GBC AGM HIGHLIGHTS REPORT
16 February 2025
Day 3
We are pleased to present the 16 February 2025 GBC Annual General Meeting (AGM) Highlights Report. This report covers the Day 3 of the GBC AGM, providing a comprehensive overview of the meeting held in Sridham Mayapur, highlighting the key topics discussed.
The meeting began with Srila Prabhupada Guru Puja prayers, followed by a reading by Govardhan Dasa from a letter by Srila Prabhupada to Tamal Krishna Goswami on 1 September, 1971.
The following key topics were discussed:
Organisational Development
The GBC Organisational Development (Org Dev) Committee shared some of the work done by them throughout the year in the form of some proposals which shall support the functioning of the GBC.
a. ISKCON Management Handbook
The ISKCON Management Handbook, a premium offering from the GBC Org Dev Committee, shall serve as a timeless guide for global ISKCON management, with a strong focus on practical application. The handbook consists of two main components: Handbook 1 - “Build,” which covers the establishment of new centers (temples, restaurants, goshalas, etc.) from land acquisition to grand opening, and Handbook 2 - “Operate,” which focuses on the management and daily operations of existing centers. In total, 22 handbooks will be developed for “Build” and 74 for “Operate,” including 9 books on Governance, 55 on Core Processes, and 10 on Supporting Activities.
The team has started with the development of the Core Process handbooks, with 3 Temple Management books presented at the AGM 2025. GBC members provided detailed feedback, and the handbook team will connect with relevant ministries and projects to gather further information and input.
b. ISKCON Global Crisis Response Team
On 14 February (Day 1 of the AGM), the Org Dev Committee had submitted a proposal to form a ISKCON Global Crisis Response Team (IGCRT). The ISKCON Global Crisis Response Team proposal addresses the need for a comprehensive and proactive crisis management framework within ISKCON. GBC members reviewed and discussed the proposal and resolved to form a ISKCON Global Crisis Response Team. TheIGCRT will serve under the authority of the GBC.
c. Succession Committee
Succession planning is essential at all levels of ISKCON leadership, including the GBC, to ensure a consistent pool of qualified members for future leadership roles. At the 2023 midterm meeting in Pune, the GBC discussed the need for such planning, recognizing that a written Succession Protocol will facilitate smooth transitions and serve as a reference for future generational changes. The Org Dev Committee was tasked with proposing a Succession and Transition strategy, including retention of skills and role revisions, initially for the GBC but with potential broader application.
The GBC resolved that the Succession Committee referred to in the minutes originally in 2014 is approved as a GBC Standing Committee for all levels of senior leadership. The Succession Committee shall work in cooperation with the Nominations Committee which is specifically involved in the work of nominating candidates for the GBC.
d. Improve GBC Meeting
The GBC EC has requested Org Dev to propose improvements for the GBC's functioning, including their meetings. The GBC endorsed the following steps to improve their AGM meeting.These should be achieved by the Executive Committee engaging the guidance of experienced and trained facilitators and other advisors:
- Streamlining Agendas
- Enhancing Meeting Culture
- Improving Venue and Format
- Effective Meeting Process & Time Management
- Encourage Full Participation
2. Sannyasa Candidates
Prahladananda Swami, Chair of the Sannyasa Committee, presented the list of Sannyasa Candidates. The GBC approved the following list of sannyasi candidates to take sannyasa this year:
Atmarama Dasa - India
Govindananda Dasa - India
Kamal Lochana Dasa - India
Savyasachi Dasa - South Africa
Vishvavasu Dasa - Germany
3. Discussion on Indian Leadership:
The GBC read and acknowledged receipt of the letter from the leaders of the Indian Continental Committee (ICC) with respect to the alignment of the management structure in India under the overall direction of the international GBC. The GBC directed Bureau members who are also GBC members or present as Ministers in GBC activities to take into cognizance the contents of this letter and hold a discussion within the Bureau pursuant to the request from the ICC. The GBC Executive Committee asked the GBC-India Bureau Relationship Committee to address the matter in their discussions and coordinate with the ISKCON General Counsel and the India Bureau to streamline the concerns raised by the ICC.
4. Proposals Review
Members in attendance engaged in detailed discussion for each of the following proposal and cast their straw votes:
a. Depiction of Advaita Acharya in Bengal
b. Teaching Deity Worship in ISKCON
c. Memorial Wall for Departed Vaishnavas
There was straw voting on the proposals. The proposals will be amended based on the inputs of GBC members and presented for final vote.
- Issued by ISKCON Communications