Srila Prabhupada did not want devotees to only distribute his books; he often stressed the importance for devotees to study his books both regularly and scrutinizingly: “GBC member means they will see that in every temple these books are very thoroughly being read and discussed and understood and applied in practical life.” (Lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.9.3, Melbourne, April 5, 1972) Srila Prabhupada wrote to a GBC member: “Your first job should be to make sure that every one of the devotees in your zone of management is reading regularly ...

Srila Prabhupada also indicated that spiritual knowledge be formally tested as a requirement for serving as diksa-guru and that the GBC establish this and other examination processes in ISKCON: “Another examination will be held sometimes in 1971 . . . One who will pass this examination will be awarded with the title of Bhaktivedanta. I want that all of my spiritual sons and daughters will inherit this title of Bhaktivedanta, so that the family transcendental diploma will continue through the generations. Those possessing the title of Bhaktivedan...

Srila Prabhupada wrote: “A GBC member cannot go beyond the jurisdiction of his power. We are in the experimental stage but in the next meeting of the GBC members they should form a constitution how the GBC members manage the whole affair.” (Letter to Giriraja, August 12, 1971) The constitution will enshrine the underlying fundamental principles on which all ISKCON laws should be based. Srila Prabhupada established the GBC as the “ultimate managing authority” for ISKCON. A structure that gives final, ultimate, and supreme authority to the ...

Spiritual guidance and nurturing is, of course, meant for all devotees, both temple residents and home-based: “The temple center is started just to present example to the neighboring residents how they can make a small temple in each and every home. It is not necessary that hundreds and thousands of people will live in our temple, but if we can make effective propaganda, then the neighboring residents, householders, will be inclined to be initiated and follow the modes of temple life.” (Letter to Tamal Krishna, June 1, 1969) Srila Prabhupada e...

Srila Prabhupada wrote to a GBC member: “Now I have invested the GBC for maintaining the standard of our Krsna Consciousness Society, so keep the GBC very vigilant. I have already given you full directions in my books.” (Letter to Satsvarupa, 5 September 13, 1970) Later, Srila Prabhupada wrote to another member of the GBC: “I have formed this GBC for that purpose, to keep the devotional standards at the highest level and at the same time to manage a world-wide organization.” (Letter to Rupanuga, November 4, 1970) Srila Prabhupada often st...

In Los Angeles on June 4, 1976, a reporter asked Srila Prabhupada: “Is there anyone who is designated to succeed you as the primary teacher of the movement?” Srila Prabhupada replied: “I am training some, I mean to say, advanced students so that they may be very easily take up the charge. I have made them GBC. They are under my direct training, and I think they will be able to conduct this movement.” Six days later, on June 10, 1976, also in Los Angeles, another reporter asked about succession of spiritual leadership: once Srila Prabhupada...

This document describes the collective service of the Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. The listed functions derive primarily from Srila Prabhupada’s direct instructions. Some details have been shaped, however, by insights gained over decades of observation and experience. The GBC members collaborate to fulfill their various global responsibilities and individually contribute according to their capacity, area of expertise, personal inclination, and specific requirements. It is not expected that eve...

Devotee Outreach Initiative: Whereas a number of devotees, active in ISKCON in the past, have rendered service to Srila Prabhupada’s mission with devotion and distinction but are now distant from, though not inimical to, ISKCON; Whereas reaching out to such devotees with affection and gratitude during the 50th anniversary year of Srila Prabhupada's arrival in America and the founding of ISKCON would be pleasing to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON: ...

A Manual Concerning Graphic Standards and Proper Implementation as developed and established by the COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT of the INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS. Protecting the appearance and application of ISKCON’s graphic identity is essential to promoting global recognition of the organization. Implementing and maintaining a consistent visual standard also leads to clearer and more effective communication.

Whereas notwithstanding the launching of a full-time, world-wide Fund Raising Campaign, the TOVP’s very nature and magnitude is unprecedented in size and quality of materials and works—as specified by Srila Prabhupada—and in spite of the frugality of expenditure as evidenced by its accounts, remains in critical need of further funding to keep the construction going without interruption to prohibit any further increase in budget and delay, especially as it now enters the crucial finishing stages; ...

Whereas the desire of the international GBC is that a retirement village be created in Sridham Mayapur that would operate under the direction of the international GBC Resolved: That the Retirement Village/Elders’ Enclave is under the exclusive direction of the international GBC Body. There is no direction or control from any other ISKCON entity.

This is from the ISKCON GOVERNING BODY COMMISSION SOCIETY's annual global meetings which took place at SRI MAYAPUR DHAM, FEBRUARY 6 – 16, 2015. Zonal Assignments for GBC Members, Zonal Assignments for Special Committees, Zonal Assignments for Non-GBC Members, according to areas that can be effectively supervised and realistically and regularly visited – based on geographical, cultural, linguistic, and geo-political considerations.

Another session that was thoroughly appreciated was the afternoon presentation by His Holiness Bhakti Charu Maharaja. Within the topic of "Being a Srila Prabhupadanuga," Maharaja launched into a comprehensive historical, philosophically and esoteric description of who really is Srila Prabhupada, of how his appearance and accomplishments fit into the context of Lord Caitanya's descent and mission. Maharaja explained Srila Prabhupada fulfilled the desire of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura to ...

The GBC College for Leadership Development started its first day of its first year of operations today, 8 March 2015, at the Govardhana Ecovillag on the outskirts of Mumbai. The College has been formally established by GBC resolution last month, February 2015.

The GBC’s Strategic Planning Network (SPN) recently concluded its five-day bi-annual meeting in Mayapur. Facilitated by the GBC’s Strategic Planning Team, the numerous SPN committees, made up of GBC members and ISKCON leaders and thinkers from across the globe, continued to explore new ideas and initiatives with the view to providing documents and other published materials that will form a powerful and comprehensive plan for the future of ISKCON.

The third day of the ISKCON GBC’s Annual General Meetings opened with a presentation by Madhavananda Dasa, a member of the ISKCON Chowpatty in Mumbai. He informed the GBC body of a mega kirtan festival, Chant for Change, being planned in Jagannath Puri to coincide with the Navakalevara festival wherein the deities of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra are changed once in 19 years. The most unique element of this kirtan festival would be that spiritual leaders and members of the four...

Day three immediately built on the enthusiasm and camaraderie developed over the first two days of the SGGS. On this third and last day, participants took on the task of looking seventy years into the future, when all of Srila Prabhupadas disciples – and even most of the devotees who took initiation not long after Srila Prabhupadas departure – will certainly have left the planet.

The current system for processing GBC proposals is that the GBC deputies first review and evaluate the proposal and then present their results to the entire GBC body. The GBC then discusses the proposal and holds a preliminary or “straw” vote. The deputies then implement any suggested adjustments and later on bring back the revised proposal for a final vote.