IST Documents

Islamic Society of Tuscaloosa

[IST by laws]

BY-LAWS OF

THE ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF TUSCALOOSA

CHAPTER 1: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

The Islamic Society of Tuscaloosa (IST) shall be organized according to the Qur'an and Sunnah as interpreted by Ahl Al Sunnah wa Al Jama'ah.

Section 1: General Assembly

A. The General Assembly shall be composed of all members of the IST.

B. General Assembly shall have the power to approve and amend the constitution articles and by laws' chapters of the IST.

C. The annual General Assembly shall meet in the second week of September. The General Assembly shall elect three (3) members to preside this meeting.

D. The place, date, time, and agenda of the meeting shall be decided by the Board of Directors in coordination with the Executive Committee.

E. Special meeting(s) of the General Assembly shall be called by a request signed by at least of thirty-five (35) percent of the voting members.

F. Special meeting(s) shall also be called at the request of the Board of Directors.

G. The Executive Committee shall post an announcement about the meeting(s) and notify each member at least two (2) weeks prior to the designated date(s).

H. The presence of at least fifty (50) percent of the total voting members shall constitute a quorum.

I. In case the quorum is not achieved in the first meeting, a second meeting shall be called one (1) week later to discuss the proposed matter.

J. Meetings shall be conducted in a direct spoken language understood by all present and minutes shall be recorded in English.

Section 2: Board of Directors (Majlis Ash-Shura)

A. The Board of Directors (Majlis Ash-Shura) shall be composed of elected members of the IST who are qualified to do their duties as an overseeing and advising council to the IST.

B. The Board shall oversee and advise the Executive Committee in the activities of the IST in accordance with the Shriah.

C. The Board shall represent the IST in any legal matter.

D. The Board shall intervene and dispute among the Executive Committee.

E. The Board shall develop long term plans and strategies for future developments.

F. The Board shall comprise of four (4) members and the President (Ameer).

G. The term of each member is two (2) years. However, during the first year of implementation of the constitution, two (2) members shall be elected for a one (1) year term. Subsequently two (2) members of the Board shall be elected every year.

H. The Board members shall elect a Chairman and a Secretary from among themselves.

I. The Board shall meet a minimum of six (6) times a year or when called upon by its Chairman.

J. Presence of four (4) members is required for the Board quorum.

K. Any vacancy on the Board will be filled temporarily by appointment by the existing Board members. The IST members will elect a member to fill the vacancy at the next General Assembly meeting.

L. The Board members shall be such persons who are best in the matter of knowledge, righteousness, experience, insight in religion and possess leadership potential.

Section 3: Executive Committee

A. The Executive Committee shall be composed of elected members of the IST.

B. The executive Committee shall:

1. be responsible for managing the affairs of the IST, develop and enforce rules for proper use of the facilities;

2. plan activities to accomplish the aims and objectives of the IST;

3. establish procedures for activities of the IST;

4. implement policies and decisions of the General Assembly and the Board of Directors.

C. Meetings:

1. The President (Ameer) will call for a meeting of the Executive Committee members as needed.

2. The quorum of the meeting shall be the simple majority of the Executive Committee.

3. The Executive Committee decisions shall be based on the simple majority vote.

4. In case of a voting tie, the presiding member shall have a double vote.

D. Reports:

1. The Executive Committee shall submit a written report every four month concerning all activities, revenue, and expenditures of the IST to the Board of Directors.

2. The Executive Committee shall submit an annual written report about all activities, budget, and achievements to the General Assembly.

Section 4: Responsibilities of the Executive Committee Members

A. The President (Ameer) shall:

1. be the chief executive officer of the IST who, in general, shall plan and supervise all activities of the IST;

2. call and preside all meetings of the General Assembly (except the annual meeting), Executive Committee, and other special meetings of the IST;

3. be the official spokesperson of the Executive Committee or appoint any member to do so;

4. be accountable to the General Assembly;

5. represent or appoint any member to represent the IST in meetings and conferences which the IST is invited to;

6. distribute the budget after consulting with the Board of Directors;

7. be or appoint the Imam (prayer leader) according to the Islamic Law;

8. appoint one member or more to the co-op.

B. The Vice-President (Vice-Ameer) shall:

1. assist the President in all responsibilities;

2. develop systems and programs for Da'wah work;

3. appoint a person who shall be responsible for maintenance and security of the IST properties.

C. The General Secretary shall:

1. handle and keep records of all meetings and correspondence;

2. take the minutes of all meetings of the General Assembly and the Executive Committee;

3. be responsible for any outside correspondence approved by the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors;

4. be responsible for publicity and other announcements designed by the President.

D. The Joint Secretary shall:

1. assist the General Secretary in all of his responsibilities;

2. be responsible for Islamic teaching program for Muslim children;

3. prepare the schedules for regular and Jum'ah prayers and Khutba speakers;

4. be the liaison between the IST and the Muslim Student's Association (MSA) of the University of Alabama.

E. The Treasurer shall:

1. sign all IST financial transactions along with either the President or the Vice-President;

2. maintain a book of account for all financial transactions of the IST;

3. be responsible for collecting membership dues, contributions, donations, and other unconditional gifts;

4. keep all financial records;

5. be responsible for all transactions and submit the required financial reports to the Executive Committee once a year.

F. The Cultural Officer shall:

1. develop and organize the cultural programs of the IST after consulting with the Executive Committee as needed;

2. work actively to enhance the Islamic understandings and practices through Islamic study and training;

3. supervise the IST Library operation and strive for its development and make sure that the Library material confine with the Shariah;

4. appoint an Editorial Board for newsletters and publications of the IST and their distribution.

G. The Social Officer shall:

1. plan and supervise all social programs of the IST;

2. plan and supervise the orientation programs for new Muslims and visitors;

3. be responsible for any social event inside or outside the IST;

4. develop social programs to strengthen the bonds among members and other organizations;

5. supervise the sports activities of the IST;

6. plan and prepare the maintenance and cleaning schedule for the IST building;

7. be responsible for marriage and arrangements and other related matters whenever needed;

8. maintain a record of expenses for social events.

Section 5: Hierarchy of the Executive Committee

1. In absence of the President, the Vice-President shall assume all responsibilities of the President.

2. In absence of the Vice-President, the General Secretary shall assume all responsibilities of the Vice-President.

3. In absence of the General Secretary, the Joint Secretary shall assume all responsibilities of the General Secretary.

4. In absence of other member(s), the Executive Committee shall assign the responsibilities of the/those member(s) among themselves.

CHAPTER 2: OFFICE AND ASSOCIATIONS

Section 1: Location

The principle office of the IST shall be located in the state of Alabama, in the county of Tuscaloosa. The IST may have branch offices, either within or outside the state of Alabama as the Board of Directors may determine or as the affairs of the IST may require from time to time.

Section 2: Address

The registered address shall be:

The Islamic Society of Tuscaloosa

832 11th Avenue

Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

(NOTE: see current address at the end of this page)

until changed by appropriate action of the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.

CHAPTER 3: AFFILIATION

Section 1: Affiliation

The IST shall be affiliated with the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).

Section 2: Real Estate

Real Estate purchased for, or donated to the IST, shall be entrusted with the North American Islamic Trust (NAIT).

Section 3: Activities

The IST activities must be consistent with those of the ISNA. In case of any violation, the Board of Directors should file any charges that are not dissolved to the president of the Islamic Society of North America. A mediator may be sent by the ISNA to find a solution. If a solution is not reached within four (4) months from the filing date of petition, the Executive Council of the ISNA may dissolve the Executive Committee and supervise a new election.

Section 4: Revocation

Any decision of the IST Board of Directors may be revoked by the ISNA if at least fifty (50) percent of the active members of the IST so demand upon written charges to the ISNA. Such a demand should be signed and notarized.

Section 5: Supervision

The Islamic Society of North America may send a representative to supervise the election of the Executive Committee of the IST.

CHAPTER 4: COMMITTEES

Section 1: Audit Committee

The structure of the Audit Committee is stated in Chapter 5 Section 3.

Section 2: Sub-Committees

The structure and duties of the sub-committee shall be defined by the Executive Committee.

Section 3: Constitution Committee

The Constitution Committee must be appointed by the Board of Directors and consist of three (3) members who will explain or interpret any article or section in the constitution or by-laws.

Section 4: Special Committee

If needed, the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors may form any additional committees based on specified duties.

CHAPTER 5: FINANCES

Section 1: General

1. The General Assembly shall determine the membership dues for each year.

2. All funds of the IST shall be deposited on a weekly basis to the credit of IST in the designated local bank(s).

3. Funds shall be expended for the purposes they were donated, collected, and/or appropriated. Donations collected for unspecified purposes shall be allocated by the Board of Directors.

4. No part of the income or property of the IST shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to any members, directors, officers, or any other individual.

5. The IST shall not make any act of dealing as defined in Section 4941(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or corresponding provisions of any subsequent tax laws.

6. The IST shall not make any investment in such manner as to subject it to tax under Section 4944 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or corresponding provisions of any subsequent federal tax laws.

7. All checks issued in the name of IST shall be signed by the Treasurer and either the President or the Vice- President.

8. The IST shall maintain the following accounts:

a. IST co-op account with local bank;

b. general account with local bank;

c. Islamic Society account with the NAIT;

and any additional accounts as may be determined necessary by the Board of Directors

Section 2: Annual Budget

1. The Executive Committee shall propose the annual budget.

2. The finance of the IST shall be approved by the Board of Directors.

3. Fiscal year shall begin on October 1 and end on September 30.

4. In case of budget demand, the Board of directors shall decide the appropriate fund.

Section 3: Audit Committee

1. The Audit Committee shall consist of two (2) members appointed by the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee.

2. The Audit Committee shall

a. at all times have access to the books and records of IST;

b. systematically and regularly review and audit all records and accounts of the IST;

c. submit annual report to General Assembly.

CHAPTER 6: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: Criteria

1. Membership of an eligible person in the IST shall be obtained by filling a written application and paying dues.

2. Applicants are to be evaluated by the Executive Committee members and recommendation may be forwarded to the Board of Directors.

3. The Board of Directors may approve or disapprove applicants after review.

4. A member will acquire voting rights after completing three (3) months of residency in Tuscaloosa County and being recommended by the Executive Committee.

5. A member will be eligible to contest for an office in the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee after completing six (6) months of residency in Tuscaloosa County and being recommended by the Executive Committee.

Section 2: Conduct

1. Members are strongly encouraged to observe daily prayers and participate in other activities of the IST.

2. A member can be conditionally suspended upon proof of violation of Islamic practices. Such acts must be defined as major sins by the Shriah. After the party has guided himself to the right conduct, reinstatement can be reconsidered by the Executive Committee.

3. Members whose annual dues are in arrears more than six (6) months may be suspended.

4. Only the President or his authorized representative(s) is (are) the official spokesperson(s) for the IST community.

5. No member is allowed to represent the IST other than those who are appointed by the President.

6. Membership lists shall not be made accessible to any individual, group or business enterprise except upon written request and approved of the Executive Committee. Such approval is to be given only after consultation with the Board of Directors if it positively serves the interest of the IST community.

CHAPTER 7: ELECTIONS

Section 1: Election Committee

The Election Committee shall

1. consist of two (2) members of the Board of Directors whose vacancies will not be filled during the election and one (1) member appointed by the President;

2. solicit nomination for the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors;

3. verify qualification of the nominees and the list for election;

4. make sure that every voting member knows the exact place, date, and time of the General Assembly annual election meeting.

Section 2: Procedures

1. Each nominee shall be seconded in writing.

2. Written acceptance of the nominees shall be required.

3. All elections shall held during the annual General Assembly meeting.

4. Voting by secret ballot shall be conducted in case of competition, and election to the office shall be by simple majority.

CHAPTER 8: SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION

Section 1: General Member

Any member who breaches the Constitution, by-laws, and regulations shall be liable for :

1. advice and counseling by the President verbally for the first time;

2. written warning twice;

3. suspension of membership.

Section 2: Executive Committee

1. Any member of the Executive Committee other than the President may be suspended with the consent of the majority of the General Assembly if he does not fulfill his duties or violates the Constitution or by-laws of the IST.

2. If the President does not fulfill his duties or violates the Constitution and by-laws of the IST, he will be relieved from his position if three-fourths of the of the Executive Committee agree upon and seconded by the majority of the General Assembly.

CHAPTER 9: AMENDMENTS

Proposed amendments of the Constitution or by-laws shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee not less than two (2) weeks prior to a General Assembly meeting. The Board of Directors, after discussing the proposed amendments should notify it to the members one (1) week prior to the upcoming General Assembly meeting and should be included in the agenda of that meeting. All amendments shall require the approval of two-thirds of the total voting membership present in the meeting. The quorum for the General Assembly meeting discussing the proposed amendment shall be fifty (50) percent of the voting members. Only two (2) General Assembly meetings per year shall be called for the discussion of the proposed amendment(s).

CHAPTER 10: WOMEN'S COMMITTEE

The women members shall form a committee among themselves. The Women's Committee shall not be excluded from the responsibilities that are regulated by the Constitution and by-laws. The Women's Committee shall be financed from the IST and they should maintain records of all financial transactions.