As plans for ISKCON’s 50^th anniversary in 2016 ramp up, the International 50^th Anniversary Committee consisting of Pancharatna Das, Gauri Das and chair Anuttama Das are on the lookout for a new international coordinator.

With previous coordinator Ajay Kumar from the UK moving on after a year of dedicated service, a new candidate is needed to help develop, promote, encourage, and coordinate celebrations around the world.

The ideal candidate will have good leadership and communication skills, management experience, and a strong commitment to ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada. They’ll also need to be an enthusiastic team player who enjoys working with people and is able to work cooperatively with senior ISKCON leaders as well as devotees at all levels.

The coordinator will work with the 50^th Anniversary Committee to recommend events, themes and goals for ISKCON temples around the world to use in celebrating the 50^th anniversary. They’ll consult with local ISKCON leaders to encourage regional celebrations. And they’ll distribute media releases, oversee promotions, provide reports to the GBC, and serve as a 50^th anniversary spokesperson when needed.

It’s going to be a busy time for the coordinator and their team. Already regional coordinators are in place for North America, South America, Australasia, and Europe, while there are also local coordinators for  twenty-eight individual countries around the world. Continental and regional committees have been formed and are active.

Already, events are being organized this year which will celebrate Prabhupada’s leaving Kolkata, India on the steamship Jaladuta, and arriving in Boston, USA. These will ramp up the excitement for 2016.

In Kolkata there’ll be a walking pilgrimage in August 2015 retracing Prabhupada’s journey from Mayapur to Kolkata’s Khidirpur Dock. The pilgrimage will visit many important places in Prabhupada’s life. It will be followed by four major auditorium events celebrating Prabhupada’s life with Indian political and spiritual leaders, ISKCON leaders, congregational members and youth.

After these, a program will be organized in Cochin, South India, the last Indian port the Jaladuta stopped at – to load Srila Prabhupada’s books – before heading off for the U.S.

 Next, from September 11^th to 13^th, several hundred devotees will gather in Houston, Texas, to share three days of kirtan and remembrances of Srila Prabhupada’s many achievements.  

And from September 17^th to 19^th, ISKCON Boston is planning a weekend event to mark Srila Prabhupada’s arrival in the U.S. in 1965. A special VIP event will be held at historic Fanniel Hall, and there will be a boat tour for several hundred at Boston Harbor to commemorate Prabhupada’s arrival to the new world. 

But a new international coordinator is needed as soon as possible to make sure all this happens! Please peruse the full requirements and responsibilities of the position below, and if you feel you or someone you know might suit it, contact Pancharatna Das at pancharatna@gmail.com.

Service Description

Mission:

To help develop, promote, encourage, and coordinate celebration of ISKCON’s 50^th Anniversary around the world.

Authority:

ISKCON International 50^th Anniversary Committee

Time and budget:

• Estimated 15 to 20 hours per week service
• Budget for office expenses and travel is available

Requirements:

• Strong Leadership skills
• Management Experience
• Strong Communication skills, including writing and speaking
• Basic Computer skills, including some basic web management experience
• Proficient in English (additional languages a plus)
• Strategic Planning skills
• Good organizational skills
• Strong commitment to ISKCON and Srila Prabhupada
• Team player
• Team builder
• Self-motivated
• Multi-tasker
• Goal oriented
• International vision
• Enthusiastic
• Enjoys working with people
• Able to work cooperatively with senior ISKCON leaders, and devotees at all levels
• Graduate of ISKCON Communications & Leadership/Management courses (preferred)

Responsibilities:

• Working in conjunction with the 50^th Anniversary Committee and International Communications Committee: Develop an International Anniversary Strategy (IAS)—including recommended events, themes, and goals—to promote and celebrate ISKCON’s 50^th Anniversary
• Attend bi-monthly meetings with the International Anniversary Committee and provide progress reports
• Develop and maintain relationships/communication, and provide ongoing consultation with key ISKCON leaders and leadership bodies internationally to encourage regional planning and celebration of ISKCON’s 50^th Anniversary
• Coordinate with Regional/Continental Anniversary Coordinators when/if in place; and participate in Continental strategy conference calls as needed to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas
• Promote adherence to 50^th Anniversary themes and goals by ISKCON Regions, Temples and Communities
• Ensure regular information about the 50^th Anniversary is distributed to ISKCON leaders, temples, websites, and members in increasing frequency as the Anniversary draws closer
• Work with the Communication Ministry to coordinate and distribute information and media releases about the 50^th Anniversary to appropriate venues
• Serve as an ISKCON 50^th Anniversary spokesperson when required
• Respond to inquiries about the 50^th Anniversary
• Provide Anniversary reports and updates for the GBC Body to review at its two annual meetings
• Oversee the development of promotional materials, as required
• Assist in maintaining an Anniversary website, by providing information to the webmaster, or directly uploading if possible