Constitution of Northamptonshire Council of Mosques (NCM)

Preamble

Constitution of Northamptonshire Council of Mosques (NCM) In the name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful Preamble Northamptonshire Council of Mosques is an umbrella organisation that represent all Muslim community groups including Mosques (Masajid) in Northamptonshire that adhere to the Qur’aan and Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Mohammad Peace and Blessings be upon him. We have joined together to work for the delivery of the aims and objectives set out hereinafter.

Article 1 – Intent As founding members of the NCM, we recommend adoption of this Constitution and we pledge to abide by its provisions intending the NCM to be:

1. Independent

2. Non-sectarian

3. Apolitical

4. Broad based with an accountable system of representation and will have the power to affiliate with other organisations with similar objectives based in the United Kingdom.

Article 2 – Aims and objectives The aims and the objectives of the Northamptonshire Council of Mosques are as follows:

  • To support and assist with the growth and development of Northamptonshire Mosques and other Muslim organisations in Northamptonshire.
  • To maintain dialogue with other faith groups, local authorities, local policing and other local organisations to promote community cohesion.
  • To promote and work for the advancement, achievements and unity of all Muslims in Northamptonshire.
  • To establish a position for the Muslim community in Northamptonshire that is fair and based on Human Rights.
  • To work for the eradication of any forms of discrimination faced by the Muslim community in Northamptonshire.
  • To work towards identifying and meeting specific needs of the Muslim community in Northamptonshire.
  • To identify examples of good work being done by other similar organisations across the country and working in partnership with them.
  • To increase and advance the facilities of the Muslim community in Northamptonshire by associating and liaising with the local authority as well as statutory and voluntary bodies
  • To work with appropriate authorities to support any peacetime emergencies for the wider community in Northamptonshire.
  • To work at a local, national and international level for the promotion of peace and harmony for all humanities based on Islamic principles.
  • To act as a conduit for fundraising and delivering aid to regions nationally and internationally.

Article 3 - Membership Eligibility

1. Full and affiliated membership is open to all Northamptonshire Mosques, Islamic Centres and Islamic religious institutions.

2. Northamptonshire Council of Mosques reserves the right to admit or decline an application to join.

Article 4 – Structure The Council’s organisational structure shall consist of:

1. Majlis of Shoora – Advisory committee

2. Management Committee

3. Office Bearers

4. Sub-Committees

Article 5 – Majlis of Shooraa – Advisory committee Advisory committee will be made up of Imams and scholars from Northamptonshire Mosques Duties

1. To advise the Management committee on all religious matters

2. To advise the Islamic ethics that NCM has to adhere to do when executing their duties

Article 6 – Management committee Management committee will be made up of one nominated member from Northamptonshire Mosques. The quorum for meetings of the Management committee shall be one-half of its members. Decisions made at meetings of the Management committee shall be reached by consensus but where necessary, unless an issue is ruled to be of special significance by the Chair, binding decision will require the positive approval of the majority of those in attendance. An issue ruled to be of “special significance” shall require positive approval of two thirds of members present. Any member of the Management Committee who, without valid reasons, is absent from three consecutive meetings of the Council will cause the council to write to his Mosque in order to substitute that member with another who can afford to give sufficient time.

Article 7 – Management committee Duties

1. Consider and recommend to the Office bearers annual budgets;

2. Consider and recommend to the Office bearers work plans;

3. Give guidance and provide support for the work of the NCM;

4. Appoint office bearers and receive regular reports from them;

5. Recommend the appointment of Advisory Committee members as and when required;

6. Seek, receive, consider and propose recommendations from the Advisory committee on general or specific issues;

7. Appoint sub committees to facilitate its work and in furtherance of the aims and objectives of the organization.

8. Recommend Standing Orders, rules of procedure and good practice to assist in the smooth running of the NCM;

Article 8 – Office Bearers

1. Chairman

2. Vice Chair

3. Secretary General

4. Joint Secretary

5. Treasurer The election for Chairman, Vice Chairman and Secretary General in the Council shall be held by secret ballot if there is more than one nomination. Any office-bearer elected on yearly basis cannot contest for the office after holding it continuously for two years.

The Management Committee shall appoint the following office-bearers:

1. The Treasurer

2. Joint Secretary The Chairman and Secretary General should not be from the same member organisation of the Council. No office-bearer of the council shall remain absent for continuous three months without valid reasons. Unless there are valid reasons the post will be regarded as vacant and the Management Committee shall appoint a new office-bearer.

Article 9 – Duties of the Office Bearers CHAIR

1. The Chair shall speak on behalf of the NCM.

2. The Chair shall be responsible for convening meetings of the NCM.

3. The Chair shall be one of the three authorized signatories for the accounts of the NCM.

4. The Chair shall, in consultation with other office bearers, draft such proposals as are appropriate from time to time in furtherance of the aims and objectives of the NCM, for consideration and approval of the Management Committee.

VICE CHAIR

1. The vice Chair shall carry out such functions as assigned by the Chair.

2. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair nominated by the Chair shall act as the Chair and have full powers and responsibilities of the Chair.

TREASURER

1. The Treasurer shall have responsibility for finances of the NCM.

2. The Treasurer shall draft and secure the approval of annual budget of the Office Bearers.

3. The Treasurer shall keep the Management committee informed at all times of the financial position of the NCM by presenting written financial reports including the bank statements at each meeting.

4. The Treasurer shall devise and plan fund raising strategies and activities.

5. The Treasurer shall be one of the three authorized signatories.

SECRETARY

1. The Secretary shall have responsibility for the day-to-day management of the administrative staff of the NCM and its website.

2. The Secretary shall be responsible for all minutes and record keeping.

3. The Secretary shall also be one of the three authorized signatories.

Article 10 – Sub-Committee

1. The Management committee from time to time shall appoint sub committees to facilitate its work and in furtherance of the aims and objectives

2. Each Sub-Committee shall have its own lead Chairman and possibility the Secretary too.

3. Sub-committee can be temporary as well as permanent.

Article 11 - Legal Status

1. The NCM may become an incorporated charitable company limited by guarantee or acquire such legal persona as serves its best interests.

Article 12 – Amendments to the Constitution

1. The Constitution can be amended at a duly convened meeting of the Management committee.

2. A proposal to amend the Constitution shall be an issue of “special significance” and shall require positive approval of two thirds of members present.

3. A proposal to amend the Constitution in any other respect shall be in writing and shall require a proposer and a seconder before it can become part of the agenda of a meeting of the Management committee.

4. A proposal to amend the Constitution shall not be considered unless notice of the same has been given to all the eligible members of the Management committee at least twenty-one (21) days in advance of the meeting.

5. Subject to (b) a proposal to amend the Constitution shall require affirmative vote of no less than two third of members present and voting.

Article 13 – Dissolution

1. The Management committee may dissolve the NCM if it passes a duly moved resolution to dissolve, written notice whereof has been given to all eligible members three weeks prior to the date of the meeting.

2. A resolution to dissolve shall require the support of two thirds of the members of the Management committee including, the agreement of all the founding members.

3. If the resolution to dissolve is passed, the Office Bearers shall be responsible to realize all the assets, to discharge all the debts and donate, with the agreement of the founding members, any surplus funds to a registered charity which has similar aims or to which the NCM directs.