The American Bahá’í/Volume 9/Issue 12/Text
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First Bahá’í Native Council Held[edit]
Complete Photo Coverage, Page 5
Kindly convey gathering native believers White Swan, Washington, our hope and prayer that Great Spirit confirm all endeavors guide all steps inspire all hearts raising all new levels service straight path Bahá’u’lláh.
October 5, 1978
Eskimos, Aleuts and members of 28 Indian tribes from Alaska, Canada, Greenland and the United States gathered October 6-8 on the Yakima Indian Reservation in White Swan, Washington, for the historic first North American Bahá’í Native Council.
The unprecedented meeting of native believers, sponsored by the Continental Indigenous Council, was blessed by the presence of the Hand of the Cause of God John Robarts of Canada.
Continental Counsellor Angus Cowan also was present at the Council, as were Auxiliary Board members from Alaska, Canada and the U.S., and members of the three National Spiritual Assemblies: Dr. Glen Eyford of Canada, Soo Fouts of the U.S., and Maynard Eakan of Alaska, the first Eskimo ever elected to a National Spiritual Assembly.
IN ADDITION to a message from the Universal House of Justice, the Council received the following cable from the Hand of the Cause of God Amatu’l Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum:
“To Indian/Eskimo Gathering:
Deepest love beloved indigenous friends cherish great hopes future services Cause throughout Western Hemisphere.
Among the native believers attending the Council were Eskimos from as far away as Selawik, in extreme northern Alaska, and Greenland, along with Indians from many Canadian provinces including Nova Scotia and from 11 states in the U.S.
In all, some 85 Native Americans were registered including Melba King, the first Eskimo to embrace the Cause of God, and Eugene King, the first Tlingit Indian enrolled under the Banner of Bahá’u’lláh.
THE MEETING at White Swan was an outgrowth of Bahá’í Native Councils developed about four years ago by the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska. The Councils were formed in response to the need for a suitable means by which the concerns of native believers could be expressed in their own cultural way.
Basically, the Native Council is an instrument for deepening and consolidation among native believers within the Bahá’í community, and
HAND OF CAUSE JOHN ROBARTS
Honored Guest at Native Council
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Assembly Pace Quickens In Georgia, S. Carolina[edit]
Late-breaking reports from North Georgia and South Carolina indicate that a fresh new wave of teaching there has accelerated the pace of Assembly formations to as many as 13 a day.
Special teaching projects initiated late in October by Dr. Hidáyatu’lláh Aḥmadíyyih, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Central America who was sent by the Universal House of Justice to help the U.S. win its Five Year Plan goals, have enabled the friends in North Georgia to form an average of three new Assemblies each day, while in South Carolina up to 10 new Assemblies a day reportedly are being formed.
As of November 1, new or restored Assemblies reportedly had been formed in the North Georgia localities of Baldwin County, Barnesville, Clarke County, Douglasville, Grandville, Jones County, McDonough, Milledgeville, Paulding County, Pike County, Rockdale County, Senoia, Spalding County, Thomaston, Union City, Upson County, Washington, Waynesboro, and Zebulon.
ASSEMBLY formations in South Carolina (as of November 2) included Floyd Dale, Centenary, Rains, Hickory Hills, Plantersville, Zion, Heath Springs, Poston, Longs, Loris, Hamer, Lanes, Bingham, Scranton, Cades, Salters, Greelyville, Cash, Dunbar, Dufford, Camerontown, Little Rock, Sellers, and Pee Dee.
Thirty-seven enrollments were reported in South Carolina on October 30-31 alone, while 115 were reported in North Georgia from October 22, when teaching began in earnest, through the end of the month.
The central thrust of the teaching effort in the South has been to contact the large numbers of Bahá’ís who were enrolled there six to eight years ago during large-scale teaching projects conducted at the end of the Nine Year Plan.
Further reports of the teaching explosion in the South will follow in the December issues of The American Bahá’í.
Goal of 1,200 Assemblies By November 12 Disclosed[edit]
As the number of recognized Local Spiritual Assemblies in the U.S. neared 1,100 in mid-October, the National Spiritual Assembly and National Teaching Committee announced a goal of 1,200 Assemblies by November 12, the 161st anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh.
Fourteen hundred Local Spiritual Assemblies must be formed by April 20, 1979, to win that goal of the Five Year Plan. While more than 100 have been recognized in this country since Riḍván, the pace must accelerate even further if the goal is to be reached.
As of October 12, 312 Local Spiritual Assemblies had to be formed in 160 days, or nearly two each day, to win the goal.
EARLIER this year, the National Teaching Committee asked that target dates be set for the formation of Groups with five or more believers to assure that all 1,400 Assemblies would be formed by November 12.
“Although we would have liked to see this happen,” said John Conkling, secretary of the National Teaching Committee, “we are nevertheless delighted that it appears we may reach 1,200 Assemblies by that date. As the
On the Inside...[edit]
CALIFORNIA teaching is given new impetus following a visit by Dr. Hidáyatu’lláh Aḥmadíyyih, a Continental Counsellor for Central America. Page 2.
THE OFFICE of the Treasurer presents the third article in a series on “Materialism in America.” Page 3.
FREDONIA, New York, forms its first Spiritual Assembly following nine enrollments since last August. Page 4.
COMPLETE photo coverage of the first North American Bahá’í Native Council on the Yakima Indian Reservation at White Swan, Washington. Page 5.
THE GREATER LAS VEGAS Bahá’í Media Committee has compiled an enviable record of success since its formation last April. Page 6.
BAHÁ’ÍS IN the Los Angeles area present a replica of an ancient Aztec Calendar Stone as a gift of friendship to the city’s Mexican-American community. Page 7.
THE NATIONAL Education Committee presents the first in a series of articles on children and learning. Page 7.
DIRECT TEACHING leads to the formation of four new Local Spiritual Assemblies in Massachusetts. Page 8.
Program Encourages ‘Special Gifts’ for Bahá’u’lláh[edit]
The Office of the Treasurer has initiated a special program in commemoration of the anniversary of Bahá’u’lláh’s Birth. Entitled “A Special Gift for Bahá’u’lláh,” the plan calls for individual believers to make a special contribution to the National Fund in honor of Bahá’u’lláh’s birthday.
The program serves three purposes.
First, it will provide a means of generating more income for the National Fund. The believers are contributing about the same amount this year as last year. However, to win the goals of the Five Year Plan, the National Spiritual Assembly made a large budget increase. “If we are to meet those additional needs, the Fund needs contributions over and above the regular amounts we have been receiving,” said Stephen Jackson, assistant to the Treasurer.
SECOND, the Office of the Treasurer has been actively involved in educating the American friends about their obligation to support the National Fund directly. The National Spiritual Assembly hopes that this special appeal will awaken the friends to their opportunity and obligation to support regularly and directly the National Fund.
Most importantly, the special program is designed to focus on the real purpose of our contributions to the Faith.
“We continually hear the word ‘sacrifice,’ ” said Mr. Jackson. “But we often overlook the fact that the word ‘sacrifice’ means ‘to make sacred.’ By directly associating our contributions with Bahá’u’lláh, perhaps we can remember that our obligations are sacred, a sign of our love for God as well as a sign of His love for us.”
‘Aḥmadíyyih Plan’ Spurs Teaching in California[edit]
Teaching in California, already on the upswing following the highly successful Summer Victory Campaign, was given added impetus recently when Dr. Hidáyatu’lláh Aḥmadíyyih, a member of the Continental Board of Counsellors for Central America, was sent by the Universal House of Justice to assist the drive toward winning the goals of the Five Year Plan.
Following consultation with the California Regional Teaching Committee and with every District Teaching Committee in the state, Dr. Aḥmadíyyih proposed a series of intensive two-week teaching campaigns in designated areas during his proposed eight-week visit to California.
The campaigns utilize, at the most, 15 to 20 believers teaching in teams of two or three. When a team enters a locality, it finds people in their natural environment and makes friends.
WHEN A receptive soul is found, he or she is nurtured with care. Later, relatives and friends of the seeker are told about the Faith.
“A seed is carefully sown in each area,” Dr. Aḥmadíyyih explained, “and all the weeds are cleared.”
This method of teaching, he said, has been used effectively in other parts of the world, and “99 per cent of the individuals taught in this way hold strongly to the Faith.”
Dr. Aḥmadíyyih’s plan was received enthusiastically at every District Convention in California; many of the friends volunteered two weeks of their time to serve on a teaching team.
“I WON’T give you numbers now,” said Dr. Aḥmadíyyih, “but believe me, you are going to see an increase as a result of this plan. All we need is manpower.”
While the U.S., he said, is one of 30 nations in danger of not winning their goals, he added that there is “no doubt that the U.S. will reach its goals, because the Guardian says the American believers have special qualities as spiritual descendants of the Dawnbreakers.”
For the next few months, he said, we must leave behind us all thoughts of material matters and do whatever is necessary to win the goals.
The first of the two-week teaching campaigns got under way in the San Bernardino–Riverside area of Southern District No. 2. The second was to be held in the San Diego-El Cajon region.
OTHER campaigns scheduled throughout October and early November were in Newhall J.D., Fillmore, Kern County, Salinas Valley, Watsonville, and Merced County.
The National Spiritual Assembly lent its support to the campaign in a mailgram sent to each District Convention in California:
“National Spiritual Assembly anxious friends support teaching plans offered. Take advantage this providential visit.”
Continental Counsellor Dr. Hidáyatu’lláh Aḥmadíyyih (standing) explains his plans for a teaching campaign to representatives of District Teaching Committees in California at the Regional Office in San Fernando.
Millbrae Group Hosts World Peace Day Observance[edit]
The Bahá’í Group of Millbrae, California, observed World Peace Day in September with a public meeting that was attended by four seekers including a city councilman and a former mayor of Millbrae.
Fifty Bahá’ís also were present to hear a talk by Dr. James W. Turpin, a Bahá’í who founded Project Concern, one of the leading private sector health care organizations in the world.
The Millbrae Group was supported in planning the event by the nearby Spiritual Assemblies of Sunnyvale and South San Francisco. Millbrae is a goal area of both these Assemblies.
The meeting was publicized by an ad and article in the local weekly newspaper, the Millbrae Sun. In addition, more than 200 invitations were sent to local civic leaders, librarians, teachers, physicians, and a list of seekers compiled by the Millbrae Group.
Dr. Turpin’s talk focused on the need for a Divine Physician to cure the many ills, physical and spiritual, that plague mankind. This Physician, he said, has been manifested by God in the Person of Bahá’u’lláh.
Following his talk, entertainment was provided by the piano duo of Victoria Neve and Marilyn Raubitschek, and by the vocal/instrumental duo of Ron and Carol Lyles.
A Bahá’í from Persia who was visiting her son in California provided heaping platters of Persian cookies as refreshments.
DR. JAMES W. TURPIN
World Peace Day Speaker
Ron and Carol Lyles of Burlingame, California, were among the entertainers in September at a World Peace Day observance in Millbrae, California.
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Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh
Revealed After the Kitáb-i-Aqdas
This new compilation of the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, published under the supervision of the Universal House of Justice, was translated by Habib Taherzadeh with the assistance of a committee at the Bahá’í World Center. The new book contains sixteen of Bahá’u’lláh’s most significant and much-loved Tablets, including the Tablet of Carmel, the Most Holy Tablet, Glad Tidings, Tablet of the World, Tablet of Wisdom, Words of Wisdom, and Book of the Covenant. Some of these Tablets and passages are now published in English for the first time. These Tablets, all revealed after the formulation of the laws and ordinances of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (circa 1873), are characterized by Shoghi Effendi as “mighty and final effusions of His indefatigable pen.” The Tablets revealed during this period, the Guardian states, “must rank among the choicest fruits which His mind has yielded, and mark the consummation of His forty-year-long ministry.” All Bahá’ís will be anxious to add this precious volume of Bahá’í sacred Writings to their personal libraries. 269 pp., notes. 7-03-21 cloth ......... $7.50 NET To order: Order through Community Librarians if possible! Personal orders: enclose full payment. Bahá’í Publishing Trust
415 LINDEN AVE. • WILMETTE, ILLINOIS • 60091 312/251-1854 |
Peace Day Meeting Climaxes Seminole, Florida, Campaign[edit]
An intensive two-week teaching campaign by the Bahá’í community of Pinellas County, Florida, in its goal city of Seminole was culminated September 17 with a World Peace Day public meeting at a park in Seminole.
Fifty people including five seekers attended the meeting. It had been publicized on radio and television, in the local papers, and by 1,000 invitations distributed to residents of Seminole.
Entertainment was provided by “Dayspring,” a vocal/instrumental group from St. Petersburg. The speaker was Mrs. Dorothy Roberts of Orlando.
The Pinellas County community also had a display at the Seminole Mall for the three days preceding World Peace Day.
The Bahá’ís are running an ad in the local free newspaper in Seminole headlined, “Bible Prophecy Fulfilled Through Bahá’í Faith.” Another public meeting was planned at the same park to commemorate the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh November 12.
Materialism’s Influence Is Everywhere[edit]
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third in a series of articles on materialism in America prepared by the Office of the Treasurer.)
The Appeal of Materialism
In the previous two articles, we discussed the glorious destiny of the American people and the obstacle of materialism that must be overcome if we are to achieve that destiny. Simply understanding the definition of materialism is not sufficient to overcome it, however.
Shoghi Effendi said that we must “weed out” the negative force of materialism from our lives. To do this, we need to know how materialism gets “planted” in us.
The influence of materialism is everywhere. Most of us are familiar with advertising on television, or in magazines and newspapers. We will use the examples of advertising and sales to demonstrate the influence of the materialist philosophy in our daily lives.
WHILE ONE purpose of advertising is to make the customer aware of products available to him, advertising is also used to create in the buyer a desire for the product. The sales manual of one large American company calls this “How to Kindle the Urge to Buy.”
How do current sales and advertising practices “kindle the urge to buy”? The manual said that a good salesman must appeal to emotions. It said the salesman must “shoot for the prospect’s HEART, as well as his head.”
The emotional appeals of advertising focus on the buyer’s concerns about self-importance, power, romance, sex, money, prestige, health, security, curiosity, love of others, and even fear. According to the manual, these concerns represent the real reason for virtually every purchase made in America today.
Most of us probably don’t walk into a store thinking about how we are going to satisfy our need for prestige or our desire for romance! However, when we make a purchase, we frequently do so because of advertising. Some advertised “quality” of that product induces us to purchase it.
HERE ARE some examples of advertisements that appeal to our emotions and needs:
“It’s easy to be creative” (buy a camera); “The power of the future” (buy a car); “Helping each other is what partnership is all about” (buy insurance); “Reliable, consistent, dependable” (buy a smoke alarm); “It satisfies a woman’s needs” (buy another car); “Whoever you are, whatever you want, it gets you the most out of life” (buy more insurance).
Some of the adjectives found in these advertisements (taken from one issue of a popular magazine) included: powerful, creative, unlimited, intelligent, generous. To a Bahá’í these terms are quite familiar.
At the end of every Bahá’í prayer, we praise and glorify God by naming His attributes: “Thou art, verily, the Most-Generous!”; “No God is there save Thee, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise!”; “Thou art...the One Creator!”; “Thou art the Powerful, the Mighty, and the Unconstrained!”
THERE IS a striking similarity between the “qualities” advertising ascribes to products and the attributes of God as revealed by Bahá’u’lláh.
This is a clear example of why materialism is so seductive. We are all attracted by the attributes of God, even if they are misplaced or ascribed to an improper source. However, we must be discerning.
Shown here is a view of the front of the recently-acquired Bahá’í National Administrative Office Building in Evanston, Illinois. The windows in the upper right corner look out from the main conference room. Behind the pillars on the left of the building is a landscaped patio with fountains. More than $400,000 has been received from individual contributions toward the purchase price of $2,450,000. Another $2,100,000 is needed to replenish the funds used for the purchase. Any questions regarding contributions or loans for the financing of this building should be directed to the Office of the Treasurer. Contributions for such special projects should be over and above one’s regular support of the Fund.
We all have emotional needs that must be filled. Advertising and sales campaigns indicate that material things will satisfy those needs.
A Bahá’í understands that the basic needs for love, for friendship, for security can only be satisfied when man recognizes God and follows His guidance.
Therefore, one important reason for studying the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh is to discover the true source of such qualities and attributes as power, creativity, wisdom and generosity. When we acknowledge God to be the Source of all good, we will look to His guidance as the surest way to satisfy our needs.
In our next article, we will examine the ways in which materialism saps our spiritual energy.
Media Plays Large Role In Phoenix Teaching Plan[edit]
For what may be the first time during the Five Year Plan, the extensive use of mass media has played a significant role in a successful teaching campaign in the United States.
For the past two years, the Greater Phoenix (Arizona) Bahá’í Media Committee has been actively proclaiming the Faith throughout its area, using the mass media, and concentrating particularly on radio publicity.
When a mass teaching project began October 7 in Chandler, which is just outside of Phoenix, the effects of the two-year effort were felt.
“WE FEEL that we’re going in and reaping the harvest of the media efforts,” said Pam Womack, project coordinator for the teaching effort and a member of the Northern Arizona District Teaching Committee.
“There can be absolutely no doubt about it. Not only have the media proclamations virtually eliminated any negative reactions to the Faith from the people we’ve met on the street, but practically everyone we found who expressed an interest in the Faith heard about it through the media.
“In Chandler, the vast majority of people we contacted had already heard about the Bahá’í Faith on the radio. That included a large number of Spanish-speaking individuals who heard the radio programs and spots in Spanish.
“In addition to the 80 or 90 interest cards received in Chandler,” observed Mrs. Womack, “and in addition to the 12 new Bahá’ís we’ve enrolled there, we’ve also found five Bahá’ís who were enrolled in the Faith during a mass teaching campaign in Chandler in 1969.
“Their only contact with other Bahá’ís since then has been through The American Bahá’í. They were very happy to see us, and have been out teaching with the team.”
IN GILBERT, which next became the focus of the team’s efforts, the majority of people contacted had heard about the Faith on television.
“The Bahá’ís have had a lot of public service announcements on television,” recalled Mrs. Womack, “as well as three or four half-hour shows on the independent TV station that operates in the area.”
Media proclamation efforts in the Phoenix area to date include:
- billboards
- television talk shows
- the series of Bahá’í television programs that was produced in Hawaii
- public service announcements for television
- Spanish-language radio spot announcements
- public service radio announcements in English
- the Jeff Reynolds Show
Perhaps the most dramatic example of the role mass media has played in the teaching effort is the story of Joseph Tubbs’ enrollment in Chandler.
“Paw-Paw,” as he is known to his friends, is going blind. “Aside from visiting with his friends,” said Mrs. Womack, “his main recreation is listening to the radio.
“THERE ARE only two kinds of programs that he listens to: ball games, and the Jeff Reynolds Show.
“He’s memorized the Jeff Reynolds shows. He knows all the radio stations on which they are played and the air times.
“He always listens to them. He doesn’t care if he’s already heard them. All this occurred before he ever met a Bahá’í.”
Until mass teaching efforts began in Chandler on October 7, teaching was limited to individual fireside activities, resulting in five declarations in the district in the last year.
Now, Chandler has become the second-largest Bahá’í community in the state, and the District Teaching Committee hopes to form six new Assemblies by January 1. The spirit of victory is spreading through northern Arizona!
Bahá’í teachers Annette Cox (left) and Pam Womack discuss the Faith with a seeker (center) in Chandler, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix.
Belgium Opens New National Center[edit]
The Bahá’í community of Belgium held a two-day ceremony November 11-12 to commemorate the opening of its new Bahá’í National Center in downtown Brussels.
The Center features a large meeting hall (with seating for 150–200 and a simultaneous translation system), national secretariat, library, offices, kitchen, and dependencies for children’s classes, a printing office, and a Bahá’í Publishing Trust for the French language.
Commemoration of its opening coincided with the 161st anniversary of the Birth of Bahá’u’lláh.
[Page 4]
Careers for Youth
Planning for a Career Is a Long Process[edit]
(EDITOR’S NOTE: The eighth in a series of articles on careers for young people was written for The American Bahá’í by Dorothy Há’í of Tempe, Arizona.)
Career planning, to be effective, should be a long, continuous process. The articles in this series are designed to offer tools to help in career planning.
The most important ingredient, however, is you and your motivation to learn about your skills, and about the diverse and various types of jobs and careers.
This article discusses the resources generally available in your community, so that you can continue the search for a career on your own. Although these articles may have much useful information, you need more than we would be able to give in these few paragraphs.
To select a career and obtain a satisfying job, decisions must be made about what you want to do and where and for whom it is to be done.
Information like this can be gathered by carefully researching careers and the job market. Numerous materials are available to help you in this search.
1. Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Department of Labor (available at your public library).
The handbook lists more than 800 occupations, describing (a) the nature of the work; (b) places of employment; (c) training, other qualifications and advancement; (d) employment outlook; (e) earnings and working conditions.
It is a gold mine of information on careers, and even helps you match your personality characteristics with the characteristics of particular jobs.
2. Occupational Outlook Quarterly. U.S. Department of Labor, issued four times a year (available at public libraries).
The book contains up-to-date information on jobs and employment trends.
3. Federal Career Directory: A Guide for College Students, U.S. Civil Service.
This supplies helpful information about federal careers and agencies that employ college graduates.
4. State Service Job Opportunities.
Many states offer employment/job information through their vocational or employment services. They may have pamphlets and booklets on various jobs, information about available jobs, and perhaps even vocational training.
5. A number of excellent books on career planning are available:
a. What Color Is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career Changers. Richard N. Bolles, Ten Speed Press, 1972. An in-depth approach to assessing your skills and job interests and finding or creating the ideal job.
b. Who’s Hiring Who. Richard Lathrop, Ten Speed Press, 1977. Describes techniques in career planning and job hunting.
c. The Paraprofessionals. Lists many new paraprofessional careers—what they are and how to get into them.
6. Professional journals and magazines.
These often list job openings and can give you an idea of what is needed now in various career fields. For instance, the American Journal of Public Health has 20-40 jobs listed each month for physicians, nurses, dietitians, health administrators, health educators, etc. Each profession has its own journals of this type.
7. Newspapers.
The Wall Street Journal, New York Times and local newspapers are a good source of information about what is available now, which can help you plan for the future.
This is only a sample of what is available to you. Visit your library, talk to guidance counselors—get advice and information from many people.
If you want a really rewarding and satisfying career, you must be willing to put some effort into planning for it; that is, planning for the fulfillment of the responsibility of every Bahá’í toward service in the Cause of God.
UNICEF Honors Bahá’í Children’s Day Support[edit]
A special plaque honoring its “outstanding organized support of Universal Children’s Day” was presented to the National Spiritual Assembly on behalf of UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) at a special ceremony October 8 at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette, Illinois.
The presentation followed a special Universal Children’s Day devotional program in the Auditorium of the House of Worship. All the readers in the program were children.
Dr. John S. Long, president of the Board of Directors of the Greater Chicago Area Committee for UNICEF, made the presentation. Accepting for the National Spiritual Assembly was its secretary, Glenford E. Mitchell.
MR. MITCHELL called the attention of the audience to the upcoming International Year of the Child, emphasizing the need for recognizing the rights of children.
Children’s rights, he said, are fundamental to all human rights, as the future of the world will one day be in the hands of today’s children.
Mr. Mitchell outlined some of the plans the National Spiritual Assembly has for the International Year of the Child, dwelling primarily on the publication of special materials dealing with children.
The presentation ceremony was emceed by Miss Robin Nardi, a Bahá’í youth from Evanston, Illinois, and featured pianist Dalya Kahn, a 10-year-old fifth grade student who won first prize in the 1977 Contest of American Musicians, Primary Division.
MISS KAHN, who is not a Bahá’í, will be performing next year with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. This was her first visit to the Bahá’í House of Worship.
The program, sponsored by the Spiritual Assembly of Wilmette assisted by the Bahá’í National Center staff, included a special slide presentation on children prepared by the House of Worship Activities Office.
In June, the Bahá’ís of Gibbsboro, New Jersey, erected this 14-foot by 24-foot billboard on Route 322, the shore road to Atlantic City, to commemorate the annual Souvenir of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and the visit to Teaneck, New Jersey, by the Hand of the Cause of God William Sears.
John Kelley (center), town supervisor in Henrietta, New York, receives copies of The Proclamation of Bahá’u’lláh and Call to the Nations from Mrs. Elaine Wright (left) and Russell Wright, members of the Bahá’í community of Henrietta. The presentation took place in July.
Council[edit]
Continued From Page 1
provides an environment within which they can discuss the Cause and their relation to it.
The Council also gives the native believers an opportunity to discuss internal problems and concerns, as well as to develop plans for more effective ways of teaching and deepening other native peoples.
Participation in the Councils is limited to native people, although non-native believers are welcome as observers.
TWO YEARS ago, during meetings between the National Spiritual Assemblies of Alaska, Canada and the U.S., the National Spiritual Assembly of Alaska suggested broadening the Native Council concept to include native believers from all of North America.
As a result of that suggestion, the Continental Indigenous Council was formed in January 1978 as a vehicle for implementing those plans and for coordinating other activities among native believers in the three countries.
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The North American Native Council was the second event planned and carried out by the Continental Indigenous Council. The first, earlier this year, was a “prayer chain” of native believers from Alaska, Canada and the U.S. and the presentation to the National Spiritual Assembly of the U.S. at its National Convention last May of a sealskin parchment signed by participants in the prayer chain.
The meeting at White Swan was chaired by Jim Schoppert, a Tlingit Indian and member of the Continental Indigenous Council who recently moved from Alaska to the U.S. and now lives in Seattle, Washington.
THE COUNCIL was convened at noon Friday, and consultation continued until around 10 o’clock that evening.
On Saturday afternoon, the elders and spiritual leaders of the Yakima Indian tribe attended the Council, offering greetings on behalf of the Yakimas and remaining to be entertained by a traditional Indian “honor song” and other Native American songs and dances performed by the Bahá’ís.
The Hand of the Cause Mr. Robarts was the speaker at a public meeting Saturday evening attended by more than 200 people including many non-Bahá’í members of the Yakima tribe.
THE MEETING was festive, with an Indian “fashion show” by children of the tribe and native dances performed in traditional Indian costume.
Sunday’s consultation was centered on teaching and rallying support of Native American believers in the drive to win every goal of the Five Year Plan.
The following message was drafted by a committee at the Council and sent to the Universal House of Justice:
“Your divine message to the Continental Indigenous Council was received and shared with deep inspiration and thankfulness. Infallible words of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá will be fulfilled through the love of Creator, Bahá’u’lláh, and your divine guidance. All humanity will be illumined by the 30 tribes from Alaska, Canada, the U.S. and Greenland gathered here at White Swan.”
A second message was sent to the Hand of the Cause Amatu’l-Bahá Rúḥíyyih Khánum.
[Page 5]
First North American Bahá’í Native Council
White Swan, Washington, October 6-8, 1978
Las Vegas Media Group Reaps Harvest of Success[edit]
As 1978 dawned the Bahá’í community of Las Vegas, Nevada, was struggling mightily to proclaim the Faith via the local news media—radio, television and newspapers.
Two public information officers, appointed by the Spiritual Assembly of Las Vegas, were trying to obtain air time for the Jeff Reynolds radio series and to place news releases in the local papers.
The radio stations that were approached acknowledged the fine quality of the Bahá’í programs and usually promised to play them “sometime.” But sometime never seemed to come.
WHILE NEWS releases always were delivered to the papers ahead of the deadline, the probability of their being published was about 50 per cent. Even when articles were printed, the papers seemed to strip them of much of their content.
After months of frustration and scant results, a turning point was reached early this year when one of the Las Vegas public information officers was sent to Phoenix, Arizona, to attend a job-related seminar.
During his stay, he met with Doug Carpa, chairman of the Greater Phoenix Bahá’í Media Committee, and talked for some seven hours about the media and approaches to it.
Armed with the knowledge of the great success enjoyed by the Phoenix media committee, the Spiritual Assembly of Las Vegas drew up a mandate and, on April 4, 1978, the Greater Las Vegas Bahá’í Media Committee (GLVBMC) was born.
IN THE FEW months since its formation the GLVBMC has enjoyed a series of spectacular successes. They include:
• Placement of seven half-hour Bahá’í television programs in prime time (6:30 p.m. Mondays) on the local public TV station. The first of these shows was aired September 18; each of them is promoted by quarter-page ads in both local newspapers that are run the same day as the program.
• Placement on radio of the Archie Bell special and Jeff Reynolds programs and regular radio use of Bahá’í public service announcements.
• Placement of 11 Bahá’í cassette tapes in the Tel-Life magazine catalog. Tel-Life is distributed by the Tel-It-All audio library, a nationwide concern that offers helpful, free information to the public via telephone through tape-recorded messages.
• Development of 100 billboard posters and placement of billboards in the Las Vegas area at greatly reduced rental rates.
• PLACEMENT of roughly 90 per cent of news releases submitted in the local papers, most of them without substantial editing changes.
The initial success of the GLVBMC can be attributed largely to three factors: the mandate from the Las Vegas Assembly giving the committee “blanket authority” to act in dealing with the media; the excellent support offered by Bahá’í communities in the greater Las Vegas area; and the committee’s decision to place media relations on a businesslike basis, buying time or space until the media were ready to accept a “public service” approach.
Shortly after the media committee’s formation, a representative met with Spiritual Assemblies in the Las Vegas area to solicit their support. The support was immediate and substantial. One Assembly, whose community numbered less than 15 members, pledged $50 each Bahá’í month; other offers were equally gratifying.
Once support from these communities and the District Teaching Committee of Southern Nevada had been obtained and the mandate approved by the four Assemblies in the area, representatives from six localities were appointed and the GLVBMC was off and running.
SINCE BILLBOARDS play a key advertising role in the Las Vegas area, the committee decided first to approach United Advertising with the idea of paying for billboard production and rental.
The results were pleasantly surprising. Though the committee had heard that billboard rental might run as high as $300 to $400 a month, United liked the Bahá’í materials and approach so much that it offered a one-year contract for three billboards, to be placed in different locations each month, for a $60-a-month rental charge plus $500 to $600 for production of 36 posters.
Since the production cost exceeded the committee’s budget, a call was placed to the Phoenix Media Committee. With its help, 100 billboard posters were produced at a cost of $7.50 each. After further discussions, United lowered its monthly rental fee to $50.
Committee members also were busy making personal contact with the religion editors at the local newspapers. Thanks to these contacts, and to the placement on a regular basis of Bahá’í ads in the papers, most Bahá’í news articles are now accepted for use with few changes in content.
THE COMMITTEE next approached a recently-opened radio station in the hope of obtaining a lower program rate. It was offered a 7 a.m. Sunday time slot at a cost of $50 a program.
Almost immediately, the rate was reduced to $25 a week, and after seven weeks of the Jeff Reynolds show, the committee was offered an unlimited contract for $12.50 per program. The station also airs the public service spot, prepared by the National Information Office, on an occasional basis.
Time was purchased on another station, this one with a predominantly Black listening audience, for the Archie Bell radio special. Two weeks later, the same station aired the Jeff Reynolds program entitled “Prejudice.”
Although the station couldn’t reduce its price ($50 a program), it aired six to 12 promotion spots each day, starting a week before the Jeff Reynolds program was aired, at no charge. It also is playing the Bahá’í public service spot on an occasional basis.
THE COMMITTEE was fortunate to have gotten in on the ground floor with Tel-Life magazine. The 11 Bahá’í tapes are listed with a quarter-page ad in its monthly directory at a cost of $65 a month on a three-month contract.
In August, Tel-Life, which monitors the use of its tapes, informed the committee that the Bahá’í tapes were requested more than any others in its catalog that month.
Although television was considered to be far out of reach of the committee’s budget, it was decided to give it a try anyway.
A tape of one half-hour segment of the “New World” TV series produced by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Hawaiian Islands was borrowed from the Phoenix media committee and previewed for the public TV station in Las Vegas.
AT FIRST, the committee was told that it was a station policy to broadcast only two sectarian programs each year. The committee then made two important decisions: first, to ask for a time slot other than Sunday for the programs, and second, to provide money for a grant so the shows could be aired.
Using this approach, the committee was able to contract for seven weekly shows on Monday nights starting September 18. After the first two weeks, some 14 phone calls had been received in response to the programs.
During the first three months of the billboard campaign, United Outdoor Advertising received six calls about the billboards, only one of which was negative.
Among the radio stations, the one playing the Jeff Reynolds show reports two to four calls a week; the station with the predominantly black audience says it has never received as many calls about any religious program.
NOT ONLY does the GLVBMC proclaim the ideals of the Faith to the public, it promotes the idea of media use among the Bahá’í communities in its area through a regular newsletter that reports the victories won and explains how the money is being spent.
Also, “cheerleaders” have been selected by the committee to relay its news to Assemblies, Groups and the District Teaching Committee, and to foster enthusiasm for the committee and its work.
The approach has been highly successful. Since its inception last April, the committee has raised more than $5,775 for its media activities.
While the results of the increased use of the media in greater Las Vegas may not become fully apparent for some time, its potential effect can be recognized in the remark of a Bahá’í who hadn’t been seen in more than a year before he showed up at a recent public meeting.
His explanation: “Every time I looked in the paper, I saw something about ‘Bahá’í.’ I came to find out what was happening.”
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Direct Teaching Effort Turns the Tide in Eastern Colorado[edit]
Mass teaching projects have been winning victories in eastern Colorado, where the District Teaching Committee has set the goal of establishing five new Local Spiritual Assemblies and opening 25 localities by Riḍván.
One Assembly has been formed and six localities opened since July 23. The Spiritual Assembly of Florence was elected October 25, as a result of three recent enrollments. The six newly-opened localities are Brighton, Clear Creek County, Ft. Lupton, Granby, Park County and Summit County.
New Bahá’ís also have been enrolled in Canon City, Colorado Springs, El Paso County West, Firestone, Frederick, Fremont County, Kiowa, Longmont, Pueblo, and Pueblo County.
“THE FULL-TIME direct teaching campaign began July 23 and ended August 27,” said Doug Hartman, a member of the Eastern Colorado District Teaching Committee. “Since then, it’s been mostly a weekend effort—working in new areas, doing follow-up work in places where the team has already been.
“We have received approximately 190 interest cards,” Mr. Hartman added, “and of those, we’ve had 25 declarations. Thirteen of the declarants have been enrolled so far.
“In October, we worked in jeopardized Assembly areas and goal areas,” he indicated. “We started in Broomfield, where the Assembly is jeopardized, moved to Morgan County, then to Longmont, where we are trying to form a new Assembly, and then on to assist another jeopardized Assembly in El Paso County East.
“The situation in Colorado has improved 100 per cent since the beginning of the summer,” Mr. Hartman said. “I definitely feel that by Riḍván we’re going to win the ‘five and 25’ goals which the District Teaching Committee has set.”
Mexican-Americans Given Aztec Calendar by Bahá’ís[edit]
On September 16, the anniversary of Mexico’s independence from Spain, the Bahá’ís of Los Angeles County presented as a gift of friendship to the Mexican-American community of Plaza de la Raza a magnificent replica of an ancient Aztec Calendar Stone.
The Calendar Stone was reproduced originally for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art by David Villasenor.
It was presented by Lisa Janti, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Los Angeles, to Frank Lopez, founder and present treasurer of the cultural and educational center known as Plaza de la Raza that serves as a focal point of Mexican-American community life in Los Angeles.
Accepting the gift on behalf of the city was Mayor Tom Bradley of Los Angeles. The National Spiritual Assembly was represented at the ceremony by three of its members: Dr. Dorothy W. Nelson, Judge James F. Nelson, and Richard D. Betts.
Mr. Villasenor, a world-renowned sculptor, artist and sand-painter who has been a Bahá’í for many years, has devoted much of his life to bringing to the attention of the world the beauty and uniqueness of American Indian and Mexican Indian art.
He is a member of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Glendora, California, and an assistant to the Auxiliary Board.
Following the presentation, Mr. Villasenor offered a fascinating explanation of the meaning of symbols on the Aztec Calendar. The Ballet Folklorico of Mexico interpreted several ancient Mexican dances for the assemblage.
On September 16, the Bahá’ís of Los Angeles County presented a replica of an Aztec Calendar Stone as a gift of friendship to the Mexican-American community of Los Angeles. Shown making the presentation to Frank Lopez (right), founder and present treasurer of the Mexican-American cultural and educational center known as Plaza de la Raza, is Lisa Janti, chairman of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Los Angeles. To Mrs. Janti’s right are Bahá’í artist David Villasenor, who reproduced the Calendar Stone, and Tom Bradley, mayor of Los Angeles. At the left are National Spiritual Assembly members Richard D. Betts, Judge James F. Nelson, and Dorothy W. Nelson.
Proper Education Essential to Child’s Development[edit]
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a series of six articles on children and learning written by Deborah H. Christensen of London, Ontario, Canada.)
“Every child is potentially the light of the world—and at the same time its darkness; wherefore must the question of education be accounted as of primary importance. From his infancy, the child must be nursed at the breast of God’s love, and nurtured in the embrace of His knowledge, that he may radiate light, grow in spirituality, be filled with wisdom and learning, and take on the characteristics of the angelic host.” (’Abdu’l-Bahá, quoted in Bahá’í Education: A Compilation, p. 31)
Most of what we believe about how children learn depends on how we answer one basic question: What is a child?
We Bahá’ís are fortunate to have divinely inspired Writings that clearly illuminate this question, thereby laying a firm foundation for our understanding of how children learn and how we can help them do it.
The above statement by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá explodes much of the nonsense about children that is being peddled today.
Children are not “noble savages” who can be left alone to develop perfectly. They are not evil creatures tainted by original sin or uncontrollable subconscious drives. Nor are they like rats or pigeons without free will. They are human souls, capable of reflecting every one of God’s attributes if their latent potential is brought forth.
When we mine the “gems of inestimable value” that lie within a child, that child can truly become “the light of the world.” If the gems are left untouched, however, that same child can sink into darkness.
To learn means to develop a capacity. In other words, learning is the process by which the “gems” are mined and light is assured. These articles will explore, in fairly basic terms, what learning is and how children do it, and offer some ideas about how Bahá’í parents can guide learning.
AT THE OUTSET we must remind ourselves that there are many dimensions to a human being: physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual. We Bahá’ís know that all these capacities must be fully developed, with particular attention to each individual’s unique potential.
Learning is not just memorizing multiplication tables, for example, although that is an important part. Learning is also becoming coordinated enough to catch a ball, or developing the ability to cooperate with others, or achieving control over anger, or acquiring the spiritual habits and virtues of prayer and meditation.
Learning: Some basic principles
Although the physiology of learning remains pretty much a mystery, we do know some things about the learning process itself. One is the fact that we can always learn more, especially given the many capacities to be developed. For example, not only can we always learn new facts, we can also acquire new social skills and improve our spiritual qualities.
Perfection is endless. Even though capabilities vary, each individual can continually progress.
TIMING IS an important factor in learning. There are critical periods, or “best times,” for learning things. This is an integral part of the process of human development.
For example, languages are best learned between the ages of one and 10 years. Before age one, most children lack the maturity and experience to talk, and after 10 it is usually hard to learn another language, especially without an accent.
This is equally true for spiritual matters. How hard it is to unlearn old habits!
“It is extremely difficult to teach the individual and refine his character once puberty is passed. By then, as experience hath shown, even if every effort be exerted to modify some tendency of his, it will all availeth nothing. He may, perhaps, improve somewhat today; but let a few days pass and he forgetteth, and turneth backward to his habitual condition and accustomed ways. Therefore it is in early childhood that a firm foundation must be laid. While the branch is green and tender it can easily be made straight.” (‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in Bahá’í Education: A Compilation, p. 24)
SEQUENCE is another important aspect of learning. Learning always proceeds from simple to complex.
In learning to read, a child must first recognize the letters, then remember the sounds they make, and finally put the letters and sounds together into words. A toddler first speaks single words, then two- to three-word phrases, and eventually sentences.
Jean Piaget, a well-known Swiss researcher, has done considerable work identifying the timing and sequence of intellectual skills. Parents who understand these sequences can more effectively help their children learn.
Children want to learn. They are motivated to do so from the day they are born. Indeed, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá tells us that the soul begins to develop (spiritual learning) in the womb.
What often seems random movement in an infant is really his initial attempts to make sense out of his body and his world by exploring at whatever level he can. The need for learning, as real as any physical need, is what drives a child forward and ensures his development.
CHILDREN learn by interacting with their environment and by getting feedback from it.
By environment is meant everything, human and material, that surrounds the child. It is a critical factor in human development.
An infant learns security and emotional well-being if the feedback he gets from his mother is in the form of satisfied physical needs, warmth, and love. His interest in the world is aroused if he is presented with a variety of objects to manipulate.
In research with six-month-old infants, a choice was given between two objects, one familiar and one new. The babies invariably chose the new object. Could one wish for a clearer statement about human motivation?
A corollary to this principle is that learning builds on itself. The richer a child’s experiences, therefore, the more he or she will learn.
THE MORE opportunity he has to explore his surroundings, manipulate many objects, discover likenesses and differences, experiment with, take apart, and recombine objects and elements, the more chance a child has to learn the myriad skills and ideas he must acquire.
This should not suggest a frantic, constantly changing environment, but one with a few constants—from a family to a familiar blanket and bed—with a rich variety of things with which to interact.
Another closely related principle is that children learn best when they are active participants.
It is hard to imagine an infant simply looking at a new toy or other object and not grabbing it, fondling it, placing it in his mouth, and thoroughly wearing it out through exploration, or a pre-schooler merely watching someone make mud pies without joining in the preparation, tasting, smelling, and serving of such a treat.
RESEARCH reinforces this point by revealing that the more the senses are involved, the better something is learned. It is also true that the child’s focus is on the process of learning, the hows and whys, and not necessarily on the product of learning.
The fun of finger-painting lies in the absolutely glorious sensations of squashing, smelling, swirling, tasting, and dabbling with the paint. The end result, albeit something of value (particularly to parents), is of secondary importance to the child.
In summary, learning is a never-ending process that proceeds according to specific sequences, some of which we can now predict in advance, and is timed by the human being’s physical, mental and spiritual development.
Children want to learn, and the key to guiding and reinforcing this basic drive is a rich, varied, supportive environment in which they can be actively involved in the learning adventure.
- Next: Human development
Secretaries Sought At National Center[edit]
Three secretarial positions are open at the Bahá’í National Center. One of them is in the Office of the Secretary and involves handling work related to pilgrimages and the typing of correspondence. The position calls for a skilled typist who is able to compose letters and handle routine, complex and detailed work quickly. Previous secretarial experience is required.
If you are interested in one of these positions, please send a resumé to the National Spiritual Assembly, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.
Solomon Islands Conference[edit]
Bahá’í youth from the U.S. are warmly invited to attend a Bahá’í Youth Pacific Conference March 2-4, 1979, at Honiara, Solomon Islands.
The conference is to be held in conjunction with the 25th anniversary celebration of the introduction of the Bahá’í Faith in the Solomon Islands.
Those who are interested in attending should contact the International Goals Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.
Massachusetts Campaign Nets 4 New Assemblies[edit]
Four new Local Spiritual Assemblies have been formed in Massachusetts as the result of a full-time mass teaching project that has been in progress since August 13. That state will surpass its Five Year Plan goals if teaching continues at the same pace.
“The new believers represent a wide diversity of backgrounds,” according to Mark Tanney, the project coordinator. “We’ve had new Bahá’ís who are black, oriental, Filipino, and Spanish-speaking—everywhere the team has been.”
New Assemblies have been formed in Framingham, Lynn, Waltham and Watertown, where the project started in August.
WATERTOWN was a Group of seven when the campaign began. One new believer was enrolled during the teaching effort there, and two home-front pioneers later moved to the locality.
When the teaching team moved to Framingham, 10 new believers were enrolled, bringing the total number of Bahá’ís in that locality to 13.
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After Framingham, the team moved to Lynn, where six new Bahá’ís were enrolled. That Assembly was formed by joint declaration.
In Waltham, team members were unable to find any new believers. But they did find a Bahá’í whom no one knew was living in town. This individual hadn’t seen Bahá’ís in a year and a half, and didn’t even know there was a Group in the locality. He was the first person to put his signature on the joint declaration form for the Waltham Assembly.
“DURING the teaching efforts,” said Mr. Tanney, “the team has been careful to spend time with the new believers, helping them to get ready to play an active role in their new communities. Also, they’ve tried to introduce the new Bahá’ís to one another, and encourage them to get used to being together and working together.
“So far, most of the teaching has taken place in the eastern part of the state,” he observed.
“A mass teaching and deepening institute was held in Belchertown—in the western part of Massachusetts—the weekend of October 13–14 for everyone interested. We want to take the enthusiasm from the District Convention and plug it into the teaching effort, and get everybody involved at some level.”
The Massachusetts District Teaching Committee plans to divide the state into five areas and begin teaching projects in each one. In this way, the committee hopes to surpass the state’s Five Year Plan goals.
Among Bahá’ís teaching in the Massachusetts campaign are (left to right) Ann Rogers, Hughia Anderson, John Wares.
Assemblies[edit]
Continued From Page 1
pace of teaching continues to pick up, this should put us well within reach of the goal of 1,400 by April 20.”
Of the 101 Assemblies formed and recognized from Riḍván to October 12, nearly 30 are in South Carolina. Following its successful Summer Victory Campaign, California has several communities ready to form Assemblies, or already in the process of formation.
The National Spiritual Assembly anticipates the formation of several other Local Assemblies as a result of its recent decision to alter the guidelines for formation when more than one unincorporated community lies within a county, parish or judicial district.
AT DISTRICT Conventions in October, the National Teaching Committee set forth a five-point plan for winning the goals of the Five Year Plan:
- Focus every resource on one goal and raise that goal to Assembly status.
- Achieve unity of action while maintaining diversity of action (in other words, aim toward the same goal while assuring that everyone is able to participate according to his or her own abilities and talents).
- Initiate an active and aggressive “heart-to-heart” teaching campaign.
- Make a commitment to home-front pioneering if you are able to leave your present community.
- Learn and help carry out the specific teaching plan for your area developed by the District Teaching Committee.
“Success in the Five Year Plan, at this late hour,” the National Teaching Committee said in its message to District Conventions, “will require a level of sacrifice by each individual not yet achieved in the American Bahá’í community...
“These sacrifices are essential to winning the Five Year Plan goals, and we are confident that when we, as individuals, examine our potential for sacrifice, and when we make commitments to the courses of action we have outlined and that your District Teaching Committee will specify, we will, in fact, achieve complete and total victory.”
Classified Ads[edit]
CLASSIFIED ADS in The American Bahá’í are intended as a service to the U.S. Bahá’í community and are printed free of charge.
OPENING FOR TEACHER at Downieville, California, Elementary School for second semester of 1978-79 school year to teach a combination 5th and 6th grade class. Salary range with qualifying credential is $9,840–$16,824, depending on training and experience. Downieville, population 325, is the county seat of Sierra County and is 85 miles northwest of Reno, Nevada. To be considered, applicants must submit a resumé and completed copy of the California Standard Application for Certificated Employment by December 1 to Herbert L. Stocking, superintendent, Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District, P.O. Drawer E, Courthouse, Downieville, CA 95936. Interviews with selected applicants will be held December 11, 1978.
MODERN DANCE TEACHER who would also serve as studio promoter/agent needed by dance studio in Guam that is owned by Bahá’ís. Experience in modern dance is essential, but experience as a promoter/agent is not. The studio offers classes in jazz, ballet, disco, and body life, so ability to teach them would be helpful too. Please send résumé including phone number, address, earliest available date, and theatrical experience or talents to the International Goals Committee, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, IL 60091.
THINKING OF RETIRING? Why not move to sunny Florida! The south Florida area awaits you...with sunny beaches, swaying palm trees, gentle breezes, and warm winters! It’s truly a tropical paradise...and the teaching opportunities are countless. If you’re planning your retirement, consider the Florida Gold Coast. The District Teaching Committee of South Florida will help you in locating in a goal area. Contact Karen Pritchard, secretary, 241 N.E. 60th St., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33334, or phone 305-772-7706.
WANTED: DEDICATED BAHA’ÍS to settle in Bryan, Texas, and help save its Spiritual Assembly. The Assembly will be in jeopardy in December following the graduation of several believers from Texas A&M University. The university has excellent agricultural, engineering and veterinary schools, and has opened a medical school. Secretarial, nursing and business and professional job opportunities are available in this growing community. The friends in Bryan will do everything possible to assist in finding housing and employment. If you are interested, please contact Ann Ziari, P.O. Box 3112, Bryan, TX 77801, or phone 713-846-0527.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, in Coral Gables, Florida, is a popular, attractive college...with NO Bahá’ís on campus! The District Teaching Committee of South Florida is seeking college students who would consider enrolling in the university to help establish a Bahá’í college club and aid the teaching efforts there. Interested? Contact Karen Pritchard, secretary, 241 N.E., 60th St., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33334, or phone 305-772-7706.
