Did you know that your role as treasurer is key to the growth of the Faith? Shoghi Effendi, in Directives from the Guardian, wrote that, “Without the spirit of real love for Baha’u’llah , for His Faith and its Institutions, and the believers for each other, the Cause can never really bring in large numbers of people.” Elsewhere, Shoghi Effendi, in referring to the National Spiritual Assembly and the National Fund, writes that, “It must be made clear to them all that continuous support to these twin institutions is the corner-stone of all future achievements, the mainspring from which all future blessings will flow.”

What does it mean, then, to love the Fund? This is a great conversation to have with your community at Feast, and with your Assembly to consult on ways to foster and nurture that love in the community. We’d love to hear what you think and what your consultations generate!

There are about to be some major changes taking place at the holiest House of Worship. After hosting the upcoming 99th Baha'i National Convention in late May, the House of Worship Visitors Center will be temporarily closing its doors.

Scheduled to re-open in time for the 100th National Convention, to be held in 2009, the temporary closing of the Visitors Center is part of the remaining work being done to restore the House of Worship, particularly the foundation, the renovation of the gardens, and the construction of the new Visitors Center, which is scheduled to be completed in 2010.

Stay tuned to the Baha'i Treasurers Bulletin and The American Baha'i over the coming year for updates and pictures of this exciting stage in the life of the Mother Temple of the West.

Click to view Treasurers Notes for the Feast of Ala/Loftiness 

In the month of the ‘Ala’ our efforts will turn towards the “essential… period of meditation and prayer, of spiritual recuperation, during which the believer must strive to make the necessary readjustments in his inner life, and to refresh and reinvigorate the spiritual forces latent in his soul… fasting is symbolic, and a reminder of abstinence from selfish and carnal desires." (Written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States) 

The Winter Issue of FUNDamentals, an ezine by young adults for young adults, is coming soon! The theme is 'Creating a Fortress for Well-Being.'

This issue is all about the spiritual and financial elements of building a "fortress for well-being and salvation." Articles will address such things as how to create change in the world through your marriage, how to navigate money issues in a marriage, and things to talk about with a potential spouse before getting married. Whether you or the friends in your community are planning to get married, about to get married, or are about to celebrate an anniversary, there's something for them in this issue.

Visit the FUNDamentals site to subscribe and receive updates in your email!

There's a lot to talk about at the Treasurers Cafe Forum! Recent discussions by local treasurers include ways to make Feast reports available to the community, a down loadable 'Fund Quiz' in PowerPoint format, and reflections on making audits run smoothly.

Come be a part of the conversation! If you haven't already joined the Treasurers Cafe it's not too late. Visit the Treasurer's Cafe, create your profile, and start connecting!

Question

Where should I send my contribution for the Regional Baha'i Council?

With tender joy and appreciation the National Spiritual Assembly continues to receive endearing letters and sacrificial contributions in response to the December 2007 letter calling the friends to meet the Fund challenge before us by “striving to provide the financial resources necessary to enable us to take the steps needed to coordinate and consolidate the victories that are on the horizon.” 

Welcome to the Treasurers Cafe, the online community by treasurers, for treasurers! As part of the Treasurers Cafe you can network with your sisters and brothers in service to the vital Institution of the Fund.

Here are just some of the things you can do in the Treasurers Cafe:

• visit the Cafe Forum where you can join a discussion and share materials, whether it's a fun Feast report or a new spreadsheet;
• visit the individual, customizable 'Pages' of treasurers from around the country and write on their 'Comment Wall';
• have instant access to the latest issues of the Baha'i Treasurers Bulletin and the FUNDamentals Ezine;
• ask questions of specific staff in the Office of the Treasurer, whether it's about audits or engaging young people in Fund participation.

Keep reading to learn how to login and hear some more about the features of the Cafe.

• Learning with Liang: "Lucky Money"
• Vignette of Giving: Aiming for the Fund
• National Fund Update
• Chilean Temple Fund Update

View the Treasurers Notes for the Feast of Mulk/Dominion