U.S. Supplement/Issue 94/Text

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[Page 1]

NSA Reports Decisions at September and October Meetings

The National Spiritual Assembly held its September meeting at the Green Acre Bahá’í School in Eliot, Maine, the sessions extending over five and one-half days. This was the first time in fifteen years that an Assembly meeting was held away from Wilmette, except for two brief emergency meetings in London during the World Congress. The decision to meet at Green Acre grew out of the wish of the members, who also comprise the Green Acre Trustees, to make first-hand observation and study of the present condition of the Bahá’í School and neighboring Bahá’í properties, to consult with the Green Acre Bahá’í Council regarding further rehabilitation and improvement of the facilities, and to become acquainted with the Bahá’ís who would be at the school that week-end. To accomplish the latter purpose, the members joined the friends at the Inn for breakfast, dinner and late evening snacks and met on the Saturday evening with the entire group for discussion of questions raised from the floor. There was opportunity also to have consultation on subjects of mutual concern with Mrs. Betty Reed, Secretary of the N.S.A. of the British Isles, and Dr. Douglas Martin, Secretary of the N.S.A. of Canada, who were visiting the school at the same time. There was also one meeting with Hand of the Cause William B. Sears on home front teaching in general and the California Victory Campaign in particular.

Several hours were devoted to consultation on how to meet such growing needs as a permanent and well-staffed public information service, the restoration of World Order Magazine, the establishment of an editorial board to screen, review and edit the increasing number articles of all kinds submitted by Bahá’ís for possible publication. There was also much consultation on the summer youth projects and what should be done to improve and expand them. Of great value to the members were the observations and recommendations of Greg Dahl who had participated in two of the very successful projects of 1965.

As is the case at all meetings, there was much serious consultation on the unhealthy condition of the National Bahá’í Fund, on what needs to be done to insure achievement of the goals of the Nine Year Plan on the home front, and on complicated marriage, divorce and other personal problems, as well as plans for on-the-spot consultation with several local Spiritual Assemblies.

While not all nine members were able to attend all of the sessions, it was on the whole a very productive meeting and all are grateful for the opportunity to meet personally a large number of friends who reside in the New England states, as well as to observe the tremendous strides that have been taken during the past two summers in the rehabilitation and improvement of the Green Acre Bahá’í School.

The October meeting of the National Assembly was held at the National Hazíratu’l-Quds as usual. In addition to consultation and action on communications from the Universal House of Justice, the Hands of the Cause in the Western Hemisphere, and from National Assemblies of several countries, much time and energy had to be devoted to local Assembly and individual problems. Serious consideration was given also to the over-all home front problems, especially the matter of the National Bahá’í Fund.

In view of the large deficit that already exists in the National Fund, and the needs to be met in the next six months, several more hours were devoted to study of what steps must be taken if contributions are not substantially and regularly increased every month during the remainder of the Bahá’í Year. Among the steps considered was the possibility of having to close down one of the permanent Bahá’í schools, to drastically cut the budgets for teaching service, and as a last resort to bring home pioneers still urgently needed to achieve and maintain World Crusade goals abroad. The Assembly voted to bring this precarious situation to the attention of the believers attending the State Conventions and to all the friends individually through Bahá’í News.

Another subject that received much attention was the report of the Community Development Committee that as of October 15 twenty-two communities are in danger

World Religion Day

January 16, 1966

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

Theme: Religion Comes of Age

Suggested Materials: News and Radio releases, WRD Poster from Bahá’í Distribution and Service Department. The Meaning of Worship, Bahá’í Answers and One Universal Faith from Bahá’í Publishing Trust

Note: Please refer to U.S. Supplement of Bahá’í News no. 82, December 1964 article, "Purpose of World Religion Day."

Reports: Reports and good photographs of outstanding observances should be mailed at once to Bahá’í News Editorial Committee. [Page 2]of losing their Assembly status due, in the most part, to members having moved away, and as many more in need of special teaching assistance. Both the Community Development Committee and the National Teaching Committee were instructed to give top priority to preserving all local Spiritual Assemblies even to the extent of sending in settlers if necessary, but it is hoped that this goal can be achieved by the enrollment of new members thus making new potential settlers available for raising large groups to Assembly status.

The most encouraging report came from the Foreign Goals Committee which listed the large number of pioneers who had already gone to the Caribbean area or would be there soon, and the number who had responded to the call for settlers in Latin America. However, the need for settlers for our co-operative goals in Africa is still far from being met, chiefly because of the special requirements as to language, financial resources, and employment.

Again, the summer youth program was given much consultation and it was decided that for 1966 the country would be divided into six regions for purposes of training and increasing the number of summer projects to be undertaken.

The Assembly also recommended to the Bosch Trustees the formation of a Geyserville Bahá’í Council similar to that of the Green Acre Council and to pursue with the Eggleston Trustees the development of a similar Council for Davison Bahá’í School.

A preliminary and very encouraging report was received about the Victory Briefings and about the progress of the Victory Campaign in California. The National Teaching Committee and the Community Development Committee were instructed to co-operate closely and to meet frequently with the Secretariat of the National Spiritual Assembly in following up closely all the goals that were adopted by local Spiritual Assemblies in these two campaigns, with the view to achieving them by Ridván 1966.

—NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY

Consult the National Assembly Concerning Travel to the Middle East

Any Bahá’í planning to travel in the Middle East and particularly in Islamic countries, for any reason whatsoever, should communicate with the National Spiritual Assembly for specific instructions before making any travel arrangements or accepting any business or professional assignments that might require travel to those areas.

Prayers Requested for Troubled Areas

For the information of the American Bahá’ís we are happy to report that in spite of the ravages of war the friends in South Viet Nam are continuing to do wonderful Bahá’í work and to enroll new believers.

So far as we have been able to learn, the Bahá’ís in the Dominican Republic are all safe but their activities are practically paralyzed.

The National Spiritual Assembly asks for the continued prayers of the Bahá’ís for the friends in these and other countries suffering from war and disasters.

Use of Recording of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Voice

Because of the greater availability of recording equipment to all in our society today, and the simplicity with which one may duplicate live sounds as well as other records, many of the believers are reproducing the voice of the Master chanting a prayer, apparently unaware of the Guardian's instructions. In order to bring these instructions to the immediate attention of all believers, we are quoting from Bahá’í Administration, page 55:

"I have addressed a few days ago a cable to the secretary of the National Spiritual Assembly, requesting the friends to exercise restraint and caution in the use and distribution of the record of the Master's voice. In my view, it should be used only on special occasions and be listened to with the utmost reverence. The dignity of the Cause, I am sure, would suffer from too wide and indiscriminate use of one of the most precious relics of our departed Master."

With this direction from our beloved Guardian, the friends should not reproduce this most priceless material without the consent of the National Spiritual Assembly, and those who do already own copies of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s voice should use the utmost discretion when playing the recording.

Calling All Pioneers

The five day Institute at Davison December 27 through 31 will offer a unique opportunity for would-be pioneers that none will want to miss. As announced in October and November issues of the U.S. SUPPLEMENT it is planned expressly for giving information on the ways, customs, cultures and conditions found in other countries, as well as help and inspiration to those longing to bring the Teachings to people in other lands.

It will offer a golden opportunity to meet and know many who have pioneered and to deepen in the knowledge of the Faith, its God given Plans for spread and growth. The following are to be on the staff of instructors: Mrs. Florence Mayberry and Mr. William Maxwell, Auxiliary Board members; Dr. and Mrs. David Earl (who have pioneered many years in the Far East); Mrs. William Maxwell (who has pioneered in island areas); Mr. Jamison Bond, a cultural anthropologist. Others who have pioneered will assist with talks and in leading discussion groups.

This Institute, the first of its kind ever to be held in this country is meant for a workshop and training session and only those who seriously intend to pioneer are urged to attend. Rates: $5.50 per person per day. Send $2.00 deposit with reservations to: FOREIGN GOALS COMMITTEE, 112 Linden Ave., Wilmette, Illinois 60091.

NSA Removes Voting Rights

The national Bahá’í Community is hereby informed of the deprivation of voting rights of Mr. Major Baisden, Jr., now perhaps living in the Sacramento, California area. This revoking of administrative rights is the result of flagrant misconduct. The friends are warned to exercise caution in making any contact with him. [Page 3]

NATIONAL BAHÁ’Í FUND

Monthly Income: 1965-1966

• Regular contributions
• Special contributions & Miscellaneous
• Estates

Local Assemblies Contributing Each Month

Increasing Deficit Threatens Essential Activities

Our financial position worsens with each month that passes. For the first five months of the Bahá’í year, contributions from regular sources have averaged less than $40,000 a month, or only two-thirds of the budget. The large special contributions and estate bequests, which last year totalled almost $223,000 and were a key factor in our great success, have added less than $28,000 this year to date. Truly this shows the danger of placing too much reliance upon these non-recurring sources of revenue.

As a result, in five month, based upon actual expenditures, we have incurred a deficit of $93,270.61. At the rate we are going our working capital will be exhausted before next Riḍván. What happens then? At its October meeting the National Spiritual Assembly consulted long and hard about this dilemma. If a drastic change in the pattern of giving does not occur immediately, the NSA will be faced with two alternatives, each equally unacceptable.

1. We can cut our rate of expenditures by approximately one-third. Since many of these are fixed and out of our control, we will be forced to impose drastic reductions in some of the most constructive, progress-producing activities. For example, we might have to close one or more of the summer schools which were not self-supporting, and bring home many of our pioneers, thus losing vital goals from some of the Plans, and greatly restrict domestic proclamation and teaching activities.

Or 2. We would have to dip into endowment funds which were intended to be held permanently for special or emergency purposes, not used to make up operating deficits. And even these would not last long at the present rate of deficit accumulation.

We know that in many communities the excitement of revitalized teaching efforts are drawing increased contributions to support these worthy activities, which are near at hand and can be easily seen. But if this occurs at the expense of national and international requirements which may be more distant but are just as vital and important, the Faith as a whole will be in real trouble.

Clearly we are facing a financial crisis of the most extreme degree, which requires an increase in the rate of regular contributions on the order of 50%, or an outpouring of large special gifts, out of capital if necessary, for solution. This situation deserves the immediate prayers, thought and dedicated, sacrificial action of every American believer and Bahá’í institution.

ARTHUR L. DAHL, TREASURER NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY [Page 4]

ASSEMBLY SECRETARIES

Arizona North Maricopa County: Mrs. Rhoderoi Myers, P.O. Box 885, Carefree, Zip code 85331

Northern California Monterey: Mrs. Anita Lee, 941 Harrison St. Santa Rosa: Mrs. Claudia McDermott, 1205 13th St. Santa Rosa J.D.: Mrs. Alice Entzminger, 5730 Cuneo Drive, Santa Rosa Stockton: Miss Valerie Wilson, P.O. Box 4232, Zip code 95204 (pro-tem Secretary)

Southern California District #1 Citrus J.D.: Mrs. Billie Palos, 15757 Francisquito Ave., #6, La Puente (to correct name of city) Culver J.D.: Mrs. Sara L. Williams, 3452 Floresta Ave., Los Angeles 43 (to relist Secretary)

Florida Fort Lauderdale: Mrs. Joanne Gilman, 1616 S.W. 18th Ave. (now permanent Secretary) Miami Beach: Mrs. Mara O'Malley, c/o School of P.N. Residence, Mt. Sinai Hospital, 4300 Alton Rd., Zip code 33140

Kansas Lawrence: Mrs. Jan M. Conley, 1619 W. 25th St., Zip code 66044 Topeka: Mrs. Fern Howard, 3130 Munson Ave., Zip code 66604 (now permanent Secretary)

Nevada Sparks: Mrs. Marion West, 1165 Upton Way

Eastern New York Hempstead Twp.: Mrs. Frough Michalchik, 4020 Hahn Ave., Bethpage, L.I.

Western New York Hamburg Twp.: Mrs. May Rubeck, 159 Nash Rd., Hamburg 14075

Eastern Washington Walla Walla: Dr. C. Gordon Fleming, pro-tem, 216 N. Roosevelt, Zip code 99362

NSA-STATE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES

Montana Mr. William Musler, 2001 4th Ave., S., Great Falls 59401 (new address)

INDIAN SERVICE COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE

Mr. Fred Bennett, Butte, Montana - for Montana to replace Mr. William Musler

Bahá’í Marriages

Baltimore, Maryland: Dr. Pari Vahdat to Richard Bauman on July 24, 1965 Ann Arbor, Michigan: Miss Florence C. Hodge to Gerrold S. Bagley on September 12, 1965 Grand Rapids, Michigan: Miss Linda D. Davis to Terence F. Stahelin on August 21, 1965 Rochester, Minnesota: Miss Brenda C. Tuttle to Patrick A. Wyborny on July 10, 1965 Albuquerque, New Mexico: Miss Karen Reed to Hushmand Bahi on July 7, 1965 Santa Fe, New Mexico: Mrs. Lorelei Hunter McConnell to Darrell Bradshaw on July 9, 1965 New York, N.Y.: Miss Carolyn Smith to Joseph J. Mydell on August 22, 1965 Columbus, Ohio: Miss Gail F. Springer to John L. Wilkes on July 3, 1965 Columbus, Ohio: Miss Judith L. Knowles to Douglas George Miller on August 21, 1965 Columbus, Ohio: Miss Judith M. Davison to Peter E. Fox on August 29, 1965 Lima, Ohio: Mrs. Lillian Wilson to Robert Hauenstein on August 13, 1965 Pierce Co., 3rd C.D., Wash.: Mrs. Yvonne Zimmerman to Gerald Thomas on September 3, 1965 Spokane Co., 2nd C.D., Wash.: Mrs. Melissa Marie Daw to Dr. Jesse Hugh Burgess on July 30, 1965 Spokane Co., 2nd C.D., Wash.: Mrs. Martha Edsberg to Charles E. Smith on September 11, 1965 Los Angeles, Calif.: Miss Shirley Ross to Ricardo Macias on September 25, 1965 San Francisco, Calif.: Miss Virginia Gall to John Henning Wooster on June 9, 1965 San Francisco, Calif.: Miss Judith Ann Rutherford to Nathan Ruiz on August 22, 1965 San Francisco, Calif.: Mrs. Rochelle Sohrab to Roy A. Bance on September 29, 1965 West Hollywood, Calif.: Miss Barbara Diana Geraghty to Eli Boraks on September 28, 1965 Oak Park, Illinois: Mrs. Vera G. Burge to Ennis Hogland on September 26, 1965 Winnetka, Illinois: Mrs. Patricia Krivitz to Thomas M. Hanson on October 3, 1965 Santa Fe, New Mexico: Miss Eleanor Jane Nettle to James Franklin Harvey on July 18, 1965 Philadelphia, Penna.: Miss Sandra L. Dixon to William E. Swain, Jr. on October 9, 1965

Washington, D.C.: Miss Sylvia Watson to H. Paul Norton on September 1, 1965 Washington, D.C.: Mrs. Gypsy Gonzales Davis to Richard Goines on September 5, 1965 Champaign, Illinois: Miss Loraine Cutler to Edward Arsenault on September 1, 1965 Chicago, Illinois: Miss Bonnie McNitt to Donald L. Petit on August 6, 1965 Chicago, Illinois: Miss Janet Van Fleet to James J. Keene on August 16, 1965 Urbana, Illinois: Mrs. Kathleen Norris Baudot to James Lee Stephens on August 22, 1965 Wilmette, Illinois: Miss Bonita L. Strang to Indravadan N. Dhruv on June 13, 1965 (non-Bahá’ís) Wilmette, Illinois: Miss Mary Holtz to Lawrence A. Grable on June 19, 1965 (non-Bahá’ís) Wilmette, Illinois: Miss Gale Geist to Douglas G. Vance on July 17, 1965 (non-Bahá’ís) Wilmette, Illinois: Miss Farzaneh Rabbani to Arbury Jack Guillebeaux on July 29, 1965 Winnetka, Illinois: Miss Sharon Barnes to Dennis Couzin on July 17, 1965 (non-Bahá’ís) Winnetka, Illinois: Miss Holly Theodora Habhegger to Roger Walton Day on July 25, 1965

In Memoriam

Paul H. Bray Altadena, Calif. September 2, 1965

Rene V. Gasse San Francisco, Calif. September 27, 1965

Dr. Bertha E. Harmon Ft. Lauderdale, Florida September 16, 1965

Mrs. Florence D. Keemer Sacramento, Calif. October 3, 1965

Mrs. Katherine R. McGinnes Harrisburg, Penna. September 28, 1965

Mrs. Lina Perron Los Angeles, Calif. October 15, 1965

Mrs. Florence H. Wilburt Woodburn, Oregon October 3, 1965