Temples urged to form a 50th Anniversary Committee to organise local celebrations
By ISKCON 50 Global Office
The ISKCON 50 Global Office has urged every temple around the world that hasn’t already done so, to consider setting up a local 50thAnniversary Committee or at least appointing a 50th Anniversary Temple Coordinator to plan and implement the ISKCON 50th anniversary celebrations from their temple.
Speaking after the launch of the official kick-start to the 50th Anniversary in UK, Gauri Das who is a member of the 50th Anniversary International Committee said, “Leaders and the management of many temples may be busy with regular preaching programmes and day-to-day management. Hence to ensure that they can celebrate the 50th anniversary in the most befitting manner, we suggest creating a Committee made up of congregation devotees who can step forward with their time and talent to work with temple management. This will help the 50th anniversary celebrations get broader ownership and make a big impact at your local level.”
To help local committees, the Global Office has put together a list of events that can be planned by local temples. This has been published through the International Briefing Pack available for download from the 50th Anniversary website here: http://iskcon50.org/downloads/ .
“Every Temple should organise an event to officially kick-start their 50th anniversary in August 2015 to mark Srila Prabhupada’s epic journey on the Jaladuta in 1965,” said Anuttama Das, GBC Minister for Communications and a member of the ISKCON 50 International Committee. “Every temple should consider hosting a VIP event in 2016. The event can either be held in July to coincide with the Incorporation of ISKCON on 13th July 2016, or any other month that is more convenient to them. In addition, they should also 50-ise their regular events such as Janmashtami or Ratha Yatra by using the 50th anniversary logo on all their cards, banners and posters.” To support these activities, the Global Office is preparing a special ISKCON 50 movie called the ‘Joy of Devotion’, a special ISKCON 50 colour magazine and an ISKCON 50 Exhibition design.
Romapada Das, International Coordinator for the 50th Anniversary celebrations said, “Temples can download the ISKCON 50 presentation slides from our website, and present them at a meeting of their local management along with leaders of their congregation . They can also read our International Briefing Pack available from our website to get an idea of the type of events that can be organised and have a brainstorming session with their team. Once each temple picks a list of events that they can organise, they should empower a Committee to go ahead with their plans and extend all support to the team. The Global Office will be happy to help by providing information, ideas and marketing artefacts such as logos and templates.”
Temples can also consider hosting other events such as food festivals, music and cultural festivals, academic conferences, school events, competitions, youth festivals, kirtan melas, mega harinama processions, a second book marathon and any other event that is suitable for them locally to celebrate the 50th anniversary.
For more information, contact:
ISKCON 50 Global Office: info@iskcon50.org
International Coordinator: romapada@iskcon50.org
Website: www.iskcon50.org
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