"Book 11: Material Means" - campaign update

The North & South Island Regional Institute Boards are pleased to provide an update on the “Book 11: Material Means” campaign, since its launch in March 2023. In this update the Board shares the latest statistics and developments, achievements, challenges and the impact these engagements have had on communities.

“Book 11: Material Means” campaign

This campaign was launched in March 2023, involving over 100 tutors across the North and South Islands, with the goal of engaging some 50% of the youth and adult Bahá’í population in the study of Book 11 “Material Means”. The first unit covers “Giving: The Spiritual Basis of Prosperity”, the second unit is about “The Institution of the Fund” and the third unit, which was released in late May, covers “The Law of Ḥuqúqu’lláh”.

The notes for the tutor of Unit 3 state:

The unit essentially addresses three main themes, beginning with the question of Divine law. Much of the discussion around this theme is focused on ideas participants have studied in earlier courses, and there are two particular points that should come across, one related to the role of the laws of God in the upraising of the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh and the other, which flows out of the first, related to the Head of His Faith. Specifically, in Sections 2 through 4, participants are helped to see that the laws revealed by Bahá'u'lláh are, at once, a standard for that future Order and a means for bringing it into being – that, in following these laws, we begin to weave the pattern of a new society. Section 5, then, serves to remind participants of what they studied in Book 8 regarding the Universal House of Justice, which, as Head of the Faith, is the guardian in this process, guiding humanity on the path towards the Order destined to emerge. Tutors should ensure participants grasp well the implications of the ideas treated in these sections, for they provide the foundation for the discussion of the next two themes that is, how the law of Ḥuqúqu’lláh affects the life of the individual and the collective life of humanity, both materially and spiritually, and how it embodies the spiritual principles that must find expression in the economic system of the future.

At the start of the campaign a handful of friends had already studied units one and two of this eleventh book in the main sequence of courses.

In the North Island – Te Ika-a-Māui

Unit 1 completions since the campaign: 207

Unit 2 completions: 107

Unit 3 completions: 22

Now, six months into the campaign, some of the numbers in the North Island have almost doubled! There are 207 who have completed the first unit, 107 have progressed to Unit 2 and 22 have completed Unit 3. Some 41 tutors have been engaged in this process since March this year.

This takes us to about 16% of the youth and adult Bahá’í population. There is still time and still much more we can achieve together. There are eight experienced friends coordinating the campaign in the North Island, who each work with a team of tutors covering the whole region. If you’re not sure who is able to tutor in your locality, please get in touch with the Institute Board (rib-north@bahai.org.nz) and they will be able to connect you.

In the South Island – Te Waipounamu

Unit 1 completions: 85

Unit 2 completions: 54

Unit 3 in progress: 39 (with 5 completion of Unit 3).

The campaign in the South Island has been progressing very well. The Book 11 coordination team – comprised of three dedicated souls – have been arranging regular monthly online tutor reflections for the Book 11 tutors, and proactively promoting the campaign through conversations with friends and Local Assemblies. Comments from the participants have been positive where much joy, excitement and enthusiasm has been generated through studying together while providing fresh perspectives and new insights into the content covered in Book 11. Currently, there are 17 individuals studying Unit 1; 24 individuals studying Unit 2; and 39 currently in Unit 3.

The New Plymouth Spiritual Assembly with some community members studying Book 11, May 2023

Christchurch friends starting Unit 3 (this group also completed Units 1 and 2 together since the campaign began)

Conversations and learnings

The conversations around material means are taking place in more and more spaces – the 19 Day Feast, at cluster reflection meetings, in consultations of a neighbourhood nucleus. Some of the Assemblies have reported marked increases in contributions to the Local Funds. At the same time, regional agencies and institutions are making a big effort to ensure participating friends are made aware of the cost of regional seminars and gatherings and given the opportunity to contribute towards them.

While we’re celebrating the progress made so far, and the many friends involved in this campaign, both the North and South Island coordination teams and institute boards have also noted some challenges. One was tracking quantitative progress of the campaign – gathering up-to-date information on all study circles to have a clear picture of progress is a capacity that needs further strengthening. Using SRP (Statistical Reporting Program) as well as campaign specific spreadsheets makes capturing easy and accessible for all involved.

The other challenge was engaging all Local Spiritual Assemblies. While some Spiritual Assemblies found it easy and enriching to take up the study of the three units of Book 11, others have been unable to meet regularly enough or arrange time to study them together.

Completion of Book 11 Units 1 and 2 from the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts (North Canterbury Cluster)

Some friends in the Waikato region who completed Unit 3 via Zoom, October 2023

Next steps

The campaign will be extended to Riḍván 2024 – and we’re hoping to increase motivation and momentum to reach the goal set: 50% of the adult and youth population to study all three units of Book 11.

Some intensive spaces are already planned to also focus on engaging youth in the study of this book.