Guidance Notes for Pioneers and Goal Areas

Prepared by the Homefront Pioneering and Travel Teaching Service (HPTTS)[NOTE 1]

He feels sure that the British Bahá'ís, who have done more pioneering per capita than any other Bahá’í community in the world, will do all in their power to safeguard the precious goals they have won at the cost of so much sacrifice and valiant endeavour.[NOTE 2]

Homefront pioneers are greatly needed – and will be for many years to come – to help maintain weak Spiritual Assemblies, to strengthen Groups or to open Districts as yet "unopened" to the Faith. This service is highly valued and will be assisted if necessary.

Friends offering to pioneer, however, should be advised that any Pioneer move should be undertaken, if possible, as a "permanent change of residence", i.e. for an indefinite period. The Guardian recommended a minimum period of at least two years for an effective pioneer move, but a firm commitment for not less than six months is acceptable.

Maintaining a Local Spiritual Assembly at Ridván

Steps need to be taken as quickly as possible to find pioneers to fill vacancies to maintain Local Spiritual Assemblies as soon as those vacancies become known.

1. A pioneer offer can only be accepted, especially if it is for the purpose of maintaining a local Spiritual Assembly which might otherwise lapse, if it is for a minimum period of six months or until the pioneer can be replaced (either by another pioneer moving in or by the registration of a new adult believer, or a youth becoming 21). A temporary move could be considered, for example, if it is to fill the vacancy until a resident youth attains the age of 21.
2. Pioneers must arrange to move into, and reside in their pioneer goal town or district. An exception to this rule may be applied in the case of students at a university or a college of higher education. Such students may choose whether they wish to be registered in the community where they study, or in the community of their family home.
3. Accommodation is a determining factor and "Residence" in a district can be confirmed by one of the following conditions:-
   • Intention to purchase residential property. Residence can be confirmed as soon as contracts have been exchanged, but before the pioneer(s) have actually be able to move in.
   • Signature of a lease to rent residential accommodation (furnished or unfurnished). Temporary accommodation, in a Bahá'í home, with the intention "in good faith" of making more permanent arrangements as soon as alternative accommodation can be found.
   • Other residential accommodation, such as "board and lodging" or "digs" or "bed-sits" are also acceptable forms of residence.
4. "Period of Grace". This applies solely to the purchase of residential property and covers the period between the exchange of contracts and 'completion' date only. Prospective pioneers in such circumstances should:-
   • Notify the HPTTS of their situation and arrange to transfer out of their former community before April 21st.
   • Register membership in their pioneering post community and arrange to attend all Feasts and Spiritual Assembly meetings there pending the time they are able to move into their new home.

NB. An arrangement to 'exchange contracts' after April 21st. will not be acceptable for that year.

The following notes may also be helpful

Note 1: District or Borough boundaries are sometimes difficult to define. (Some run down the centre of a road or waterway.) "Residence" has to be attributed to the Borough or District Council to which the Council Tax on the place of residence is paid. Postal addresses, or 'customary' relationship with the nearby town cannot be accepted. Also the fact that a Bahá'í attends Feasts in a nearby community does not give them the right to vote, or to serve on the Assembly of that community.

Note 2. A Spiritual Assembly may only be reformed on April 21st. of each year,[NOTE 3] even if one or more of the members move out of the community within a few days following that date, but always providing that they have been resident in the community for at least six months prior to April 2lst. NB: A Spiritual Assembly does not "lapse" between one Ridván and the next unless there is no longer a "quorum" resident in the community, i.e. fewer than five adult believers.

NB. If a pioneer move in order to maintain a Local Spiritual Assembly does not conform to the above guidelines (i.e. a pioneer is not able to reside in a community for the minimum required period of six months), then the National Spiritual Assembly will decide whether that Local Spiritual Assembly can be recognised. At that time the National Spiritual Assembly will consider whether the pioneer move was made "in good faith" but could not be maintained due to extenuating difficulties, and the circumstances of the move will then be taken into account.

Any situation not covered in these Guidance Notes should be brought to the attention of the Homefront Pioneering and Travel Teaching Service.

Let them dedicate themselves – young and old, men and women alike – and go forth and settle in new districts, travel, and teach in spite of lack of experience, and be assured that Bahá’u’lláh has promised to aid all those who arise in His Name.[NOTE 4]

Endnotes Click here to return to text.

1. These guidelines are based on those agreed with the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United Kingdom for use by the then NTC in March 1988.
2. Unfolding Destiny, page 374
3. i.e. Between sunset on 20th and sunset on the 21st.
4. Dawn of a New Day, page 88.