THE INSTITUTION OF THE COUNSELLORS
A Document Prepared by the Universal House of Justice
January 29
2001
Contents
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INTRODUCTION.............................................................1
INTERNATIONAL AND CONTINENTAL COUNSELLORS
AND THE AUXILIARY BOARDS.................................................3
Historical Perspective.................................................3
The International Teaching Centre......................................4
The Continental Boards of Counsellors..................................5
The Auxiliary Boards...................................................5
Assistants to Auxiliary Board Members..................................6
Service on National, Regional and Local Administrative Bodies..........6
Duties of the Continental Counsellors and Their Auxiliaries............7
Collaboration with National Spiritual Assemblies.......................9
Mode of Interaction...................................................10
Involvement with Institutes...........................................11
The Individual and the Community......................................11
Formulation and Implementation of Plans...............................13
The Fund..............................................................14
Protection of the Cause...............................................15
Coordination and the Provision of Resources...........................16
SOME SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF THE FUNCTIONING OF THE INSTITUTION.............18
The International Teaching Centre.....................................18
Continental Counsellors...............................................18
Auxiliary Board Members...............................................20
Assistants............................................................21
Interactions with National, Regional and Local Administrative Bodies..22
Elections and Conventions.............................................25
Conferences...........................................................26
Budgets, Subvention Funds and Properties..............................26
The Continental Fund................................................. 27
[page 1]
INTRODUCTION
More than three decades have passed since the
establishment, in 1968, of the Continental Boards of Counsellors. During this
time the institution has accumulated invaluable experience, and its influence is
being ever more strongly felt throughout the Bahá'í world. The occupation by the
International Teaching Centre of its seat on Mount Carmel offers a propitious
occasion for a document to be issued that describes the operations of the
institution of the Counsellors. Accordingly, we have prepared a digest of the
guidance previously given on this subject, which we hope will increase the
friends' understanding of not only the responsibilities of the Counsellors and
their auxiliaries but also the workings of the Administrative Order in
general.
The document consists of two parts. In
the first, we provide an overview of the various components of the institution
and their duties. The second part is a list of statements addressing specific
aspects of its functioning.
The Administrative
Order conceived by Bahá'u'lláh accomplishes its divinely ordained purpose
through a system of institutions, each with its defined sphere of action. The
central governing body of the Order is the Universal House of Justice, whose
terms of reference are the revealed Word of Bahá'u'lláh together with the
interpretations and expositions of `Abdu'l-Bahá and the Guardian. Under its
guidance, legislative, executive and judicial authority over the affairs of the
Bahá'í community is exercised by Local and National Spiritual Assemblies. This
authority is also exercised by Regional Councils, committees and other agencies
established by these institutions, to the extent that it is so
delegated.
Together with the authority vested in
elected corporate bodies to make decisions binding on the community is the
spiritual, moral and intellectual influence that the Administrative Order exerts
on both the lives of believers and the work of the Faith's institutions. This
influence acquires a special character through the services performed by those
individuals who are appointed to the high rank of Counsellors and by their
deputies. More specifically, the Continental Counsellors and the members of the
Auxiliary Boards and their assistants are charged with functions relating to the
protection and propagation of the Faith. In carrying out their duties, the
Continental Counsellors receive their guidance from the International Teaching
Centre, an institution whose mandate is global and which functions in close
proximity to the Universal House of Justice.
Acting in their respective roles, the two institutions of the Counsellors
and the Spiritual Assemblies share responsibility for the protection and
propagation of the Faith. The harmonious interaction between them ensures the
constant flow of guidance, love and encouragement to the believers and
invigorates their individual and collective endeavours to advance the Cause. The
value of such interaction is underscored by words of the Guardian, in a cable
message dated 4 June 1957, referring at the time to the Hands of the Cause and
National Assemblies:
"SECURITY PRECIOUS FAITH PRESERVATION SPIRITUAL HEALTH BAHA'I
COMMUNITIES VITALITY FAITH ITS INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS PROPER FUNCTIONING ITS
LABORIOUSLY ERECTED INSTITUTIONS FRUITION ITS WORLD-WIDE ENTERPRISES
FULFILMENT ITS ULTIMATE DESTINY ALL DIRECTLY DEPENDENT BEFITTING DISCHARGE
WEIGHTY RESPONSIBILITIES NOW RESTING MEMBERS THESE TWO INSTITUTIONS ...".1
[page 2]
Freed from those administrative functions assigned to elected bodies, the
Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members are able to concentrate their energies
on the task of promoting adherence to principle on the part of individual
Bahá'ís, Bahá'í institutions and Bahá'í communities. Their understanding of the
Teachings, together with the wisdom that comes from the experience gained
through intimate involvement in the many aspects of Bahá'í activity, especially
qualifies them to offer advice that assists the work of elected bodies. Further,
the fact that they occupy a rank higher than that of the Spiritual Assemblies
ensures that they are kept properly informed and that Spiritual Assemblies give
due consideration to their advice and recommendations. The administrative
processes of the Faith are not only concerned with judicial matters, laws and
regulations, and programmes that direct action, but also embrace those measures
that elicit from the friends wholehearted response and channel their energies.
Counsellors and their auxiliaries bring to bear on all such administrative
processes their ability as individuals of proven devotion and consecrated
spirit. Similarly, they play a vital part in encouraging the friends and in
fostering individual initiative, diversity and freedom of action. In their
endeavours they strive to follow in the footsteps of the Hands of the Cause,
whom `Abdu'l-Bahá called on "to diffuse the Divine Fragrances, to edify the
souls of men, to promote learning, to improve the character of all men and to
be, at all times and under all conditions, sanctified and detached from earthly
things."2
The Universal House of Justice
1 January
2001
[page 3]
INTERNATIONAL AND CONTINENTAL COUNSELLORS AND THE AUXILIARY BOARDS
Historical perspective
The institution of
the Hands of the Cause of God was created by Bahá'u'lláh and formally defined
and established by `Abdu'l-Bahá in His Will and Testament. Under the direction
of the Guardian, the functions of the institution were elucidated and
elaborated. In due course, Shoghi Effendi brought into being the Auxiliary
Boards for the Protection and Propagation of the Faith to serve the work of the
Hands of the Cause and to ensure that their vital influence would permeate the
Bahá'í community.
With the passing of Shoghi
Effendi and the conclusion of the Universal House of Justice that it could not
legislate to make possible the appointment of additional Hands of the Cause, it
became necessary for it to devise a means of extending into the future the
critical functions of protection and propagation vested in these high-ranking
officers of the Faith. The first step in this development was taken in November
1964 when the Universal House of Justice clarified its relationship with the
institution of the Hands by stating that "responsibility for decisions on
matters of general policy affecting the institution of the Hands of the Cause,
which was formerly exercised by the beloved Guardian, now devolves upon the
Universal House of Justice as the supreme and central institution of the Faith
to which all must turn." 3 At that time, too, the number of Auxiliary Board members was
increased, and the Hands of the Cause in each continent were called upon to
appoint one or more members of their Auxiliary Boards to act in an executive
capacity on their behalf and in their name.
In
June 1968 the Continental Boards of Counsellors were brought into being. This
momentous decision was accompanied by several developments in the work of the
Hands of the Cause: the services of such Hands as were previously assigned to
continents became world-wide, each Hand operating individually in direct
relationship to the Universal House of Justice; the Hands of the Cause ceased to
be responsible for the direction of the Auxiliary Boards, which became auxiliary
institutions of the Continental Boards of Counsellors; the Hands of the Cause
Residing in the Holy Land were given the task of acting as liaison between the
Universal House of Justice and the Boards of Counsellors; and the working
interrelationships between the Hands and the Boards of Counsellors were
clarified. Reference was also made to the future establishment of an
international teaching centre by the Universal House of Justice, with the
assistance of the Hands Residing in the Holy Land. The International Teaching
Centre was established in June 1973. That same year Auxiliary Board members were
authorized to name assistants.
The existence of
the institution of the Hands of the Cause, and subsequently of the Counsellors,
comprising individuals who play such a vital role in advancing the interests of
the Faith, but who have no legislative, executive or judicial authority, and are
entirely devoid of priestly functions or the right to make authoritative
interpretations, is a feature of Bahá'í administration unparalleled in the
religions of the past. Bahá'u'lláh, and `Abdu'l-Bahá after Him, invested both
the elected institutions of the Faith and certain appointed individuals with the
functions of protection and propagation.
[page 4]
Referring to the International Teaching Centre, the Universal House of
Justice has stated that its establishment brought to fruition the work of the
Hands of the Cause Residing in the Holy Land. The Teaching Centre is charged
with the tasks of coordinating, stimulating and directing the activities of the
Continental Boards of Counsellors and acts as liaison between them and the
Universal House of Justice.
In the Constitution
of the Universal House of Justice it is stated:
The institution of the Boards of Counsellors was brought into
being by the Universal House of Justice to extend into the future the specific
functions of protection and propagation conferred upon the Hands of the Cause
of God. The members of these Boards are appointed by the Universal House of
Justice.
In the same document the two
Auxiliary Boards originally established by the beloved Guardian are
described:
In each zone there shall be two Auxiliary Boards, one for the
protection and one for the propagation of the Faith, the numbers of whose
members shall be set by the Universal House of Justice. The members of these
Auxiliary Boards shall serve under the direction of the Continental Boards of
Counsellors and shall act as their deputies, assistants and advisers.
The International Teaching Centre
The
International Teaching Centre has nine members appointed as International
Counsellors by the Universal House of Justice from among all the adult believers
in the world for a five-year term, each term starting on 23 May immediately
following the International Bahá'í Convention. The Hands of the Cause of God
have been permanent members of the Teaching Centre ever since its
inception.
The work of the Teaching Centre is
essentially corporate in character. Its responsibilities call on it to serve as
a source of information and analysis for the Universal House of Justice and to
provide guidance and resources to the Continental Counsellors. It is required to
be fully informed of the situation of the Cause in all parts of the world and
alert to possibilities for the expansion of the Faith, the consolidation of its
institutions, and the development of Bahá'í community life. It has to analyse
these possibilities in relation to global plans, anticipating needs world-wide
and ensuring that the necessary resources become available to national
communities. In this context, it gives particular attention to the development
of human resources, helping communities increase their capacity to endow growing
contingents of believers with spiritual insight, knowledge of the Faith, and
skills and abilities of service.
The
International Teaching Centre is invested with the mandate to watch over the
security and ensure the protection of the Faith of God. It must investigate all
cases of incipient Covenant-breaking — employing, as necessary, the services of
the Continental Counsellors and their auxiliaries and evaluating their reports —
and decide whether the offender should be expelled from the Cause, submitting
the decision to the Universal House of Justice for its consideration. It follows
a similar procedure for the reinstatement of a contrite Covenant-breaker. More
broadly, it needs to be attentive to the spiritual health of the Bahá'í
community, urging the Counsellors and their auxiliaries to strengthen the
believers to resist the influence of
[page 5]
both external and internal
sources of opposition to the Cause, and to assist National and Local Spiritual
Assemblies in resolving questions that could raise doubt about the integrity of
the Faith and its Teachings.
The Continental Boards of Counsellors
Presently, five Continental Boards of Counsellors serve the five major
regions of the world: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australasia and Europe. The
term of office of the Counsellors and the precise boundaries of the region in
which each Board operates are fixed by the Universal House of Justice, as is the
number on each Board. The term of office — first established to begin on the Day
of the Covenant, 26 November 1980 — is currently five years. Counsellors
function as such only within the continental area of the Board to which they are
appointed; should they move their residence out of that continent, they
automatically relinquish their membership. The first obligation of Counsellors
is to the work of their own Boards. However, they collaborate with the members
of the other Boards who serve adjacent areas, and may carry out specific
functions in continents other than their own when asked by the International
Teaching Centre or directly by the Universal House of
Justice.
Each Board of Counsellors holds a
number of meetings during its term of service to consult on the various
dimensions of its work in the propagation and protection of the Faith. Certain
matters, such as the appointment of Auxiliary Board members and the allocation
of funds, are decided by the entire Board. In the performance of other functions
— for example, in providing stimulus to different components of the Bahá'í
community in a particular zone in the continent — several Counsellors come
together to consult and collaborate so that their abilities are used in a
complementary fashion. Some duties, including the supervision and guidance of
the Auxiliary Board members in an area, are generally performed by one
Counsellor on behalf of the Board. In general, it should be borne in mind that,
unlike other institutions of the Administrative Order, which must function as
corporate bodies, Counsellors operate primarily as individuals. In handling most
matters, they each have a wide range of possibilities available to them
according to the flexibility inherent in their
institution.
Fundamental to the work of the
Counsellors is the understanding that all members of the Continental Board bear
responsibility for the entire continent and need to familiarize themselves, to
the extent possible, with the conditions of the Cause in the countries therein.
Through periodic reports from individual Counsellors, the Board is kept abreast
of developments in every area of the continent and is able to offer guidance to
assist its members in the execution of their duties. Whereas no Counsellor is to
be regarded as having exclusive responsibility for any one territory, the
detailed familiarity acquired by each through close interaction with the
National Spiritual Assembly and Auxiliary Board members in a particular area
represents a valuable asset to all the Counsellors on the Board.
The Auxiliary Boards
The members of the
Auxiliary Boards are appointed from among the believers of each continent by the
Continental Board of Counsellors for five-year periods beginning on the Day of
the Covenant of the year following the appointment of the Counsellors
themselves. They
[page 6]
should be twenty-one years of
age or older. The full membership of the Continental Board makes the
appointments in consultation, which, if necessary, can be carried out by mail.
The members of an Auxiliary Board are responsible individually to the Board of
Counsellors which appoints them. They do not themselves constitute a
decision-making body. However, Auxiliary Board members may confer and
collaborate with each other as long as care is taken not to depart from this
principle.
Each Auxiliary Board member is
assigned a specific territory, and although for practical purposes such a
territory may coincide with a particular country or National Assembly area,
there is no hard and fast rule that it must do so. Auxiliary Boards are
continental institutions, and there need not be any correlation between the
boundaries of the territories assigned to their members and national frontiers.
Unless specifically deputized by the Counsellors, an Auxiliary Board member does
not function as such outside the area to which he or she has been assigned. For
obvious reasons, it is preferable for Auxiliary Board members to reside in the
area they serve; however, if an area has no suitable candidate for this post,
the Counsellors may decide to make an alternative
arrangement.
When assigning areas to members of
the Auxiliary Boards, the Continental Board of Counsellors ensures that the
entire continental area is divided up among the members of each of the two
Auxiliary Boards. That is to say, the Bahá'ís of any one locality are to have
both a Protection Board member and a Propagation Board member to whom they can
refer.
Assistants to Auxiliary Board Members
Each
Continental Board of Counsellors authorizes individual Auxiliary Board members
to appoint assistants. The correct designation is "assistants to the Auxiliary
Board members" and not "assistants to the Auxiliary Board". An assistant is
appointed by an Auxiliary Board member to work in a specified area and functions
as an assistant only in relation to that area. Assistants, like Auxiliary Board
members, operate as individuals, not as a consultative
body.
The duration of service of assistants is
left to each Continental Board to decide for itself and need not be universally
standardized. Auxiliary Board members may name some assistants for definite
terms, others not. Appointments may be made for a limited period, such as a year
or two, with the possibility of reappointment. In certain cases a Board of
Counsellors may wish to permit Auxiliary Board members to name assistants for a
particular project or projects, some of which may be of very short term.
Service on National, Regional and Local Administrative
Bodies
All adult Bahá'ís, including Continental
Counsellors and members of the Auxiliary Boards, are eligible to vote in
elections for delegates or in elections for members of a Local Spiritual
Assembly. The rank and specific duties of the Counsellors render them ineligible
for service on local, regional or national administrative bodies. Auxiliary
Board members are eligible for any elective office but if elected to such a post
on a national, regional or local level must decide whether to retain membership
on the Board or accept the post as they cannot serve in both capacities at the
same time.
[page 7]
Whether elected to a Spiritual Assembly or a Regional Council, or as a
delegate to the National Convention, a Board member should be allowed a
reasonable length of time to make a choice and should feel no compulsion to
decide immediately after the results of the election are announced. Membership
on an Auxiliary Board would be regarded as a valid reason for resignation from
an elected body.
While the closest relationship
is to be fostered between the members of the institution of the Counsellors and
the Spiritual Assemblies and their agencies, Auxiliary Board members are not
appointed to committees, as voting or non-voting members. Certain agencies such
as an Association for Bahá'í Studies, or a committee responsible for some aspect
of social and economic development, which require professional expertise in
their members, fall in a different category. Counsellors or Board members with
the necessary professional skills may serve on these boards and committees,
provided, of course, that such service does not interfere with their duties. By
the same token, an Auxiliary Board member may have an employer/employee
relationship with a National Spiritual Assembly, for example, as a public
relations officer or as the administrator of an establishment belonging to the
Assembly. It is also possible for a Counsellor to represent the interests of the
Bahá'í community in relations with the authorities of a country on behalf of the
National Assembly.
Intimate involvement in
institute operations is a part of the evolving functions of Auxiliary Board
members and, therefore, they may serve on boards or committees that oversee the
affairs of training institutes. In serving as a member of such a body, an
Auxiliary Board member has no consultative or decision-making privileges
different from those of the other members. The participation of Auxiliary Board
members in the institute work, of course, is not limited to membership on the
boards of directors; many also serve as coordinators and act as
teachers.
A National Spiritual Assembly,
national committee, Regional Council or Local Spiritual Assembly may directly
request an Auxiliary Board member, as it would any other believer, to perform
such tasks as offering a course at a summer school or speaking at a conference.
It is left to the discretion of the Board member to determine whether fulfilling
the request would interfere with other commitments.
Believers can serve at the same time both as assistants to Auxiliary Board
members and on Local and National Assemblies, Regional Councils and committees,
and function as their officers. Thus, the appointment of a believer as a Board
member's assistant does not require the resignation of that person from other
administrative bodies, nor does it, in and of itself, constitute a reason for
accepting such a resignation. If an individual believes that there is a special
reason for not accepting appointment as an assistant, he or she is, of course,
free to draw the matter to the attention of the Auxiliary Board member concerned
or to consult with the Spiritual Assembly.
Duties of the Continental Counsellors and their
Auxiliaries
The Continental Boards of
Counsellors and National Spiritual Assemblies both have specific functions
relating to the protection and propagation of the Faith. The duties of the
Counsellors include directing the Auxiliary Board members, consulting and
collaborating with National Spiritual Assemblies, and keeping the International
Teaching Centre and thus the Universal House of Justice informed about the
conditions of the Cause in their areas.
[page 8]
Counsellors have the duty to stimulate on each continent the expansion and
consolidation of the Faith and to promote the spiritual, intellectual, and
social aspects of Bahá'í life. The spiritual health of the community and the
vitality of the faith of the individual, the strengthening of the foundations of
family life, and the study of the Teachings receive special attention from the
Counsellors and those called upon to assist them. They are likewise concerned
with enhancing the capacity of the friends and their institutions to devise
systematic plans of action, to execute them energetically, and to learn from
experience in the course of building the world civilization envisaged by
Bahá'u'lláh. In this context, promoting a culture of growth within the Bahá'í
community is fundamental to the work of the Counsellors.
The Auxiliary
Boards for Protection and Propagation have distinct functions. They do have
certain tasks in common, however, especially in the area of deepening and
consolidation. From the outset, the Guardian envisioned that the Auxiliary
Boards would assist the Hands "in the discharge of their dual and sacred task of
safeguarding the Faith and of promoting its teaching activities." 4 Among the tasks defined by the Guardian for the Auxiliary Board
members are: to stimulate and strengthen the teaching work in cooperation with
existing administrative bodies; to help activate weak centres, groups and
Assemblies through their visits; to assist in the efficient and prompt execution
of plans; to keep in touch with pioneers, helping them to persevere and pointing
out to them the sacredness of their responsibility; to encourage individuals and
Assemblies through correspondence and through visits; to impress upon the
believers that the foundation of all Bahá'í activity is unity; to encourage the
friends to contribute freely to the various Funds; and to bring to their
attention the importance of individual effort and initiative. Further, Shoghi
Effendi assigned to the Protection Board the specific duty of watching over the
security of the Faith. Members of the Auxiliary Board for Protection, as
experience shows, also assist in propagating the Cause, but focus much of their
energies on deepening the friends' knowledge of the Covenant and fostering a
spirit of love and unity. Their efforts contribute significantly to the growth
of the Bahá'í community, for the protection of the Faith is intimately linked to
its propagation.
The flexibility and ease with
which the Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members can respond to a perceived
need in the community — such as the need for encouragement, explanation of
plans, deepening in the Teachings, protection of the Covenant — are notable
elements of their functioning. This flexibility enables them to operate as
occasions demand, whether it is in giving counsel at a meeting, advising an
individual in private, helping the friends to understand and obey a ruling of
the Spiritual Assembly, or dealing with issues of the Covenant. In all these
settings they are able to draw attention to relevant Texts, to impart
information, explore situations, and acquaint themselves with conditions in ways
not always possible to a Spiritual Assembly. They are able then to share with
Spiritual Assemblies, as deemed necessary, ideas, analyses, perceptions and
advice, which inevitably enhance the ability of these Assemblies to serve their
communities. Where Local Assemblies are new or weak, Auxiliary Board members
encourage them to organize their work. In all cases, they rally the local
believers in support of the Assembly's initiatives.
As to the role of the assistants, they have the general responsibility of
aiding the Auxiliary Board members to carry out their functions. The nature of
their contribution, however, is reflected in the range of specific tasks
assigned to each by the Auxiliary Board member whom he or she assists. The
precise character of such tasks is determined by the Board member's perception
of the needs and potential of the communities that he or she serves, and it is
in this context, for the most part, that the orientation and guidance of
assistants become significant.
[page 9]
Collaboration with National Spiritual Assemblies
The relationship of the Continental Boards of Counsellors to National
Spiritual Assemblies is one of loving cooperation between two institutions of
the Faith that are serving the same ends and are eager to see the same divine
confirmations descend upon the efforts of the friends to promote and firmly
establish the Cause. It is an evolving relationship that becomes richer as the
two institutions face the challenge of building Bahá'í communities and witness
with pride the onward march of the Faith.
As
Continental Counsellors and National Spiritual Assemblies work together to
ensure the expansion and consolidation of the community, the National Assemblies
make all the necessary executive decisions and take responsibility for their
implementation. The Counsellors bring to their functions a continental
perspective which, when offered to the Assembly in the form of counsel, advice,
recommendations, suggestions or commentary, enriches the latter's understanding,
acquaints it with a broader experience than its own, and encourages it to
maintain a world-embracing vision.
As appointees
of the Universal House of Justice, the Counsellors assist the Head of the Faith
to broaden the base, foster the strength and ensure the security of the National
Spiritual Assemblies and the institutions and communities under their
jurisdiction. Through the Auxiliary Boards, the Counsellors spread the benefits
of their functions to the Local Spiritual Assemblies and the grassroots of the
community.
The Counsellors, in the discharge of
their responsibilities, support the initiatives adopted by a National Spiritual
Assembly, initiatives that often arise from joint deliberations of the two
institutions. The Auxiliary Board members explain to the friends the nature and
purpose of these initiatives, motivate them to rise and respond to the call of
the Assembly, and encourage them to persist in unified action. The Counsellors,
of course, have a wide latitude in determining in what manner their institution
will carry out these tasks.
A crucial feature of
the work of the Counsellors that enables them to offer valuable advice to the
National Spiritual Assemblies is their aloofness from administrative details, a
freedom that allows them to concentrate on the vital issues of the Cause. Care
must be exercised, however, that this aloofness does not give rise to extreme
situations. Counsellors should not become inhibited from expressing their views
to the National Spiritual Assemblies on administrative matters, and National
Spiritual Assemblies should not feel restricted in availing themselves of the
opportunity of consulting the Counsellors on such
issues.
The Counsellors have not only the right
but the obligation to deliberate with, advise, and offer suggestions to the
National Spiritual Assemblies in the discharge of their specific functions. They
alert National Assemblies to any problems or tendencies in the Bahá'í community
which they feel require attention. Their concern in this respect extends to the
very functioning of the National Assemblies. If the Counsellors notice serious
departures from administrative or other principles in the work of a National
Spiritual Assembly or its agencies, they are to consult with the Assembly about
the matter and suggest corrective action. This they must do irrespective of any
apprehension that such a step might give rise to tension between the two
institutions.
The attitude of the Counsellors
and the National Spiritual Assemblies towards each other is not motivated by a
legalistic application of the rules of their functional relationship.
The
[page 10]
discharge of joint
responsibilities is only possible within the framework of the spiritual
requisites for all successful Bahá'í relationships. Interactions between the two
institutions flourish in an atmosphere of love and according to the dictates of
genuine respect. Bahá'u'lláh's admonition is highly instructive in this regard;
He says: "Abase not the station of the learned in Bahá and belittle not the rank
of such rulers as administer justice amidst you." 5
Mode of Interaction
The manner in which
interactions between the Continental Counsellors and their auxiliaries, on the
one hand, and National Assemblies and their agencies, on the other, take place
is regulated in order to maintain dynamic interdependence. Just as Counsellors
have direct consultative relations with National and Local Spiritual Assemblies,
so do they have direct relations with Regional Bahá'í Councils. Counsellors can
deputize an Auxiliary Board member to meet with a National Spiritual Assembly
for a particular purpose, but not as a regular practice. They can also authorize
the Board members to meet with Regional Councils as needs dictate. National and
Local Spiritual Assemblies cannot give any directions to Auxiliary Board
members, much as they depend upon their vital services. If a National Spiritual
Assembly wishes an Auxiliary Board member to undertake a specific service as a
Board member, it must convey its request to the Counsellors. With the approval
of the Counsellors, Regional Councils may seek the views of Auxiliary Board
members serving their regions on all aspects of their work. If the National
Spiritual Assembly agrees, it may also be advisable from time to time for an
Auxiliary Board member to meet with a national committee to consult on the
situation in an area. But this, too, should not be done on a regular basis.
Counsellors for their part do not normally communicate directly with national
committees.
These few limitations on the mode of
interaction enhance collaboration between the institution of the Counsellors and
Spiritual Assemblies. They ensure that the energies and time of the Auxiliary
Board members are not diffused as a result of their engagement in the
administration of teaching. Thus, the dangers of two extreme situations are
avoided: one in which the Auxiliary Board member gradually takes over the
direction of a national committee, and the other whereby he or she is sent
hither and thither at the direction of the committee or the Assembly as a mere
travelling teacher.
The effective discharge of
their responsibilities by both the Counsellors and the National Spiritual
Assemblies calls for regular and frequent exchange of information. The National
Spiritual Assembly is in contact with all the elements of its community through
national committees, Regional Councils, Local Spiritual Assemblies, and other
agencies. The Auxiliary Board members also have direct contact with Local
Spiritual Assemblies, groups, and individual believers and thus keep current
with developments in the community. Naturally, both institutions welcome all the
information that they regularly receive from each other. Direct exchange of
information between National Assemblies or their committees and the Auxiliary
Board members is highly desirable. Reports that contain only news and
information can be shared freely among them. However, recommendations by a Board
member requiring action by a National Assembly or its agencies need to be
referred to the Counsellors, who may share them in their entirety with the
National Assembly, or modify or reject them.
At
the outset of the work of the year or at times when new plans are being
formulated, it is often useful to arrange for consultations between the
Auxiliary Board members and the National or Regional Teaching Committees or
Regional Councils before these plans are given
[page 11]
final definition. A highly
fruitful practice has developed in many parts of the world whereby members of a
number of institutions and agencies of a country, or a region thereof, come
together in a meeting of consultation to reach a common vision for the growth of
their community and discuss strategies for action. These "institutional
meetings" help to steer the friends away from thinking merely in terms of the
mechanics of projects and to infuse their plans and subsequent action with the
spirit of the Faith. They do much to reinforce the confidence of the
institutions in devising the teaching strategies that will best serve the needs
of their respective regions and in mobilizing the support of the Local
Assemblies and the believers.
Regular contact
with Local Spiritual Assemblies in the area assigned to an Auxiliary Board
member is an indispensable requirement of his or her functioning. In most areas,
frequent consultations are only possible through assistants. The nature of these
consultations, of course, depends on the tasks that the assistant is carrying
out on behalf of the Auxiliary Board member.
Involvement with Institutes
Involvement in
the operation of a training institute, by both Counsellors and Auxiliary Board
members, has to be considered in a special light. Institutes are regarded as
centres of learning, and their character harmonizes with, and provides scope for
the exercise of, the educational responsibilities of the Auxiliary Board
members. These centres offer the Counsellors and Board members immediate access
to a formal means of educating the believers, in addition to other avenues
available to them such as conferences, summer schools, and meetings with the
friends. The Counsellors and National Spiritual Assemblies need to consult on
the details of their collaboration in overseeing the budgets and the functioning
of training institutes and in planning programme content, developing curricula,
and delivering courses. When a board of directors is named, its membership is
decided upon by the National Spiritual Assembly in consultation with the
Counsellors and with their full support.
The individual and the community
The
authority to direct the affairs of the Faith locally, nationally and
internationally is divinely conferred on elected institutions. The power to act,
however, resides primarily in the entire body of the believers. This power is
unlocked at the level of individual initiative and at the level of collective
volition. If the Cause is to realize Bahá'u'lláh's purpose for humankind, every
institution of the Faith must be concerned with the release of power in both
these expressions, as they are with ensuring the wise administration of the
community's affairs. The institution of the Counsellors is particularly charged
with this vital task and is endowed with the capacity to accomplish
it.
A distinguishing characteristic of Bahá'í
life is the spirit of servitude to God. To labour in the arena of service, the
individual draws upon his love for Bahá'u'lláh, the power of the Covenant, the
dynamics of prayer, the inspiration and education derived from regular study of
the Holy Texts, and the transformative forces that operate upon his soul as he
strives to behave in accordance with the divine laws and principles. Therefore,
these are all themes of an ongoing relationship between the Auxiliary Board
members and the believers.
[page 12]
The role of the individual is of unique importance in the work of the
Cause. It is the individual who manifests the vitality of faith upon which the
success of the teaching work and the development of the community depends.
Bahá'u'lláh's command to each believer to teach His Faith confers an inescapable
responsibility which cannot be transferred to, or assumed by, any institution of
the Cause. It is incumbent upon the individual to seize opportunities, form
friendships, build relationships, and win the cooperation of others in common
service to the Faith and society. The individual must convert into action the
decisions made by consultative bodies.
Stimulating individual initiative is one of the paramount duties of the
Auxiliary Board members, a duty they can perform with the help of assistants
they must carefully select, train and nurture. It involves constant
encouragement of the friends, evoking the valour of the heroes of the Faith and
bringing to their attention the importance of exemplifying in their lives the
glory of the Teachings. It calls for fervent and moving appeals to the believers
to be the cause of unity and harmony at all times, to attract receptive souls to
the Cause, to teach them, nourish their faith and lead them to the shores of
certitude. It requires building confidence and changing fear and hesitation into
courage and perseverance. It asks of the Board members and those they serve
alike to forget their own weaknesses and fix their reliance on the power of
divine confirmations. Further, it implies accompanying the friends in their
endeavours as they develop the capabilities of effective
service.
The role of the training institute in
the development of these capabilities can hardly be over-emphasized. The
Auxiliary Board members are to use this powerful instrument to change passive
acceptance of the Faith into a passion for teaching. As they generate
enthusiasm, they need to help guide it into channels of systematic endeavour. It
is in this context of systematic action that fostering sound individual
initiative and promoting united collective action become two complementary aims
ever engaging the Auxiliary Board member.
One of
the greatest challenges before all the institutions of the Faith during this
Formative Age is the development of local communities, communities that are
characterized by tolerance and love and guided by a strong sense of purpose and
a collective will. It is these communities that serve as the environment in
which the capacities of all components — men, women, youth and children — are
developed and their powers are multiplied in unified
action.
At the heart of the community must
function a strong Local Spiritual Assembly. When a community is blessed with
such an institution, the earnest collaboration between the Auxiliary Board
members and the Local Assembly generates the dynamics of a joyous and active
life conducive to spiritual transformation and systematic growth. Together,
while each works within the sphere of activity assigned to it, these
institutions create an atmosphere of learning and disciplined behaviour,
characterized by patience and forbearance toward mistakes. They build and
maintain unity of thought and action in an environment free of excessive
criticism, of backbiting, of conflict and contention, which at the same time
welcomes the expression of concern on the part of every believer. Through wise
counsel and loving support, they educate the friends to hearken to the
Assembly's decisions and to align their behaviour with the exigencies of
harmonious community life.
An essential feature
of the culture that the two institutions strive to create is a transformed
attitude towards material means. Bahá'í life, whether individual or collective,
should be marked by generosity of spirit. The Auxiliary Board members promote
this spirit as they
[page 13]
educate the members of the
community about the funds of the Faith, instilling in them the desire to give
sacrificially and helping them to experience its liberating
effects.
Both the Auxiliary Board member for
Protection and the Auxiliary Board member for Propagation take it upon
themselves to ensure that proper attention is devoted to the various components
of the community. They see to it that current impediments to the full
participation of women in the larger society are, one by one, removed from the
Bahá'í community. They nurture the habits of scholarship among the friends and
the spirit of tolerance that it needs in order to flourish. They keep before
everyone's eyes the imperative of the spiritual education of children and do
everything in their power to help establish and maintain regular classes for the
children. And, with complete confidence in the capacity of youth for heroic
service to the Cause, they assist them in realizing their full potential as
vital agents for the expansion of the Faith and the transformation of
society.
It is clear that such a formidable set
of responsibilities cannot be discharged properly by one or two individuals in
relation to a growing number of local communities. It is here that the
significance of the freedom given the Auxiliary Board members to name assistants
for a wide variety of tasks, to direct them and to lovingly supervise their
activities becomes evident. Oftentimes, the work of the Board members is not
carried out in the context of communities that enjoy the leadership of a mature
Spiritual Assembly. In a community where the Local Assembly is at the very early
stages of its development, the role of the assistants in promoting the
establishment of study groups, devotional meetings, classes for the spiritual
education of children, and the Nineteen Day Feast is even more crucial. Further,
the Auxiliary Board members give attention to strengthening the Local Spiritual
Assemblies, helping them to master the art of consultation, to gain confidence
in making decisions, to adhere courageously to principle, and to learn how to
mobilize the friends in unified action.
This
challenging conception of the work of the Auxiliary Board members calls for a
fundamental departure from limited assumptions about social order which, in the
world today, determine administrative theory and practice. For it aspires to
infuse every act, individual and collective, with spiritual meaning. It places
the sacred at the heart of community life, making it the focus of all reflection
on activity. Great indeed is the power latent in any unified Bahá'í community no
matter how small it may initially be, no matter how meagre the resources
available to it. Great, too, are the confirmations that descend on the Auxiliary
Board members and their assistants as they selflessly dedicate themselves to
releasing this power.
Formulation and implementation of plans
With the opening of the fourth epoch of the Formative Age, a procedure was
activated whereby national plans are formulated in joint consultation between
National Spiritual Assemblies and Continental Counsellors. This development
ensures two significant benefits: It enables each institution to draw on the
experience and insight particular to the other, thereby making available to the
planning process two distinct channels of information from two levels of Bahá'í
administration; and it also assures to the Counsellors a necessary familiarity
with the background, rationale, and content of national plans, which as a matter
of principle they are expected to support.
Creating a national plan involves far more than consultation between the
Counsellors and the National Assembly. Excellent results can be achieved, for
example, by holding consultative
[page 14]
meetings among the various
institutions in a country and with the active supporters of the Faith to discuss
fully the possible provisions of the plan and their implications. Once the major
elements of the national plan have been identified, it is desirable for the
planning process to move quickly to the regional level, and subsequently to the
level of smaller areas and finally to the local community. The balance that can
be achieved in this process between nationally sponsored campaigns and
grassroots efforts is a necessary condition for
success.
National plans, formulated in the
context of the global plans of the Faith, serve as the framework within which
the friends can undertake action. Through them, National Assemblies not only set
goals to be pursued by themselves and their agencies, but also give direction to
the believers, define for them priorities and areas of action, and elicit from
them wholehearted response to the directives of the Universal House of Justice.
Accordingly, they adopt measures to provide resources — literature, pioneers and
travelling teachers, regional and national events, and funds as required — to
support the initiatives of the friends.
The
plans of action that Regional Councils, Area Teaching Committees and Local
Spiritual Assemblies devise in the ensuing process need to go beyond the mere
enumeration of goals to include an analysis of approaches to be adopted and
lines of action to be followed. Indeed, at this level, planning and
implementation must go hand in hand. If learning is to be the primary mode of
operation in a community, then visions, strategies, goals and methods have to be
re-examined time and again. As tasks are accomplished, obstacles removed,
resources multiplied and lessons learned, modifications have to be made in goals
and approaches, but in a way that continuity of action is
maintained.
The involvement of the Auxiliary
Board members in this process of design and implementation is multifaceted. They
contribute to deliberations in which the world-wide aims and accomplishments of
the Faith are analysed, the condition of society and the forces operating within
it are examined, opportunities and needs are detected. They bring their
knowledge of the Faith to bear on consultations that generate shared vision and
strategies for growth. Their familiarity with the friends and their talents,
particularly as these are developed through the efforts of the training
institute, enables them to draw attention to the characteristics of plans of
action that are realistic and within the grasp of the believers. The network of
assistants they each can name provides them with the means for stimulating
activity at the local level and following it to completion. And above all, the
love and respect in which they are held create for them the opportunity to act
as standard-bearers and lead the community in action.
The Fund
Occupied as it is in the promotion
of spiritual and material civilization, the institution of the Counsellors is
naturally concerned with the multiplication and management of material means.
The Counsellors have a keen interest in all the funds of the Faith, and the
Auxiliary Board members make every effort to educate the believers, new and old,
on the spiritual significance of contributing to the Fund. They also help
develop in the various institutions and agencies of the community the capacity
to expend funds in a judicious and effective manner. When a National Assembly
requires subsidy from the Bahá'í International Fund to meet its annual expenses,
the Universal House of Justice asks for the comments of a Counsellor who works
closely with that Assembly. The Counsellors also have at their disposal a number
of subvention funds which enable them to supplement the finances of National
Spiritual Assemblies when there are special needs or opportunities that cannot
otherwise be met.
[page 15]
As
to the expenses of the institution itself, in a message dated 6 April 1954, the
Guardian called for the initiation of five Continental Bahá'í Funds. These
Funds, now well established, support the activities of the Counsellors and their
auxiliaries — their travels and their administrative expenses — and are managed
each by one member of the Board appointed the Trustee of the Continental Fund by
the Universal House of Justice.
One of the
inestimable bounties of contributing to the funds of the Faith is the
opportunity it provides to respond to the call of Bahá'u'lláh to deputize others
who may teach in one's stead. Deputization funds have been established at all
levels — local, national and international — to provide a link between those
wishing to deputize and those eager to arise and serve in the teaching field.
The International Deputization Fund is administered by the International
Teaching Centre, which receives recommendations from the Continental Counsellors
with respect to its allocation. In its 1996 Ridván message, the Universal House
of Justice stated that deputizing a teacher serving a training institute is one
means of fulfilling such responsibility, and it opened up the possibility of
contributing through the Continental Fund for this purpose. Auxiliary Board
members and their assistants who operate at the grassroots of the community are
in an ideal position to motivate the believers to respond to the call for
deputization and to provide them with detailed information about current needs,
making their presentations immediately relevant to the interest of the
friends.
Protection of the Cause
The pivot of the
oneness of humankind is the power of the Covenant, and this power quickens every
distinguishing element of Bahá'í life. It is in the context of this unique
characteristic of Bahá'u'lláh's Revelation that the institution of the
Counsellors approaches its sacred duty to protect the Faith. Auxiliary Board
members, particularly those assigned to protection, have to be ever conscious of
the imperative need for a centre on which all must focus: `Abdu'l-Bahá the
Centre of the Covenant and His designated successors, the Guardian and the
Universal House of Justice.
In discharging their
obligations related to protection, the Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members
endeavour to nourish the roots of certitude, fan the flame of an all-embracing
love in the hearts of the friends, combat the age-old habit of conflict and
contention and fortify bonds of friendship and unity, promote adherence to
principle and the ethical standards enshrined in the Teachings, raise the
believers' sight above the limitations of self-centredness that they may
dedicate their energies to the welfare of the human race, and strengthen their
allegiance to the Order of Bahá'u'lláh. Helping the believers to meet high moral
standards does not require prying into their private lives. The nature of this
responsibility is essentially educative. The loving advice Board members offer
Local Assemblies, on the one hand, and the warm fellowship they and their
assistants cultivate with the friends, on the other, are ready means through
which they are able to advance this educational process. The cumulative effect
of these efforts, combined with the benefits the friends derive from formal
courses, for instance those offered by the training institute, contributes
greatly to the creation of healthy and vibrant local communities. This
educational process includes the imposition of sanctions by the Spiritual
Assemblies, whenever it becomes absolutely necessary. In such cases the advice
of the Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members to the Assembly can be of
particular value.
Although deepening the
friends' understanding of the Covenant and increasing their love and loyalty to
it are of paramount importance, the duties of the Auxiliary Board members
for
[page 16]
Protection do not end here.
The Board members must remain ever vigilant, monitoring the actions of those
who, driven by the promptings of ego, seek to sow the seeds of doubt in the
minds of the friends and undermine the Faith. In general, whenever believers
become aware of such problems, they should immediately contact whatever
institution they feel moved to turn to, whether it be a Counsellor, an Auxiliary
Board member, the National Spiritual Assembly or their own Local Assembly. It
then becomes the duty of that institution to ensure that the report is fed into
the correct channels and that all the other institutions affected are promptly
informed. Not infrequently, the responsibility will fall on an Auxiliary Board
member, in coordination with the Assembly concerned, to take some form of action
in response to the situation. This involvement will include counselling the
believer in question; warning him, if necessary, of the consequences of his
actions; and bringing to the attention of the Counsellors the gravity of the
situation, which may call for their intervention. Naturally, the Board member
has to exert every effort to counteract the schemes and arrest the spread of the
influence of those few who, despite attempts to guide them, eventually break the
Covenant.
The need to protect the Faith from the
attacks of its enemies may not be generally appreciated by the friends,
particularly in places where attacks have been infrequent. However, it is
certain that such opposition will increase, become concerted, and eventually
universal. The writings clearly foreshadow not only an intensification of the
machinations of internal enemies, but a rise in the hostility and opposition of
its external enemies, whether religious or secular, as the Cause pursues its
onward march towards ultimate victory. Therefore, in the light of the warnings
of the Guardian, the Auxiliary Boards for Protection should keep "constantly" a
"watchful eye" on those "who are known to be enemies, or to have been put out of
the Faith", discreetly investigate their activities, alert intelligently the
friends to the opposition inevitably to come, explain how each crisis in God's
Faith has always proved to be a blessing in disguise, and prepare them for the
"dire contest which is destined to range the Army of Light against the forces of
darkness". 6
Coordination and the Provision of Resources
The work of the Counsellors and their deputies is distinguished by the
complementarity and interplay of two capacities. On the one hand, the members of
this institution have the latitude as individuals to observe, to analyse, to
arrive at conclusions, and to formulate advice to others and plans of action for
themselves. On the other hand, the world-wide activity of these officers of the
Faith displays a coherence that is in consonance with the continual guidance of
the Universal House of Justice. This coherence is achieved through ongoing
interaction between the Continental Counsellors and the International Teaching
Centre.
In coordinating, stimulating and
directing the Continental Boards of Counsellors, the Teaching Centre makes
available to them a number of resources. These include the services of
individuals with specific expertise, as well as several funds — for deputizing
pioneers and travelling teachers, for subsidizing literature, for assisting
teaching projects and growth programmes, for supporting the operations of
training institutes — which the Teaching Centre allocates either directly for a
project or in lump sums to be expended at the discretion of the Boards of
Counsellors. The provision of these resources enables the institution of the
Counsellors to assist the believers to respond to the exigencies of a dynamic
and expanding community.
[page 17]
A
resource made available to the Counsellors by the International Teaching Centre
and through them to the community at large is an accumulating store of wisdom
born of experience — the experience of a highly diverse community dedicated to
the creation of a new civilization. Through the network of Counsellors,
Auxiliary Board members and assistants, the Teaching Centre can observe the
workings of individual and collective endeavours, analysing their methods and
approaches, and introducing the conclusions it draws into the processes of the
systematic growth of the Faith. Thus in the institution of the Counsellors we
have a system through which the lessons learned in the remotest spots on the
globe can be shared with the entire body of the believers, enriching
consultation, stimulating experimentation and inspiring confidence that the
great enterprise in which the Bahá'í world is engaged is assured of
success.
[page 18]
SOME SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF THE FUNCTIONING OF THE INSTITUTION
The International Teaching Centre
- In making decisions, the International Teaching Centre acts as a corporate
body. However, the discharge of its duties also requires its members to
travel. During their travels, the International Counsellors will at times
present the views of the Teaching Centre and at others offer general advice
and encouragement.
- The International Teaching Centre works principally through the
Continental Counsellors in accomplishing its objectives; its advice to the
Counsellors enables them and their auxiliaries to draw on its insights in
their interactions with the friends. Thus its access to Spiritual Assemblies
and individual Bahá'ís, apart from certain international pioneers and
travelling teachers, is indirect. The Teaching Centre does not correspond with
Spiritual Assemblies or Regional Councils. If it receives letters from them,
or from individuals that are not concerned with pioneering or travel-teaching,
it refers them to the Universal House of Justice.
- Among the structures that help facilitate the efforts of the International
Teaching Centre and the Continental Counsellors in the promotion of pioneering
and travel-teaching are the Continental Pioneer Committees, which work under
the Teaching Centre's direction. Their functions reinforce those of the
National Spiritual Assemblies and their agencies.
- The correspondence of the International Teaching Centre with the
Continental Counsellors is intended for their guidance and information and as
a resource that assists them in carrying out their duties. In consulting with
a National Spiritual Assembly, a Counsellor may decide to share a letter from
the Teaching Centre in its entirety, or parts thereof, with the Assembly. But
he or she may also choose not to do so in order, for instance, to avoid the
impression that the Assembly is being induced to give greater attention to the
views propounded.
- Should circumstances prevent the Universal House of Justice from making
new appointments at the end of any five-year term, the International Teaching
Centre will continue to function until such time as appointments can be
made.
Continental Counsellors
- Within the lines of policy set by the Universal House of Justice, each
Continental Board of Counsellors has wide discretion to decide such matters as
the division of its continental area into zones and the delineation of the
boundaries of the zones. While there is great value in the meeting of a group
of Counsellors to consult on the conditions and needs of countries in a
specific zone, care should be taken that undue emphasis on zonal groups not
turn them into rigid structures.
- Each Board of Counsellors determines the procedures in accordance with
which its members are to administer the work of the Auxiliary Boards, travel
in the area under the
[page 19]
jurisdiction of the Board, relate to National Spiritual Assemblies,
and interact with Regional Councils, Local Spiritual Assemblies and
individuals.
- Each Board makes arrangements for the handling of its correspondence,
designates its official address and establishes a central office and, if need
be, auxiliary offices. Documents pertaining to the purchase or rent of
property for offices and ownership of equipment may be held in the name of the
Board of Counsellors, if it is legally acceptable, and if not, in the name of
a Spiritual Assembly or a trusted individual.
- As to legal recognition, at present it is adequate for the Continental
Boards to benefit from the recognition granted to National Spiritual
Assemblies.
- The work of the Board's offices should be carried on in the name of the
Continental Board of Counsellors and not in the name of the office itself. The
letters of the Board of Counsellors are each signed by one of the Counsellors
on its behalf and not with the impersonal designation: "Continental Board of
Counsellors".
- Both the Continental Boards of Counsellors, and the individual members
thereof, correspond directly with the Bahá'í World Centre on any number of
issues related to the work of the institution. Under normal circumstances, all
such correspondence is sent to the International Teaching Centre, which shares
it with the Universal House of Justice and its agencies at the World Centre as
needed. The Counsellors may also write to the Universal House of Justice, or
any of its agencies, as individual believers. In addition, they may correspond
directly with the Office of Social and Economic Development at the World
Centre, whether in the capacity of Counsellors or as individual believers, on
matters related to development.
- Counsellors may correspond with National Spiritual Assemblies outside
their continent as needs may arise.
- A Counsellor can send a newsletter to a group of Auxiliary Board members
and their assistants or address a circular letter to the Local Spiritual
Assemblies or the believers in an area. However, if a Counsellor were to
prepare a document in a newsletter format for regular distribution to the
believers in a community, this would cause confusion in the minds of the
friends. Bulletins put out by the Continental Board of Counsellors, as by
National Spiritual Assemblies themselves, are not subject to review by a
reviewing committee; neither are the bulletins published and distributed by
Auxiliary Board members for their assistants. Nevertheless, it is desirable to
keep the National Assembly informed of such publications.
- The files of the members of the Continental Boards of Counsellors and
Auxiliary Boards belong to the institution; they are not to be regarded as
personal files. A Board of Counsellors needs to ensure that provisions are in
place for the proper upkeep of its files and for the disposition of the
materials gathered by those friends whose term of service on the Boards has
come to an end.
- The statement that the Counsellors are free from those administrative
functions assigned to elected bodies does not mean that they have no
administrative duties. The Counsellors carry out numerous such tasks related
to the operation of their offices, the funds at their disposal, and the work
of the Auxiliary Board members. Further, they
[page 20]
may be given assignments by the Universal House of Justice which
require them to assume temporarily administrative functions normally exercised
by an elected body.
- Counsellors may be appointed Deputies of Huqúqú'lláh.
- Should the membership of a community drop to nine, a Counsellor may serve
temporarily on the Local Spiritual Assembly, and as an officer if so elected,
until a replacement is available.
- If at any time and for any reason, communication with the Bahá'í World
Centre is cut off, the Counsellors in each continent, collectively and
individually, are to assist National Spiritual Assemblies to ensure the
continuation of the teaching work and the normal administration of the Faith
without interruption until communications can be restored.
- Should it prove unfeasible at the end of any five-year term for the
Universal House of Justice to review and renew the membership of the
Continental Boards, the Boards are to continue to discharge their
responsibilities, even if one or more of their members are unable to function,
until propitious conditions prevail for the House of Justice to consider new
appointments.
- As appointed officers of the Faith, the Counsellors and Auxiliary Board
members should receive the respect of the friends. Regarding the use of the
word "Counsellor" to refer to a particular member of a Continental Board of
Counsellors, there is no objection to doing this. However, the exaggerated use
of titles related to these ranks is undesirable. The title should not become
inseparable from a Counsellor's personal name, as would be the case of
referring to a member of the Board of Counsellors as, for example, "Counsellor
Jones". Nor is it advisable to address them simply as "Counsellor".
- It is natural that at times, for example, in introducing someone, his or
her past services as a member of a Board of Counsellors would be mentioned.
However, it should be understood that "Former Counsellor" is not a title
carried by a person.
Auxiliary Board Members
- It is not necessary for a Continental Board of Counsellors to consult with
National Spiritual Assemblies on specific appointments of Auxiliary Board
members. The decision whether or not to do so is left entirely to the
Counsellors.
- The Board of Counsellors can make changes in the membership of an
Auxiliary Board at any time during the five-year term of office, if it finds
that, for whatever reason, an Auxiliary Board member is unable to carry out
the assigned functions.
- The question as to which of the two Boards — Propagation or Protection — a
Local Spiritual Assembly or individual believer should turn to on a particular
issue is not a matter to be regulated, but can be gradually clarified as
experience is gained at the local
[page 21]
level. If an Auxiliary Board member feels that a matter would have
been better referred to his or her colleague, this could easily be
arranged.
- While membership on an Auxiliary Board should be regarded as a valid
reason for resignation from a National Spiritual Assembly, if there are
special circumstances for which the Assembly feels it would be detrimental to
the interests of the Faith for a Board member to resign, but he or she insists
on doing so, the matter should be referred to the Universal House of Justice.
Pending its decision, the Board member should continue his or her membership
on the National Assembly and explain the situation to the Continental Board of
Counsellors.
- There may be special circumstances within a country that make it necessary
for a believer to serve both on an Auxiliary Board and on a committee, or even
on the National Spiritual Assembly or a Regional Council, if elected. In each
instance, this is seen as a temporary measure, put in place at the instruction
of the Universal House of Justice.
- There are a number of situations that can arise related to Auxiliary Board
members and the electoral process which are left to the decision of the
National Spiritual Assembly. These include the procedure to be followed if an
Auxiliary Board member declines to serve as a delegate, when elected; whether
it is permissible to ask Auxiliary Board members to serve as tellers; and the
timing of the election of officers when an Auxiliary Board member elected to
the Assembly asks for time to choose one or the other avenue of service. A
delegate who is appointed to an Auxiliary Board may continue to serve as a
delegate until the next National Convention.
- It is preferable for an Auxiliary Board member not to be elected as an
officer of a unit convention; however, if so elected, he or she may accept,
without having to resign from the Auxiliary Board.
- A ballot in the election of a Spiritual Assembly or Regional Council or
for the delegates to a National Convention should not be invalidated because
it contains the name of a member of an Auxiliary Board.
- Auxiliary Board members may be appointed Deputies or Representatives of
Huqúqú'lláh.
- As with the Counsellors, should the membership of a community drop to
nine, an Auxiliary Board member may serve temporarily on the Local Spiritual
Assembly, and as an officer if elected, until a replacement is available. An
Auxiliary Board member need not ask for permission to serve on a Local
Assembly under these circumstances, but should notify the Board of Counsellors
accordingly.
Assistants
- There is no objection to the appointment of youth as assistants to
Auxiliary Board members. The matter is left to the discretion of the
Counsellors.
[page 22]
- Officers of elected bodies may be appointed assistants to Auxiliary Board
members. Much depends upon local circumstances, and members of the Auxiliary
Boards are to exercise wisdom and discretion in making such
appointments.
- It is not appropriate for Auxiliary Board members to appoint assistants to
help them solely in doing clerical and office work.
- A Propagation or Protection Board member in an area may use the services
of an assistant appointed by the other member, provided it is cleared with him
or her first. The two Board members can arrive at an understanding between
them so that every case need not be discussed separately.
- While it would not be wise to give one assistant a regular supervisory
role over other assistants, there is no reason to prevent a member of the
Auxiliary Board from asking one of his or her assistants, as and when a need
may arise, to extend help, provide guidance, and deepen the knowledge and
understanding of other assistants.
- Assistants who are members of a Spiritual Assembly, Regional Council, or
committee do not function as assistants in the context of that membership, and
they have the same duty to observe the confidentiality of its consultations as
does any other member.
Interactions with National, Regional and Local Administrative
Bodies
- Although ordinarily Counsellors are not in contact with national
committees, a National Spiritual Assembly may authorize a direct relationship
between the two for a special purpose and for a certain period of
time.
- Normally in deliberations between the Counsellors — individually, in
groups, or as an entire Board — and a National Spiritual Assembly, the
chairman of the Assembly presides. There may be circumstances in which the
Assembly invites one of the Counsellors to chair a session. When several
National Spiritual Assemblies are represented in a meeting called by the
Counsellors, it would be appropriate for one of the Counsellors to chair the
consultation.
- It is natural for the friends to turn to the Counsellors for advice in
case of need, even if the individuals concerned are members of the National
Spiritual Assembly. This does not, of course, mean that the Counsellors would
encourage the National Assembly members to regularly share with them matters
which are the direct concern of the Assembly.
- It is within the discretion of a National Spiritual Assembly to share its
minutes, or parts thereof, with the Counsellors. However, it is inappropriate
for a Continental Board of Counsellors to share minutes of its meetings with
National Spiritual Assemblies. If the Board of Counsellors agrees, a National
Spiritual Assembly may share copies of its minutes with the Auxiliary Board
members in the country.
- A Spiritual Assembly or Regional Council may decide to include in its
minutes, or to attach to them as an appendix, a record of advice or
information given orally to it by a
[page 23]
Counsellor. If the Counsellor wishes to review the wording of such a
record for accuracy, this courtesy should of course be extended to him or her.
Such a verification is clearly not the same thing as submitting the minutes
themselves to the approval of an external authority.
- Although a National Spiritual Assembly may decide to encourage the Local
Assemblies under its jurisdiction to share their minutes with the Auxiliary
Board members in their area in order to develop close communication, Local
Assemblies are not required to do so. This is left to their
discretion.
- The Counsellors do not receive instructions about their work from National
Spiritual Assemblies. However, as individual believers, they are always under
the jurisdiction of the National Spiritual Assembly wherever they may happen
to be. If a National Assembly learns of specific instances when something said
or done by a Counsellor may be harmful to the work of the Cause, it should
deal with the problem promptly by discussing the matter lovingly but frankly
with the Counsellors, citing specific examples.
- If a National Spiritual Assembly believes that the actions of an Auxiliary
Board member are giving rise to problems, it should refer the matter to the
Counsellors rather than approach the Board member directly. But where the
matter is purely personal, it may be preferable for the Assembly to take it up
with the Board member initially in the hope that the problem can be solved
confidentially, although, of course, any serious problem with a Board member
should be reported to the Counsellors in any case.
- An Auxiliary Board member is subject to the same sanctions as any other
believer in connection with his or her actions as an individual Bahá'í. In the
first instance, however, before the National Spiritual Assembly takes such an
action, the matter needs to be discussed with the Counsellors.
- If a member of the Auxiliary Board finds any problem with the workings of
the National Spiritual Assembly or one of its agencies which he or she feels
requires attention, it is his or her obligation to report it to the
Counsellors, who in turn, if they agree, will handle the matter with the
National Assembly involved.
- The administration and education of Auxiliary Board members are duties
discharged by the Counsellors, and the training of assistants is a direct
concern of the Auxiliary Board members. A National Spiritual Assembly cannot
assume these responsibilities. If the Counsellors and a National Assembly
conclude in their consultations that in order for an Auxiliary Board member to
work effectively in a particular area of endeavour some specific training is
required, this could be arranged by the Counsellors.
- It is not necessary for an Auxiliary Board member to deputize an assistant
to meet with a Local Spiritual Assembly. Assistants may meet with Local
Spiritual Assemblies as they pursue the specific tasks assigned to them by the
Board members. There are, of course, occasions when an Auxiliary Board member
asks an assistant to meet with an Assembly on a particular
matter.
[page 24]
- An assistant may undertake a specific task requested by a National or
Local Spiritual Assembly in his or her capacity as an individual believer, but
not as an assistant.
- It is inappropriate for assistants to meet with the National Spiritual
Assembly in their capacity as assistants.
- Auxiliary Board members do not direct Local Spiritual Assemblies or
individual believers in their activities, but are entirely free to make
suggestions and recommendations they judge wise and necessary. Further, they
help Local Assemblies to achieve the level of spiritual unity, activity and
development enjoined in the writings. It falls on the Auxiliary Board members
to build up a warm and loving relationship with Local Spiritual Assemblies and
believers so that they will spontaneously turn to them for advice and
assistance.
- In the relationship between Auxiliary Board members and Local Spiritual
Assemblies, to overstress distinctions is not only unnecessary but detrimental
to the spirit of loving collaboration and encouragement which is essential to
the progress of the Faith in every locality. The differentials of rank,
functions or procedures between agencies of the Bahá'í administration are
meant to canalize, not obstruct, the work of the Cause; all these features of
the administration are properly viewed in the context of humble service to the
Blessed Perfection, which is the loftiest objective of all who gather under
the banner of the Most Great Name.
- It should not be assumed that collaboration between the Counsellors and
their auxiliaries, on the one hand, and Assemblies and their agencies, on the
other, implies that they must be actively involved in the same project at the
same time. No doubt, in many cases simultaneous participation would be useful
and even necessary, but the work of the Counsellors, of the National Spiritual
Assembly and of all their subsidiary institutions can well be carried on
separately and at different times, provided that they do not conflict and that
information on the work done and the results achieved is shared fully and
freely.
- In general, it is not the task of Auxiliary Board members, but rather that
of the Spiritual Assemblies, to deal with the personal problems of individuals
and conflicts between them and with disciplinary matters. However, the
Auxiliary Board members and their assistants are vital elements of the Bahá'í
Administrative Order, with functions which include the counselling of
believers. If a believer approaches an Auxiliary Board member or an assistant
with a personal matter, it is for the Board member or assistant to decide
whether to give advice or ask the believer to turn to the Spiritual
Assembly.
- In reaching a decision on whether or not to pioneer, a believer is free to
consult with the National Spiritual Assembly and its executive agencies or
with a Counsellor or Auxiliary Board member. Any one of these individuals or
agencies is similarly free to initiate such consultation and offer
suggestions, leaving the final decision in the matter to the believer
concerned. The role of the Counsellors and Auxiliary Board members in the
promotion of pioneering is of particular significance. The Board members are
in an especially advantageous position to provide the friends with information
from the documents at their disposal regarding the needs of the Faith. Once a
believer decides to enter this field of service, he or she should be referred
by the Board member to the
[page 25]
proper channel, whether it be a national agency or the Continental
Pioneer Committee, which will handle the administrative details.
- Responsibility for administering travel-teaching projects falls on the
National Assembly and its attendant agencies. This does not preclude contacts
between travelling teachers and the Counsellors or Auxiliary Board members.
Indeed, such contact can assist both parties provided it is recognized that
administrative authority in these matters rests with the Assemblies and their
committees.
- With their continental perspective, the Counsellors can readily identify
opportunities for collaboration between neighbouring national communities,
especially in areas near their borders, and even across continental
boundaries. In such instances the Counsellors are encouraged to arrange
consultations between the relevant National Spiritual Assemblies and help them
design effective collaborative ventures.
- In parts of certain continents, the distribution of Bahá'í literature
represents a formidable challenge, in which case the Board of Counsellors may
create a mechanism attached to the office of one of its members to disseminate
information about literature and monitor the situation in the countries
affected. In this capacity, the Counsellor involved would be free to
communicate with Publishing Trusts as needed.
- Counsellors are alert to opportunities in their areas, both inside and
outside the Bahá'í community, for the believers to become involved in
activities of social and economic development. They focus both on encouraging
individual initiative in this field of endeavour and on creating the capacity
within the appropriate organizations to design and implement programmes. Their
work entails consultation with National Spiritual Assemblies and Regional
Councils on the role that social and economic development efforts are to play
in the growth of the community and on how they are to complement activities
for expansion and consolidation. The Counsellors' intimate involvement with
training institutes enables them to help these agencies undertake training in
the area of social and economic development and even to implement projects,
when the institutes are strong enough to do so.
Elections and Conventions
- Counsellors present at a National Convention are accorded the freedom to
participate in the deliberations. Counsellors also have the right of the floor
at the International Convention, but, since there is so little time and so
many delegates, they refrain from exercising this right, for the most
part.
- If no Counsellors can attend a National Convention, they may appoint for
that Convention one or two Auxiliary Board members to act as their special
deputies. Auxiliary Board members present at a National Convention who are not
deputized by the Counsellors do not have the privilege of the floor unless
this is given to them by the Convention.
- The Counsellors and the National Spiritual Assemblies need to work
together to ensure that the sanctity of Bahá'í elections is not violated.
Educating the believers in the fundamentals of Bahá'í elections during the
year and acquainting the delegates with the
[page 26]
sacred nature of their responsibility are activities that can be
performed within the framework of collaboration between the two institutions.
Auxiliary Board members and their assistants may participate in efforts to
help the friends in the elections of Local Assemblies, Regional Councils and
delegates. One practice that has proved fruitful is for the National Spiritual
Assembly to arrange for a meeting on the day or evening before the National
Convention, during which one or more Counsellors speak to the delegates on the
spiritual significance of Bahá'í elections and the duties of a
delegate.
- The Counsellors should watch carefully for practices which might be
construed, correctly or otherwise, to be electioneering. When such practices
are observed, the Counsellors should bring the matter to the attention of the
National Spiritual Assembly in an appropriate manner. In the event that there
are significant departures from established Bahá'í procedure in the conduct of
a National Convention, the Counsellors or their representatives attending the
Convention should advise the Bahá'í World Centre.
Conferences
- There is wide scope for Counsellors to call special gatherings involving a
number of national communities, but such conferences should be approved at the
Bahá'í World Centre before any implementation. Furthermore, it is appropriate
for the Counsellors to suggest to the National Assemblies concerned the
holding of international conferences, for example, international youth
conferences, and to encourage activities which would generate the enthusiasm
needed for the events.
- The Counsellors may hold conferences for the Auxiliary Board members in an
entire continent or any portion thereof. It may be desirable at times to
invite National Assembly members to meet with Board members at these
conferences, assisting them if necessary from the Continental Fund.
- Within a national community, conferences and seminars are called by the
National Spiritual Assembly or its committees, and not by the Counsellors or
Auxiliary Board members. This is to avoid an impression of two parallel series
of conferences in the same country, one of which is under the aegis of the
National Assembly and the other under that of the Counsellors.
- An Auxiliary Board member may invite the members of a few neighbouring
Local Spiritual Assemblies within his or her area of responsibility to a
conference for consultation on projects or problems affecting them. Clearly
Auxiliary Board members can also call meetings for their assistants on their
own initiative.
Budgets, subvention funds and properties
- Counsellors are free to consult with a National Spiritual Assembly about
the relative magnitudes of the allocations from the National Fund for various
purposes.
- An important aspect of the consultations between Counsellors and a
National Spiritual Assembly is the use of subvention funds at the disposition
of the Counsellors. While
[page 27]
the purposes of these various funds are each well defined, there is a
great deal of flexibility in their application. Funds to help in the promotion
of literature and audio-visual materials can be used, for example, to
subsidize partially or fully the purchase, translation, and production of
various items; to develop core literature programmes; or to enhance the
capacity of Publishing Trusts and agencies to produce and distribute
literature and audio-visual materials in an efficient and financially viable
manner. Subvention funds for the promotion of teaching can be made available
to enable a National Assembly to take advantage of unexpected immediate
opportunities, to assist long-term endeavours, or even to support programmes
for the growth of the Faith in an entire area. Other funds are placed at the
disposition of the Counsellors for the operation of training institutes, the
deputization of some of their staff, and for small capital expenses. The
mechanisms for the disbursement of all these funds are established by the
International Teaching Centre, as needs dictate.
- Counsellors or their deputies may consult with Regional Councils in
formulating their annual budgets, which are then submitted to the National
Spiritual Assembly for its approval. It is also within the discretion of the
Counsellors to allocate financial assistance to a Regional Council from the
subvention funds at their disposition.
- The administration of Bahá'í properties, in all its aspects, is an issue
to be dealt with by National Spiritual Assemblies and does not normally fall
within the area of the Counsellors' responsibility. However, if at any time
the Counsellors should observe that matters related to a given property are
proving to be prejudicial to the best interests of the Faith, they have the
obligation to bring their concerns to the attention of the National
Assembly.
The Continental Fund
- Each Continental Board of Counsellors submits its budget to the
International Teaching Centre at the beginning of the year. If the projected
contributions to the Continental Fund do not meet the expected expenditures,
the Board receives assistance from the Bahá'í International Fund.
- A Continental Board of Counsellors is, in principle, free to contribute
from the Continental Fund to any Bahá'í Fund or undertaking as it wishes. It
will, naturally, hesitate to do so if its operations are being subsidized by
the Bahá'í International Fund.
- There is no objection to the Counsellors' sharing, partly or wholly, the
details of the Continental Fund with the National Spiritual Assemblies or the
friends in the continent they serve. Although this practice is not encouraged,
the decision in such matters lies entirely with the Board of Counsellors
itself.
- National communities are not in the same stage of development, and
circumstances vary greatly from one community to another. Thus, in educating
the friends on the funds of the Faith, the Counsellors and Auxiliary Board
members may choose to place emphasis on the Local and National Funds in some
areas, while in others they also include the Continental Fund in their general
appeal to the friends. It would be permissible, and indeed desirable, for many
National and Local Assemblies to call for contributions to the Continental
Fund.
[page 28]
- Auxiliary Board members and their assistants should not ordinarily be
involved in the active collection of contributions to the Continental Fund.
Such contributions can be made through Local Spiritual Assemblies and the
National Spiritual Assembly, as well as directly to the Continental Fund when
the Counsellors have made provisions for this. However, an Auxiliary Board
member or an assistant who is requested to do so by the friends, particularly
in remote areas, may accept from them a contribution for transmittal to the
Continental or other Funds, for the sake of convenience.
- Expenses for the Auxiliary Board members to carry out their work should,
if necessary, be met by the Continental Fund. If the need exists, a Board of
Counsellors may decide to provide a budget to an Auxiliary Board member so
that he or she can serve the Faith full time for a predetermined period. In
making this decision, the Counsellors need to consider the long-term
implications of such a step.
- Normally, because of the localized nature of the work of the assistants,
they are able to perform their duties without support from the Continental
Fund.
- While it is possible for the friends to channel deputization for a
training institute teacher through any Fund that is convenient, the emphasis
on the Continental Fund is significant since the Counsellors are in a position
to identify institutes needing such support. Earmarked contributions for this
purpose channelled through the Local or National Fund would ultimately be
turned over to the relevant Continental Fund for disbursement.
Footnotes:
* Document history footnote: Four versions of this
document were compared for formatting and proofreading: a plain-text email
from the Baha'i World Center, a PDF version online at http://www.usbnc.org/communications/uhj/uhj_institution_counsellors.asp,
a Word version formatted by Mike Thomas, and at html version formatted by Mary
Lou Pearson. Formatting elements such as pagination, diacriticals, footnotes,
and the Table of Contents were edited by Gary Fuhrman to prepare a "critical
edition" of the document.
1. Refer to
Shoghi Effendi: Messages to the Bahá'í World, p. 123. back
2. 'Abdu'l-Bahá: Will and Testament of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 13.
back
3. Universal House of Justice: Messages from the Universal House of
Justice 1963-1986, para. 20.4b, p. 44. back
4. Shoghi Effendi: Messages to the Bahá'í World, p. 63.
back
5. Bahá'u'lláh: Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, pp. 138-139. back
6. Universal House of Justice: Lights of Guidance, no. 1112, p. 331.
Letter to the International Teaching Centre, dated 10 October 1976