Society Development Unit (SDU)

The Society Development Unit was launched on Feb 01, 2009 with the aim of strengthening the Sarvodaya Shrmadana Societies.

All the Sarvodya Societies associated with SEEDS are categorized into “Ideal”, “Finance Centres”, “Active Societies”, “New Societies” and “Inactive Societies”. After categorization, different plans will be drawn to develop the societies. Training programs
will be done to achieve this objective. 

These training programs are:-

1. On the job training for SSS Managers
2. On the job training for Director Board
3. On the job training for the Audit Committee
4. Institutional Development Training Program
5. Economic Development Training program
6. Awareness Program
7. Entrepreneur Development Program
8. Induction Training Program
9. Accounting  Training Program
10. Director Board Training Program
11. Institutional Quality Management
12. Advanced Accounting Program
13. Auditing Training Program
14. Office Bearers Program
15. Service Marketing and Office Management 

When developing the societies, SDU has to face challenges. Some societies are inactive for a long and members cannot be contacted to activate the society again. In such instances, SDU plans visit the societies, contact the leaders.

A SWOT analysis of SDU indicates that the unit has a sound foundation. It was an integral part of the Training Division in the past and has plenty of experience in the sphere of society development. The unit has very little competition from the outside environment and is well positioned to exploit the opportunities.

The SWOT analysis is as follows:-

Strengths:-

1. The are professional trainers at SDU.
2. Through the unit was formed recently, the staff was earlier attached to the Training Division of SEEDS and has almost 20 years of experience.
3. SDU has prior experience in developing societies. We have modules and have ways and means of achieving our tasks in this regard.
4. Lanka Jathika Sarvodaya Shramadana Sangamaya (LJSSS) is a strength because they incubate societies. SDU is tasked with developing them.

Weaknesses:-

1. Some officers at SDU lack self motivation. They are reluctant in developing their knowledge and skills to higher levels and become better trainers. Recently they were introduced to the Training of Trainers (TOT) program and asked to follow three programs to develop themselves. But no one volunteered.
2. Inactivation of societies is another weakness. Main reason for societies to become inactive are:-

1. Lack of knowledge among office bearers
2. Mishandling of money
3. Lack of commitment

Opportunities:-

1. We have about 2000 active societies to work with.
2. The concept of Micro Finance is now expanding and a lot of other companies are springing up as a result. This is a good development for the industry.
3. There is a high regard for training provided by SEDDS and SDU among other institutions which engage in this type of training.
4. SEEDS could join in the village development activities of the government. Presently, the government is engaged in such activities such as “Gama Neguma”, “Isura” and “Gamidiriya”, which compliments the activities of SDU.

Threats:-

1. SDU has to charge societies for their services and some societies find it difficult to pay. To counteract this, SDU is planning to launch a Society Development Fund, which will be able to fund the training programs. SEEDS to is mulling the idea of a Society Development Fund so that it could pay for the training of society members.
2. A lot of institutions are in the habit of carrying out training which is lacking in quality.
3. Some institutions pay money to the participants of the training programs and this enables them to attract more people.  

Contact details:- SEEDS Headquaters
                            “Arthadharma Kendraya”
                            45, Rawathawatte Road,
                             Moratuwa.
                             Sri Lanka
                             Tel      :   011,5558081 ext 234
                             E-mail:   gunasekera@seeds.lk