U.S. Supplement/Issue 78/Text

[Page 1]

Action Taken on Convention Recommendations

At its first meeting after its election, April 26-29, the National Spiritual Assembly took the following actions on recommendations that had been adopted by the delegates at the National Convention:

1. Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly publish a booklet containing an outline of the Nine Year Plan plus a commentary by the N.S.A.

Action: Voted to produce a special short pamphlet on the Nine Year Plan designed to orient new believers to the goals and to be made available to each new Bahá’í as he enrolls.

2. Recommendation: That it be made a special function of the National Secretariat to give close supervision and assistance in the growth and strengthening of local spiritual assemblies.

Action: It is recorded that this recommendation has been provided for through the appointment of a Community Development Committee whose functions will be explained in the U.S. SUPPLEMENT from time to time.

3. Recommendation: That local spiritual assemblies be urged to hold at least two regular meetings each month, and that teaching matters be taken up as the first items of business with correspondence and other business afterwards.

Action: Voted to recommend to all local spiritual assemblies that in their deliberations they give priority to teaching.

4. Recommendation: That a section of Bahá’í News each month be devoted to inspirational stories and articles gleaned from the Bahá’í Writings.

Action: Voted to convey this recommendation to the Bahá’í News Editorial Committee to be carried out to whatever extent is possible.

5. Recommendation: That the subject of tax deductibility in connection with Bahá’í contributions be clarified for all believers.

Action: Voted to publish this information as soon as it is available.

6. Recommendation: That the National Assembly appoint state committees of three members for the purpose of coordinating teaching activities with the state, circulating communications, and to make preparations for state conventions, institutes and other special meetmgs.

Action: The sense of this recommendation will be

carried out by the appointment of state service agencies at an early meeting of the National Assembly.

7. Recommendation: That the remarks of Daniel Jordan at the opening of the session of the convention devoted to teaching be incorporated in an article in Bahá’í News.

Action: Voted to ask Mr. Jordan to make a decision on this recommendation and on the manner in which it is to be carried out.

8. Recommendation: That duplicates of the tape recording of Mr. Jordan’s talk be made available to the communities.

Action: Voted to review the tape recording with a view to carrying out this recommendation.

9. Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly clarify what position and/or action should be taken by Bahá’ís in the matter of human rights when there is conflict between federal and local laws.

Action: Voted to request Bahá’í communities to submit to the National Spiritual Assembly for consultation any human rights project being contemplated by the community about which there is some uncertainty as to its conformity with Bahá’í principles.

10. Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly consider the appointment of a national publicity committee.

Action: Voted to report to the believers that the National Assembly is endeavoring to develop a public relations department to handle the matter of nationwide publicity in various fields.

11. Recommendation: That the National Spiritual Assembly adopt a long-range plan for the Bahá’í schools and that money spent on the plans be fitted into a over-all plan which will provide opportunities for competitive architectural and landscaping plans.

Action: This principle is already in action.

12. Recommendation: That the N.S.A. appoint a committee to look into the matter of a future curriculum for summer schools, not to be conditioned by the schools as they are now but as they should be.

Action: The National Spiritual Assembly has already taken steps in this direction.

13. Recommendation: That a course of study or unit of work on the family be included in the school curricula.

Action: Voted to ask the summer school program

[Page 2]committees to include courses in family life in the school programs, incorporating the application of Bahá’í teachings in strengthening family relationships.

14. Recommendation: That the National Assembly lay down uniform standards of conduct and dress to be followed at all summer schools.

Action: Voted to request all Bahá’í summer schools to encourage students and guests at the schools to observe the highest possible standards of conduct, dignity, courtesy and mutual respect.

National Treasurer Reviews Some Suggestions Received

The annual budget message has made clear the magnitude of the task we face if we are to achieve this year’s requirements of $775,000. This represents a 50 per cent increase over the gifts received from all sources in the last Bahá’í year.

To achieve this we must take advantage of the best thought given to this problem by all Bahá’ís. The National Spiritual Assembly is happy to assist by listing below some of the suggestions already received from assemblies, groups and individuals.

Fundamentally, the most important suggestion, which was made several times, is that the requirements of the Fund should be given top priority in all of our financial planning. We should determine in the early part of the year the maximum amount we can afford to give and then regularly set aside this amount from our income before we spend anything for other purposes. In this way we can be sure that obligations to the Fund are met from the “top of our income” and are given the same priority as such legal obligations as payments on mortgages or other loans. Certainly we have a spiritual obligation which is just as real and just as vital.

The reverse of this suggestion is the comment also received several times that we should divert to the Fund small amounts which dribble away every day to little purpose, but which cumulatively could add up to quite a sum. One believer pointed out that if we all placed in a box marked “National Deficit” all of the pennies, nickels and dimes in our pockets at the end of each day, we might on the average accumulate $5 a month and that if this was done by 6,000 Bahá’ís, it would mean a collection of $360,000 per year. An assembly pointed out how little money per day or week is necessary for an individual to contribute $100 a year. This is the equivalent of less than a pack of cigarettes, two cups of coffee in a restaurant, two subway tokens per day or a movie or one full restaurant meal per week. One can easily work out one’s own equivalent to show that if relatively small amounts are saved and contributed regularly, they soon mount up to substantial sums.

Sacrifice in Bahá’í Giving

The ultimate goal of sacrifice has always been stressed in connection with Bahá’í giving. Yet many

AUGUST 1964

people say that they are so tightly budgeted that they cannot dip into their current rate of expenditures any further. However, the savings from the income tax cut which took effect March 1 represent in effect a windfall, an increase of income for every person with taxable income. It was suggested that we could give this entire tax saving to the Fund without changing in any respect our spending patterns for other things. This is one of the most practical suggestions that has been received, and it should be given consideration by all Bahá’ís. If this tax savings could be added to the past rates of donation, it could go far towards making up the deficit.

It was also suggested that the amounts saved from luncheons and coffee breaks not eaten during the fast could also be an important source of income to the Fund.

Several assemblies reported successful fund-raising special events. Some had potluck dinners where the food was contributed, but the Bahá’ís paid for their dinners and for their guests. One had a dinner similar to this which was followed by an auction where merchandise which had been contributed was auctioned off. This assembly said that everyone seemed to have a good time and also seemed to feel they had obtained property which would be useful to them and that at the same time they had raised a substantial amount of money for the Fund. In such events, the communities must be careful not to duplicate too closely the fund-raising events which have been so badly abused in our society in general, in which the time and effort involved is out of proportion to the amount raised and in which pressure is exerted to buy things one really doesn’t want. It is also important that non-Bahá’ís should not be asked to pay for anything during such events.

Several times it has been suggested that a charge be made for Bahá’í NEWS. The National Spiritual Assembly feels that it would cost more to set up a formal procedure to account for this than would be taken in and that also it would possibly deny Bahá’í News to some of the friends who might not be able to afford even a small charge, which would be contrary to Bahá’í principle. On the other hand, for those believers who feel that Bahá’í News is of great value to them and who would like to contribute to its support, a special contribution sent to the National Treasurer for whatever amount they feel represents a fair valuation would be very welcome indeed.

Inquiries have also been made about saving money by eliminating sending duplicate copies of Bahá’í News to households having two or more Bahá’ís. It would again cost more than would be saved to screen the mailing list to effect such a result. One way in which genuine savings could be obtained, however, would be if the friends could notify the National Office promptly of their changes of address, since there is a charge of 8c every time a Bahá’í News is returned because the address is not up to date. Incidentally, this happens much too frequently.

Bahá’ís are urged to take full advantage of tax deduction possibilities allowed under the law not only for contributions directly to one of the Bahá’í Funds, but also for unreimbursed expenses incurred in Bahá’í ac [Page 3]U.S. SUPPLEMENT

tivities. A memorandum on this subject prepared by our certified public accountants will appear in an early issue of Bahá’í NEWS. Tax savings made in this connection might be contributed to the National Fund.

Education of New Bahá'-is

One very important suggestion is to improve the education of new believers with respect to their responsibility to the Fund. Since contacts see that collections are never taken at Bahá’í meetings and that they are never asked to make any contributions, some of them may get the idea that Bahá’ís just don’t have to contribute to a fund, that somehow all the activities are financed by magic. It is better that they realize before they make their declaration that a sense of financial responsibility to the Faith is one of the key elements to the Bahá’í way of life, that such contributions are purely voluntary and are not publicized, but that they are expected regularly and on a sacrificial basis.

It was pointed out that better communication with isolated believers about the Fund might be productive of greater returns. The National Spiritual Assembly heartily agrees with this, but points out that is only regular means of communication is through letters and Bahá’í News. This method breaks down sometimes with those believers who do not do much reading. In this connection, local spiritual assemblies who are near the isolated believer could be of great assistance.

A suggestion was made that if more Bahá’ís would make their contributions every nineteen days, rather than on a basis of a thirty day month, the total contributed might well be larger. This is an excellent idea and the National Spiritual Assembly commends it to the attention of all believers.

Regular Contributions Essential

The use of some of one’s spare time to perform extra services, either for other Bahá’ís or non-Bahá’ís, contributing the wages for these services to the Fund, was also an excellent idea. Also, if Bahá’ís have trouble remembering their obligations to the Fund on a regular basis, a card or sticker with a brief reminder placed in a strategic location where it will be seen frequently could prove of value.

Fundamentally, of course, it is desirable that all Bahá’ís fully grasp the necessity and importance of the Fund in relation to all other Bahá’í goals and objectives. The Fund is just as spiritual an activity as teaching or prayer and just as necessary for the final attainment of all of our objectives. Therefore, efforts to increase one’s income so that one can give more to the Fund represent a praiseworthy activity. Frequent study of and consultation on the annual budget message and the interim reports of the Treasurer are highly desirable. A realization that the Fund is a covenant, an obligation which all of us have assumed. and that to achieve it we must be prepared to set aside a fair proportion of our gross income on a regular basis, is a necessity if we are to avoid the deficits of the past two years. Another basic principle is that the higher our income, the higher the proportion of it we can afford to give for Bahá’í purposes.

If all Bahá’ís can become aware of our great bounty in making this essential contribution toward the initial

goals of an entirely new epoch in Bahá’í history, we should have no difficulty in meeting the budget which we have all accepted. —Arm{un L. DAI-11., TREASURER NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Importance of Making Will Is Stressed

The National Assembly reminds us that it is incumbent upon all Bahá’ís to make a will, even if the value of one’s estate is quite small. Only in this way can one be sure that one’s property will be distributed according to one’s wishes. We all spend tremendous time and effort in accumulating property, but often don’t take the few simple steps necessary to assure that after our passing it will be distributed as we desire.

If one’s estate is small and consists primarily of personal effects and cash, a holographic (handwritten) will might be adequate if you are in a state which recognizes such wills. (Only a few do). You should check with your local Bar Association or an attorney to determine whether such wills are recognized in your state. Such wills must be signed and dated and entirely in your own handwriting. No printing or letterhead must appear on the paper.

However, if one’s estate is at all substantial or includes real estate, stocks or bonds or interest in businesses, one should consult an attorney. The assurance that things will be done just as one wants is well worth the modest charge. The attorney will know of ways to make your property more immediately available to your family, and if you are contemplating a substantial gift to the National Bahá’í Fund he can advise you of any limitations on bequests to charity in your state and how to adjust to them. The attorney will help assure that your will accomplishes all of your objectives and also can advise you on ways of minimizing estate taxes if your estate is at all substantial. Finally, if you have recently moved from one state to another, the attorney can advise you as to the laws of your new state and the ways in which they might affect your will.

A will should be drawn to take care not only of the disposition of one’s property, but also to establish a desire for a Bahá’í burial, to provide for the disposal of one’s Bahá’í books and papers, and to establish one’s wishes with respect to a Bahá’í education for one’s children.

Once prepared, a will should be reviewed every one or two years. It also should be reviewed if one moves from one state to another or if there is an important change in the makeup of one’s estate or in the composition of one’s family.

To provide a bequest for use by the National Bahá’í Assembly, describe the beneficiary in these terms: “The Trustees of the National Bahá’í administrative body, elected by the Bahá’ís of the United States, and known as National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, whose headquarters are located in the Village of Wilmette, County of Cook, Illinois.

[Page 4]Before giving or bequeathing real estate or personal effects to the National Bahá’í Fund, please consult with the National Spiritual Assembly. States vary with respect to the ease of transfer of property held in the name of non-incorporated bodies such as the National Spiritual Assembly, and it would be desirable that the transfer of property should be done in such a manner that it could be disposed of as easily as possible, if that is the decision of the National Spiritual Assembly.

The National Spiritual Assembly will greatly appreciate receiving a copy of every will which names it as a beneficiary.

HOMEFRONT GOALS FOR 1964-1965 ARE NAMED

With the glorious victories of the Ten Year Crusade behind us, and the new Nine Year Plan from the Universal House of Justice before us, the American homefront is starting on the new phase of its God-given mission in the prosecution of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Divine Plan. This community, with 330 local institutions and approximately 1,650 localities where Bahá’ís reside, so richly blessed with material means far beyond that of most Bahá’í communities of the world and a vast supply of literature, spiritual inheritors of the Dawnbreakers, the recipients of the Master's visit across its land, and assured of victory by His promises and those of Bahá’u’lláh, “must seize the opportunities of the hour and go forward confident that all things are within His mighty grasp and that, if we but play our part, total and unconditional victory will inevitably be ours.”

For the initial attainment toward the ultimate goals of the Nine Year Plan, the National Teaching Committee has adopted the following as specific goals for this year:

1. Raise to 360 the number of local spiritual assemblies, which shall include one in Key West, Florida, and one new assembly in the states of Arkansas, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Oklahoma and Rhode Island, thereby raising the number of assemblies in each of these states to two.

2. Establish at least one active group in Nebraska, North Dakota, Vermont and West Virginia, the four additional states with only one assembly at present.

3. Establish at least 100 new localities where Bahá’ís reside.

4. Attain full participation of small groups and isolated believers in the life of the national community in accomplishing the goals of the Nine Year Plan.

5. Proclaim the Faith through local programs.

6. Enroll a greater number of believers from the five minority groups named in the Nine Year Plan message from the Universal House of Justice to the United States.

7. Intensify teaching and deepening among Negroes in the south, with a view toward an unprecedented increase in enrollments.

8. Increase the number of youth enrollments.

The accomplishment of these tasks means the enroll AUGUST ‘1964

ment of great numbers of new believers and the future expansion of the administrative institutions.

As in the past, the final responsibility of attainment rests upon the individual believer, each Bahá’í and each institution choosing his role and doing his utmost to bring it to fulfillment. By “constant study of the life-giving Word, the individual will deepen in spiritual understanding and show to the world a mature, responsible, fundamentally assured and happy way of life, far removed from the passions, prejudices and distractions of present day society.”

The fields of service are wide and varied. For example, pioneers and settlers are called upon for the homefront to open new cities to the Faith, to help form new assemblies and to teach among the minority groups of peoples. Travelling teachers will be needed, especially those who can devote extended periods of time. Regular and sacrificial contributions to the Fund by all believers are essential.

The National Teaching Committee stands ready to assist with all the means at its disposal. It will schedule teaching circuits, arrange pioneering and settlement projects, encourage and assist in intercommunity activities and extension teaching, supervise teaching on college campuses and foster youth teaching, and plan and conduct teaching conferences.

The prayers of the committee will join yours for the guidance, assistance and blessings of Bahá’u’lláh in all our efforts.

—NA’l‘IONAI. TEACHING COMMITTEE

Two New Committees Formed to Help Goals Abroad

The foreign goals of the Nine Year Plan for America are extensive and exacting. The American community has been given the privilege of meeting a large number of these goals in the area of the Caribbean Sea. Other widespread objectives, usually in cooperation with other National Spiritual Assemblies have been set in every quadrant of the globe. Examination of the plan for the American community shows targets from Ifni to Kazakhstan, from the Indian Ocean to the Leeward Islands. The plan is both a geography lesson and a call to exercise the spiritual initiative of a dedicated small group of Bahá’ís who will win those goals for the Faith.

In order to assist the new contingent of volunteers who will stake their lives to bring about the expansion of the Cause, two new committees have been named and are already functioning. The Caribbean Goals Committee will manage pioneer affairs for the Caribbean zone (working with all Bahá’í hedonists who have visions of the easy life on a tropic island, with incidental handwaving at teaching and service). All the other farflung centers of activity to be undertaken by the United States are assigned to the careful ministrations of the International Goals Committee. Both committees will stimulate continually the cooperation of the believers, discovering those who can arrange to spend varying life segments abroad in this rewarding

[Page 5]U.S. SUPPLEMENT

way of teaching service. Both committees will screen applicants methodically, and will assist volunteers in every way in order to make possible their service abroad. Thorough orientation and special training of pioneers, assignment and travel assistance, cooperation abroad with other National Assemblies concerned, communication with pioneers at their stations, physical aid and sustaining counsel to those who are needy for whatever cause, reassignment, return and home front placement after pioneering— through these services the committees will help to bring the spirit of Bahá’u’lláh to the new pioneers.

Self-support is the keynote, wherever possible. Duration of assignment is also crucial, since the Bahá’í pioneer is no mere missionary; rather, he represents a way of life which must be proven through many years of devoted effort in each goal.

More than 80 pioneers volunteered for service at the Annual Convention. Hundreds more will be needed, for short and long term assignments, until America’s spiritual primacy has been won. The committees exist to serve the spirit of dedication of those believers who will arise and go forth—soon.

Caribbean Goals Committee

Mrs. Maurine Kraus

Mr. Paul Ioas

Mrs. Estelle Rouse

Mr. Raymond Rouse Mrs. Betty Jennings

Mr. José Martin

International Goals Committee

Mrs. Sylvia Parmelee

Mrs. Joan Crawford

Mrs. Julia Shows

Dr. Jack McKenty

Mr. Mozhan Khádem

Mr. Carl Scherer

Mrs. Loretta Scherer

Caribbean Pioneers Asked to Work Through Committee

Bahá’ís interested in pioneering in the Caribbean area may obtain information regarding job opportunities, living conditions, cost of living, etc., from the Caribbean Goals Committee. Potential settlers are requested NOT to write directly to believers in the Caribbean as this may delay rather than expedite planning. Bahá’ís are also asked not to contact government agencies, chambers of commerce or tourist bureaus. Until the National Assembly can take action to properly inform the various governmental agencies of Bahá’í plans, private correspondence may create the wrong impression.

Communications to the Caribbean Goals Committee should be addressed to: Mrs. Maurine Kraus, secretary, 300 N. Broadway, Yonkers, NY.

World Peace Day September 20. 1964

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

Theme: America’s Role in World Peace

Suggested Materials: Press, radio and TV release, WPD poster, TV slide of poster from National Bahá’í Headquarters.

Bahá’í Peace Program, Dawn of World Peace, The Destiny of America from Bahá’í Publishing Trust.

Reports: Good photographs and reports of outstanding meetings should be mailed by September 20 to Bahá’í News Editorial Committee.

Prayer Powwow to Be Held at Lake Eucha

A Bahá’í Prayer Powwow will be sponsored by the Bahá’í's of Rogers, Arkansas on September 12 and 13 at Lake Eucha, five miles south of Jay, Oklahoma on highways 10 and 59. Bring food for your own group, with enough extra so that each Bahá’í can furnish food for several Indian friends. The Rogers friends will also bring food and will supply all beverages.

Please bring overnight camping equipment, as well as campout utensils and folding chairs. Nearby motels are available for those who do not wish to camp out.

When Moving Consider

Nine Year Goal Plans

Although the Bahá’í year is only in its third month a number of Bahá’í communities which elected or formed local spiritual assemblies last Riḍván, already have fallen back to group status because members have moved away leaving fewer than nine believers able and willing to serve as assembly members. The preservation of all assemblies is critical if we are to achieve the national goal of 600 well-grounded. actively functioning local assemblies by the end of the Nine Year Plan. The National Spiritual Assembly appeals to all Bahá’ís living in communities with fewer than twelve adult members not to move without first notifying the National Assembly and‘without first making every effort to replace themselves with new Bahá’ís. Local spiritual assemblies of small communities are also requested to notify the National Assembly promptly if it is known that any members are contemplating a move.

If moves are essential, however. will the believers

[Page 6]involved please consider settling in a locality where their numbers will count in maintaining or achieving a local assembly. Moves to localities where there are as yet no resident Bahá’ís should be with the intention of remaining as pioneers to open those localities as new centers for the Faith. We are called upon not only to double the number of local assemblies by 1973 but also to raise to 3,000 the centers where Bahá’ís reside. This latter objective calls for settling or enrolling Bahá’ís in 1,300 new towns and cities.

As we now concentrate all our powers and resources on the objectives of the Nine Year Plan let us ponder on the true meaning of these words from one of the many prayers for teaching revealed by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

“O Lord! Suffer me to sever myself from aught save Thee, holding fast to the hem of Thy garment; make me sincere in Thy religion, firm in Thy love and living in accordance with that which Thou has commanded me in Thy Book."

Every Bahá’í Must Pioneer

“Pioneer” is a hard worked word in Bahá’í parlance, and it means, according to Webster's Dictionary, “one who goes before into that which is unknown or untried, to remove obstructions or to prepare the way for others.” Pioneering, in any sense, means a state of mind, as much as anything, a feeling of responsibility toward the Cause, a feeling that if the pioneer doesn’t carry on nothing will get done. Therefore it would seem that a very quick way to fulfill the Guardian’s desire for us is for each one to be a “pioneer,” whether we live in a larger community, a group, or are isolated believers. We can always turn to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for help, and His words on the Bahá’í teacher will help all of us. He said:

“It is a wonderful, priceless boon to be a vessel carrying food from God. It cannot be bought with gold.

“The first condition of a religious teacher is to be AUGUST 1964

Bahá’í Marriages

Phoenix, Arizona: Miss Inge Stahlmecke to Cal Edward Rollins on April 24, 1964

Los Angeles, Calif.: Mrs. Ingrid Hussain to George R. Dantiacq on April 19, 1964

Los Angeles, Calif.: Miss Lorna Marie Hellivell to Said Sapir on April 24-. 1964

Chicago, Illi.nois: Mrs. Luella Briggs to Louis Lloyd on May 10, 1964

Rochester, New York: Miss Lucy Henrietta Newman to Sydney Hollingsworth Gallwey on March 28, 1964

Euclid, Ohio: Miss Sandra Clary to Thomas L. Betts on April 18, 1964

lieve in God; the second, to turn his face toward God; the third, to be severed from all save God. Such teachers will constitute illumined lamps of guidance, the stars of the heaven of mercy, the trees of the orchard of Abhá, flowers of the garden of mystery and torches of the path of salvation.

“Teaching the Cause of God is not only through the tongue; it is through deeds, a good disposition, happiness of nature, kindness and sympathy, good fellowship, trustworthiness, holiness, virtue, purity of ideals, and, lastly, speech.

“The greatest bestowal of God is love. That is the origin of all of the bestowals of God. Until love takes possession of the heart no other great or divine bounty can be revealed in it.”

(First printed in Bahá’í News -‘—’243, May 1951)

[Page 7]1964-1965 Special Events For Proclaiming the Bahá’í Faith to the Public

Date and Event

September 20, 1964 World Peace Day

October 24, 1964 United Nations Day

November 12, 1964 Birthday of Bahá’u’lláh

December 10, 1964 U.N. Human Rights Day

January 17, 1965 World Religion Day

June 13, 1965 Race Unity Day

Theme

America’s Role in World Peace

United Nations and Justice for All

Bahá’u’lláh Speaks to the Modern World

United Nations and Justice for All

Oneness of Religion

Race Unity—Means for Peace

Bahá1 Material Recommended

News & Radio releases

• TV slide of WPD poster
• WPD poster

The Destiny of America Bahá’í Peace Program The Dawn of World Peace

Material suggested by U.N. Committee

Pattern for Future Society

Bahá’í Peace Program

• Special Invitation

Lord of the New Age

The Faith of Bahá’u’lláh

The God Who Walks with Men

Material suggested by U.N. Committee Oneness of Mankind Bahá’í Declaration of Human Rights Faith for Freedom

News & Radio releases

• TV slide of WRD poster

• WRD poster

The Lord Is One

Bahá’í Teachings for a World Faith

One Universal Faith

Bahá’í: World Faith for Modern Man

News & Radio releases

• TV slide of poster
• RAD poster

Man One Family

One World— One Family Bahá’í Answers

• Order from Bahá’í Distribution & Service Dept., 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois

Literature from Bahá’í Publishing Trust, 110 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, Illinois

[Page 8]Proclaiming the Faith to the Public

The EVENTS listed on the other side represent the minimum which the National Spiritual Assembly desires every Bahá’í center—local assembly, group and individual——to use in proclaiming the Faith to the public and in establish ing relations with a larger circle of contacts.

All such events should be directly sponsored, announced and conducted under Bahá’í auspices, and their Bahá’í identity is not to be submerged in any interorganization arrangement. As in the past, many centers will also use occasions other than those listed to proclaim the Faith in their com munities.

Good photographs and reports of outstanding observances should be sent immediately to Bahá’í News Editorial Committee. The United Nations Committee would appreciate having reports on United Nations Day and Human Rights Day.

Preserve and refer to this sheet so that all events can be carefully planned well in advance. In addition to the materials listed, the US. SUPPLEMENT to Baaivi NEWS will carry additional information from time to time.

July 1964 NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY