INVERNESS MASJID ASSOCIATION

Constitution

1. NAME

The association shall be called Inverness Masjid Association (called the Association in this constitution).

2. OBJECTS

The objects of the Association are

a) To promote the Islamic faith, in particular by the building or otherwise acquiring property for, maintenance and operation of a Masjid in particular but not exclusively for the benefit of the Muslim community in Inverness and the rest of Highland

b) To provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and other leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life of the above Muslim community

c) To advance education and in particular Islamic education

d) To relieve poverty

e) To promote good race relations

f) To do such other things pursuant to the above as are charitable in law and in all cases for the public benefit

3. POWERS

In furtherance of those objects (but not otherwise), the Association shall have the following powers:-

(a) To build or otherwise acquire property for, manage and operate a Masjid and Islamic educational and recreational centre.

(b) To organise and provide religious services and organise and provide religious and cultural festivities and activities.

(c) To advise in relation to, organize and/or conduct educational activities, seminars, training courses, exhibitions, meetings and lectures and recreational and leisure time activities.

(d) To raise funds and acquire assets through donation, grant, loan, or other lawful means

(e) The Association shall have the power to do all such other lawful things as are incidental or conducive to the furtherance of the above objects.

4. MEMBERSHIP

Membership of the Association shall be open to persons aged 16 or over who support the objects of the Association.

The management committee shall have the right at its discretion to refuse to admit to membership or to expel from membership any person.

The management committee shall have the power to set the term, period and amount of any membership subscription.

5. MANAGEMENT

The affairs of the Association, including the setting of rules and bye-laws governing the use of any property for which the Association is responsible, shall be conducted by a management committee comprising the honorary officers, that is the chair, secretary and treasurer, and which may also include up to twelve ordinary committee members, all to be appointed at the annual general meeting to hold office for one year till the end of the annual general meeting next following when they shall be eligible for re-election. The management committee shall determine its own procedures.

6. MEETINGS

i) Annual General Meeting: an annual general meeting shall be held once each year to conduct the following business-

· Receive annual report

· Adopt annual accounts

· Elect the management committee

· Appoint the independent examiner to the accounts

· Any other competent business

ii) Special General Meetings: the secretary shall call a special general

meeting within two weeks of receiving a request to do so from the management committee or at least 6 members of the Association in writing stating the business to be conducted.

Notices: the secretary shall give each member two weeks notice with the

agenda of a general meeting.

Voting: decisions shall be by simple majority except as otherwise stated in

this constitution. In the event of an equality of votes cast the chairperson of

the meeting shall have a second or decisive vote.

Quorum: the quorum for general meetings shall be six.

7. FINANCE

The finance of the Association shall be used solely in furtherance of the objects of the Association. No payment shall be made to members of the Association or of the management committee save as reimbursement of out of pocket expenses necessarily incurred in furtherance of the objects of the Association.

The Treasurer shall keep records of all financial transactions of the Association and shall prepare an annual statement of accounts which shall be examined by an independent examiner.

The Association shall open a bank account in the name of the Association. The honorary officers shall be the signatories to the account and no less than two of the signatories shall sign any cheque or order drawn on the account.

The heritable and moveable property of the Association shall be held for the Association by the honorary officers as nominees under direction of the management committee.

8. AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION

The constitution may be amended by a two thirds majority of members present and voting at a meeting called for the purpose save that no such amendment shall have effect which would cause the Inland Revenue to cease to recognise the Association as a charity.

9. DISSOLUTION

The Association may be wound up by a simple majority of the members present and voting at a meeting called for the purpose. In the event of such a decision after satisfying all debts and liabilities any remaining assets shall be transferred to such other charitable body or bodies as the members at that meeting shall determine.