They were created to perpetuate the role of the Hands of the Cause, who could no longer be appointed after 1957.[13] They outrank the National Spiritual Assemblies, though only in an advisory role since they have no administrative authority, but they are regarded as lower than the Hands.[4] The announcement of their creation on 21 June 1968 also changed the Hands of the Cause from continental to worldwide appointments.[2] The Counsellors took on the responsibility of directing the work of the Auxiliary Boards, appointees working closer with local communities, and one Counsellor from each board was appointed as the trustee of funds.[4] At first the Hands resident in Haifa directed the boards of Counsellors, until the International Teaching Centre was created in 1973.