The first Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Aurora was elected on April 21, 1971, exactly thirty years ago.
This year, on the morning of April 21, the First Day of Ridván, the Bahá’ís of Aurora gathered at 9:00 for a potluck brunch before the annual meeting and election.
The brunch was followed at 10:00 by the annual meeting to review the community’s accomplishments in the past year and to elect the Spiritual Assembly for the year 158 B.E. After the annual report was read and reviewed together, instructions for the election were shared, prayers were read, and ballots were cast in a quiet, prayerful atmosphere.
The following nine individuals were elected to serve on the Spiritual Assembly for the coming year: Myrna Brown-Forte, Michael Carr, Terry Cassiday, Carl Clingenpeel, Forough Clingenpeel, Harry Gereau, Lucia Gereau, Elaine Klappal, and Kaaren Smoot.
The new Assembly was able to hold its first meeting on Tuesday, April 24, and elected the following officers: Elaine Klappal, chairperson; Terry Cassiday, secretary; Carl Clingenpeel, treasurer; Lucia Gereau, vice-chairperson.