U.S. Baha’i National Convention began Thursday, April 23

April 25, 2009

The second century of U.S. Baha’i National Conventions began Thursday, April 23, as the 101st annual convocation opened at the House of Worship for the North American Continent in Wilmette, Ill.

National Convention is the continuation of a process that began last October when Baha’is at Unit Conventions throughout the nation elected delegates; 171 in total.

The Welcome Wall Before the convention officially began, the delegates gathered at their hotel to study materials on the sacred purpose of the convention, the responsibility of the delegates and the role of the members of the National Spiritual Assembly.

The opening session began late Thursday afternoon at the Temple, gleaming on the shores of Lake Michigan. The delegates’ first surprise upon arriving was to encounter some of the fruits of the ongoing upgrades to the Temple grounds.

Immediately in sight: a concrete and stone "welcome wall" at the bottom of the first set of stairs, proclaiming "The Bahá’í House of Worship" in chiseled-look inset letters.

Then, after mounting those first steps, a stunning new reflecting pool comes into view. At the far end one can see the entry down into the refurbished Foundation Hall and Visitors Center level. Straight ahead, restoration work is still underway.

Opening devotions were held upstairs in the Auditorium of the Temple before delegates and guests streamed downstairs to Foundation Hall to hear Jacqueline Left Hand Bull, chair of the National Assembly, call the Convention to order with "most joyous Ridvan greetings."

First orders of business: the Convention purpose was read, along with by-laws of the National Assembly pertaining to Convention; delegates were seated in a roll call; the consultation and election result protocols were adopted; and the Convention agenda was approved.

2009 National Spiritual Assembly or the Baha’is of the United States For the next three days, the delegates heard reports from the Secretary General of the National Spiritual Assembly, Kenneth Bowers, and national Treasurer, William Roberts; participated in consultation with a focus on the growth of the American Baha’i community; and on Saturday morning, the delegates prayerfully elected the nine members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States. 

On Saturday evening, the newly elected members of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States were introduced to the convention delegates and guests. Judge Dorothy Nelson had been elected to serve as a member of the National Spiritual Assembly for the past 42 years and resigned from service on the Assembly this year. 

The newly elected members of the National Spiritual Assembly are, from left to right: Jacqueline Left Hand Bull, Kenneth Bowers, David Young, WIlliam Roberts, Juana Conrad, Valerie Dana, Muin Afnani, Erica Toussaint and Robert Henderson.  

Related item: Listen to 2008 Chicago Public Radio story on the Baha’i elections.

Tagged Administration, Elections

11 Responses

1. Pat

   We will be offering ASL interpreting for anyone interested in Nebraska (Omaha Metropolitan area, Lincoln or Aurora…or anywhere else in Nebraska)

   We are just now posting the information to the Nebraska Deaf Community so don’t know if there is interest yet, but an interpreter is Bahai and happy to interpret.

   Contact information: lunitatucumana373@msn.com

   On September 4, 2009 at 12:13 pm • Reply
2. ruie

   I would be very interested in knowing more.

   thank you.

   On June 10, 2009 at 5:39 pm • Reply
3. Cheyenne

   I am a profoundly hard of hearing Baha’i in Omaha. I am looking for other deaf Baha’is as well as information on ASL signs for Baha’i words.

   On December 21, 2009 at 10:38 pm • Reply
   • soulfulady

     Cheyenne, you may contact Lisa Zahra from Rochester, NY to help you with ASL signs for Baha’i words… her email address is lisainzambia at yahoo.com. In addition, you may be interested in her project to teach deaf children in Zambia… the website address is http://www.deaaf.org.

     On May 4, 2012 at 9:38 pm • Reply
   • vanna

     A proposal for the name “Baha’i” in sign language: http://skyriver.ca/bahai/sl/sign.htm

     On October 28, 2012 at 9:30 pm • Reply
4. Katrina Evans

   Dear Friends, My name is Katrina Evans. I am a Baha’i youth in Southern, CA. I am currently in my first year in college. The major I am working towards is Deaf Studies and a DHH Credential, along with ASL. Eventually I will become an elementary/middle school teacher at a school for children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. I am interested in contacting Baha’is involved in the Deaf community. I believe there is a great need in this area. I am working to establish centralized communication for Baha’is involved or interested in the Deaf Community. This would include a dialog with friends across the U.S. to discuss the needs and paths of service for the American Baha’i Community. This might include a website, or blog, or more. It might include the translation of prayers and core activities in ASL. Please, if anyone is interested in supporting this idea or knows anyone that would be, please, feel free to contact me at Katrina.e.19 "at" gmail.com . Please feel free to repost this on other lists or blogs that you think might be appropriate. I look forward to serving this segment of the Baha’i community. Warm Baha’i Greetings, Katrina Evans

   On December 19, 2009 at 4:45 pm • Reply
5. Anne Breneman

   We are full of joy and thankfulness to learn of our newly elected National Spiritual Assembly. My heart is full to think of our dear Dorothy Nelson and her 40 years serving this divine institution through all of the ups and downs, anxieties and celebrations, and growing strength of the American Baha’i community. She is indeed part of the fabric of our US Baha’i Community and has “given [her] all in the hope of obtaining that which is with Thee.” Each and every member of our beloved National Spiritual Assembly has a place in my heart and in my daily prayers. We rely upon your examples and your strengths and celebrate your spiritual leadership as we continue to work together toward the implementation of the Divine Plan and the long awaited entry into the Faith by troops.

   On April 26, 2009 at 8:59 am • Reply
6. Marcellus Mullins

   Hello my name is Marcellus Mullins from Far Rockaway, NY. I was declared to become a member of Bahai Faith last may. before I become a bahai, I attend ny bahai center and read book on bahai faith.

   On August 29, 2009 at 12:32 am • Reply
7. Thelbert Ray Ivey, Sr.

   We would like to know and meet or chat/email to whose are Deaf Baha’i Faith so we are very interesting to have gather Deaf Baha’i Faith groups. Please let us know asap! Thanks, Glory Ray

   On May 17, 2009 at 8:27 pm • Reply
8. Jeanne Bowden

   My Dear Deaf Baha’i Friends,

   My daughter and I are searching for deaf Baha’is to connect with in order to help my granddaughter learn about the Faith (she is 7 years old. Is there a handout with “Baha’i signs” on it? Do deaf Baha’is get together, teach children’s classes, have an internet group? Are there any videos for deaf Baha’is?

   Thank you for any help you can offer.

   With Much Gratitude from a staunch supporter of my deaf friends!

   Jeanne Bowden

   On November 7, 2009 at 11:47 am • Reply
9. Valerie Smith

   Dear friends:

   How amazing to see the new welcoming wall at the House of Worship! What a new and different look for the House of Worship. And such big news that Dorothy Nelson has retired and Valerie Dana has replaced her. Thanks for sharing all of this.

   On April 25, 2009 at 9:42 pm • Reply