Friendship, Fellowship & Transformation - Role of the Individual in Raising up a New Society

The role of the individual in raising up a new society, highlighting the fireside method.

Upon the individual rests the true transformation of society. Our individual actions not only set the tone of our own lives, but influence the lives of others. Friendship, Fellowship and Transformation explores the role of the individual in raising up a new society, examines the process of teaching the Bahá’í Faith, links that process with the transformation in the nature of our community relationships, and provides a plan of action for individuals and communities.

The book highlights the fireside method as elucidated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi. The fireside provides for us an insight into individual endeavour, a foundation for the transformation of the human condition ─ that within its framework lies the very core of the development of new patterns of relationships that will, over time, completely change the society in which we live.

Teaching the Cause of God is not solely about conversion. It is about the promulgation of the principle of the oneness of mankind, ‘the pivot round which all the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh revolve’. We must be engaged with our neighbours, friends, family and co-workers in uplifting our conversations, in serving our communities together, in developing a devotional intermingling on a regular basis and in fostering the education of our children and the direction of our junior youth. Our very cities, towns, villages and neighbourhoods depend upon it.

‘an enjoyable read, an important, lovely book . . . both inspiring and practical, and based on a strong foundation of guidance on teaching from Writings of 'Abdu’l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice.’ 

‘very thought provoking, particularly on the subject of firesides . . . an excellent reminder of how the fireside is still valid and complementary to the core activities. Also importantly noted are the attributes needed to attract friends to the Faith ─ sincerity and kindness with the right motives of really caring.’
Members of the Literature Review Panel of the Bahá’ís of the United Kingdom

Michael Winger’s lifelong commitment to innovation has allowed him to traverse many different arenas in his career. Specializing in business innovation and marketing communications, he worked extensively with Amoco Corporation, Bausch & Lomb, Eastman Kodak, Hallmark Cards, Freddie Mac, Mobil Chemical Company, Science Applications International Corporation, Xerox Corporation, the US Air Force and Navy, the Bureau of Prisons and the US Department of Energy.

In 1998, he co-founded New Directions, a consulting firm focused on strategies for cultural integration to bring diverse communities together to develop strategic alignment and common purpose for both the public and private sector. In 2003, he led his corporation into the dynamic world of engineering outsourcing for the telecommunications and oil and gas industries. New Directions has successfully provided support to Bechtel Corporation, Verizon Wireless, Cingular Wireless, T-Mobile and Shaw Engineering.

Michael’s numerous professional and personal activities include assistance in the development of strategic focus for non-governmental organizations on the status of women worldwide, for presentation to the UN General Assembly. He also serves with various organizations that promote racial unity and the equality of women and men. He has provided strategic consulting to the Tahirih Justice Center, whose mission is to provide legal support to women who are fleeing gender abuse and seeking immigration status in the United States.

Michael has published books and articles on organizational development themes, including technology transfer, entrepreneurship, adaptors and innovators, among others, and has presented these subjects at major international conferences at some of the world’s leading universities, including Carnegie-Mellon, Oxford, Cambridge and the University of London. 

Pages: 120 
Dimensions: 203 x 127 mm ( 8 x 5 ins)
Weight: 159 g
ISBN: 978-0-85398-590-7