The guidance makes it clear that one of the most critical elements in successful study circles is the spirit of service and the skills of the study circle tutors/facilitators: "The experience of the past few years has shown that the selection and training of tutors are crucial for the extension of the institute process to the grassroots and for the success of the study circles." (Training Institutes and Systematic Growth, p. 9) Seen in this light, we might consider the study circle tutors/facilitators as the "faculty" of the Institute.

No doubt you have noticed that our Regional Training Institute Board of Directors has been giving increasing emphasis to the selection and training of the tutors, progressively raising the standards. The reason for this is clear:

"Since the effectiveness of the tutors is critical to the success of the institute process, more and more attention has been given to the content of the training, the skills needed to organize a study circle and lead the participants through the courses, and the attitudes necessary both to nurture the participants in their learning and maintain the cohesion of the group." (Training Institutes and Systematic Growth, p. 9)

The guidance also notes that tutor training is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process where tutors learn:

• How to keep the participants focused on the material
• How to formulate questions that stimulate reflection
• How to foster active participation within the group

Tutors must "combine the qualities of love, humility, and patience, with the dedication, perseverance, and commitment required to create a spiritual atmosphere conducive to learning" (Training Institutes and Systematic Growth, p. 9).

Dear friends, there is no question we are in the early stages of learning about this process. We are only building the foundations of what will, someday, become a sophisticated and systematic way of training thousands and thousands of new believers to become confirmed and active participants in the Cause of Bahá'u'lláh.

Hopefully, by taking a few moments to reflect on these points, you will have a better sense of how the tutors function on behalf of the Regional Training Institute, and how we can all work together to raise cluster after cluster to the next stage of development.