Gujarati Samaj Chicago

News of Gujarati Samaj of Chicago

Dear Member of Samaj,
Welcome to our first issue of News letter. This issue of our newsletter is the first effort in our outreach to the community. Our purpose is to keep you informed about the activities of our Samaj.

We are very much excited about all last year events. It was a very successful year of 2002 for all of us. The past few months have been some of the busiest in recent memory. All board members worked tirelessly round the clock.

The election was held in November 2002 to elect new board for two-year term. New board took charge with effective from January 1, 2003.

Just to remind you all that, in 1977 a few Gujarati families gathered and formed a Gujarati Samaj Chicago with the following objectives.

* To bring together the persons interested in preserving and promoting Gujarati culture and literature of India.

* To organize and develop charitable, cultural, and educational activities for the interest of its members.

* To foster friendship and understanding among its members

* To provide and secure means from members and other resources for educational and medical needs of needy and deserving members of the community.

Last year, we successfully hosted Mid-West FOGANA-2002. This event was the biggest and best ever! Since last few years our Diwali dinner had been very popular with the community. Watch future newsletters for this year Diwali party and sponsorship

other relatives and your friends, if they are interested in taking advantage of our cultural/social events and saving a few bucks by visiting this Indian Restaurant by enrolling them as our Life member.

Gujarati Samaj also launched a web page last year and continued to up-date our site to give most current information to all our members.

Recently we have started a special membership for all Senior Citizens 65 and above. Person 65 & above can become a life member by one time fee of $150. This is only an introductory offer. At present our ordinary life membership is $250 only. Now, in addition to our gratitude, you’ll also get a free gift as token of our appreciation, when you become a life member, or senior citizen member, we will reward you with a cash certificate of $40. You can use this certificate toward purchase from any three Indian stores located at Devon Avenue, such as World Import, Sahil Inc., or Al-Mansoor Video. Choice is yours for this option.

Adding to attraction is, make any New Life Member or Senior Citizen Member and get $10 referral Certificate from us. Member can use their referral certificate toward future Gujarati Samaj Chicago events.

By launching senior citizen membership, we encourage all life members’ parents to become a Senior Citizen Member. Keep their spirit live, and encourage them to participate in future activities. We designed to recognize and celebrate the contributions they have made and continue to make to the quality of life in our communities. We plan a numerous activities for them, subject to how many enroll as new members.

As you know, parents of several members of Samaj are visiting frequently from India and a large number of them also migrated as permanent residents. Their challenge is to adjust to the new environment and social networking. Seniors in our society are

opportunities. Members enjoyed New Year festivities and shared joy and happiness amongst each other. This had become a milestone, as this event attracts people from all sections of the society. Our Diwali celebration was and is always a talk of the town…In November 2002 everybody enjoyed dinner with live & long awaited Manhar Udhas nite at India House Banquet Hall.

Last year we had registered more than 70 Life Members and many Annual Members. Under the leadership of Mrs. Vanleela Amin together with Samaj board members, conducted many cultural, health-fair, Earth Quake fund raising event, Picnic, Navaratri, & Diwali function.

Gujarati Samaj Chicago is proud to announce that effective January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003, India House Restaurant, and Gaylord India Restaurant will give 25% discount to all our Life Members. Remember that this is for life member and their family member only. Owners of the restaurant reserve the right to disallow discount if, they determine of misuse of our life membership card. Life Member must present their authorized Gujarati Samaj Chicago membership card all the time.

We like to inform you that if you, loose or misplace your membership card, please send in writing with details such as Name, Year membership, Number of children, telephone no., E-mail etc. to the Attention: Satish Parikh- Secretary, Gujarati Samaj Chicago, 922 North Wheeling Road,
Mt. Prospect, IL.60056, or Kaushik Shah, Treasurer, 375-N. Kramer Avenue, Lombard, IL.60148. We will charge a nominal fee of $5 to issue a new or duplicate card.

In the past, many of you have graciously referred your friends and family to become Gujarati Samaj member. For your generosity, we are very much thankful to you. Once again, we urge you to inform

frequently victims of loneliness & homesickness without any periodic activities. Due to the large Indian Community in Chicago land, we like to do projects of interest for Senior Citizens in near future.

If you have any of your friends, relatives, or business acquaintances etc. to become life member, please call or write to us. It's a great way to have fun and shares ideas.

Gujarati Samaj Chicago is an important part of this community and encourages your comments on this newsletter, our activities, and how our future program can serve you better. Give us a call at (847) 818 -0876 or 630 351-3306 or visit www.gujaratisamajchicago.org.

The following are new elected board members for 2003- 04

Executive Committee:

Avinash Desai, President; Nikunj Baxi, Vice President; Satish Parikh, General Secretary; kaushik Shah, Treasurer; Parag Patel, Cultural Secretary; Girish Kothari, Joint Treasurer; Bharat Mehta, Joint Secretary
Darshna Kanabar, Joint Cultural Secretary.

Board Members:

Naresh Dekhtawala, Vinod Gandhi, Shailesh Desai, Hemant Mody, Dina Modi, Bhargavi Pandya, Rita Shah,

Associate Members:

Umang Shah, Sanjay Modi, Parul Parikh

Thanking you, and have a great Spring!

Satish Parikh
Gujarati Samaj Chicago
General Secretary