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NSA Takes Action on State Convention Recommendations
The recommendations received by the National Spiritual Assembly from the 1960 State Conventions have been carefully considered. Those dealing with locations and procedures for the 1961 conventions were noted for action at the appropriate time. The decisions on those which are of concern to a particular state only were sent to the area teaching committee for publication in the area bulletin. All those having nation-wide interest or application are reported as follows, indicating in each instance the state in which the recommendation originated.
ARIZONA. 1. That certain Bahá’í literature be made available in simplified language to meet the needs of teaching on Indian reservations and among other people who have not had opportunities of education.
Action: This recommendation will be studied by the National Spiritual Assembly to determine whether it is practicable and how it can be properly implemented.
2. That steps be taken during the election of the National Spiritual Assembly at the forthcoming National Convention to see that silence is maintained by the visitors within the precincts of Foundation Hall in order to enable the delegates to fulfill their responsibility to vote in an atmosphere conducive to prayer and meditation essential in any election.
Action: The National Spiritual Assembly appreciates the spirit of this recommendation and urges every believer who attends the convention not only to maintain quiet but to go to the auditorium for a period of silent prayer during the voting.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. 1. That the incoming National Spiritual Assembly give serious consideration to again appointing a national Bahá’í youth committee.
Action: The National Assembly feels that the current program dealing with youth activities has not been in effect long enough to properly evaluate its effectiveness. -The Assembly again urges the development of youth programs and activities on the local level in order to strengthen the general tone and spirit of youth teachi.ng throughout the country.
2. That the National Assembly deputize a group of qualified individuals to write Bahá’í books suitable for teaching children.
Action: A special committee on education was appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly early in the Bahá’í year to give careful study to the whole subject of the education of children and we may look
forward to the effective results in this field in the near future.
3. That the current status of the various funds‘ be published in Bahá’í NEWS so that individual believers and local assemblies will have a basis of ascertaining the comparative needs when making contributions.
Action: The annual report of the Treasurer will deal with this subject.
4. That the believers be given the names of any delegates who do not vote in the National Convention, and that this information be included in the report following the convention.
Action: The National Spiritual Assembly does not consider it proper to mention the names of such delegates in person in the convention report. However, after determining the reason why any delegate has not cast his ballot, a report will be published in the U.S. SUPPLEMENT of Bahá’í NEWS giving the names of those who did not vote and setting forth the reasons why.
COLORADO. 1. That a national youth coordinator be appointed for purely teaching purposes and that a portion of the U.S. SUPPLEMENT of Bahá’í NEWS be used for youth communication.
Action: The American National Teaching Committee gives a great deal of attention to the matter of assisting youth in their teaching activities and it may be called upon to aid in any special project which the believers feel would be effective. Wherever feasible and practicable, youth members have been appointed to the area teaching committees for the specific purpose of assisting in the promotion of youth teaching work in their respective areas. The U.S. SUPPLEMENT and Bahá’í NEWS are always open for special material having to do with youth activities and the National Spiritual Assembly invites interesting material for this purpose. In addition, all area teaching committee bulletins provide a medium for dissemination of news concerning youth activities. In this connection, the National Spiritual Assembly strongly urges all local assemblies to circulate information in the area bulletins that deals with youth activities to their entire membership and to bring it especially to the attention of the youth in their communities.
2. That the National Convention agenda include a complete report of the Reviewing Committee and the
MARCH 1961
steps taken by this committee in processing manuscripts.
Action: The National Spiritual Assembly points out that the 1959-1960 annual report of the Bahá’í Reviewing Committee contained considerable information on this subject but the committee _is being asked to include in their next annual report further particulars with regard to their procedures.
3. That in the instructions about voting at the State Convention, the National Assembly includethe recommendation that those believers living a considerable distance from the convention city mail their ballots if there is any doubt about being able to attend at the last moment because of inclement weather or some other reason.
Action: This information will be incorporated in the future State Convention Calls.
DELAWARE. 1. That each year, between the time of the receipt of the annual reports published by the National Spiritual Assembly and the National Convention, all Bahá’í communities and groups hold a meeting to discuss these reports in order (a) to better acquaint each believer with the performance of this segment of Bahá’í administration and (b) to give each believer an opportunity to forward to the elected representatives of that state questions or suggestions that develop from that meeting.
Action: The National Spiritual Assembly heartily approves this recommendation and urges all the local spiritual assemblies and Bahá’í groups to carry it out. If this is done throughout the American Bahá’í community, the National Convention itself would be on a much more mature level and the consultation would be far more effective. The National Assembly wishes to point out, however, that while the delegates who attend such meetings should carefully examine the recommendations that may flow from them, each delegate is completely free to determine for himself the extent to which he wishes to be influenced by the results of the meeting held in his particular community.
2. That local contributions be increased and sent in a lump sum to the National Treasurer with the request that the monies be distributed percentage-wise among the various funds at the discretion of his office, in view of the fact that that office is aware of the area where the funds are most needed at any given time.
Action: The National Spiritual Assembly heartily approves this recommendation.
IDAHO. 1. That the National Spiritual Assembly compile a study aid, similar to the compilation, The Drama of Salvation, entitled Essential Verities of the Bahá’í Faith for use as an institute, including in it the complete excerpts from Promnlgation of Universal Peace which is no longer available to new believers.
Action: A special committee appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly is studying the over-all problem of providing suitable study aid materials that may include such material as would carry out this recommendation. In the meantime, the friends are urged to utilize the rich sources available in many current Bahá’í books that deal with the verities of the Bahá’í Faith. Attention is also called to the excellent study outlines for deepening in and teaching the essential verities.
2. That the National Spiritual Assembly reprint the insert which was distributed with the October 1948 issue of Bahá’í NEWS entitled “The Covenant of God” for deepening the knowledge and understanding of the believers in the aims and performance of Bahá’í administration.
Action: The National Assembly urges all the friends to study and re-study the material that is now contained in the compilation The Covenant and Administration which contains all of the material that this recommendation calls for as well as a great deal of additional material with which the friends should be familiar.
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS. That periodic reports be published in the U.S. SUPPLEMENT of Bahá’í News on membership in the American community with regard to increases.
Action: At the National Convention each year the secretary’s supplementary report includes statistics concerning membership in the American Bahá’í community. The National Spiritual Assembly will publish such information in Bahá’í NEWS following the convention so that all believers may have this information.
INDIANA. 1. That the National Spiritual Assembly distribute with Bahá’í News literature similar to Pattern for Living for the re-education of the believers in administrative knowledge of the Faith.
Action: The essence of this recommendation has been carried out from time to time by means of special inserts in Bahá’í Naws dealing with specific aspects of the Faith, including administration. An example of this is the article, “Primer for Bahá’í Assemblies” which appeared in the September 1960 SUPPLEMENT.
2. That the National Spiritual Assembly either reprint or revise Promulgation of Universal Peace as the addresses which it contains provide examples of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s methods of teaching and would serve as a guide for the believers in presenting the Faith.
Action: This work has not been reprinted under special instructions received from the Guardian some years ago, due to the fact that he wished to review the original Persian notes that formed the basis of this book to make sure they were properly translated. In the meantime, with his approval, the National Spiritual Assembly published Foundations of World Unity which includes a representative selection of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s public addresses taken from Promulgation of Universal Peace which can be studied by the friends as examples of the Master’s teaching methods.
Iowa. 1. That the National Spiritual Assembly be asked, as‘a matter of information for the believers, to report what has been done during the past year by way of encouraging articles on the Bahá’í Faith in national magazines, on radio, TV, or through other media at the national level that tie in with their religious issues.
Action: As soon as possible a report will be prepared for publication in the U.S. SUPPLEMENT on this subject.
2. That all area teaching committees be encouraged to set up programs for the training of Bahá’í speakers within their areas.
Action: This recommendation is already being carried out by the American National Teaching Committee.
KANSAS. 1. Inasmuch as worship is an integral part of the Bahá’í Faith and one of its fundamental teachings, and since most local communities do not meet
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U.S. SUPPLEMENT
3
regularly for worship services, the National Spiritual Assembly urge every local community and group to incorporate public worship services in their teaching activities.
Action: The National Assembly feels it would be highly desirable for local communities and groups to plan programs of public worship to demonstrate to seekers the verities of the Faith that deal with this important aspect of religion.
2. In order to assist local communities and groups in planning services of worship, the National Spiritual Assembly be requested to publish in Bahá’í NEWS the weekly programs given in the Bahá’í House of Worship.
Action: Under the instructions of the Guardian the practice of publishing the programs of services of public worship given in the Bahá’í House of Worship was discontinued. However, any of the friends wishing help in planning such programs may refer to the twenty issues of Bahá’í NEWS published in the years 1954 and 1955 which carried the programs used during that period and which include programs that have been repeated a number of times in the Bahá’í House of Worship since that time.
(To be Continued)
Hand of the Cause Paul Haney To Attend U.S. National Convention
A letter received in January from the Hands of the Cause residing in the Holy Land confirms that Hand of the Cause Paul Haney is planning to attend the U.S. National Convention as their representative.
Prior to coming to Wilmette he will participate in the formation of the National Spiritual Assembly of Mexico, one of the twenty-one national assemblies of the Western Hemisphere to come into being during Riḍván 1961.
Committee Advises on Supervision, Dining Hours, Housing Accommodations for National Convention
Assistance to visitors during the 1961 Annual Convention in Wilmette will again be given most gladly by the Committee on Convention Arrangements and volunteers.
Arrangements for supervision of children who are old enough to take care of themselves have been made, but parents will be responsible for children in arms or those requiring individual attention. Supervision will be available only during the hours when the convention is in session; parents will be responsible at all other times.
Serving hours in the dining room will be as follows: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The National Spiritual Assembly has requested that on the afternoon of the election of the incoming National Spiritual Assembly, no serving of dinner shall commence until the election is completed. This will avoid noise and confusion and permit the election to proceed in an atmosphere of prayer and meditation. We earnestly request the cooperation of all believers.
Please remember to bring your current identification card. If you do not have one, apply to the secretary of your Local Spiritual Assembly. Isolated believers and members of groups should apply directly to the National Spiritual Assembly.
Reservations
Each year we have fewer accommodations to offer in the private homes, and we believe it is safe to assume that this year the same situation will prevail. However, the rates in a home have been rising each year and are now about on a level with the hotels. If you have had satisfactory arrangements before in a home, we suggest that you contact the hostess and make the necessary arrangements direct. The Committee will be glad to help as usual, but in order to facilitate hotel reservations we are making the usual listing, and ask that you write them direct. When writing the hotels, make clear just what type of accommodations you desire, and bear in mind that it is most important that you abide by any arrangements you may make concerning time and payments for your accommodations.
The following hotels are in Evanston, Ill.; address, telephone number, and rates are given in each instance; all are with private bath:
Orrington Hotel, 1710 Orrington Avenue
UNiversity 4-8700. Single $8.00—$15.00; double $12.00—$18.00. No rooms available with two double beds.
Evanshire Hotel, 860 Hinman Avenue
UNiversity 4-8800. Single $6.00-$7.00; double beginning at $8.50; twins $10.00.
North Shore Hotel, 1611 Chicago Avenue
UNiversity 4-6400. Single $7.00-$8.50; twin $10.00—$11.50. Library Plaza Hotel, 1637 Orrington Avenue UNiversity 4-8000. Single $7.00; double $10.00-$11.00. Pick-Georgian Hotel, 422 Davis Street GReenleaf 5-4100. Single $8.50-$14.50; double $12.75; twin $12.00-$14.50. YMCA Hotel, 1000 Grove Street GReenleaf 5-7400. Men only. $3.25 per night. Reservations requested.
Motels
Admiral Oasis, 135 ‘rooms, 9355 Waukegan Road, Morton Grove, Ill. YOrktown 5-4000. Single $7.00; double $9.00-«$10.00. Family accommodations 4 for $14.00. Ed Robert’s Colonial Hotel, 9101 Waukegan Road, Morton Grove, Ill., YOrktown 5-0880. Single $7.00; double $9.00; twin $10.00. Glenview Motel, 1829 Waukegan Rd., Glenview, Ill. PArk 4-9835. Single $6.00; double $7.00.
After your reservations are made or upon arrival at the convention, please register your address so that we may have a record of your location.
Address the Housing Committee, Mrs. Gertrude Marks; 3239 Central Street, Wilmette, Ill. Telephone ALpine 1-4716.
MARCH ‘1961
Sara Pereira Elected to NSA
At a by-election held on January 29, 1961 the delegates to the 1960 Annual Bahá’í Convention elected Dr. Sara Pereira to fill the vacancy in the National Spiritual Assembly created by the resignation of Mrs. Florence Mayberry to pioneer in Mexico.
WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET Eighth Year: 1960-6|
Annual Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$375,000.00
IIIIIII|I|II||IIIllIIIIIIIllIIllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIIllIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII|||I|Ill||||||I||||I||I Total Requirements: May 1
to January 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 281,250.00 IIIIllIIllllllIIIllIIIllIIIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIIIIIIIIll||||||lll|I|I|||I|||I|lu Total Contributions: May 1
to January 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 205,440.00 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllIIIIIIIIIII|||I||II||l||||||I||||II Requirements for January 1961 . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 31,250.00 Received for January 1961 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 23,150.00
Special non-recurring gifts received during
present Bahá’í year (not included above) .. 41,350.00
—U.S. NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Marriages
Wilmette, Illinois: Miss Dorothy Taylor Allison to William W. Munson on August 20, 1960
Wilmette, Illinois: Mrs. Vedad B. Mansour to David H. Jurney on January 9, 1961
Detroit, Michigan: Miss Joanne M. Oden to Wiley Robinson on December 17, 1960
Albuquerque, New Mexico: Miss Simin Bahi to Donald Hawley on October 7, 1960
New York, N.Y.: Miss Ingeborg Brugmann to Farajolah Zivari on January 14, 1961
Seattle, Wash.: Miss Una Townshend to Richard W. Dean on December 2, 1960
Progressive Revelation Cards Ready for Distribution
The Audio-Visual Education Committee reports that the color prints of the chart on “Progressive Revelation” prepared by Curtis D. Kelsey and approved by the National Spiritual Assembly are now available. They are cards 5x9 inches and may be ordered only in lots of twenty-five for $2.25 or fifty for $4.00. All orders should be placed by the local audio-visual representative, librarian or assembly secretary. Please send money with the order to: Poster Department, Audio-Visual Education Committee, 126 Evergreen Place, West Englewood, N.J.
In Memoriam
Mrs. Christine Barth Phoenix, Arizona January 7, 1961
Fred Duckett Merlin, Oregon March 5, 1957
Mrs. Augustine Fazlollah Tucson, Arizona January 8, 1961
Harold F. Green Rochester, New York ' December 29, 1960
Tilford M. Honnold Duluth, Minnesota January 11, 1961
Charles E. Linder Kirkland, Wash. December 14, 1960
Mrs. Gloria Mclntyre Altadena, Calif. December 30, 1960
Harry W. McNamer Chicago, Illinois December 29, 1960
BAHA'I DIRECTORY CHANGES
ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES
Northern California
San Jose: Mrs. Helena Bascom, 2999 Van Sansul, Apt. 1 Southern California
West Hollywood: Mrs. Karen Woodead. 1018 N. Sweetzer,
Z 46
Hawaii Maui: Mrs. Mabel Van Valkenburg, P. O. Box 718, Kihei Oregon
Eugene: Mrs. Gwen Janti, 364 E. 13th Ave. Texas
El Paso: Mrs. Catherine Arenas, 1256 Indiana (new address) West Virginia
Charleston: Mrs. Marian Lippitt, 1556A Quarrier St., Z 1
(new address)
Mrs. Frances C. Miller Albuquerque, New Mexico December 25, 1960
Alfred Reynaud Kenosha, Wisconsin January 10, 1961
Mrs. Clara Rhodes Geneva, New York December 18, 1960
Mrs. Mabel Slater Kalamazoo, Michigan December 17, 1960
Mrs. Margaret Stange Spokane, Wash. December 24, 1960
Mrs. Elsie J. Tuttle South St. Paul, Minnesota November 1960
Mrs. May S. Valentine Jamestown, New York December 21, 1960
Mrs. Frances L. Wells Differdange, Luxembourg December 27, 1960
COMMITTEE SECRETARY
National Reference Library
Mrs. Marian C. Lippitt, Secretary, 1556A Quarrier St., Charleston 1, W. Va. (new address)
ADDITIONS TO COMMITTEES Area Teaching Committee — North Atlantic States
Mrs. Emmalu McCandless
Bahá’í College Bureau Mrs. Dorothy Munson Mr. William Munson
RESIGNATIONS FROM COMMITTEES Area Teaching Committee — North New England States
Mr. Paul A. Meade
