Participants at the Summit hosted at ISKCON Muskoka.

On Saturday, April 26th, the ISKCON Temples of Southern Ontario, Canada, came together for a dynamic zonal summit hosted at the scenic ISKCON Muskoka. The full-day event brought together leaders, visionaries, and emerging voices from across the region, with participation from over a dozen centers, including representatives from three new emerging communities expected to be formally incorporated into ISKCON this year.

The gathering was chaired by Indresh Gaura Dasa, who opened the event by outlining the day’s vision and unifying purpose. The Zone 1 Support Office, which includes a dedicated and talented team of devotees, coordinated the program, with Vrinda Devi Dasi flying in from the West Coast. The Zone 1 Support Team also includes Aindra Dasa, Pitambara Dasa, Punya-Sravana Dasa and Nalisha Garg.

A highlight of the day was the keynote address by Bhaktimarga Swami, who, alongside Vallabh Hari Dasa, spoke on “Reimagining Rathayatra,” emphasizing the need to expand participation to a much wider audience and create more impactful relevancy to ISKCON’s most vibrant street festival. The afternoon keynote featured Kalakantha Dasa from Gainesville, Florida, offering powerful insights on “The Outreach Model,” emphasizing practical strategies that can inspire regional centers to grow through relevance, culture, and compassion. 

Additional presentations included encouraging teams to “Enliven Your Centre Daily” presented by Vishaka Devi Dasi, coordination and cooperation in Southern Ontario Book Distribution discussed by Radha Mohan Dasa and Shyama Mohini Devi Dasi, a presentation on Govinda’s Product Line as a strategic model for outreach and sustainability by Indresh Gaura Dasa, as well as a “Zonal Love Feast Schedule” by Bhaktimarga Swami to ensure harmony and mutual support across temple calendars.

An inspiring Zonal update and a preview of upcoming events were shared by the Zone 1 Support Team, followed by Centre presentations. This was a fast-paced segment, giving each temple five minutes to report and reflect. The event concluded with a collective session of action items and closing remarks, emphasizing the need to stay connected, grow systematically, and nurture emerging leadership. Special appreciation was extended to Vyasacarya Dasa, Partha Dasa, and the entire ISKCON Muskoka team for their exceptional hospitality and attention to detail. Their loving service and welcoming atmosphere set the perfect tone for a day filled with inspiration, collaboration, and commitment to Srila Prabhupada’s mission in Southern Ontario, Canada.

For more details on Zone 1, visit its sitio web.