CommuNIqué - Newsletter of the Bahá'í Community in Northern Ireland
Issue 100 - 9 Qawl 161 BE - 1 December 2004 CE

 

FROM THE BAHÁ’Í COUNCIL

 

“WHAT DOES THE COUNCIL ACTUALLY DO?”

Dear Friends,

From time to time some of the friends ask how the Council functions. While it would be too much to describe everything, we are happy to share with you some of the major agenda items to give the friends some idea of what goes on.

The Bahá’í Council meets about every three weeks for a full Sunday, usually from 9.30 am-5.00 pm. Three or four times a year it meets jointly with our Training Institute and at other times consult with its agencies, such as the Youth Committee, Association of Bahá’í Women and others. Council always begins with a devotional. It then looks at changes in the community and studies for about twenty minutes. Currently the profound document Building Momentum is being systematically studied. The agenda, which is long, is then prioritised. Minutes of previous meetings are approved.

Later each of our six clusters is looked at with regard to developing the core activities as well as their progression through the categories. Any matters concerning our local Assemblies are considered and then the very many matters which arise between meetings are looked at. This is too big to list but includes, child protection matters, external affairs, up-coming residential schools. Later all the agencies are looked at for any current issues. This list includes, Junior Youth, Committee for the Promotion of the Arts, Travel Teacher and Pioneering Coordinator, the Year of Service Co-ordinator, CommuNIqué, the Press Officer, treasury matters etc.

The National Spiritual Assembly requires the Council to present quarterly reports and an annual report on time! These all have to be structured and gathered with great assistance from the Training Institute. The National Assembly also requires the Council to appear in London in November for consultation. A

t all times the Council keeps the friends in their hearts and prays for the development of the community on all fronts. We have joy on hearing of victories, a new study circle, a new believer, as well as major news such as the recognition of Bahá'í marriage. All of us together are responsible for the long-term future of the whole population of Northern Ireland. The Council feels the acute urgency of inviting as many people as possible to join us in our God-given work.

With warmest greetings,
Bahá'í Council for Northern Ireland.


 

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