GBC Recognition of Hare Krsna Food For Life Program

The GBC Body officially recognizes "Hare Krsna Food For Life" as ISKCON's program for widespread distribution of Krsna -prasadam and gives the program its blessings.

"Hare Krsna Food for Life" and "ISKCON Food Relief" are officially part of the Ministry of Communications.

Duties

1. To promote, coordinate and organize Krsna-prasadam distribution programs all over the world under appropriate titles.

2. To promote and supervise the ISKCON third world (i.e. India. Asia, Africa, etc.) prasad distribution program known as ISKCON Food for Life or ISKCON Food Relief as established by ISKCON's Founder-Acarya.

Regulations

That all temples are encouraged to take up the Hare Krsna "Food For Life" program as outlined by the Communications Ministry and Food for Life Ministry. The GBC Body recommends this program as a highly effective means to increase prasadam distribution and ultimately book distribution as well and as a way for ISKCON to gain acceptance by the public and government agencies.

1. No person can collect funds using the name Food for Life without the written permission of their local ISKCON authority and the Ministry of Communication.

2. The above parties (the applicant, local ISKCON authorities and Ministry of Communication) are to mutually agree upon a percentage of funds to be collected using the name Food for Life. This must comply with local laws and must be used for the stated purpose either by:

a. conducting prasadam distribution, or

b. sponsoring prasadam distribution projects somewhere in the world.(97-106.1, 106.22)

Justice

Appealing a Decision

The Principle

In personal dealings between individual devotees and their authorities, appealing the decision of a lower authority to a higher authority for reaching a final solution is a standard principle in ISKCON.(93)

Procedure

1. If a devotee feels aggrieved by a decision, or the lack of a decision, of his Temple President for something which affects him in his personal spiritual life (initiation, marriage, transfer, removal, permissions, etc.), the devotee may appeal the matter to the local GBC Zonal Secretary or to an assistant of the GBC approved for this purpose.

2. While the appeal is being considered, the concerned devotee must follow the decision of the Temple President unless the GBC has given a stay order for the duration of the appeal.

3. During an appeal, all concerned parties should be heard and the decision in the appeal shall be considered as final.

4. If requested, decisions should be given in writing.

5. If the Temple President wants to appeal a matter relating to a decision of his GBC Zonal Secretary he can do so to the GBC Body, or in emergencies to the GBC Executive Committee, but while the appeal is going on he should follow the decision of the GBC Zonal Secretary unless the GBC Executive Committee gives a stay order from following it.

6. When the matter being appealed is related with something which will produce an irrevocable consequence or contravene ISKCON Law, the status quo should be maintained until the appeal is decided.(93)

See also Ministry of Justice.

Fund Development and

Life Patron Membership

General Regulations

ISKCON centers shall always offer reasonable hospitality to any life members in good standing who visit the center. The minimum hospitality is to offer at least prasadam. Life members should be offered to stay overnight regardless of how meager the facilities are and if it is not possible to offer accommodations, then it is the responsibility of the temple to give reasonable assistance in finding member's accommodations.(82)

Collection of funds in the name of the homeless, the handicapped and the under-privileged is not acceptable method of fund raising, unless the collections are used for genuine purposes.(97-106.3)

General Guidelines

According to Srila Prabhupada's expressed desire, whenever possible all temples should offer at least a one-year Back to Godhead subscription to every newly enrolled life member. New members who are not residing in primarily English-speaking areas shall have the option to be provided the magazines in another language if available.(90)

See also Ministry of Fund Development and Life Patron Membership (page 37.)

Devotee Health and Welfare