Tamil Nadu Social Service Society (TASOSS)
Trichy
Justice, Peace. Development – 1979 TNBC
About TASOSS
- Tamil Nadu Social Service Society (TASOSS) is the official organization of Tamil Nadu Catholic Bishops’ Conference for Justice, Peace, and Development, and a state-level forum for strengthening and facilitating the works of Diocesan Social Service Societies (DSSSs) in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in Southern India. TASOSS was legally registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act 27 of 1975 on February 2, 1979.
- TASOSS was started as an apex body to coordinate, facilitate, train, and focus on social intervention through mobilization, animation, empowerment, and strengthening of People’s Movements and forming Federations.
- Tamil Nadu Social Service Society (TASOSS) holds the office of the state COMMISSION FOR JUSTICE PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT and COMMISSION FOR MIGRANTS.
Evolution of TASOSS
Formation stage (1979 – 1989):
In the aftermath of unprecedented floods in 1977 that called for massive relief and rehabilitation works a State level coordination body was formed to respond to the disaster. Two years later a need for a state level forum to coordinate and facilitate the animation and development works across Tamil Nadu was felt and TASOSS was formed as a society and obtained legal entity on 4th May 1979. Full time office started its operations in 1983 with official recognition by the Justice Peace Development Commission and started giving lots of training to the member societies. The team members were trained and exposed on development concepts practically and theoretically through professional organizations.
Institutional Building (1989 – 1999):
Subsequently Tamil Nadu Women Federation (TWF) was formed in 1996, as a result of the movement building process initiated by TASOSS. Basic systems and policies were introduced and strengthened which enabled TASOSS to establish a Non-formal Training Center (NFTC) to train the youth. Documentation, Research and evaluation have become major tasks of TASOSS in this decade.
Organizational Development (1999 -2009):
TASOSS also focused on Organizational Development initiatives establishing itself as a Resourceful state level forum and started a monthly journal called “Manitha Membadu” as a part of documentation. Much awaited New Thrust program was launched with the support of MISEREOR in 1999 which was focusing on promotion of self-reliant and self-sustaining people’s federation for social transformation. Efforts were taken along with the support of the DSSSs in reorganization of existing People’s Organizations, Increasing members, Savings & Credit activities, Formation of federations, Strengthening federations, capacity building, creating linkages, mobilizing resources, Formation of Regional Resource Team, Consolidation of women, farmers and fisher-folk federations & converting to CBOs, Formation of Regional Resource Support Organization in Sustainable livelihood promotion and Rights based approach in the next one decade.
Strengthening /Federating the CBOs and Venturing into New Vistas: (2010 – 2020)
TASOSS in this decade focused more on Formation of Regional Resource Support Organization in Sustainable livelihood promotion and Rights based approach. TASOSS also slowly was changing its face as a complete professional resource and research organization and coordinated and facilitated a couple of important studies collaborating with Don-Bosco Social Action Research center (DBSARC) on Baseline study for 19 DSSSs and Participatory action research on Alcoholism its impact in the families of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry with the coordination of Tamil Nadu Women Federation. TASOSS also redefined its alliance building and Networking strategies and ethos of TASOSS was improved within the team and its stakeholders and started aligning with national and state level Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
Diakonia Mission - A call to action, as a response to challenges of human suffering, injustice, and care for creation: (2021 onwards)
TASOSS is continuing its mission of ‘Protecting the rights of the vulnerable especially Women, Dalits, Tribes, Vulnerable communities and other marginalized groups. TASOSS believes in multi-stakeholder engagement, consciously engaging various actors of the social apostle of Tamil Nadu Church which ensured the development process of Tamil Nadu Regional Strategic Plan (TNRSP) in a participatory and inclusive manner. It also took into account that the evolved TNRSP needs to be adaptable, innovative and relevant while being able to demonstrate. TNRSP is intended to address that Diakonia is an integral part of the Social Apostolate that strengthen its Stakeholders commitment to Diakonia and equip them in their mission.