To all National Spiritual Assemblies
Beloved friends,
The Hands of the Cause at their London Conclave last May
decided that Auxiliary Board members should be free of administrative
responsibilities in order to devote their full energies to their work as Board
members. Those Board members serving on National Assemblies were therefore
requested to decide, before Ridvan 1964, in which capacity they could best
serve the Cause.
In view of this request made by the Hands of the Cause to
their Auxiliary Board members, the Universal House of Justice has reached the
following decisions:
National Assemblies in whose areas of jurisdiction Board
members reside, should point out to the delegates at Convention that whilst
teaching and administrative duties are not mutually exclusive, it is desirable
that Auxiliary Board members, whether for teaching or protection, be left free
to concentrate on the work allotted to them by the Hands of the Cause in each
Continent. The following extract from the Guardian's letter, written through
his secretary, could be shared with the delegates for their guidance when
casting their votes:
"The teachers of the Cause can surely become members of
any Assembly or committee. There should be no incapacity attached to them. But
Shoghi Effendi would just prefer to see them devote all their time to teaching
and leave the administrative functions for those who cannot serve as
teachers." (Bahá'í News, October 1932)
Should Board members still be elected on National Assemblies after the above explanation, it should rest with each Board member to decide which of the two functions he feels best suited to perform. The Universal House of Justice, therefore, approves the request made by the Hands of the Cause to their Board members that they choose between the two functions.
In the event of the resignation of Auxiliary Board members
from National Assemblies, this should be considered as good reason for
resignation. If, however, the National Assembly, in view of special conditions,
should consider such resignations to be detrimental to the interests of the
Faith of that National Community, and the Board member should insist upon
resigning on the grounds of his membership on the Board, the matter should be
at once referred to the Universal House of Justice by the National Spiritual
Assembly for examination and final decision. Pending such a decision, the Board
member should continue his membership on the National Assembly, and explain his
position to the Hands of the Cause in his continent.
Measures will have to be taken by National Assemblies
according to normal procedure to fill any vacancies created in this way. If the
vacancy is recognized while Convention is still in session, a by-election could
be arranged before Convention disbands.
With loving Bahá'í greetings,
The Universal House of Justice
(Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-1986)
