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The National Spiritual Assembly and the National Trusteeships
For the sake of the newer believers, the National Spiritual Assembly offers this brief explanation of the relationship between the National Assembly itself and the various Trusteeships which legally hold title to national Bahá’í properties: The Temple, Wilhelm property, Wilson property, and three schools at Geyserville, Green Acre, and Davison.
The annually elected National Spiritual Assembly represents the national administrative body of the Faith in the United States, possessing those functions, powers, and responsibilities named by the Guardian and recorded in the Declaration of Trust and By-Laws. It is the National Spiritual Assembly which collects and disperses funds for national and international projects, appoints and supervises all national committees, calls the annual state conventions and the national convention, and exercises final authority on the actions of local spiritual assemblies and individual believers.
However, when it became apparent that the National Spiritual Assembly could not hold legal title to a great diversity of properties, since under American law the individual states incorporate religious bodies and no national religious body exists, experts developed the system under which a property was transferred by the donors, not directly to the National Spiritual Assembly but to “Trustees for the benefit of the National Spiritual Assembly,” under a legal instrument which constituted as Trustees the nine members annually elected to membership on the National Spiritual Assembly. Thus, while the personnel, and therefore the ultimate direction of national properties is unified and co-ordinated with the National Spiritual Assembly, each body of Trustees keeps its own records, holds its own meetings, and maintains its own bank account.
In general the Trustees not only hold legal title but also maintain the property. For example, the schools have maintenance committees appointed by the Trustees, as well as program committees appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly. The program and maintenance committees cannot be identical in membership nor operate as one unified committee. The program committee must report directly to the National Spiritual Assembly; the maintenance committee must report directly to the Trustees. The two committees can meet together for consultation when necessary, but
each committee must make its own recommendations either to the National Spiritual Assembly or to the Trustees.
While this legal arrangement adds greatly to the work of the nine persons elected annually to the National Spiritual Assembly, it has the remarkable advantage that, being separate legal entities, a law suit or claim for damages brought against any body of Trustees could not involve the National Spiritual Assembly or any other body of Trustees. For example, the Temple Trustees could not be held liable for any judgment which a court might render against one of the schools.
At the time this system was adopted, the members of the National Assembly then in office were informed by the attorneys that Trustees for the benefit of any person or body must legally operate as a distinct legal entity and not as an appendage to the individual or body named as beneficiary.
The general background of the American state law regarding religious bodies is that, while all states uphold freedom to build religious buildings and maintain worship, they differ greatly in the amount of property a religious body is allowed to hold. The early Americans were fearful of the encroachment of established religions, as well as of a king or arbitrary government.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
NSA Calls 38 Autumn Conferences To Discuss Newly-launched Program of Reinvigoration
As an integral and vital part of the accelerated homefront campaign, the National Spiritual Assembly is calling another nation-wide series of conferences to be held, in most instances, in the last weekend in October and the first in November. In order to give as wide coverage as possible, assistance was sought from the American Hands of the Cause who have graciously made themselves and members of the Auxiliary Boards available as conference leaders in many of these meetings.
The purpose of this series is two-fold: (1) to discuss with the friends the newly-launched program of reinvigoration of the American Bahá’í community, and (2)
to consult on certain basic administrative principles that need to be clearly understood by every believer if we are to achieve the “administrative expansion” essential to the achievement of our homefront goals given us by Shoghi Effendi in the Ten-Year Plan.
It is exceedingly important that every believer make the utmost endeavor to attend the conference nearest him and to participate actively in the consultation. Local spiritual assemblies and groups should arrange car pools, and each assembly and group is requested to appoint one person to take notes to be shared with the community at the next Nineteen-Day Feast. Also, every believer must present his current identification card, since only registered Bahá’ís may attend.
The agenda for the conferences will include the following:
1. Statement from the National Spiritual Assembly to be presented by the conference leader.
2. Discussion of the elements of the homefront campaign inaugurated by the National Spiritual Assembly.
3. Consultation on the following topics:
A. The meaning and source of “spiritual reinvigoration.”
B. The necessity of understanding the purpose and spiritual principles of Bahá’í administration.
C. “Bahá’í administration” versus “procedure.”
D. The purpose, technique, and results of Bahá’í consultation.
E. Evidences of lack of understanding and failure to apply the principle of consultation on the local level.
F. The appeal from the National Spiritual Assembly for unified action.
4. “Living the Bahá’í life” in (a) the Bahá’í community and (b) in the civil community.
5. Summary of conference and closing remarks.
Following is a list of the places and dates of the conferences and the names of the conference leaders. The address of the meeting place and exact hours will be announced by the various area teaching committees in their bulletins.
Western States
Portland. Ore.
Oct. 25—Arthur L. Dahl Seattle, Wash.
Oct. 26—Arthur L. Dahl Palo Alto, Calif.
Nov. 2—Arthur L. Dahl San Bernardino, Calif.
Oct. 25—Charles Wolcott Pasadena, Calif.
Oct. 26—Charles Wolcott San Diego, Calif.
Oct. 26—Jesma Herbert Fresno, Calif.
Nov. 1—Jesma Herbert Stockton, Calif.
Nov. 2—Jesma Herbert Albuquerque, N.M.
Oct. 25—Edna M. True Phoenix, Ariz.
Oct. 26—Edna M. True Denver, Colo.
Nov. 2—Velma Sherrill Pendelton, Ore.
Nov. 2—Area Teaching Committee Reno, Nev.
Nov. 4—Jesma Herbert
OCTOBER ‘1958
Central States
St. Louis, Mo.
Oct. 25-—Margery McCormick Omaha, Nebr.
Oct. 25-Ellsworth Blackwell Minneapolis, Minn.
Oct. 26—EIlsworth Blackwell Wilmette, 111.
Oct. 25—Horace Holley Milwaukee, Wis.
Oct. 26—Horace Holley Detroit, Mich.
Oct. '26—Charlotte Linfoot Indianoplis, Ind.
Nov. 2—Charlotte Linfoot
Northeastern States
Boston, Mass.
Oct. 25—H. Borrah Kavelin West Englewood, N.J.
Oct. 26—H. Borrah Kavelin New Haven, Conn.
Oct. 2G—F1orence Mayberry Syracuse, N.Y.
Oct. 25—Dr. Katherine True Buffalo, N.Y.
Oct. 26—Dr. Katherine True Philadelphia, Penn.
Oct. 25—Katherine McLaughlin Cleveland. Ohio
Oct. 25—William de Forge Pittsburg, Penn.
Oct. 26—William de Forge
Southern States
Washington, D.C.
Oct. 26—Katherine McLaughli.n Norfolk, Va.
Oct. 25—Curtis D. Kelsey Nashville, Tenn.
Oct. 26—Dr. Sarah Pereira Raleigh, N.C.
Oct. 26—Curtis D. Kelsey Augusta, Ga.
Oct. 29—Curtis D. Kelsey Atlanta, Ga.
Nov. 1—Curtis D. Kelsey Birmingham, Ala.
Nov. 2—Curtis D. Kelsey Louisville, Ky.
Nov. 5—Curtis D. Kelsey Charleston, W. Va.
Nov. 8—Curtis D. Kelsey Little Rock, Ark.
Nov. 2—Margery McCormick
Since not all parts of the country can be covered at this time with the number of Hands, Auxiliary Board, and National Assembly members available, the area teaching committees have been requested to set up additional conferences as soon as possible at which the same agenda will be discussed by a member or members of the committee or others selected by them. These will be announced by the area teaching committees in due course. The friends are urged to give all these conferences their utmost support.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
The Question of ltinerant Believers
There are many circumstances under which itinerant believers render valuable teaching assistance to communities and groups. Among these circumstances are: the believers carrying out a circuit arranged
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U. S. SUPPLEMENT
by the American National Teaching Committee or an area teaching committee; the believers traveling on personal business and taking advantage of this fact to visit and serve some communities and groups enroute; or the believers may be returning home from attending a Bahá’í conference abroad and are willing to share their experience with the friends wherever possible.
A different set of circumstances confronts the friends when a believer travels from city to city expecting to receive personal hospitality from Bahá’ís in each center. Bahá’ís are in no wise bound to respond to such imposition, and it is for the best interests of the Faith to call upon such traveling believers to consult with the local spiritual assembly or group, and make a full and frank explanation of why he is traveling without sufficient funds.
Such cases are to be reported to the National Spiritual Assembly in order that any necessary steps may be taken.
——NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
New Ruling by Internal Revenue Service May Reduce Your Income Taxes
The Internal Revenue Service, in a recent ruling, has held that the actual unreimbursed expenses incurred by a lay member of a church in attending, as a delegate, a church convention are contributions and may be deducted in arriving at taxable income.
Delegates of Bahá’í conventions can therefore deduct as contributions (up to 30 per cent of their income) the unreimbursed cost of traveling expenses and the cost of meals and lodgings while the delegates are away from home overnight. This does not apply to visitors to such conventions.
The deduction would not be limited to conventions only, but would be applicable where a person incurs expenses he bears himself in connection with carrying out authorized projects of the National Spiritual Assembly or other recognized Bahá’í institutions. Expenses for carrying out projects not so approved would not be deductible.
Since the burden of proof is on the taxpayer, it is well to retain written evidence of the official nature of the activity for which the expenses were incurred. Such projects apply only within the United States.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Treasurer's Office To Acknowledge Memorial Contributions With Card
Donors of memorial contributions to the National Bahá’í Fund may now, if they wish, request the Treasurer’s office to send to the family of the deceased a dignified card informing them that a memorial gift has been made by the donor. The card contains the quotation from page 278 of So.me Answered Questions regarding the effect on the souls of the departed of charities made in his name.
The name and address of the recipient of the card should be furnished to the Treasurer’s Office when the donation is sent in.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Courtesy in Correspondence
The National Spiritual Assembly requests believers in communicating with the Assembly to place their personal address as well as the date on the letter, since at the National Headquarters envelopes are not filed with the correspondence. This act of courtesy will save much time in dealing with the great volume of mail received in Wilmette.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
Pamphlet on Special Events Now Issued by New Publisher
The United States Chamber of Commerce no longer publishes the annual pamphlet on special days, weeks, and months in which World Religion Day has been listed since 1952.
Instead, their annual list is now published by Apple Tree Press, 2322 Mallery Street, Flint 4, Mich., under the title, Special Days, Weeks, and Months in 1959 combined with Chase’s Calendar of Annual Events. Copies may be obtained at that address for $1.00 each, postpaid.
The National Assembly has recently applied for listing of Race Amity Day in addition to World Religion Day, as the beloved Guardian urgently requested.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
NSA Aslcs Groups to Appoint
Local Press Representatives
Bahá’í groups that have not yet appointed a Bahá’í press representative are requested to do so promptly and to send the name and address of the representative to the Bahá’í Press Service, 434 Thomas Avenue, Rochester 17, N.Y.
The Bahá’í Press Service will mail to the appointed representatives whatever national and local press releases it prepares for special events. The group is to consult on the best way of handling these releases locally, and all contacts with the local press should be made only by the designated individual after consultation with the group.
—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY
"Child's Way" Magazine Editors
Offer Subscription Suggestions
The editors of Child’s Way Magazine suggest that subscriptions to this publication, which is designed primarily for parents and teachers, be ordered in the name of the adult rather than in a child’s name to facillitate the handling of expiration notices and other details. They also ask that complete addresses, including postal zone numbers, be furnished, and that prompt change of address be reported.
Several requests have been made that single copies of Child’s Way be sold at Bahá’í Centers. The editors have pointed out that the material in the magazine has continuity, and new subscriptions are begun with the first issue in a series. The sale of single copies
OCTOBER 1958
would break the sets.
The National Spiritual Assembly has appealed to the believers to support this publication as the only material now available for the specific purpose of assisting teachers of children, and which communicates the ideas of the National Child Education Committee on the development of the Bahá’í philosophy of education.
A subscription costs $2.00 per year, for six issues, and may be ordered from Child’s Way Magazine, P.O. Box 245, Wilmette, Ill.
NEWS BRIEFS
Aurora, Colo., Bahá’ís have instituted a series of monthly meetings for concentrated study on “Living the Bahá’í Life.” Topics have included: Standards of Bahá’í Conduct, Teaching Oneself, Teaching Others, and Confirmations of the Spirit.
The Shreveport, La., Bahá’í group is now listed in both the alphabetical and business telephone directories, as well as the Chamber of Commerce Guide to the churches of Shreveport, which has a circulation of 25,000 copies.
George Galinkin spoke to the Adult Class of the University Methodist Church of Baton Rouge, La., on June 29. Questions following the talk centered on the Bahá’í teachings, rather than theology or proof. The Baton Rouge group has placed a Bahá’í literature stand in the Trailways Bus Station, and hopes to be able to place one in the Greyhound Bus Station and the airport terminal soon.
Bellaire, Tex, Bahá’ís will be listed in the new issue of the telephone directory under the independent heading of “The Bahá’í World Faith” on the church page.
Twenty-nine people, twenty of them pre-Bahá’ís, attended a late-morning “picnic breakfast” in Ca WORLD CRUSADE BUDGET Sixth Year: 1958-59
Annual Budget: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$450,000.00 Total Requirements: May 1 to August 31 150,000.00 Total Contributions: May 1 to August 31 87,500.00
——NA’I'IONAL Srmrrunr. ASSEMBLY
hoon Park, Roswell, N. Mex., on Sunday, August 3. Eight of the guests, including two youngsters, were Negro, which contributed to the success of the meeting.
Williwick, Ohio, Bahá’ís until recently conducted their fireside with five contacts every second Friday, until one of them asked that the firesides be held more often. Now the classes are held every week, to study Bahá’u’lláh and the New Era.
Seventy adults and many children gathered in the garden of the Mottahedah home in Stamford, Conn., on Sunday, August 3, for a basket lunch. All the Bahá’ís in Connecticut had received an attractive invitation to bring their non-Bahá’í friends. Dr. Genevieve Coy gave a warm, vivid word-picture of her experiences with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, and Dr. Stanwood Cobb gave a stimulating talk on “The Lively Art of Living.”
Marriages
Milwaukee. Wisconsin: Mrs. Martha Evans to Mr. Carl Schmidt on July 25, 1958
Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Mrs. Patricia D. Miller to Mr. Charles Glover on August 1, 1958
Wilmette, Illinois: Miss Arnette Marie Murray to Mr. Victor Rauschel on June 7, 1958
Columbus, Ohio: Miss Bahieh Jalili to Mr. Peter Thomas Petsef on July 5, 1958
Phoenix, Arizona: Miss Alicia Ward to Mr. Edmund John Cardell on August 9, 1958
Wilmette. Illinois: Mrs. Lauretta N. Moore to Dr. Cyril F. Turney on August 19, 1958
Elmhurst, Illinois: Miss Suzanne Martin to Mr. Terrence Boland on May 31, 1958
In Memoriam
Miss Mary Ellen Davidson Hondo, Calif. July 11, 1958
Mrs. Bertha Price San Diego, Calif. July 8, 1958
Miss Nellie J. Roche Nashville, Tenn. July 31, 1958
Mr. Hashim Hassan Wilmette, Illinois August 9, 1958
Mrs. Nelle Heath Evanston, Illinois August 10. 1958
Mrs. Clarissa Bean Flint, Michigan August 5, 1958
Mr. Raymond J. McMahon Los Angeles, Calif. August 3, 1958
Mr. Edmund Finucane Argo, Illinois August 26. 1958
BAHA'I DIRECTORY CHANGES
ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES
Michigan Detroit: Mrs. Helen Woodruff, 4059 Scotten St., Z. 10
Minnesota Duluth: c/o Mrs. Elinor Wolff, 1415 Waverly Avenue
New Jersey Hackensack: Mrs. Mary Louise Suhm. 38 Ross Avenue
Eastern New York New York: Mr. Wm. L. Dunlap, 115-16—170th St., Jamaica 34, L.I.
Western Washington South King County Commissioners District: Mrs. Opal Conner, Chr.. 11705—15th Ave., South, Seattle 88
ADDRESS CHANGES
Arizona Tucson: Mrs. May Verhoeven, 4360 N. 1st Avenue
ADDITIONS TO COMMITTEES
Temple Worship Committee Mrs. Sohayl Hannen
Area Teaching Committee — New England States Mr. Theodore Lucas Miss Katherine Walker
Area Teaching Committee — South Atlantic States Mrs. Ester Davison Mrs. Betty Fiedler Mr. Harry Fiedler
