10/06/1998 - 2325

North American IRG Chapter Successfully Launched

USA (VNN) - by Mahasrnga das

North American IRG (ISKCON Reform Group) Chapter Successfully Launched

Around 150 devotees from all over America and major ISKCON centers aroundthe world assembled in Alachua, Florida on October 3rd and 4th to launchthe formation of the North American branch of the IRG. This maintained themomentum that had been created following on from the resounding success ofthe launching of the IRG at the historic Bangalore meetings in July earlierthis year. The devotees attending included many senior disciples of SrilaPrabhupada, sannyasis, and both ex and current GBC members and templepresidents. Delegates also attended from other IRG branches in India,Singapore, England and Hong Kong.

In support of the Bangalore resolutions the following resolutions werepassed in Alachua unanimously:

1. DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE ON SRILA PRABHUPADA
We accept the document the "Final Order", as the definitive explanation ofthe process for initiating members into the International Society forKrishna Consciousness. We invite the worldwide association of devotees tosupport our efforts to reestablish His Divine Grace A.C. BhaktivedantaSwami Prabhupada as the current and diksa link to the Gaudiya Sampradaya,and we humbly request the GBC members both individually and collectively toseriously consider this proposal. This effort is meant to unite SrilaPrabhupada's family and is specifically meant to create full public accessto the mercy of H.D.G. Srila Prabhupada through spiritual initiation.

2. All devotees, regardless of their status, especially the secondgeneration are to be accepted as direct disciples of Srila Prabhupada, witheveryone to be united as godbrothers and godsisters in the house that SrilaPrabhupada built.

3. The North American IRG national office is to be set up in Alachua.Further the following regional offices were immediately formed:

Eastern Canada
Quebec
Western Canada & Seattle
Northern California
Southern California
Washington D.C.
North Carolina
New Vrindavana
New York

4. A task-force has been set up to offer assistance to devotees worldwidewho are experiencing harassment as a result of wanting to take directshelter of Srila Prabhupada. Volunteers are welcome. Please contact vineetnarain@hotmail.com.

Devotees who wish to offer support to the IRG are invited to contact thenational office for more information on mahasringa@compuserve.com. Inparticular devotees are invited to sign the "Declaration of dependence onSrila Prabhupada", and to network with their local offices and open up newregional offices.

We would also like to announce the world convention of the IRG which is tobe held on October 22-23, 1998, in Vrindavana, India. This conference willbe titled:

"The Final Order - The Final Solution"

Anyone interested in attending this conference should contact Visnu MurtiDasa (Vineet Narain) on vineetnarain@hotmail.com, or call 91 11 686 6280,or fax on 91 11 696 7399.