The Rochester Area Vegan Society was founded in 1989 with a vision of a compassionate, non-violent world embodied in a local community that embraces vegan values: the idea that animals have a right to their own lives and don?t exist to provide food or to be exploited by us in any way. RAVS is a non-profit, tax-exempt, non-sectarian, all-volunteer organization dedicated to promoting the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegan lifestyle.RAVS provides support to our members through regular gatherings, and we provide outreach and education to the larger community. Membership is open to vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike as long as they support the goals of the organization and observe ?vegan values? when they attend RAVS events. RAVS frequently staffs information tables at health, wellness and environmental fairs. Every year, along with the local animal rights group, co-sponsors the Rochester VegFest.