Gujarati Samaj of Detroit

Gujarati Samaj of Detroit
January 2005, Issue 1
Celebrating 30 years
Executive Committee
President
Pratik Shah
Vice President
Mayank Parikh
President &Chairman Message
Secretary
Rakesh Patel
Joint Secretary
Nirav Patel
Treasurer
Bipin Mistry
Directors
Megha Dave
Darshan Parikh
Bharat Patel
Ashok Rayathatha
Pankaj Shah
Ashish Tikkiwala
Board of Trustees
Chairman
Vikram Mehta
Vice Chairman
Harendra Patel
Secretary
Bhavesh Joshi
Trustees
Jitendra Patel
Ramesh N. Patel
Arvind Shah
Kirit Vyas
Subhas Vyas
Past Chairman – BOT
Dilip Desai (2004)
Bhushan Modi (2003)
Individual Highlights
Community News 2
Membership/Holi Form 3
GSY Corner 9
Holi Event Information 10
2004 Income/Expense 11
2005 Event Calendar 12
On behalf of the entire 2005
EC and BOT committees, we
wish you and your family a
very happy, healthy and
prosperous new year. This
year our Samaj will attain
another milestone and we
are all excited to celebrate
the 30th anniversary of our
Samaj. I am very proud and
happy to report that we
have a group of very
dedicated and talented
people in EC, BOT and GSY
committees, capable of
doing the best job possible.
We can assure you together;
we will raise the bar to the
next level, and make this
Samaj all that it was meant
to be. We are looking for full
support from all of you.
Fellow members, with
changing demographics, a
diverse generational
composition and growing
community, it is vital to
identify current Samaj
priorities. As our Samaj is
reaching another milestone
Upcoming Events
Community Education Fair (1:00 pm – 5:00 pm)
Something for everybody
March 12, 2005 at Jain Temple
Health Fair 1-2PM
Health awareness, health activities, materials, demonstrations,
and information. No Health Screening will be done at temple.
CPR Training,!, 2-3 PM
You can do it
now is the time to evaluate
where we are and chart a
course for where we want to
be. Going forward we will
review each and every
event and will make
necessary changes to better
meet the needs of our
members. I strongly believe
that if we stop changing
ourselves we will stifle our
progress.
In an effort to enrich our
Samaj we would like to reach
out to our young generation
and impress upon them, as
they are our future. We
would like to partner with the
woman’s chapter and
improve our senior activities
in order to make sure Samaj
can meet the needs of every
age group.
I would like to extend my
gratitude to all the Samaj
members and remind them to
renew the membership so
that they can enjoy all the
Samaj events and participate
Tax Advice and Suggestion, 3-4PM
Tips to Save $$$, IRA, 401 and financial planning advice
Seminar on Medicaid, Medicare and SSN, 4-5PM
Contact: Pratik Shah @ 248-943-2220, or www.gsod.org
in the celebration of 30 th
anniversary of the Samaj.
In conclusion, Gujarati
Samaj and its members
would like to extend their
deepest sympathy to victims
of Tsunami in South East
Asia. Gujarati Samaj is
working with IEROM (India
Emergency Relief
Organization of Michigan)
to help them in raising funds.
I request all our members
open their heart and
participate in the various
fund raising activities that
we undertake.
One person can brighten a
day but together we can
light up the world. I will keep
my door open for any
suggestion that will stimulate
the growth our Samaj.
Pratik Shah,
EC-President - 2005
Vikram Mehta,
BOT-Chairman - 2005
Holi
Mahostav 2005
April 3 rd , 2005
at
Churchill High School,
Livonia
(See inside for more details)

SAMAJ DARSHAN
“A definite
forgiveness would
mean a definite
Samaj & Community News
General Body Meeting
Board Trustees (BOT)
Update
The second and final
general body meeting for The first BOT meeting was
2004 was held at Pella
held on January 9th. 2005
Window Office on January BOT elected Mr. Vikram
9th, 2005 at 2:00 PM.
Mehta as Chairman of the
Accounts for the year 2004 Board, Mr. Harendra Patel
were unanimously
as Vice Chairman and Mr.
approved.
Bhavesh Joshi as Secretary.
Other members of BOT
include Mr. Arvind Shah, Mr.
Subhash Vyas, Mr. Ramesh
Patel, Mr. Kirit Vyas and Mr.
Jitendra Patel.
2004- Scholarship Awards
Membership Updates:
It is very important to grow
our membership. Please
support your Samaj by
renewing your membership
and encouraging your
friends and relatives to
become members of this
elite Gujarati organization.
2005 Membership forms are
included in this issue.
Congratulations last year’s
new life members.
ALL EVENTS ARE FOR SAMAJ
MEMBERS ONLY.
recognition of our
strength.”
Congratulations
2004 Scholarship Award
Winners are
Suggestion/Feedback
Obituary
Jayesh Kanjia age 39,
passed away on
Mahatma Gandhi
Grade 9
Ruchi Shah & Sapna Bhavsar
Grade 10
Ishani Mehta & Vishal
Chauhan
Grade 11
Forum Shah & Nisha Desai
Grade 12
Jay Shah
The members of 2005 EC &
BOT are looking forward for
your comments and
suggestion on all Samaj
activities. Please send your
comments to the President,
either by mail or e-mail
Pratik Shah
22110 Harsdale Dr,
Farmington Hills, MI 48335
December 17, 2004 in Novi,
Michigan. His wife,
Rashmiben and son, Arya,
survived.
His helpful nature will be
missed by all of the Detroit
community and Gujarati
Samaj gives its heartfelt
condolences to the family
of Mr. Jayesh Kanjia
Visit GSOD.Org for 2005
Scholarship award
President@GSOD.Org
Directory 2005
Gujarati Samaj is planning
to publish 2005 Directory
later this year. We request
all members to
update/verify their
membership before March
2005 to get their listing in
directory.
Also we are looking for
good articles and useful and
interesting Gujarati literature
for the directory.
Community and retail
advertisements will be included
2005 directory. For more detail
about advertising visit Samaj
website
www.GSOD.Org
For additional information,
please contact Ashok
Rayathatha
Ashok Rayathatha
29695 Sierra Pointe Circle
Farmington Hills, MI-48331
Tel: 248-661-2333
Ashok@Wegujarati.com
Page 2 of 12

SAMAJ DARSHAN
Membership New/Renewal Guideline
Online
New membership
1) Visit www.GSOD.Org and click Membership
Login link from left side of the menu bar.
2) Enter your membership number. Your
membership number will be found at address
label on this Samaj Darshan. If you can’t able
to read or if you don’t find number, please
call 586-446-8257, Rakesh Patel.
3) Enter your Home Number or Telephone
number, which you have provided last year
to GSOD.
4) Click on Membership Renewal.
5) Select either by Form, by check or by credit
Card.
6) Verify all information and continue to renew
membership.
1) Visit www.GSOD.Org and click Membership
link from Home Page.
2) Select either by Form, by check or by credit
Card.
3) Enter all required information and continue to
get membership.
4) Enter Phone number to see if your information
is in GSOD database otherwise you will be
prompted new form.
GUJARATI SAMAJ OF DETROIT in association with I E R O M
(India Emergency Relief Organization of Michigan)
[A Non-Profit, Tax Exempt, 501(c)(3) Organization- Tax ID # 38-3576887]
Appeals to Members of Gujarati Samaj to whole-heartedly
participate in
Tsunami Relief Project
Mail your tax-deductible donations to:
IEROM – Tsunami
P.O. Box 728, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48303-0728
• IEROM has “zero” administrative cost
• Every dollar contributed will be used for the Tsunami Victims in India
and South Asia
• During the Gujarat Earthquake in 2001, IEROM brought together over
34 local organizations, raised about $800,000 and completed 12 major
rehabilitation projects (housing, hospitals, schools and community
centers)
For further details, please contact:
Bhushan Modi (734-981-1446)
Narendra Sheth (734-502-9419)
www.ierom.org
Page 3 of 12

SAMAJ DARSHAN
GUJARATI SAMAJ OF DETROIT
Celebrating 30 years
2005 Membership Form
Membership Year from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005
Membership Number:
Date:
Your Full Name:
Spouse’s Name:
No. of Children
(under 18 years)
Street Address:
City: State: Zip:
Telephone No:
(must be provided)
Email Address:
Family Membership: Husband, wife and unmarried children with age
under (25) and parents living in the same household.
New $45.00 Renewal $35.00
Single Membership: Single as defined by IRS $25.00
Senior Membership: One spouse of age (62) and above. $25.00
Student Membership: Full time student (age 18 years and above) $15.00
(Required Copy of Student ID)
Life Membership: $500.00
Due date for renewal & new membership is Feb. 28, 2005
I, , undersigned understand that this membership application will be reviewed by the
Secretary of Gujarati Samaj of Detroit. Above information is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that any
misrepresentation or falsification will result in cancellation of the membership and I will be responsible for guest fees if the membership was
used during any of the Samaj’s programs such as Holi Mahotsav, Navratri, Diwali and other events.
Signature:
Date:
Please make check payable to: Gujarati Samaj of Detroit
Rakesh Patel, 5394 Dickson Dr. Sterling HTS, MI – 48310
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
We hereby acknowledge the receipt of payment for 2005 Samaj Membership:
Cash Amount: Check Amount: Check No.
Membership Number Date Received: Secretary:
www.GSOD.Org
Samaj Darshan January 19, 2005
Page 4 of 12

SAMAJ DARSHAN
Page 5 of 12

SAMAJ DARSHAN
Holi Mahostav 2005
GUJARATI SAMAJ of Detroit
INVITES YOU AND YOUR FAMILY to
2005 Holi Mahostav
Sunday, April 3rd at 1:00 P.M. (Sharp)
Churchill High School
8900 Newburgh Road
Livonia MI 48150
$10.00 for Adults & $4.00 for Children under 12
(If purchased before March 26th)
(Please fill out and mail the order form on the opposite page)
$12.00 for Adults & $5.00 for Children under 12
(After March 26th, if available)
For additional information, please call:
Mayank Parikh @ (734) 844-0122 /Rakesh Patel @ (586) 446-8257
E-mail: Holi@gsod.org
New 2005 GSS- Committee
Gujarati Seniors Citizen group started in year 2001. GSOD has performed
quite few successful events like trip to Vraj, Music and Dinner at Temple,
and other activities at GSOD events.
With increasing number of seniors in our community Gujarati Samaj
likes to put extra efforts to make GSS more informative and active.
For year 2005 Gujarati Samaj likes to invite seniors for GSS 2005
committee. Interested person should be member of Gujarati Samaj
through their family or an individual 2005 Gujarati Samaj member.
Please fill out following information and mail to
You must be the
change you wish to
see in the world.
Mahatma Gandhi
Rakesh Patel, 5394 Dickson Dr. Sterling HTS MI 48310
Membership Number:
(Required)
Name
Contact Number:
Please contact
GSS 2005 committee Form
___________________
_____________________________
______________ Email:_________________________
Rakesh Patel at 586-446-8257 or
Bharat Patel at 586-976-4856 (before 10.00 pm)
Page 6 of 12

SAMAJ DARSHAN GUJARATI SAMAJ OF DETROIT
2005 HOLI MAHOTSAV ENTRY FORM
Sunday, April 3, 2005 at
Churchill High School, Livonia
I hereby submit my application to participate in 2005 Holi Mahotsav. I understand that submitting this form does not
guarantee participation in the program. I have read the rules and regulations for the program (which may be revised by
EC or Holi Program Committee) and agree to abide by them.
Name of the Choreographer:
_______________________________________________
Address:
Telephone:
________________________________________________________________
Email:
Photographer: _____________________ Videographer: _______________________
Holi Program Rules & Regulations
a. Maximum number of entries for 2005 Holi Mahotsav will be limited to 35.
b. Each choreographer can submit maximum of six (6) entries.
c. Each item will have a minimum of Twelve (12) participants.
d. Participant’s age must be between 4-21 years.
e. Participants (including Choreographers) or their parents must be current members of the Samaj.
f. New members and their children are eligible to participate provided their membership dues are paid before the
program.
g. Choreographer or Manager of each item will be responsible for verifying current membership of their participants.
Failure to verify this information will result in disqualification of the entire item.
h. A participant cannot be in more than one item.
i. A maximum allowable performance time for each item will be 5 minutes. With prior approval, an additional one (1)
minute of stage preparation time will be allowed.
j. We encourage novel dance item with Holi Theme.
k. No loose flowers, colored powder, confetti or other similar materials will be allowed on the stage.
l. No special sound effects, colored lighting, fogging/bubble machine or backdrops will be provided.
m. One master tape and one backup tape (non-metallic type) for each item or CD must be submitted no later than
March 14, 2005. Samaj will not be responsible for poor sound quality due to bad tapes.
n. Participants will be responsible for their belongings. Samaj will not be responsible for any lost, damaged or stolen
articles.
o. Participants and/or their parents will be responsible for costumes, transportation and rehearsals.
p. The entry form must be typed or printed legibly, completely filled-out and signed by the choreographer. Incomplete
or illegible forms will result in disqualification of that item.
q. The completed form must reach one of the designated addresses no later than February 28th, 2005.
r. Entries will not be accepted over the telephone. A separate form must be submitted for each item.
s. All decisions made by the Executive Committee (EC) will be final. EC reserves the right to reject or deny any item or
change the program schedule without prior notice.
________________________________________
Signature
____________________________
Date
Page 7 of 12

SAMAJ DARSHAN 2005 HOLI MAHOTSAV ENTRY FORM (CONT’D)
Name of the Item: __________________________________________
Actual Length of Item: ______________ minutes
Participants Information, (Please write clearly)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Name Age Parents Name (REQUIRED)
Total No. of Participants for this Item: ____________ (Minimum 12)
Due to limited capacity of auditorium we can only accommodate 35
entries and 950 seats hence we request to send you entries as soon
as possible to avoid any disappointment.
Submit completed form by February 28th, 2005 to:
Rakesh Patel
5394 Dickson Drive
Sterling Heights, MI 48310
Holi@GSOD.com
Page 8 of 12

SAMAJ DARSHAN
Page 9 of 12

SAMAJ DARSHAN
Co-Directors
Radhika Patel
Akash Shah
GSY Board for 2004-2005
Joint Secretary
Sona Kotecha
Director
Prashant Patel
Secretary
Janki Patel
Treasurer
Vishal Chauhan
Public Relations
Priya Shah, Chintan Pathak & Aditi Modi
Cultural Events Committee
Priti Kothari, Krupa Mehta & Ruchi Shah
Publication Support
Ashka Patel, Aneri Shah& Janish Shah
GSY Corner
The GSY Board of 2004 – 2005 is very optimistic about the upcoming year.
Recently, GSY helped out at St. Patrick’s Soup Kitchen in Detroit. Since it
was the holiday season, we wanted to give back to the community,
and, in the process, we had fun doing so.
We were able to interact with many pleasant seniors and other
community groups. In the near future, we plan to hold our annual
“GSY & JOY Valentine’s Dance” on Saturday, February 12th at
St. Paul’s Latvian Evangelical Church 30623 W. 12 Mile Road,
Farmington Hills, MI 48334
We will be dancing to the beats of DJ Ricky, one of the best DJs in
Michigan. E-mail us at GSY.Board@gmail.com or call Prashant 248-680-
8753 for more information or visit www.gsod.org
GSY Planned Events
March – April GSY Basketball Tournament
May: Charity Event (a walk for cancer victims)
Summer: Beach-based Dance and a Car Wash
2004 Income/Expense Report
2004 INCOME/EXPENSES REPORT
Program/Account Income Expenses Surplus (Deficit)
MEMBERSHIP 18,431 18,431
LIFE MEMBERSHIP INTEREST 1,887 1,887
SAMAJ DARSHAN/WEB MAG. 2,150 5,853 (3,703)
HOLI 11,215 9,199 2,016
PICNIC 1,118 5,047 (3,929)
GOLF OUTING 1,180 1,023 157
DINKER MEHTA 2,112 1,981 131
VISA CAMP 1,145 869 276
GSY / WINTER DANCE 963 (963)
GSY/SPORT 60 (60)
GSS/ P. UPADHAYA 879 2,345 (1,466)
NAVRATRI 14,763 11,004 3,759
DIWALI 19,878 24,632 (4,754)
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS 1,500 2,400 (900)
INTREST INCOME 3,211 3,211
GENERAL BODY MEETING 450 (450)
INSURANCE PREMIUM 1,314 (1,314)
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 3,213 3,213)
BANK CHARGES 250 (250)
TOTAL 79,469 70,603 8,866
Page 10 of 12

SAMAJ DARSHAN
2005 Events Calendar
Gujarati Samaj of Detroit welcomes you and your family & friends to enjoy another exciting year
with us. We promise to bring some lively events this year along with popular events that you all
have enjoyed over the years. Many of you had given suggestions for some of the events. We
have listened to YOU and are adding excitement our traditional events. More details will be
provided as we come closer to the events. Please mark your calendars for following dates for
2005 Gujarati Samaj events. As always, we would look forward to your comments and
suggestions. Please forward your comments at suggestions@gsod.org. Please include your
name, e-mail and contact number, so that we can respond to individual needs. Thanks.
WELCOME!!
Event Date Location
Community Fair Saturday, March 12, 2005 Jain Temple, Farmington Hills
Holi Sunday, April 3, 2005 Churchill High School, Livonia
Visa Camp Saturday, May 7, 2005 Jain Temple, Farmington Hills
Senior Event Friday – Sunday June 17-19,2005 TBD
Picnic Sunday, July 31, 2005 Stony Creek Metro Park
(Rain Date) Sunday, August 7, 2005 Stony Creek Metro Park
Navratri Saturday, Oct. 1 or 8, 2005 UFM Dearborn Field house
Diwali Sunday, Oct. 23, 2005 TBD
General Body Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005 Farmington Hills Library
Special / Religious TBD TBD
Sports TBD TBD
2005 Events Contacts
Events
Community Fair
Holi
Visa Camp
Picnic
Navratri
Diwali
General Body
Other Events
Samaj Darshan & Web
Directory
Special / Religious Event
Sports
Sub Chapters Contacts
Gujarati Samaj Youth Chapter
Gujarati Samaj Senior Chapter
Gujarati Samaj Women Chapter (Proposed))
The Team
Pratik Shah * , Nirav Patel, Ashok Rayathatha
Rakesh Patel * , Megha Dave, Mayank Parikh
Bipin Mistry * , Rakesh Patel, Pratik Shah
Bharat Patel * , Bipin Mistry, Darshan Parikh
Bipin Mistry * , Darshan Parikh, Pankaj Shah
Mayank Parikh * , Rakesh Patel, Megha Dave
Ashok Rayathatha * , Ashish Tikkiwala
Pratik Shah * , Mayank Parikh, Rakesh Patel
Mayank Parikh * , Nirav Patel, Ashok Rayathatha
Bharat Patel * , Nirav Patel, Ashish Tikkiwala
Nirav Patel * , Pankaj Shah, Bipin Mistry
Mayank Parikh, Pratik Shah
Rakesh Patel, Bharat Patel
Bipin Mistry, Mayank Parikh
When one door
closes another
door opens; but
we so often look so
long and so
regretfully upon the
closed door, that
we do not see the
ones which open
for us.
--Alexander
Graham Bell
Name *
Lead Coordinator
Page 11 of 12

SAMAJ DARSHAN
Mission
Approved Changes to GSOD Constitution and By-Laws
To promote and
preserve heritage,
language, social and
cultural awareness
by providing a
platform to Gujarati
community while
serving the
community needs
Vision
To preserve the
cultural and linguistic
heritage for the
upcoming and future
generations of the
Gujarati community
by creating a
perpetual identity
involving children,
youth, women and
seniors through a
sense of belonging
with social, cultural
and educational
activities
Approved Changes to GSOD Constitution and
By-Laws
Article 1: Name, Mission, Vision and Core Values:
Sub Article B: Mission, Vision and Core
Values Added Mission, Vision and Core Values
Article 2: Membership:
Sub Article C: Categories
Added a category titled Seniors
Added a short definition of each category
Removed the column showing contributions
Article 3: Management:
Sub Article A1: BOT
Increased total members from (9) to (11)
Sub Article A7h: BOT
Listed ad-hoc committees appointed by BOT
Added three ad-hoc committees (Finance &
Audit, Media & Public Relations, Web)
Sub Article B1 and 2: EC
Increased total members from (11) to (15)
Changed Vice President to President Elect
Sub Article C: Specially Appointed
Committees Formation of Election Committee
moved up from September to August each year
Added function of Finance and Audit
Committee Added function of WEB committee.
GSOD
PRATIK SHAH
22110 Harsdale Drive,
Farmington Hills, MI-48335
Article 4: Duties of Officers:
Sub Article B6:
1. Added duties of Assistant Treasurer
Sub Article C: Personal Liability
added a paragraph on liability
protection for Samaj officers
Article 10: Term Limit:
New article added to define term limits
of EC and BOT members
Article 11: By-Laws:
Section 1: Revised annual dues
Section 1: Change of dues
Above changes were reviewed by
Constitution and By-Laws Ad-hoc
Committee during General Body
meeting held on Dec.12, 2004 and feed
back from this meeting is included in
the final version of the document
presented at the second General Body
meeting held on January 9, 2005. These
changes were approved by majority at
the January 9, 2005 General Body
meeting and now become fully
effective with approval.
CUSTOMER NAME
STREET ADDRESS
ADDRESS 2
CITY, ST ZIP CODE
We’re on the Web!
See us at:
www.GSOD.Org
We apologize for any
printing errors or omissions
Page 12 of 12