VDS

The Village Development Society/Association (VDS) aims to work towards the overall development of the villagers, and provide food security in tandem with watershed implementation.

Purpose

• To foster national unity and communal harmony among people.
• To create a natural and harmonious relationship among human beings, animals and nature.
• To influence the community in the development of education, health and a healthy natural environment; to open schools and libraries; recognising diverse talents and creating opportunities for the development of these talents in villages.
• Creating and empowering groups and committees to properly utilise opportunities in the development programmes.
• Undertaking all programmes necessary for the social and financial development of the community.

Thus, the VDS that was formed for watershed development, also undertakes other development programmes of the village, including supporting and encouraging cultural and social programmes.

Membership: All families residing in the village are eligible for membership. For a family to be considered an independent one, it must have a kitchen of its own. At the general meeting, each family is represented by one male and one female.

For a family to formally get a membership:

• An application requesting membership, with the recommendation of a street group, has to be accepted by the VDS Executive Committee.
• Annual membership fee has to be paid.
• The family members should agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the VDS by providing signatures in the member record book.

Street Group: This is a primary group of village. The criterion for a family is its kitchen. An adult male and female represent the family. Each street group consists of 5-15 families, which stay in a particular street or area.

General Body Meeting: The General Body Meeting, which should contain representatives from each family, is the most important meeting for the Association. A general meeting has to be held once a year, at the end of the financial year.

A General Body Meeting should:

• provide notices to the members 21 days prior to the meeting.
• appoint office bearers of the Association.
• approve the audited accounts.
• approve the annual report.
• appoint auditors for the next financial year.
• approve the next year's budget and projects.
• discuss and decide the Association's conduct code and guidelines.

The Management Committee provides all powers to the association for decision making, which continues till the next financial year.

Management Committee meeting: The Management Committee meeting is the next main meeting. The Management Committee consists of representatives from each street group. Each member is elected for a term of 3 years, or will be changed as per the rules and regulations of the Association. Every year half of the members retire.

The Management Committee recommends the following for the approval of the General Body Meeting:

Appointment of office bearers

Approval of the audited accounts

Approval of the annual report

Appointing auditors for the next financial year

The Management Committee should meet at least once in 2 months, or more if necessary

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