No. 88 BahA'i Year 132 May 1975

I

Ridvh Message of The Universal House of Justice

Insert to The American Bah6'i published by the National Spiritual As- sembly of the United States for Bahl'fs only.

112 Linden Av., Wilmette, Ill. 60091

OCCASION MOST GREAT FESTIVAL WE CONTEMPLATE WITH THANKFUL HEARTS ACHIEVEMENTS FIRST YEAR FIVE YEAR PLAN ELECTION THIS RIDVAN FIVE NEW NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES FOUR IN AFRICA ONE IN ASIA. DESPITE WORSENING PLIGHT MORIBUND CIVILIZATION EVIDENCES GATHERING CLOUDS WIDESPREAD OPPOSITION DIVINE MESSAGE BELIEVERS THROUGHOUT WORLD FORGING AHEAD ACCOMPLISHMENT GOALS. THREE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SIX PIONEERS ALREADY SETTLED ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO PREPARING PROCEED POSTS. NEW WORLDWIDE TRAVEL TEACHING PROGRAM DESIGNED BY INTERNATIONAL TEACHING CENTER NOW BEING LAUNCHED BY NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLIES IN CONSULTATION COUNSELLORS BELOVED HANDS CAUSE ADVANCING VANGUARD ARMY LIGHT LENDING CONSTANT LOVING GUIDANCE ENCOURAGEMENT PROTECTION FRIENDS LABORING DIVINE VINEYARD. WORLD CENTER FAITH RICHLY BLESSED THROUGH ACQUISITION HOLY HOUSE MASTER BIRTHPLACE SHOGHI EFFENDI WITHIN WALLS AKKA WILL EARLY WITNESS ON CONSECRATED SOIL SLOPES MOUNT CARMEL INITIATION EXCAVATION FOUNDATIONS PERMANENT SEAT UNIVERSAL HOUSE JUSTICE AND IN ITALY SIGNATURE CONTRACT MARBLE REQUIRED MAJESTIC EDIFICE. AT THIS CRITICAL JUNCTURE HUMAN HISTORY THREE MAJOR OBJECTIVES PLAN AND ITS SPECIFIC GOALS PRESENT DISTINCT INSISTENT CHALLENGE TO EACH INDIVIDUAL BAHA'I ADULT YOUTH CHILD TO EACH BAHA'I FAMILY TO EACH LOCAL COMMUNITY

7'- AND ABOVE ALL TO EACH LOCAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY WHOSE DEVELOPMENT IS VITAL SUCCESS

FIVE YEAR PLAN AND PROGRESSIVE UNFOLDMENT DIVINELY ORDAINED BAHA'I: SOCIETY. MAY REMAINING THREE HUNDRED NINETY-FIVE PIONEERS SPEEDILY ARISE AND ARMY VOLUNTEERS RESPOND NEWLY LAUNCHED TRAVEL TEACHING PROGRAM NATIONAL LOCAL ASSEMBLIES INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS URGED CONTRIBUTE UNSTINTINGLY TlME EFFORT OUTPOURING MATERIAL RESOURCES SUPPORT EVERY PHASE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN COMING YEAR APPEAL BELIEVERS EVERY LAND JOIN US PRAYERS SUPPLICATION BLESSED BEAUTY GUIDE SUSTAIN PROTECT HIS DEVOTED FOLLOWERS IN THEIR DEDICATED EFFORTS PURIFY THEIR SOULS RAISE HIS BANNER SERVE HIS CAUSE.

April 4, 1975 UNIVERSAL HOUSE O F JUSTICE

Fiftieth anniversary message from the Supreme Body PORTENTOUS OCCASION FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY FORMAL ESTABLISHMENT NATIONAL SPIRITUAL' ASSEMBLY B A H ~ ~ S UNITED STATES RECALL WITH PRIDE ADMIRATION PREEMINENT STATION CONFERRED AMERICAN BAHA'I COMMUNITY CENTER COVENANT PREPONDERATING ROLE ALREADY ASSUMED WORLDWIDE PROMOTION FAITH GLORIOUS ACHIEVEMENTS UNMATCHED RANGE MAGNITUDE ENTIRE BAHA'I WORLD PAST HALF CENTURY. CALL UPON THIS HIGHLY BLESSED DISTINGUISHED COMMUNITY CONTEMPLATE ITS UNDOUBTED DUTIES PRIVILEGES PURGE 1TS SOUL ALL WORLDLY ENTANGLEMENTS REDEDICATE ITS ENERGIES RESOURCES IMMEDIATE TASKS ARISE SINGLE-MINDEDLY PERFORM HISTORIC MISSION RENDER SUCH SERVICES ATTAIN SUCH SACRIFICIAL HEIGHTS PROVE WORTHY BRILLIANT FORBEARS HEROIC AGE FAITH.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE P Apr~l 24, 1975

2 Review

National Assembly response to anniversary message MOVED EXPRESS PROFOUND GRATITUDE YOUR POTENT MESSAGE OCCASION 50TH ANNIVERSARY OUR NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY. EVENT HIGHLIGHTED BY OUTSTANDING PARTICIPATION BELOVED HAND CAUSE SEARS'ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS BY DYNAMIC PRESENCE COUNSELLORS PEREIRA TRUE BY MOVING TRIBUTE PRESIDENT VILLAGE WILMETTE WHO PRESENTED FORMAL CONGRATULATORY RESOLUTION BEHALF VILLAGE TRUSTEES BY RELEASE ANNIVERSARY BOOKLET BY DISTINCT GROWTH MATURITY DELIBERATIONS CONVENTION. SAME ASSEMBLY MEMBERS OFFICERS RETURNED. WHOLEHEARTEDLY ACCEPT CHALLENGES PRESENT HOUR CONFIDENT SUSTAINING GRACE LORD HOSTS. LOVING RIDVAN GREETINGS.

April 28, 1975 BAHA'I WILMETTE

Cablegrams to and from the National Convention DEEPLY MOVED SPIRIT CONVENTION PRESENCE HAND CAUSE SEARS COUNSELLORS TRUE PEREIRA REDEDICATION ARDENT EFFORTS ARISE OPPORTUNITIES EVERY CHALLENGE ACHIEVE GOALS PLAN. OFFERING FERVENT LOVING PRAYERS HOLY SHRINES SUCCESS CONFIRMATION ALL WORTHY ENDEAVORS.

UNIVERSAL HOUSE O F JUSTICE

April 28, 1975 .

GRATEFULLY APPRECIATE CABLE REPORTING ANNIVERSARY EVENT. ASSURE MEMBERS ASSEMBLY FERVENT PRAYERS HOLY THRESHOLD BESEECHING DIVINE CONFIRMATIONS THEIR DEVOTED EFFORTS CRUCIAL PERIOD NOW CONFRONTING AMERICAN BAHA'~ COMMUNITY.

May 1. 1975 UNIVERSAL HOUSE OF JUSTICE

DELEGATES ASSEMBLED 66TH ANNUAL CONVENTION BLESSED PRESENCE HAND SEARS COUNSEL- LORS PEREIRA TRUE AUXILIARY BOARD REJOICING PURCHASE HOLY HOUSE 'ABDU'L-BAHA ESTABLISHMENT 5 NEW PILLARS HOUSE JUSTICE. WILMETTE DIGNITARIES JOINED IN TRIBUTE 50TH ANNIVERSARY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. CONVENTION PLEDGES SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION SEAT HOUSE JUSTICE. DEEPLY CONCERNED EXPANSION FAITH REDEDICATE HEARTS ENERGIES RESOURCES ACHIEVE GOALS PLAN. JOINING IN PRAYERS HOLIEST HOUSE WORSHIP GUIDANCE PROTECTION PURIFICATION ALL BELIEVERS BECOME CHANNELS SPIRIT.

April 27, 1975 66TH ANNUAL CONVENTION UNITED STATES

Annual report of the National Spiritu A year of highlights has just ended. Most significant was the completion of the

gradual launching of the Five Year Plan in three dramatic phases: The first was the announcement of the Plan at the last National Convention by the Hand of the Cause Paul Haney, representative of The Uni- versal House of Justice on that occasion; the second was the discussion of measures for its execution at an unprecedented meeting which drew together the three Hands of the Cause in North America, all members of the Institution of the Continental Coun- sellors, the members of the National Spiritual As- sembly and representatives of major committees concerned with various aspects of the teaching work;

:orcis we the occ: ,"--Ll-.

:re made ision for ,,,LA,

the third \ idely celebrated St. Louis Confer- ence which by ~ t s sheer size alone was a record event. Other re( there, too. It was, for instance, the largest gathering of Local A S ~ C I I I U I ~ I I I I Z I ~ ~ U ~ I S in a meeting designed especially for them; it accommodated the largest number of Bahi'i children ever to gather in a prog- ram particularly planned for them.

A further enumeration of this year's highlights would include the following events and accom- ' plishments:

-e were t ms for tb

he launchings of special teaching e states of California, Illinois, and

Mav 1975

New York and for the District of Columbia -altogether a response to the goal of the Five Year Plan calling for the development of "inten-

P sive teaching and consolidation plans in at least three states, chosen from among those visited by 'Abdu'l-Bahi, designed to attract great numbers to the Cause of BahP'u'llah thereby initiating a pro- cess leading to the entry into the Faith by troops alluded to by the Master."

There was the launching of a two year youth program.

There was the opening of John and Louise Bosch Bahi'i School, the replacement for Geyser- ville.

There was a holding in Wilmette of a confer- ence on teaching among the American Indians. Its participants included two Auxiliary Board mem- bers, Miss D. Thelma Jackson and Mrs. Nancy Phillips, as well as a number of Indian believers and teachers from different parts of the country with experience in this field.

There was, of course, the visit of Amatu'l-Bahi Rdhiyyih u 6 n u m whose presence at the St. Louis Conference heightened the significance of the event.

There were also the visits of the Hands of the Cause A. Q. Faizi and Collis Featherstone, and three members of The Universal House of Justice, Mr. Amoz Gibson, Mr. Charles Wolcott, and Mr.

f-' Borrah Kavelin.

The cumulative effect of these and other develop- ments can be seen in the increase of localities from 5,301 last Ridvin to 5,453 this Ridvin; the increase in the number of Local Spiritual Assemblies from 920 last Ridvin to 954 during the course of the year. Our current information on the results of the recent local elections is insufficient to make possible a statement of the precise number of Local Spiritual Assemblies that can be recognized at the moment; however, all indications are that we will realize a gain over last year's record.

The record of our achievements in the interna- tional field indicates the I inching of the Plan and the subsequ ~ s e d num- bers of pioneers have hi ~nity. The International Goals Committee reports that 113 pioneers have settled at Five Year Plan Goals. The call last Ridvin was for 120, a number recently increased to 305. The Committee further reports that 139 itinerant teachers, including participants in or- ganized summer projects, went abroad during the year. Of these, 30 were youth. The Committee has observed the growing maturity in pioneers and a consequent decrease in the number of returnees from

f' pioneer posts. A solid result of the activities abroad has been the formation of a Local Spiritual Assembly

impact t h lent call 1 ad on tht

at the la1 For increi : commi

in Grand Turk. The Five Year Plan identifies the consolidation of the Turks and Caicos Islands as a goal of the United States community.

Youth

The appeal in the Five Year Plan for the lavish expenditure of the youth's "vast reservoir of spiritual energy'' on the work of the Cause has been translated into a Two Year Youth Program which was launched at the St. Louis Conference. A Youth Committee was appointed to assist in the prosecution of this program. Drawing upon the resources of the Na- tional Teaching Committee, National Education Committee and International Goals Committee, whose Secretaries form a part of its unique member- ship, the Youth Committee has laid the groundwork for activities this summer which will hopefully thrust the youth into the forefront of the teaching work. A number of state and district youth conferences are to be held in June. Notable among the efforts of the youth this year have been the participation of twenty in international teaching circuits, the settlement of six at foreign posts, and the involvement of 141 in domestic circuit-teaching activities. An activity which augurs well is the work/study program which brought 25 youth to the National Bahi'i Center dur- ing the year. The participants devoted their time to the job assignments in the National Offices and the study of Bahi'i administration in formal classes.

Education of the Baha'i Community

The education of the Bahi'i community was boosted by the large numbers of local and regional conferences enjoying the sponsorship of Local Spiritual Assemblies, Auxiliary Board members and teaching committees; and by the earnest attempts of the National Education Committee to advance the development of Bahi'i Schools. The Committee ab- sorbed the functions of the National Bahi'i School Committee and has been vigorous in its initiatives to broaden the understanding of the three councils and eighteen committees which it guides in the effective implementation of school programs. A glimpse of the Committee's vitality and inherent capacity could be seen in the conferences on family life which it planned and executed. A major challenge to the Committee, then, is to nurture this effort to fruition in concert with the emphasis of the Five Year Plan on family life development. .Another equal challenge to the Committee is to amplify the effective utilization of materials produced for the Comprehensive Deepening Program. To this end the Committee has instituted a task force to demonstrate ways in which individuals and communities may derive full benefit from the program materials, the development of

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which exacted an immense investment of time and energy.

Development of Local Spiritual Assemblies

Another boost to the education of the community was produced by the steps taken directly by the National Spiritual Assembly in relation to LocalAs- semblies. These steps included the session held with Local Assembly members attending the St. Louis Conference; review of Local Assembly minutes; meeting with members of Local Assemblies in the states of Illinois and New York following the launch- ing of their state plans; special attention given to the Local Spiritual Assemblies of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Chicago, New York. The National Assembly has been helping these par- ticular Assemblies to develop teaching and consoli- dation plans as it is felt that their success is vital to the wider success of the Faith in the United States. The work with Local Assemblies was also marked by the increased effort of the National Assembly to give individualized attention to the needs of certain As- semblies. National Spiritual Assembly representa- tives were dispatched to numerous Assemblies as the need was demonstrated for personal contact with these Assemblies. Among the duties assigned to these representatives are the following: gathering on-the-spot information, clarifying important Na- tional Assembly correspondence, transmitting ad- vice on perplexing administrative questions, con- ducting seminars. As a result of such actions, im- provement in the functioning of many Assemblies has been discernible. The experiences gained from these activities this year have sharpened the National Assembly's perception of the needs of Local As- semblies and suggested methods by which such needs may be met. It has therefore been determined that the training of Local Assemblies must im- mediately evolvea from sporadic seminar sessions to a comprehensive program of development in which 'the Local Spiritual Assemblies will immerse them- selves. Such a program has been devised and will be launched during the course of the coming year. The program calls for bold new efforts from both the National Spiritual Assembly and the Local Spiritual Assemblies-from the former, an investment of time, imagination, energy, and unprecedented mat- erial resources; from the latter, the readiness of their response to the newly-proffered opportunities for rich growth in the understanding of their functions. The Department of the Secretariat in Haifa has writ- ten to express the "fervent hope" of The Universal House of Justice that "this ambitious program may fulfill its hoped for objectives."

The issuance of Bah6'i publications is, of course,

a most effective way of fostering the education of the community. In this regard, the accomplishments of the Bahi'i Publishing Trust reaffirm its capacity to vitalize the education of the friends. It is a mark of -7 the great expansion of the Trust that the Publishing Committee finds the list of items reprinted this year too lengthy to enumerate in its annual report. Among the outstanding materials in preparation at the Trust is the second volume of messages from The Univer- sal House of Justice.

In the field of periodical literature, great im- provements were made. The 50th anniversary of Baha'i News was marked by the introduction of a new format and the use of color. World Order has developed sufficiently in content and design to ap- peal to a wider readership outside the Bahh'i com- munity. A subscription consultant has advised the . editors to consider advertising on a large scale to attract non-Bah6'i readers. The lack of funds, how- ever, prevents the editors from proceeding with his recommendations for an advertising campaign. Child's Way has maintained a perfect record of timely publication. Subscriptions to it increased. Unfortunately, the editor, Mrs. Helen Sousa, whose diligence has kept the magazine from folding, is unable to continue in her editorial capacity. A search has therefore to be instituted to find a capable re- placement.

Due to the increase in the costs of paper and printing, a decision has had to be made to increase T? the subscription rates to the magazines.

Proclamation

The community continues to enlarge its efforts to proclaim the Faith through the use of the press and other forms of mass media. The publicity generated by the St. Louis Conference was widespread. The National Information Committee credits the confer- ence for 200 inches of newspaper coverage and in- terviews on 15 radio and 4 television stations. The Committee records indicate that between 29 August and 28 March, 167 independent stories totalling 1,821 column inches appeared in newspapers with a combined circulation of more than six million.

To exploit further the evident opportunities for wider publicity, the Committee appointed an infor- mation officer in the person of Mrs. Beth McKenty. Her success in contacting the editors of major na- tional newspapers, magazines, wire services, radio and television networks was immediate. These have included Time, Newsweek, Associated Press, United Press, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Voice of America, CBS T V . Several editors have shown interest in covering the 50th anniversary of the National Spiritual Assembly.

To extend even further the efforts to reach the T

press, Regional Information Committees are being -

May 1975

established in New York, Illinois and ~a l i forn ia . These augment three state information services func- tioning in Georgia, Arkansas/Missouri, and Mas-

p sachusetts. At the same time public information rep- - resentatives are maintained in other states. With re-

gard to radio, the National Information Committee has succeeded in developing several series of radio programs of varying lengths.

Proclamation of the Faith is also greatly facilitated through the vehicle of special events, such as com- memorative occasions, observances and the like. One such occasion is International Women's Year 1975. With the powerful support of the National Teaching Committee many local Baha'i com- munities are adopting befitting activities which will enable them to demonstrate the genuine concern of the Faith for the rights of women. In aid of this effort, the Spring 1975 issue of World Order magazine carries articles, documents and informa- tion for use during this special year.

Another occasion which lends itself to proclama- tion of the Faith is the 50th anniversary of the Na- tional Spiritual Assembly. It was decided to publish a special anniversary booklet for proclamation pur- poses. Not wishing itself to engage in elaborate celebrations, the National Spiritual Assembly determined to hold a comnlemorative devotional program in the House of Worship to which village officials and ordinary residents of Wilmette would

p be invited. An attractive invitation was published in the Wilmette Life. Members of the press were also invited to the event.

The appearance of Volume XIV of The Bahd'i World has presented yet another opportunity to pro- claim the Cause. The National Spiritual Assembly will present a copy each to the President of the United States, officials of the Federal Government, and governors of states. Local Assemblies will be asked to make similar presentations to local offi- cials, newspaper editors, and libraries.

The National Spiritual Assembly perceives in the Bicentennial of the United States rich opportunities to proclaim the Cause. Contacts have been made with the American Revolution Bicentennial Ad- ministration, which has evinced a strong desire for Bahh'i representation at the conference of religious leaders being co-sponsored by the Bicentennial Ad- ministration and the Interfaith Center. A Bicenten- nial Commission has requested a letter to the citizens of its city expressive of the Bahh'iview on "regener- ation of spirituality" in its city and America. The Commission states: "We, then, will see that your message is broadcast throughout the land. From this we will attempt to put your words into operation. The base may be small, but the goal is large and certainly significant." The National Spiritual As- sembly has responded to this request. It remains to

be seen what the Commission will do. A special committee of the National Spiritual As-

sembly has been established to recommend ways in which the Bah6'i community may exploit the Bicen- tennial activities to proclaim the Faith. The editors of World Order are planning a special edition of the magazine to mark the occasion; it will appear next winter. Moreover, a contract has been signed for a full-page color advertisement in the special Bicen- tennial issue ofLife magazine which will appear next fall.

Until now the Bahi'i House of Worship remains the most effective instrument of Bahh'i proclama- tion. Its uniqueness daily increases its magnetism and fame. From last April to this March 192,502 visitors have been through its doors; 15,305 of these came in 378 tour groups. The devotional character of the Temple has taken on added significance since the Auditorium is being opened daily at 8 A.M. for the friends who wish to pray and meditate between that time and 10 A.M. Furthermore, effective steps were taken during the year to augment the choir with Bah6'i voices.

Properties

The challenge to maintain and manage Bahh'i properties is far from being adequately met. The maintenance needs alone, if adequately addressed, would require over two million dollars this year. As will be shown in the Treasurer's Report, such a sum is impossible to us under the present circumstances. The most satisfying achievement in maintenance this year has been the reupholstering and refinishing of the twelve hundred chairs in the Auditorium of the House of Worship. An earmarked gift received by the National Spiritual Assembly will make possible the replacement of the drapes in the clerestory.

The necessity of acquiring properties abroad be- fore inflation worsens decided the National Spiritual Assembly on instructing the National Properties Committee to endeavor to secure these properties during the first year of the Plan. Our estimate of the total cost is $500,000. A National Haziratu'l-Quds and a National Endowment have been acquired in the Bahamas. The National Spiritual Assembly of Togo has requested and received a sum of $10,000 for the acquisition of a temple site in or near LomC.

Overview

We conclude this report with a few observations. There appears to be no record which demonstrates

dramatic expansion of the community as a whole or in any particular instance this year. Yet, the oppor- tunities for teaching, and the discernible open- mindedness induced by the present state of society, suggest that far better than modest gains are im- mediately possible to the community. And it is not

Review

for lack of the stimulation of teaching conferences that the community is not expanding according to existing possibilities. The National Assembly senses strongly that the activities of the friends need to be channeled with more forethought and through the application of a more systematic approach to our various activities than now obtains. In a word, we must become more goal oriented, more persistent in our attempts at attaining objectives, but less frenetic.

Our enrollments at present fall short of the expec- tations generated by the current numerosity of con- ferences. Could it be that conference activity has become an end in itsetf? These, the Assembly feels, are questions which a community on the verge of unexploited possibilities for unprecedented expan- sion must now consider. And the Assembly is not suggesting that conferences be stopped. Far from it. Let us have conferences, but let us also teach. Nor is the Assembly suggesting that there is any particular magic formula of teaching. that must be found. We have long experimented with that notion. The persis- tent exercise of the ordinary processes of teaching as described by the beloved Guardian is capable of producing the most astounding results even now. What we need are mature, sensitive, enthusiastic teachers to raise the Divine call to a high pitch by every suitable method and in every stratum of human society. We must, as soon as possible, establish a proper balance between the number of conferences being held and the practical measures taken by indi- viduals and Local Assemblies to teach the Cause and to consolidate communities.

To this end, the National Spiritual Assembly has conceived a design for holding conferences which will be initiated in the coming year. The design calls for the holding of a specified series of large and small conferences throughout the Five Year Plan. Each year there will be several large conferences followed by many small ones. All would be planned simul- taneously. These conferences, large and small, would adopt the same theme but with different pur- poses. The theme would identify a particular subject or area of concern-for example, expansion and personal teaching, community life, family life, youth development, education of children-on which the conference would focus.

The large conference, intended to reach a signifi- cant portion of the Bahi'ipopulation covering, say, a region of the country or a state, would have the following purposes:

1 . Motivation-i.e., stimulating the believers to pursue the goals of the Five Year Plan; 2. Setting objectives, or focusing the whole con- ference on a particular subject or area of concern which needs their attention and action; 3. Preparation for the small follow-up confer- ences, which means announcing the dates and

locations of such conferences at which the friends could concentrate on the practical actions to be thken in order to achieve certain designated objec- tives.

Essentially it would be the purpose of the large conference to arouse the interest of the friends in a particular subject and to stimulate them to take ac- tion to achieve the objectives relating to that subject.

The essential purpose of the small conferences would be to train the Local Spiritual Assemblies and the believers at the grass roots to take immediate action on the objectives already cited at the large conference. Thus, the large conference should be seen as the mainspring from which courses of practi- cal action would be followed through the instrumen- tality of the small conferences.

The adoption of this conference design suggests certain ultimate advantages. Some of these are: 1) coordination to maximum advantage of the limited human and material resources available to the na- tionaI community; 2) elimination of excessive con- ference activities; 3) establishment of the basis for measuring to some extent the results of conferences.

It is the hope of the National Spiritual Assembly that with such a planning of conferences, the time will come soon when it can publish a national calendar-a calendar around which, on the one hand, the national community could rally, and against which, on the other hand, Local Assemblies could determine how to arrange their own local ac- tivities without fear of conflicting with nationally sponsored programs.

The first in the series of conferences, according to the design already described, will be held in lllinois and New York during August 1975, and in Califor- nia in December 1975.

Turning again to our property needs, we continue to be hamstrung by the lack of funds.

The refurbishment of the Temple must con- tinue.

The school properties must be better main- tained. Perhaps, this is the occasion to announce the decision of the National Spiritual Assembly to proceed with a plan to rebuild the Davison School. The project will take an estimated one million dollars.

Steps to protect the lakefront property in Wil- mette against government encroachment must also be considered and implemented.

The provision of adequate office space at the National Bahii'i Center must be satisfied at the soonest possible date. The current buildings have been extended to the limits possible.

The overall estimate of the property needs as they

Mav 1975 7

have been listed would come to roughly $5,000,000.

Our administrative developments have been

/- marked by a dynamic cohesion which is occurring at the core. It was greatly enhanced by the two joint - meetings which have occurred between the Conti- nental Board of Counsellors and the National Spiritual Assembly, but especially aided by the cir- cumstances which brought together on May 28, 1974, the three Hands of the Cause residing in North America, all four Continental Counsellors, all mem- bers of their Auxiliary Boards, all members of the National Spiritual Assembly and the representatives of major committees concerned with the teaching work. The purpose of this historic gathering was to become familiar with the plans which had been de- veloped and to become acquainted with the major participants in the execution of these plans. The occasion produced an exhilarating aftermath and helped to generate the collaborative actions of the Continental Board of Counsellors and the National Spiritual Assembly throughout the year. As a conse- quence of this meeting the following cable was re- ceived from The Universal House of Justice:

DEEPLY GRATIFIED RESULTS JOINT MEETING HANDSCAUSE COUNSELLORS MEMBERS AUX- ILIARY BOARDS YOUR ASSEMBLY FERVENTLY SUPPLICATING BLESSED BEAUTY GUIDE CONFIRM YOUR COMBINED EFFORTS BEHALF HIS CAUSE

This administrative cohesiveness took on new measures on the work of national committees. It was felt rime and again in the many joint meetings held by various combinations of these committees and was remarkably demonstrated on March 8 when five committees-National Teaching Committee, Na- tional Education Committee, National Youth Com- mittee, National Information Committee, and Inter- national Goals Committee-met jointly among themselves and with the National Spiritual Assembly to explore the means by which they might integrate the separate objectives for which they hold confer- ences. This was a inove to assist the National Spiritual Assembly to execute a new design for the holding of conferences. Among the benefits of this growing cohesiveness are the discernible improve- ment in the quality of work performed at the National Center and an increasing ability to achieve excel- lence. New capacities for service will undoubtedly result from the continuation of this development.

A few more words in conclusion: The National Spiritual Assembly warmly acknowledges the un- failing support which the United States Baha'i com-

fp munity has received from the beloved Hands of the

Cause who have been constant in their efforts to stimulate the activities of the friends. We have al- ready referred in this report to the visits of Mr. Faizi and Mr. Featherstone. We have also published in The American Bahb'i the activities of Mr. Robarts, who not only attended the exciting meeting we had in Wilmette with all the North American Hands and the entire membership of the Institution of the Continen- tal Counsellors, who not only attended and partici- pated in the St. Louis Conference, but also gave his services in a most dynamic way to the Green Acre School last summer. We are particularly mindful of the tremendous power of the participation of the Hands of the Cause Khadem and Sears in the launch- i n g ~ of the teaching plans in the three states.These same occasions brought into sharp focus the further support which the American BahL'i community re- ceives from the Continental Board of Counsellors. The intensive activities of their Auxiliary Boards in nourishing the endeavors of the believers are obvious throughout the land.

With these clear evidences of God's grace to us, we may confidently proceed, then, with our united efforts to meet the challenges and attain the victories which lie before us.

Positions at National Center Immediate openings have developed at the National BahL'i Center for those trained as executive sec- retaries. Required skills include fast, accurate typ- ing; good shorthand; knowledge of filing systems; ability to compose letters and administrative experi- ence within the Faith. Applicants should have a minimum of three years' experience. If you qualify, please send your r6sumC and letter of recommenda- tion from your Local Spiritual Assembly to: Person- nel Affairs Assistant, National BahB'i Center, 112 Linden Avenue, Wilmette, lIlinois 60091.

Warning The National Spiritual Assembly wishes to warn

the believers to beware of any involvement with a Baha'i who claims to be a member of the Baha'i community in Phoenix, Arizona, namely Jim Riplie. There are warrants for his arrest issued by Maine, New Hampshire, and Arizona.

The friends are also warned against becoming involved in any dealings with Martin Smith, for- merly a member of the BahB'i community of Glen- coe, Illinois. Mr. Smith has been deprived of his Baha'i administrative rights for flagrant misconduct.

8 Review

National Bah2i Fund

Plan goals a challenge to Baha'is at critical juncture history To: All Local Spiritual Assemblies and Bahb'i has grown from 36 in 1925 to the present number of Groups 956. The full story of the events during these

Dear Bahi'i Friends: We have reached a most historic moment in the

development of our National Community. The Na- tional Spiritual Assembly this year is observing its fiftieth anniversary. It was in 1925 that delegates from all parts of the United States gathered at Green Acre in Eliot, Maine. There they called into being the body which was later affirmed by Shoghi Effendi as the first duly-elected National Spiritual Assembly of the Bah6'is of the United States and Canada.

From our present vantage point, we can see a vast panorama of achievements since the first election of the National Spiritual Assembly. The American Bah6'i community has played a major role in the erection of five Houses of Worship including the Mother Temple of the West in Wilmette, Illinois. This Community helped construct the Shrine of the Bib and the International Archives Building. Over a thousand pioneers have stepped forward from these shores to carry the Faith into the remotest corners of the globe. The number of Local Spiritual Assemblies

Contributions

s 200 000

Jalil Year (Glory) ro Date

Budget Goal $137,000 $2,603,000 Contributions 141,109 2,318,729

Overage (Shortage) $ 4,109 $ (284,271)

momentous years must await the reports of future historians.

One source of strength and inspiration enabling the National Spiritual Assembly to achieve these victories has been the unfailing financial support of the American believers. It is interesting to note that in 1925 the average monthly income from cont r ih- tions was $1,95&1ess than 2 percent of our present monthly income.

Though we look back on an interesting and his- toric past, we should keep in mind that history is also being made today. Future generations will recall this moment, the time of the Five Year Plan, and wonder at our accomplishments. We pray that God will sustain our efforts in winning victories for His Cause.

With loving Bahi'i greetings, NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF

THE BAHA'~s OF THE UNITED STATES Dorothy W. Nelson, Treasurer April 19, 1975

ANNUAL

folml Number of A~sembliss Conhibvtlng

750 - GOAL B Y RIOVA;~ 1975

7 0 0 - -.-...-....-..-. "" ...--- "--

Contributions may be addressed to: National BahP'i Fund, 112 Linden Ave.. Wilmette, Illinois 60091; Baha'i International Fund. P.O. Box 155. Haifa. Israel: and Continental Bahl'i Fund, 418 ores st ~ v e . , wil l mette, Illinois 60091.