As ISKCON continues to grow worldwide, supportive leadership structures have been established in several key areas, including North America and Europe. These structures, known as Regional Governing Bodies (RGBs), operate under the oversight of the Governing Body Commission (GBC), which is the ultimate managing authority in ISKCON.
North America has always had a zonal leadership committee, dating back to when Srila Prabhupada was still physically present. This committee predated the GBC resolution encouraging each continent to have a structured RGB support system. In 2023, the GBC accepted the North American committee’s proposal to become an RGB. Since then, the NA RGB members have been steadily working to put in place a comprehensive structure and staff to effectively serve both mature temple communities as well as the many newer initiatives in the region, including phenomenal growth, from 59 to 96 centers over the last ten years.
RGBs have various levels of responsibility in their region, including coordinating preaching strategies, implementing GBC guidelines, training new leaders, resolving regional conflicts, and making recommendations to their zonal secretaries (GBC Members) and the GBC body.
The NA RGB body, approved by the GBC, is composed of 18 voting members in a configuration that represents GBC, TPs, Zonal Supervisors and Ministries. Five of the members are the Area GBCs of the five zones in North America. (See GBC note regarding Area GBCs).
Next, there are five Zonal Supervisors selected by the five North American Area GBC members. North American Temple Presidents elect five representative Temple Presidents to serve on the RGB, one for each Zone. In recognition of the independence that Srila Prabhupada afforded to each temple, the Temple Presidents elect who will represent them on the NA RGB.
“We are especially pleased to include Temple Presidents at the continental level in this leadership model,” said Vrnda Devi Dasi, the Executive Committee Chair for the NA RGB.
Finally, there are the North American ministers representing ISKCON Communications, Vaishnavi Ministry, and Youth Ministry. The NA reps of all ministries are welcome to come to NA RGB meetings, and they are welcome to speak on all topics that come before the NA RGB.
In addition to the leadership structure, the RGB is supported by an administrative office. These include senior advisors, legal advisors, an administrative director, development director and secretary.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/collaborative-leadership-inside-iskcons-new-north-america-regional-governing-body-model/
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