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Recommendations of the Fifty-Second Convention to the National Assembly
Following are the recommendations adopted by the delegates at the Fifty-Second Annual Bahá’í Convention, and the actions taken by the National Spiritual Assembly on each one:
1. That the overall teaching plan this year include measures to reinforce the newly formed local spiritual assemblies and weak communities, and that these ininclude sending them well qualified, experienced teachers to conduct deepening classes and orient them to the responsibilities and opportunities of the Divine Plan.
Action: The National Spiritual Assembly is giving this recommendation careful consideration, and in an early issue of Bahá’í NEWS will inform the believers of the action taken.
2. That the National Spiritual Assembly consider a measure to encourage individual teaching on the local level leading to increased enrollment, this to be included in the over-all teaching program.
Action: The National Assembly regards this as of primary importance and will give early consideration to its implementation.
3. That the strengthening and consolidation teaching program of the National Spiritual Assembly include sending tape recordings to the small and weak communities. The sense of this recommendation seems to be that these tapes should include recordings on teaching techniques and the application of administrative principles in consultation, as well as recorded talks.
Action: The National Spiritual Assembly has been considering for some time the benefits which tapes might provide in the teaching program and will endeavor to present specific material in this regard at an early date.
4. That the teaching program be aimed at each individual Bahá’í bringing in at least one new believer each year.
Action: The National Spiritual Assembly heartily approves of the individual believer adopting as his or her personal goal this year the winning of at least one new Bahá’í, and heartily endorses the use of the slogan, “Each one win one.”
5. That the Bahá’í Publishing Trust bring out a book directed at attracting and teaching the Jews in America.
Action: The National Assembly favors this recommendation in principle. No material submitted in the past has been satisfactory, but efforts will be increased
to supplement this resolution.
6. That the future reports to the conventions by the Treasurer give comparative statements for the current and previous years and financial information about the trusteeships.
Action: The National Spiritual Assembly approves this recommendation.
7. That a statement be presented at the future conventions on the financial status of the Bahá’í Publishing Trust.
Action: The National Assembly approves this recommendation.
8. That a sample copy of Child’s Way be sent to each new enrollee.
Action: This action is impracticable. New enrollees can be informed about Child’s Way through the announcements that appear in Bahá’í NEWS.
9. That the National Spiritual Assembly appoint a special committee whose members need not reside in the same locality but who are qualified to collaborate with the Child Education Committee in developing useful curricula, and that the membership of the committee include some Iranian Bahá’ís who have had the benefit of the Iranian system of education.
Action: The National Spiritual Assembly believes that this recommendation has merit and has appointed an ad hoc committee for this purpose.
10. That the National Assembly appoint a summer school coordinating committee to advise the Assembly of appropriate means by which to develop a coordinated basic curriculum for all Bahá’í schools.
Action: The National Assembly feels that this recommendation also has merit, but certain difficulties must be resolved before it can be implemented.
11. That the National Spiritual Assembly provide the National Bahá’í Youth Committee with whatever budget it needs.
Action: The action taken by the National Assembly in integrating youth teaching in the overall teaching structure this year eliminates the necessity of a special budget for this purpose this year.
12. That the National Spiritual Assembly clarify the Bahá’í position on the “sit-down” issue in the South. and that in formulating the policy statement the Assembly consult some of the youth who have been working and suffering in the South.
Action: The National Assembly has prepared a general statement entitled “The Most Challenging Issue,”
which has been sent to every enrolled Bahá’í in the June issue of BAHA'I News, clarifying the relationship of the present situation in the South to the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, this statement to be published locally or used in any other way that will inform the public of our position. Furthermore, the Assembly has also sent all local spiritual assemblies and area teaching committees a letter informing the believers what position they are to take in regard to the present delicate issues of racial discrimination. The National Assembly regrets that it was not possible during the convention to meet with some of the youth who have been concerned with this question.
13. That the National Spiritual Assembly consider the advisability of establishing a $1,000 scholarship essay contest, open to every high school, public and parochial, on one of the principles of the Bahá’í Faith, that the committee to judge these essays be composed of both Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís, and that the winner be allowed to use the scholarship in his particular field without any restrictions.
Action: While the National Assembly feels that this recommendation has merit, it is impracticable at this time because it would divert funds from the World Cmsade and would impose a burden that would require additional personnel in the National Administrative Headquarters to handle the details.
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Importance of Prompt Youth Transfer to Adult Status Emphasized by NSA
The National Spiritual Assembly has been very gratified in recent months by the number of Bahá’í youth who have notified the Assembly promptly on their attainment of the age of twenty-one years, and their desire to be transferred to adult membership with full voting privileges. In a number of instances it was the alert local assembly that invited and urged the youth member to take this action, thus demonstrating a sincere interest and sense of responsibility in integrating the youth into the full activities of the community without delay.
Although an alphabetical file of enrolled Bahá’í youth is maintained at the National Bahá’í Administrative Headquarters, limitations of staff prevent setting up a separate file by dates and notifying assemblies, area teaching committees, and the youth themselves when a youth member reaches voting age; therefore we must rely upon the applications for transfer to adult status coming from the individuals themselves or from their local assemblies or area teaching committees.
When a youth fails to request this status within a reasonable length of time it is presumed that he is no longer interested in the Faith and his name is dropped from the membership roll, although every effort is made to secure his statement of intent before such action is taken. Obviously, no one can continue to be regarded as a Bahá’í youth indefinitely.
At a time when we are all very conscious of the need for increasing our community membership and expanding our teaching activities, we should be particularly alert to the potentialities of our Bahá’í youth to make a valuable contribution to the achievement
JULY 1960
of the homefront World Crusade goals. A large number of them will become adults in 1960, 1961, 1962, and succeeding years. Are they being given the training, encouragement, and opportunity to assume their rights and obligations to attract and win new souls for Bahá’u’lláh, youth or adult?
Now that we have incorporated youth teaching and activities in the national teaching structure, local assemblies and area teaching committees have a greater responsibility than ever before to organize, encourage, and support teaching among, and by, youth. Special attention to this matter must be a part of every local and area teaching program, whether or not there are at the moment any Bahá’í youth in the community.
A flourishing youth program should be one of the special local goals this year for every assembly and every Bahá’í group. The American National Teaching Committee and its area teaching committees as well as the National Spiritual Assembly stand ready to assist in every possible manner, and will welcome suggestions as well as reports of youth activities for publication in BAHA'I NEWS and area teaching bulletins.
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
NSA Stresses Priority of Goals For Prospective Pioneers
To avoid confusion, duplication of effort, and disappointment no believer should entertain any request to pioneer in any country by any other individual or assembly outside the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States.
All Bahá’ís wanting to pioneer in such areas as Asia and Africa should approach the intercontinental teaching committee for that area for permission and information, since there are still important goals under the jurisdiction of our National Spiritual Assembly to be filled and priority must be given to them. This is particularly necessary if any financial assistance is required.
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
New Radio Script Addressed to Youth
“The Bahá’í Faith — A Magnificent Challenge” is the title of an excellent new radio script (No. 34) now available from the Radio Service Committee. It is particularly good for the purpose of attracting youth, since it deals with the doom of the silent generation and the glory of a new generation under the banner of Bahá’u’lláh. It requires 14 minutes of reading time. The cost is 30 cents per copy. Orders should be sent to the committee secretary, Mrs. Charlotte Keefrey, 2416 Waunona Way, Madison 5, Wisconsin.
In Memorium
Mrs. Augusta Nelson
Kenosha. Wisconsin May 1, 1960
Youssef Rahbani
Pomona, Calif. About April 18, 1960
Mrs. Emma Sebade
Waterbury, Nebraska April 11, 1960
Mrs. Maude Bailey
Upland, Calif. April 11, 1960
Lee Hagar
New York, N.Y. April 10, 1960
Mrs. Lillian Mann
Peoria. Illinois May 5, 1960
