Know About Us
Self-Development through Service
Friends Society (FS) is a youth-driven volunteer organization committed to community service since August 1969 in Vadodara, India.
Our members, primarily students from Maharaja Sayajirao University and nearby colleges, are dedicated to making a positive impact through various community initiatives.
Guided by a professional trustee board , FS is run almost entirely by student volunteers. Our mission is to offer meaningful, constructive social projects/ activities , that foster personal growth, leadership, and a sense of social responsibility among our members.
Friends society is one of the preferred NGOs for CSR funding by corporate world.
Our History
Friends Society (FS) was formally established on 15th August 1969 by a group of university students inspired by the vision of contributing to society. Over the decades, FS has touched countless lives by organizing impactful programs for children, youth, and underprivileged communities.
Our mission is to help people realize their potential, achieve happiness, and improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being while empowering youth to connect with disadvantaged sections of society. We envision bridging the gap between privileged and underprivileged communities by fostering youth-led initiatives that improve well-being and create opportunities for social development.
Vision & Mission
Executive Committee (EC): The EC consists of a Secretary and Joint Secretary who provide overall leadership. Leaders of individual activity groups make up the rest of the EC. The Chairperson is a prominent citizen who provides guidance, monitors overall activities, and helps resolve issues. Additionally, Trustees, who are senior past members and prominent persons from various walks of life, assist the Chairperson and EC in managing FS affairs.
- Motto: The FS logo includes the motto, “Youth, Society and Integration,” symbolizing the integration of young people and students with the underprivileged parts of society. This fosters a deep sense of social responsibility in the members, which they carry with them throughout their lives.
- Constructive Leisure: To provide a common platform for university students to spend their leisure time constructively, enhancing their potential and enriching their personalities.
- Community Connection: To bring members closer to differently-abled and disadvantaged sections of society.
- Responsibility and Involvement: To create a sense of responsibility among members through their involvement and participation in community welfare projects.
01
Skill Development
Providing educational programs and hands-on training to empower individuals with valuable skills for personal and professional growth.
02
Community Service
Engaging in activities that directly benefit the community by addressing immediate needs and promoting well-being.
03
Youth Engagement
Fostering youth participation through various programs that enhance leadership, communication, and organizational skills, encouraging active community involvement.
"Celebrate the Festival of Lights by Spreading Joy and Opportunity to Those Who Need It Most"
Voices of Our Volunteers
When I look back, I realize how lucky we were to have had such a wonderful foundation to do something useful for society. And the activities were so noble and uplifting not only for the beneficiaries but also the volunteers.
I joined FS with an intention that we have one more place to go in the evening if we are bored! But then FS turned out to be a lifetime memorable experience! The FS experience enabled me to learn to care for opinions and views of others, empathize with the differently abled people, be more aware of social issues and what we can do to address them, becoming a risk taker, and so much more. When I look back, I realize that FS moulded me the way I am today.
I worked with KC and other boys in Youth Club to help build up confidence. After many years, when I met KC, he opened his wallet and took out a worn-out piece of paper, and said, 'This is the letter you had written to me 12-13 years back and from that day, it is with me all the time. Whenever I am disappointed or do not know what to do, I will read it and see my path clearly.'
My experiences at Friends Society have always been warm, endearing, and highly enriching. FS taught me the true meaning of the term value. Through my long association with FS, I learnt to value not only time and money but also the people around me.
Current board of Trustees
