What's New in the Southeast Region

Area Teaching Committee Orientation & Training

In recent months, the Regional Bahá’í Council appointed new members to Area Teaching Committees (ATCs), as clusters continue to work toward the goals of the Nine-Year Plan. To support the committees, the Regional Council has been offering training and orientation, with two gatherings having already taken place--one in South Carolina, and one in North Georgia. The purpose of the training is to help the ATC members advance their understanding of the role of the ATC, and based on their own reality, identify an area of learning and a few initial steps to take.

The mobilization of individuals to ensure steady progress of the program of growth is the principal focus of the Area Teaching Committee. It fosters the process of reflection and planning by organizing the reflection meeting, facilitating a sound reading of the cluster’s reality, and arranging for the accurate gathering and careful analysis of its statistics—all of which expand vision, build unity of thought, and illuminate the path for the progress of the cluster. Just as the training institute works closely to guide and  accompany the friends who initiate children’s classes, junior youth groups, and study circles, the Area Teaching Committee can encourage and support many individuals to carry out other acts of service, such as hosting devotional gatherings, undertaking home visits, and teaching the Faith…" --Universal House of Justice, to the National Spiritual Assembly of the United States, 5 January 2015

Accompanied by members of the Regional Council and Auxiliary Board members, participants studied guidance about the process of learning how to learn, the various responsibilities of the ATC, and the complementary roles of institutions and agencies functioning at the cluster level. Home visits to nearby friends were a highlight of each gathering.

To date, 16 ATCs have participated. An additional gathering is being planned in August for ATCs in Alabama and Mississippi.

We encourage you to reach out to your Area Teaching Committee, ask them to share what they have learned and how you can support the plans for your cluster.

Regional Training Institute Youth Summer Camp

Appreciating the effectiveness of the institute process, every  follower of Bahá’u’lláh will feel a desire to contribute to its advancement in some way—not  least, the Bahá’í youth. Institutes know well that releasing the potential possessed by young  people is, for them, a sacred charge; we now ask that Bahá’í youth view the future development  of the institute in the very same light. --Universal House of Justice, December 2021

The youth of our region are increasing their capacity to understand the profound learning  process in which they are involved. Approximately 30 youth from across the region recently participated in a 13-day intensive camp. are increasing their capacity to understand the profound learning process in which they are involved. and includes the study of the Baha’i Administration, messages from the Universal House of Justice, the history of the Ruhi Training Institute and the Statement of Purpose and Methods of the Institute.

The youth reflected on the social and spiritual legacy of our region, and how all those who were part of the civil rights movement arose to work tirelessly and sacrificially for justice, many of whom were young people. They thought deeply about the ways in which we share a common vision with these souls and that many of the principles called upon are reflected in the work of the institute. The youth write in their journals each day thinking about how the spiritual empowerment of a population is a continuation of the efforts of those who came before us who strove for the same goals of social justice and the betterment of the world.

Field trips were scheduled to the Civil Rights Museum and Historical sites in Birmingham and Selma, Alabama, a Juneteenth Celebration at the Atlanta High Museum of Art and outdoor activities in local parks. At the end of each day a youth or teams of youth shared stories of the Bab, Baha’u’llah and other figures in the Faith.

The camps are beginning to reflect a shift in culture in the region that provides an opportunity for the three protagonists, the individual, the community and the institutions to offer mutual assistance and support for the camps. The individual has gradually become aware of the regularity of the camps, their purpose and their role in nurturing youth to increase their capacities to execute the guidance of our current Plan. Over the series of camps, metro area Local Spiritual Assemblies have made the youth camps a regular component of their consultations and in assisting youth and families to attend the camps. They have consistently volunteered and provided meals, assisted with preparation, hosting and providing transportation when needed. The Auxiliary Board members continuously make home visits, register youth, facilitate the study of the Universal House of Justice messages, tutor study circles, and facilitate parent meetings.  There has been a marked increase in the involvement of the community around the Baha’i Unity Center as children’s classes and junior youth groups have formed that include members of the local and wider community.

Some of the highlights of the camp were:

• This camp was our longest camp to date - 13 days
• Book 1 Reflections on the Life of the Spirit & Book 4 The Twin Manifestations were completed
• Youth went to local neighborhoods each day to talk with families about the Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program, and to have home visits to share prayers
• Two new youth from the neighborhood around the Bahá’í Unity Center joined the camp, and both youth completed Book 1, Reflections on the Life of the Spirit
• The monthly junior youth camp that is held at the Center occurred simultaneously with the youth camp and the participants in Book 5 Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth served as animators. Additionally, new families from the neighborhood participated as a result of the outreach efforts of the camp youth
• The Youth Summer of Service program is underway at the Bahá’í Unity Center. It began June 24th and ends July 31, involving youth from Metro Atlanta, South Carolina, Alabama, and the local neighborhood.

NEXT CAMP DATE: Labor Day Weekend August 31st 8:30 am to September 2nd 2:30 pm.

For more information about upcoming youth camps email: board@rtise.org.

Protection of Minors

Children are the most precious treasure a community can possess, for in them are the promise and guarantee of the future. They bear the seeds of the character of future society which is largely shaped by what the adults constituting the community do or fail to do with respect to children. They are a trust no community can neglect with impunity. An all-embracing love of children, the manner of treating them, the quality of attention shown them, the spirit of adult behavior toward them – these are all among the vital aspects of the requisite attitude. --Universal House of Justice (Ridván 2000)

In order to ensure the safety of the children, junior youth and high school aged youth who participate in Bahá’í sponsored activities, the National Spiritual Assembly has specific policies in place. An important aspect of this is to ensure that those who are serving with minors have been through a clearance process. 

To facilitate this process, we have placed the application for clearance in a more accessible place on the regional website. Please go to https://rbcse.org/protection-of-minors/ to learn more. The process remains the same, beginning with completing the request form. This will prompt an email from "TheAdvocates@SterlingVolunteers.com" with a link to the full application form for clearance.

Full-time Service Opportunity at the Louis G. Gregory Bahá'í Institute

The Louis G. Gregory Bahá'í Institute has an opening for a Facilities Assistant. This is a full-time position. The Facilities Assistant works alongside the Facilities Coordinator and contributes to ensuring the ten-building facility and its grounds are well maintained. The Assistant supports a safe and uplifting environment conducive to LGBI's purpose and helps to accomplish a full range of tasks associated with year-round maintenance and improvement of the facility and grounds.

The Louis G. Gregory Bahá’í Institute (LGBI) was founded in 1972 and has a long history of dedication to building unity and gathering people of diverse backgrounds to study together, serve one another and strive to bring about the oneness of humanity. LGBI is a 140-acre property of the Bahá’ís of the United States located in South Carolina and administratively managed by the Regional Bahá’í Council for the Southeastern States.

The full position description can be downloaded here as a pdf:

To apply, please send your cover letter, current resume, and Bahá’í ID to BNO-Service@usbnc.org.