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Constitution
Constitution
In the Name of God The Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful The Charter of the Muslim Students Association Statement of Purpose: This organization, the Muslim Student Association (MSA), seeks to introduce the community and familiarize it with Islamic culture and thought by sharing the spirit of Islam with Muslims and non-Muslims. In addition, this organization will also provide Islamic liturgical services for the students of the College of William and Mary and other interested parties. We also seek to promote a sense of community among Muslims on campus by encouraging adherence to Islamic ideals to further individual and collective growth. Charity events and zakat, raising money to donate to organization, and service events for the community. The Muslim Students Association of the College of William and Mary Charter of Responsibilities and Objectives The organization is a reflection of the individual and takes on an identity of its own. A good MSA is in many ways the expanded, communal form of a good Muslim. Just as five pillars form the core of a Muslim’s religious obligations, five responsibilities define the role of a successful MSA. As member of the MSA executive board, I promise to ensure that the following pillars as well as the other responsibilities listed below are upheld. If I see others are not doing so, I will take it upon myself to accomplish these tasks: Salat (Prayer): The MSA will host a Jum’a Khutba each Friday of the semester. The time and place of this Khutba will be advertised and readily available for those within our community and beyond who seek to attend. Khutba will begin on time and end on time. The MSA will announce a minimum of one communal prayer per week. Information regarding the date, time, and location of this prayer will be made easily accessible. Sawm (Fasting): During years when Ramadan falls within our academic term, the MSA will work to secure Suhoor packages from the dining hall. It will host an event celebrating Eidul Fitr. It will host a minimum of one Iftar each week of Ramadan that students are on campus and a minimum of one communal Suhoor. Zakat (Alms): The MSA will partner with aid efforts that occur on campus. It will host a minimum of one charity event and one direct community service event each semester.
Hajj (Pilgrimage): Taking inspiration from the Hajj, the MSA will send a minimum of two students to an Islamic gathering outside our college each year as representatives of our organization. The MSA will successfully arrange for at least two speakers from outside the organization to address our community each semester. Shahada (Declaration): This represents the MSA’s relation to philosophy, theology and intellectual growth of its members. The MSA will host minimum of one Halaqa each week to discuss issues related to Islam and the Muslim community on campus and beyond. Each Halaqa will include at least two to three members who have careful researched, prepared and come ready to discuss their impressions with the group. The Halaqa will be a place of safety, where all participants are respected. Each year, the MSA will host an Islam Awareness Week that touches on a theme related to Islam and Muslim community. Others Responsibilities: Eid al Adha: The MSA will host an event marking this Eid that informs participants about the meaning and purpose of the occasion. Da’wah: This refers to our responsibility to actively recruit new members to join our organization to ensure the continuity of a well rounded executive board. The MSA will participate in the Day for Admitted Students, Activity Fairs, and advertise its presence in other venues. Alumni Network: Our MSA will actively seek out and maintain close ties to past members, creating an alumni data base and periodically reporting on our activities. Interfaith: The MSA will actively cultivate a positive relationship with other faith and non-faith organizations on campus. The MSA will create a space where anyone from within the organization or beyond who is interested in Islam and the Muslim community can come to learn. We will participate in events with other organizations on campus at least once each semester. Meetings and Events: Executive board meetings, general meetings, and other events will begin and end on time. Executive board members should meet briefly before general meetings and events to prepare and after events to help with cleanup. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Article I: Officers The organization shall consist of the following officers:
All officers are to be voted in by the members of the club through a majority vote. Save the President whose election must be based on a two-thirds vote. In the event of a candidate not being able to acquire a two thirds majority, a question and answer session will take place followed by another vote. If this fails to result in a two thirds majority for either candidate, the old exec (excluding any running for the position) will make the deciding vote. The IR will be directly appointed by the president. Duties and Obligations of the Officers The President: Responsible for the direction and leadership of the Organization; oversees the general effectiveness of other officers, makes appointment(s) for the appropriate officer(s) as necessary; presides over meetings; and provides general guidance by setting the agenda of the organization. The Vice President of Social Affairs: This officer is charged with outreach to the greater William and Mary community and administration, especially the Student Assembly; plans and delegates tasks for the organization's events; coordinates transition events for the Executive Boards; coordinates intra-MSA and intra-Executive Board events during his/her tenure; performs other duties pertaining to the organization's events and community outreach as assigned by the President The Vice President of Administration: This officer is charged with running meetings in the absence of the President; ensures that tasks assigned by the President are completed in a timely manner; ensures that the Treasurer's budget is submitted on time; performs other duties as assigned by the President The Secretary: Takes meeting minutes; keeps notes; takes the roll at meetings by bringing an attendance sheet and collecting it for both the Executive Board and general meetings to determine voter eligibility and takes into account tardiness; sends reminders to ensure member turnout; manages the e-mail account (listserv); communicates with all MSA members and the community; notifies the Executive Board members of MSA e-mails. The Treasurer: In charge of fiscal matters including accounts; collecting dues, which factors into voter eligibility; charity; fund-raising money, conference funding and any other budgetary activity. The Interfaith Officer: This officer will represent the Islamic faith at religious events, coordinates with the Diversity chair in Student Assembly; runs educational and informational meetings for Muslims and non-Muslims (on a rotational basis, however it is the Interfaith Officer's responsibility to make sure there is a Halaqa every week); deals with community outreach. The Public Relations Committee (2 Public Relations Officers): This Committee will be responsible for reaching out to the community, making flyers and any other activity that requires the propagation of information outside the MSA. Two officers will be elected from the MSA at-large. Both will also oversee t-shirt design. Historian/Webmaster: Maintaining a record of MSA sponsored activities (including but not limited to taking photographs as well as keeping any published statements, speeches, and newspaper articles related to MSA activities) keeps flyers; maintains a yearbook to give to the archives each year. Historian will also be responsible for creating a newsletter at least once a year and keep record and maintain alumni associations. MSA Ambassador: Maintains communication with other MSA’s through monthly phone conferences and updates from MSA National, renews MSA National status each year. Facilitates the organization and execution of annual Islamic conferences including the Battle of the MSAs. Freshman Representative: Maintains communications between MSA members within the freshmen class and the executive board. Responsible for bringing freshmen out to MSA events. Works with each Executive Board member on a rotational basis of events as an apprentice. Responsible for liaising with freshmen members and encouraging them to attend events. Article II: Membership & Meetings The MSA will be open to all students, faculty and staff regardless of sex, religion, or race. Williamsburg residents are also welcome to attend meetings. There will be at least two meetings per month. The president will have the option of declaring more meetings as necessary. Article III: Finances There will be (a) yearly/semester due(s) for members, who will determine the amount at the beginning of each year. Money from the dues will be used for: • Publications • Refreshments (for receptions) • Activities for the MSA Article IV: Activities The MSA tries to “introduce the community to and familiarize it with Islamic culture and thought”; therefore, it will use diverse means to achieve this goal, including the following: • Speakers • Films and tapes • Seminars • Charity work and zakat • Newsletters • Providing Islamic religious activities • Social events • Interactions with other campus organizations. Article V: Amendments Any amendments to the Constitution will have to be effected according to the following guidelines. • Copies of proposed amendments will be made widely accessible two weeks prior to the voting date. • To effect any amendments, a quorum of at least three-fourths of the officers must be present. In addition, two-thirds of all those who are present on the voting day must approve changes. Amendment 1: Amend procedure for proposing amendments and proposal period to a time just after elections not lasting more than 30 days. 4-19-05 Amendment 2: Henceforth the Islamic Cultural Society will be known as the Muslim Students Association. 4-19-05 Amendment 3: Position of webmaster shall be established to update and maintain the MSA website and maintain record of MSA events. See Amendment 17. 4-19-05 Amendment 4: Henceforth, there will be two public relations positions. One will deal exclusively with campus public relation and the other will deal with public relations outside of the campus. See Amendment 17. 4-19-05 Amendment 5: Henceforth, the secretary will manage the e-mail account and maintain relationships with the alumni and communications with all MSA members. Also, the secretary will serve to notify executive board members of MSA e-mails. 4-19-05 Amendment 6: Henceforth, there will be two vice president positions. One will continue with the responsibilities stated in Article 1; the second will be responsible for communications with the College administration as well as planning for social activities. 4-13-06 Amendment 7: The position of Historian shall be established for maintaining a record of MSA sponsored activities (including but not limited to taking photographs as well as keeping any published statements, speeches, and newspaper articles related to MSA activities). Amendment 8: The position of freshmen representative will be established to maintain communications between MSA members within the freshmen class and the executive board. 4-13-06 Amendment 9: Henceforth, only MSA members who attend 2 general body meetings per semester will be considered eligible to vote in the yearly executive board elections. 4-13-06 Amendment 10: Henceforth, executive board members who fail to attend three consecutive executive board meetings will be removed from their position. It is the responsibility of the secretary to alert the member in question after their absence from their second consecutive board meeting but before their third consecutive board meeting. 4-13-06 Amendment 11: Henceforth, any members running for election during the election period cannot access the MSA e-mail account, unless approved by a majority vote by the executive board. 4-13-06 Amendment 12: Henceforth, the MSA e-mail account cannot be used to solicit votes for any individual running for a position on the executive board unless such action is approved by a majority vote of the executive board. 4-13-06 Amendment 13: Henceforth, members attending 3 or more meetings a semester will be considered eligible to vote via absentee ballots. Amendment 14: Henceforth, it will be the job of the Secretary ensure that those voting are eligible. Amendment 15: Henceforth, the
Interfaith Officer will appoint a Halaqa Director to coordinate a series
of educational and interactive discussions. Amendment
16: Henceforth, the
period for proposing amendments is stricken and considered null and
void. Amendment 1 is hereby repealed. Amendments may now be proposed
by the Executive Board at any time during its tenure within the confines
of Executive Board amendment quorum rules. 3-28-10
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