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Election of Temple Managers?

August 17, 2008 - 1:20am — phani

This discussion was started by our reader Vidura, who is not at all satisfied with his local temple authorities and feels that annual elections of temple officers would make sure that unqualified devotees don't remain in office. Originally this was a comment to Devaki Mataji's article, "The Poison is Personal Ambition".

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August 10, 2008 - 5:26am — Vidura

More can be done

Suggestions:
1. If we had an annual polling day where we can elect Temple Committee members, then we can have a chance to choose the right person for the job instead of being suffocated with one who has personal ambition. This will bring him down to earth quickly and understand that he is nothing but a servant leader. Every committee member must be chosen by the temple devotees.

2. The designation of Vice President, Minister etc serves to boost one's ego very much. Titles should be like the ones listed in the Bhakti Vrksa manual - servant leader, servant group leader etc.

August 10, 2008 - 11:53am — phani

demon-crazy? i don't think so...

i agree that more can and must be done to improve leadership in our temples and centers, and the whole ISKCON society, to the point where it becomes true spiritual leadership on all levels.

i am not convinced, though, that democratic elections of temple officers is the right step to take. for one, i've been living in bangladesh and india for the last 30 years, and while both countries have so-called democratic governments, the process here is a complete farce.

voters are bullied, bribed, and sweet-talked into voting for one or the other political parties, and all of them, without exception, use their 'democratically' achieved positions for personal gain and power politics.

i'm afraid it's pretty much the same in the west, a little less obvious perhaps, with a certain level of pretense about fulfilling their constitutional functions. the principle remains the same, though: first me, then my family, next my party and sponsors, and then, far, far below on the importance scale, the rest of the world, including the constituency that elected me.

what makes you think this would be different with democratically elected temple boards and officers? the best talkers aren't always the most advanced devotees. and how will relatively new temple members, who don't have much spiritual realization yet, figure out who's best to lead the place? the grumpy guy who tells them things they don't like to hear, or the smooth dude who looks really cool and promises them better facilities once he's in charge?

i just don't trust the "wisdom of the masses."

your servant, phani.

August 12, 2008 - 3:36am — Vidura

Rules can be made for election of temple committee members

There can be rules for those who are standing for election. e.g. they have to be in the movement for at least 3 years, attending temple programs regularly etc

If the elected person doesn't fulfill his promises, he will be out when the temple votes again the next year.

Some TPs are real smooth talkers, convincing GBC that they are doing an excellent job, but only the temple members know the real story.

August 13, 2008 - 4:40am — Vidura

List of suggestions for CDM to act on

HG Devaki mataji has written an accurate analysis on the effects of devotees under the iron rule of the temple management. She has hit the nail on its head. There are some things that can be done to change the way temple management is run if GBC approves.

1. Temple committee members plus counselors must be elected by temple devotees, aspiring as well as initiated devotees who visit the temple.

This should be done once a year. Election will keep the authorities on their toes and their ego down to earth. The members will also be free to elect the ones who really care for the devotees. GBC should not interfere with this process as far as possible. Normally the temple authorities paint a rosy picture to their GBC and the real situation is never known to GBC.

2. The temple management and counselors should be trained and emphasis should be given on devotee care. This should be done immediately after election. It should be the goal of every leader that when a person come to sincerely take to Krishna Consciousness, we must think, "WHAT DO I REQUIRE TO DO TO HELP THIS PERSON TO REMAIN A DEVOTEE THROUGHOUT HIS OR HER ENTIRE LIFE?"

3. The counselors should not be too young i.e. in late twenties or early thirties as they can’t advise devotees who are older in many material matters. Often the wife also becomes a counselor just because the husband is and this should not be a criteria in selecting a counselor. It’s best the counselors are elected by members as well.

4. Initiation is becoming more and more a subjective matter making it difficult for one to get an initiation. There should be fixed set of criteria for everyone across the board. These criteria should not differ from one GM to another. It should be objective.

5. Management should also respect people for their experience and age in the material world and not look down and demand for humility. They need to earn respect by giving it. Respect everyone and expect none in return.

6. If you can round up all TPs and management from different parts of the world and train them properly, that would be a good start. Perhaps Anuttama prabhu can do this by visiting different regions regularly to conduct training.

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