2013

 

Go to 2013 Zonal Assignments

Section 100: APPOINTMENTS

101. GBC Officers and Members

RESOLVED:

1. His Grace Tamohara Das is elected GBC Chairman.

2. His Grace Anuttama Das is elected First Vice-Chairman.

3. His Grace Praghosa Das is elected Second Vice-Chairman.

4. His Holiness Bhakti Purusottama Swami is elected GBC Secretary.

5. His Grace Chaitanya Chandra Charan Das is appointed as a full GBC member.

6. His Grace Candrasekhara Acarya Das continues as Acting GBC member.

7. His Holiness Prahladananda Swami is appointed as GBC Candidate for Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia.

8. His Grace Tirtharaj Das is appointed as GBC Candidate (Special Assignment).

9. The resignation of His Grace Balabhadra Das as GBC Minister is accepted.

102. Sannyasa Waiting List

The following are the candidates for sannyasa for 2013 along with their respective waiting periods:

Akincana Das	4 years
Ambarish Das	3 years
Ananda Caitanaya Das	2 years
Ananda Vardhana Das	4 years
Asit Krishna Das	4 years
Badrinarayana Das	1 year
Carudesna Das	2 years
Dayavan Das	3 years
Dhirasanta Das	2 years
Gadadhara Priya Das	this year
Ganga Narayan Das	2 years
Gaura Krishna Das	2 years
Halayudha Das	3 years
Hari Vilas Das	3 years
Janardana Das	this year
Krishna Balarama Das	3 years
Lilasuka Das	2 years
Mahadyuti Das	3 years
Mahat Tattva Das	3 years
Murali Krishna Das	this year
Nabadvip Dvija Gouranga Das	2 years
Prabhupada Das	this year
Raghava Pandit Das	2 years
Rupa Raghunatha Das	3 years
Sankirtana Das	2 years
Uttamasloka Das	2 years
Vedavyasa Das	1 year
Vaisnava Das	this year
Vivasvan Das	1 year
Yamunacarya Das	2 years

  

103. Reaffirmation of Ministries and Standing Committees

The following are the Ministry and Standing Committees and their membership assignments for 2012-2013:

 

Ministry of Communications	Minister — Anuttama Das
Ministry of Health and Welfare	Minister — Prahladananda Swami
Congregational Development Ministry	Co-Ministers — Jayapataka Swami and Kaunteya Das
Vaisnavi Ministry	Co-Ministers — Malati Dasi and Dina Sharana Dasi. Other members: Prasanta Dasi, Laxmimoni Dasi
ISKCON Youth Ministry	Minister — Manorama Das
Ministry of Sannyasa Services	Minister — Prahladananda Swami Sannyasa Standing Committee: Hrdaya Caitanya Das, Sivarama Swami, Guru Prasad Swami, Bhaktivaibhava Swami, Bhakti Caitanya Swami, Prahladananda Swami
ISKCON Deity Worship Ministry	Minister — Nrsimha Kavaca Das
Ministry of Book Distribution	Minister — Vijaya Das
Ministry of Cow Protection & Agriculture	Minister — pending
Ministry of Padayatra	Minister — Lokanath Swami
Ministry of Educational Development	Minister — Sesa Das
Ministry of Justice	Minister — Sesa Das ISKCON Dispute Resolution Committee (IDRC)
Ministry of Fund Development	Minister — Devakinandan Das
Sastric Advisory Council	Chairman — Yadunandana Swami. Members: Urmila Dasi, Drutakarma Das, Mukunda Datta Das, Madana-mohana Das, Narayani Dasi, Adi-purusa Das, Isvara-krsna Das, Caitanya-carana Das, Sarvajna Das, Brijabasi Das, Vinoda-bihari Das
ISKCON Property Office	Members — Current GBC Executive Committee, Bhaktarupa Das (Member-Secretary)
ISKCON Central Office of Child Protection	Director — Champakalata Dasi
GBC Vaisnava Calendar Committee	Members — Bhanu Swami, Gopalapriya Das, Sadasivananda Das, Bhaktarupa Das (Convener)
ISKCON Dispute Resolution Committee	Minister of Justice, a representative of ISKCONResolve, the second Vice-Chairman of the GBC, and the Director of the ISKCON Dispute Resolution Office
BBT Construction Grant Allocation Committee (BBTCG)	Members — Ramai Swami, Bhanu Swami, Devamrita Swami, Current GBC Chairman, Hrdaya Caitanya Das (Convener)
Guru Services Committee	Members — Prahladananda Swami (Chairman), Anuttama Das, Visakha Dasi, Virabahu Das, Ravindra Svarupa Das, Bhakti Caitanya Swami
GBC Appointment Committee	Members — Prahladananda Swami (Chairman), Praghosa Das, Madhu Sevita Das, Bhakti Vijnana Goswami, Bhakti Caitanya Swami, Anuttama Das, Laxmimoni Dasi
World Holy Name Committee	Global Coordination Team: Lokanath Swami, Janananda Goswami, Ekalavya Das
Vrindavan Samadhi Standing Committee	Gopal Krishna Goswami, Malati Dasi, Satyanarayan Das, Naresvara Das, and Pancagauda Das (convenor)
GBC-BBT Team	Members — Badrinarayan Das (Coordinator), Gopal Krsna Goswami, Sivarama Swami, Madhu Sevita Das, Hrdaya Caitanya Das, Praghosa Das

 

Section 200: FINANCE

 

201. GBC Budget

 

RESOLVED:

 

The GBC budget for 2013-14 is (in INR):

 

GBC Annual General Meeting	3,71,000
Executive Committee Travel	2,12,000
Emergency Fund	2,12,000
GBC EC Secretariat	3,18,000
ISKCON Resolve	4,46,260
ISKCON Database	1,53,382
Dandavats	2,78,939
Ministry of Cow Protection & Agriculture	1,59,000
Deity Worship Ministry	4,46,260
Ministry of Educational Development	2,78,939
ISKCON Congregational Development Ministry	53,000
GBC Corresponding Secretary	3,18,000
GBC Strategic Planning Team	5,57,878
GBC Community Relations Office	1,59,000
Vaisnavi Ministry	2650
Vaisnava Calendar Web Site	22,313
Mayapur GBC Office	1,85,500
Ministry of Book Distribution	1,11,565
Finance and Bank Charges	19,080
ISKCON News	1,67,321
Hermeneutics/Epistemology Committee	27,878
Child Protection Office	5,57,878
ISKCON Sannyasa Ministry	16,695
ISKCON 50th Anniversary Committee	53,000
Legal Fees ? part repayment	1,06,000
Total:	52,33,538

 

202. Appointment of Auditor

Sri A. K. Shah, F.C.A., Chartered Accountant, of 125, Netaji Subhash Road, Room No. 45, Kolkata 700 001, is appointed as statutory auditor for the year 2013-2014.

Section 300: INTERNAL ISKCON

301. Midterm Meeting 2013

The Midterm Meeting of the ISKCON GBC Society shall take place from October 14-19, 2013, at ISKCON Juhu, Mumbai, India.

302. Annual General Meeting 2014

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the ISKCON GBC Society shall take place from February 16-March 2, 2014, at ISKCON Mayapur, WB, India.

303. GBC Statement on the Position of Srila Prabhupada

Whereas there is a need to clarify within our society, via a succinct statement, Srila Prabhupada’s preeminent position in relationship to diksa and siksa gurus as well as all ISKCON members, and to provide clarity on the function and position of diksa and siksa gurus in the ISKCON society:

RESOLVED:

That the GBC endorses the following statement:

 

As the Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and the preeminent teacher and ultimate authority within our society, Srila Prabhupada has a unique relationship with every ISKCON devotee.

 

Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the original guru whose Divine Grace descends through the medium of the guru parampara.  As such, a devotee is ultimately delivered by Sri Krishna acting through a combination of various manifestations of His mercy. These include, but are not limited to, the caitya guru, Srila Prabhupada, the guru parampara, one’s diksa guru, other siksa gurus, the Holy Name, sastra, and the nine processes of devotional service.

 

Within these cooperative elements, Srila Prabhupada, as the Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, is the preeminent guru for all members of ISKCON. All members of ISKCON, for all generations, are encouraged to seek shelter of Srila Prabhupada.  All members of ISKCON are entitled and encouraged to have a personal relationship with Srila Prabhupada through his books, teachings, service, and his ISKCON society.

 

All members accepting leadership roles within ISKCON, including diksa gurus and siksa gurus, have the duty of serving together under ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission (GBC) to fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s instructions as he has given in his books, lectures, and personal communications. [1]

 

Overall, the primary duty of all diksa gurus, siksa gurus, and others in leadership positions, is to assist Srila Prabhupada in his service to his Guru Maharaja Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, and our Brahma Madhva Gaudiya Sampradaya.

 

Those who accept the service of diksa guru or siksa guru in ISKCON are required to be exemplary in representing Srila Prabhupada’s teaching in their words and personal behavior. The siksa guru gives spiritual instruction and inspiration on behalf of Srila Prabhupada and our guru parampara. The diksa guru gives spiritual instruction, inspiration, formal initiation, a spiritual name, and later imparts the sacred Gayatri mantras to a qualified disciple as a service to Srila Prabhupada and our guru parampara.

 

Srila Prabhupada has clearly explained that devotees who are strictly following the Krsna conscious principles are acting on the liberated platform, and, as such, are pure devotees, even though they may actually not yet be liberated. [2] (Such unalloyed devotional service is not necessarily determined by one’s role or position of service, but by one’s realization.)

 

Those who accept the service of diksa or siksa guru within ISKCON are mandated to be strict followers of the instructions of Srila Prabhupada, and, as long as they follow, they are acting on the liberated platform. Thus they may serve, as Srila Prabhupada ordered, as bona fide representatives of the Lord and the guru parampara and be a via media of their mercy. Yet it should be clearly understood that if such diksa or siksa gurus deviate from strictly following, they may fall down from their position.

Thus, to act as a diksa guru in ISKCON means to serve under the GBC and in cooperation with other ISKCON authorities by functioning as a “regular guru” as Srila Prabhupada has directed.

 

This statement, while conclusive, is not exhaustive in its discussion of these principles. The GBC may authorize additional statements and papers in the future to further explain the preeminent position of our Founder-Acarya Srila Prabhupada, the role and responsibilities of those who serve as gurus in our society, and the related duties of ISKCON members and initiates.

All GBC members must distribute this resolution to all ISKCON temples, communities and congregations via appropriate means of communication for the education of all ISKCON members. This statement shall also be studied in ISKCON courses including introductory courses, the ISKCON Disciple Course, the Spiritual Leadership Seminar: Being a Guru in ISKCON, and other relevant venues. Reading this statement, and affirming it has been read prior to initiation, shall be part of the test for all prospective initiates.

1. More details on these spiritual relationships and duties may be found in the official Harmonizing ISKCON’s Lines of Authority Paper approved by the GBC in 2012.

2. “This Krishna consciousness movement directly receives instructions from the Supreme Personality of Godhead via persons who are strictly following His instructions. Although a follower may not be a liberated person, if he follows the supreme, liberated Personality of Godhead, his actions are naturally liberated from the contamination of the material nature. Lord Caitanya therefore says: ‘By My order you may become a spiritual master.’ One can immediately become a spiritual master by having full faith in the transcendental words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and by following His instructions.”  SB 4.18.5, purport

And:

A person who is liberated acharya and guru cannot commit any mistake, but there are persons who are less qualified or not liberated, but still can act as guru and acharya by strictly following the disciplic succession.” Letter to Janardana, 26 April, 1968.

And:

“We may not be cent percent perfect, but as far as possible, if we follow the instruction as it is, that much perfect. In this way one will get perfection. So one has to follow. The same example, try to understand, that a perfect, expert technologist or technician or mechanic is working, and somebody is working under his instruction. So this somebody, because he is strictly working under the instruction of the expert, he’s also expert. He may not be cent percent expert, but his work is expert. Is that clear? Because he is working under the expert. Do you follow? So if you follow pure devotee, then you are also pure devotee. It may not be one is cent percent pure. Because we are trying to raise ourself from the conditional life. But if we strictly follow the pure devotee, then we are also pure devotee. So far we do, that is pure. So pure devotee does not mean one has to become immediately cent percent pure. But if he sticks to the principle that “We’ll follow a pure devotee,” then his actions are… He is as good as a pure devotee. It is not I am explaining in my own way. It is the explanation of Bhagavata. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah [Cc. Madhya 17.186].”  Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 2.1-10 and Talk — Los Angeles, November 25, 1968

304. Founder-Acarya Foremost on ISKCON Temple Websites
[Guideline]

Whereas numerous websites of ISKCON temples currently do not prominently feature the personality and teachings of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada as the Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness on their home page. Many do not have a picture of Srila Prabhupada at all. Few of them have links to Srila Prabhupada’s books, tapes, & videos. Srila Prabhupada’s pre-eminent position as the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON appears to have been de-emphasized on numerous ISKCON temple websites. On certain sites, “ISKCON” or “Prabhupada” only appear in the introductory pages in a very small, faint font;

Whereas currently, there is no requirement that determines how Srila Prabhupada’s photo and official title should be displayed on ISKCON center web sites:

RESOLVED:

• That ISKCON center officials shall be responsible to ensure that any and all web sites published by the center prominently feature a picture of Srila Prabhupada on the introductory page. This picture should be larger than any other individual’s photo (such as the GBC, center President, or guru). Srila Prabhupada should be addressed by his formal name and title: “His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness,” or “ISKCON Founder-Acarya His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada”, or an equivalent translation.
• All such web sites shall prominently display direct links that emphasize Srila Prabhupada on their home page such that the casual viewer would have access on the home page to Srila Prabhupada’s  teachings and video recordings
• The picture of Srila Prabhupada on the home page, accompanied by his formal name and title, should be free from any other person’s image. In other words, Srila Prabhupada’s image should be the only personality in the photo or likeness
• The fonts presenting Srila Prabhupada’s name and title should be easily legible.

All ISKCON center web sites should adhere to this standard no later than three months (90 days) from passage of this resolution.

305. “Harmonizing ISKCON’s Lines of Authority” Paper Required Reading
[ISKCON Law]

Whereas harmony between various authorities in ISKCON is required;

Whereas while initiating gurus are important spiritual authorities in the lives of devotees, other ISKCON authorities also play an important role;

Whereas the GBC paper entitled “Harmonizing ISKCON’s Lines of Authorities” explains how to promote harmony in the services of gurus and other ISKCON authorities.

RESOLVED:

That the official GBC paper entitled “Harmonizing ISKCON’s Lines of Authority” shall be required reading for all prospective harinama initiates before the initiation. This should be verified both by the ISKCON authority who gives the recommendation for harinama initiation as well as by the initiating guru.

Within three months, all GBC Zonal Secretaries shall:

• have the paper translated such that it is accessible to the devotees of their zone
• have the paper distributed to all approved initiating gurus, to all National Councils and other regional bodies, and to temple presidents, congregational leaders, and other officials in their zone

306. Amendment to Required Examination Prior to Accepting a Diksa-guru
[ISKCON Law]

Whereas the GBC Statement on the Position of Srila Prabhupada and the paper “Harmonizing ISKCON’s Lines of Authority” have been approved by the GBC and been made required reading for all harinama initiation candidates;

Whereas it is also important to make sure that the candidates have understood these papers;

Whereas according to ISKCON law 7.2.1.1.6, every harinama initiation candidate must take a test before initiation. This test is a good opportunity to make sure that the candidates have read these papers and to judge their level of understanding of their important concepts:

RESOLVED:

(a) that ISKCON Law 7.2.1.1.6 be amended to include the following three questions in the test that all harinama initiation candidates must take before initiation:

14. Have you read the GBC Statement on the Position of Srila Prabhupada?
15. Have you read the paper “Harmonizing ISKCON’s Lines of Authority”?
16. What have you understood as the most important points of the “Harmonizing ISKCON’s Lines of Authority” paper?

And (b), that the Guru Services Committee shall update the Initiation Exam accordingly for all GBCs and gurus to distribute.

307. Sannyasis and Sannyasa Candidates Attending Spiritual Leadership Seminar
[Guideline]

Whereas the ISKCON Spiritual Leadership Seminar, “Being a Guru in ISKCON”, given under the auspices of the GBC Guru Services Committee, gives valuable information and instruction on how to serve as a diksa or siksa guru within ISKCON;

And whereas, according to sastra, a sannyasi is naturally a guru, and as such ISKCON sannyasis would be able to function more effectively in their service were they to take this Seminar:

RESOLVED:

1. All ISKCON sannyasis are strongly advised to attend the Spiritual Leadership Seminar, “Being a Guru in ISKCON”, given under the auspices of the GBC Guru Services Committee
2. All sannyasa candidates must attend the Spiritual Leadership Seminar, “Being a Guru in ISKCON”, provided it is available in a language appropriate for them

 

308. GBC Members’ Definition in ISKCON Law
[ISKCON Law]

Whereas the wording of the existing ISKCON Law needs fine tuning to increase clarity:

RESOLVED:

That ISKCON Law 3.5.1: “The following shall be considered to be GBC Members: GBC Zonal Secretaries, GBC Ministers, Assistant GBC Members, and Candidates for GBC, GBC Deputies and GBC Emeritii.”

Shall be replaced by:

“The expression “GBC member” exclusively indicates the full (voting) GBC members, the Acting GBCs and the Assistant GBCs; they are supported and aided by the GBC Emeriti, the GBC Candidates, the GBC Standing Committees, the Global Ministries, the Executive Secretariat, the Divisional Directors, the GBC Deputies and by any other office, committee or individual as required and approved from time to time by the GBC.”

309. Female Diksa Gurus

The subject of Vaisnavis initiating in ISKCON is tabled until the GBC Annual General Meeting 2014.

310. Female Diksa Guru Research Paper

Whereas there is a need for clarity in ISKCON’s current policy regarding Vaisnavi diksa gurus;

And whereas there have been calls for additional references and support from Srila Prabhupada and the sastra to explain and justify that policy:

RESOLVED:

A GBC committee consisting of Bir Krishna Das Goswami (convenor), Bhanu Swami, Badrinarayan Das and Praghosa Das shall research and write a paper on the subject of female diksa gurus based on Srila Prabhupada’s teachings, sastra, and historical precedents. The committee may enlist the service of other devotees including current members of the Sastric Advisory Council.

The committee will specifically document and provide justification of the current ISKCON policy, or reasons to reconsider that policy.

The committee shall send a draft of its work to the GBC Executive Committee by September 30, 2013 so that it may be circulated to the GBC members in advance of the Midtermr GBC meeting in Mumbai in October 2013, and may be discussed there.

The committee will then consider the input from the GBC members and complete a final draft to be sent to the Executive Committee by January 15, 2014. The Executive Committee will circulate that final draft so that it may be discussed and voted upon at the AGM in 2014.

311. Bhaktivedanta Institute

Whereas Rasaraja Das has offered dedicated service, for more than three decades, to ISKCON, most notably in Bhaktivedanta Institute (BI), which is exceptionally dear and important to Srila Prabhupada;

Whereas Rasaraja Das has gained recognition from a cross section of the scientific community including academic institutions, fellow scientists, peers, scientific publications and media.  His accomplishments include the publishing of twenty-five scientific papers?one of them used as a course text in Brown University, an Ivy League institution;

Whereas Rasaraja Das has identified that there is now a unique opportunity to demonstrate that proper scientific understanding is in accordance with Srimad-Bhagavatam.  This could lead to tremendous potential and could give ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada immense credibility amongst both the scientific community and the public;

Whereas the BI is one of the most important preaching projects that Srila Prabhupada personally provided direct funding for;

Whereas GBC resolution 307/2009 states:

307. BI Standing Committee
[Action Order]
Whereas the GBC has the responsibility to give clear vision, leadership and oversight in regards to scientific preaching and the Bhaktivedanta Institute;

Whereas funds allocated from the BBT to the Bhaktivedanta Institute need to be supervised;

RESOLVED:

The formation of the BI Standing Committee with the following mandate:

• To research Srila Prabhupada’s instructions on scientific preaching, and, in consultation with devotees presently engaged in the field, come up with a clear vision for the future of scientific preaching and the Bhaktivedanta Institute. The committee will report to the GBC and the BBT about its progress by the next GBC AGM.
• According to that vision, to provide unified leadership to scientific preaching in ISKCON.
• To formulate systems for receipt of applications, allocation of funds received from the BBT, and reporting and assessment from individuals and projects that have received such funds.
• Individual committee members will not take part in decisions involving projects located in their GBC zones.
• The GBC appoints Devamrita Swami, Sesa Das, Bhakti Vijnana Goswami and Hanuman Das as members of the BI Standing Committee.

Whereas the members of this committee have resigned without having achieved their mandate;

Whereas the BBT has stated in writing to the GBC that no funding for Bhaktivedanta Institute will be released until the GBC clearly decides whom they consider to be the legitimate heir to Srila Prabhupada’s Bhaktivedanta Institute legacy. Once the GBC reaches a decision, and the BBT agrees, funds will be released to this institute exclusively:

RESOLVED:

The GBC Body hereby commends the important and time-critical nature of the work of Rasaraja Das and Bhaktivedanta Institute Berkeley/Mumbai. The GBC members offer their heartfelt blessings to them for their continued excellence in devotional service.

The BI Standing Committee created via the above resolution is hereby dissolved.

There shall be a temporary committee to accomplish the following mandate by the beginning of the GBC AGM 2015:

• To research Srila Prabhupada’s instructions on scientific preaching and the Bhaktivedanta Institute, and, in consultation with devotees presently engaged in the field, propose to the   GBC a vision statement for the Bhaktivedanta Institute.
• According to that vision, propose a unified structure for the Bhaktivedanta Institute, how it will function on an ongoing basis, and how the BI will be accountable to the GBC body.
• The unified structure for BI should include BI Mumbai/Berkeley. Other entities and initiatives might also be included, at the discretion of the committee.
  

The GBC requests Madana-mohana Das and Hanuman Das to propose a committee within 90 days to the GBC EC for approval.

The committee will report to the GBC and the BBT about its progress by the next GBC AGM.

Because BI Mumbai/Berkeley will be part of the BI structure, the GBC requests the BBT to direct the BI funds to BI Mumbai/Berkeley during the interim period while the committee is coming to its conclusions.

312. Executive Secretariat Reporting and Accounting

Whereas the Executive Secretariat has been established recently and a clear line of reporting is needed:

RESOLVED:

That the Executive Secretariat (ES) receives its mandate from the Governing Body Commission (GBC); the Secretariat reports and is accountable to the GBC. Throughout the year the ES works with the GBC Executive Committee (EC) in its role as representative of the GBC, to ensure and assist the ES to perform as mandated.

In the unlikely circumstances of crisis or a ‘state of emergency’, the EC may delegate or re-prioritize the service responsibilities of the ES, which shall be discussed by the full GBC at its next meeting.

313. Licensing GCal Software

Whereas Gopalapriya Das, in consultation with the rest of the GBC Vaishnava Calendar Committee, has written a computer program called “GCal” that has had success in providing ISKCON devotees with a dependable calendar calculation system. It has been very well accepted in the devotee community.

GCal was developed on behalf of the GBC Body and it is owned by the GBC West Bengal society. All along, the GBC Vaisnava Calendar Committee has been planning that GCal would become an “open source” program, in the sense that the source code of the program would be available to anyone who agrees to abide by certain licensing terms. This can result in the improvement of the program, since other programmers can study the code and perhaps find problems to be corrected. It also will tend to increase the credibility of the program, since nothing is hidden from the knowledgeable user. However, the committee has not yet released the source code.

With the burgeoning of different kinds of hand-held devices, tablets, etc., over the last few years, there is now a demand for GCal to run on these different platforms. Gopalapriya Das, however, has at present little time for GCal programming work. Recently, a number of different devotees have approached the committee with an interest in porting GCal to these other platforms. By releasing the GCal source code now to whomever wants to do whatever they want with it, under the terms of a general open-source software license, it is likely that GCal will become even more successful as a valuable tool for devotees. Since the software belongs to the GBC Body, the GBC Society needs to give permission to do that.

RESOLVED:

That the ISKCON Governing Body Commission Society hereby agrees that its copyrighted software package “Gaurabda Calendar (GCal)” authored by Gopalapriya Das may be licensed to members of the general public under a suitable open-source licensing agreement. The GBC Vaisnava Calendar Committee, presently constituted with members Bhanu Swami, Gopalapriya Das, Sadasivananda Das, and Bhaktarupa Das, are authorized, in consultation with legal advisors, to finalize the terms of such licensing agreements and devise policies and procedures whereby such agreements may be executed.

314. ISKCON 50th Anniversary International Committee and International Coordinator

Whereas there is a need for international leadership and coordination of ISKCON’s upcoming 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2016;

And whereas it is important for ISKCON members and communities around the world to begin planning for ISKCON’s 50th Anniversary celebration:

RESOLVED:

That an International 50th Anniversary Committee is created whose initial members shall include Pancharatna Das, Gauri Das, and Anuttama Das. They shall add additional members as required.

A 50th Anniversary International Coordinator shall be engaged under the guidance of the Anniversary Committee to assist in coordinating the 50th Anniversary. The Anniversary Committee shall create a service description and appropriate goals for the Coordinator and support his or her seva up to and during the Anniversary.

The Anniversary Committee and Anniversary Coordinator shall work with the GBC, Regional Governing Bodies, ISKCON Ministries, Temples, and other ISKCON communities and projects to encourage them in planning the celebration of the 50th Anniversary through multiple events. The Coordinator shall work closely with the Communications Ministry to promote internationally consistent messages, themes and event ideas.

In addition, all ISKCON GBC members, Regional Governing Bodies, Temples, communities, projects and members around the world are encouraged to develop appropriate strategies to celebrate the 50th Anniversary in their areas, and to ensure such efforts are consistent with the themes brought forth by the 50th Anniversary Committee.

ISKCON leaders and communities are advised to develop preliminary national, regional and local plans during 2013 to be further coordinated and discussed at the International Leadership Sanga in Mayapur in 2014.

315. Child Protection Policy Manual (passed by correspondence vote in June 2102)

Whereas in 1998 the GBC Body adopted resolution 305, which accepted in total the recommendations of the Child Protection Task Force “outlining a justice system, central office, and various guidelines for GBC Members, Regional Secretaries and Temple Presidents to assure enforcement and implementation”;

Whereas with now twelve years of experience of the functioning of the Child Protection Office, there is a need to update the existing processes based upon the experiences gained. Specifically, there is a need to expand upon, and clearly detail, among others:

(a) the processes involved in dealing with a complaint of child abuse
(b) the duties and responsibilities of the various role-players in the processes
(c) the categories of abuse, offenders, and manner in dealing with them
(d) the scope of jurisdiction of the Child Protection Office

Whereas there is a need to provide guide` for the prevention of abuse and the various processes involved in investigating and adjudicating complaints of abuse;

And whereas a committee of Champakalata Devi Dasi (Child protection Office Executive Director), Tamohara Das (GBC and former CPO Director) and Anuttama Das (GBC and original CPO Task Force member) have revised and edited a new version of the CPO Manual and obtained legal review of the document:

RESOLVED:

That the current revised version of the “CPO Policy and Procedure Manual” shall be adopted by GBC Body and become official ISKCON policy.

316. Zonal Configuration

Whereas the GBC Zonal Secretaries of many areas of the world together with other leaders of those areas have identified the zones that they wish to formally establish:

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the following zones have been identified. It is to be noted that the full implementation of these zones shall take place gradually, and that this process of identification does not affect or modify existing continental, regional or national bodies:

 

Mexico & Central America shall include two zones:

1. Mexico
2. Central America: Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama

 Spanish Speaking South America shall include three zones:

1. Colombia and Venezuela
2. Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia
3. Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay

This configuration shall be revisited in two years.

The Caribbean Area shall include two zones:

1. Northern Caribbean: Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis
2. Southern Caribbean: Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Barbados, Dominica and Grenada

 

 

Europe shall include seven zones:

1. UK, Ireland, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Faroe Islands
2. Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia
3. France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Monaco, Spain, Andorra and Portugal
4. Italy, San Marino, Vatican City, Malta, Greece, Cyprus and Israel
5. Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein
6. Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey
7. Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo, Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania

 

Australia & Oceania shall include eight zones:

1. Northern Australia
2. Central Australia
3. Southern Australia
4. New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga
5. Papua New Guinea, Solomon Island and Vanuatu
6. Fiji
7. Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau and Tuvalu
8. Tahiti (French Polynesia) and New Caledonia

 

South East Asia shall include six zones:

1. Myanmar and Thailand
2. Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos
3. Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei
4. Philippines
5. Western Indonesia (Java, Sumatra and Kalimantan)
6. Eastern Indonesia and East Timor

 

The Arab League Area (which includes other Islamic countries) shall include three zones:

1. North Africa: Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia and Comoros
2. Arabic Peninsula: Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen
3. Middle East: Palestinian Authority, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Maldives

 

Japan and Koreas shall include two zones:

1. Japan
2. South Korea and North Korea

 

Brazil shall be a single zone.

 

This resolution will be revisited in the future.

 

317. A Letter of Appreciation and Commendation to the Bhaktivedanta Hospital, Mumbai

From the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness

March 10, 2013

The Governing Body Commission (GBC) of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) offers its deepest appreciation to the members and leaders of the Bhaktivedanta Hospital in Mumbai for their excellent service and dedication to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada and his ISKCON society.

We are grateful for the high level of professional and devotional care the Hospital provides for hundreds of Vaisnavas and tens of thousands of others each year, especially for the care provided to the many senior devotees who seek your services.

We especially note the contributions of the Hospital through its Spiritual Care Department, and its success in bringing many people to the shelter of Lord Krsna and to active engagement in His devotional service. As such, thousands of people have taken up the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra and several hundred have taken spiritual initiation.

We also applaud the high standard of sadhana that is maintained by many of the doctors, nurses and other staff members.  And, we are pleased to note the Hospital has expanded its services to Vrindavan and Mayapur.

We strongly encourage you to continue your good work. We pray for your continued success in pleasing Srila Prabhupada by serving his devotees, his ISKCON society, and all the various constituencies you so excellently serve.