Strategic Planning for ISKCON’s future was the central focus for the second through fourth days of the 2010 Annual General Meeting for ISKCON’s Governing Body Commission. In 2006, the GBC Body collectively decided to increase their attention on Strategic Planning, more specifically to spend additional energy on defining and planning ISKCON’s direction and management for Srila Prabhupada’s mission to be passed down to future generations.

Through the process of Strategic Planning, sub-committees were formed to address specific Strategic Planning issues. The six standing sub-committees include:

Establishing Srila Prabhupada’s Position: To clarify the special role Srila Prabhupada plays as the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON and work to pass the theological and practical implications of Srila Prabhupada’s unique position to future generations.

Succession Committee: To identify, inspire, and train future ISKCON leaders.

Constitution Committee: To formulate a constitution for ISKCON.

Devotee Care: To educate and develop systems to assist in meeting the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual needs of devotees.

Parallel Lines of Authority and Finances: To create a balance between various levels of leadership in ISKCON, such as GBC members, initiating spiritual masters, and sannyasis. Also, to develop job descriptions and financial guidelines for leaders at various levels.

Core Preaching Strategies: To identify and promote the main preaching activities, such a book distribution, varnasrama, education of children, etc. as outlined by Srila Prabhupada.

For three full days, individual committees convened to further develop and realize specific committee goals. Strategic Planning requires committees to not only plan, but also move forward in implementing the committee’s strategies and initiatives. Consequently, enthusiasm and lively discussion — both within and outside of allocated meeting time — often develop through this process of Strategic Planning.

During these three days, time was also allotted to plenary sessions during which individual groups presented their progress thus far and requested feedback from the GBC Body.

GBC members will continue to collaborate with their committee members on their specific initiatives throughout the year and committees will reconvene in person next fall during the GBC meeting in Bombay.