Our Constitution
Article 1: Name
The Service shall be known as the Islamic Humanitarian Service, hereinafter referred to as the Service.
Article 2: Aims and Objectives
The Aims and Objectives of the Service are:
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To promote the teachings of Islam according to the Ja'fari School of Thoughts.
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To safeguard and further the religious, moral, social, and educational interests of the members and their families.
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To create, cultivate, and maintain harmony and understanding among the members of the Service and between different races and creed.
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To accept and/or manage charitable so long as the terms are acceptable to the members of the Service, and the trusts fall within the general aims and objectives of she Services and are not contrary to, the provincial and federal laws of Canada.
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To be constructive members of Canadian society.
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To alleviate poverty, illiteracy, and other social problems in society, as much as possible.
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To provide humanitarian services, such as counseling, literature, and others as required, within the laws of the Ja'fari School of Thought and the laws of Canada.
Our Service is a charitable, non-profit organization, and its activities shall be carried on without material gain for its members, and all accessions shall be used in promoting its aims & objectives.
Article 3: Membership
All the followers of the Ja'fari School of Thought in Islam, residing in Canada, upon the age of maturity, shall be entitled, upon application, to become members of this Service.
Article 4: Subscription
Annual subscriptions or other fees shall be payable to the Service as discussed and passed by a resolution at a General Meeting by a simple majority of the members present.
Article 5: Officers
Executive committee should consist of FIVE members:
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Religious Director
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Deputy Religious Director
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Administrator
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Finance Officer
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Committee Member
All of the above executive committee members, except the Deputy Religious Director, shall be elected by the members present in that order. Proxy voting will only be accepted if agreed upon by at least two thirds of the members present. If an individual who is not present at the meeting is nominated, the nomination will only be accepted with the written letter of acceptance.
Deputy Religious Director will be appointed by the Religious Director, within one week following the General Meeting at which he is elected. In the event of his death, resignation, or removal whatsoever of the Religious Director, the DRD shall assume all responsibilities of the Religious Director. If the remaining duration of his term is more than six months, an election shall convene within three months of the assumption of the responsibility. Should the remaining term be six months or less, then the DRD shall remain for the duration of the term.
Three of the five of five Executive Committee members, one of whom must be the RD or DRD shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the event of any tie during an Executive or General Meeting the presiding officer shall have the deciding vote.
The affairs of the Service shall be managed by five officers. Each of whom, shall be a member of the Service. Each officer shall hold office for a term of two years, after which the term expires. The officer may qualify for re-election at the General Meeting, if approved by the members present. The election shall be conducted by a show of hands, unless a ballot be demanded by a simple majority.
The members may remove any officer before the expiration of his term, by a resolution passed by at least 2/3 of the votes cast at a membership meeting of which notice specifying the resolution has been given. The members may elect another member in his place for the duration of the term.
Vacancies on this committee of remaining officers, however caused, may be filled by the remaining four officers temporarily. Within three months of the vacancy, a special meeting of the membership shall be called. At which time, a replacement shall be elected for the remainder of the term.
The officers shall have the authority to spend, from the funds of the Service, without prior consent of the members up to $1,000 from the General Funds for meeting the expenses of the Service. For additional funds, general approval is required from the members.
Specific funds shall be expended as necessary.
One officer shall be responsible for the religious affairs of the Service. He shall know the basic articles of the Ja'fari School of Thought and be elected on that criteria. The second elected officer shall ensure that the administrative issues are looked after. He shall be responsible for the minutes of the Executive and General Meetings, informing the public of such meetings, keep a list of the members, and keep a copy of the incoming and outgoing correspondence of the Service. The third elected officer shall keep full and accurate accounts containing the receipts and expenditures of the Service. He shall render the financial position of the Service, to the other officers or members of the public, if requested.
The title of each officer shall be as follows: Religious Director, Deputy Religious Director, Administrator, Finance Officer, and Committee Member. They shall be elected in that order at the elections, except for the Deputy Religious Director, who is appointed by the Religious Director.
Duties:
Duties of Religious Director
The RD shall be responsible for overall management and operation of the Service. They shall appoint such individuals, at their discretion, to head each division and branch of the IS, for the term specified in the respective Terms of Reference. The RD, in consultation with the Executive Committee members, may remove such individual if they fail to perform their duties efficiently. The term of each appointee will be determined by the Terms of Reference. The RD shall preside over all meetings and conferences conducted by the Service, or appoint such individuals that deem appropriate for the same.
Duties of the Deputy Religious Director
The DRD shall conduct meetings, be responsible for the overall management of the Service, in the absence of the RD. Each division head of the Service shall be accountable to the DRD, and provide regular reports to the same. These reports shall be either verbal or written at the discretion of the DRD. The DRD will, in turn brief the RD regularly and provide an annual written report.
Administrator
The administrator shall be responsible for the minutes of the Executive and General Meetings, informing the public of such meetings, keep a list of the members, and keep a copy of the incoming and outgoing correspondence of the Service.
Finance Officer
The FO shall keep full and accurate accounts containing the receipts and expenditures of the Service. They shall render the financial position of the Service, to the other Officers or members of the public, if requested.
Duties of the Committee Member
The committee member shall be responsible to coordinate any special events undertaken by the Service.
Article 6: Execution Of Documents, Cheques
For the validity of any cheque or financial document, it must be signed by any two of the first four officers, one of whom must be the RD. The rest 3/4 officer shall then be kept informed of such transactions. Both the RD and DRD cannot sign the same cheque or document.
Article 7: Fiscal Year
Unless otherwise directed by the Committee of Officers, the fiscal year of the Service shall terminate on the 31st day of December. The Islamic calendar shall be used for religious functions.
Article 8: General Meetings
The Service shall hold its Annual General Meeting within six months of the end of its fiscal year for the purpose of:
i. Receiving the Officers' reports, audited Financial Statements, and the Budget, for the forthcoming year
ii. Transacting any other business specified in the Agenda for the Meeting iii. Election of Officers, if applicable, and appointment of Auditor
A Special General Meeting may be called if one third of the members request it in writing. The Meeting shall be held within one month, with the Agenda provided by the signing members.
One half of the members in good standing shall constitute a quorum at all General Meetings. Lack of quorum shall require the adjournment of the Meeting for half hour, after which it shall be recalled with the present members attending.
Fourteen days notice shall be given to the members of the General Meetings. In the event of an urgent meeting, 24 hours notice shall be sufficient.
Article 9: Auditors
At the end of each fiscal year, the books and accounts of the Service shall be audited by an auditor, to be elected/ appointed by the members at the Annual General Meeting.
Article 10: Amendments
Any General Meeting may amend this Constitution by a vote of two thirds of the members present. Notification of the past amendment shall be given to the members by the Administrator.
Article 11: Dissolution
The Service may at any time be dissolved at a Special General Meeting, by the consent of 90% of all members, testified by their signatures. In such a case, the