FUNDamentals

From the Editor
Sustaining a Life of Service (Fall '07)

'Abdul-Baha said, "...all effort and exertion...is worship, if it is prompted by the highest motives and the will to do service to humanity. This is worship: to serve mankind and to minister to the needs of the people. Service is prayer."* Having spoken with many of you over the years, we've often heard the sentiment expressed, How can I be of service to God and humanity?, as you are being called to this by your Creator and the promptings of your soul. The FUNDamentals Team humbly offers this issue in response.

The purpose of this issue of FUNDamentals is to continue our conversation about how you can sustain a life of service, one illumined by prayer and worship, where your material means become an extension of your spiritual ideals. To help you in this process, the expert team of volunteers assembled by the FUNDamentals Team has composed a number of articles that talk about:

• how the Five Year Plan can help you manage your money (in the Material Encounters section)
• how to handle your money in the long term
• 8 myths (and truths) about investing
• some thoughts on socially responsible investing (SRI)
• some things to consider when looking for a financial adviser

We also have a new film to share with you that we think you'll like.

We hope you enjoy this issue and the film, and we look forward to continuing this conversation with you.

The FUNDamentals Team

P.S. You might be introduced to some new terms in this issue, so remember you can just double-click on any word and you'll get a definition. If you have a question please feel free to comment/email us.

*Paris Talks, p. 176

FUNDamentals Cinema
The Lifeblood
The FUNDamentals Team is excited to share with you a film done in collaboration with an amazing group of Baha'i young adult filmmakers and artists. Their task - explore elements of our spiritual and material lives and how the Baha'i Fund, and all the virtues, qualities, and processes associated with it, helps us master balance. The result is this film.

Feel free to view it here or if you'd like to have the option of viewing it full screen, pause the film, click anywhere on the film itself, and you'll be taken to YouTube (then click on the lower right corner of the YouTube player).

Material Encounters
What Should I Do?
One common question that many young people have had regarding money, is - "What should I do?" Often this is raised in relation to managing money, and particularly investing. This is an important question that essentially has  to do with our life's purpose and what we think it to be. Let's explore.

Spiritual Financial Planning
8 Myths (and Truths) About Investing
'Abdu'l-Baha encourages all people to be a “seeker of the truth.” In that spirit, we asked Lindsey to shed light on some of the most common myths (and truths) regarding investing and how to save for retirement. Prepare to be enlightened.

Spiritual Financial Planning
Planting the Seed for Your Retirement

In this third and final installment on saving, Lindsey talks about the importance of saving for retirement and two key ways to begin planting the seed for a fruitful retirement.

Spiritual Financial Planning
Finding a Competent Financial Physician

Baha'u'llah, in His Most Holy Book the Kitab-i-Aqdas, counseled His believers to, "Resort ye...to competent physicians: We have not set aside the use of material means, rather have We confirmed it through this Pen, which God hath made to be the Dawning-place of His shining and glorious Cause." Sometimes we all need a little check up and it's no different with our finances. What do we do when we need a little advice? We asked a financial planner what to consider when searching for a financial planner and here's what we found out.

The Needs of the Age
Socially Responsible Investing

Baha'u'llah wrote, "Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements." One way some people choose to be concerned with the needs of the age and plan successfully for long term financial health is through socially responsible investing (SRI). The FUNDamentals Team did some research, asked around, and found some information to help you "center your deliberations...."

Job Opportunities

The Office of the Treasurer has a number of positions open, from internships to supervisor, ranging in skill sets from straight up budget analysis to offering presentations on behalf of the National Spiritual Assembly.  And, honestly, working for the National Spiritual Assembly is pretty great.

If you're interested contact Human Resources for more information or to send in your resume: by email at hrm@usbnc.org, or by phone at 847-869-9039.