GBC AGM HIGHLIGHTS REPORT
14 February 2025
Day 1
The GBC Annual General Meeting 2025 began with the Srila Prabhupada Guru Puja prayers, followed by a welcome address from Guru Prasad Swami, the GBC Chair. Bhakti Caitanya Swami then read from the Srimad Bhagavatam, 10.1 - The Advent of Lord Krishna.
Guru Prasad Swami took a moment to remember Gopal Krishna
Goswami, reflecting on his legacy as the first GBC from India. He sharedthat Gopal Krishna Goswami would be greatly missed by the GBC body and dedicated the meeting in his honor.
Guru Prasad Swami also informed the body about the establishment of endowment funds for the GBC. Despite not being a member of the GBC Executive Committee (EC) from next year onwards, he expressed his personal commitment to building this fund. He announced that the GBC EC has dedicated the first installment of $100,000 to Child Protection.
In addition, Guru Prasad Swami announced that this year’s ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS) would be structured to provide leaders from around the world with the opportunity to meet, interact with, and speak directly to GBC members. He encouraged all GBC members to attend the ILS, emphasizing the importance of reassuring leaders that they have access to the GBC and that the GBC truly cares about them. The ILS
would also provide a platform for leaders to connect with Srila
Prabhupada’s disciples.
The following key topics were discussed:
1. GBC Member Updates and Appointments
a. The GBC members took the oath of allegiance.
b.Romapada Swami’s leave of absence was reconfirmed and his leave was extended.
c.The reappointment of Revati Raman Dasa as Secretary of GBC Society was reconfirmed.
2. Elections
The new EC members elected to office are:
Govardhan Dasa, Next Chair
Tapana Misra Dasa, First Vice Chair
Madhusevita Dasa, Second Vice Chair
3. TOVP Report
Braja Vilas Dasa and his team shared a presentation and update on TOVP project cost analysis which included information about operational cost, cost monitoring report, fund gap analysis, income target and project cost vs pending pledges. He shared details relating to pledges by donors and the devotee community with country wise contribution of details. The Annual Project progress report as on January 2025 with project milestones schedule was presented.
4. ISKCON Global Crisis Response Team
A sub-committee from the Organizational Development Committee, which includes the GBC Legal Counsel, ISKCON Communications Minister, a former GBC Executive Chairman, and the former GBC Executive Office Chairperson, formulated a proposal to form a ISKCON Global Crisis Response Team (IGCRT).
The ISKCON Global Crisis Response Team (IGCRT) proposal addresses the need for a comprehensive and proactive crisis management framework within ISKCON. ISKCON has a global presence, with temples, Deities, devotees, and assets in nearly every country, ISKCON faces a range of potential crises. These crises may include natural disasters like floods and earthquakes, leadership challenges, technological disruptions, financial breakdowns, legal issues, or political upheavals. Such events
pose significant risks to ISKCON's financial stability, organizational integrity, global reputation, and the faith of its followers.
The proposal emphasizes the importance of establishing specialized crisis response teams at the global, regional, and local levels, prepared in advance to address any unforeseen events. These teams must be well-trained, coordinated, and adequately resourced to respond effectively and immediately. By adopting a proactive, multi-disciplinary approach to crisis management, ISKCON can ensure that it is prepared
for various types of crises and able to mitigate their impact swiftly.
The analysis presented by the sub-committee highlights the need for a system that is not only reactive but also anticipates potential crises and equips the GBC, GBC EC and leadership at all levels to act decisively.
The proposal was presented to the ISKCON GBC body and is underreview for further discussion by the GBC body.
5. Proposals Review
Members in attendance engaged in detailed discussion for each of the following proposal and cast their straw votes:
a. Gurus Serving as GBC
b. Initiating in Presence Of and After Departure of Guru
The proposals will be amended based on the inputs of GBC members and presented for final vote.
- Issued by GBC Communication