Seeking news, writers for new IC website

[Guest guest]

Dear Prabhu,

 

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada. All

glories to your service.

 

ISKCON Communications requests your cooperation and participation in a new

communications venture. We are looking for sources of news and information

about your temple for our new website, ISKCON News.

 

As "The News Agency of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness,"

ISKCON News is aiming to become a one-stop source for the latest news about

the activities, people, and organizations that comprise ISKCON. Our target

audience is both devotee and non-devotee, and our content will reflect the

real world application of devotional service in the 21st century. That means

we will provide a variety of content, ranging from philosphical and academic

essays on Vaisnava siddhanta, to articles on health and money, to up-to-date

reports on ISKCON festivals and programs around the world, GBC meetings,

situations such as the crisis in Kazakhstan, and much more.

 

You might be wondering how this site will differ from so many other

ISKCON-related and Vaisnava sites on the web.

 

For one thing, we will be very news-oriented. There is so much that is

happening in ISKCON, most of it good, but which gets lost in the

predominance of writing that brings up the same issues, problems, and

controversies year after year. ISKCON News will focus not merely on "the

positive," but on real news about ISKCON, in the most professional,

highest-quality way possible. To that end, we will not only accept voluntary

submissions, but will seek out news about the people, places, and events

that comprise the world of ISKCON. All articles will be edited to assure a

high standard of writing and reporting.

 

We will also include non-ISKCON news that the editorial board feels would be

of interest to devotees and others who may visit, such as the recent story

we posted on how Mad Cow Disease may be transmitted to humans through cow's

milk. You may not need to go anywhere else for news that matters to you!

 

Another unique feature is that our editorial approach is also directed to

those who are not members of ISKCON. There are many who seek information

about ISKCON (though not necessarily spiritual guidance) who would benefit

from our not-just-for-devotees, news-focused approach.

 

What about the philosophy? We will not be giving that short shrift. We are

inviting authoritative, skillful writers (or even not-so-skilled, but who

are open to being edited) who are willing to put the time and effort into

crafting essays, news analyses, and opinion pieces informed by sastra. The

goal is to raise the standard of discourse in ISKCON, and to offer a

platform for the expression of ideas that may actually help to solve our

movement's problems, and not merely a forum for "endless wrangling."

 

In my internet research on ISKCON in the secular media, I have found so much

that is interesting, enlivening, thought-provoking, and inspiring about

ISKCON, and not just from ISKCON-related sources. It has really renewed my

faith in the possibilities for Srila Prabhupada's movement. I think most

devotees would feel the same way. The trouble is, it's not getting the

attention it deserves. ISKCON News will work to change that.

 

Of course, an ambitious undertaking like this does not manifest overnight,

nor in isolation. To be quite honest, what I've described about the site may

never manifest if enough devotees don't get behind the idea. So we request

your participation and help. Please send us newsworthy information about

your preaching programs, your temple's activities, your staff and

congregational members, yourself--anything that would likely be of interest

to ISCKON members and/or ISKCON-interested web-surfers. If you are doubtful

that what's going on in your yatra is of interest to anyone but yourselves,

I would respectfully suggest: don't be so sure it isn't. There is almost

always a the kernel of a dynamic story hidden in an apparently dry or dull

news item. Together we can use the incredible power of the internet to

increase understanding and unity among ISKCON's member, keep the world

outside of ISKCON up-to-date on all the wonderful things we have going on,

and move ISKCON in

 

You don't have to write an long article about the latest temple board

meeting (unless you want to), but you could send us a short email, direct us

to your newsletter or website, or provide the email of a reliable person at

your temple whom we could contact for more information. We would love to

have reporters emailing us stories, news tips, photos, and video from every

temple and center in the world.

 

To learn more about this project, and to get a sneak preview of the site

before it launches (probably by the end of February) please shoot me a quick

email at this address. I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Your servant,

Tulasi-priya dasi

Editor, ISKCON News

(Text PAMHO:13054466) -----

 

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