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Recommendations from State Conventions and Actions taken by the NSA
(Continued from the February issue)
9. That the National Spiritual Assembly study the
possibility of promoting the Faith by radio and/or
television.
Action: In view of the more urgent demands upon the National Bahá’í Fund for the prosecution of the World Crusade, it is not possible to allocate funds for giving the Message by radio and television on a national scale. However, the Bahá’í communities are encouraged and urged to make every possible effort to secure free time for such programs on local radio and television stations. The National Spiritual Assembly is gratified with the extent to which this is already being done. Should the time come when the national budget is oversubscribed, the excess funds can be put to excellent use in national radio and television programs and other methods of public proclamation.
10. That the National Spiritual Assembly inclose self-addressed envelopes with Bahá’í News four times a
year in order to stimulate contributions to the National
Bahá’í Fund by believers who are not regular contributors.
Action: While this recommendation is highly desirable, the mechanics involved in carrying it out make it impractical. However, the friends are reminded that when they send a contribution to the National Fund they receive with their receipt a self-addressed envelope which may be used in making their next contribution. This is the most effective means of assuring regular and sustained contributions to the National Fund.
11. That the National Assembly publish in Bahá’í
News some of the Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá not available
in books.
Action: Plans are already under way to bring out in one or more volumes Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá not now in print.
12. That a study course on the importance of the
Bahá’í Fund be published for community study and
discussion, with quotations from the Bahá’í Writings.
Action: The study material planned by the National Spiritual Assembly will include all the essential teachings and data required by the friends to educate themselves with regard to the National Fund, the standards of giving, and all other aspects of this important institution, as well as other activities in which the believers should be engaged for the promotion of the World Crusade.
13. That Bahá’í Holy Days be presented to children
in interesting programs.
Action: Bahá’í communities in which schools have granted permission for Bahá’í children to remain away from classes on Bahá’í Holy Days are urged to arrange interesting programs for the children on those days in order to take full advantage of the opportunities to teach them the significance of these occasions.
14. That the National Spiritual Assembly review the
mailing list for Bahá’í News with a view to mailing
only one copy of this publication to each Bahá’í household rather than a separate copy to each believer, thus
effecting some saving for the National Fund, and that
this same revised mailing list he used in other mass
mailings, including the distribution of voting lists for
the state conventions.
Action: While the National Spiritual Assembly appreciates the purpose of this recommendation, it feels under obligation to send Bahá’í News to every believer. However, in cases where a family or group will be satisfied with only one copy a request in writing will effect this reduction. With regard to the voting lists, it is essential that every individual believer of voting age have his own voting list and ballot.
15. That the National Bahá’í Youth Committee be
asked to prepare a short agenda for a youth conference to be held at the same time as the state convention.
Action: The National Spiritual Assembly considers it important that Bahá’í youth participate actively in the state convention discussions, and for that reason does not encourage special conferences or meetings for youth at the time the state conventions are in session.
16. That a regional or area proclamation program
be set up in which there would be inter-community
cooperation in the use of newspapers, radio, and television.
Action: The National Spiritual Assembly calls attention to the action taken on recommendation No. 9 above.
17. That the National Spiritual Assembly issue a [Page 2]
statement informing the believers how to teach the
administrative structure of the Bahá’í Faith in the absence of the succession of Guardians.
Action: The National Spiritual Assembly calls attention to the message from the Hands of the Faith in the Holy Land dated November 30, 1958, sent to all believers with the January 1959 Bahá’í News. The National Assembly can add nothing further to this message.
18. That believers present at the state conventions
be permitted to add to the voting list any Bahá’í known
to have become permanent residents of the state but
whose transfers have not been completed officially.
Action: This action is provided for in the Convention Call under the paragraph: “Correction of voting lists from information . . . given by the believers present.”
19. That as a special insert in Bahá’í News the believers receive a progressive monthly report regarding the financial deficit in the Bahá’í Fund.
Action: From the statement that is published monthly in the U. S. SUPPLEMENT under “World Crusade Budget,” the friends can easily determine the amount of the deficit each month.
20. That the National Spiritual Assembly provide an
outline of the suggestions for pre-convention preparation for consultation on the agenda for the state conventions.
Action: The National Spiritual Assembly calls attention to the fact that the Convention Call that is sent to every individual voting Bahá’í some weeks before the state conventions carries the agenda, including the list of subjects for consultation.
21. That the area teaching committees take more
initiative in setting up circuit teaching programs, consulting with the local assemblies on their teaching problems and needs, in order to derive maximum benefit
from the visiting teachers.
Action: The National Spiritual Assembly requests the area teaching committees to carry out this recommendation to whatever extent is possible.
22. That the National Spiritual Assembly approach
the Library of Congress in an effort to change the
cataloging of “Bahá’ís” to Bahá’í Faith.”
Action: The National Assembly wishes to point out that after repeated efforts in this direction, progress was made to the extent that the Bahá’í Faith is no longer listed under “Islam.” Continued effort will be made to secure a still more accurate listing.
23. That a special appeal be published in Bahá’í
News and the area bulletins listing the various categories of service to the homefront in which the believers can engage, and that they be requested to
check the one in which they feel they belong, such as:
pioneering, moving to a nearby community, or contributing to the National Fund.
Action: The National Spiritual Assembly feels that this recommendation has been adequately covered on the national level in various ways, particularly with the emphasis given in the letter to the American Bahá’ís of August 1, 1958, encouraging each individual to fix his own goal. The friends are requested to refer to the message from the Hands of the Faith dated November 30, 1958, for further enlightenment on this vital subject.
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Many Communities Report Study Classes on NSA's Outline for Deepening Believers
Very gratifying reports have been coming to the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly, particularly from the small Bahá’í communities and groups, on the progress of the National Assembly’s campaign for acquiring the “deeper understanding of the Faith and the inner spiritual strength this understanding brings,” which Shoghi Effendi stated as essential for the success of the worldwide teaching goals of the Ten-Year Plan.
It is particularly encouraging to note that many places have invited neighboring isolated Bahá’ís or groups to join in the study classes. A number have reported having taken up the outlines more than once.
Niles Township, Mich., believers studied the first outline individually and then joined with two neighboring groups for group study and discussion, covering the first set of questions twice.
In St. Petersburg, Fla., those who could not attend weekly classes studied the material at home, and then all came together on February 1 for an all—day institute to study and discuss the outline on administration.
Even on the Navajo Indian Reservation, where the believers are separated by great distances, there are weekly study classes. While progress is slow because of the language handicap of the Navajo member, the patience, perseverance, and efforts she is making to understand the Faith have inspired and strengthened the whole group.
The Hamburg, New York group, which already had a program of weekly breakfast study classes under way when the National Assembly inaugurated the deepening campaign, interrupted its own plan and joined forces with the Hamburg Township community and surrounding groups on the national study material.
The Tampa, Fla., believers conducted four Sunday workshops on the first outline and reported they had gained a much clearer understanding of Bahá’í administration and the spirit which animates it.
About fifty per cent of the believers in the Bahá’í communities surrounding Rochester, N.Y., attended all study sessions, while several others came to at least one.
In Laramie, Wyo., it was not possible for all the Bahá’ís to come together for study when the campaign began, but the local assembly requested every individual to study the outlines independently until it could arrange for one or more group sessions.
The classes in Salt Lake City, Utah, were well attended and both outlines were covered in four two-hour sessions.
Some communities have employed the panel type of study with the leader asking the questions of the panel members first, and then opening it for group discussion.
The Wilmette, Ill., Bahá’í community devoted three evenings to the study of the first outline and four to the second. Three members appointed by the local teaching committee rotate in directing the discussions.
The Niagara Falls, N.Y., group also employs the
group-leader plan. Each individual does his own research and participates in the expansion of the concepts engendered in the group sessions. Sometimes
two evenings are devoted to one question until all[Page 3]
reach a clarity and gain a progressive understanding
of the subject. While this method takes a long time,
the group feels that the resulting growth in understanding is proof of its value.
Several of the large Bahá’í communities have found it practical to divide their geographical areas into zones with a central meeting place in each zone for the believers living in the area. In most instances, the local spiritual assembly appoints the discussion leaders, but in others, this is done by the local teaching committee.
Los Angeles, Calif., reported that the zone plan of meetings is proving successful for other purposes, such as social gatherings of the believers to become better acquainted.
The National Spiritual Assembly still wishes to hear from all assemblies and groups about the use they are making of the study outlines in the national deepening campaign for “spiritual reinvigoration.”
Area Teaching Committee Analyzes Factors
That Insure Successful Public Meetings
The friends who feel that the geographical areas assigned to the area teaching committees are too large to provide sufficient attention to the state which comprise them, will be interested in the practical approach to this matter by the Area Teaching Committee for the Central States.
This committee called a meeting of representatives of the twelve local spiritual assemblies in the state of Wisconsin on January 18, ten of whom were represented. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss what could be done to increase cooperation, fellowship, and knowledge of the Faith amongst the believers in that state.
Part of the time was spent in analyzing the reasons for the success, or lack of success, of certain recent public meetings. Although one of the meetings had been widely publicized and excellent speakers had been provided, the attendance was poor. The reasons given were that it was not adequately supported by the local Bahá’ís, publicity was not released far enough in advance to enable people to plan to attend, and because of the very cold weather — a factor which could not be controlled.
The reasons for the outstanding success of the public meeting in West Allis, one of the goal cities adopted by the Milwaukee Assembly, were the assistance provided by the Milwaukee community, good advance planning, newspaper advertising, notices sent to members of the local Kiwanis Club, and invitations to 100 residents of the community.
From this review it was agreed that local spiritual assemblies should assume more responsibility themselves in working up and talking up public meetings locally and in the nearby communities.
Among the suggestions made to the area teaching committee for closer co-operation was that a planned outline for teaching work throughout the state be drawn up and that each assembly be requested to assist in carrying out the plan in a particular section; that the larger communities assist the smaller ones financially for advertising in newspapers having large circulation; that there be careful scheduling of public meetings and that they be announced well in advance to avoid conflict with other Bahá’í meetings in the general area, and that one page of the area bulletin be devoted to listing all public meetings for the month ahead.
It was also recommended that every member of the community be given a job to do; that public speaking classes be arranged with qualified teachers to train new speakers, and that a state-wide weekend summer camp be held for strengthening and revitalizing the believers and to provide for more fellowship among the Wisconsin Bahá’ís.
Following discussion of the many excellent suggestions, the area teaching committee adopted the following definite steps:
To request all persons attending this\\meeting to report to their local assemblies and to recommend that a representative be appointed to work with the area teaching committee on all future teaching plans for the state;
To call a second meeting of the representatives for February 15;
To plan for a large public meeting in Green Bay, which is facing the possible loss of assembly status, this meeting to be supported by the entire state;
To list in the area bulletin public meetings well enough in advance so as to avoid conflict and overlapping of effort;
To look into the possibility of a weekend summer camp at minimum expense.
At the first meeting emphasis was also placed on the excellent recommendation made at the Wisconsin state convention that every Bahá’í choose and carry out one or more of the special types of service urgently needed to insure the success of the Ten-Year Plan, namely: pioneering abroad, pioneering in nearby communities, participation in extension teaching, and increased contributions to the National Bahá’í Fund.
List Hotel Accommodations For National Convention
The Convention Arrangements Committee and volunteers will be happy to help the visitors during the 1959 Annual Convention.
Arrangements have been made for the usual supervision of children who are old enough to take care of themselves, but parents must assume responsibility for children in arms or those requiring individual attention. Supervision will be only through the hours when the convention is in session; parents will be responsible at all other times.
Meals will be served during these hours only: from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Be sure to bring your identification card. If you do not have one, please apply to the secretary of your local spiritual assembly or the National Spiritual Assembly. It must be presented when you register.
Reservations
If you wish the Housing Committee to make reservations for you, please write to Mrs. Betty Geller, 606[Page 4]
Barton Place, Evanston, Ill., or Mrs. Lilian Cloonan,
332 Eat-on, Northfield, Ill.
If you make your own arrangements, please advise us where you will be staying, so that if your friends wish to get in touch with you we can correctly inform them. Also, please be sure to abide by any arrangements you may make, either with hotels or through the housing committee, concerning time and payments for accommodations.
Hotels
Following are hotels in Evanston, Ill., where you may make your own reservations. The address, telephone number, and rates are given in each case: Orrington Hotel, 1710 Orrington Avenue. — University 4-8700 Single. $8.00-$13.00. Double: twin: $11.00-$16.00 Evanshire Hotel, 860 Hinman Avenue. — University 4-8800 Single: $6.00. Double: $7.50 for two, $6.00 for one. Twin: $9.00 Evanston Hotel, 840 Forest Ave. — University 4-5000 Single: $5.00. Double: $6.50. Twin: $7.50 and $8.00 Georgian-Pick, 422 Davis St. — Greenleaf 5-4100 Single: $7.00-$9.50. Double: $11.00—$14.50 Library Plaza Hotel, 1637 Orrington Ave. — University 4-8000 Single: $6.75—$7.00. Double: $9.75, $10.00 and $11.00. Suites for three persons: $5.00 per person. North Shore Hotel, 1611 Chicago Ave. — University 4-6400. Single: $6.50-$7.50. Twin: $9.50-$10.50. Ridgeview Hotel, 901 Maple Ave. Greenleaf 5-4000. Single: $5.50. Twin: $7.50-$8.50. All rooms are with bath. There are no hotels in Wilmette.
"Man's True Destiny" ls Theme
of Bahá’í World Youth Day
The National Bahá’í Youth Committee has announced that the theme for the Annual Bahá’í World Youth Day, March 25, 1959, is: “Man's True Destiny.” The Bahá’í Press Service has prepared a suggested news release which will be helpful to all communities and groups planning a special program for that event.
The National Bahá’í Youth Committee will itself sponsor a public meeting in Foundation Hall of the Bahá’í House of Worship on Sunday, March 22, at 4:15 p.m. The committee secretary, Ronald Hauck of St. Charles, Ill. will be the speaker, and his subject will be the theme for the event.
The National Spiritual Assembly believes this subject will challenge the interest of all youth, and it urges that a special effort be made across the nation to hold either public meetings or firesides on or near March 25, aimed specially at attracting youth and young adults to the Bahá’í Teachings with respect to the destiny of man and the purpose of his creation.
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
"Child's Way" Magazine Articles Develop Committee’: Philosophy of Education
A study of the editorials and the material offered the teachers under Trends, Techniques, Tips in The Child’s Way will acquaint the reader with the slowlyunfolding concept of what the National Bahá’í Child Education Committee has called the Philosophy of Education.
During this year, beginning with issue No. 57, a serious effort had been made to present a continuous plan for teachers. The material has been specifically aimed at the 9-12 year group. Next year we hope to have two approaches: one for Junior Youth and the other for the very young children.
The Child’s Way subscriptions ($2.00 per year for six issues) should be sent to P.O. Box 245, Wilmette. Ill.
WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET Sixth Year: 1958-59
Annual Budget: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..$450,000.00 Total Requirements: May 1 to January 31 337,500.00 Total Contributions: May 1 to January 31 225,000.00
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
BAHA'l DIRECTORY CHANGES
ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES Arizona Phoenix Suburban Area North: Mrs. Rhoderoi Myers, 2507 W. Freeway Lane Northern California Sacramento: Mrs. Margaret Moss, 4411 Capri Way Southern California Glendale: Mrs. Garnette Whitefield, 315 W. Lomita Ave., Z. 4 Colorado Jefferson County: Mrs. Mary Wolf, Box 250, Star Rt. 2. Morrison Iowa Davenport: Mrs. Amber Spahn, 329 E. 11th St. (new secretary) Minnesota Duluth: Mrs. Elinor Wolff, 1415 Waverly Ave., Z. 3
Montana
Helena: Mrs. Ruth Saunders, P.O. Box 310 Texas
Dallas: Mrs. Wanda Walls, 2820 Encino Dr., Z. 28
BAHA'l SUMMER SCHOOL COMMITTEE — 1958-1959
Davison Bahá’í School Program Committee (New secretary)
Mrs. Elizabeth Brogan, 370 Drayton West, Ferndale 20, Michigan
RESIGNATIONS FROM COMMITTEES
Area Teaching Committee—Gulf States Mrs. Mary K. Johnson
Reviewing Committee Mrs. Bonnie Porter
