1. Strategic Planning Team of the Governing Body Commission of ISKCON
Village Initiative Committee
(VIC)
Report to the
Strategic Planning Team
of the
Governing Body Commission
of ISKCON
Juhu, Mumbai

2. Village Initiative Committee
Make Ideal Societies
“We have to create self sufficient farm
communities. We should produce our
grain and milk; if we do this then
there is no question of scarcity. So
develop these farm communities as
much as possible. These communities
should turn into ideal societies that
are based on natural resources and
not on industry.”
Srila Prabhupada
VIC
Village Initiative Committee

3. The Mandate assist promote implement enhance support complement Daiva
SPT
GBC
Daiva
Varnasrama
Culture
Rural development
National committees
Varnasrama ministries
Community development
Communities
Simple living - High thinking
assist
promote
implement
enhance
support
complement
4 movements
Sankirtana
Classless society
Deity worship
Spiritual initiation
VIC
Village Initiative Committee
Essay of Gita Nagari Srila Prabhupada
Letter to Dr. Patel - Deputy Prime Minister -1949

4. A Social Reform Movement
The Challenges
Number
Time
ISKCON
A Social Reform Movement
Responsibility
Initiation
Sankirtana
Number of devotees
Temple worship
“There should be a thorough overhauling of the social system, and society should revert to the Vedic principles, that is, the four varnas and the four asramas.”
S.B purport
Responsibility
Change
Inflection point
Repercussions of changing times
No compromise
Influence or react
Social transition
Decreasing financial power
Increasing number of “uncared for” devotees
Aging “founding” generation
Second and third generation?
VIC
Village Initiative Committee

5. Global Varnasrama Initiatives
1st
Varnasrama
College - India
Varnasrama
Ministry
Europe
GBC Farm
Research
Committee
EVF
Hungary
VDC
Guyana
1996
1992
2007
2009
2010
2011
2008
VDC
Malaysia
Centennial
year
papers
IRGB
Position
paper
Varnasrama
Ministry
India
Speaking
about
Varnasrama
book
2 GBC
Resolutions
310, 311
National Varnasrama
Development Committee
India
SPT - GBC - VIC
Ongoing Seminars, Media Productions,
Community Projects
VIC
Village Initiative Committee

6. Village Initiative Committee
Achievements
The Eight Petals Newsletter - 5,000 subscribers
Global Varnasrama Mission - PAMHO Conference members
3rd Year Varnasrama College at Sri Krsna Balarama Ksetra - South India
3rd Varnasrama Annual Seminar – Bali – 110 delegates
3rd International Varnasrama Seminar in Krishna Valley
4th Varnasrama Annual Seminar – Sri Mayapur Dhama
Pillars of Sustainability Seminar - Hungary - 15 countries attended
Five day Seminar – Malaysia – Varnasrama College - 30 delegates
Chanakya Academy of Leadership Stratagem - IDVM - India
Parasuram Academy of Martial Arts - Kalari Yoga - IDVM - India
Media Production (Books and DVDs) IDVM - India
3 devotees elected at local village council - 1 Deputy Mayor - Hungary
New National Varnasrama Development Committees in Guyana, Indonesia
630
received training
reaching out to
5000+
VIC
Village Initiative Committee

7. Village Initiative Committee
VIC Members
Bhakti Dhira
Damodara
Swami
Sambha
das
Vrindavan
lila
devi dasi
Gaura
Krishna
das
Bharat
Chandra
das
Paramatma
das
Gokula
das
Gaur
Gopala
das
Balabhadra
das
Radha
Krishna
das
Bhakti
Raghava
Swami
Shalagram
das
Yogesh
Chandra
das
Dhanesvara
das
VIC
Village Initiative Committee

8. Key Areas Varnasrama Colleges Awareness Communities
Train - Equip - Engage
Awareness
Understand - Identify - Execute
Communities
Facilitate - Advise - Support
VIC
Village Initiative Committee

9. Awareness Devotees S M A R T Understand Identify Execute Organization
Their role in the Varnasrama Mission and the need for the social reform
The opportunities and the tangible results of the new approach of preaching
Key strategic goals and objectives, and the timeline for the key milestones
Feel optimistic and positive about the Varnasrama Mission, its culture, strategy and future
Identify themselves with the mission’s goals and values
They are part of a united team with a single set of objectives
Continue to do their services according to their commitments
Take responsibility for their role in the growth and success of the mission
Seek opportunities to advance the execution and support the mission
Outcome
Security
Stability, certainty
comfort
Rewards
Benefits, recognition
Affiliation
Trust, values, happiness
Self
Advancement, fulfillment
Organization
Education
Dissemination
Forming ministries
National committees
Global Varnasrama Ministry
Forming legal entities
Survey & database
Seminars
Outreach
Training
Newsletters, bulletins
Book publication
Media production
Publicity
VIC
Village Initiative Committee

10. Village Initiative Committee
Varnasrama Colleges
Train
Equip
Engage
Key activities
Training
Teacher training
Leadership training
Farming and commerce
Apprenticeships
Curriculum
Research
Publishing
Establishing
Varnasrama Colleges
Communities
VIC
Village Initiative Committee

11. Building, Reviving Communities
Providing sustainable livelihood
Fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s vision
Save the future generation
Nurturing relationships
Providing employment
Economic networks
Spiritual fulfillment
Local economy
Social security
Lifestyle and thinking in harmony with the ecosystem
Facilitate
Advise
Developing a culture based on values and respect
Support
Fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s vision
Save the future generation
Economic networks
Local economy
Social security
Nurturing relationships
Providing sustainable livelihood
Providing employment
Spiritual fulfillment
Don’t curse darkness, light a candle!
VIC
Village Initiative Committee

12. Village Initiative Committee
SMART example
Building Awareness
Varnasrama Colleges
Something from EVF
Goal - build a curriculum
Personnel - Sambha pr, Bharat Chandra pr
Time - 2 months
Result - achieved
VIC
Village Initiative Committee

13. Village Initiative Committee
VIC Proposals E E E
ndorse
ncourage
mpower
Varnasrama
Committees
Position Paper
Services
Varnasrama Colleges
VIC proposes that during the 2012 GBC meetings the GBC body endorse the position paper already adopted by the Indian RGB/Bureau, with any needed amendments.
VIC requests the GBC body to empower the VIC and the existing Varnasrama Ministries to help set up and standardize Varnasrama Colleges around the world.
In keeping with the resolutions passed by the GBC “310”, “311” VIC proposes that the GBC body encourage the temple management and leaders around the world to make use of the services offered by the VIC and existing Varnasrama Ministries.
VIC requests the GBC body to encourage leaders around the world to establish national Varnasrama Committees or Ministries.
VIC
Village Initiative Committee

14. Thank you for your attention!
Village Initiative Committee
(VIC)
Thank you for your attention!
The VIC team
Juhu, Mumbai