The Executive Committee (EC) Chair, Revati Raman Dasa, shared a brief report of some assignments overseen by GBC EC in 2023-24. Some of these assignments include:
– Assisting Ukrainian devotees with challenges faced in the current situation
– Responding to many concerns about child protection matters
– Moving Forward with the Mayapur-Vrindavan Child Protection Office (CPO) Inquiry
– Media & Public Relations Issue
– Peru
– Bhaktivedanta Institute
– Temple of Vedic Planetarium (TOVP) Exhibits

The GBC EC report was followed by EC elections. The new EC members elected to office are:
Guru Prasad Swami, Next Chair
Tapana Misra Dasa, First Vice Chair
Govardhan Dasa, Second Vice Chair

Vaisesika Das presented a comprehensive overview of book distribution, expressing gratitude to Governing Body Commission (GBC) members for their steadfast support in promoting this essential service within their respective zones. He emphasized the influential role the GBC leaders play and urged them to continue inspiring others, recognizing that their example is looked up to by fellow leaders.

In addition, Vaisesika Das invited insights from prominent leaders such as Gopal Krishna Goswami, Revati Raman Dasa, Govardhan Dasa, and Acyutatma Dasa on their approaches to advocating book distribution in their zones. Encouraging leaders to facilitate congregation involvement in book distribution, Vaisesika Das stressed the significance of training and guidance for leaders, emphasizing that spontaneous engagement would follow. He outlined three highly successful Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) campaigns embraced by temples:
Bhadra Purnima – Srimad Bhagavatam
Live to Give – Bhagavad Gita
Be a Gardener – Caitanya Caritamrita
The comprehensive book distribution presentation will be shared in another message. The session concluded with an interactive segment where Vaisesika Das invited questions and addressed challenges related to book distribution.

In the afternoon session, Krishnadas Kaviraj Dasa (GBC Deputy) facilitated the straw voting process for the following proposals. For each proposal, he presented a summary, resolution, and highlighted the Plus, Minus, and Interesting points. Members in attendance engaged in detailed discussion for each proposal and cast their straw votes:
a. Establishing the office of Parliamentarian for GBC 2024
b. Temple Kirtan Guideline
c. Sastric Degree for Second Initiation
d. Sastric Degree for GBCs
The proposals will be amended based on the inputs of GBC members and presented for final vote.

The day concluded with an informative annual report presentation from the Cow and Agriculture Ministry, delivered by Kalakantha Dasa. Kalakantha Dasa expressed his gratitude to GBC members for their leadership in cow care and agricultural initiatives within their respective zones. He highlighted some significant achievements of the Ministry, including the development of the first bull power engine in Hungary – a pilot project that will extend to other ISKCON centers. Additionally, he mentioned the establishment of a new farm in Italy and Czech Republic, along with creation of a global directory which provides insights into the status of cow care at various ISKCON centers. Kalakantha Dasa revealed that he personally visited ISKCON farms worldwide to assess their compliance with the standards set by the Cow and Agriculture Ministry and he certified the ones which met the standards. During the presentation, he shared slides illustrating the improvised breeding and feeding of cows at goshalas across ISKCON.