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Friends Society
A Faculty of Social Work (FSW) student, while doing a field assignment at a mental hospital in Vadodara in 1969, requested a few students to volunteer their time to conduct recreational activities for the patients. Out of this experience, the student identified a need to provide services to institutions utilizing the student force. Her fiancé, also a FSW student, and a student from the Faculty of Engineering met to discuss how to implement activities that would benefit the differently-abled section of society. Soon, a student from Medical Faculty joined them. Thus, a simple and innovative idea by a small group of dedicated students led to formation of an organization in 1969 that they named “Friends Society.”
At first, handwritten posters were developed in a hostel room and were placed in various university dorms. Initially, a handful of students from various Faculties volunteered their services. Early activities included visits to the Home for Crippled Children and Home for Blind Children – reading books to them, taking them on field trips to different places such as the airport, and so on. Within a short time, several other activities were added, among them was organizing blood donation camps at various dormitories. While collecting the much-needed supply of blood for patients, these camps served as a means of publicizing FS and its activities and gradually more members started joining the organization. FS was up and running.
Even in their wildest dreams, the founding members had never imagined that FS would remain vibrant even after almost five decades and become such an important social service organization in Vadodara. Friends Society shows that a few motivated and committed students can make a big difference.
While thousands of beneficiaries received substantial benefits; many of them received further assistance to find jobs as adults. The main focus of FS “self-development through service” remain undeterred after nearly five decades of service. Hundreds of volunteer members, through their active involvement in these social service activities, realized amazing transformation within themselves through self-development. They became more confident, better at communicating and took up challenging leadership roles. They often commented that their FS experiences helped them become more successful in their careers. And the value of selfless service to others became ingrained in them.
Transformation of FS over the years
For a university based voluntary youth organization to exist and continue to provide services for nearly five decades is an amazing feat, particularly considering that it is run by student volunteers and funded by donations. How did Friends Society do this? There are three key factors.
The most important factor is its members. We commonly hear around FS, “Once a Friend, Always a Friend.” This is not just a slogan but also very much a reality. There are hundreds of past members who have a strong attachment to FS and are thrilled when they receive a newsletter or an email from FS with pictures of the activities. This deeply rooted attachment to the organization helps its continuity in many different ways. The past members pitch in as best as they can, from wherever they may be in the world, to help with various needs, including funds. They have their own careers, families, friends, social commitments and so on, and still, they make time for the FS. This is a powerful engine that helps FS move forward.
Second, FS has adapted with changing times, particularly in matters related to the use of technologies and the internet based service. FS also modified, dropped, and started new activities as per the needs of the community and the availability of resources. Such flexibility and willingness to embrace changes was necessary for FS to survive and continue to thrive.
The third factor is that FS is centrally located within a kilometer from the residential campus of M.S. University. Fortunately, almost from the beginning, a trust that owned and operated a library on the main road in Fatehgunj (The Petit Library) agreed to let Friends Society use that facility in return for maintaining the facility and running the public reading room and library. This provided a place for members to transact their business and conduct many activities from the premises. It became a place where members could go in the evenings and connect with other like-minded members. Having such a central and easily accessible place also significantly contributed in the continuation and growth of the organization.
Key challenges faced by the FS
Friends Society has faced several challenges over the years, some on an on-going basis. Most notable among them are:
- Changing membership. As members complete their studies, they move on and new members join. Every year around 50% of members move out and approximately same numbers of students are fresh faces. To recruit new members and to provide leadership continuity from year to year are huge challenges.
- Funds. Friends Society depends entirely on donations and grants. Year after year, it has to struggle to secure funds sufficient to carry on its activities and maintain the building and premises it works from.
- Administrative tasks. Running an organization of any type involves large number of administrative functions such as filing various reports, maintaining accounts, archiving documents, applying for grants, ensuring adequate communications, and so on. Some of the volunteers have stepped up to perform such tasks and have helped the organization continue to function.
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