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The Annual Baha'i Convention

© Lloyd Madansky

Sunday, October 3rd, Baha'is through out the United States will hold their annual conventions. These conventions are held in local districts and are one of the main Administrative events of the year. It is at these conventions that delegates are elected to go to the National Headquarters in Wilmette, Il. and elect the National Spiritual Assembly for the next year.

Shoghi Effendi explains, in "Baha'i Administration":

It is expressly recorded in `Abdu'l-Bahá's Writings that these National Assemblies must be indirectly elected by the friends; that is, the friends in every country must elect a certain number of delegates, who in their turn will elect from among all the friends in that country the members of the National Spiritual Assembly. In such countries, therefore, as America, Great Britain and Germany, a fixed number of secondary electors must first be decided upon (95 for America, including the Pacific Islands; 95 for Germany; and 19 for Great Britain). The friends then in every locality where the number of adult declared believers exceeds nine must directly elect its quota of secondary electors assigned to it in direct proportion to its numerical strength. These secondary electors will then, either through correspondence, or preferably by gathering together, and first deliberating upon the affairs of the Cause throughout their country (as the delegates to the Convention), elect from among all the friends in that country nine who will be the members of the National Spiritual Assembly.

While this convention has, as it's focus, an Administrative function, it also has spiritual implications. It is not just a time for the election of delegates to elect the National Spiritual Assembly. It is a chance for Baha'is from the various communities within each district, to meet together and fellowship. This might not be so rare in larger cities, but in the district I live many of the communities are over 100 miles apart. This gives us a chance to share ideas about our faith, send recommendations to our National Spiritual Assembly. We also have time to fellowship. All this is important to the spiral development of the individuals and the district. There is a sense of unity to know that all the Baha'i districts are meeting on the same day throughout the United States.

On another note, due to family and work obligations, I will go monthly with my articles. I hope that this will be a positive change as I think it will improve their quality.

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