Daily reports GBC meetings - Day 8

[Guest guest]

After the kirtana and Bhagavatam reading (5.10.20), the 8th day of the GBC

meetings began with a presentation: ISKCON Youth Report by H.G. Anuttama

Prabhu.

 

 

"Over the last several years, many meetings were called asking the question

"How can we heal our society and move on from the traumatic effects of

abuse?" These sessions involved an early committee of GBC leaders, youth,

parents, and therapists; multiple North American Spiritual Strategic

Planning Team meetings: three large, formal meetings between GBC leaders

and youth/gurukula alumni; and a session with leaders of the Child

Protection Office, Children of Krishna, Youth Ministry and Communications

Ministry. The three formal meetings in particular were significant steps in

reaching out to the youth, hearing from them, sharing information, and

learning what the youth think ISKCON needs to do, and how the youth may be

more inspired to participate in our society."

 

Anuttama Prabhu concluded his presentation with some practical

recommendations to the GBC which included:

 

a) Prioritize ISKCON's need for training, mentoring, and engaging new

generations of participants and leaders.

b) Prioritize the care and education of children within our communities

through Sunday Schools, youth and parenting programs, preaching, etc.

c) Whenever possible to meet with youth, seek their input and

friendship and look for ways that young vaisnavas can contribute to, and

benefit from, ISKCON. This will bring about increased communication and

understanding between ISKCON leaders and youth/gurukula alumni.

d) Responsibility for the Child Protection Office must be a global

priority. The GBC needs to commit to long term funding for an annual

budget.

 

The GBC gave a warm and concerned reception to hearing about the additional

steps that are urgently needed to heal the wounds of ISKCON's children.

 

Then, The GBC engaged in discussion and voting on a variety of topics

including a guideline to facilitate youth in ISKCON.

 

There were a variety of discussions on topics related to the Bhaktivedanta

Book Trust regarding funds, loans, accounting protocol, as well as

standardizing accounting processes for ISKCON as a whole.

 

The first part of the morning session concluded with a discussion on

developing an ISKCON Devotee Census to create and maintain a list of all

initiated devotees in ISKCON.

 

The second part of the meeting began with GBC zonal assignments - which GBCs

are responsible for which part of the world. Next, a proposal for an

alternative schedule for GBC Meetings was discussed. After that, there was

final voting on earlier proposals. The meeting concluded with nominations

and voting for the GBC secretary. H.G. Bhima Prabhu was voted in by the GBC

body to be the GBC secretary for the next year.