The following Believers have been elected to serve on the Bahá'í Council for Northern Ireland for 2007-2008:
Keith Munro … … 35 votes Edwin Graham … 30 votes Iain Palin … … 29 votes Patricia Irvine … 28 votes Patricia Jamshidi … 28 votes Lesley Taherzadeh-O’Mara 28 votes Eddie Whiteside … 25 votes Afnan Hashemi-zadeh 24 votes Edwina Agahi … 19 votes
Some years ago our National Spiritual Assembly introduced formal requirements for steps that had to be taken by those dealing with children and young people in our community. As the Assembly said at the time this was a sad reflection on the times in which we live but they are necessary for protection of our young people, of the adult Bahá'ís, and of the good name of the Faith. The current requirement is that those having substantial access to children and young people at Bahá'í gatherings must undergo formal clearance through the official body in their part of the United Kingdom. “Substantial access” means the opportunity to be alone, or being alone, with children or young people.. “Children and young people” means those up to the age of 18 years.. The official procedure in Northern Ireland is the POCVA scheme.
This means that those taking or helping at children’s classes, junior youth and youth activities, etc. must have been cleared through the POCVA system. A good number of NI Bahá'ís have gone through the system already, and the Council appreciates this, but it is now asking all those over age 18 who have not to consider it.
The POCVA scheme will change to a new system soon and it is best to have the clearance check done now.
This requirement only affects gatherings and events held under the auspices of a Bahá'í body, but we feel it is best that this definition be used broadly – for instance individual children’s classes if they are held in response to direct guidance or encouragement, or the local Bahá'í administrative body is aware of them, could be regarded as “official” and requiring that the adults have POCVA clearance.
Bahá'í administrative bodies such as Spiritual Assemblies have a responsibility to ensure that the requirements are followed for all events held in their areas, and others such as agencies of the Bahá'í Council must also ensure they are followed for all events they may organise.
Dorothy Riordan acts as Child Protection Officer of behalf of the Bahá'í Council and anyone seeking POCVA clearance for Bahá'í events should contact her by e-mail at driordan@btinternet.com She will provide the necessary materials and information.
Thank you for your help and support in this important area.
Bahá'í Council for Northern Ireland.
Issue 18 of the newsletter (November 2007) is now available. “Reflections on Growth” is published under the auspices of the International Teaching Centre and brings togetherreports of activities that show how success and growth follow putting into action the processes of the Plan we are all engaged upon.
The theme for this issue is “Finding Receptive Souls and Teaching Them Directly”. As it says:
In describing an intensive program of growth, the Universal House of Justice in its 27 December 2005 message explained that the objective of the expansion phase was “to widen the circle of those interested in the Faith, to find receptive souls and to teach them.” The question that might arise is “What’s the best way to teach these souls?” This is answered in the same paragraph of that message: “Experience suggests that the more closely teaching approaches and methods are aligned with the capacity acquired from the study of the institute courses the more rewarding the results.”
There are reports from all over the world of how Bahá'ís have put this into action in various ways, and the successes they have enjoyed as a result.
The Bahá'í Council for Northern Ireland urges everyone to read and learn from “Reflections on Growth”, and benefit from the insights, learning, and encouragement that come in each successive issue. It has been shared in electronic (PDF) form with local Secretaries and if you have not received a copy locally please request one. You can also get it in electronic form or as hard copy from the Secretary of theBahá'í Council.
CommuNIqueand other Bahá’í publications welcomes photographs of your activities. However where children and young people (up to age 18) are featured the Child Protection Procedure of the National Spiritual Assembly requires that (unless it is a group picture—five or more) permission of the parent or guardian be given. If this doesn’t come with the photo then it cannot be used. Please bear this in mind when sending pictures. Of course if the sender is the parent or guardian of the young person featured, permission is assumed.
The Bahá'í Council been experimenting with the setup of an electronic calendar If anyone has been able to access it we would be very grateful to havesome feedback. It is now possible to access the calendar by using the URL http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=bahai.council4ni%40googlemail.com.
In addition you can import the calendar data into other electronic calendars such as Outlook etc. Please send details of any items you would like to add to the calendar to Edwin Graham.
Are you due to go on Pilgrimage, or making a three-day visit to the World Centre? Not only will this bring you great bounties, it can be an opportunity to share more about the Faith with the people of your area. Such a visit is newsworthy and your local paper will probably print a report about your experience, especially if it is seen as a “pilgrimage with a difference”.
A special press lead is available to help you with this. You can obtain it from the Bahá'í Council’s Press and Public Information Officer.
The Bahá'í Council would like to remind all the Friends in Northern Irelandthat the small ‘activities booklet’ is still available on request (in small or larger quantities). Giving an overview of the core activities for the non-Bahá'í reader, it is professionally-designed, colourful, ideal for handing to friends and enquirers: if you want some copies to give away please get in touch with the Secretary of the Bahá'í Council.
These booklets are resources to be out there working for the Faith, telling people about our various activities and inviting them to join. Why not get some and use them?
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