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From the ISKCON GBC – Minutes Of The Annual General Meeting – February 2017

313: Global Duties & Responsibilities of the Governing Body Commission

[ISKCON Law]

Whereas the GBC wishes to formalize the understanding of its global services to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness;

Whereas it is important that duties and responsibilities be clarified at all levels of the Society;

Whereas the GBC wishes to produce a legacy document for the instruction and training of future GBC members:

RESOLVED:

That the document “Global Duties & Responsibilities of the Governing Body Commission (GBC)” is accepted as an official statement and shall be part of ISKCON Law.
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(The following is an excerpt from the above mentioned document)

The GBC’s legislative duties include defining the requirements for different roles in the Society – for example, Srila Prabhupada wrote: “For taking sannyasa you may consult your GBC member as we shall be starting a new policy where the sannyasa candidate must meet certain requirements to be determined by the GBC.” (Letter to Danavir, February 6, 1973)

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 Bhaktivedanta will be allowed to initiate disciples.” (Letter to Hamsaduta, January 3, 1969) Years later, Srila Prabhupada wrote about the necessity of having different certifications for other positions as well: “Shortly we shall be introducing the system of examinations for those students who are ready for second initiation as well as sannyasa.” (Letter to Satsvarupa, January 5, 1976) Five days after writing this letter, Srila Prabhupada indicated that it would be the GBC’s duty to fine-tune the examination system: “I have also suggested for the GBC’s consideration, that we introduce a system of examinations for the devotees to 10 take. Sometimes there is criticism that our men are not sufficiently learned, especially the brahmanas. Of course second initiation does not depend upon passing an examination. How one has moulded his life – chanting, attending arati, etc., these are essential. Still, brahmana means pandita. Therefore I am suggesting examinations.” (Letter to Svarupa Damodara, January 10, 1976) And next month he wrote: “As far as the Bhakti-sastri and other examinations are concerned, that we will discuss at the GBC meeting.” (Letter to Nitai, January 24, 1976)

Besides standards of sastric knowledge, the GBC has the duty to establish other educational requirements, standards, and procedures for assuming (and maintaining) any and all responsibilities and positions within ISKCON. This principle applies to determining standards and requirements for serving as initiating and instructing gurus, sannyasis, Global Duty Officers, Zonal Supervisors, temple presidents, etc.

The GBC needs to ensure that ISKCON’s soft and hard assets – trademarks and real estate properties – are protected. To this end, as mentioned above, Srila Prabhupada considered creating an overarching entity to improve the level of protection of ISKCON’s assets by the GBC: “Regarding the International Trust Board, we are now expanding and so our interests should be carefully guarded. Certainly the 12 GBC members are being trained up strictly under my guidance so that they will protect the interest of the society very, very carefully. All our property should be well protected, and I think in every document my name as Founder-Acarya should be mentioned. Special care should be taken that no property can be sold or mortgaged by local managers as was done by Gaurasundara. This is my only concern.” (Letter to Bali Mardana, September 5, 1974)

The GBC has already formally accepted this duty by including in its incorporation, in the list of its objects:
“ To hold and protect title to the marks, copyrights, names, patents, and other intangible assets of Srila Prabhupada as his natural legal and spiritual successor, and also such intangible assets of the worldwide International Society for Krishna Consciousness founded by him . . . and to license their use to societies, bodies, and/or persons as it deems appropriate.
“To ensure that the assets under the care of the affiliates of the worldwide ISKCON Society are utilized for the purposes of ISKCON.”

Source:http://www.dandavats.com/?p=44794