BAHA'I COUNCILS AND TRAINING INSTITUTES

Training Institute for England

The Training Institute for England would like to inform you of the newly appointed members and officers of the Board:

Mr. Shahriar Razavi - Chairman Mrs. Erica Leith - Vice-Chairman Mrs. Brigitte Beales - Secretary Mr. Varqa Khadem - Treasurer Mrs. Jennifer Chapa Ms. Kay Hughes Mr. Phillip Koomen

As you know, the Training Institute also has a Training Coordinator, Mrs Joyce Spath. Joyce provides information and advice on courses and links those who want to organise or attend Training Institute courses with those who can facilitate them. She also keeps records of how many people have attended the different courses so that the National Spiritual Assembly, the Bahá'í Council for England and the Training Institute Board can see how well the Four Year Plan goals are being met.

Here are some frequently asked questions - and some answers! -which we hope you will find useful when you are thinking of organising or attending a Training Institute course:

I want to organise a training course for my community. How do I find a facilitator?

Local Assemblies wishing to host courses, and individuals wishing to attend a course that may be offered in a nearby community, should contact the Training Coordinator (see below) for information and guidance on arranging a course. She will also put you in touch with a suitable facilitator.

I would like to train as a facilitator. Who do I contact?

For more information on becoming a facilitator, please contact the Board's secretary, Brigitte Beales: 24 Lime Tree Gdns, Lowdham, Nottingham NG14 7DJ, Tel: 0115-966-3532; e-mail: Brigitte@beales.demon.co.uk She will inform you of forthcoming training programmes.

Can anyone attend a training institute course?

Yes, absolutely! However, some courses are designed specifically for Local Spiritual Assemblies, while others are geared towards individuals. Contact the Training Coordinator for more information.

Could we host a training institute course at our Community School?

The training institute courses require more time than is available at a Community School, usually an entire day or weekend. It is not advisable to change the intended scheduling of the course, as this would diminish its effectiveness. The Training Coordinator does, however, have details of a parenting course that was developed by the European Task Force for the Family that could lend itself to Community School delivery.

What are the courses offered by the Training Institute?

Courses for Individuals: Make Me a Teacher in Thy Cause (a two-day course) Your Voice in God's Kingdom: Bahá'í Elections (forthcoming)

Courses for Communities and Assemblies: Building Communities Others Want to Join (one day) Creating Your Best 19 Day Feast Ever (two days) Making Consultation Magical (for Assemblies; runs over several evenings)

Other Courses: Let's Grow - "Study Circles" using the materials from the Ruhi Institute; Get Connected! - a course for youth ages 17+;

Pre-marriage, Marriage and Family Life - developed by the European Task Force for the Family.

Training Institute for England - Training Coordinator Joyce Spath, 7 Barnfield, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 7BN Tel: 01483 274 979 e-mail: jespa@fdn.co.uk