photo by James Humphrey


page 16 THe American BanA’i ¢ Summer 1999

September 8, 1999

maintenance staff does routine cleaning, furni ture moving, gardening,

woodworking, air condi tioning and electrical repair (a power supply ruption a block away caused | the Visitors’ Center to be closed to the public one Friday).

Then there is the humane trapping of “killer bun The Chicago North Shore’s richness in urban wildlife can be destructive when rabbits, «chipmunks, raccoons and even deer look at the gardens and see food.

eee Ee an atmosphere of welcoming, you must appeal to the heart. That means use of the arts i: House of Worship.

It starts right in the entrance hall of the Visitors’ Center downstairs, where photos of Baha’fs from around the world smile at visitors even before volunteer guides greet them. Photos accompany statements of the teachings on the walls, interspersed with serene flower arrangements that are renewed weekly by expert volunteers. Films and a multimedia show are available for the curious.

But people also crave a face-to-face connection with the expressive soul. This is at the heart of the institution of the House of Worship. The Master and the Guardian both encouraged choral singing during devotional gatherings at _ the Temple. The House of Worship _ Choir helps fill this need each Sunday and at Holy Day observances.

The July 8 observance of the Anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Bab was also an opportunity to exercise the art of oratory, as Carol Handy




vital at the






Amoz Eckerson, Nebraska, and Doi



ic Vecchi, Massachusetts, pitch in for the Conservation Team. Photo by Vladimir Shilov

SUMMER*+1999

used word pictures to transport the noonday gathering back to those miraculous days in 19th century Persi:

Music and storytelling are part of many programs at the Visitor’s Center and Foundation Hall, to help the | public get acquainted with the Faith | and serve visiting B:

The Sunday Fellowship program brings in musical, dramatic or other | performing guests. This summer's fare has included a gospel choir from Wisconsin, a vocal group from Minnesota and a young violin master from Sweden.

“Our watchword for this event is the ‘three I’s——informal, informative and inspiring,” said Dorita Fuller, coordinator of programs and activities. The thought-provoking 30-minute programs, with opportunities to mingle, have brought many repeat visitors.

Occasionally they help people discover the Baha’{ Faith as their spiritual home. After the gospel program, a couple embraced the Faith immediately.

For visiting kids, it didn’t get more face-toface than a Story Festival in the Temple gardens with Kristine Pamenter, who used the world of plants to illustrate virtues; or with Rick James, who recruited child helpers to illustrate high points of the tales he spun.

___ Fireside-style gatherings are also part of the weekly routine. Most are in English, i








but some are tailored for Spanish-speaking or Indian/Pakistani visitors. eee | eorge Olinga is secretary of the ‘National Spiritual Assembly of the

Baha'is of Uganda. He is probably more


By James Humphrey



beloved among American Baha’is for being a son of the Hand of the Cause of God Enoch Olinga. His appearance at the Temple in June, arranged by the Spiritual Assembly of Wilmette, was a delightful evening of stories, inspiration and encouragement of U.S. believers to travel to Africa for the Faith.

His father “loved pioneers,” Olinga said. “Every time he had an opportunity, he would welcome pioneers.”

Uganda has its unique challenges for a pioneer or traveling teacher, he said. But teaching often is immediately rewarding.

“It is good to understand Bible issues,” he said, because many people are quite open to discussing how Bahd’u'llsh fulfills Christian prophecy. “There are not many people in villages who will be offended if you say Christ has returned.”

He also spoke of ways the Ugandan National Assembly is working with the government to develop educational programs, especially in the areas of the rights of women and children.

ooo

INES there has been more—an

energizing discussion of the power of prayer by Jack McCants, a member of the National Spiritual Assembly; a youth conference for the Central States, bringing in hundreds; weddings in the gardens or in Foundation Hall; organized Spiritual Oasis visits bringing in friends from across the country.

And Public Safety officers are always on hand to ensure the welcome is undiluted.

“Visitors representing all the countries, races, ethnic groups and religions of the world are visiting their House of Worship,” Ellis said. “And they would all love to meet you.







Welcoming gardens soothe the visitor’s eye on the Temple grounds. Photo by Vladimir Shilov


September


1999 Tite AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ Summer 1999

page 17

[Page 18]LATIN* AMERICA

Ne

TEACHING


ENGLISH

Letter to the friends from the Latin-American Task Force

Dear and Esteemed Friends in the Cause of Baha’u’llah:

This time, we want to share with you some statistics that we believe will help you grasp the magnitude of the potential for teaching Hispanics in the United States as we move towards the close of the Four Year Plan.

Numbers sometimes convey a more powerful image than many words, so we hope the following demographic information, and that in the chart at right, will be helpful in your teaching work.

According to the latest available Census Bureau count, about 26 million Hispanics live in the United States. A closer look shows the largest concentrations in California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Illinois, New York and the Washington/ Maryland metropolitan area.

Within these nine geographic areas we have identified the top 30 metropolitan areas and ranked them according to their Hispanic population. The Los Angeles/Long Beach metro area ranks No. | in the U.S. with more than 4 million Hispanics or 44.9 percent of its total population, followed by New York with 2 million or 25.7 percent of its total population.

It is interesting that 70 percent of the entire U.S. Hispanic (or Latino) population lives in just four states: California, Texas, New York and Florida. In fact, 64 percent of all U.S. Hispanics were born here.

Even more striking is the fact that only 7 percent of Latinos speak ONLY Spanish, while 79 percent speak English either “well” (17 percent), “very well” (41 percent) or are “Englishdominant” (21 percent), meaning that they speak little or no Spanish at all.

We look forward to sharing with you some additional statistics in our forthcoming issues. Until then, may Baha’u’llah bless all our efforts in His path.




With loving greetings, The Latin-American Task Force @

eee eee cecrccrecceec cess reese sees sees eees esse ee eeeeses ESOS E TOSSES EE SEES OSES ESOS SESE ESeEEeesesesee®

DEBT TO U.N., continuep FROM Pace 1

ESPANOL

Carta a los amigos de la Comision de Trabajo Latinoamericana

Queridos y Estimados Amigos en la Causa de Baha’u’llah:

En esta ocasién deseamos compartir con ustedes algunos datos estadisticos que creemos les ayudarin a apreciar la magnitud del potencial que existe en los Estados Unidos para la ensenanza a los hispanos, mientras nos acercamos al cierre del Plan de los Cuatro Afios.

Las cifras a veces transmiten una imégen mis poderosa que muchas palabras, asi que confiamos en que la siguiente informacién demogrifica les ayudard en sus labores de ensefianza.

Seguin el tiltimo Censo disponible, hay aproximadamente 26 millones de hispanos en los Estados Unidos. Un enfoque mis directo en su distribucién geogréfica muestra que California, Texas, la Florida, Arizona, Colorado, Nuevo Mexico, Illinois, Nueva York y el area metropolitana de Washington/Maryland, son las areas de mayor concentracién de hispanos en los Estados Unidos.

Dentro de estas nueve dreas geograficas, hemos identificado las 30 4reas metropolitanas mas importantes, y las hemos catalogado segiin el nimero de su poblacién hispana. El 4rea metropolitana de Los Angeles/Long Beach esta catalogada como la numero uno en los Estados Unidos con mas de 4 millones de hispanos—44.9 por ciento del total de su poblacién—seguida por Nueva York con mas de 2 millones—25.7 por ciento de su poblacién.

Es interesante anotar que el 70 por ciento de toda la poblacién hispana (0 latina) del pais reside dentro de 4 estados: California, Texas, Nueva York y la Florida, y que 64 por ciento de los hispanos actualmente en el pais nacieron aqui. De mayor interés ain es el hecho de que tinicamente el 7 por ciento declara hablar SOLO espafiol mientras el 79 por ciento habla inglés “bien” (17 por ciento), “muy bien” (41 por ciento) o “exclusivamente” (21 por ciento) lo cual significa que hablan muy poco o nada de espafiol.

En nuestras préximas entregas estaremos compartiendo mas datos demograficos de interés. Hasta entonces, que Bahéa’u’llih bendiga todos nuestros esfuerzos en Su sendero.

Con afectuosos saludos, La Comisi6n de Trabajo Latinoamericana @



WHERE MOST US.

HISPANICS LIVE


Here are the U.S. metropolitan areas with the 30 largest Hispanic populations. The number at left is the national ranking in terms of total Hispanic population; at right is the percentage

of each area that is Hispanic. Hispanic % of population total 1 Los Angeles/Long Beach, CA 4,110,653 44.9 5 Riverside-San Bernardino, CA 1,043,210 34 8 Orange County, CA 795,061 29.3 9 San Diego, CA 706,495 26.3 10 Phoenix-Mesa, AZ 608,041 20.4 14 San Jose, CA 425,926 25.7 15 Fresno, CA 382,547 43.4 16 Oakland, CA 371,320 16.6 19 San Francisco, CA 300,928 17.9 21 Denver, CO 286,995 14.8 23 Albuquerque, NM 278,513 40.1 24 Ventura, CA 242,275 331 26 Tucson, AZ 235,829 29.2 28 Bakersfield, CA 226,333 36.1

Sete y the S vv y ey

3 Miami, FL 1,220,526 56.4

6 Houston, TX 999,530 25.5

7 San Antonio,TX 841,312 54.3 11 Dallas, TX 560,951 17.5 12 El Paso, TX 541,471 77.4 13. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX 483,119 91.7 17 Washington DC-MD-VA-WV 328,351 7 20 Brownsville-Harlingen-San 292,661 88.4

Benito, TX

22 Austin-San Marcos, TX 284,856 25.4 27 Corpus Christi, TX 231,726 59.1 29 Fort Worth-Arlington TX 224,820 14.1

CENTRAL STATES

4 Chicago, IL 1,118,377 14.3

Ce ees Te ES Ey ty

2 New York, NY 2,240,208 25.7

18 Boston-Worcester-Lawrence- 315,240 5.3 Lowell-Brockton, MA-NH

25 Newark, NJ 241,6ll 12.4

30 Philadelphia, PA 222,937 4.5

Source: TGE Demographics Inc. 1998





POCCCOCOOCOOOOOOOEEOOOOOOOOOOOEOO OOO HOOO OOOO OO OOOO OOO OOOOH OO OOO OOOO OOOOH OOOOH OOOO OOOOE

country have joined other citizens in the grassroots campaign by contacting their members of Congress to urge payment of the debt.

For a variety of reasons, efforts in Congress to authorize payment of funds have been unsuccessful for more than two years.

This fall, a committee of both houses of Congress is working on joint legislation that would allow payment of some of the arrears.

But that legislation would authorize payment of only $926 million, and it requires the U.N. to meet more than 20 conditions before the legally obligated funds may be paid.

The conditions include decreasing the U.S. regular and peacekeeping assessment rates and other restrictions, many of which will be difficult or impossible for the U.N. to meet in the imposed time frame.

Unless the U.S. pays a minimum amount, U.N. rules require that this country lose its vote in the


General Assembly. By imposing numerous conditions for payment, the U.S. only aggravates the arrears situation.

The National Spiritual Assembly and other organizations in the campaign believe the U.S. should pay all its financial obligations to the United Nations—in full, on time and without conditions. However, because of the mood in Congress, that ideal is unlikely to be met in the near future.

Thus, the groups are urging Congress to ease conditions for payment so the U.S. can maintain its vote and minimize future accumulation of additional debt.

It is extremely important that members of Congress hear from their constituents early this fall so they will be moved to make progress on paying the debt to the U.N. The United Nations is a unique international forum for the resolution of problems that transcend national borders and should be supported and strengthened.

WHERE TO FIND OUT

For complete information on contacting your

members of Congress, check:

  • On the Web: www.vote-smart.org/

congresstrack/c-index.html

¢ In the blue pages of your local phone book under U.S. government (subheadings: House of Representatives, Senate, or United States

Congress)

Information on the U.N. financial crisis can be

found on the following Web sites:

  • Better World Campaign:

www.betterworldfund.org

  • United Nations Association: www.unausa.org
  • Emergency Coalition for U.S. Financial

Support of the United Nations: www.clw.org/ecun ®


page 18

‘Tne AMERICAN BanA’i * Latin-AMERICAN TEACHING/CONTINUED September 8, 1999 [Page 19]RACE UN




RACE UNITY DAY was publicly celebrated June 13 this year all across the country. Or maybe earlier or later—as the needs of local communities dictated.

Here is a story of how Baha'is in a small Oregon town rallied to put the Baha’i message on race unity into the minds of their neighbors, plus a brief sampling of reports from elsewhere in the country.

Sherwood, Oregon ae newly formed Bahé group here turned more than 2,000 prayers for teaching into a successful Race Unity Da celebration and a process 2 far beyond the June event. an Sept. 9, 1998, when the group in the Portland suburb pledged to recite a combined 342 prayers each Baha’ month. By early February, that totaled an estimated 2,142 prayers. _ Then, at a fateful evening , the five adults and three children were watching a Baha’é Newsreel. “Why, we could do that, too!” one member said. “Lets havea big proclamation event for Race Unity Day in June Let’s invite all 7,000 ¢ f Sherwood, Oregon, and see ‘who comes. We'll invite the Youth We Cris bop: and serve a free sp: dinner.” | Big plans for a community with $280 in the bank and monthly income averaging $28. ‘The Baha ade a $1,000 budget and turned it over to God. Not once in the next four months did we doubt our purpose and that we would be f’u'llih,” said rare nsdowne. So over the next four months: The local senior c nter was






















secured for The director was ar ‘wWieh Baha'is, especially two youths


who volunteer there regularly.

A neighboring — Spiritual Assembly sponsored the event so liability insurance would cover it.

The community signed up for the 800-22-UNITI er response line.

A day after Baha'is prayed for means to buy pamphlets, a Baha’i won a $25 gift certificate and donated it to help buy literature.

‘Thanks to timely tax refunds and job bonuses, local Baha’is helped the project fund grow by $400.

‘To supplement paid advertising, a news rel written from material provided by the National Assembly's Office of Public Information was pub









lished in two papers; a paragraph even went into the Sherwood City Bulletin, which ompanies water bills As word of Sherwood’ spread, prayers for their sucé recited at the Holy nd the Internati Center in Israel, Board member Henri Cross and an assistant. The Mid-Valley Baha’i Youth Workshop spent the entire weekend in Sherwood. Its members handed out invitations ‘ound town and performed demonstration” dane On the day of the event: After dinner six children, Baha'i and non-B read writings on unity from major religions. Each child held a differently colored candle; one was lighted after each reading.





were


hrines Teaching by Aux














The youth workshop, forti


fied by the previous day’s activity and deepening, performed a variety of dramatic dances. Audience members were visibly moved, wiping away tears.

A total of 36 non-Baha’s guests attended. Three people stayed for an informational meeting, and six people indicated they would attend a fireside the next week.

And in the near future:

Plans for follow-up include a monthly newspaper ad, conti ued personal teaching and pray for the teaching work, Sunday morning children’s cl ly fireside/deepening /devotional meetings, books to be placed in the Sherwood Library, prayers for strength and ability, and continued collaboration with the Auxiliary Boards.















San Antonio, Texas The second annual Race Unity Day celebration May 16 brought together 500 people of many backgrounds to offer praye advocate race unity, enjoy outstanding performances, ¢ of a variety of foods.





te representatives and the deputy police chief. An ex-San Antonio etball player and the cot also appeared. Christian, Muslim, kh, and Buddhist opened the program. performers were augmented by a Sikh youth group, a Korean Baptist church choir, and a flamenco jazz band. Local restaufants staffed a variety of food booths. A special



team mas





Race Unity Day design w: printed on posters, fliers, Tshirts and buttons. Sponsorship was obtained from the San Antonio Express-News and from supermarket chain H-E-B.


Charleston, West Virginia

More than 200 people attended a Race Unity Day celebration held in collaboration with the governor's Equal Employment Opportunity Office, the Universal Unitarian Fellowship and West Virginia State College.

The partnership allowed for an array of activities, including a parade of flags and cultural performances representing several countries—with sign language interpretation.





Bloomington, Indiana

A front-page article and photograph in The Herald-Times newspaper showed the Baha’is “putting unity in practice” at Bloomington’s 37th annual Race Unity Day celebration.

A thread of unity in diversity ran through the article, which


RACE UNITY DAY

— brings out uniqueness of message —


described how the more than 40 participants “interacted an event that took. an approach to the usual rhetoric surrounding race.”

Fort Collins, Colorado

Colorado Baha’i Youth Workshop performances ed more than 100 people—the highest attendance ever in the 27-year event—to this city’s Race Unity Day potluck pi Food from around the world added to the atmosphere.

The youth workshop also traveled to nearby Loveland to meet and dance for people at an assisted living facility.



en|




San Jose, California

The Baha’is’ “Color Me Human” booth at the annual Juneteenth Festival on June 19-20 was the scene of a surprising, tear-filled “fireside” when a woman was so attracted on the first day that she couldn’t stay away on the second.

Baha’is passed out 500 balloons and offered free face







Above: In Vinita, Oklahoma, a member of “Messengers of the Dawn” workshop hugs a young member of Mount Olive Baptist Church, co-sponsor with the Baha’is of a lively Race Unity Picnic on July 13. Photo by Rafael Castillo, Dallas, TX

Left: In Flint, Michigan, a member of the city Human Relations Office displays a mayoral proclamation for Race Unity Day. About 130 people came out for the June 13 event, which involved YOUTH2, a Baha’i development project.


start conversations and pick up lots of pamphlets.

Denton, Texas Race Unity Day made the front page of the Denton Record Chronicle: An article told of the annual celebration at the Martin Luther King Jr.

Recreation Center, and a photograph depicted a short dramatic piece on the late Hand of the Cause Louis G. Gregory and his wife, Louisa.



Albuquerque, New Mexico

Extensive radio, TV and newspaper publicity—much in Spanish—helped attract a crowd of more than 250, nearly half non-Baha’i, to the Race Unity Day picnic.

The event featured a hula troupe and two gospel choirs. Bransford Watson gave a keynote talk titled “No Room in My Heart for Prejudice,” then conducted a workshop the next day at the Baha’i Center. #



September 8, 1999 Tue American BanA’i * Race Unrry Day

page.19 [Page 20]

lassified notices in The American

Baha’ are published free of charge to the Baha’i community. Because of this, notices are limited to items relating to the Faith; no personal or commercial ads are accepted. Some of the opportunities have not been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly; the friends should exercise judgment and care in responding.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

AT THE BAHA'I NATIONAL CENTER EVANSTON, ILLINOIS

Executive Assistant, National Teaching Office. Helps National Teaching Committee secretary: Coordinates projects related to the National Teaching Plan; helps develop reports; communicates with other agencies; prepares articles for The American Baba’. Needs bachelor’s degree; knowledge of Baha’s writings and administration; project management experience; superior writing, speaking, analytical skills; word processing, spreadsheet, desktop publishing, Internet skills. Some travel required. Media Coordinator, National Teaching Office. Helps Baha'is understand the national media initiative through The American Babd’t, the Internet, Bahd’t Newsreel, regional train





ing programs ete,; advises/assists local and regional media efforts; monitors national toll


background in media, education and/or public relations; extensive project management experience; knowledge of Baha’ writings and administration.

Research Coordinator, National Teaching Office. Gathers, analyzes information on issues affecting growth and development of the Faith; communicates analysis and recommendations to National Spiritual Assembly and National ‘Teaching information to Regional Baha'i Councils and to the believers in general. Needs advanced degree in research-oriented field such as social sciences or marketing; high organizational, analytical, interpersonal skills; extensive knowledge of Baha’s writings and administration.

Conservation Coordinator, Conservation.



Does inspection, recordkeeping, testing and research for Conservation Program at Baha'i House of Worship; maintains Conservation team information systems; manages some projects; must work at heights, Needs three years’ experience in engincering technology and/or conservation/preservation work; degree in engineering technology, museum science or related field; skill in sketching, word processing.

Administrative assistant (part-time), U.S. Babé’i Refugee Office. Prepares correspondence to refugees and to Bahs’i, government and other agencies involved in refugee reset tlement. Develops reports, maintains records, helps process Southeast Asian Baha’é refugees. Helps compile and write the Southeast Asian Helpers Bulletin, articles for The American Baba’ and other publications. Needs proven ability to work with confiden



tial information, strong skills writing and speaking English.

OFFICE OF INFORMATION SERVICES BAHA'l NATIONAL CENTER

Applications developer. Provides high-level



IMMEDIATE NEEDS

Office of the Treasurer, Evanston: Assistant Controller: Responsible for National ‘Spiritual Assembly financial operations: budget and cash management, reporting and control. Maintains relationships with department heads. Needs high degree of honesty and integrity; five years’ experience as controller of mid-sized corporation or not-for-profit entity; bachelor’s degree in accounting (CPA preferred); experience in creating and managing budgets, working knowledge of cash management, accounting and control systems. Must be organized, have good communication and people skills, and be able to function in fast-moving, consultative environment. Office of Pioneering, Evanston: International Consultant (2 positions). Recruits, counsels, trains and dispatches international pioneers, youth volunteers and traveling teachers; assists current volunteers and those returning to the States. Needs excellent communication and organizational skills and computer/word processing skills; office experience preferable. Should understand cross-cultural interactions, international affairs ete.

U.S. Babi’t Refugee Office, Evanston: Assistant Coordinator, Southeast Asian Program. Helps support teaching and consolidation activities: prepares correspondence; monitors/reports on programs throughout the country; coordinates annual Southeast Asian Baha’f Conference; prepares printed and audiovisual materials for the Southeast Asian Baha'is; writes, compiles, lays out Southeast Asian Helpers Bulletin. Two-year commitment expected; some travel may be required. Babid’i Properties, Office, Wilmette: Maintenance Technician. Responsible for preventive maintenance, inspection and repairs. Needs high aptitude for electrical and mechanical systems. Additional training will be provided.

Persian/American Affairs Office, Evanston: Program Assistant. Helps follow up on programs and projects; performs records management and other office functions; handles correspondence in Persian and English; translates documents and letters. Must be skilled writing and speaking Persian and English; familiar with Baha’ administrative practices and with Iranian culture. Must type 30 wpm in. English and Persian, and be capable of detailed work with frequent interruptions. Mail Services, Evanston: Clerk (2 positions). Performs gencral mail service duties, including efficient handling of incoming and outgoing mail plus shipping, receiving, distribution and storage. Must be computer-literate, especially in Microsoft Office programs. Must speak, read and write English; needs valid driver’ license.

If interested, contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430).



analysis, design and implementation of information systems. Familiar with a variety of technologies including Visual tools, database tools and Web tools.

LSAI Support. Coordinates support activities for LSAI project. Provides training and support for LSAI. Handles initial requests for support, escalates support issues to support team when necessary (LSAI help desk). Develops training-related communications materials; assists promotion and education. Database administrator. Coordinates all database development. Responsible for Enterprise SQL server including security rights, table design, normalization. Responsible for design and implementation



of user and departmental applications as front ends to SQL using MS Access, VB or other tools as determined.

Webmaster. Proficient in Internet HTML; at least 2 years experience; applications/development experience would be a plus.

‘Transfer desk, Membership Office. Strong data entry and communication skills required. Helpful if Persian-speaking. Will cooperate with Refugee, Persian/American Affairs and Pioneering Offices.

Data entry clerk, Membership Office. Will transcribe contact information from the 80022-UNITE voice-mail system. Needs transcription experience; will cooperate with the National Teaching Committee office.

If interested in any Baba’i National Center position, contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847733-3430).

At Bosc BAHA’l SCHOOL

SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA Program Director. Plans, organizes and implements programs sponsored by Bosch or other Baha’{ agencies; supervises an assistant and recruits course facilitators; supervises children’s programming and curriculum. Needs experience in curriculum planning/instruction and supervision at an academic institution; knowledge of Core Curriculum and Ruhi methodology; basic computer knowledge including word processing. Required: master’s in education, or bachelor’s plus five years’ supervisory experience. If interested, contact the Administrators, Bosch Baha’i School, 500 Comstock Lane, Santa Cruz, CA 95060 (phone 831-423-3387, fax 831-423-7564).


AT GREEN ACRE BAHA'I SCHOOL

Euor, MAINE Assistant Facilities Coordinator. Helps with inspections, preventive and routine mainte nance, exterior and interior repairs. Must have proven skills in housekeeping/maintenance of buildings, equipment, vehicles and grounds. Receptionist/Office Assistant. Receives phone, e-mail and fax communications and greets all visitors to the office in a courteous, efficient manner, Provides administrative support to the co-administrators, registrar and program coordinator. Helps bookstore manager with sales and inventory. If interested in either position, please contact Jim Sacco, co-administrator, Green Acre Baha'i School, 188 Main St., Eliot, ME 03903 (phone 207-439-7200, e-mail

).

AT BAHA'I TRADE PUBLISHING Publisher. General manager and chief operat ing officer; public and legal spokesperson. Responsible for the product quality and financial results. Oversees general business, policies and interdepartmental collaboration toward developing a presence for ahs’ literature in retail bookstores and libraries. Needs excellent written and oral communication, skills, including presentation, negotiation and problem-solving; expertise in publishing (including distribution) and business management; extensive knowledge of literature and rinciples; bachelor’s degree; record of service on Baha’{ administrative institutions.



. Supervises operations of rade Publishing with focus on acqui



sitions, editorial and administrative functions. Helps publisher develop and enterprise. Develops and maintains office management systems for smooth administration, Needs excellent written and oral communication skills; expertise in publishing (including distibution) and business management; high level of organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines; at least bachelor’s


anage this new







degree tise with spreadsheets, word processing,

h related work experience; exper database management and other business sofware; knowledge of literature and Baha'i principles.

If interested in either position, contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-7333427, fax 847-733-3430).

At BAHA'I DisTRIBUTION SERVICE Furton County, Georcia

Assistant Manager. Supervises operations of BDS, particularly marketing and customer service; maintains dignified manner in all communications. Needs varied communication, expertise: business reporting, correspondence, negotiating, consultation, facili bachelor’s degree; familiarity with Baha'i literature; high computer literacy with special focus on financial and business nt experience; retail sales/marketing experience in a similar industry. If interested, please contact the Office of Human Resources, 1233 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3427, fax 847-733-3430) or Ford Bowers (phone 800-999-9019 ext. 111).




INTERNATIONAL China: Numerous openings for English teachers and professionals willing to travel for service in this rapidly developing country. For more information contact Susan Senchuk (phone 847-733-3506, fax 847-733-3509, email .

PIONEERING / OVERSEAS


‘The Office of Pioneering is eager to assist the friends preparing for international service. To that end, the Office will post service opportunities related to the needs of other national Babd’i institutions, For international job and study opportunities, we will provide Web sites, e-mail addresses and other resources to benefit your search.

For more information regarding jobs and study abroad, please contact the Office of Pioneering, Baha’ National Center, 1233 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, email ).


page 20 THe AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ CLAssirieD September 8, 1999 [Page 21]

YOUTH


Are any of you thinking about embarking on a period of six months to a year of service? Bosch Bah hool needs such wonderful souls. We are looking for youths of 18 years and over to help us in the gardens, kitchen, library, hospitality department, office, maintenance department and bookshop, and to serve



as children’s class teachers. For more details and an application form, please contact Sima Cockshut, volunteer recruiter at Bosch Baha’ School (phone 831-423-3387, fax 83 1-4237564, e-mail ).


PIONEERING/HOMEFRONT


Homefront pioncer in gorgeous Kentucky! From the rich cultural heritage and beauty of the Appalachian Mountai Kentucky, through the gentle rolling hills filled with horse farms and university cities in

in Eastern


the prosperous Bluegrass Region of Central Kentucky, to the barbecue homeland of Western Kentucky, we have it all—big cities, small towns, rural areas. Please call us so we can begin your homefront-pioneering placent. Contact Sarah Lee for the State Teaching Committee (phone 606-263-1820).



Scenic La Crosse, Wisconsin: Though our Assembly was able to re-form this year, a stalwart Bahé’f family will be moving away. We

are on the mighty Mi


issippi River and have not only three institutions of higher education (UW-La Crosse, Viterbo College, and Western Wisconsin ‘Technical College), but also two major regional health centers. We are close to famous hiking, bicycling and skiing trails, plus scenic wildlife refuges. We are mere hours from the Twin Cities or Chicago. Employment and housing information can be found on the Web (www.lacrossetribune.com). For more highlights, please contact the



Spiritual Assembly c/o Barb L-Heureux (phone 608-788-5020 or 608-789-4752).

Newark, California neers to help sustain our community’s activity goals after a dear family recently moved out. In the south end of the San Francisco Bay Arca near San Jose Airport, Newark is


.ceds homefront pio



part of the “ eral universities and junior colleges. Weather is comfortable and generally dry, and the


icon Valley” and close to sev



diverse population affords many teacl ‘opportu Please contact Steve (phone 510-796-5271), Kourosh Ni (phone 510-226-1919) or the Spiritual Assembly of Newark (e-mail

.



Long-cstablished, loving Baha’ community in


homefront pioneers to help spark its growth, aid and maintain consolidation. Gi

wood


offers a moderate climate, a very friendly mostly Christian population of about 65,000, and a cultural life that


cludes community theater. It’s home to world-renowned Park Seed Co, and the nation’s largest Fuji facility; internationally accredited Lander Unive and Piedmont Technical College in vicinity.


Please contact Assembly Secretary Gail


Curwin, 205 Pinchurst Drive, Greenwood, SC 29646 (phone 864-229-7438) or Jane & Harry Craig (¢-mail

).

‘The Assembly in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, is jeopardy. This 7-year old Assembly in a Pittsburgh suburb has established strong relationships in the community, even starting an organization that focuses on racial unity. We have a local cable-access TV program. Many job/educational opportunities, especially in health care, computer and telecommunications. We can't stop now! Please contact the Spiritual Assembly, P.O. Box 1236, Monroeville, PA 15146-1236 (phone 412-374-8584).




Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, needs homefront pioncers to save its Assembly. Just outside Madison, Sun Prairie is an ideal homefront pioncer post for students or new staff. Several hospitals are in the area and there is a high need for computer programmers. There is a great deal of intercommunity cooperation in teaching, children’s classes, a regional training institute, etc. Here is your chance to pioneer and not be isolated! Please contact the Spiritual Assembly c/o Jane Kershner,

Sun. Prairie WI 53590 (phone 608-837-8467).



WANTED


Remembrances of Hugh Chance, former member of the Universal House of Justice, and his wife, Margaret Chance, are sought by their daughter, who is compiling a book on his life. If you have stories, correspondence, ctc., please contact Dr. Mary Ann Chance, P.O. Box 748, Wagga Wagga NSW 2650, Australia (phone 011-61-2-6926-1743, fax 011-61-2-6926-2556, e-mail

).


A Canadian Baha'i researcher is collecting stories of experiences with the Babd’i law of consent for marriage: asking for it, receiving it (or not), withholding it, conditions for it, your thoughts and feelings about it, and/or the impact it has had on your family. If you have ever asked for consent or been asked to give it, please take a few moments to send in your story. Results will be compiled in a publication (confidentiality guaranteed). This project is approved by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Canada. Send stories to Sophie Tamas, Almonte, ON, Canada, KOA 1A0 (e-mail ).


ARCHIVES



‘The National Bal Archives is seeking original letters written on bebalf of the Guardian toJ Crockett, Flora H. Crossen, Ray C. Crowell, John S. Crowley, Julia Culver, mmins, Birdie




Gladys Curby, Gail Curwin, jane Czerni¢jewski, De Dahl and Margaret K. Daniels. Anyone knowing family membe! have these Guardian's letters is asked to contact the National Baha’ Archives, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611 (phone 847-869-9039),



Each year the National Baha’ Archives has ‘one or two mail auctions of its duplicate books. If you would like to be on the mailing list for catalogs for these auc name, address and Baha'i ID number to the National Baha'i Archives, 1233 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201-1611.


ons, send your



EUW RS Use aes ay

800-999-9019


Your window to teaching, deepening, and external affairs

World Order

Now available: Spring 1999 issue

Defining Moments An intriguing look at three periods in Baha’i and world history © Guest editorial: “Who Is Writing the Future? Reflections on the ‘Twentieth Century”

  • Ahang Rabbani’s “The Conversion of the Great Uncle of the Bab”

¢ Aden Lauchner’s “Albert Killius: Photographer of ‘Abdu’l-Baha”

Still Available: Winter 1998-99 issue ‘The Balkans, the Millennium, and the Bab ¢ Editorial: “The Restlessness of the Balkans”

  • William P. Collins on biblical interpretation, Protestant Americans and the

Baha’i Faith ¢ Leila and Kaivan Milani on why the Bab was not an apostate


Subscription type/fee: U.S. ($19 / 1 year, $36 / 2 years) Outside U.S. surface mail ($19 / 1 year, $36 / 2 years) Outside U.S. air mail (624 / 1 year, $46 / 2 years)

Single copies available on phone orders forss plus shipping/handling


One Country Published quarterly by the Baha’i International Community Subscription type/fee: U.S. ($12 / 1 year, $22 /2 years) Outside U.S. surface mail ($16 / 1 year, $30 / 2 years) Outside U.S. air mail ($20 / 1 year, $36 / 2 years)

Brilliant Star

Sa children’s magazine by the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly Subscription type/fee: U.S. ($18 / I year, $32 / 2 years) Outside U.S. surface mail ($18 / 1 year, $32 / 2 years) Outside U.S. air mail ($28 / 1 year, $52 /2 years) See page 15 for Kid’s Corner

The American Baha’i

10 times a year, available by y subscription to Baha’fs outside continental U.S. Subscription type/fee: Surface mail ($24 / 1 year, $45 /2 years) Air mail ($32 / 1 year, $60 / 2 years)



Use a separate copy of this form for each subscription Which publication?

Send to:



Address, City State, ZIP. County Daytime phone or e-mail


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Phone orders: 800-999-9019 ¢ E-mail orders: Mail orders: Baha’i Subscriber Service,

4703 Fulton Industrial Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30336 “TAB 9/8/99



September 8,1999 | THE AMERICAN BanA’i* CLAssiFIED page 21


[Page 22]

VINEYARD of the LORD



PHOTOS BY RUHI VARGHA


he building projects at the Baha’i World Center on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel,

are less than two years from their planned completion. Undertaken in 1990, thanks to the generous contributions of Baha’is worldwide the projects aim to complete by the turn of the century 19 monumental terraces from the crest to the foot of the mountain, embracing the Shrine of the Bab, plus several new administrangs along the Arc near the Seat of | House of Jus ¢ projects follow a plan outlined by the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, who said their development “will synchronize with ... the establishment of the Lesser Peace and the evolution of local institutions—the one









tive bu





Left: Gardens behind the Shrine of the Bab are in final stages of restoration.



Above: The Center for the Study of the Texts looms over a garden fence.

Right: A courtyard adorns the uppermost terrace.

TERRACE FINISHING: DIVINE DEADLINES”

aypte 1999 landscaping program for the remaining terraces is of the most ambitious phases of the Mount Carmel Projects to date. With “divine deadlines” to be met, some 350,000 square feet of detailed gardens on difficult terrain remain to be planted. This spring’s intensive work focused on Terrace 10 behind the Shrine of the Bab, the bridge over Hatzionut Avenue, and gardens around the Arc and the International Bahd’i Archives building.





CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF THE TEXTS AND ARCHIVES EXTENSION COMPLETED

he new Center for the Study of the ‘Texts—a structure that appears from the graceful pavilion, yet is built several stories deep into Mount Carmel—was handed over to Baha’i World Center building managers along with the extension to the Archives. Both structures were finished at the targeted time, a few weeks after Ridvin.

Offices will be moving gradually into the new buildings over the next few months.

Inside, the Library space and surrounding offices are a delight to the eye with mahogany furniture offset by chairs upholstered in deep green and sapphire blue. Other rooms have oak furniture with burgundy chairs.

Landscaped patios add islands of natural light to the interiors. But the largest newly finished one is between buildings: three stories deep in the hillside between the Archives Extension and the Center for the Study of the Texts. It is landscaped in a Mediterranean style, with tall palm — and bamboo trees and lush undergrowth.

















INTERNATIONAL TEACHING CENTER: FINISHING OUTSIDE AND INSIDE

cross the Arc from the Center for the Study of the Texts, tens of thousands of cubic feet of earth have been moved to grade the hillside for landscaping work around the International Teaching Center buildid the Common Area underneath. Much of this soil was taken from excavations for the Terraces.

Meanwhile, furnishings for offices at the Teaching Center are being after a review of what those offices need. Painting has been completed on levels 1 through 3, and marble flooring is complete in the foyer of the Auditorium and the staff dining room.

The domed, semicircular ceiling of the Teaching Center entranceway on level 7 is being formed with installation of fiberglass-reinforced gypsum panels.



in




page 22. THe American BanA’i * Mount CARMEL PROJECTS

September 8, 1999 [Page 23]


  • If you don’t know your Electoral Unit (EU) number, it will be

printed on the enyelope in which you received your ballot recently. If you have Internet access, you can find out your EU number on the Administrative Web Site (www.usbne.org).

¢ If information here is incomplete, the contact number or the Local Spiritual Assembly hosting your Convention may be reached for details, or check the Web site (www.usbnc.org).

For children’s programs at Unit Convention: Enhance your curriculum with the Special Edition of Brilliant Star. Find out more on page 15 or on the Web (www.usbne.org).

Hx is the latest information on Electoral Unit conventions, ich will be held across the country in early October to

elect delegates to the Baha’{ National Convention of April 2000.

‘This information might be more current than information in

ballot mailings. "

  • Electoral Units are listed by region (some have : areas that

overlap regions).







NORTHEASTERN STATES ~



cen Acre Bahé'i School, Eliot, ME; Sunday, Oct. 3 (register 8 am), Mail ballots to LSA Portland, P.O. Box 674, Portland, ME 04104-0674 (phone 207-282-3734). EU002: Hartford High School, 2 ‘Taft Ave., White River Junction, VT Det. 3; A. Mail balSA Rochester, P.O. Box 24, Rochester, VI 05767-0024 (phone 802-767-3303). EU003: s TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Manchester c/o Dianne Richmond, Manchester, NH 03103-4622 (phone 603-668EU004: Chelmsford Old Town Hall (Community Center), 1 A-North





me T




Rd., Chelmsford, MA; Sunday, Oct. 3 (register 8 am). Mail ballots to LSA Chelmsford, P.O. Box 544, Chelmsford, MA 01824-0544 (phone 978-250-0956).

EU005: Smith Vocational High School, Rt. 9, Northampton, MA; Sunday, Oct. 3 (register 8 am). Mail ballots to LSA Wilbraham, P.O. Box 862, Wilbraham, MA 01095 (phone



, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Providence, RO. Box 41001, Providence, RI.02940-1001 (phone 401-831-7068).

EU007: Tunxis Community College, 271 Scott Swamp Rid., Farmington, CT; Sunday, Oct. 3 (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Farmington

c/o Ruth Unionville, CT 06085-1164 (phone 860-677-4460). EU008:; Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA New Canaan, RO. Box 1597, New Canaan, CT 06840-1597 (phone 203-846-0246). EU009: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Brookhaven ¢/o Marie McNair, East Patchogue, NY 11772-6137 (phone 516-289-2006). EUO010: New York City Baha'i Center, $3 East 11th Street, New York, NY; Sunday, Oct. 3, 1-5 pm. Mail ballots to LSA New York City, New York, NY 100034601 (phone 212-674-8993). EUOLI: Grice Middle School,








Whitehorse Ave., Hamilton ‘Township, NJ; Sunday, Oct. 3 (register 9:30 am), Mail ballots to LSA Hamilton, P.O. Box 2529, Hamilton Sq, NJ 08690 (phone 609-586-2931). EU012: Wilhelm Property, 30


LSA Montclair Township, RO. Box 3407, Montclair, NJ 07043-3407 (phone 973-509-1948).

EUO13: SUNY at New Paltz, NY (Lecture Genter Room 100; Sunday, Oct. 3 (register 8 am). Mail ballots to LSA New Paltz, P.O. Box 1158, New. Paltz, NY 12561 (phone 914-256-9133). EUO14: Pitsford Middle School, 75 Barker Dr, Piusford, NY; date, time “TBA. Mail ballots to LSA





Pistord, NY 14534-1077 (phone 716-264-1180).

EUOIS: Mount Nittany Middle School, Warner Blvd, State College, PA; Saturday, Oct. 2; 10 am-4pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA State College c/o Michael Stokes, P.O. Box 1376, State College, PA 16804-1376 (phone 814-867-4316). EUOL6: Philadelphia Baha'i Center, 2462 Bryn Mawr Ave., Philadelphia, PA; Sunday, Oct. 3 (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Lower Merion ‘Township, BO. Box 772, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 (phone 610-388-5384) EU048: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Olean, P.O. Box 9, Olean, NY 14760-0009 (phone 716-372-3663).





EUO17: JD's Conference Center at Concord Plaza; 3411 Silverside Rd., Wilmington, DE; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am-4 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA New Castle County North c/o Sandra Shoemaker,

Wilmington, DE 19810 (phone 302332-5644).

EUO18: Mountain View Middle School, 12101 Woodford Dr, Marriotesville, MD; Sunday, Oct. 3; 9:45 am-3:30 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Howard County c/o Jane Porter Kolodner, P.O. Box 488, Columbia, MD 21045-0488 (phone 410-531-5073).

EUOL9: Rockville Senior Center,

1150 Camation Dr., Rockville, MD; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am-3 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Rockville, PO. Box 1826, Rockville, MD 208491826 (phone 301-762-7956).

EU020: Sunderland Elementary School, 150 Clyde Jones Rd., Sunderland, MD. Sunday, Oct. 3, 9:15 am-4 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Greenbelt, P.O. Box 245, Greenbelt, MD 20768-0245 (phone 301-474-4090).

EUO2I: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots fax County East, P.O. Box 1325, Falls Church, VA 22041-0325 (phone 703-941-0516).

EU022: George Mason University/ Fairfax, Student Union Building #2, 4400 University Dr, Fairfax, V Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Fairfax County West, 2.0. Box 2057, Centerville, VA 20120 (phone 703-817-0365).

EU023: Holiday Inn South, 5234 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Fredericksburg,








VA; Sunday, Oct. 3; 10 am-4 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Spotsylvania County, o/o Jeff Solka, Fredericksburg, VA 22408-2920 (phone 540-899-9690). EU024: Virginia Wesleyan College, Prudence Hall, 1584 Wesleyan Dr, Norfolk, VA. Sunday, Oct. 3, 9am-4 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Norfolk, P.O. Box 6100, Norfolk, VA 23508 (phone 757683-4998). EU025: Home of Marlene White 1206 Oakview Dr., Greenville, N Sunday, Oct. 3, 11:30 am-S pm (register 10:30 am). Mail ballots to Baha'is: of Greenville, c/o Marlene White, Greenville, NC 27858-5229 (phone 252-321-5888), EU026: Seabrook Neighborhood Resource Cur, 706 Langdon St., Fayetteville, NC; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am-4 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Fayetteville c/o Janis Holden-Toruno, Fayetteville, NC 28303-2611 (phone 910-867-2155). Yonway Baha'i Center, 2601





Zonway, St


date, time

‘TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Conway c/o Margie Willis, P.O. Box 348, Conway, SC 29528 (phone 843-248-6224).

EU028: Louis G. Gregory Bal Institute, 1313 Williams Hill Dr, ne TBA. ms Hill


Hemingway, SC; date Mail ballots to LSA Wi c/o Jamal Beckman, Hemingway, SC 295544017 (phone 843-558-5802). EU029: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Mount Pleasant c/o Diane Holladay, P.O. Box 1389, Mount





Pleasant, SC 29465-1389 (phone 843$81-9599). EU030: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to Kathleen Underwood, Orangeburg, SC 29115 (phone 803-533-0018). EUO31: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Ladys Island c/o Azita Bernad, Beaufort, SC 29902 (phone 803-9860916). EU032: North Family Community School, 616 Main St, North, SC; date, ime TBA. Mail ballots to LSA. Orangeburg c/o Pamela Laursen, RO. Box 2464, Orangeburg, SC 29116 (phone 803-536-2752). EU033: Site, time TBA. Mail ballot. to LSA Richland County North c/o Ethel Crawford, Box 210351, Columbia, SC 29221-0351 (phone 803-798-7116). EU034: Home of Sandra Lally, 104 Swails St. Kinsguree, SC; Briday, Oct. 1, 1-5 pm (register I 1am). Mail ballots to LSA Kingstree c/o Sandra Lally, Kingstree, SC 29559 (phone 843-354-5336 EU035: Home of John and Debbie Jackson, Hemingway, SC; Saturday, Oct. 2, 1 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Donnelly c/o Debbie H. Jackson, P.O. Box 915, Hemingway, SC 29554 (phone 843-558-9289). EU036: Home of Jannie Green, Johnsonville, SC; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am-2 pm. Mail ballots to: LSA Johnsonville, PO. Box 1012, Johnsonville, SC 29555-1012 (phone 843-386-3513), EU037: Florence Baha'i Center, 541 W. Evans St., Florence, SC 29501;








Saturday, Oct. 2, 2-6 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Florence c/o Bret Breneman,

Florence, SC 29501. (phone 843-667-1540).

EU0389: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to Bahi'is of Marion c/o Margaret Adams, Marion, SC 29571-3130 (phone 843-423-3662). EU040: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to Baha'is of Lake View c/o Ethel Smith, P.O. Box 61, Lake View, SC 29563-0061 (phone 803-759-9654). EU041: 1017 Brentwood Dr, Hansville, SC; Sunday, Oct 3, noon-4 pm, Mail ballots to LSA Lydia c/o Ursula Richardson,

Hartsville, SC 29550 (phone $43332-2411, e-mail





EU042: Resident Service Ctr, Clyde St., Heath Springs, SC; Sunday, Oct.

3, 9 am-noon. Mail ballots to Daisy Drakeford, Heath

Springs, SC 29058 (phone 803-2733268). EU04:


Rock Hill, s BA. Mail ballots to LSA Rock Hill o/o Helen R. Thomas, Rock Hill, SC 297305311 (phone 803-328-8395). E044: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots. to LSA Spartanburg, P.O. Box 2893, Spartanburg, SC 29304-2893 (phone 864-S91-L115, e-mail » EU04S: Alexander Graham Middle School, 1800 Runnymede Lane, Charloue, NG; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am4 pm (register 9 am), Mail ballots to LSA Charlotte, P.O. Box 221155, Charloue, NC 28222-1155 (phone 704-892-9755).


EU046: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA High Point c/o David Martin, High Point, NC 27265-1257 (phone 336883-2289), EU047: Avanti Restaurant, 119 E. Washington St, Charles Town, WV; Sunday, Oct. 17, 10 am-4 pm (register 9am). Mail ballots to LSA Jefferson Couny c/o Julic Gregg, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-9715 (phone 304/876-3995). EU0S2: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Louisville c/o Iraj Rahmani, Louisville, KY 40217-1135 (phone 502-635-6396). EU0S3: YWCA, 185 S. French Broad Ave., Asheville, NC; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9:30 am-2:30 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Asheville, P.O. Box 882, Asheville, NC 28802-0882 (phone 828-274-0716). EU0S4: Cherokee Cry. Ree. C 7545 N. Main St., Woodstock, Sunday, Oct. 3; 9:30 am-4 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Cherokee County, P.O. Box 283, Woodstock, GA 30188 (phone 770928-2483). EU0SS: Holiday Inn, 1075 Holcomb Bridge Road, Roswell, GA; Sunday, Oct. 3, $30 am-1 pm (register 8 am). Mail ballots to LSA De Kalb County North, P.O. Box 942131, Adanta, GA. 31 (phone 770-496-1565). time TBA. Mail ballots ton County Central </o Carla Fanaian, Alpharetta, GA 30022 (phone 770-360-1363).






SEE SOUTHERN, PAGE 24


September 8, 1999

Tne American BanA’i ¢ Unrr Conventions 1999 page 23 [Page 24]

SOUTHERN, continued

COCCCCE ECO SOEEE EOE OOOO OEE E OHSS OOOOH SOOO OHSS OOO OOO OOOO OO OOSEHHOOOOOOOH OOOO OOO OS OOOEOOOOO®

EU0S7: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Clyde County N. c/o Nancy Markovich, Kennesaw, GA 30144 (phone 678-355-9048). EU0S8: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Augusta, P.O. Box 14031, Augusta, GA 30919 (phone 706-738-3104). EU0S9: Site TBA; Saturday, Oct. 2, 10:30 am-3 pm (register 10 am). Mail ballots to LSA Savannah c/o Michael O'Neal, P.O. Box 1093, Savannah, GA 31402-1093 (phone 912-927-2746). EU060: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Columbus, c/o Scott Duncan, Midland, GA 318209392 (phone 706-565-9041). EU061: Florida Community College (FCG) downtown campus, Jacksonville, FL; 9 am (register 8 am). Mail ballots to LSA Jacksonville c/o Sherry Czernigjewski, Jacksonville, FL 322462310 (phone 904-646-9813, e-mail ). EU062: Florida Tech campus, 150 W. University Bivd., Melbourne, FL; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Brevard County c/o Ladan Delpak, Melbourne, FL 32934-8169 (phone 407-242-4959). EU063: Magdalene Carney Baha'i Institute, 130 S.E. Martin Luther King Bivd., Belle Glade, FL; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Belle Glade c/o Katherine Martinez, Belle Glade, FL 33430-1971 (phone 561-996-1959). EU064: Baha'i Center, 420 U.S. Hwy.



FROM PAGE 23

1, North Palm Beach, FL; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Palm Beach Cry. South c/o Iris “Tarafdar, Boca Raton, FL 33433-2348 (phone 561488-1949). EU065: Sunshine Ranches, 13901 Stirling Rd., Fort Lauderdale, FL; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Sunrise c/o. Susan Akhtarkhavari,

Sunrise, FL 33351-7694 (phone 954-741-6489, e-mail EU066: Comfort Suites, 3901 S.W. 117th Ave., Miami, FL; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am-3 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Dade Co. Central c/o Paulette Piccarreto,

Miami, FL 33186 (phone 305-598-7243). EU067: Ramada Inn, Hwy. 98 at 1-4, Lakeland, FL; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am-4 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Polk County c/o John Wing, Lakeland,

FL 33801-6571 (phone 941-665-1933, e-mail ). EU068: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Pinellas County ¢/o Sarah Bansemer, Clearwater, FL 33765 (phone 727797-468, e-mail ). EU069: Razvan Ctr, 1310 Cross Clark Suite 0, Tallahassee, FL; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am-3:30 pm (register 9:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Leon County, Tallahassee, FL 32312 (phone 850896-0926).




EU070: Catholic Services Cur, 4455 Narrow Lane Rd., Montgomery, AL; Sunday, Oct. 3; 9:30 am-3:30 pm (register 8 am), Mail ballots to LSA Montgomery, BO. Box 1131, Montgomery, AL 36101-1131 (phone 334-270-0589). EUO71: UAB, Hill Univ. Center, Great Hall, 1400 University Blvd., Birmingham, AL; Saturday, Oct. 2,9 am-3:30 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Hoover c/o Robert Hastings, Birmingham, AL 352261056 (phone 205-823-1965). EU072: Gallatin Civic Center, 210 Albert Gallatin Ave., Gallatin, TN; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am-5 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Nashville o/o Kathy Bishop, Antioch, TN 37013-1343 (phone 615-367-2774). EUO91: Univ of Tennessee-Memphis, Student Activity Center, 800 Madison Ave., Memphis, T turday, Oct. 9, 9 am-4 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Memphis o/o Dessie Heintz, P.O. Box 111101, Memphis, TN. 38111-1101 (phone 901-276-4106). EU092: Gulf Park College, Hwy. 90, Long Beach, MS; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am-3 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Gulfport c/o L. Juana Nicholson, Gulfport, MS 39503-4029 (phone 228-869-6047). EU093: Baton Rouge Baha'i Center, 4270 Perkins Rd., Baton Rouge, LA; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9:30 am-4 pm (register 8 am). Mail ballots to LSA New Orleans ¢/o Parviz. Mojgani,





New Orleans, LA 70125-4844 (phone 504-522-9048). EU094: Carver Community Cultural Center, 226 N. Hackberry, San Antonio, TX; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am-4 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA ‘San Antonio c/o Margaret Leeds, San Antonio, TX

78204-1316 (phone 210-494-9752). EU095: Challenger 7 Park Learning Center, 2301 W. NASA Blvd., Friendswood, TX; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am-5 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA League City, P.O. Box 724, League City, TX 77574-0724 (phone 281-332-6805). EU096: Houston Baha'i Center, 2121 Oakdale St., Houston, TX; Saturday, Oct. 9, 7-10 pm (register 6 pm). Mail ballots to LSA Houston, P.O. Box 301190, Houston, TX 77230-1190 (phone 281-480-6930). EU097: Austin Baha’ 2215 EM. Franklin Ave., Austin, nday, Oct. 3; 9:30 am-2 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Austin,

Austin, TX 78723-5834 (phone 512-467-8880). EU098: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Bryan, c/o Monica Osterbuhr,

Bryan, TX

77802 (phone 409-776-6472). EU099: Tyler Baha'i Center, 406 N. N.W. Loop 323, ‘Tyler, TX; Sunday, Oct. 10, 10 am-5 pm (register 9:30 Mail ballots to LSA Tyler c/o J.E. ink, ‘Tyler, 75707-1763 (phone 903566-8058).





EU100: Dallas Baha'i Center, 4235 W. Northwest Hwy., Dallas, TX; Sunday, Oct. 3; 2-6 pm (register 1 pm). Mail ballots to LSA Garland, PO. Box 450902, Garland, TX 750450902 (phone 972-495-2362). EUIO1: Harvey Hotel, 1600 N. Central Expwy., Plano, TX; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am-3 pm (register 9:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Coppell, RO. Box 586, Coppell, TX 75019 (phone 972462-9695). EUI02: Tarrant County Baha'i Center, 723 East Border St., Arlington, TX; Sunday, Oct. 3, 8:30 am-1 pm (register 8 am). Mail ballots to LSA Grapevine c/o Emma E. Valentine, Grapevine, TX 76051 (phone 817488-0892). EU103: Odessa College, Noel Ct, 619 N. Grant, Odessa, TX; Sunday, Oct. 3, 8:30 am-3:30 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Midland o/o Lisa Schaffer-Harris, Midland, TX 79703-6944 (phone 915-520-5899). EU10+ Tahlequah, OK (tentative); Saturday, Oct. 9, 10 am-4 pm (register 9 am), Mail ballots to LSA Sapulpa c/o John Algeo, Sapulpa, OK 74066-3848 (phone 948-227-2046). EUI05: Oklahoma City Baha'i Cr, 1201 S. Blackwelder Ave., Oklahoma City, OK; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am-4 pm (register 8 am), Mail ballots to LSA. Oklahoma City ¢/o Sharron Alvi, ‘Oklahoma City, OK 73108-7034 (phone 405348-1690).




EU049: Baker Hall, Case Western Reserve Univ., 10950 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9:30 am-4 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Cleveland, P.O. Box 602190, Cleveland, OH 44102-2190, (phone 216-752-4679). EU050: Hilliard Heritage Middle School, 5670 Scioto Darby Rd., Hilliard, OH; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am-3 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Hilliard c/o Lisa Shademan, Hilliard, OH 43026 (phone 614-527-8894). EUOS1: Bryan Comm. Ctr, 100 Dayton St, Yellow Springs, OH; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am-4 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Dayton c/o Vurleen Guffey, Dayton, OH 45419 (phone 937-2946869). EU073: CK Newsome Center, 100 E. Walnut, Evansville, IN; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10:30 am-4:30 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Bloomington c/o Richard Hatch, P.O. Box 1004, Bloomington, IN 47402 (phone 812334-2892). EU074: E. Wayne St. Center, 801 E. Wayne St., Fort Wayne, IN; Sunday, Oct. 3; 9 am-3 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Fort Wayne c/o. Carol Butler, P.O. Box 10007, Fort

Wayne, IN 46850-0007 (phone 219447-7805).

EU075: Kalamazoo Valley Comm. College, ‘Technology Applications Center, 6767 W. “O” Ave., Kalamazoo, MI; Saturday, Oct. 9, 1-5 pm (register and lunch 11:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Kalamazoo c/o Virginia Lucatelli,

Kalamazoo, MI 49001 (phone 616344-1377).

EU076: Detroit Baha’ Center, 19711 Greenfield, Detroit, MI; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am-4 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Canton Township c/o Barbara Laferier, P.O. Box 87454, Canton, MI 48187-0454 (phone 734459-3307).

EU077: Louhelen Baha'i School, 3208 S. State Rd., Davison, MI; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am-4 pm (register 8 am). Mail ballots to LSA Troy c/o C Faye McInnis, P.O. Box 851, Troy, MI 48099 (phone 248-588-5542). EU078: 100 Grawn Hall, Central Michigan Univ., Mt Pleasant, MI; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am-4 pm (register 8 am). Mail ballots to LSA Saginaw c/o Roxie Schell,

Saginaw, MI 48602-2711 (phone 517792-8999).

EU079: NMU-University Center, 1401 Presque Isle Ave., Marquette,

MI; Sunday, Oct. 3, 11 am-4 pm (register 10 am). Mail ballots to LSA Marquette c/o Linda Maxwell, P.O. Box 492, Marquette, MI 49855-0492 (phone 906-249-3164). EU080: Univ. of WisconsinMilwaukee, Kenwood Blvd. and Downer Ave., Milwaukee, WI; Saturday, Oct. 2, 10 am-4 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Milwaukee, Milwaukee Baha'i Center, Milwaukee, WI 53205 (phone 414-265-5693). EU081: Red Cross Bldg., 310 14th St. S.E., Rochester, MN; Sunday, Oct. 3, noon-Spm (register 11 am). Mail ballots to LSA Rochester c/o Pauline McFarlin, P.O. Box 8217, Rochester, MN 55904-8217 (phone 507-2853398). EU082: Holiday Inn, 200 Dearborn, Hwys. 51 & 75, South Beloit, IL; Sunday, Oct. 3; 9 am-4:30 pm (regis ter 8 am). Mail ballots to LSA Beloit c/o Leslie Rennie, P.O. Box 1278, Beloit, WI 53512-1278 (phone 608365-7879). EU083: Marriott Schaumburg, 50 N. Martingale Rd., Schaumburg, IL; Sunday, Oct. 3, 8:30 am-1 pm (register 8 am). Mail ballots to LSA Vernon Hills c/o Regina Blum, Vernon Hills, IL 60061 (phone 847 918-8587).

EU084: Baha'i House of Worship, Linden Ave. and Sheridan Rd., Wilmette, IL; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am-I pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Skokie, P.O. Box 572, Skokie, IL 60077 (phone 847-329-7308). EU085: Illinois Institute of ‘Technology (IIT), Hermann Union Bldg., 3241 S. Federal St., Chicago, IL; Sunday, Oct. 3, 3-7 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Chicago, 3321 S. Calumet Ave., Chicago, IL 60616-3933 (phone 312-225-1919).

EU086: Georgetown Clubhouse, 301 S. Prospect St., Wood Dale, IL; Sunday, Oct. 3; 9:30 am-1:30 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Wheaton c/o Cynthia Keene, P.O. Box 782, Wheaton, IL 60189-0782 (phone 630-690-9798).

EU087: Levis Faculty Center, 919 W. Illinois Urbana, IL; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9:30 am-4 pm (register 8:45 am). Mail ballots to LSA Champaign c/o Amelia Felty,

Champaign, IL 61821-5836 (phone 217-356-9654).

EU088: Ambraz Recreation Center, 2000 Mt. Vernon Rd. S.E., Cedar Rapids, IA; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am-4 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Cedar Rapids c/o Janet King,




PO. Box 2298, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-2298 (phone 319-364-4277). EU089: University of Missouri-Rolla, ‘McNutt Hall, Rolla, MO; Sunday, Oct. 3; 9 am-1 pm (register 8 am). Mail ballots to LSA Phelps County c/o Sandra Palmberg, P.O. Box 446, Rolla, MO 65402-0446 (phone 573364-0845). EU090: Lafayette Park United ‘Methodist Church, 2300 Lafayette Ave., St. Louis, MO; Saturday, Oct. 2, 9 am-4 pm (register 8:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA St. Louis c/o Maharshah Johnson,

St. Louis, MO, 63118 (phone 314-645-1297). EUL06: Wichita State Univ., CAC Building, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am-3:30 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Wichita c/o Linda Munhall, P.O. Box 1979, Wichita, KS 67201-1979 (phone 316-683-8851). EU107: St. Paul School of Theology, 5123 ‘Truman Rd., Kansas City, MO; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9:30 am-4:30 pm (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Kansas City c/o Jai Kenyata-~ Anderson, Kansas City, MO 64138 (phone 816


SEE CENTRAL, PAGE 25


page 24 THe AMERICAN

BanA’i ¢ Unrr Conventions 1999 September 8, 1999 [Page 25]


EUIL3: Pulliam Community Bldg., 545 N. Cleveland Ave., Loveland, CO; Sunday, Oct. 3, 8 am-12:30 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Loveland c/o John Sporague, RO. Box 323, Loveland, CO 80539-0323 (phone 970-667-8766).

EU114: Metro Denver Baha'i Ctr., 225 E. Bayaud Ave., Denver, CO; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am-4 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Arvada, P.O. Box 923, Arvada, CO 80001-0923 (phone 303425-9323).

EULIS: La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 N. Main Ave., Durango, CO; Sunday, Oct. 3 ‘TBA. Mail ballots to LSA La Plata County, P.O. Box 1265, Durango, CO 81302-1265 (phone 970-2591803).

EUL16: Diner's Club, 336 Parker Ave., Santa Rosa, NM; Saturday, Oct. 2, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Hobbs, P.O. Box 5161, Hobbs, NM 88241-5161 (phone 505-393-6093). EUI17: Belen Recreation Center, 715B S. Main St., Belen, NM; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Belen, P.O. Box 663, Belen, NM 87002-0663 (phone 505864-3993),

EULIB8: Site, time TBA; Sunday, Oct. 10. Mail ballots to LSA Las. Cruces, PO. Box 1491, Las Cruces, NM 88004-1491 (phone 505-6475849).

EUIM19: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Pima County N., P.O. Box 37121, Tucson, AZ 85740-7121 (phone 520-742-9641).

EU120: Chandler Comm. Center, 125 E. Commonwealth, Chandler,





AZ; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to

LSA Chandler, PO Box 3393, Chandler, AZ 85244-3393 (phone 480-899-4046).

EUI21: Phoenix Baha’ Ctr, 944 E. Mountain View, Phoenix, AZ; Saturday, Oct. 9, 10 am. Mail ballots to LSA Phoenix, P.O. Box 9961, Phoenix, AZ 85068-0961 (phone 602942-2836).

EU122: Hampton Inn, 8408 W. Paradise Lane, Peoria, AZ; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Glendale, P.O. Box 6447, Glendale, AZ 85312-6447 (phone 623-847-1820).

EU123: Civic Cur. Library, 3839 N. Civic Ctr. Bivd., Scottsdale, AZ; Sunday, Oct. 10, 1-5 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Paradise Valley c/o Maureen



EU124: Knoles Elementary School, 4005 E. Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ; Saturday, Oct. 2, 9 am-2 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Flagstaff, P.O. Box 2533, Flagstaff, AZ 86003-2533 (phone 520-226-8707). EUI25: Native American Baha’t Institute, 630 Burntwater Road, Houck, AZ; Sunday, Oct. 10, 9 am-4 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Gallup, BO. Box 1822, Gallup, NM 87305-1822 (phone 505-863-9074). EU126: Westminster College, 1840 S. 1300 E., Salt Lake City, UT; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am-4 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Salt Lake County, RO. Box 57775, Salt Lake City, UT 84157-0775 (phone 801-278-5324). EU127: Colonial Hotel, 2301 Colonial Drive, Helena, MT; Sunday, Oct. 3, 10 am-3 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Helena, Helena, MT 59601-3202 (phone 406442-7526). EUI28: University of Idaho Student Union, Moscow, ID; Sunday, Oct. 10, 9:30 am (register 9 am). Mail ballots to LSA Moscow c/o Hilary Mesbah, Moscow, ID 83843 3040 (phone 208-882-8423). EU129: Senior Citizen's Center, 602 N. 4th St. Yakima, WA 98901; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Yakima County Comm Dist #1, RO. Box 94, Selah, WA 98942-0094 (phone 509-697-3467). EU130: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Boise, P.O. Box 585, Boise, ID 83701-0585 (phone 208-3441886). EUI31: Las Vegas Baha’ Center, 7035 W. Oakey Blvd., Las Vegas, NV; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Clark County West c/o Gloria Allen,

Las Vegas, NV 89103 (phone 702365-1538). EU132: San Diego Baha'i Center, 6545 Alcala Knolls Drive, San Diego, CA, Saturday, Oct. 2, 1-5 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Chula Vista, P.O. Box 287, Chula Vista, CA 91912-0287 (phone 619-421-1950). EU133: San Diego Baha'i Center, 6545 Alcala Knolls Drive, San Diego, CA; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA San Diego, 6545 Alcala Knolls Dr, San Diego, CA 92111-6933 (phone 619-574-1486). EUI34: G nter, 799 nday, Oct. 3, 8 am-1 pm, Mail ballots to





‘arlsbad Senior C





‘Thur, LSA P.O. Box 230088, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253-2627 En ‘A 92023-0088 (phone (phone 480-596-9193). 760-944-6441). CENTRAL, continue From pace 24


756-3675).

EU108: Nebraska Auditorium, 141 S Nebraska City, NI



y High School +t Park Rd., inday, Oct. 3, 10 am-4 pm (register 9 am). Mail bal


lots to LS: ind Island ¢/o Jubi


Anne Maggi


Grand Island, NE 68803-6333 (phone 308-381-2789).

EU109: Minnetonka Community Center, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd., Minnetonka, MN; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 ter 8:30 am). Mail balA Eden Prairie, P.O. Box

am-4 pm ( lots to Ls



EUI35: Elks Lodge, 6166 Brockton Ave,, Riverside, CA, Sunday, Oct. 10, 9 am-4 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Riverside c/o Judith Hart,

Riverside, CA 92501 (phone 909-683-6515). EU136: Orange County Baha’ Center, 3316 Ave. Del Presidente, San Clemente, CA; Sunday, Oct. 10, 9am. Mail ballots to LSA Laguna cl, RO. Box 7776, Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-7776 (phone 949249-2016). EU137: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Irvine, BO. Box 17254, Irvine, CA 92623-7254 (phone 949552-5455). EU138: Yorba Linda Comm. Center, 4501 Casa Loma Ave., Yorba Linda, CA; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Upland c/o Barbara Marino, Upland, CA 91786-6130 (phone 909982-4239). EU139: Cerritos Park Community Center, 13234 E 166th St., Cerritos, CA; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Cerritos, P.O. Box 4821, Cerritos, CA 90703-4821 (phone 562-402-4870). EU140: Culver City Veterans Memorial Bldg., 4117 Overland Ave., Culver City, CA; Sunday, Oct. 3, time ‘TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Santa Monica, P.O. Box 1066, Santa Monica, CA 90406-1066 (phone 310394-5449). EUIA4L: Arcadia Community Ctr, 365 Campus Dr,, Arcadia, CA; date, time ‘TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Pasadena, PO. Box 91668, Pasadena, CA 911091668 (phone 626-398-6318). EU142: Los Angeles Baha’s Center, 5755 Rodeo Road, Los Angeles, CA; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Los Angeles, 5755 Rodeo Road, Los Angeles, CA 90016-5013 (phone 818908-1020). EU143: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA La Crescenta, BO. Box 615, Verdugo City, CA 91046-0615 (phone 818-248-1782). EU144: Borchard Community Center, 190 N Reino Road, Newbury Park, CA; Sunday, Oct. 10, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Thousand Oaks, P.O. Box 1137, Thousand Oaks, CA 91358-0137 (phone 805-499-4241). EUI45: Nine Oaks Baha’ Institute, 1201 Old Oak Park Road, Arroyo Grande, CA; Sunday, Oct. 3, time ‘TBA. Mail ballots to Obispo County N.W., P.O. Box 1221, Cambria, CA 93428-1221 (phone 805-466-1323).





jan Luis



46014, Eden Prairie, MN 55344-2714 (phone 612-937-6250).

EU110: Bunker Hills Activity Center, 550 Bunker Lake Blvd., Anoka, MN; Sunday, Oct. 3, 1-4:30 pm (register noon). Mail ballots to LSA Coon Rapids, P.O. Box 48244, Coon Rapids,

EU146: YMCA, 600 Camino del Estero, Monterey, CA; Sunday, Oct. 3, 1:30-5 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Prunedale c/o Jana Davis, Prunedale, CA 93907 (phone 831-663-0812). EU147: Fresno Baha'i Center, 2240 E. Angus Ave., Fresno, CA; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Fresno, P.O. Box 5501, Fresno, CA 93755-5501 (phone 559-4471633). EU148: Baha'i Regional Ctr., 945 Willow St., San Jose, CA; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am-12:20 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Milpitas, P.O. Box 360491, Milpitas, CA 95036-0491 (phone 408-946-0163). EU149: Bosch Baha'i School, 500 Comstock Ln., Santa Cruz, CA; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Palo Alto, P.O. Box 60418, Palo Alto, CA 94306-0418 (phone 650-858-8080). EU150: Beresford Rec. Center, 2720 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo, CA; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to. LSA San Mateo, P.O. Box 409, San Mateo, CA 94401-0409 (phone 650340-1512). EUIS1: Schabot College Bldg. 600, 25555 S. Heperian, Hayward, Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Hayward c/o Patricia Conroy, P.O. Box 3474, Hayward, CA 94540-3474 (phone 510-8874595). EUIS2: Marriott Hotel, 2600 Bishop Dr., San Ramon, CA; Sunday, Oct. 10, 8 am-1 pm. Mail ballots to LSA. San Ramon c/o Majgun VahdatShapiro, P.O. Box 2791, San Ramon, CA 94583 (phone 925-556-5527). EUI153: Unity Church of the Valley, 350 N. Orchard Ave., Vacaville, CA; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Fairfield, P.O. Box 985, Fairfield, CA 94533-0098 (phone 707-426-4187). EU1S54: Roseville High School, 601 ‘Tahoe Ave., Roseville, CA; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Roseville c/o Sandra Moline, Roseville, CA 95678-6911 (phone 916-774-9392). EUI155: Community Center Theatre, 2791 24th St., Sacramento, CA; Saturday, Oct. 2, 9 am-3 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Sacramento, P.O. Box 160966, Sacramento, CA 95816-0966 (phone 916-498-1792). EU156: Petaluma Community Center, 320 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, CA; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Petaluma, P.O. Box 23, Petaluma, CA 94953-0023 (phone



MN 55448 (phone 612-755-0820). EUII11: Wrangler Motor Inn, 820 W Grand Crossing, Mobridge, SD; Saturday, Oct. 2, 10:30 am-4 pm (register 10 am). Mail ballots to LSA Pierre c/o Shiva Ziai, P.O. Box 214, SD 57501-0214 (phone 605


Pierre, $


415-892-3377). EUI1S7: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Red Bluff City c/o Janet Lopez, Red Bluff, CA 96080-2753 (phone 530-529-5856). EULS58: Umpqua Comm. College, Science Hall, Room 10, 1140 College Road, Roseburg, OR; Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 am. Mail ballots to LSA Douglas County, P.O. Box 212, Winchester, OR 97495-0212 (phone 541-4599763). EU1S59: Philomath Middle School, 2021 Chapel Drive, Philomath, OR; Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 2-3, time ‘TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Benton County ¢/o Evelyn Martin, Corvallis, OR 97330-9561 (phone 541-745-7916). EU160: St. John’s Community Cu, 8427 N. Central, Portland, OR; Saturday, Oct. 2; 9:30 am-4 pm. Mail ballots to LSA Milwaukie, P.O. Box 22517, Milwaukie, OR 97269-2517 (phone 503-653-5901). EU161: Portland Baha'i Center, 8720 N. Ivanhoe St., Pordand, OR; Saturday, Oct. 2, time TBA. Mail ballots to Baha’fs of Multnomah County c/o Barbara Rosenkranz, Corbett, OR 97019-9602 (phone 503-695-5784). EU162: Tigard Senior Ctr., 8815 S.W. O'Mara St., Tigard, OR; Sunday, Oct. 3, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Tualatin, P.O. Box 821, ‘Tualatin, OR 97062-0821 (phone 503-825-6692). EU163: Brighton Creek Conference Center, 4516 SR 702, McKenna, WA; date, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA King County East Central, P.O. Box 722, Issaquah, WA 98027-0027 (phone 425-392-8253). EU164: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA King County N.E. c/o Angela Ansari, P.O. Box 703, Redmond, WA 98073-0703 (phone 425-821-9269). EUI65: Highline Senior Ctr., 1210 S.W. 136th St., Burien, WA; Saturday, Oct. 9, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Burien, P.O. Box 373, Seahurst., WA 98062-0373 (phone 206-246-4275). EU166: Hodson Hall, Skagit Valley Coll., Mount Vernon, WA; Saturday, Oct. 2, 9:30 am. Mail ballots to LSA Mt. Baker c/o Monta Wagar, Lynden, WA 982649011 (phone 360-398-2573). EU167: Site, time TBA. Mail ballots to LSA Bremerton c/o Margery Keppel, BO. Box 2465, Bremerton, WA 98310 (phone 360-373-4788).



CO CCOCHOSEOEOEEE EOE EH EEEEOOEEHEOEOOEOEHEOEOOSOOOOOOEOO OOOO OOO COOO®E

224-6992). EULI2: Trechaven, Kyle, SD; Sunday, Oct. 10, 11 am-3 pm (register 10:30 am). Mail ballots to LSA Rapid City c/o Alberta Schulte,

Rapid City, SD


.57702 (phone 605-343-4470). @


September 8, 1999

Tue American BanA’i ¢ Unir Conventions 1999 _ page 25. [Page 26]

1999 BAHA'I CONFERENCE ON SOCIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE AMERICAS December 16-19, 1999 ¢ Clarion Plaza Hotel ¢ Orlando, Florida

THEME: SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES — GUIDE TO WORLD TRANSFORMATION


TOPICS

¢ SED and the Four Year Plan + Living a Holy Life and Serving Humanity ¢ Best Practices for Race Unity Training—How to Apply Baha'i Principles * Full Equality between Women and Men * Community Building through SED: Grandmothers and Mothers * Importance of Feedback and Encouragement * Building Capacity for ‘Transformative Action * Reconceptualizing the System of Human Relationships * Synergism through Top-Down and Bottom-Up

MUSIC AND DRAMA

Jack Lenz of Live Unity Productions will coordinate this year's music and drama.There will be quality and diversity of performances, from classical, gospel, Persian and other music to inspirational drama, to cause our spirits to soar. In addition, Leslie Asplund has assembled a group of performers who will provide inspirational learning through the performing arts at various Conference sessions.

Register by Mail

Use the multipurpose form on this page to register by mail. Include special information:

+ Names and ages of all attending, including children

  • Your total conference fees

» Any special needs

Call 407-740-5415 + Adults - $120 + Youth (15-20 years) - $80 * Children & Junior Youth (3-14 years) - $60 * Add $19 contribation, if possible, to assist with scholarships. Add $20 per person after November 20. ¢ No refunds for “no-shows.” » All cancellations are subject to a $20. cancellation fee, Mail in check (in U.S, dollars) to: RABBANI CHARITABLE TRUST * 2693 W. FAIRBANKS AVENUE, SUITE A * WINTER PARK. FLORIDA 32789



his year’s Conference is designed to meet

the needs of the practitioner as well as those new to social and economic develop- Ks ment (SED). The program is structured to 5 favor consultation over presentations and mS ne enable everyone to derive maximum value 4 3 3 s from a dialogue-evoking environment in S5 3 which everyone is a teacher and everyone is a as =

learner. The Conference will provide abundant opportunities to share Baha'i develop Louise Profeit-LeBlanc Crystal Baker Shoale.

ment information and experiences, analyze 2

the shared experience in the light of the & Pee

teachings of the Faith and current develop- Bt gs ment thought, bring project representatives in a BS 3 contact with others who can be of assistance, 53 &


and learn about principles and practices of Baha'i SED. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from and with representatives of over 200 Baha'i development projects, BRACES and Baha’i-inspired organizations from more than 20 countries who have been invited to participate. Recbiven Speakets and Facilitators: Carole and Dwight Allen (U.S.), Eloy Anello (Bolivia), Crystal Baker Shoaie (Bolivia), Luis Henrique Beust (Brazil), Judie and Michael Bopp. (Canada), Elizabeth Bowen (U.S.), Deana and Raymond Choczynski (U.S.), William Davis (U.S.), Linda Gershuny (Haiti), Dorothy Marcic (U.S.), Louise Profeit-LeBlanc (Canada), Donald Rogers (Canada), June Manning Thomas (U.S.), and many more.

CFS Sa GS

HOTEL/AIRLINE INFORMATION Hotel rooms at the Clarion Plaza Hotel-in Orlando $50 a night (up t0 4 persons). Limited availability—call promptly: 800-627-8258 or 407-996-1703. Mention Baha'i Families. Delta. Airlines discounts through American Travel Consultants: 800-393-5050 (outside North America 407679-6655) File 130252A Avis Car Rental discounts,Call 800331-1600—Avis Worldwide Discount Group # 0131183


Shak aR Aes l. len0)

For General Information




WREAN COLLOQUIUM

English-language sessions in the United States

Baha’i writings.

of abstracts).

¢ For registration and accommodations, contact the school where each

session is to be held.

INFORMATION ON YOUR

INTERNA



moting the interests of the Faith.

ily, study or otherwise.

date(s) of visit(s).

  • Main purpose of your travel.
  • Did you ari




English-language sessions of the ‘Irfan Colloquium and Seminar at Louhelen and Bosch Baha’i Schools will cover different aspects of the

Each session will be held at the same time as a Persian-language session. Registration fee for either session is $30 (fee includes compilation

IONAL TEACHING TRIP

‘To record achievement of traveling teaching goals, the Office of Pioneering needs information on all international trips

level or amount of service and regardless of whether your trip was excl for service to the Faith or was combined with a trip for business, holiday, fam Just contact the Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201 (phone 847-733-3508, fax 847-733-3509, e-mail »

Use the Multipurpose Form at right to respond by mail. Special information (use a separate sheet as needed):

¢ Names and ID numbers of all Baha’fs on each trip.

  • Names of each country visited, plus the one or two main localities, and

to meet the call of the Universal House of J Native Americans to teach in the circumpolar areas? Hispar teach in Latin America? African-Americans to teach in Africa? ®

24th Colloquium, Oct. 8-11 Louhelen Baha’i School

Themes: “World Religions and the Baha’i Faith,” “Principles of the Baha’i Buddhism, Chinese religious traditions, Book of Revelation and their relation to the Baha’i Faith. Presenters: Muin Afnani, Ghasem Bayat, Albert Cheung, Moojan Khadem, Sohrab Kourosh, Dann May, Habib Riazati, William Rodgers, Robert Stockman, Peter Terry, Iraj Ayman.




For which event or activity?

DOCUMENTARY,

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Ceeeccceccccesevcccccce



ree of sanctimony cy was vital.

“J made a commitment to get as much of the Prophet's words in as possible,” he said.

In the course of his research, Golding i


contacted the ah: Community,


individual Ba I, but


mate} acy through every stage of


production. intain his independence

‘To m




Golding could e endorsment



helpful Baha’i community, though on occasion he met with suspicion and deep concern. But two screenings in New York

whelmingly evoked


tity have ov pressions of warmth, delight, and excitement. Viewers were heard to “When is part Something I and “Where




make such comments



two coming can send to my can I get a copy?” ®

CR 26th Colloquium, Nov. 26-28 Bosch Baha’i School Theme: “Selected Tablets revealed during the Tehran-Baghdad period (1853-1863).” Coordinator: Sheila Banani Presenters: Muin Afnani, Ghasem Bayat, Habib Riazati, Derek Cockshut, Brent Poirier, Heshmat. Shahriari, Ala Quds, Farhad Sabetan, Amin Banani, Nabil Fares, Sheila Banani, Brian Miller, Iraj Ayman.

a MULTIPURPOSE FORM

CLIP or Copy as }







Name undertaken for the sake of proThis information is important whatever the Address ely City

State, ZIP.


Phone

Special information:

E-mail






stice for:



believers to






page 26 Tre AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ SeekinG YOUR ResPonse

September 8, 1999 [Page 27]

y | ‘he National Spiritual Assembly of the United States received the following e-mail message on June 3, 1999:

Kindly convey the following to the family of Edmund John (Ted) Cardell, gathered for his funeral service


at Oak Hill Cemetery in Red Bluff, English-born eared the title “Father of Namibia.” Ted

California, U.S.A. Ted Cardell, a also served for many years on the National We are deeply grieved at the news of Knight of Assembly of the United Kingdom.

the passing of Ted Cardell, a Knight of Baha’u’llah, It was during his pilgrimage “look Baha’u’llah. The spirit of dedication performedearly ing at the face of God for eight

that he evinced in his sincere and self- pioneering evenings in a row” that Ted realized

less services to the Cause not only in workin Africa. such a love for the beloved Guardian

the country which he opened to the

Faith during the beloved Guardian’s Ten Year Crusade, but wherever he participated in Baha’i activities, will always be remembered with deep affection.

To the dear members of his family, particularly his beloved children, goes our heartfelt condolence. We will most fervently pray in the Holy Shrines for the progress of his luminous soul in the Abha Kingdom.

—The Universal House of Justice


The next day, the family of Ted Cardell received the e-mail message below from ‘Amatu’l-Baha Ruhiyyih Khinum and Mr. and Mrs. Ali Nakhjavani:


SHARE YOUR GRIEF OVER LOSS DEAR TED. HIS SERVICES BRITISH ISLES, KENYA, NAMIBIA, UNITED STATES PROVIDE PATTERN OF SERVICE CHARACTERIZED BY DETACHMENT, SINGLE-MINDEDNESS AND CONSECRATION. EXTEND LOVING SYMPATHY MEMBERS BEREAVED DISTINGUISHED FAMILY AND ASSURE PRAYERS FOR PROGRESS HIS RADIANT


Knight of Bahd’u’lléh Ted Cardell ascended peacefully to the Abha Kingdom June 2, 1999. He was 80 years old.

‘This humble, loving, one-time British wheat farmer arose in the early 1950s to pioneer in Africa, serving first in Kenya

and then in Namibia to the extent that he


that he did not hesitate to answer the call for pioneers for the Ten Year Crusade. It was also during this time that he discovered the photographic talent that would support him and his. family during his 10 Africa. WI honor he received being asked by Shoghi to photograph the sacred contents of the Archives with ‘Amatu’l-Baha, under the portico of the Shrine of the Exalted Bab. (The Universal House of Justice gave him the privilege of being its official photographer in 1963.) In 1979, he moved with his wife, their children to the western United States the United Kingdom. In 1985, Mr. and Mrs. Cardell again entered the pioneer field, this time to Peru, but were able to stay for only a year. Ultimately he retired in Red Bluff, California. After Alicia’s death in 1991, Ted, despite frail health, continued serving as a traveling teacher and inspirational speaker. He spoke of the joys and hardships of pioneering; of his love for his dear wife and her parents who had served as caretakers at Bahji during the time of the Hands of the Cause and so much more. This truly gifted teacher of the Faith is survived by his son and daughters, their spouses and six grandchildren.















William Washburn rose above barriers

illiam (Bill) Washburn of Detroit,

Michigan, died from a heart attack he suffered June 19 while helping to renovate the newly acquired Detroit Baha’i Center.

He was laid to rest in the new Baha’s burial ground in the suburb of Plymouth.

For the last two years of his life, despite ia, Washburn served ably as corresponding secreritual Assembly of Detroit. He was a living example of rising to serve when doubts of ability could have intervened. burn was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Aug. 18, 1943. introduced to the Baha’i Faith at age 9 with The Hidden Words and The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys.

Early childhood was traumatic, as he contracted polio and suffered the severe learning disability that afflicted him throughout life despite years of tutoring. But his parents grounded him in ding moral training. As an adult, Washburn was invited to a firesi Michi ’f until he proved himself able to give up alcohol and other worldly pursuits. In June 1978, he declared himself a Baha’{ and never looked back.






¢ in Plymouth,





participated in and hosted ommunity-College Club proclamation events, and a cable television project in Ro le. They also served the Amoz Gibson Teaching Project in Wanblee, South Dakota, and the Native American Baha’i Institute. :

After their son, Trevor, was born they relocated in 1983 to Detroit. There Washburn began a 15-year career as an emergency medical tes ian for the city. During his service in EMS, he was accorded a citation for bravery by the city fire department for rescuing a bedridden patient from a burning building.

There were many stories at his funeral about Washburn’s humor, his constant jokes, love of life, and loving care of the sick, traumatized and infirm.

In addition to his wife and son, Washburn is survived by a daughter, Amy Washburn of Maryland. @








IN MEMORIAM




SOUL IN ALL WORLDS OF GOD. —RUHIYYIH, VIOLETTE, ALI Shaffiq Ahmed Vincent B. Cummings Madison, AL Marion County, FL May 21, 1999 July 13, 1999 J. Gary Allums Harold G. Danielson Hurst, TX Anacortes, WA June 1, 1999 June 11, 1998 Dane Amos William C. Davis Salem, OR Holbrook, AZ June 1999 June 16, 1999

Mary E. Blakeny Pompano Beach, FL. July 12, 1999

Alvin O. Chattin Virginia Beach, VA June 27, 1999

Peter D. Chilstrom Rancho Cucamonga,CA May 6, 1999

Silas D. Cummings Marion County, FL. May 22, 1999


James Dobrochowski ‘Tauranga, New Zealand April 3, 1999

Maxine E. Fenwick Mesa, AZ May 19, 1999

Leigh Geary Owings Mills, MD May 6, 1999

H. Richard Gurinsky Alamogordo, NM June 24, 1999

Verlon Hanson Roseburg, OR July 14, 1999 .

Karen M. Hellman Milwaukee, WI July 11, 1999

Donna Holmes Dayton, OH July 17, 1999

Ralph Jackson San Jose, CA July 13, 1999

Joseph Johnson Pembroke, NC May 22, 1991

Mavis Lillywhite Greeley, CO May 30, 1999

Helen H. McClusky Orinda, CA September 1998

Mary P. Moseley Waco, TX June 4, 1999

Evelyn M. McQuirk Arden Hills, MN Nov. 18, 1992

Sorour K. Mojgani Burke, VA August 14, 1998

Tarazullah Namdar ‘Thousand Oaks, CA November 18, 1998

John W. Nash Flint, MI June 26, 1999

James E. O’Daye Des Moines, IA March 17, 1999

Charles Pate Las Vegas, NV June 5, 1999

Josephine Pretty Weasel Hardin, MT June 13, 1999

FER ser

Muhammad H. Radpour Hixson, TN June 17, 1999

Delissa Rittenbury Bryson, TX June 23, 1999

Susan Evans Rowan Santa Monica, CA August 12, 1999

Charles L. Slavik Edwardsville, IL May 27, 1999

Charles Sperling Lakewood, WA June 30, 1999

Joyce M. Stansbery University Park, TX March 25, 1999

James C. Stokes Lydia, SC June 5, 1999

Judith O. Stokes Lydia, SC June 22, 1999

Joan M. Taylor Tucson, AZ June 1998

Nadereh Vahidi Beverly Hills, CA July 10, 1999

Margaret Vance Anne Arundel County, MD May 7, 1999

William G. Washburn Detroit, MI June 19, 1999

June C. Way Brownsburg, IN June 17, 1999

Odessa Wiggins Columbia, SC June 15, 1999

Margaret Winters Wilmington, DE June 15, 1999




September 8, 1999

Tue American Band’ * In Memoriam

page 27 [Page 28]

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Santa Monica, CA

Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 (phone 609-671-9125, fax 609-6710740, e-mail )

Daryush Haghighi, Rocky River, OH 44116 (phone 440-333-1506, fax - 440-333-6938, e-mail )

ibeth Martin, P.O. Box 178, Winnsboro, 29180 (phone 803-635-9602, e-mail )

~ Office of the Secretariat, Baha’i Huqtqu’lléh if _ Trust, Rocky River, OH 6 (phone 440-333-1506, fax 440-333-6938, iL )

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page 30 THe AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ PERSIAN September 8, 1999



3 % 3 3 3 j



[Page 31]


Y | ‘he European Baha’i Youth Council launched a series of “Act Now”

conferences e:



our endeavours spiritual hunger’ prevailing chaotic age,” the Council wrote.

“Baha’i youth can distinguish th selves for their incredible diversity within their groups and for the love, unity and fellowship shown towards each other. We want our non-Baha’i friends to become part of this movement of youth—they too can ‘act’ by contributing their talents and skills towards the achievement of the lofty aim of ‘global unity and peace.”

Highlights of some conferences: ¢ Germany: More than 170 people representing 10 German-speaking countries came together in a loving atmosphere of unity in the Black Forest region. “We feel that it is not only our duty butalso a great bounty to act now to ease the suffering of humanity,” the report read. © Italy: At the gathering in Acuto, a participant enthusiastically said organizers “lovingly recognized the natural hunger that youth have for music, dance, making friends, and enjoying lif Eagerness to serve shone from the of all the youth gathered there.” © Norway: In Stavanger, a participant said, “The programme has helped to focus the energy and dynamic character of the Nordic youth in the avenues of service recommended by the Council, and explored the concept of youth groups as teaching tools.”

After each gathering, teaching projects were scheduled youth could engage in sharing the Message of Baha’u'll4h together. @







eS

so


At this joyous Naw-Rdz celebration in|



In five years of civil war, it was difficult for Baha'is in Burundi to get together.


dance included Hutus, Tutsis and Twa.

bura, nearly 60 Baha’is in attencourtesy of Baha'i International News Service




DEVELOPMENT


¢ Brazil: About 700 Baha’is thronged to the eighth National Unity Conference, a “special and unforgettable event” held June 3-6 the Soltanieh Baha'i Educational Center. Former Counselor s special guest of the National Spiritual Assembly.

Using the theme of family unity, s focused strengthening of family life. The conference was rich with music, drama and dance performances, and 10 new Baha’i books in Portuguese were introduced, including three by









Brazilian Baha’i authors. © Mongolia: The new B: Erdenbulgan, an isolated rural village in the north of the country, was inaugurated as Counselor Rosalie Tran who opened the center and was guest of honor at a two-day women’s seminar. At the ceremony to open the center, the deputy mayor and the village education officer spoke warmly of the Baha’is and their valued contributions, especially a vegetable-growing project the Baha'is have conducted for three years.







International traveling teaching opportunities for U.S. Baha'is

jn a document compiled at the Baha'i World Center, 150 countries list specific needs and opportunities for traveling teachers. Due to space limitations, the following needs ‘are summarized only from letters recently received from Baha'i institutions overseas and do not include the complete information available through the Office of Pioneering or your Auxiliary Board member. The Office of Pioneering has up-to-date information on these opportunities and: + Other urgent needs and opportunities for international traveling teachers.

  • Conferences, schools and events in Europe,

including Landegg Academy programs. + Summer schools, deepening institutes and Baha'i camps in Canada. Office of Pioneering, 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201 *phone 847-733-3508 fax 847-733-3509 * e-mail

TEACHING PROJECTS

Regional

‘Training and Empowerment.

  • Botswana: John Robarts

‘Teaching Project.

  • Cameroon: Teaching projects, including one

affiliated with a regional institute center for training new believers.

  • Canada: Ongoing teaching projects.
  • Democratic Republic of Congo: Nine zonal


Institute for

Long-Term

teaching projects.

Ecuador: Project Badasht, an expansion and

consolidation project.

  • El Salvador: Ongoing deepening and social

and economic development projects at the Badasht Institute, Jamaliyysh Institute, and New Garden Baha’f Institute.

  • French Guiana: “Sparks of Peace” Perles de

la Caraibes ‘Teaching Project, especially interested in those who speak French and/ or have experience with theater, dance workshops, visual arts and music who can

train and organize youth for proclamation shows.

  • Germany: Dr. Mubdjir Project, long-term

national teaching project.

  • Guatemala: Assisting in ongoing teaching,

consolidation/deepening, and human resource development projects at the Ruhiyyih Project, Chimaltenago Shiraz Project, and National Network of Institutes. Hungary: Békéscaba Long-Term ‘Teaching Project and a permanent consolidation

program where the Roma friends reside.

  • Ivory Coast: Various teaching projects.
  • Jamaica: Assisting ongoing teaching and

consolidation efforts and a special summer youth project. Liberia: Quads Project. Madagascar: Roddy Lutchmaya ‘Term Teaching Project.

Long

  • Mexico: Furdtan Project, teaching on college campuses, and an exchange program

with the Huasteca Potosina.

Panama: Project Mubijir, focusing on proclamation and consolidation.

Russia: Various teaching projects including the Circumpolar Region, Sakhalin, the Far East, Baikal and Chita regions, Central and Western Siberia, Ural region, Volga-Kama and Central regions. Especially looking for those who could help and form youth workshops and children’s classes.

Solomon Islands: \-3 months helping a Baha’{ youth workshop, teaching, and developing creative youth activities in rural villages.

  • Zambia: Various rural teaching projects.

.

CONFERENCES, SCHOOLS AND EVENTS

  • Kenya: International Youth Conference,

Dec. 23-27.

  • India: Second International Roundtable on

“The Content of Education in a Global Civilization” in Lucknow, Nov. 29-Dec. 6. Join educators and policy makers from around the world for this event organized by the Council for Global Education, a Baha’finspired organization (phone 202-496-9780, e-mail or see the Web page: www. globaleducation.org/ invitation). @

TEACHING

¢ Liberia: An Australian travel teacher

vas determined to spread the Baha’ 0 any area where human bein; remote parts of this country and Sierra Leone. So Mouloud Stander traveled under very harsh post-war conditions to areas as far as 700 miles from Liberia’s capital.

‘The results, according to the National Spiritual Assembly: “We enrolled a total of 317 Liberians and Sierra Leonians into the Faith during her [Stander’s} 33 days in the country, covering 12 localities in eight of the 13 counties in Liberia. In fact, many of the areas covered had not received any international teachers over the last 12 years because sometimes it takes 17 to 22 hours by vehicle through the mud to reach them.” A total of 2,000 people heard of the Faith. ¢ Sabah: About 30 traveling teachers, inspired by a conference at Manggis, traveled through muddy, rainy conditions into 11 localities last spring and helped several communities organize elections and confirm their Local Assemblies—raising up 48 new believers along the way. Most of the new Bahi’is are youths, and many joined the teaching campaign. ¢ Norway: Toward its goal of making sure half of all Norwegians 15 or older know about the Baha’i Faith by the end of the Four Year Plan, the National Spiritual Assembly hired a marketing research agency to survey the population. Among results: About 35 percent of Norwegians have heard about the Faith, and 19 percent connect the word “Baha’t” with religion. Older people tend to be more likely to have heard of the Faith, the study found. @

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS



m










© Hungary: The nation’s president, Arpid Géncz, praised the Baha’i community for its involvement with the Roma population, during a meeting in May with a delegation from the National Spiritual Assembly. “In_ his opinion making peace with the Roma will be the major task in Hungary for decades to come,” the Assembly reported. “God bless you for this,’ he said.”

The friends pointed out that 80 percent of Baha’fs in the country are Roma, and that the Faith takes the

equality of people very seriously.

EDUCATION

¢ Thailand: At the invitation of education officials in Pakpayun district, the Baha'is organized a three-day English camp for 64 primary school students that was carried out by 10 energetic youths, ages 9 to 24, from Thailand and Malaysia.

With materials developed by Victor Greenspoon, an Auxiliary Board member, the camp followed major themes of unity, making friends and unity in diversity. “These primary students going into grade six greatly enjoyed all the activities, including songs, games and role plays,” a report said. @



September 8,1999 Tie AMERICAN BanA’i ¢ INTERNATIONAL News page 31 [Page 32]ae




423-3387; fax 831-423-7564; e-mail

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT EVENTS sponsored by the National Spiritual Assembly or its agencies at the Baha’{ National Center, please phone 847-869-9039 and ask for the relevant department. Numbers and e-mail addresses for the permanent Baha’{ schools and institutes are: Bosch Baha’i School, phone 831 Green Acre Baha’f

School, phone 207-439-7200; fax 207-438-9940; e-mail Louhelen Baha’i School, phone 810-653-5033; fax 810-653-7181; e-mail . Louis G. Gregory Baha’i Institute, phone 843-558-5093;

fax 843-558-9136; e-mail

. Native American Baha’{ Institute

(NABD, phone and fax 520-587-7599; e-mail .¢


SEPTEMBER

17-19: a Ae Life of the Spirit” at Green Acre.

18-19: “Teaching Christians” at NABI. 23-26: Conference on Aids, Sexuality, Addiction and Abuse hosted by BNASAA at Bosch.

24-26: Commemoration of the visit of ‘Abdu’l-Baha at Glenwood Springs, CO (information: phone 970-4645196, e-mail


» 24-26: “Lights of the Spirit: A History of Black Baha’ the Diaspora” at Green Acre. 24-26: Campus Association Weekend at Green Acre. 24-27: Campus Association Weekend at Louhelen. 24-27: Marriage and Family Life ‘Trainer training (continued Dec. 3-5) at Louhelen. 25-26: Work Weekend at NABI. 26: 88th Annual Thornton Chase Memorial Service, Inglewood, CA, sponsored by the Local Spiritual Assembly (information phone 310519-1811 or 310-677-2898).






Early October, weekends: Unit pages 23-25 for partial listings.

8-10: “Fundamental Verities” (Part Il) training institute at Bosch. For those

who have completed Part I.

tions; dates and times vary. See

8-10: “Chinese Culture: Be Imbued with the Spirit” at Bosch. 8-10: Two programs at Green Acre: “Talking and Listening: The Art of

Spiritual Parenting”; or Youth Weekend Institute on Preparation for Marriage.

8-11: ‘Irfin Colloquium (both English and Persian) at Louhelen.

9: Women’s conference at NABI.

15-16: “Every Believer Is a Teacher” (continued Nov. 19-21) at Louhelen.

15-17: “Baha’i-Centered Management: Principles and Practice” at Green Acre. 15-18: Teacher Trainer training (continued Jan. 28-30, 2000) at Louhelen. m Development Weekend at Bosch.

iner training (continued Jan, 28-30) at Louhelen.



22-2: Assembly Ti



facilitator training (continued Jan. 28-30) at Louhelen.




23: “Pupil of the Eye” at Louhelen. 28-31: Ruhi Insi

“Reflections on the Life




Pionee: 29-3 Facilitators C

g, 847-733-3508.



tor mage (must have completed the ssion) at Green Acre. 28-31: Pioneering/BYSC/ST TA teat at Green Acre. Contact Office of

Wo programs at Bosch: Social and Economic Development ference; “Don’t Yell at Your Watchman.”

29-31: Baha’f Campus Association weekend at Bosch.

30-31: Work Weekend at NABI. 30-31: South Carolina Baha'i Reynolds,





BAHA’i NATIONAL CENTER 112 LINDEN AVE WILMETTE, IL 60091-2849

Participants in a Pioneer Training Institute held in May pose on and around the main stairs at the Baha’i National Center. This group of friends included people headed

for posts in five continents. The Office of Pioneering holds institutes several times a year for prospective pioneers and Baha’i Youth Service Corps volunteers.

Photo by Alex Blakeson

SEPTEMBER 8, 1999 ‘IZZAT, MASHIYYAT + 156


nily Reunion, Orangeburg, SC. Contact: Branchville, SC 803-533-1289, fax 803-531-2769, e-mail

29432


Use Brilliant Star for

your children’s programs at Unit Convention.

Find out more on page 15 or on the Web (www.usbne.org).




NOVEMBER

5-7: Two programs Green ke “For the Love of God”; Conference on Substance-Abuse Prevention. 5-7: Two programs at Louhelen: Youth Institute; Assembly Development Forum. 5-7: “Fundamental Verities” (Part Il) training institute at Bosch. For those who have completed Part II. 5-7: Royal Falcon Baha’f School, “Relationships among the Institutions, Individuals and Community”; Pensacola Beach, FL. With Farah Rosenberg and Riaz Khadem. Lodging: 800-THE BEACH. Registrar: Carol Payne, P.O. Box 289, Skipperville, AL 36374 (phone 334-774-0020, e-mail

Web http://bahai.home.mindspring.com). 12-14: Seekers Weekend at Bosch: “Befriend and Guide One Seeker to the Cause of Baha’u’llah.” 12-14: “The Ancient Beauty,” weekend family






M ntal Health Association meet -Aqdas” at Green Acre. 19-21: Assembly Team Development Weekend at Bosch.

26-28: ‘Irfin Colloquium (both English and Persian) at Bosch.

26-28: Divine Art ae ae (Ce Went


‘The


sessions for wont P.O. Box 71044: n Diego, CA 92111 (toll-free phone 877-992-2424). 26-27: “The sic Building Block of at Green Acre. @





Society”



ing. (This also updates the National C



end all family members’ names, new address and National Center, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201-1611. If (B) must be filled in. Please allow three weeks for process: “enters database.)





A. NAME(S)

ID# De ID#

De



B. NEW RE:


~ ADDRESS


C. NEW MAILING ADDR)


Street Address

Street Address


Apartment # (if applicable)

Apartment # (if applicable)


City

City


State

Zip code State Zip code


D. NEW COMMUNITY


E. HOME TELEPHONE NUMBER









we do not have the same last

name. We do not want extra copies, so please cancel the copy for the person(s) and ID number(s) listed above.


Name of new Baha'i Community Moving Date Area Code Phone Number Name

FE WORK TELEPHONE NUMBER(S)

‘Area Code Phone Number Name ‘Area Code Phone Number Name

G. CEr RA COPIES BECAUSE: H. 1 WOULD LIKE A COPY

the last names and addresses [el teat adds labs do noe

Our household receives only

one copy of The American Babd'é. 1 wish to receive my own copy. I have listed my name, ID number and address above.

match. We have listed above the full names of family members as they should appear on the national records, their ID numbers, and the corrections so that we will receive ‘only one copy.





‘THe American BanA’t

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