In the Name of the God, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful
Aims and objectives of the Iranian Islamic Cultural Society
“TASNIM”
The Society functions properly as a cultural, religious, national, educational and recreational forum for Iranians. The aims and objectives of the Society shall b:
- Conducting cultural ceremonies to invigorate Iranian and Islamic culture, which stand upon Quranic eruditions and the prophets' and his successors’ (peace be upon them) teachings.
- Conducting religious, educational and recreational activities for new generations, to inure Iranian and Islamic culture in them.
- Levying financial aids and investments to procure, sell, dedicate, construct and take possession of immovable and movable assets, in order to attain the objectives of the Society.
- To provide sponsorship services, help and assistance in this regards for the Iranian families to immigrate to Canada from abroad, in order to attain the objectives of the Society.
In the Name of the God, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful
Bylaws of the Iranian Islamic Cultural Society
“TASNIM”
Article 1: Name
This society shall be known as the Iranian Islamic Cultural Society, hereafter referred to as the Society.
Article 2: General Commentaries
Clause1
The Society is a charitable, non-profit organization. Its activities shall be carried out with no purpose of gain for its members, and all surpluses and accretions of the Society shall be used in promoting its aims and objectives.
Clause 2
The Society lacks any sectarianism or political ideology.
Clause 3
No Officer or Trustee of the Society shall receive any remuneration for services rendered to, or for, the Society.
Article 3: Definitions
Clause 1
In these Bylaws, the following expressions shall have the following meanings:
(a) “Board of Trustees” is a long-term committee that makes comprehensive, long-term schedules in accordance with the Society’s Bylaws and policies.
(b) " Executive Committee", means the Committee designated under the Society’s Bylaws.
(c) "Officer" means a member of the Executive Committee.
(d) "Bylaws" means this bylaw, subject to any amendments made in accordance with the provisions contained hereinafter.
(e) "General Meeting" means any meeting of the General Body called under this bylaw.
(f) "General Body" means collectively the member of the Society.
(g) In these Bylaws, the masculine shall include the feminine, unless stated otherwise.
Article 4: Membership
Clause 1
Anyone who is seeking membership of the Society must have the following criteria:
- Be 18 years old and reside in Edmonton and surrounding,
- Read, understand and accept the Society Bylaws.
- Follow and support the Society objectives.
- To submit a membership application form which must be signed and approved by Executive Committee
- The amount of membership shall be decided by Executive Committee.
Clause 2
Participation in the ceremonies of the Society is open to the public, provided the Bylaws are observed.
Article 5: Rightsand Responsibilities
Clause 1
Every member shall receive the right to vote at General Meetings six months after joining the Society.
Clause 2
Every member shall uphold and comply with the Society’s Bylaws.
Clause 3
The Board of Trustees can expel a member, in a case where said member contravenes bylaw of the Society.
Clause 4
If a member fails to pay membership fee or his/her loan from Society, his/her membership shall be suspended until pay off the full amount.
Article 6:Subscription
Clause 1
Applicants can send their requisition (to join or resign) to the e-mail address, or in writing to the mailing address of the Society. The requisition shall state the joining or resigning date. A reply will be sent within a week after receipt of the request.
Clause 2
The Executive Committee can collect membership fees from joined parties, following unanimous consent of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee.
Article 7:Board of Trustees
Clause 1
The Board of Trustees makes long-term decisions, and corroborates policymaking, property administration and Society activities.
Clause 2
The Board of Trustees shall be composed of four (4) Board Members and a Chief Administrative Director.
Clause 3
The activity duration of the Board of Trustees is three (3) years. Individual candidacy terms shall be selected by elections at the General Meeting.
Clause 4
The first Board of Trustees shall be elected by the Society’s co-founders.
Article 8:Candidacy Terms for the Board of Trustees
Clause 1
Any individual putting himself/herself forward as a candidate shall hold one of the following terms:
- Being a member of the Board of Trustees previously.
- Being the Chief Administrative Director for a period of time.
- If he/she holds no qualifications mentioned above, he/she is to be approved by 3/5 of the Board of Trustees.
Article 9:Dispensing and Superseding of the Members of Board of Trustees
Clause 1
Members of the Board of Trustees should hand in their resignation to the remaining Board Members a month before holding aloof from the Board.
Clause 2
In case of a missing, resigned or long–term absent Board Member, it is the duty of the remaining Board Members to supersede him/her.
Article 10:Executive Committee
Clause 1
Annually scheduled programs of the Society are prepared in advance and put into operation by the Executive Committee. All of the Society’s annual activities shall undergo approval by the Board of Trustees.
Clause 2
The above mentioned Committee is organized into six (6) members, including President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Communications Officer, Logistics Officer, and Religious and Cultural Affairs Officer.
Clause 3
The Executive Committee can borrow money with the approval of Board of Trustees, to be used for the objectives of the Society. Issuance of debentures can only be done by special resolution of the members.
Clause 4
In case of purchasing a building for the Society or repairing it, the Executive Committee shall present an expense budget and how to get the loan from a financial institution to general assembly after doing an investigation. This type of resolution must be passing by 75% of the members.
Article 11:Candidacy Terms for the Executive Committee
Clause 1
Any individual who puts himself/herself forward as a candidate for the presidency shall have one year of experience on the Executive Committee, or approval by 3/5 of the Board of Trustees.
Clause 2
Any other candidate for membership on the Executive Committee shall have been a member of the Society for one year.
Clause 3
The first term of the Executive Committee would be an exception to Article 11-Clause 2.
Article 12:Removal and superseding the Executive Committee members
Clause 1
The Board of Trustees has the right to dissolve the Executive Committee or its director, at the discretion of its three (3) fixed members, with confirmation of any contradiction to the Society's aims and objectives. In this case the Board of Trustees shall have the right, and by its expediency, to appoint, or call early elections to replace, the Executive Committee and its members.
Clause 2
In case of any problems between members of Executive Committee, only the President has the right to oust individual Committee members. The Board of Trustees shall have the right to dispose of the team, but not any individual member of the Executive Committee.
Clause 3
In the case of the supersession or resignation of one of the administrative members, an alternative, person shall be appointed by the President, with the approval of the majority of the Board of Trustees until the next election.
Clause 4
In the case of the settlement of disputes between officers, reaching a dispute resolution shall be the President’s responsibility, and in the case of the settlement of disputes between Officers and the President, reaching a dispute resolution shall be the Board of Trustees’ responsibility.
Article 13:Executive Committee Members & Responsibilities
Clause 1
The President:
- Run, supervise and coordinate the Society’s activities.
- Plan the Society’s income and expenses.
- Prepare an annual report of the events and activities.
- Attend meetings of the Board of Trustees.
Clause 2
The Vice-President:
- Cooperate with the President in performing the Society’s tasks.
- Exercise the President's duties including meeting with the Board of Trustees in his absentia.
- Take and keep minutes of the Executive Committee and the Society meetings.
- Prepare and keep records of all proceedings, as well as record the names of members attending the meetings.
- Coordinate the administrative team.
Clause 3
The Treasurer:
- Record revenues and expenses in a distinctive ledger, and maintain relevant documents and receipts.
- Accomplish banking-related tasks, and hold confidential information of bank accounts.
- Prepare financial reports, and bring them to the attention of Board of Trustees, President and members of the Society.
Clause 4
The maximum monetary amount under the control of the Treasurer is defined by the Board of Trustees.
Clause 5
Important financial documents should be signed by the Treasurer and President.
Clause 6
The Logistics Officer
- Prepare ceremonial supplies, e.g. localities and entertainment facilities.
- Control and maintain the non-cash property and environment.
Clause 7
The Communication Officer
- Communicate with members, including preparing posters and invitations; send emails and Society information.
- Perform all the required deeds for members to join the Society, and record their membership history.
- Establish and update the Society website.
- Coordinate ticket selling and collecting membership fees.
Clause 8
The Cultural – Religious Affairs Officer
- Oversee content procurement programs for the ceremony and forum.
- Plan programs and activities for the younger generation.
Clause 9
All activities of the Executive Community must be coordinated and approved by the President.
Clause 10
Proclamations of Committee positions under peculiar conditions shall be conducted by the President, after consultation with the Board of Trustees.
Clause 11
The Society shall not adopt a society seal.
Article 14 General Meeting
Clause 1
The Society’s current Executive Committee shall hold its Annual General Meeting within 90 days after the Society’s fiscal year end, and the members shall be notified by email at least 21 days prior to the Annual General Meeting.
Clause 2
The minimum number of people to carry on business at an Annual General Meeting and special meeting is 30 members. This percentage shall include all the proxies that have been obtained and confirmed by the Executive.
Clause 3
The Executive Committee is bound to proclaim annual reports of financial affairs to the members of the Society, which can be unified with the regular schedules of the Society, or can be held as on-the-record meetings.
Clause 4
The Executive Committee is bound to abide with preliminaries to the election of the Board of Trustees every three (3) years, and so on.
Clause 5
A special General Meeting of the Society may be called at any time by the Executive Committee, upon requisition in writing, signed by at least 20 Society members. Every such requisition shall state the purpose for which the meeting is required, and the meeting shall be convened within thirty (30) days of the receipt of the requisition, failing which the requisitioners themselves may call such a meeting upon giving prescribed notice to the Society members, stating the agenda for the meeting. Members will receive 21 day notice of such meetings by email.
Article 15 Elections
Clause 1
The general election of Executive Committee is held in a single period per year, and the election of the Board of Trustees is held in a single period every three (3) years.
Clause 2
The Executive Committee shall, before election time, announce the new candidates for next period; and after the election, the Executive Committee shall introduce the newly elected members.
Clause 3
Voting to select a new Executive Committee must be completed before the existing Executive Committee ends its term.
Clause 4
The announcement to elect a new Board of Trustees or Administration shall be delivered in writing or electronically (by email), to all members, 30 days before holding elections.
Clause 5
Society members have the opportunity to declare their candidacy for the Board of Trustees or Administration within 20 days after the elections announcement is sent.
Clause 6
The Executive Committee is bound to present the candidates’ names to Board of Trustees five (5) days before holding an election.
Clause 7
The Board of Trustees is bound to announce the names of confirmed candidates to members of the Society five (5) days before holding an election.
Clause 8
Candidacy and voting in General Meeting shall be held to select every single position (six positions) for each election of the Executive Committee.
Clause 9
Nomination and voting in General Meeting shall held for each election to select fixed members (4 members) of the Board of Trustees.
Clause 10
The Executive Committee should start its new term at the beginning of the fiscal year.
Clause 11
Voting is accepted only in person.
Article 16:Fiscal year
Clause 1
The exact fiscal year of the Society, on condition there is no date specified by the Board of Trustees, ends March, 31.
Article 17: Auditor/s
Clause 1
At the end of each fiscal year, the books and accounts of the Society shall be audited by auditor/s appointed by the Board of Trustees.
Clause 2
The books and records of the Society may be inspected by any member at the Annual General Meeting, provided herein, or at any time upon giving reasonable notice and arranging a time and place satisfactory to the Officer or Officers having charge of the same.
Article 18:Amendments to Bylaws
Clause 1
The Bylaws of the Society, may be altered, added or rescinded by a special resolution passed during a General or Special Meeting, of which no less than twenty-one (21) days' written notice has been duly given, and a minimum of 75% of the members vote in favor of the special resolution.
Clause 2
The quorum for all such meetings shall be seventy-five percent (75%) of the voting members in good standing. This percentage shall include all the proxies that have been obtained and confirmed by the Executive Committee The voting percentage shall be the same as hereinbefore mentioned in Clause 1.
Article 19:Bylaw Interpretations
Clause 1
The Board of Trustees is bound to remove enigmatic interpretations the contents of the Bylaws.
Article 20:Dissolution of Society
Clause 1
The Society can declare its dissolution by ratification of all the members of the Board of Trustees.
Clause 2
In the case of dissolution, the remaining assets of the Society shall be transferred to one or more charitable, non-profit organizations. This decision shall be possible with the consent of an overwhelming majority of the Board of Trustees.