Unit convention contributes to building a new world

On the election day, the friends must whole-heartedly participate in the elections, in unity and amity, turning their hearts to God, detached from all things but Him, seeking His guidance and supplicating His aid and bounty.

— Shoghi Effendi

Unit conventions throughout Aotearoa will be held on Sunday 7 February 2021. All the friends are requested to mark the date in their calendars. To view a table of units, please click the button below. Venues and times will be announced once host Assemblies have made arrangements.

Meanwhile, personal preparation can begin well before the day, so as to participate confidently in the sacred processes of electing delegates and consulting on the progress of the Faith. To assist, some notes and quotations are offered as follows.

Participating in the election

This selection of quotations highlights the meaningfulness of voting and expands on the steps the believer can take in preparation for this vitally responsible act. While intensive institute campaigns that are occurring over the holiday weekend of 6-8 February 2021 may prevent those involved from attending the actual unit convention, the adults amongst them can and should ensure they cast their vote and send it ahead of time to the Head Teller for their unit. This is an act in fulfilment of the beloved Guardian’s advice to become an intelligent and conscientious voter.

The manner of participation by all adult members of the community in these elections is a distinguishing feature of the System of Bahá’u’lláh; for it is a bounden duty that confers a high privilege upon every Bahá’í to select, as a responsible citizen of the new world being brought into existence, the composition of the institutions having authority over the functioning of the Bahá’í community.

— The Universal House of Justice, 25 March 2007, to the Bahá’ís of the World

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Shoghi Effendi’s instruction … explains that “to be able to make a wise choice at the election time, it is necessary for [the believer] to be in close and continued contact with all local activities, be they teaching, administrative or otherwise, and to fully and whole-heartedly participate in the affairs of the local as well as national committees and assemblies in his country.”

— The Universal House of Justice, 25 March 2007, to the Bahá’ís of the World

The following extract refers to the qualities that a voter should look for in choosing who to vote for, and the need to reflect on this “over an extended period before the actual election”.

Among the “necessary qualities” specified by the Guardian are those “of unquestioned loyalty, of selfless devotion, of a well-trained mind, of recognized ability and mature experience”. With a heightened awareness of the functions to be performed by the elected body, the believer can properly assess those for whom a vote should be cast. From among the pool of those whom the elector believes to be qualified to serve, selection should be made with due consideration given to such other factors as age distribution, diversity, and gender. The elector should make his choice after careful thought over an extended period before the actual election.

— The Universal House of Justice, 25 March 2007, to the Bahá’ís of the World

Participating in consultation

Unit Convention is one among various settings for consultation on issues relating to the advancement of the Faith. The Supreme Body has stated: “In every setting, each participant, whatever the nature of his or her service, provides a particular contribution and takes away fresh insight.” (16 May 2013 to delegates gathered at National Conventions) In the same letter, the Supreme Body states:

This conversation of the Bahá’í world, grounded in allegiance to Bahá’u’lláh and safeguarded by firmness in His Covenant, increasingly transcends the habits of speech characteristic of an age preoccupied with trivial or misdirected interests. With time, accrued experience, and continued guidance, this ongoing conversation comes to be distinguished by a more worthy etiquette of expression and gradually clarifies ambiguities, expands participation, airs concerns, strengthens bonds of love and association, refocuses endeavour, reconciles differences, resolves problems, and contributes to happiness and well-being.