Guru Prasad Swami and Revati Raman Dasa (center) with new GBC College graduates.

1 March, 2024
The meeting commenced with Srila Prabhupada’s Guru puja, followed by a reading from Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25. The outgoing chair, Revati Raman Dasa, and the incoming chair, Guru Prasad Swami, presented certificates to GBC College graduates. Krishnadas Kaviraj Dasa (GBC Deputy) facilitated the straw voting process for the following proposals. For each proposal, he presented a summary and resolution and highlighted the Plus, Minus, and Interesting points.

Members in attendance engaged in detailed discussion for each proposal and cast their straw votes:
– Srila Prabhupada’s Perfect Understanding of the Position of the Jiva
– Moving Large Deities

2 March, 2024
The GBC Members commenced the day by attending the opening ceremony of Sri Nrsimhadeva Temple Wing. In the afternoon session, the GBC conducted the following business:

a. Voting on Proposals: Krishnadas Kaviraj Dasa facilitated the straw voting process for two proposals. For each proposal, he provided a summary, resolution, and highlighted the Plus, Minus, and Interesting points. This was followed by a discussion by the attending members who cast their straw votes for the following proposals: Reinstating Positions of Assistant and Acting GBC and Observing Festivals on the dates they occur.

b. Romapada Swami’s Leave of Absence: The leave of absence for Romapada Swami was extended to March 2025.

c. AGM Dates: The proposed dates for AGM 2025 were shared as 14 February to 23 February 2024, with 17 February to 20 February dedicated to ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS). Members unanimously voted in favor of the AGM 2025 dates.

4 March, 2024
The meeting commenced with Srila Prabhupada Guru Puja prayers. The GBC addressed two key agenda items:

– Appointment of Auditor: Sri Ratnesh Singh Chandel aka Rasaparaya Das was proposed as the Statutory Auditor for the GBC for the year 2024. GBC members unanimously voted in favor.

– GBC Budget for 2024: Mahamani Govinda Das, GBC Treasurer, presented the GBC budget for the year 2024. It was agreed that the GBC fees received from temples would increase by 5% to account for inflation. These funds cover the basic expenses of the GBC Office, AGM Expenses and the funding assistance provided to various Ministries and Standing Committees.

During the meeting, several GBC members pledged an additional amount of $44,000 for the Child Protection Office, increasing the allocated budget for the International Child Protection Office to $54,000. This is the highest allocation in many years, representing over a quarter of the total GBC budget. The overall budget approved by the GBC for 2024, covering GBC Office & AGM Expenses, Ministries, and Standing Committees, is $202,950.