how to build and maintain a community ? steps to varëäçrama

HOW TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN A COMMUNITY?STEPS TO VARËÄÇRAMA

STEPS OF BUILDING A COMMUNITY

Vision Analysis Strategic planning Action Maintenance, monitoring, adjustments

2

VISION OF SRILA PRABHUPADA First part of Srila Prabhupada’s

mission was to establish and expand The second part was to create systems

to ensure that devotees are happy in Krishna Consciousness

Srila Prabhupada’s desire was to establish Varnasrama, a system for devotee care

One of the 7 Purposes of ISKCON is To bring the members of the Society

together with each other & nearer to Krishna

3

Letter to: Satsvarupa, Bombay, 25 November, 1970You are right to say that the example and kindly guidance of our elder members in the Society is the most profound force for motivating our students both new and old towards advanced Krishna Consciousness.

Letter to: Karandhara, Delhi, 3 December, 1971Now you must guide them very nicely in Krishna Consciousness, because you are a veteran devotee and practically speaking the future of our Krishna Conscious Society rests in the hands of my older disciples. Give them all facility to perfect their lives by protecting them and instructing them nicely, that is now the duty of my senior disciples

4

COMMUNITY VISION IN HUNGARY

5

To create a community based on Care and trust Personal relationships Common rights and obligations Education

ISKCON Hungary is the sum of temples and congregations that we can call the “community”.

SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths: We have very good

foundation given by Srila Prabhupada to build a society, and we have good examples in Radha-Gopinatha Temple in Chowpatty, also in Ukraine and London

Weaknesses: The present structure (ISKCON as a federation of temples) can not serve the needs of the changing devotee community 6

SWOT ANALYSIS

7

Opportunities: We can change paradigm, and redefine ISKCON Hungary as a community of devotees, centered around the temple

Threats: If we are unable to change paradigm, our development will be limited

RESULT OF ANALYSIS

So there is a need of a system With qualified devotees Who are ready to offer the required

shelter, care, training, education and support to others

8

HUNGARIAN EFFORTS TOWARDS VISION Establishing the Counselor System

Define values and goals Define requirements for community

membership, as rights and obligations Define the role of temple Establish an educational system Create media / channels of communication Involving and inspiring devotees Organizing preaching programs (feeders)

9

CREATING A FRAMEWORK Based on studying the Radha

Gopinatha Mandir’s community

10

Their framework is called The Counselor System (CS)

Personalization and adjustments took place with the help of Sridama Prabhu and Kisori Mataji

11

WHY DO WE NEED THAT?„The whole is greater than the sum of

the parts. „

12

OUR GOALS WITH COUNSELOR SYSTEM Creating a system of care and guidance Sense of identity to grihastas Increase the level of trust within the

community Decrease alienation of devotees Promote stronger relationships and

association Give support in KC and every walk of life Involve congregation in activities and

preaching Organize education to all asramas

13

WHO IS A MEMBER? One who would like to advance in

Krishna consciousness One who takes Krishna consciousness

as a lifestyle One who takes part in the Counselors

System Accepts ISKCON and local authority Vegetarian, chants at least 1 round daily Attends group meetings Have regular service Radhe Syama seva puja member

14

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE TEMPLE?

Temples are an important but the smaller part of the community that provide place of spiritual inspiration supply spiritual guides for community the ultimate authority on community

standards.

15

EDUCATION Counselor System is an educational

system Education penetrates everything within Education of counselors and

congregation Curriculum is specified according to our

goals, not topics

16

REGULAR MEETINGS OF COUNSELORS

17

COMMUNICATION

Word-of-mouth is most effective

A website is established with limited access for non-members, full access for members

18

INVOLVEMENT Involve community members in

different services Inspire members to take responsibilities Sunday program Organizing festivals, social events Organizing comittees Preaching

19

WHY COMMUNITY BUILDING? Is the key element to ISKCON’s

prosperity in the future, especially in citys Penny principle

Will improve the Krishna conscious lives of community members, grihastas

Will build trust of distanced devotees Will attract new members Will create abundant resources and

funds 20

SRÉ SRÉ RADHE-SYAMA KÉ!

21