U.S. Supplement/Issue 31/Text

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PRIMER FOR Bahá’í ASSEMBLIES

Some years ago the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States requested Marzieh Gail to prepare an article embodying certain basic Bahá’í administrative principles that would be helpful to young communities and assemblies. It was approved for publication in World Order Magazine for October 1944 with the foregoing title and was reprinted in the July 1959 issue of the Canadian Bahá’í News. Excerpts from this same article are offered in this form in the belief that they will be of value to the many new Bahá’í assemblies that have come into being and that are yet to be formed in the United States during the Guardian’s Ten-Year Plan.

The new way of living which the Bahá’ís are experiencing is being together and sharing life together, adding their light to other people’s light, accumulating phases of truth. We are all partners. The job we are doing is building a world. The method we use involves "loving consultation.”

The techniques of Bahá’í consultation involve a “plus factor" in the art of communication: we have a “something not ourselves" to which we all refer—a common focal center. That is why we, who are all kinds of previously unrelated, or even hostile people can get together and think and act together.

The Chairman's Job

Consultation among Bahá’ís is necessarily guided by a chairman whose main function is to regulate conversational traffic and to make absolutely certain that every member has expressed himself freely. A chairman’s first duty is to extract everyone’s opinion. If he does this conscientiously, no one person will hold the floor too long, especially on the assembly where nine are involved. In cases where one or two members do all the talking, the chairman's technique is deficient. Members of new, untried assemblies can discipline one another and the chair by insisting that everyone be heard, for unless all nine have expressed themselves, the consultation cannot be said to represent spiritual guidance.

The chairman’s job is to bring out what is in the minds of his eight fellow-members, and he needs a good sense of timing and pacing to get through an evening’s work. It seems wise, though not essential, for him to express his own views last of all. Certainly he should never take advantage of his position to give himself the floor. Other functions of the chairman are to preside at Feasts; address visitors to the assembly; in some states, be present at Bahá’í marriage ceremonies, and so on. As someone has said, he is the assembly’s facade.

The Secretary's Task

The secretary, however, has the hardest task. In a large community his phone rings at all hours. Everyone applies to him for everything, blames him for

everything. In voting for a secretary one may ask himself such questions as: Has he tact? Can he write a letter? Has he an orderly mind? The chairman is “Sunday-best,” but the secretary is “all-day-long.”

As for recording the reports and actions, this also is a vital factor in assembly life, because any legal or other subsequent action that may eventuate will center around the minutes that have been made. They hold your history—you must see that they include an accurate account of whatever your assembly is doing.

The Treasurer

We come to the treasurer. Perhaps of all the assembly members, he must be the one who shows the most love to the community. A good treasurer expresses gratitude even for the smallest contributions. During consultation periods he does not evaluate a man’s opinion on the basis of the man’s gift to the Fund. He does not harangue the friends at the Nineteen-Day Feasts. He does, however, take them into his confidence, explain his problems, and show how their contributions are carrying the Faith forward, and how, without the Fund, activity must cease. Once in a while he tells, not mentioning names, the story of some outstanding sacrifice that has come to his attention, and reminds the friends that the Bahá’í teaching on contributions to the Fund is that we should open our hands, relax, let go. “We must be like the fountain or spring that is continually emptying itself of all that it has and is continually being refilled from an invisible source."

Role of the Voter

Each assembly member is the voice of such community members as elected him. This does not mean that the voters can exert pressure on him and get him to speak for them—nothing so clumsy as that. It means that, automatically, different voters elect different types of people. One can state it better by saying that this and that quality in a given Bahá’í community finds expression in the ballot.

We should pause here and examine the voter. He wields terrific power. The fate of his community for the year is placed in his hands. Maturity in voting is a goal that may take a long time to reach. In voting we are creating a body which is to serve us for an entire year. The year’s fate hangs on the names we write down.

One thing seems apparent in Bahá’í community life —we do not really know an individual until we have served on a committee with him; for this reason it is a good idea to place every member of the community on committees. Everyone is charming over a coffeecup or when viewed from the lecture platform, but it is only after a period of what is often real suffering on committees that his aptitudes become known. And, like assembly members, committee members can discipline one another by insisting that Bahá’í pro [Page 2]2

cedures be followed—in this way training one another for possible future assembly work. We should not vote for a person unless we have a fair idea of how he will behave on the assembly.

The new voter will often find himself relying on material considerations when he sits down to fill out his ballot. But the old-timer comes to realize that he can vote for anyone providing after reflection and prayer, he feels that the individual has the qualities defined by the Guardian: “unquestioned loyalty . . . selfless devotion . . a well-trained mind . recognized ability and mature experience,” and is able and willing to serve.

The Assembly

In Bahá’í administration there is no “we” and “they;” one could say that the assembly is the community in action; one could also say that the assembly mirrors the community.

Sometimes we hear this comment: Our assembly doesn’t meet very often, because there isn’t much work to do. The answer to that is: Meet more often and there will be work. Where do people expect the work to come from? A good community pushes its assembly, never giving it a moment’s rest; a good assembly always urges its community forward. The combined process is something like a wheel going around.

The more truly Bahá’í a community is, the more varied it will be, and the more varied its assembly membership. Youth is there with the faults of youth, age with the faults of age. The fluttery blonde is there, along with the judge and the garbage man; the intellectual is there, gravely studying the opinion of the business man who may have left school when he was twelve. A human being is never just right. He is either too young or too old or too middle-aged; tired from a day’s work or fretful with leisure; bowed with care or unsympathetic from lack of sorrow; too poor for breadth of vision or too rich to understand the value of a postage stamp; so bold that he will violate sacred conventions, or so timid that he will apologize for holding a thought. All these elements in human nature are teamed on the assembly, and one makes up for another. Each is compensating for another’s deficiency, each seeing an aspect of the problem that another cannot see, each representing some quality in the community and therefore duty-bound to express his view.

You never know whom you will find as your fellow assembly-member; but even if you have only been a Bahá’í for a week, your opinion is entitled to as much consideration as anyone else’s, if each member is to formulate his decision in accord with the Teachings.

At times a Bahá’í may be faced with a problem and when asked why does he not take it to the assembly, answers, “I have spoken to all the members individually.” Another believer, member of an assembly, may be consulted on some issue and reply, “The assembly would say thus and so about it.” These two cases are mentioned because they represent fairly general attitudes. The first individual has not grasped the fact that nine persons, consulted separately, are only community members and therefore cannot arrive at an assembly decision. The second has taken it upon himself to think for eight other minds besides his own.

SEPTEMBER ‘1960

Successful Consultation

In successful Bahá’í consultation, every member is happy with the result, or at least satisfied with the way the consultation has proceeded. The Bahá’í assembly member has no side to take, except insofar as all nine members are on the same side: they all want the greatest good of the Cause. The Bahá’í assembly member does not attend the meeting to railroad a thing through. He attends to find out what his opinion will be after he has heard eight other opinions. Since he sees a question from his viewpoint only, he knows that he must add eight other versions of a problem to his own in order to reach a decision in accord with Bahá’í administrative principles.

Assembly members should see that no one leaves the meeting with the feeling that he has been unjustly treated, stifled, belittled or ignored. A member may, however, feel that he is always in a minority, and that the assembly is making mistakes. This does not matter. The Teachings require majority decisions, and affirm that even if a mistake is made, this can be rectified providing unity is safeguarded at all times.

Resigning in protest is the new assembly member’s invariable first impulse. This move chokes off whatever elements in the community elected him, and also has a harmful effect on his character. After his resignation, he does not quite know what to do with himself; he does not approve of what is going on, but he has thrown away his best means of correcting it; and his action has lessened the weight his opinions once had in the community, so that the measures he advocates find few supporters.

The Bahá’í way is rather to face the guns, not to hide from them. One can, of course, remain a devoted believer and still arrange one’s life so as to avoid all administrative responsibilities, but as a rule the cost in character and effectiveness is much too high.

Cou rtesy

Assembly consultation cannot be carried on without extreme courtesy, which may be one reason why courtesy is so much stressed by Bahá’u’lláh. Interruption, raising of the voice, unpleasant facial expressions — such as we see on many a secular committee — certainly are not proper to a gathering which is looking for truth in the laboratory sense. If the chairman gives each of you the floor — as he must, and through many sessions, if need be, until a satisfactory decision is reached — you do not need to interrupt. If your fellows listen to you carefully — as they are duty-bound to do if they are to formulate their own decision in accord with Bahá’í principles — you do not need to raise your voice.

Love

What it all means, really, is that assembly members must love one another. If they do not, they will poison their community, which will then become too weak either to attract new members or retain old ones.

A Bahá’í went to ‘Akká in the early days and saw the beauty of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. He said, “I wish I could take Thy face with me, back to the friends in America.” The Master said: “My love is My face. Take it to them; tell them to see Me in their love for one another.”

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Warn That Contact With Prominent Persons Must Not Be Made by Individual Bahá’ís

In view of the fact that some of the friends have forgotten, or do not know about, this instruction given to the National Spiritual Assembly by Shoghi Effendi and published in Bahá’í News some years ago, the National Assembly finds it necessary to call attention to the fact that contacts with persons of national and international prominence, whether directly or in writing, should not be made by individual Bahá’ís.

This is a function of the National Spiritual Assembly. However, the believers are free to make recommendations to the National Spiritual Assembly that such contacts be made. The National Assembly in turn may wish to authorize some individual or local assembly to establish the contact, depending upon the circumstances.

—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET Eighth Year: 1960-6|

Annual Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$375,000.00

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Total Requirements: May 1 to July 31 . . . . . . . . . . . .. 93,750.00

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Total Contributions; May 1 to July 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64,900.00

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Requirements for July, 1960 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 31,250.00 umImIllIIllllIIllllllllIIllIlllllllllIIlllllllllllllIIllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

Received for July, 1960 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 17,450.00

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Special non-recurring gifts received during present Bahá’í year (not included above) . . . . . . ..$ 14,635.00

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The figures above lead to the disturbing conclusion that the fine support of the National Fund, which led last year to the first surplus in many years, has sharply declined. Contributions from individuals, assemblies and groups in May and June, were only moderately below the average of the preceding year, but the July total of $17,450.00 was drastically lower and was the smallest monthly total for a long time.

Even when special gifts and estate funds are included, we are $10,000 under our budget for the first three months of this Bahá’í year. Last year expenditures were more than covered without using estate funds.

It is hoped that this trend will be the subject of earnest consultation by all assemblies and groups. The year is young and it is not too late to overcome the deficit incurred to date. If the trend is not reversed soon, however, we may be faced with another serious financial condition, at a time when we are generating crucial teaching activities at home and abroad which give promise, if they are offered the proper financial support, to achieve signal victories toward the fulfillment of the last of the World Crusade goals.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Bahá’í College Bureau Announces Theme for the Year

“Pioneering at College” is the theme of the Bahá’í College Bureau for the coming school year. Near-by communities and College Bureau representatives have been alerted to help students plan proclamation programs for all special Bahá’í events, beginning with World Peace Day, September 18. Bahá’í Holy Days will be observed with deepening classes for students. As in the past year, the College Bureau will encourage Bahá’í participation in Religious Emphasis Week activities and will seek to introduce the Faith to members of college faculties and classes.

College students are being asked to collaborate with College Bureau representatives near them in developing an over—all plan for their activities for the coming school year.

If you are a college student, please send your current address to the College Bureau. If you know the address of any Bahá’í college student, please send it to the College Bureau, as it may not otherwise be reported. The address is: Bahá’í College Bureau, P.O. Box 5683, Stanford, Calif.

United Nations — Bahá’í Kits Available

There is a limited supply available of the United Nations-Bahá’í Kits prepared by the U. S. Bahá’í United Nations Committee, and approved by the National Spiritual Assembly. The material in these kits may be used in study and teaching programs, being easily adapted to different occasions and purposes, and presents parallel Bahá’í teachings and various aspects of the United Nations. Additional material to be inserted is to be made available from time to time.

The kits may be ordered from Mrs. Hortense Sawyer, 124 West 90th Street, New York, N. Y., at fifty cents each. This price covers approximately the cost of postage and handling.

United Nations Day October 24. ‘1960

A Special Event for Proclaiming the Bahá’í Faith to the Public

Sponsored by the U.S. National Spiritual Assembly

Theme: United Nations—Pattern for Peace

Suggested Publicity Materials: Press Release from Bahá’í Press Service Pattern for Future Society and Bahá’í Peace Program 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.

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REMOVED FROM MEMBERSHIP

The Bahá’í voting rights of the following persons have been removed because of their acceptance of the claims of Mason Remey. Their spiritual status is in question and association with them is forbidden: Mrs. Marion Rhodes, Stephen Rhodes, Mrs. Anna M. Deuell, Peoria, Il1.; Mrs. Carol Schlatter and Franklin D. Schlatter, Normal, 111; Mrs. Frances Fales, Washington, D.C.; Mrs. M. Eloyce Gist Slaughter, Charlottesville, Va.

The National Spiritual Assembly has found it necessary to remove Mr. Clifton Williams of New York, N.Y., from Bahá’í membership for other reasons—disregard of the laws governing Bahá’í marriage and for other types of conduct unbecoming Bahá’ís.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

MEMBERSHIP RESTORED

The National Spiritual Assembly of Germany has reported that Bahá’í membership and all voting privileges were restored some months ago to Dr. Karl Schiick. Dr. Schiick, formerly a member of the American Bahá’í community, resides in Erlangen, Germany.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

BAHA'| DIRECTORY CHANGES

ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES

Northern California San Jose: (to correct secretary’s name) Miss Helena J. Somerhalder, 2937 Magliocco, Apt. 8 Southern California Bakersfield: (to correct spelling of secretary’s name) Mrs. Opal Winans, 20l2—l9th St. Escondido Jud. Dist.: Mrs. Vera Scott, 820 Birch Ave.. Escondido

Temple City: (to correct spelling of street name) Mrs. Hilda Pulley. 9111 Woolley Hawaii Maui: Mrs. Bula Mott Stewart, Secty. pro-tem (to 2/1/61) P. O. Box 14, Paia, Maui Idaho Boise: Mrs. Gladys Leonard. P.O. Box 585, Boise (new address) Montana Great Falls: Mrs. Dona Hines, 621—6th Ave., S. (new address) Rhode Island Providence: (to correct secretary’s name) Miss Margaret Doull, 113 Congress Ave. Texas Fort Worth: Mrs. Kathryn Curtis, 3021 Merida Utah Provo: Mrs. Mary Jane Jarvis, 1211 W. 1050 North

AREA TEACHING COMMITTEES

South Plains States Mrs. Patricia Sheppard, Secty., 164 Twinleaf Trail. (Castle Hills Terrace) San Antonio, Texas (new address)

ADDITIONS TO COMMITTEES

Convention Arrangements Mr. Joseph Cole

ATC—South Plains States Mr. George Clark

SEPTEMBER ‘1960

Marriages Phoenix, Arizona: Miss Elizabeth Macdonell to Joseph Sharp on April 24, 1960

Berkeley, Calif.: Miss Elizabeth Von Selle to Mehdi Radpur on April 10, 1960

Los Angeles, Calif.: Mrs. Anna Lou Byars to Claude S. Miles on May 6. 1960

Oakland, Calif.: Miss Catherine Allen to Atolah Rafaat on May 1, 1960

Wilmette, Illinois: Miss Mary Frances McNish to Rouholah Zargarpur on May 14, 1960

Muskegon. Michigan: Miss Janis Ann Pace to Donald DeVries on April 8, 1960

New York, N.Y.: Mrs. Martha Rinkowsky to Joseph Rinkowsky on April 12, 1960

Tokyo, Japan: Miss Mary Elizabeth Hill to William H. Maxwell, Jr., on April 26, 1960

Flagstaff, Arizona: Miss Karen Jean Winn to Calvin T. Barr on March 20, 1960

Washington, D.C.: Miss Anita Ioas to Christian Addison Chapman on April 2, 1960

Flagstaff, Arizona: Miss Nancy Becker to Robert A. Lindstrom on June 5, 1960

Los Angeles, Calif.: Miss Serrita Camargo to Leonard B. Herbert on June 11, 1960

Detroit, Michigan: Miss Elizabeth Bruce to Donald Williams on June 19, 1960

Albuquerque, N.M.: Miss Donna Severance to Patrick DeLong on July 4, 1960

Hamburg Twp., N.Y.: Miss Margrit Laue to Joel Cotton on May 14, 1960

Wauwatosa. Wisconsin: Miss Jean F. Hall to Richard A. Ehn on June 25. 1960

In Memoriam

Mrs. Margaret Angell Royal Oak, Michigan

Cecil L. McKittrick Glendale, Calif.

May 6. 1960 July 11, 1960 Mrs. Florida Bowdry Mayhew Mott Chicago, Illinois Neenah, Wisconsin

July 12, 1960 May 25, 1960

Mrs. Sylvia Bruhl

Lakeland, Florida June 3, 1960

George Chatton

Mrs. Elizabeth Nelson Tucson, Arizona

June 13, 1960 Mrs. Carolina Pearsall Cleveland. Ohio New York, N.Y.

May 27, 1960 June 3, 1960 Mrs. Mary Frances Grasboll Mrs. Blanche D. Pettigrew Springfield, Illinois Battle Creek. Michigan

July 1, 1960 May 1, 1960 Willard P. Hatch Hayes Self Los Angeles, Calif. Los Angeles, Calif.

July 7, 1960 About July 5, 1960 Henry F. Herman Mrs. Jeanette Sharpless Woodland Hills, Calif. Georgetown, Mass.

June 2, 1960 June 5, 1960 Glenn C. Hood Mrs. Hallie A. Simmons Beverly, Mass. Denver, Colorado

May 16, 1960 May 24. 1960 Anthony Madonia Mrs. Eliza Thomas Window Rock, Arizona Macy, Nebraska

April 25, 1960 February 1960 Mrs. Alice McCausland New York, N.Y.

March 24, 1960