GBC MEETING HIGHLIGHTS REPORT – 15 May 2024

We are pleased to present the 15 May 2024 GBC Meeting Highlights Report. This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the online GBC meeting highlighting the key topic discussed.

The meeting commenced with a reading by Bhakti Caitanya Swami of Srila Prabhupada’s letter of 5 November 1972 to Satsvarupa Das Goswami, emphasizing the need for leaders to be committed to their service. The GBC commended Gopal Krishna Goswami’s Will as an ideal example of this commitment and dedication.

The GBC continued its discussion on the urgent actions required in light of the departure of Gopal Krishna Goswami. In the preceding week, the GBC convened a special general meeting to discuss the smooth transition of responsibilities for Gopal Krishna Goswami’s zone. This meeting focused on Maharaja’s role as the chair of the India Governing Council (Bureau). The India Governing Council (Bureau) was established by Srila Prabhupada as the legal entity for ISKCON in India. The Bureau plays a vital role in ensuring legal and tax compliance and the effective functioning of ISKCON in India.

Gopal Krishna Goswami was an important link between the GBC and the India Governing Council (Bureau). The members discussed the importance of furthering the alignment between the GBC and the India Bureau. A priority is ensuring greater inclusion of GBC members serving in India, as India Bureau members. Members suggested that the standing GBC-Bureau Relationship Committee which includes GBC EC representation lead these discussions.

The need for GBC representation and integration is an existing requirement of all Regional Governing Bodies (RGB) and National Councils. This arrangement has been demonstrated to be highly effective in ensuring the harmonisation of global and regional contexts and priorities such as the RGBs in Australia, Europe, Latin America, North America, etc. A further priority is ensuring that the rules and regulations of all regional and national entities allow for a decision to be reconsidered, in the unlikely event of the majority of represented GBC members not supporting a particular decision. The meeting concluded with members voting in favour of a directional vote.

The members underscored the need for this directive to be realized with sensitivity and reciprocal respect between the GBC and the respective RGBs.

Footnotes:
1) Rules of Order for Regional Governing Bodies (ISKCON Law, provisional), Whereas it is important to ensure local decision making within ISKCON while maintaining the will of Srila Prabhupada that the GBC is the ultimate managerial authority of ISKCON;
RESOLVED: That all Regional Governing Bodies (RGBs), Continental Committees, and Divisional and National Councils provisionally accept and function on the principle that whenever the majority of GBC members present in their respective meetings are not in favor of a proposed resolution, the said resolution will go for more discussion until the majority of GBC members present are in agreement.
– 2010 GBC Resolution

2). 3.4.1 ISKCON Regional Governing Bodies
3.4.1.1 Definition:
An “ISKCON Regional Governing Body” (“RGB”) is a formally constituted body that performs certain managerial functions on behalf of the GBC Body for conduct of the affairs of the ISKCON society within a clearly designated contiguous geographical area, called a “Region,” consisting of either a single country or a group of contiguous countries.
3.4.1.2 Functions Delegated by the GBC Body to RGB’s
If the GBC Body delegates a particular function to a Regional Governing Body, then any decision of the RGB within the scope of that function is binding within the Region as if the decision had been made by the full GBC Body, but it may be overruled by majority vote of the GBC Body.
There are minimum delegated functions as well as optional delegated functions.
3.4.1.2.1 Minimum Delegated Functions:
The functions that are delegated to an RGB by the GBC Body shall include, as a minimum, the following:
1. To serve as a forum for increasing coordination of the overall preaching strategy in the Region.
2. To serve as a forum for increasing the coordination of the implementation of GBC policies, guidelines and resolutions applicable within the Region.
3. Subdivision of the Region into Divisions for the purpose of organizing Divisional Councils as described below, in consultation with all Zonal Secretaries actively functioning in the Region.
4. Making recommendations to the GBC Body, where appropriate, for GBC legislation.
5. Making recommendations to any Zonal Secretary or other ISKCON official functioning within the Region on matters concerning the affairs of the Region.
6. Appointment of Regional Ministers, Committees, etc., as it deems necessary for the conduct of its delegated functions.
7. Resolution of any conflicts within the Region that are beyond the scope of any Divisional Councils constituted within the Region. This includes handling of complaints on Regional matters referred to it by the GBC Body, the Divisional Councils, any ISKCON official or body, or from individuals.
8. Where necessary and appropriate, undertaking disciplinary action against ISKCON officials and/or other devotees serving within the Region, as allowed under ISKCON law for such a body.
– 2002 GBC Resolution

Update 2010:
That all Regional Governing Bodies (RGBs), Continental Committees, and Divisional and National Councils provisionally accept and function on the principle that whenever the majority of GBC members present in their respective meetings are not in favor of a proposed resolution, the said resolution will go for more discussion until the majority of GBC members present are in agreement.

-Issued by GBC Communications.  PDF available here.