CommuNIqué - Newsletter of the Bahá'í Community in Northern Ireland
Issue 80 - 12 Bahá 160 BE - 1 April 2003 CE

VISIT BY NATIONAL TREASURER

On Sunday 2nd March Bahá'ís from all over: including Omagh, Newtownards, Castlereagh and Ballymena came to consult with Dr Wendi Momen, Treasurer of the National Spiritual Assembly, about the funds of the Faith. A chart of the contributions to the fund and the expenditure of the NSA over the last 5 years showed that there had been no decrease in contributions. Indeed contributions increased by over 30% between April 2000 and April 2001, and again by nearly 20% between April 2001 and April 2002. This is a total increase of around 50%. However, more money had been spent on account of two major events. These have affected the health of the fund:

1. The purchase of Bridge House in Tonbridge, Kent, site of the National Sub-Office. This was accomplished in 2002. The NSA is convinced that this building is a valuable resource for the Faith with its roomy offices, some of which can accommodate 300 people. The mortgage is being paid by the rents from the other organisations occupying the building. Once the mortgage has been paid, the Bahá'ís will be able to use the whole building.
2. The Universal House of Justice has asked the NSA to decentralise and distribute a greater proportion of the funds to the regional councils. From this year, the councils have been asked to become self-supporting.
3. The NSA has invested in an expensive SAGE computer system to upgrade and automate the work of the Treasury.

Expenses of the NSA have therefore had to be cut back. Cut backs have included the following: Permanent posts at the National Office have been reduced, even though the work still needs to be done. The expense of the Bahá'í Journal has been reduced by reducing the number of issues per year to six.

About contributions, Wendi said that perhaps the single greatest factor which could increase contribution to the National fund would be if every tax-paying believer would make ALL contributions to the fund by gift-aid. At present the National Assembly would gain an additional £90,000 a year if ALL contributions were given by gift aid.

About contributions, Wendi said that perhaps the single greatest factor which could increase contribution to the National fund would be if every tax-paying believer would make ALL contributions to the fund by gift-aid. At present the National Assembly would gain an additional £90,000 a year if ALL contributions were given by gift aid.

Although contributions to the National fund have been increasing, the increase has been coming mainly from a restricted number of individuals. The Guardian said the Bahá'ís should develop a personal connection with each of the funds, local, national and international. Wendi encouraged all the Bahá'ís to give individually to the NSA . She said that giving to the NSA through the local fund is not enough. Some of those present said how they felt out of touch with the NSA. Wendi said that the NSA no longer sent out 19 Day feast Newsletters, because they were supposing that all the Bahá'ís were getting their news through 'The Bahá'í News Service' which is available on the internet. There is also a financial newsletter called Connections which can be obtained by all NSA Treasurers if they wish, either by e-mail or by post.

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