CONSTITUTION OF THE TAWHEED CENTER OF FARMINGTON HILLS


We, the Muslims of Farmington Hills, Michigan and its vicinity, have adopted the present Constitution and do, hereby, establish an organization to be known as Tawheed Center of Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA.


ARTICLE I


AIMS AND PURPOSES:


SECTION 1


The aims and objects of the Center are to serve the best interest of Islam and Sunni Muslims of this locality. Towards this end, the Center shall:  

  1. Promote unity and joint action among the Muslims;
  2. Conduct social, cultural, religious and other activities in the best traditions of Islam -    in  accordance with the Sunni School of Thought;
  3. Arrange and hold Congregational Prayers and Islamic Religious Festivals at appropriate times;
  4. Promote friendly relations between Muslims and non-Muslims;
  5. Endeavor to make Islamic teachings known to interested non-Muslims.


SECTION 2


The Center shall be a non-profit, non-political organization, and the fundamental purpose of the Center shall be to encourage and to enable Muslims with the basic knowledge and competence in Islam to contribute individually and collectively toward meeting human needs in conformity with Islamic Doctrines and Belief. It shall also be the purpose of the Center to avoid any wrong practices in Islam and to create a feeling of brotherhood.


ARTICLE II


AFFILIATION:


SECTION 1


The Center shall be affiliated with North American Islamic Trust (NAIT).


ARTICLE III
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:
SECTION 1 

  1. The Officers of this Center, hereafter called Officers, will consist of eleven persons. Five of these persons will be collectively referred to as Board of Trustees. This Board of Trustees will not hold office perpetually.
  2. The remaining six will collectively be referred as the Board of Directors and will be selected as provided in the Constitution. They will run the Center on day to day basis.
  3. The Officers will receive no compensation for their services and will derive no monetary benefits from the income of the Center. Officers will be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses incurred for conducting the business for the Center.
  4. The Board of Trustees will have the final say in all matters of the Center.
  5. The Board of Trustees can approve and accept the resignation of a member of the Board of Trustees through majority vote.
  6. All Officers must be practicing Muslims from among Ahl-us-Sunnah Wal Jama'ah.
  7. Board of Directors will hire or fire an Imam with the approval of the Board of Trustees.
  8. Appointed Imam will be advisor to Board of Directors, but will not hold office other than Imam. In the absence of an Imam, his seat may be left vacant.
  9. Two new members of the Board of Directors will be elected every year in place of 2 previous Board of Directors dropped by term limits or resignations.
  10. The President of the BOD does not have a vote except in a tie.
  11. A member can be elected to the BOD for a maximum of 2 terms consecutively. Each term for the BOD is of 3 years. An individual can become eligible to run again for BOD after a 3 year hiatus.
  12. One member of Board of Trustee will be elected by BOD every year in place of one previous BOT dropped by random ballot or term limit or resignation. A member has to have preferably served on the BOD before becoming eligible for BOT. However, he can be chosen from the community at large.
  13. A member can be elected to the BOT for a maximum of 2 terms consecutively. Each term for the BOT is 5 years. An individual can become eligible to run again for BOT after a 5 year hiatus.
  14. In case of a dispute, as far as the interpretation of this constitution, the Board of Trustees will clarify any issues and their word will be final.


SECTION 2


Board of Trustees  

The Board of Trustees shall consist of five elected regular members who shall fulfill the following requirements:

  1. They shall be regular members of TCFH, in good standing, for at least 24 consecutive months prior to the election.
  2. They shall be bona fide citizens or permanent residents of the United States and residents of the State of Michigan.
  3. They shall meet at least once every six months or as needed to review the affairs of the Center.


SECTION 3 


Board of Directors

The Board of Directors shall consist of six elected regular members. The affairs of the Association shall be managed by its Board of Directors in consultation with the Board of Trustees. The elected members shall fulfill the following requirements:

  1. They shall be regular member of TCFH, in good standing for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the election.
  2. They shall be bona fide citizens or permanent residents of the United States and residents of the State of Michigan.
  3. The Board of Directors shall meet at least once every month.


SECTION 4


Membership:


Regular Member: Any Muslim aged 18 years and more, from the Sunni school of thought, who believes that there is no one who is to be worshipped except Allah and that Mohammad Bin Abdullah (May peace be upon him) is His last and final Prophet and Messenger.


Junior Member: Any Muslim as described above in a) except who is less than 18 years of age.


Honorary Members: Persons who by judgment and discretion of the Board of Directors/Trustees have rendered an outstanding contribution to the purposes of the Center shall be conferred honorary membership.
 
ARTICLE IV


CONSTITUTION ADOPTION AND ENFORCEMENT SECTION 1


The Constitution shall be adopted and enforced, effective immediately after it has been signed by all the members of the Board of Trustees.
 

ARTICLE V SECTION 1


In the event of dissolution, the funds and other assets of Tawheed Center after defraying all outstanding debts and liabilities shall be donated to any other Islamic Organization designated by the Board of Trustees.


ARTICLE VI SECTION 1
 

Tawheed Center is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes as the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
 

SECTION 2
 

No part of the net earnings of the organization shall be used to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or others private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on


BY LAWS AND POLICIES


ARTICLE I BOARD OF DIRECTORS SECTION 1


The officers of the Board of Directors shall be President, Vice-President, General Secretary, Treasurer, and Social & Publications Secretary. They will be collectively responsible for the day to day affairs of the Center.
 

SECTION 2
 

The term of the Board of Directors shall be one year ending on 31st December. The Elections will be held by ballot post marked by the 1st Friday of November. The Board of Directors shall choose an election committee in their June Monthly meeting.
SECTION 3
 

The President shall be responsible for:
 

  1. The General Management of all the activities of the Center.
    Directing and coordinating of all the daily activities so as to achieve the purpose of the Center.
  2. Calling and presiding over meeting of the Board of Directors.
  3. Forming various Committees.
  4. Presenting reports on the state of the Center to the annual meeting and in its newsletter.

SECTION 4
 

The Vice-President shall be responsible for:

  1. Carrying out the management of the activities in the absence of the President.
  2. Assisting the President in accomplishing the purpose of the Center.
  3. Temporarily assuming the functions of the President when requesting as such by him.
     

SECTION 5
 

The General Secretary shall be responsible for:

  1. Reporting the important events and activities of the Center to the Community and Board of Trustees, periodically.
  2. Preparing, circulating and maintaining the minutes of all Board meetings and General Body meeting.
  3. Preparing the agenda for the Board and General Body meetings and notifying the members of the Board and General Body, respectively, of it.
  4. Maintaining the list of members, and volunteers for various functions of the Center.
  5. Presiding over the Board meetings when both the President and Vice-President are absent.
  6. Presenting at the beginning of every Board and General Body meeting the minutes of the previous meeting for approval by the Board.
     

SECTION 6 


The Treasurer shall be responsible for:
 

  1. Maintaining the record of all the daily/monthly financial transactions of the Center. He shall be responsible for systematic up-keep of books and writing disbursements, receipts and banking reconciliations.
  2. Collecting and depositing all the funds received on behalf of the Center.
  3. Preparing the annual budget of the center for Board for the next fiscal year.
  4. Presenting before the Board a quarterly and annual report on the status of the Center financial affairs.
  5. The day-to-day account shall be signed by two members of the Board of Directors.
     

SECTION 7
 

The Social Secretary shall be responsible for:
 

  1. Directing and supervising all arrangements for celebrations of religious festivals and social programs such as picnics, dinners, lectures on Islamic topics, etc.
  2. Informing the members about the time, place and details of the festivals and social events through the Publication Secretary.
     

SECTION 8
 

The Publication Secretary shall be responsible for:
 

  1. Preparing circulars, bulletins and newsletters of the Association and presenting the same before the Board for their review.
  2. Circulating the Center's publication if any.
  3. Editing and publishing literature on behalf of the Center


ARTICLE II

FINANCE


SECTION 1


Membership dues can be established and/or changed by the Board of Directors at the beginning of the year.


SECTION 2
 

Any member whose dues are three months or more in arrears after the beginning of the fiscal year shall loose all membership privileges. Membership privileges will be fully restored by the approval of Board of Directors, one month, after the payment of delinquent dues.


SECTION 3
 

All funds collected for a specific cause will be used for that cause unless a 2/3 majority vote of the members of the Board of Directors authorizes its use for a different purpose within the goals and objectives of the Center. However, the funds collected for the specific purpose of expanding and maintaining the Center will be in the hands of the Board of Trustees and will not be used for any other purpose.


SECTION 4
 

Withdrawal of Funds:

  1. The Board of Trustees will authorize in writing any two members of the Board of Directors to sign withdrawal checks for day-to-day expenses.
  2. Board of Directors can withdraw up to $10,000.00 for a single cause or event.
     

SECTION 5


Authorization of Expenditures:


Board of Directors should get the approval of Board of Trustees in writing for any transaction over $10,000.00 on a single expense or event.


Any withdrawal check exceeding $10,000.00 for a single expense or event will be signed jointly by:

  1. Chairperson of Board of Trustees
  2. Another member of Board of Trustees designated by the Board of Trustees.
     

ARTICLE III


BOARD OF TRUSTEES


SECTION 1


The Chairperson of the Board of Trustees shall be elected every two years by the Board of Trustees. There is no limit on office holding provided the incumbent is willing to serve and is reelected for the office.
 

SECTION 2
 

The Board of Trustees shall:
 

  1. Act as guardians of the Center located at 29707 West Ten Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48336 and all properties owned by the center.
  2. Be responsible for the long term strategy and interest of the Center.
  3. Helping the Board of Directors in raising funds for the Center.
  4. Authorize two members of the Board of Directors, in writing, for withdrawing funds from the Center's account as in Article V, Section 5.
  5. Elect a member from the Board of Trustees to cosign checks along with chairperson of the Board of Trustees for amount exceeding $10,000.00.
  6. They shall review and approve or disapprove any real estate transactions, including selling, buying, building and construction for the Center.
  7. They shall confirm the appointments, sign the contracts and approve the salaries of the employees of the Center.
  8. The Board shall elect a chairman and a Secretary from among themselves.
  9. The Chairman shall call and conduct the meeting and the Secretary shall keep the record of the proceedings.
  10. Keep the Center registered in the state of Michigan.
     

SECTION 3


The Chairperson of the Board of Trustees shall be responsible for:


a. Calling and presiding over trust meetings.
b. Being the spokesperson, representative and correspondent for trust activities.
c. Will vote to elect the roles of the Board of Directors in case of a tie.


ARTICLE IV MEETINGS


SECTION 1


The Center shall have at least one General Body meeting during the year in December before the holidays. If there are equal to or more than 51% of membership present, the GBM will move forward. Resolutions that are discussed and voted on will need at least 2/3rd majority of the members present in order to be considered as passed and binding*.


SECTION 2


The Board of Directors shall meet at least once every month at such a time and place as is convenient and suitable to most of the Committee members.
The Board of Trustees shall meet at least twice a year.


SECTION 3

 
ARTICLE V AMENDMENTS SECTION 1 


The Board of Trustees can amend the Constitution by majority vote. The by-laws may be amended; repealed and new by-laws may be adopted by a majority vote.
 

ARTICLE VI


MISCELLANEOUS


SECTION 1


The Center shall be registered as a Non-Profit Religious Organization in the State of Michigan. It shall be the responsibility of the Board of Trustee Secretary to do all the necessary paperwork in order to keep the registration active.
 

SECTION 2
 

A member of the Board of Directors, who has failed to attend three meetings without being excused by the President prior to the meetings, shall be asked to give his explanation for the absences in writing. If he fails to do so within two weeks or if his explanation is not satisfactory to the Board, the latter shall consider his dismissal from the post he is holding. The Board of Directors shall grant him a hearing with the Board of Trustees so as to enable him to defend his explanation for the absences. If he refuses to appear before the Board of Trustees within a period of six weeks, the Board of Trustees shall decide an action based on the recommendation of the Board of Directors.
 

SECTION 3
 

In case of ambiguity regarding the interpretation of any sections of the constitution or possible conflict between two sections, the interpretation of the Board of Trustees to clarify such ambiguities or resolve the conflict shall be final.
 

SECTION 4
 

Any talk, presentation or activity in the Center shall be authorized by the President of the Board of Directors or his designee.
 

SECTION 5
 

Each member shall attempt to avoid discussion of controversial issues that may hurt the feelings of a member or group of members as well as exercise tolerance and respect the right of other members to their opinions.

 

*ADDENDUMS:

1. 11/11/2010

Changes to the constitution can be made only by a majority of the trustees in combination with a majority of the directors. For example, a majority vote only of the trustees will not be sufficient to amend the constitution.  Similarly, a majority vote of the directors will not be sufficient to amend the constitution.  It will take a majority of the trustees to join hands with a majority of directors to amend the constitution.

2. 12/18/2010

If there are equal to or more than 51% of membership present, the GBM will move forward. Resolutions that are discussed and voted on will need at least 2/3rd majority of the members present in order to be considered as passed and binding.