Loud chants of “Govinda! Govinda!” echo around the ISKCON Tirupati complex as pilgrims coming to see Lord Balaji also stream through the grounds of Sri Sri Radha Govinda’s temple. These chants provide a transcendental soundtrack to our ongoing meetings. Today saw the continuation of the meetings of the Strategic Planning Network (SPN), while the GBC started its three days of deliberation on the topic of Vaisnavi diksha gurus, a topic that requires their collective, focused attention.
Srila Prabhupada wanted the GBC to lead ISKCON through good governance and to establish global policies, and he wanted an expansive, thriving movement that served both the public and those who accepted its shelter. For the past eight years, the GBC Strategic Planning Team (SPT) has been helping the GBC explore the ways in which ISKCON needs to grow into the vibrant movement Srila Prabhupada wanted it to be.
From these deliberations came The Strategic Planning Network, a group of devotees including all GBC members, who are dedicated to creating positive and progressive change in ISKCON and who have various types of experience and expertise to help expand on the key areas of the GBC’s strategic plan.
Great work has come out of the various SPN committees. However, they need assistance. Today we’ll tell you about an initiative that has injected hope into the SPN work: the formation of an SPN Production Team. This team will take the work of the Strategic Planning Network and produce it in whatever way suits the project – and then help get it into the hands of devotees who can use it. The Production Team will support project management, book production, web design, curriculum development, writing, editing, research, graphics, and anything else related to making the ideas the Strategic Planning Network has into something tangible and useful. We hope the Production Team will become a repository of skilled devotees that can be drawn on for the overall strategic planning work. The Strategic Planning Team sent out a request for help a few months ago, and while a number of qualified devotees responded, will continue to solicit talent from within our ISKCON family. The upcoming availability of such resources has reinvigorated the SPN committees
Our day of meetings concludes as they had started with the kirtan of Govinda! Govinda! as it reaches our ears in the conference room, high above the gardens of Sri Sri Radha Govindaji. Another day in the service of Srila Prabhupadas mission, with the hope that His Divine Grace maybe pleased.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Your servants,
GBC Community Relations Office of the Strategic Planning Network
