Just one-third of the temples distribute books...

Day 1 GBC Meeting in Mayapur - Gopala Bhatta Prabhu asks "How do you really feel about book distribution?"

This is taken from a report of Day 1's GBC meeting at the Mayapur Festival 2007, posted at www.mayapur.com. Gopala Bhatta das, who is not a GBC member but appears to have been placed in the role of GBC's advisor cum manager cum resident shrink, and led the discussion, encouraging the stiff-as-board GBC contingent to get in touch with their feelings about distributing Srila Prabhupada's books.

But the figures speak for themselves. Not good. One third of ISKCON's temples are distributing books. So what are the rest doing? We'd like to see a more detailed report, with temple sankirtan scores around the globe, but I suppose it is too much to ask from the GBC and BBTI, who have more things to worry about than transparency and enthusing the devotees on the ground. So here's the report:

Book Distribution

Gopala Bhatta Prabhu facilitated this section. He asked the GBC members to speak about how they really feel about book distribution. This is a sensitive topic, for book distribution is not as prominent as it was during Srila Prabhupada's time. Three years ago, the GBC began putting this topic first at its annual meetings.

Brahma Muhurta Prabhu, the BBT Trustee for North Europe, read a few of Srila Prabhupada's statements on book distribution.

Gopala Bhatta Prabhu said that good managers can get a clear picture of how their organization is doing just by hearing some numbers. He read out financial figures and said that the BBT's worldwide revenue went flat about ten years ago, though there are still high and bright spots distributing more than ever. He pointed out that there are approximately 350 temples and 100 preaching centers worldwide. Of these, 208 units reported doing some distribution last year, which is a little more than half. Just one-third of the temples distribute books; two-thirds don't do much. Moreover, we have not implemented systems for accurate score-keeping in every region.

He said that we want to investigate reasons why book distribution is successful in some areas and not in others. But first we want to find out how each member feels about book distribution and its current status. We want to take an inventory of that. And we also would like to hear what the GBC members want to tell the BBT trustees (four trustees were present).

The GBC members, one by one, began stating their ideas and eventually mentioned dozens of them, too numerous to list here. (All the comments were noted down, to be used later.) Having been requested to openly express themselves, they revealed how their hearts and energies are directed toward book distribution, their concerns about it, and even their doubts, if they had any. They brought up a wide range of topics: ensuring that street book distribution is ethically done; considering how the public perceives book distribution; mobilizing devotees in our congregations and making the best use of sastra dan programs; reviving BBT councils composed of devotees in various services; maintaining Srila Prabhupada's desire that book distribution be at the center of ISKCON's preaching activities; finding new, improved ways to design, advertise and distribute our books and bridge books; following up on interested "customers"; and helping devotees read and appreciate our books.

After this detailed discussion, Svavas Prabhu, a BBT trustee from America, said that he heard many ideas today that he has not heard from GBCs he has known a long time, and he will try to put them into action.