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NSA Emphasizes Need for Support ollohn Depufizafion Fund
As the vast pioneering efforts in Latin America and Europe, essential to the establishment of thirtytwo national spiritual assemblies in these two areas by 1962, go into high gear, it becomes evident that the financial focal point is the Joint Deputization Fund. Our regular national budget has for years carried provision for the transportation and sustenance of a modest number of pioneers in the various intercontinental areas, but the requirements of the current phase of the World Crusade are far beyond the capacities of this source. This is truly a crash program, and the Joint Deputization Fund was set up in recognition of its emergency nature.
Some idea of the size of our commitments in this field can be gained from the following table which shows the number of pioneers budgeted by the National Spiritual Assembly through the first of March, 1960, the cost of the transportation and the approximate yearly cost of their sustenance.
Latin/-lmerica Europe Total Number of pioneers 98 25 123 Transportation $ 19,600 $ 8,500 $ 28,100 Living per year $107,300 $36,400 $143,700
It is expected that the additional pioneers which must be sent out during the coming year, particularly to Europe, will involve an added annual expense of at least $50,000. Every pioneer who goes out under this program is expected to stay at his post until the end of the World Crusade, so we must think in terms of a commitment to the Joint Deputization Fund of at least $200,000 per year for each of the next three years.
Something over a year ago, while exploring the pioneering needs of the World Crusade, the fact was recognized that Iran was limited in the number of pioneers it could send to Latin America because of difficulties of securing visas, but it did have funds available, while the United States had pioneers who could get the necessary visas but had insufficient funds to support them. The Joint Deputization Fund was first set up as a means whereby the Iranian friends should financially assist our additional pio BAHA'I YEAR 117
News
MAY 1960
neers. As the vast scope and cost of the effort came to be fully appreciated, generous assistance to the Fund was offered by the Hands of the Faith themselves, and support was encouraged and received in substantial measure from the American Bahá’í community. Following are the totals received from these sources through March 25, 1960:
Hands of the Faith $ 55,000 iran 100,000 United States 42,800
Total $197,800
It is obvious that maximum support from all sources must be continued at least at this rate for the next three years if our obligations are to be met and the goals of the World Crusade achieved. The pioneers who have gone out have made great personal sacrifices, and it is incumbent on the American Bahá’í community to meet this response with sacrificial giving to an equal degree. Such contributions to the Joint Deputization Fund must be over and
Race Amity Day June 12. 1960
A Special Event for Proclaiming the Bahá’í Faith to the Public Sponsored by the Bahá’í Interracial Teaching Committee
Theme:
Oneness of Mankind Suggested Publicity Materials:
Posters and press release from Bahá’í Press Service
Oneness of Mankind and Man One Family from Bahá’í Publishing Trust Reports:
Newspaper clippings from U.S. communities are to be sent immediately to Bahá’í Press Service.
Written reports and photographs for publication in Bahá’í News are to be sent as soon as possible to the Bahá’í News Editorial Committee.
MAY ‘1960
above our obligations to the National Fund, so should be truly sacrificial.
Pioneer budgets for living expenses range t'rom $75.00 a month for a single person in parts of Latin America to $250.00 a month for a couple in parts of Europe, and go above these figures in a few very high cost areas. Individuals, assemblies or g'1‘0ups may wish to plan a regular monthly or quarterly contribution to the Joint Deputization Fund for the balance of the Crusade in full or partial support of a pioneer. In this connection, our continuing responsibility to our pioneers for this entire period should be borne in mind.
Contributions to the Joint Deputization Fund should be sent to the National Bahá’í Fund, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois, earmarked for the Joint Deputization Fund. They are fully deductible for income tax purposes.
Meeting of the substantial obligation of the American Bahá’í community to this vital project should be given top priority in consultation at all Feasts and assembly meetings.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
NSA Explains Deprivation of Voting Rights
Although this subject has been explained many times, it seems necessary for the National Spiritual Assembly to clarify once more what is meant when a Bahá’í is deprived of his voting rights.
Whether it is reported that a Bahá’í has been “deprived of Bahá’í membership,” “deprived of _voting rights," or “removed from Bahá’í membership,” it means the same thing, namely, that the individual is no longer a member of the local or national Bahá’í community and therefore cannot attend or vote at Nineteen-Day Feasts, local annual elections, state conventions or any other gatherings intended for registered Bahá’ís only.
It does not mean, however, that such an individual is to be regarded as a Covenant-breaker. Only the Guardian, and now the Hands of the Faith, can declare an individual a Covenant-breaker, a condition which deprives him of his spiritual status.
Since deprivation of membership and voting rights is an administrative action, it is always possible for one who has been deprived of these privileges to be restored to Bahá’í membership when he has satisfied the National Spiritual Assembly that he has corrected the condition which led to the deprivation of these rights.
Unless an individual has been declared a Covenant-breaker, association with a former member of the Bahá’í community is not forbidden.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Southeastern Summer School Set for August 13-19
The Southeastern Bahá’í Summer School, formerly designated as Blue Ridge, will be held this year at Penn Community Center on the sub-tropical island of Saint Helena, near the tiny village of Frogmore, a few miles from Beaufort, S.C. The session will be of one week’s duration, August 13 to 19.
There are ample facilities at the Center for Bahá’ís
and their families. Rates will be $30.00 for adults for the six days ($5.00 per day) and $21.00 for children under ten years of age. Camping facilities for tents are also provided by the Center.
Reservations must be mailed to_Mrs. Harold Bowman, Registrar. 4512 Riverdale Road, Riverdale, Md., beginning July 1. Because of necessity no reservations can be accepted after August 1.
A special youth program will be featured throughout the entire session. Teachers will be provided for children's classes for five to eight-year-olds and for nine to twelve-year-olds. The courses for adults have been carefully selected with capable teachers.
The success of the summer school in the southeastern states was one of the Guardian’s fondest wishes. This success depends on not only the Bahá’ís who live in this part of the United States but on every believer who might find it possible to spend his vacation in serious study and fellowship at Penn Community Center this year.
—SOUTI-{EASTERN Bahá’í SUMMER SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Tape Recording on the Temple
“A Symphony in Stone" is the title of a new tape professionally recorded by radio in Maui, Hawaii. It describes the Bahá’í House of Worship and how it was constructed, as well as the meaning and purpose for such a temple. The cost is $3.50. It may also be rented for $2.00 for a limited time. Order from: Radio Service Committee, Mrs. Charlotte Keefrey. 2416 Waunona Way, Madison 5, Wis.
Membership Withdrawn
Miss Annabelle Ivory, Erie, Pa., has voluntarily withdrawn from the Bahá’í Faith and has requested publication in Bahá’í News of the fact that she wishes no contact whatsoever with Bahá’ís.
——U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Marriages
San Diego. Calit.: Miss Betty J. Kennedy to Clarence B. Ward on February 20, 1960
Ann Arbor, Michigan: Miss Maria Elisabeth Rieke to Richard Lambert Wolter on February 21, 1960
Muskegon, Michigan: Miss Cleo Rena McManamey to David Aurich on February 28, 1960
Reno, Nevada: Mrs. Laverne Kneese to Joseph Seeds on January 26, 1960
Teaneck, New Jersey: Mrs. Ruth Price Silva to Victor Bjorklund on February 14, 1960
In Memoriam
Mrs. Ida May Wells Glendale, Calif. January 19, 1960
Mrs. Florence Wight Malden. Mass. March 10. 1960
Curtis I. Brewer Long Beach, Calif. March 8, 1960
Miss Hannah Kling New Orleans, La. March 14, 1960
Mrs. Mary Shepard Lynwood, Calif. March 4. 1960
