About Us
Gujarati Samaj of Detroit (GSOD) was founded in 1975 and has become an icon in Michigan
community. GSOD is one of the largest ethnic, cultural organizations in the entire
mid west area. The goal of GSOD was to unite all Gujarati people under one roof
and to promote and preserve our culture, heritage, language, social and cultural
awareness and respect of Gujarat, India by providing a platform to Gujarati community
while serving the community needs.
The activities developed steadily through the past 30+ years and have culminated
in a strong and vibrant Gujarati cultural organization. The foundation of our Samaj
is strong due to the hard work and dedication of our past and present Executive
Committee and Board of Trustee leaders, volunteers, as well as the ongoing support
from our Gujarati community. The commitment of its strong cohesive membership has
never looked back.
Gujarati Samaj has served a number of activities and services to communities and
youth organizations, cultural activities such as: Garba, Raas, Gujarati drama, lok
sangeet, Gujarati classes and festival celebration such as, Holi, Navratri and Diwali.
Gujarati Samaj also has helped raised and contributed funds towards the Gujarat
Earthquake in 2001, Tsunami in 2004, Geetmala Foundation in 2005, and the recent
floods in Gujarat. Gujarati Samaj is a very strong community with over 900 members,
representing a total of over 2,500 people.Today, our goal remains to increase our
membership, invest in the next generation--our youth, and to build a central location
for Samaj to provide resources to our community……from our children to our senior
citizens.
As we enter into the new century, we want to lead Gujarati Samaj to new technology
by providing Internet edge, allowing our youth to participate with excitement and
enthusiasm, who will proudly continue to carry our heritage.
With the help of every Gujarati member, our goals and dreams can be reality. We
encourage each and every Gujarati family to participate in Gujarati Samaj by becoming
a member and participate in its activities and help us grow.
Vision
Preserve Gujarati cultural and linguistic heritage through diversity and sense of
belonging for the upcoming and future generations of the membership.
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Mission
Preserve and promote Gujarati heritage by providing exposure and opportunity to
the membership.
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Core Values
1. Member driven- Membership defines what is needed.
Strive to fulfill membership needs by creating a sense of belonging, counseling
and networking to membership.
2. Diversity- Promote and maintain diversity in organization management
of various committees, EC and BOT. Include various age groups and gender, to create
a visible diversity representation of membership.
3. Integrity- Responsibility, Accountability, Honesty and Openness,
Self respect and mutual dignity in dealing with one another. EC and BOT strive to
meet and exceed the expectation of the membership.
4. Excel in what we do- Leadership and management strive for the
best to serve membership thru teamwork, education and the recruitment of dedicated
volunteers with a deep commitment to the mission. Leadership and management will
reflect quality and excellence in performing all tasks.
5. Cultural and Education a priority- Major economic and non-economic
resources will be allocated for these activities in order to strive for preservation
of our heritage for future generations.
6. Voluntary Services- Recognize that all the work is performed
by volunteers. Encourage volunteerism. Become a benchmark for Progressive and Volunteer
driven organizations. Strive for excellence in communication and consensus building
in any decision process, training and succession opportunity.
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PAST EC AND BOT PRESIDENTS/CHAIRMEN
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Year
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EC President
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BOT Chairman
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1976
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Mr. Ramesh Vashi
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--
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1977
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Mr. Jagdish Patel
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--
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1978
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Mr. Arun Bhavsar
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--
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1979
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Mr. Mukund Acharya
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--
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1980
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Mr. Arvind K. Patel
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--
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1981
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Late Mr. Subhash Patel
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Mr. Jagdish Patel
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1982
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Mr. Prahlad Patel
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Mr. Mahesh Desai
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1983
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Mr. Jeram Patel
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Mr. Natwarlal Shah
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1984
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Mr. Satish Mistry
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Mr. Prahlad Patel
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1985
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Late Mr. Subhash Patel
Mrs. Meena Bhavsar
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Dr. Chandrakant Pujara
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1986
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Dr. (Mrs.) Lopa Patel
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Mr. Jatin Desai
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1987
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Dr. (Mrs.) Mayuri Dave
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Mr. Ashok Thakkar
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1988
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Mr. Dipak Parikh
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Mr. Ashok Parikh
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1989
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Mr. Harish Jethwa
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Dr. Pankaj Dave
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1990
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Mr. Harish Jethwa
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Mr. Satish Lalaji
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1991
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Mr. Ashok Thakkar
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Mr. Jitubhai Patel
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1992
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Mr. Ashok Thakkar
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Dr. Velji Kanasara
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1993
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Mr. Satish Mistry
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Mr. Narayan Shah
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1994
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Mr. Ramesh N. Patel
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Mr. Jitendra Desai
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1995
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Dr. Atul Patel
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Mr. Ramesh N. Patel
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1996
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Mr. Hasmukh Patel
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Mrs. Mayuri Pathak
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1997
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Mr. Bharat Patel
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Dr. Atul Patel
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1998
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Mr. Dhiru Patel
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Mr. Hasmukh L. Patel
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1999
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Mr. Ramesh S. Patel
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Mr. Bharat N. Patel
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2000
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Mr. Jitendra Amin
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Mr. Dhiru Patel
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2001
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Mr. Bhushan Modi
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Mr. Ramesh S. Patel
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2002
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Mr. Dilip Desai
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Mr. Jitu Amin
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2003
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Mr. Vikram Mehta
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Mr. Bhushan Modi
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2004
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Mr. Harendra Patel
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Mr. Dilip Desai
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2005
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Mr. Pratik Shah
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Mr. Vikram Mehta
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2006
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Mr. Mayank Parikh
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Mr. Harendra Patel
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2007
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Mr. Rakesh Patel
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Mr. Bhavesh Joshi
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2008
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Mr. Ashiesh Tikewala
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Mr. Jatin Desai
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2009
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Mrs. Chandrika Patel
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Mr. Ashiesh Tikewala
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2010
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Mr. Darshan Parikh
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Mr. Hashmukh Patel
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2011
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Mr. Vipul Patel
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Mr. Raju Patel
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Aap Sahuno Khoob Khoob Aabhaar!
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