January 25. On this date in 2005, the Universal House of Justice addressed a letter to the members of the International Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh prior to their inaugural meeting. It is notable that in 2007, two years after this letter, the Italian Bahá'í community was rocked by a scandal in which the General Secretary of the NSA, Franco Ceccherini, was formally charged by the Italian government for embezzlement and fraud in the amount of 360,000 Euros.

 

January 25. On this date in 2005, the Universal House of Justice addressed a letter to the members of the International Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh prior to their inaugural meeting. It is notable that in 2007, two years after this letter, the Italian Bahá'í community was rocked by a scandal in which the General Secretary of the NSA, Franco Ceccherini, was formally charged by the Italian government for embezzlement and fraud in the amount of 360,000 Euros. 

101. "With the approach of the meeting …, which will mark your inaugural…" With the approach of the meeting …, which will mark your inaugural meeting as members of the International Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh, we have decided that it is now appropriate to provide you with guidance about your work and the development of Huqúqu’lláh, the Right of God, in the years ahead.

As stated in our letter …, notifying you of your appointment, your duties are those of the trusteeship of Huqúqu’lláh, following in the path of the Chief Trustee of Huqúqu’lláh, the Hand of the Cause Dr. ‘Alí-Muhammad Varqá….

A major element of the duties to be undertaken by the Deputies and Representatives throughout the world will continue to be the education of believers in the Right of God. The required education should be accomplished in a moderate and patient manner, so that the hearts of the believers are attracted to obedience to the provisions of the law of Huqúqu’lláh as part of their yearning to pursue the path of spiritual development prescribed by Bahá’u’lláh. The most important features of the law should be presented in as simple a form as possible, to avoid the dear friends obligated to pay Huqúqu’lláh from becoming inhibited about doing so by an unwarranted fear of its complexity of application.

Under all conditions, due attention should be given to preserving the dignity of the Faith….

We ask you to propose … details for a network of National or Regional Boards embracing the entire worldwide community and to recommend the membership of these Boards. In countries where there are a substantial number of believers obligated to pay Huqúqu’lláh, a National Board is appropriate. Regional Boards should be set up to cover other groups of countries, with the expectation that each Regional Board will be replaced by a number of National Boards in the future, as the Bahá’í community grows.

The members of these Boards will be appointed to serve for a term of three years and will be eligible for reappointment. No specific date is set for the appointment, so that a replacement can be approved whenever a Deputy is unable to discharge the functions. We have decided that Counsellors should not be eligible for membership to these Boards.

The Regional and National Boards would have the function of appointing Representatives, for a term of three years; as in the case of Deputies, when a Representative is appointed to replace an existing member unable to carry out the functions, the new appointee will serve for a full three years.

To the extent possible the Representatives will not be required to receive and transmit funds or to issue receipts…. This modification in the functions of the Representatives means that their work will be educational….

(25 January 2005, written by the Universal House of Justice to the members of the International Board of Trustees of Huqúqu’lláh)

It is notable that in 2007, two years after this letter, the Italian Bahá'í community was rocked by a scandal in which the General Secretary of the NSA, Franco Ceccherini, was formally charged by the Italian government for embezzlement and fraud in the amount of 360,000 Euros.