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The State Convention
The institution of the state convention may be defined as the link between the individual believer and the members of the national assembly. Just as the annual election determines the quality and capacity of the local spiritual assembly for the coming year, so the state convention can and should determine the quality of the national spiritual assembly. There is, however, this important distinction, that whereas the local community elects directly the members of the local assembly, the state convention elects the delegates who constitute the annual convention which elects the national assembly during Riḍván.
Thus, while the institutions of the local and national assembly are based upon definite principles and have a constant character from year to year, their membership is expected to represent the highest qualities available at the time. This constancy of function and fluidity of membership is a characteristic of the Bahá’í order. The only permanent offices in the Bahá’í world community are the Hands appointed by the Guardian, the Auxiliary Boards appointed by the Hands, and the members of the future House of Justice elected by the national assemblies.
In order to gather the utmost benefit and blessing from a God-ordained Vvorld order, we individual believers must fulfill our own particular responsibilities, as for example in attending the Nineteen—Day Feast and the annual local election, and attending the state convention.
The state convention is not merely an electoral body called upon to elect a determined number of delegates, but also a consultative body dealing with important considerations of teaching and other Bahá’í services. The messages presented at the state convention by the national treasurer, the national secretary, the national teaching committee, and the area teaching committee relate the individual believer to the larger issues and inform him of the most important current affairs.
Unlike the former faiths, one is a Bahá’í not merely by accepting certain truths and principles, but rather by expressing them in one’s daily life; and also by direct service in establishing the World Order of Bahá’u’lláh.
These are days of uncertainty and dire peril. As we participate wholeheartedly in the activities of the Faith, so do we create the Kingdom on earth which no onslaught nor disaster can overwhelm.
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Amendments to By-Laws of a local Spiritual Assembly
The following amendments to the By-Laws of a Local Spiritual Assembly were adopted by the National Spiritual Assembly on July 12, 1959, and are published here for the information of all the American Bahá’ís.
Article III. amended by deletion of this sentence: “It shall pass upon the right of any and all members of the community whose membership is in question to retain their status as voting members of the community” and substitution of the following: “It shall report to the National Spiritual Assembly any facts concerning a member or members of the community which indicate either abandonment of membership in the community or inability to qualify as a believer, for decision by the National Spiritual Assembly, in which body is vested sole authority to pass upon the qualifications of an enrolled Bahá’í and if necessary to deprive him or her of membership rights.”
Article XIV. amended by deletion of the entire article and substitution of the following text: “These By-Laws may only be amended by majority action of the National Spiritual Assembly, which, in making amendments, does so for the By-Laws of all local assembles throughout the United States.”
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Mission of Small Communities and Groups
Delineated by National Assembly
The U.S. National Spiritual Assembly has been informed that a certain sense of frustration is developing among some of our devoted and conscientious Bahá’ís because their community or group is unable to Carry out all the tasks set forth by national or international bodies, especially since equal emphasis is laid upon each task or project.
What is needed, apparently, is guidance in the form of a priority-listing of projects, so that the smaller communities and groups can concentrate their resources on the most vital tasks, and thus not dissipate them in attempting to accomplish more than they are able.
While the National Assembly cannot simplify the work of the World Crusade by a priority listing of
OCTOBER 1959
all projects, it can suggest the principles and objectives on which the smaller communities can plan their activities.
First of all comes the obligation to bring in new believers so as to strengthen the community itself or bring the group to assembly status. For this end the National Assembly is distributing through Bahá’í NEWS the series of lessons for “Individual Study and Group Discussion,” the latest of which went out as an insert in the August issue: “For Spiritual Reinforcement—The Bahá’í Way of Living Part II.” These lessons are for all American Bahá’ís, and when conscientiously studied not only deepen our knowledge of the teachings and administrative institutions, but also kindle our devotion to the Faith and confirm our resolve to promote its interests.
Next to this plan of continuous study we have the obligation to maintain a public fireside for attracting and confirming new believers. This in turn involves personal contacts and also publicity. The material distributed by the Bahá’í Press Service concerning the annual public events can be given a local flavor and made acceptable to most newspapers. A notice of the weekly public meeting should also be carried in the press, even though for some time it apparently produced no results.
With these basic plans adopted and energetically and unitedly promoted, the friends are perfectly free to decide whether or not to attempt to carry out any other projects brought to their attention in circular letters or through Bahá’í News. Certain plans and projects are only possible for larger communities and groups to carry out.
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
NSA Again Appeals for Complete Addresses
on All Correspondence to National Center
We regret the necessity of repeating our recent appeal that all letters and reports to the National Spiritual Assembly include the full name, street address, and city of the writer as well as the date. Far too many letters continue to come in without this identification, causing delays in acknowledgement as well as extra work in trying to locate the correct name and address of the writer and to estimate the date of the communication.
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Assemblies, Groups, Urged to List
Name in local Telephone Directory
The National Spiritual Assembly receives many requests that it urge local spiritual assemblies and Bahá’í groups to carry a listing in the local telephone directory to enable inquirers and traveling Bahá’ís to contact the local believers.
The chief problems in localities where there is no Bahá’í center are the cost of a second listing for a private telephone with the word “Bahá’í” and deciding whose telephone should be listed and how. Obviously,
Bahá’í State Conventions Sunday. December 6. 1959
the word “Bahá’í” must be used as the first or only word; otherwise the listing would be useless.
Each telephone company has its own policy with respect to a double listing and this can be determined by consulting the business office.
The National Spiritual Assembly recommends that local assemblies give serious consideration to the possibility of having a Bahá’í listing in the local telephone directory and that they inform the National Assembly as to how this was accomplished and their experience as to its value.
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
National Assembly Requests Appointment
of Local Audio-Visual Representatives
All local spiritual assemblies and Bahá’í groups are requested to appoint one member of the community to act as a local audio-visual education representative who will keep the community informed of audio and visual aids available and who will place the orders for these items. Setting up such a channel of com munication between the communities and the Audio Visual Education Committee will reduce the amount of details to be handled by the committee, and will enable it to devote more time to developing elfective teaching tools in the audio and visual fields.
The names and addresses of the local representatives should be sent to the following member of the AudioVisual Education Committee who will maintain the mailing list: Nat Rutstein, 129 East Walnut Lane, Philadelphia 44, Pa.
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
College Students Urged to Enroll Where Bahá’í Clubs May Be Formed
During the next few years when the American Bahá’í community is concentrating its efforts and resources on the triumphant achievement of the homefront goals, prospective Bahá’í college students are urged to consider enrolling in colleges and universities where Bahá’í clubs are already in existence or may be formed.
The Bahá’í College Bureau maintains a list of colleges where Bahá’í activities are being carried on, where Bahá’í clubs are in danger of losing their charter for lack of members, and that have the potential for Bahá’í clubs. Therefore, students contemplating attendance at colleges and universities should request the Bahá’í College Bureau for assistance in selecting
[Page 3]
U. S. SUPPLEMENT
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those where their services can be effective and helpful in the teaching work.
The name and address of the secretary of the Bahá’í College Bureau is: Mrs. Hazel Littman, P.O. Box 956, Stanford, California.
First of New Series of Recordings Released by Audio-Visual Committee
Since it has been found that more Bahá’ís own record players than tape recorders, the Audio-Visual Education Committee is now producing more audio material on records than on tapes, but it will continue to supply tapes when requested.
The first of a series of new records is now ready for distribution. It is a moving talk by Hand of the Cause William B. Sears on the divine institutions of the Faith. Mr. Sears discusses their purpose and describes their importance, and incorporates in the talk many interesting anecdotes and inspiring stories about Bahá’í pioneers. This talk is for Bahá’ís or persons close to the Faith, not for a public meeting. It is one hour long and is to be played at 33%, speed. The price is $2.00. When ordered in lots of three or more the cost is $1.85 each. Orders with accompanying remittance should be addressed to: Audio-Visual Education Committee, 126 Evergreen Place, West Englewood, N.J.
Radio Committee Lists Tapes, Scripts
For Proclamation of Faith
The Radio Service Committee is pleased to announce that the following scripts and tapes are now available for public meetings, radio, and televison shows for Bahá’í events as indicated:
Proclamation Day: Tape No. 11, “A World Religion.” This is an interview with Paul Haney on the Bahá’í Faith, covering general information on the principles and some history of the Faith. It requires two voices and runs fourteen minutes.
Script No. 8, “New Hope for the World.” A script to be read by one person, gives general information on the Faith. The time is fourteen minutes.
United Nations Day: Tape and script No. 17, “World Religion and the Law of Love,” by William B. Sears stresses that love is the underlying force in unifying religions and mankind and in solving world problems. The time is fourteen minutes.
Tape and script No. 14, “Two Roads We Face.” This is a four-voice tape and script on the theme that World peace and unity can only be established through world religion. Fourteen minutes in length.
Script No. 19 and tape No. 12 (same subject), “A World United through World Faith,” written and taped by William B. Sears. Mr. Sears speaks very forcefully on the Bahá’í solution to problems of world unity and world peace. Fourteen minutes long.
Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh. Script No. 21 and tape No. 15, “The Promised One of All Religions,” by William B. Sears, challenges people to investigate the authenticity of Bahá’u’lláh’s claim that He is the promised one of all religions. Fourteen minutes in length.
General Use: Tape and script No. 18, “Bahá’í Youth
to World Youth.” This is a three-person tape and script with a fresh, clean, complete evaluation of the Bahá’í Faith. While the title indicates that it is for youth programs, it is excellent for all adult programs, including radio and television. The title can be changed for the occasion for which it is used. Time is fourteen minutes.
Tape and script No. 20, “A Universal Religion.” This is a Bahá’í interview giving basic information on the Faith, touching on the life of Bahá’u’lláh and the principles, and using a few quotations from the Writings. Time fourteen minutes.
Tape No. 21 and script No. 23, “A New Interpretation of History.” This is a one-person script written by William B. Sears, giving a story of Bahá’u’lláh and His message of unity. Time required, fourteen minutes.
These tapes and scripts may be ordered from the secretary of the Radio Service Committee, Mrs. Charlotte Keefrey, 2416 Waunona Way, Madison 5, Wis. The scripts cost 25 cents each. The tapes are rented at $2.00 each.
Let's Eliminate This Weakness!
One of the outstanding weaknesses in our teaching efforts continues to be lack of follow-up meetings or firesides after a successful public meeting, seminar, and/or conference. Obviously this lack can result only in tragic double loss: waste of the time, effort, and money invested in the original activity, and failure to confirm contacts gained through that activity.
Actually, all plans for public meetings to proclaim the Faith should include, right from the beginning, provision for follow-up meetings, either in a home or in a public place. If no homes are available for firesides, or if such meetings seem inadvisable at the time, it is of course essential to “scour the town” in order to get a complete list of public rooms where unrestricted meetings can be held.
Such a search can often be tied in with the arrangements for the room where the initial meeting is to be held, and a return to the same room for the follow-up will, if practicable, “make things easier” for contacts. Whether for initial meetings or subsequent follow-ups, canvass your libraries, utility companies, YMCA, YWCA, Chamber of Commerce or Board of Trade, hotels, etc. Make such a canvass early and make the resultant list the basis of complete, coordinated plans.
—ROCKY MOUNTAIN ATC BULLETIN
Bahá’í Teachings on Immortality
Broadcast by Butte Radio Station
The Bahá’í Group of Butte, Mont., made Memorial Day an occasion for informing the listeners of radio station KXLF about the Bahá’í teachings on immortality. The fifteen-minute talk, given by Mrs. Betty Bennett, was entitled “A Memorial Day Meditation,” and incorporated part of a news release sent out by the Bahá’í Press Service in May 1957, as well as generous excerpts from the Bahá’í pamphlet, Bahá’í Teachings on Life After Death. An invitation to listen was mailed in advance to many contacts.
This program was so successful that the Butte
[Page 4]
OCTOBER ‘1959
WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET Seventh Year: 1959-1960 Annual Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..$400,000.00 'l|lll|lllll|||||ll|lllllllll||||l|||||||l|||||llll|||l|l|ll||||l||ll|||||||ll||||ll|llllllllllllllllllllll|l|||||||||l|||ll|Illllllll|l|||ll||lll||l||ll
Total Requirements: May 1 to August 31 ....$133,332.00 ‘llll|||||ll|||||||ll||IIIIlllIllllllllllllllllllll
Total Contributions: May 1 to August 31 105,600.00 IIIIIIIIllIIIllIIl|l|||l||||l||||||||I|||
Total Requirements for August . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 33.33300 lIIII|lllllllllllIIIllIIIIllllIIllIIIllIIllIIllllIlllIIllIlllIIllIlllIIlllIllllllIIlllllllIlllllllllIIllIIllIIllIIIllIIllIIlllllllllllllllllllllllllllll Total Contributions for August . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 22,200.00
llllllllllllllllllllllllll||lIl||lllllII|||I|||llI|l|||lIl|I||l||||ll|ll|lIllI|I||l||||lll||ll|ll||l|l
Special non-recurring gifts received during present Bahá’í year (not included above) 32,100.00
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Bahá’ís are considering the idea of developing other scripts for television and radio based on material from other Bahá’í pamphlets.
Adults May Now Subscribe To "Bahá’í Youth Bulletin"
Bahá’ís twenty-five years of age and over may receive the Bahá’í Youth Bulletin by paying an annual subscription fee of $2.00. The increased cost of paper, printing and postage, and the growing list of subscribers necessitates such a charge to those who are not in the youth category. The material in the Bulletin is not only interesting, but a valuable teaching aid for both youth and adults.
Subscriptions should be sent to: Dan Jordan, 9071/2 East 60th St., Chicago 37, Ill.
Checks or money orders should be made out to the National Bahá’í Youth Committee.
Colorado School Has Bahá’í Book Display
Jefferson County, Colo., Bahá’ís, with the help of Warren Andrews, local publicity chairman, were able to arrange a book display in a store window in Golden, location of the Colorado School of Mines, and goal of the Jefferson County community. Almost one thousand pieces of literature have been distributed by these Bahá’ís during the past year.
Marriages
Ann Arbor, Mich.: Miss Farzaneh Khayrkhah to Dr. Keyvan Nazerian on August 1, 1959
Galveston, Texas: Mrs. Patricia Friddell to Mr. George E. Conger on July 10, 1959
Los Angeles, Calif.: Miss Margaret Bauer to Mr. Wilbur S. Hawbaker on August 8, 1959
Madison, Wis.: Miss Jean Mickelson to Mr. Thomas A. Schwandes on August 1, 1959
Los Angeles, Calif.: Miss Marsha Wolcott to Mr. Michael P. Kuffel on August 16, 1959
In Memoriam
Mrs. Daisy Dean Pearce Flint, Michigan August 1, 1959
Mrs, Rose Russell Kenosha, Wisconsin August 8, 1959
Hosmer Blum San Francisco, Calif. August 17, 1959
Mrs. Florence Christensen Chicago, Illinois August 15, 1959
Mrs. Gertrude G. Davis Palm Springs, Calif. March 6, 1959
Mrs. Beth Holden Miami, Florida July 31, 1959
Mrs. Carrie Kinney River Edge, New Jersey August 16. 1959
Miss Jean Silver Lynn, Mass. August 14, 1959
Mrs. Mary Stevison Sioux City. Iowa August 1, 1959
Mrs. Emily White New Haven, Conn. August 6, 1959
BAHA'| DIRECTORY CHANGES
ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES
Arizona Tempe: Mrs. Rocella Powers, 121 Wilson
Southern California Compton: Mrs. Olive Craig, 1303 W. Tichenor St.
Colorado Pueblo: Mrs. Leota Malleck, Rt. 1, Box 246
South Dakota Sioux Falls: Mrs. Elnor Murray, 904 N. Blauvelt
Texas Galveston: Mrs. Patricia Conger, 98 E. Island City Homes
AREA YOUTH COMMITTEES
New England States—Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island Mr. Charles E. Moore Miss Carole A. Greenway Mr. Roy Mottahedeh Mr. Ca-rlos Periera Miss Terry Taylor
Rocky Mountain States—Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico Miss Betty Creitz Miss Gladys Fleming Mr. Raymond Fleming Mr. Gilbert Grasselly Miss Anita Spence
AREA TEACHING COMMITTEES North Central States (new secretary) Mrs. Elnor Murray, 904 N. Blauvelt, Sioux Falls. S. D. Rocky Mountain States (new members added)
Mrs. Florence Holsinger Mrs. Alice M. Sinclair
RESIGNATIONS FROM COMMITTEES
American Indian Service Mrs. Jan Ray
Area Youth Committee Southwestern States Miss Maralynn George Mr. Robert Dix Miss Marsha Wolcott
