The Assay Should Not Become an End in Itself.
            It is very easy, particularly in the West, for the assay process to become an end in itself, for in the West, notably in the USA, there is a great inclination to administration and rulemaking, and a sometimes shocking disinclination to take worthwhile action, especially in the teaching realm (the principal author is allowed to say this without penalty because he is from the USA).
            The assay is only a tool which we hope will help free us to do more and better teaching by making the Assembly and its community more harmonious and efficient. If it becomes a platform for mere pontification, recrimination, and legislation, then it is better it were abandoned. It is an action tool.

Deciding Whether to Conduct an Assay.
            It may happen that some- or even all- Assembly members may initially be resistant to the idea of conducting an assay. Sometimes, this resistance is logical and well-founded: there may be a feeling that an assay can only lead to discord. If so, the Assembly will of course carefully assess whether and how this might be avoided. If the Assembly concludes that the assay will become a source of disunity, then naturally it may decide not to engage this process.
            However, it could be that what is anticipated to be "disunity" might only be the "clash of differing opinions", something which is often a normal and healthy part of Assembly consultation. One simple strategy for handling this concern would be to decide beforehand to watch the process of assay carefully and to abandon it if it appears to be turning into a source of actual disunity.
            An unfortunately common source of resistance to an assay is the lack of detachment on the part of one or more members of the Assembly. Ironically, this may also be true of some who support the idea of an assay. Each member must consider their true motives when proposing or opposing this process, keeping in mind the special benefits to the Assembly of a well-conducted assay and the harm that may be done by a wrongly motivated assay.

What Kinds of Processes to Assay.
            Any aspect of Assembly function, whether generally regarded as having been "successful" or "unsuccessful", may be rewardingly assayed. But it does seem that the most fruitful areas of examination are often those wherein there has been substantial perceived "failure" in some way. We seem to learn but little from success, and everything from failure.
            Nevertheless, most of us will agree that a successful activity is one that has drawn to it "the confirmations of the Spirit". So we will naturally want to see what it was that we did right which drew those confirmations.
            Still- and your Assembly may decide otherwise- extensive failure is frequently an area that is almost supernaturally rich in the gems of learning and wisdom. The more spectacular the failure, the richer it probably is in these nuggets of understanding.
            Some clues to identifying these mega-failures include affirmative answers to any of the following: Did the activity produce an unwanted result? Did it fail to produce a desired result? Did it seem to take too long to make decisions? Did it distract the Assembly from the teaching work? Did it result in Assembly disharmony? Did it result in disharmony in the rest of the Baha'i community? Was there a lingering sense that justice was not done?

Uses of an Assay.
            Circumstances will vary, but it is a good idea to decide beforehand that during the assay meeting there will be no changes made to certain previous Assembly decisions. This will help Assembly members detach from their feelings about the subject matter so that the truth can be seen more clearly on every issue. Of course, the Assembly may later wish to change previous decisions, based on findings of the assay, but it is suggested that this be done on a different day than that of the assay meeting.
            It is inevitable that during the assay the Assembly may decide on new ways to handle various matters in the future, but it is suggested that the "no changes" rule above be observed as closely as possible unless there is complete unanimity on not observing it in the particular instance.
            Notes should be kept of findings of the assay, for future reference. A form is provided below which may or may not be suitable to this purpose.

Preparation for an Assay.
            To be most effective, assay preparation should include all of the folowing elements:

    Timing. It is probably best to conduct the assay at some remove from the events and processes which are the subjects of the assay. This allows time for much of the occasionally strong feelings and views of Assembly members to melt away to a good extent, and for them to have had opportunity to personally reflect upon those events and processes, perhaps harvesting much that is useful.
                    This distancing from the events also permits time for the effects of the Assembly's previous decisions to be seen more clearly- in short, we are then able to discern more brightly what it is that His Holiness Baha'u'llah has made of our efforts. A one or two-month interval should do; but longer delay in most cases would be inadvisable, since memory fades.
            It also seems wise to dedicate a special meeting of the Assembly for the sole purpose of the assay, and to set the date several weeks in advance of it, so that Assembly members may be better prepared materially and spiritually.

    Consulting the Institution of the Learned. The Universal House of Justice has recently placed great emphasis on a closer collaboration of the twin institutions of the Learned and the Rulers. The assay is an excellent opportunity to respond to this call, and the Learned can contribute immeasurably to this activity, which is essentially one of Assembly development.
        However, it should be understood that no one- not even a member of the esteemed Institution of the Learned- may be present when the Assembly is consulting towards a decision on any matter. Still, matters may be arranged to request the attendance of one or more members of this institution for general consultation during the assay. If that member requests it, the Assembly should familiarize her or him with the subject matter of the assay beforehand, verbally or by written summary. There are no "secrets" between the Rulers and Learned, just as there should be no "secrets" between, say, a Spiritual Assembly and its National Spiritual Assembly.

    Spiritual Elements. First and foremost, the members of the Assembly must approach the assay with the greatest love and consideration for one another, just as they would in their usual conduct of Assembly business. The process of assay must not be allowed to become a process of recrimination or mere fault-finding.
            At the same time, it seems that a spirit of real honesty and forthrightness must pervade the Assembly chamber, with a view always towards how the Assembly might better serve its Baha'i community and humanity in general. All of the principles of consultation should be observed.
            It helps to remember that an Assembly is a nascent House of Justice. Consciousness of so exalted a station for this divinely ordained institution can give wise counsel to our spirits (which are sometimes feeling tried and quite testy). The realization of the nascency of this institution as well gives us patience with its development.

    Material Elements. Any related facts should be in hand, with as much clarity as possible. These are not only the "official" records of the Assembly, such as minutes and correspondence, but also include the various "outcomes" that seem to have been influenced by the process under review. Some of these outcomes are tangible and readily measured, such as changes in fund participation, declarations, seeker enquiries, Feast attendance, and even Assembly meeting attendance. Others, more intangible, might include changes in community harmony, interaction between the friends, general functioning of the Assembly, or other matters. But, although intangible, it may be helpful to rate even these items with some arbitrary scale for future reference.

        Involving the Community. The Assembly may wish to invite non-Assembly members to consult at the assay meeting, especially those who have some direct relationship to the subject matter of the assay. Early planning for this is obviously important.

     The Sacred Writings and Other Guidance. Though mentioned last, the element of use of the Teachings of the Central Figures of our faith, counsels of the Guardian, the Universal House of Justice, and your National Spiritual Assembly forms the central core of the process of assaying previous Assembly activity, for these provide the framework and standard by which that activity must be measured. From these sources we see the responsibilities of the Assembly and its legitimate sphere of function. These are the divine measuring sticks, without which we can only lead ourselves into error in the assaying process.
            Generally- and this will vary according to the task at hand- the following Sacred Texts and documents could be available, and others, if suitable...

Conduct of the Spiritual Assay.
    Prayers. The assay meeting of course begins with prayers.

    The Dawn Breakers. Although the Dawn Breakers may not at first seem appropriate to the task of review, its stunning content is a constant reminder of things which counsel our spirits. The vivid accounts of unparallelled heroism and sacrifice have a focusing effect upon us and recall to mind the very reason why we have been brought forth. Before these examples of nobility and unswerving dedication, all petty thoughts must perish. It may be helpful, after prayers at the start of the assay, to read aloud one or two of the briefer passages from this timeless and gifted work.

    Establishing the Framework. Consultation could initially focus upon a very general assembling of the basic facts and issues of the task or activity which is under review. This cannot usually be fully accomplished without frequent resort to the next step in the process, "Defining the Spiritual Principles".
            One must be patient in this stage, while the framework is constructed. A well-constructed framework will result in the illumination of excellent ideas and insights. Attempting to dart ahead without first firmly constructing the consultation's framework will lead to much waste and confusion.

    Defining the Spiritual Principles. This is more important than anything. With a spiritual compass that is correctly attuned, an Assembly can be led to an excellent outcome, even though its material methods are flawed. But without that spiritual compass, no progress can be made.
            The spiritual compass is those Baha'i principles which we hold most dear. They are chosen according to the nature of the task that presents.

    Charting the Results. Besides the keeping of minutes of the assay meeting, it is recommended that each Assembly member be given some systematic method of recording the assay process and its results. The form which appears below, or some other method decided upon by the Assembly, may serve this purpose. But whatever form is used, it should be simple, and should provide a way to record at least the elements presented here: specification of each fact or issue; the applicable spiritual and administrative principle(s) and whether they were observed; any spiritual confirmations which resulted; and proposed future remedies.
 
 

After the Assay.
            The Assembly will want its secretary to maintain a record of all assay reports. From these, the Assembly can assess changes in its function over time.
            Interestingly, the Assembly could- and probably should- assay the assay process itself to see if it is worth conducting at all, or to see how to improve it.

Where Does This Document Come From?
            This document does  not come from any institution of the Faith. There are many and better resources on Assembly development available from the Faith's various institutions, and many from individuals that are better than this one. This document does not have the "approval" of any institution of the Faith. It was written by an ordinary believer, Dr. Dennis Hudson of New Mexico, USA, who has some experience in Assembly service.
            So, if there are more and better development documents available elsewhere, why even write this one? To answer simply-- variety is healthfood for the mind. Somewhere here may be a view on the process of assessment and development which, though better covered in other places, is seen as "fresh" by someone who had not before been excited by this process.
            Your comments are welcome anytime, but especially after your Assembly has used this process. It would be really nice to know! Oh- by the way- Dr. Hudson does not claim copyright on this document. Feel free to use it or to post it on other websites. If you make substantial changes in it, please note these in your final version so that your changes are not attributed to him. Use of the definitions of the terms evaluate and assay (presented near the top) must have the Houghton-Mifflin Company copyright notice as presented in the footnote of this document.