THE CONSTITUTION
MUSTAFA CENTER YOUTH GROUP

By the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
All the praise is due to Allah, the creator of man kind, the jin, the earth, the heavens, and what is in between. May Allah's peace and blessing be upon His Prophet and final Messenger Muhammad, his family, and followers till the day of Judgment.

 
ARTICLE I. Name of Organization
We, the Mustafa Center Youth Group, have agreed to and have adopted the present constitution and do hereby establish an organization to be known as The Mustafa Center Youth Group.
 
ARTICLE II. Purpose
 
Section 1.
The aim and purpose of the Youth Group is to serve the best interest of Islam and the Muslim Youth of the Mustafa Center Community and local masajid. Towards this end, the Association shall:
1. Promote the acceptance and adherence to Islamic morals, the Quran and the Sunnah.
2. Promote unity and joint action among the Muslims at Mustafa Center.
3. Conduct religious, charitable, educational, fun and outreach service activities.
4. Arrange and hold congregational prayer and Islamic religious festivals at appropriate times.
5. Promote healthy relations among Muslims and non-Muslims according to the guidelines of Islam.
6. Endeavor to make Islamic teachings known to interested non-Muslims
Section 2.
The Association shall be a non-profit, non-political organization, and the fundamental purpose of the Association shall be to encourage and to enable Muslims with the basic knowledge and competence in Islam to contribute individually and collectively toward meeting community needs in conformity with generally and historically accepted Islamic doctrines and belief. It shall also be the purpose of the Association to avoid any wrong practices in Islam and to create a feeling of brotherhood among the Muslims.
 
ARTICLE III. Membership
 
Section 1.
Membership in this organization will not be restricted on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, sex or age.
 
Section 2.
The membership of the Mustafa Center Youth Group is open to anyone interested in becoming a member and who abides by this Association's Constitution and follows the regulations contained within it. Upon accepting membership, the new member should also do his/her best to advance the Association's intended purposes as mentioned in Article II, Section 1.
 
Section 3.
The membership of the MCYG will consist of the Active and Regular Membership.
 
A. Active Member shall be any Muslim who :
- Attends events regularly, participates in in an organizational capacity (setup, cleanup, serving food, etc.). 
- Upholds a certain threshold of conduct befitting a Muslim.
- Active members must be identified by current executive committee members for their involvement and activism.


 
B. Regular Member shall be any person who:
- Attends events sparingly and has exhibited limited participation in the organization.

 
 

Section 4.
The rights and privileges enjoyed by the various categories of membership have been outlined as follows:
 
A. Active Membership
1. May vote on matters including those brought forth in general body meetings and authorized by the board.
2. Can serve committees under the leadership of a board member, and may lead the committee pending executive committee approval.
3. Can serve as volunteers to support committees.
 
B. Regular Membership
1. Can serve as volunteers to support committees.

 
Section 5.
Membership may be terminated upon decision of the Executive Committee for any actions which violate the regulations and by-laws set forth by the Executive Committee concerning MCYG member conduct.
 
ARTICLE IV. Officers and Advisor
 
Section 1. POSITIONS
A. the Executive Committee (officers) of this organization shall be:
1. President
2. Vice President
3. General Secretary
4. Finance Secretary (Treasurer)
 
B. All the officers shall be elected for their respective offices and shall hold these positions for a full one-year term.
 
C.  All the officers are responsible for upholding Islamic conduct and refraining from publicly committing major sins in Islam.
 
D.  All officers are required to have basic knowledge on Islam.

E. All officers are required to attend Imam-approved educational activities for the advancement of the board's (whether they be seminars, online lectures, book clubs, halaqas, etc.)
 
E. Only Active Members are eligible for positions on the Executive Committee. For a full discussion concerning the requirements of Active Membership, refer to Article III, Section 3. Two nominations by officers are required for acceptance on the ballot.
 
Section 2. POWERS
The powers of the executive committee have been outlined as follows:
1. The membership of a meeting (officers/cabinet) shall have the power to:
a. Determine organizational policies and initiate programs.
b. Develop and adopt the well being of the organization, provided that they do not conflict with the elements and spirit of this constitution.
2. The President shall be responsible for:
a. The general management of all the activities of the Association.
b. Directing and coordinating all the activities so as to achieve the purpose of the Association.
c. Delegate any authority to any of the officers as needed.
d. Calling and presiding over meetings of the Executive Committee and the General body.
e. Finalizing the agenda for the Executive Committee and General Body meetings and notifying the members of the Executive Committee and the General Body, respectively, of it.
f. Forming various Ad Hoc Committees with the approval of the Executive Committee.
g. Controlling the spending of major funds as defined in Section 6C of this Article.
h. Presenting reports on the state of the Association to the annual meeting.
i. Being the spokesman, representative and correspondent for the Association in external activities.
j. Establishing an efficient link between the Association and other youth groups in the Northern Virginia Area.
k. Directing and supervising the activities of the various committees.
l. Training the new President once elected and handing over the responsibilities.
 
3. Vice-President shall be responsible for:
a. Assisting the President in accomplishing the purpose of the Association
b. Temporarily assuming the functions of the President when requested as such by the president, or if the President is incapacitated, or in the absence of the President. In the later case, the Vice President shall assume Presidency for the remaining period of the President's term.
c. Maintaining a list of the members with their names, email addresses and updating the list at least once in a period of three months.

d. Work closely with the coordinators and help him to build the unity among the members.
f. Directing and supervising the activities of the various committees in the absence of the president
g. Training the new Vice-President once elected and handing over the responsibilities.
 
4. The General Secretary shall be responsible for:
a. Recording and maintaining the minutes of all the Executive and General Body meetings. 
b. Compiling the agenda for the Executive Committee and General Body meetings and notifying the members of the Executive Committee and the General Body, respectively, of it.
c. Maintaining the association's email
d. Maintaining the list of the members and the volunteers for various functions of the Association.

e. Presiding over the Executive committee meetings when both the President and Vice Presidents are absent.
f. Presenting at the beginning of every Executive Committee and General body meeting the minutes of the previous meeting for the approval of the Executive Committee/General Body.
g. Maintaining a list of members eligible to vote in general body meetings. 
i. Training the new General Secretary once elected and handing over the responsibilities
 
6. The Finance Secretary (Treasure) shall be responsible for:
a. Maintaining the record of all the financial transactions of the Association. He/she shall be responsible for systematic up-keep and writing reimbursements, receipts, banking reconciliation and showing of increase of funds in statements to be made public.
b. Controlling minor funds and expenses of the Association. A minor expenditure is one requiring the use of less than fifty dollars ($50). Any minor funds should be spend with the finance secretary's discretion and is subject to review by the President.
c. Controlling any major expenditure with the written agreement of the President. Any expense requiring the amount of fifty dollars or greater is defined as major expenditures. The signature of the President or the Vice President on the check signifies his agreement with the expenditure. All spending is subject to review by the Cabinet and any mismanagement of funds is punishable by the removal of the persons involved
d. Collecting and depositing all the funds received on behalf of the Association, and countersigning all the withdrawal checks on behalf of the Association in accordance with the majority of the Executive Committee
e. Planning and oversight of fund-raising activities
f. Preparing, on being elected, the annual budget of the Association for the fiscal year in consultation with the newly elected Executive Committee and resenting the same before the Annual General Body meeting
g. Presenting before the Executive committee a quarterly report on the status of the Association financial affairs, including anonymous donations and total donations received by the Association

h. Training the new Finance Secretary once elected and handing over the responsibilities
  Historian: 
7. The Member of the Executive Board shall be responsible for:
a. Acting as a liaison between the Cabinet and MCYG members
b. Looking after specific needs, if any, of the Association on various occasions such as events, conventions, and other (religious, social) gatherings
c. Plan & organize events
d. Preparing flyers, bulletins, and newsletters of the Association and presenting the same before the Cabinet for their review, when necessary.
e. Maintaining the list of the members, volunteers, and speakers for various functions of the Association


f. Training the new members once elected and handing over the responsibilities
8. The Advisor shall:
a. be responsible for upholding the same responsibilities conducive to board membership
b. be the imam of the Mustafa Center
c. upon explanation to the President and/or board, have the power to veto

11. Decision on matters (that are not within the responsibilities of a specific officer) shall be taken by the president after consulting with the Cabinet members as called by Shari'ah. However, two-thirds majority of the members present, not counting the President or the member presiding in his absence, shall override any presidential decision. The President, or the member presiding in his absence, shall not vote in any election nor shall his vote be counted. The members not attending the meeting shall not able to vote on any issue.
 
Section 3. IMPEACHMENT
1. If any elected or appointed member has been found to violate any one of the following principles, he/she will be subject to impeachment by the executive committee:
i. Any Islamic Principle or Law that deems them unworthy to serve as a leader and/or representing the MCYG in a fashion that is uncharacteristic of the General Body and Islamic Principles.
ii. Having missed an excessive number of meetings such that the Executive Board deems them unable to carry out the function of their position.
iii. Excessive lateness (8 or more meetings) at Executive Board Meetings without a legitimate excuse.
iv. Having abused funding privileges.
v. Not fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of their office as outlined in the MCYG constitution.
2. The procedure for impeachment is outlined as follows:
i. Every attempt must be made to correct and rectify the existing problem. Impeachment shall be employed only as a last resort.
ii. The details of the process and conditions that the impeached member violated shall remain confidential and shall not be disclosed to anyone outside of the executive committee. This is to uphold and maintain the dignity of the individual as well as that of the MCYG.
iii. The individual shall be provided an opportunity to defend themselves against the alleged charges. The individual also has the right to resign at any point during this process.
iv. The individual shall not be present during the final decision.
v. 3/4 of the remaining members must decide to impeach the individual in order for it to be carried out.
 
Section 4. ADVISORS
Primary Advisor
i. The primary advisor shall be the Imam of Mustafa Center.
ii. The primary advisors role shall be that of a consultant in regards to all affairs administrative. He shall provide guidance and support for the organization but shall not have a vote.
iii. The advisor shall be selected by the entire cabinet by way of a consensus vote.
iv. The advisor shall be removed from their duties should the executive committee feel the need for change. Specifics reasons for removal do not have to be disclosed. There must be a consensus vote for removal of the primary advisor.
 
Secondary Advisor
i. The secondary advisor shall be any individual with religious knowledge as recognized by the executive committee.
ii. He/she shall serve as a religious consultant to the MCYG and shall assist in guiding them to the principles of Islam.
iii. The secondary advisor shall not hold any official standing within the group and will only be utilized within the board itself.
iv. The secondary advisor shall be chosen and removed a majority (50%) vote. The reasons for removal do not have to be disclosed.
v.  The secondary advisor can serve as a representative for the MCYG in official matters when agreed upon by the executive committee.
 
ARTICLE V. Elections
Section 1.
The electoral process shall commence every Spring in the month of March.
 
Section 2. 
All nominees for the officers' positions must abide by the Islamic conduct and Dress Code at the time of nomination and while assuming a position.  
 
Section 3.
Nominations shall be accepted over a two week span after the executive committee has sent out an email informing the membership of elections. Members are allowed to submit a nomination and can only nominate one individual for each position. The nominee must be an Active Member as defined in Article III, Section 3.
 
Section 4.
Nominations shall only be accepted via email. The verification of membership status for the nominee and the nominator shall be done by the executive committee. The nominee shall only be allowed to run for one position if nominated for more than one position. A minimum of two nominations are required for all nominees. The nominator must also provide a reason for his/her nomination.
 
Section 5.
If current officer has been nominated, He/She may NOT vote for him/herself to validate screening process for elections.
 
Section 6.
The executive committee must request the secondary advisor and one more member of the Muslim community (non-member as selected by the secondary advisor) to supervise the elections. The Executive Committee members shall not be involved with the elections and can not serve as supervisors.
 
Section 7.
There shall be a minimum of one election day. The membership shall be given a minimum of two weeks notice concerning election day and no new membership can be registered for at this point. Elections shall be conducted by standard secret balloting.
 
Section 8.
The executive committee must take the necessary measures to ensure the election process is fairly done. In the event of suspected wrongdoing, the election results shall be invalidated and the secondary advisor shall assign a new election day. Should wrongdoing take place by nominees, he/she shall be disqualified from candidacy.
 
Section 9.
In the event of a tie, the victor shall be decided by the newly elected officers. These officers must agree on a consensus vote for the nominee under dispute if this does not occur, the decision will be made by the previous Executive Committee.
 
Section 10.
The transition and training process shall be determined by the current Executive Committee for the upcoming committee. The upcoming Executive Committee members must be present during the training sessions.
 
ARTICLE VI. Meetings
Section 1.
The Executive Committee shall have one weekly meeting. Any other meetings may be held by the request of the President. Any other members who feel a meeting is necessary can contact the President to send out the request.
 
Section 2.
Oral, written or printed notice of a meeting shall be emailed to all the members of the committee at least one week prior to the date of the meeting.
 
Section 3.
An emergency meeting of the Cabinet may be called by a petition signed by ten or ten percent of all members, whichever is greater. Such a meeting shall be held within two weeks after the written petition is presented to the President & Vice President.
 
Section 4.
The President may call Cabinet meetings in addition to the regular monthly meeting whenever he/she considers it necessary.
 

ARTICLE VII. Finances
The MCYG has no set dues.
 
ARTICLE VIII. Amendments
 
Section 1.
For members to propose any changes in the constitution, they must approach the board with their suggestions and then await Executive Committees decision. Executive Committee can propose changes for the constitution at any Executive Committee meeting. 
 
Section 2.
A two-thirds favorable vote of those members of the organization present at a regular meeting shall be required to ratify an amendment.
 
Section 3.
The Executive Committee must review all amendments in the same manner as a completely new constitution.
 
ARTICLE IX. Constitution Ratification and Enforcement
 
Section 1.
The constitution shall be ratified by a simple majority of the executive committee.
 

January 9, 2010