GBC AGM HIGHLIGHTS REPORT
21 - 22 February 2025
Day 4 & 5
We are pleased to present the 21 February 2025 and 22 February 2025 GBC Annual General Meeting (AGM) Highlights Report. This combined report presents the highlights of two consecutive GBC AGM meetings: the 21 February 2025 meeting and the 22 February 2025 meeting. Each section below summarizes the key discussions and decisions made during these meetings.
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The 21 February 2025 meeting began with Srila Prabhupada’s Guru Puja prayers, followed by a reading by Bhakti Caitanya Swami of a letter written by Srila Prabhupada on November 17, 1974, to an unspecified recipient. The letter outlined the establishment and purpose of the Governing Body Commission (GBC) for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
The following key topics were discussed:
1. GBC Wills Committee Update
The GBC Legal Counsel presented an executive summary to the GBCs regarding the functioning of the GBC Wills Committee. It was emphasized that ISKCON properties must remain within the organization, making it essential for GBC members, sannyasis, and leaders to create their wills and Advance Medical Directives (AMDs).
A resolution was passed requiring this, with an explanation of the two-phase process involved. The progress made by GBC members, gurus, and sannyasis in complying with this requirement was highlighted, and the GBC was urged to motivate the gurus and sannyasis in their respective zones to complete the process. Additionally, statistics on the progress of GBC members in fulfilling this requirement were shared, with a reminder for all GBCs to comply.
The Legal Counsel also introduced Acyuta Kesava Dasa and Krisangi Devi, young members of the Wills Committee, who are assisting in this initiative. The GBC was encouraged to offer their support to the committee's efforts.
2. Child Protection Oversight Committee
In January, the GBC formally approved the implementation of the enhanced approach to child protection. Recognizing the need for further consultation in certain areas and the desire to pilot this approach, the GBC has agreed to the following measures:
a. Further Consultation: The Child Protection Oversight Committee (CPOC) will engage in further discussions with regional Child Protection Office (CPO) directors, Regional Governing Bodies (RGBs), and other key stakeholders. Recognizing the need for further consultation as raised by the SABHA and others the consultation will address specific topics, including:
* The role of external investigators
* Handling cross-jurisdictional cases
* Ensuring consistent standards across regions
* Defining and responding to abuse in different cultural contexts
* Managing the potential for regional case review bias
b. Parallel Implementation
The enhanced approach will be implemented alongside the existing ICPO model and guidelines for cases reported after 1 March, 2025. This transition will take place in coordination with the Transitional ICPO Director and the relevant regional CPO directors. At least one case will be tested under the CPOC model as part of this process. The outcomes of these discussions and pilot implementations will be presented to the GBC no later than the mid-term meetings to assess readiness for full implementation.
Acknowledging that the transition may require additional time, the GBC has extended the original transitional period to 3 to 9 months and has endorsed the appointment of the Justice Minister as the Transitional ICPO Director to oversee this process during that time.
4. Proposals Review
Members in attendance engaged in detailed discussion for each of the following proposal and cast their straw votes:
a. Temple Kirtan Guidelines
b. Guru Services Policy Manual
c. Unique Nomenclature for the 108 Temples Established by Srila Prabhupada
d. Encouraging the Establishment and Maintenance of ISKCON Ashrams
e. Observing Festivals on the Dates they Occur
f. Vaisnava Samadhis on ISKCON property
There was straw voting on the proposals. The proposals will be amended based on the inputs of GBC members and presented for final vote.
5. GBC Budget for 2025
Mahamani Govinda Dasa, GBC Treasurer, presented the GBC budget for the year 2025. The budget funds cover the basic expenses of the GBC Office, AGM Expenses and the funding assistance provided to various Ministries and Standing Committees.
The overall budget approved by the GBC for 2025, covering GBC Office & AGM Expenses, Ministries, and Standing Committees, is $178,950. The GBC pledged an amount of $44,000 for the Child Protection Office, which is the largest single item on the budget.
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The 22 January 2025 meeting began with Srila Prabhupada’s Guru Puja prayers, followed by a reading by Bhakti Caitanya Swami from Srimad Bhagavatam 9.9.3-5.
The following key topics were discussed:
1. Second Generation Gurus
In 2024, the GBC reaffirmed Srila Prabhupada's instruction to uphold the etiquette of not initiating in the presence of one’s diksha-guru, though historical precedents allow exceptions in special cases. Due to current travel restrictions preventing diksha-gurus from other countries from visiting Russia, the following candidates from Russia have been approved as diksha-gurus by the GBC under these exceptional circumstances
a. Manibandhu Dasa
Manibandhu Dasa, disciple of Niranjana Swami, was approved as a diksha-guru to initiate primarily in Russia, where Niranjana Swami will no longer be initiating.
b. Dayavan Swami
Dayavan Swami, disciple of Rohini-suta Dasa, was approved as a diksha-guru, as Rohini-suta Dasa is no longer initiating disciples.
c. Madana-mohan Dasa
Madana-mohan Dasa, disciple of Mukunda Goswami, was approved as a diksha-guru, as Mukunda Goswami is not initiating new disciples.
2. Proposals
Members in attendance engaged in detailed discussion for each of the following proposals and cast their straw votes. The proposals will be amended based on the inputs of GBC members and presented for final vote.
a. Establishing the office of the GBC Parliamentarian
b. Amending the Diksa-Guru Nomination and Approval Process in ISKCON
c. Defining Guru Responsibilities
d. Reforming Guru Worship Practices in ISKCON Temples
e. Reforming Vyasa Puja Practices for Diksha Guru
f. Honoring the Sacred Birthplace of Bhaktivinoda Thakur
g. ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry Mission Statement and Mandate Proposal
3. AGM Dates
The proposed dates for the 2026 AGM were shared as 4 - 14 February, 2026, with 4 February dedicated to Sanga for GBC, Guru, and Sannyasi (SGGS) event. The members voted in favor of these dates.
Additionally, a mid-term GBC meeting was announced for 1 - 5 October, 2025 in Italy.
4.Reconfirmation of Auditor
Shri Ratnesh Singh Chandel aka Rasaparaya Das (GKG), Partner, Kothari Chandel & Co Chartered Accountants, was reconfirmed as the Statutory Auditor for the GBC for the year 2025-26.
- GBC members warmly welcomed Ravindra Svarupa Dasa (a former GBC member) and Sudamani Devi to the meeting, expressing their heartfelt gratitude for Ravindra Svarupa Dasa’s decades of dedicated service to Srila Prabhupada’s mission. The members shared their appreciation for his exemplary leadership and significant contributions to the movement across various areas.
- The Mayapur Sankirtan Division invited and enthusiastically welcomed GBC members, Deputies and Sabha members to the Sankirtan Building for lunch prasad. GBC members expressed their appreciation for the exceptional sankirtan services carried out by the dedicated sankirtan devotees.
- Issued by GBC Communications