Former Iowa Bahá’ís Serve on National Spiritual Assemblies
By Diane Findlay, submitted February 2024
It’s come to my attention that several Iowa Bahá’ís went on to pioneer internationally and serve on National Spiritual Assemblies at their pioneering posts. Here’s what we know so far:
- David Meswarb (in Antigua 1982-1994) served on the NSA of the Leeward Islands and then the East Leeward Islands. Still trying to confirm exact years but our best source says he probably served continuously during the years he was there.
- Jane Rodriguez-Javier served on the NSA of the Leeward Islands in 2005 and possibly other years.
- Rod Clarken served on the NSA of the Virgin Islands from 1984–1988 and 2022-present.
- Bob McIlvride served on the NSA of Thailand (there 1990-1993) in 1993.
- Daniel H. Himes served on the NSA of Papua New Guinea from 1971-1973.
- Candee Pritchard Grant served on the NSA of Uruguay in 1973-1974.
- Frank Grant served on the NSA of Uruguay in 1973-1974.
- Kal Basin served on the NSA of Lesotho from 1976 to 2016.
- Yvor Stoakley served on the NSA of Sierra Leone in 1974-1975.
- Hugh Chance served on our NSA from 1961-1963 and went on to serve on the Universal House of Justice from 1963 until he retired in 1993.
As part of their service, David Meswarb (1993 and possibly other years), Dan Himes (1973), Bob McIlvride (1993), and Rod Clarken (1988, 2023) all had the bounty of attending International Conventions to participate in the election of the members of the Universal House of Justice. Kal Basin served as a delegate in 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, and 2013.
