U.S. Bahá'í Refugee Office National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States April 21, 2001 - Ridván 158 As part of the Five Year Plan, the U.S. Bahá'í Refugee Office is responsible for: Producing materials and deepening tools in both printed and audio-visual format, often with the help of Southeast Asian Bahá'í friends, to teach Southeast Asians in their native tongues. These materials provide opportunities to teach, consolidate and deepen. Publishing the quarterly Southeast Asian Bulletin to share effective strategies for teaching and consolidation, explore issues, promote empowerment of Southeast Asians in their own communities, foster appreciation of Southeast Asian cultures, cover news and promote upcoming teaching and consolidation events. Educating and sensitizing Bahá'í communities through articles in The American Bahá'í to strengthen unity in diversity. Promote attendance at Southeast Asian conferences for families, youth, junior youth, children, and other interested parties. In collaboration with the Regional Bahá'í Councils we encourage local Bahá'í Communities to: Form friendships with Southeast Asian families. An important step in helping the Southeast Asian Bahá'ís become active community participants are frequent and on-going visits by Bahá'í friends. Through sincere offers of friendship, a loving and lasting bond can be established with each new Southeast Asian family. Engage in community development and social service projects, such as tutoring, ESL classes and sewing classes in consultation and cooperation with Southeast Asian community members. Provide for the training of youth and children by holding regular classes in each community; encouraging mothers and other relatives to become involved in the classroom; and holding Southeast Asian youth conferences to build self-esteem and unity. Foster the empowerment of Southeast Asian women through close personal involvement in daily Bahá'í activities that enable them to be more effective mothers and partners with their spouse. How Can We Reach Southeast Asians In Our Area? Befriend Southeast Asian Bahá'ís. Learn about their lives by attending cultural and New Year celebrations, weddings, and funerals. Be a friend to a Southeast Asian youngster who wants to belong, but is not easily accepted by American peers. Respect that Southeast Asians dislike attending meetings or even simple gatherings if they do not really know the other attendees. Before asking them to meetings, visit their gathering places first and win their trust. Hold regular gatherings, such as Unity Feasts, junior youth activities, children's classes, picnics, and deepenings in Southeast Asian neighborhoods. Ask them to include Southeast Asian art, music and dance at these gatherings. Offer or arrange transportation when needed for Feast and other Bahá'í activities. Remember to ask their parents' permission when offering to transport children, junior youth, or youth. Don't get discouraged. Consolidation and integration requires persistent effort. Get the approval of Southeast Asian community leaders before inviting non-Bahá'ís to Bahá'í gatherings. Southeast Asians respect and honor the position of clan leader; the community will support you when approval is obtained. Empower Southeast Asian Bahá'ís to use their own skills when giving talks, firesides and deepenings. Invite a Southeast Asian friend along when going teaching. Place Bahá'í ads and spots in Southeast Asian media, such as newspapers, television, and radio. Ask Southeast Asians to contact their local Bahá'í communities by providing contact names and telephone numbers. Share practical solutions in simple, not abstract language. Changes in family roles are difficult for parents and places pressure on youth. Youth may also experience a loss of respect for parents and the elderly, lack of interest in studies, and temptation towards gang involvement. Gently encourage them to seek guidance from the Bahá'í writings and principles. U.S. Bahá'í Refugee Office Bahá'í National Center 1233 Central St. Evanston, IL 60201-1611 Telephone (847) 733-3522 Fax (847) 733-3545 E-Mail USBRO@USBNC.ORG Hours: 8:30 - 5:30 , Central time “Having...obtained a clear understanding of the true character of our mission, the methods to adopt, the course to pursue, and having attained sufficiently the individual regeneration-the essential requisite of teaching-let us arise to teach His Cause with righteousness, conviction, understanding and vigor. Let this be the paramount and most urgent duty of every Bahá'í. Let us make it the dominating passion of our life. ” Shoghi Effendi, The Individual and Teaching, page 15 Teaching p. 15 and Teaching p.15 “The friends of God should weave bonds of fellowship with others and show absolute love and affection towards them. These links have a deep influence on people and they will listen.” -'Abdu'l-Bahá The Individual and Teaching p. 12 As mandated by the National Spiritual Assembly in a letter dated January 10, 2000, the U.S. Bahá'í Refugee Office will serve as an expert advisor on all aspects of Southeast Asian Affairs. ( Mrs. Nur (left) and Mrs. Xiong Cha (right), longtime friends share photos and stories at the 11th Annual Southeast Asian Conference.. Photo: One of the Youth Sessions at the 11th Annual Southeast Asian Bahá'í Conference