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To: 'The National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States'
Subject: "The Institution of the Counsellors" -- electronic copy
Dear Bahá'í Friends,The National Spiritual Assembly has received with gratitude the following document from the Universal House of Justice that describes the operations of the institution of the Counsellors. The Supreme Body hopes that the guidance provided "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. "
With loving Bahá'í greetings,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 10SOME SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF THE FUNCTIONING OF THE INSTITUTION 18
The International Teaching Centre 18Interactions with National, Regional and Local Administrative Bodies 22
Elections and Conventions 25More 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 BAHÁ'Í COMMUNITIES VITALITY FAITH ITS
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS PROPER FUNCTIONING ITS LABORIOUSLY
ERECTED INSTITUTIONS FRUITION ITS WORLDWIDE ENTERPRISES
FULFILMENT ITS ULTIMATE DESTINY ALL DIRECTLY DEPENDENT
BEFITTING DISCHARGE WEIGHTY RESPONSIBILITIES NOW RESTING
MEMBERS THESE TWO INSTITUTIONS...".The Institution of the Counsellors 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
Baha'is, 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."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." 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 worldwide, 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.
Page No 6The 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 Baha'i
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.
The Institution of the Counsellors 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 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
Page No 7immediately 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 worldwide
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
The Institution of the Counsellors 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 CounsellorsPresently, 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
Page No 8the 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 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
Page No 9The Institution of the Counsellors 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.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.
Page No 10The 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 Baha'is, 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.
The Institution of the Counsellors 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 Baha'i
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 Baha'i
community in relations with the authorities of a country on behalf of the
page No 11Intimate 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.
The Institution of the Counsellors 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
Page No 12of 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 Baha'i
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." 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.
Page No 13As 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.The Institution of the Counsellors Page 9
Collaboration with National Spiritual AssembliesThe 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
Page No 14them 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. TheThe Institution of the Counsellors 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
Baha and belittle not the rank of such rulers as administer justice amidst
you."The manner in which interactions between the Continental Counsellors and
their auxiliaries, on the one hand, and National Assemblies and their agencies,
Page No 15on 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 givenThe Institution of the Counsellors 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 InstitutesInvolvement 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 CommunityThe 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
Page No 17collective 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.The Institution of the Counsellors 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.
Page No 18The role of the training institute in the development of these capabilities can hardly be
overemphasized. The Auxiliary Board members are to use this powerful instrument to
change passive acceptance of the Faith into apassion 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
The Institution of the Counsellors 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
Page No 19is 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
meager 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.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
page No 20available 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 consultativeThe Institution of the Counsellors 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 worldwide aims and accomplishments of the Faith are analysed, the condition
Page No 21of 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.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.The Institution of the Counsellors 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
Page No 22between 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 Ridvan
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 CauseThe 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.
Page No 23Although 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 forThe Institution of the Counsellors 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".
Coordination and the Provision of ResourcesThe work of the Counsellors and their deputies is distinguished by the
Page No 24complementarity 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 worldwide 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.
The Institution of the Counsellors 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.- 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 Baha'is, 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.- 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 theThe Institution of the Counsellors 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
Page No 27individual 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
The Institution of the Counsellors 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 Huququ'llah.
- 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.- 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 localThe Institution of the Counsellors 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
Huququ'llah.- 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.- 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.The Institution 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 aThe Institution of the Counsellors 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 Baha'i.
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.The Institution of the Counsellors 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
Page No 34include 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 theThe Institution of the Counsellors 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.
Page No 35- 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.- 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 Baha'i
elections during the year and acquainting the delegates with the
The Institution of the Counsellors 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
Page No 36meeting 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.- 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.- 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. WhileThe Institution of the Counsellors 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 audiovisual 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 audiovisual 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.- 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 Baha'i
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.
The Institution of the Counsellors 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
Page No 39predetermined 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.2. INTERNATIONAL AND CONTINENTAL COUNSELLORS AND THE AUXILIARY BOARDS, page = 6
3. Historical Perspective, page = 65. The Continental Boards of Counsellors, page = 8
6. The Auxiliary Boards, page = 97. Assistants to Auxiliary Board Members, page = 10
8. Service on National, Regional and Local Administrative Bodies, page = 11
9. Duties of the Continental Counsellors and Their Auxiliaries, page = 12
10. Collaboration with National Spiritual Assemblies, page = 14
11. Mode of Interaction, page = 1514. Formulation and Implementation of Plans, page = 20
15. The Fund, page = 2217. Coordination and the Provision of Resources, page = 24
18. SOME SPECIFIC ASPECTS OF THE FUNCTIONING OF THE INSTITUTION, page = 26
19. The International Teaching Centre, page = 2623. Interactions with National, Regional and Local Administrative Bodies, page = 32
24. Elections and Conventions, page = 3626. Budgets, Subvention Funds and Properties, page = 37
27. The Continental Fund, page = 39