constitution of the national council of ...organizations, united states of america and this...

NationalCouncilofNigerianMuslimOrganizations,UnitedStatesofAmerica-EIN#521919419

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CONSTITUTION OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF

NIGERIAN MUSLIM ORGANIZATIONS (NCNMO),

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA


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INTHENAMEOFALLAH,THEBENEFICENT,THEMERCIFUL

THECONSTITUTIONOFTHENATIONALCOUNCILOF

NIGERIANMUSLIMORGANIZATIONS,UNITEDSTATESOFAMERICA

MISSIONWetheNigerianMuslimOrganizationintheUnitedStatesofAmerica,inordertopromotecooperation,unity,charity,andpropagationofIslaminourcommunitiesinaccordancewiththeprinciplesrecommendedintheHolyQuranandthetraditionoftheHolyProphetMuhammad(PeaceBeUponHim)doherebyestablishtheNationalCouncilofNigerianMuslimOrganizations,UnitedStatesofAmericaandthisConstitution.Inpursuanceofthisgoal,wedohereby,solemnlyandvoluntarilysubmitourselvestothewillofAllah(SWT)andabidebytheprovisionsofthisConstitution.ARTICLESOFINCORPORATIONWe,theunder-listednaturalpersonsoftheageofeighteenyearsoraboveactingasincorporatorsofacorporationundertheNON-PROFITCORPORATIONACT(D.C.CODE;Title29,Chapter-S,Sec.501,1981ed.),andtheundersignedmembersoftheConstitutionReviewCommitteeherebyadoptthefollowingArticlesofIncorporation:ARTICLEI

NAMETheorganizationshallbecalled“NationalCouncilofNigerianMuslimOrganizations,UnitedStatesofAmerica,Incorporated(NCNMO)”hereinafterreferredtoas“TheNationalCouncil”.MOTTO"PropagationofIslamandServicetoHumanity”ARTICLEIIDURATIONTheperiodofdurationshallbeperpetual.ARTICLEIIIPURPOSE


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TheNationalCouncilisorganizedexclusivelyforcharitable;religious,andeducationalpurposes,including,forsuchpurposes,themakingofdistributionstoorganizationsthatqualifyasexemptorganizationsundersection501(c)(3)oftheInternalRevenueCode,orcorrespondingsectionofanyfuturefederaltaxcode.Nopartofthenetearningsoftheorganizationshallinuretothebenefitof,orbedistributabletoitsmembers,trustees,officers,orotherprivatepersons,exceptthattheorganizationshallbeauthorizedandempoweredtopayreasonablecompensationforservicesrenderedandtomakepaymentsanddistributionsinfurtheranceofthepurposessetforthherein.Nosubstantialpartoftheactivitiesoftheorganizationshallbethecarryingonofpropaganda,orotherwiseattemptingtoinfluencelegislation,andtheNationalCouncilshallnotparticipatein,orintervenein(includingthepublishingordistributionofstatements)anypoliticalcampaignonbehalfofanycandidateforpublicoffice.Notwithstandinganyotherprovisionofthisdocument,theorganizationshallnotcarryonanyotheractivitiesnotpermittedtobecarriedon(a)byanorganizationexemptfromfederalincometaxundersection501(c)(3)oftheInternalRevenueCode,orcorrespondingsectionofanyfuturefederaltaxcode,or(b)byanorganization,contributionstowhicharedeductibleundersection170(c)(2)oftheInternalRevenueCode,orcorrespondingsectionofanyfutureUnitedStatesInternalRevenuetaxcode.TheNationalCouncilshallhavethefollowingobjectives:1. Tofostercharitablegivingandmutualunderstandingamongallbrothersandsistersin

Islam,NigerianMuslimorganizationsintheUSA,andthesocietyatlarge.2. TopropagateIslaminadignifiedmannertoallhumanbeings.3. TovoluntarilyassistandhelpbrothersandsistersinIslamaswellasmembersofthesociety

atlargeduringtimesofdifficultyandcrisistotheextentpossible.4. ToassistMusliminstitutionsandcommunitiesintheperformanceofIslamicfunctions

throughreligious,social,educationalandcharitableactivities.5. Topromoteeducation,mutualunderstanding,harmony,andcooperationamongMuslims

andNon-MuslimsintheUSA.ARTICLEIVMEMBERSHIPREQUIREMENTSMembershipintotheNationalCouncilshallbeopentoanyNigerianIslamicorganization,hereinafterreferredtoasmemberchapter,registeredorintheprocessofregistrationintheUnitedStates,provided:1. Thememberchaptermusthaveatleastfivemembers.2. Thememberchaptershallberequiredtoregisterandpresentacopyofitsarticle,

certificateofincorporation,andtaxexemptcertificatetotheNationalCouncil.3. MorethanonememberchaptermaybeadmittedtotheNationalCouncilfromonestateor

fromonecity.


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CHAPTERREPRESENTATIONS1. AllNationalCouncil’srepresentativesshallrepresenttheinterestandviewsoftheir

chapters,nottheirindividualviewsoropinions.2. Thememberchaptercanrecallanyofitsrepresentativesbysubmittingawrittenrequestto

NationalCouncil.

ARTICLEVCODEOFCONDUCTTheNationalCouncil'srulesandregulationsshallbeguidedbytheQuranandtheSunnahoftheProphetMuhammad(PBUH).1. EachindividualrepresentingmemberchaptersshallconducthimselfIherselfinanorderly

mannerandshallabidebytherulesandregulationsdulyestablished.2. Allprohibited(haram)activitiessuchasconsumptionofalcoholicbeverageisstrictly

prohibitedatallNationalCouncil'smeetingsandfunctions.3. Unauthorizedsolicitationaswellassmokingandotherharmfulactivitiesshallbeprohibited

atNationalCouncilMeetingsandfunctions.4. Allactivitiesshallbestoppedtoobserveprayers(Salat)attheirregulartimes.5. AnyindividualrepresentingtheNCNMOinaleadershipcapacity(ExecutiveBoard,Shura

Board,BoardofTrusteesandanystandingoradhoccommittee)shallbeapersoningoodstandingwithlocal/federallawsandtheIslamicShariah.

6. DressingatallorganizationeventsshallbeinconformitywithIslamicstandards.DISCIPLINE1. InappropriateBehavior:Whereanofficerormemberisfoundtobeunruly,disruptive,

insubordinate,orretrogressive,andfailstoimproveaftercounselingandawrittenwarning,suchofficerormembershallberemovedfromthepostormembershipoftheorganizationwithinthreeweek’snotificationandasimplemajorityoftheJointBodymemberspresentatadulyconvenedmeeting.

2. FundsMisappropriationandConversion:Afteradueprocessofinvestigation,anyofficerormemberinvolvedwithfundsmisappropriationissubjecttobeingexpelledfromtheorganizationwithimmediateeffectwithoutcounselingorwrittennotification.TheexecutiveshallcommunicatethedecisiontotheaffectedpartiesafterconsultationwiththeJointBody.Suchofficerormembershallberequiredtoreturnsuchfunds,relievedfromhis/herpositionandprosecutedtothefullextentofthelaw.

3. OtherCriminalActivities:Theprovisionsabovealsoapplytoothercriminalactivitiesoutsidetheorganization.

CONFLICTRESOLUTION1. ConflictbetweenmembersshouldbereferredtotheJointBodyoraneutralpartybythe

aggrievedparties.TheJointBodyshalltakestepstoresolvetheconflictinlinewithprovisionsoftheHolyQuranandtheSunnahofProphetMuhammad(SAW).


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2. Thedecision(s)oftheJointBodyshallbefinalonthefeudingparties,butwithoutanydetrimenttotheNCNMO.

3. TheExecutiveBoardshallcommunicatetheoutcomeofitsresolutiontotheaggrievedpartiesandthegeneralmembershipwherenecessary.

ARTICLEVIADMINISTRATIONSECTIONA:SECRETARIATTheNationalCouncilshallmaintainaSecretariatwhereallcorrespondencescanbedirected.TheSecretariatoftheNationalCouncilshallbelocatedinWashingtonDC.SECTIONB:EXECUTIVEBOARD(A)EXECUTIVEOFFICERSThefollowingshallconstitutetheexecutiveofficersoftheNationalCouncil:1.President2.VicePresident3.SecretaryGeneral4.AssistantSecretaryGeneral5.Treasurer6.FinancialSecretary7.PublicRelationsandInformationTechnologyOfficer.8.InternalAuditor9.YouthAmir(B)GENERALOVERVIEW1. Theexecutiveofficersareresponsiblefortheday-to-dayrunningoftheNationalCouncil.2. TheExecutiveBoardshallworkcloselywiththeShuraBoardandtheBoardofTrustees,to

ensurethattheobjectivesoftheNationalCouncilaremet.3. TheExecutiveBoardshallberesponsibleforplanning,designingandexecutingtheNational

Council’sprogramsandactivities.4. TheExecutiveBoardshallseekavailableresourcesfromtheShuraBoardandtheBoardof

TrusteestoachievesuccessfulimplementationoftheNationalCouncil’sprograms.5. TheExecutiveBoardmustensurethatnonewprogramoractivitycontradictstheQuran

andSunnahofProphetMuhammad(PBUH)byseekingconsentbeforeembarkingonsuch.6. TheExecutiveBoardshallappointcommitteesandadhoccommitteesasneededtohelp

performitsdutiessubjecttotheprovisionsofthisconstitution.7. ThetermofofficefortheExecutiveBoardshallbetwoyears.Noofficershallholdthesame

positionformorethantwoconsecutiveterms.8. TheExecutiveBoardshallberesponsibletotheGeneralAssembly.


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(C)FUNCTIONSOFTHEEXECUTIVEOFFICERS1.ThePresident:He/Sheshall:

a. PromoteIslamandbededicatedtoIslamandMuslimsb. Presideoverexecutiveandgeneralmeetings.c. ConsultwiththeGeneralSecretarytoarrangeforallgeneralandemergencymeetings,

stipulatingthetime,placeandagendaforthemeetingd. BeoneofthesignatoriestotheNationalCouncil’sBankaccount.e. HavegoodattendancerecordatNationalCouncil’smeetings.f. Havecontinuousactivemembershipinhis/herlocalchapter.

2.VicePresidentHe/Sheshall:

a. DeputizeforthePresidentinthePresident’sabsence.b. PerformanyotherdutiesassignedtohimbythePresident.

3.GeneralSecretaryHe/Sheshall:

a. Keeprecordsoftheminutesofeverygeneralorexecutivemeetingandshallfurnishinadvancecopiesofthegeneralmeeting'sminutesandcircularstoallChaptersinnot-lessthansixweeksbeforethedateofthenextmeeting.

b. WorkwiththePresidentinallactivitiestoachievethegoalsoftheNationalCouncilc. PrepareandpresentanannualreporttotheNationalCouncil'smeetings.d. Communicatewiththepresident,secretaryand/orotherdelegatedrepresentativesof

memberchapterswhenevertheneedarises.e. BeoneofthesignatoriestotheNationalCouncil'sbankaccount.

4.AssistantGeneralSecretaryHe/Sheshall:

a. DeputizefortheSecretaryGeneralintheSecretaryGeneral'sabsence.b. Performanyotherdutiesassignedtohim/herbytheSecretaryGeneral.c. ShallplaytheroleofSergeant-at-Arms,maintainingorderandkeepingmeetingson

track.

5.TreasurerHe/Sheshall:

a. Beresponsiblefordepositingofallfundsintotheorganization'sbankaccount.ThedepositofallfundscollectedfromtheFinancialSecretaryorfromanyothersourcemustbemadenolaterthanthreebusinessdaysfollowingreceipt.

b. Keepdetailedrecordsofdepositsandwithdrawalsfromthebank,andofanyfinancialtransaction.

c. BeoneofthesignatoriestotheNationalCouncil'sbankaccount.


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d. AssisttheFinancialSecretaryinthepreparationoftheannualbudgetandreports.

6.FinancialSecretaryHe/Sheshall:

a. CollectfundsandduesonbehalfoftheNationalCouncil.b. TransferthefundstotheTreasurerimmediatelyuponreceipt.c. FileandreportquarterlyandannuallythefinancesoftheorganizationtotheNational

Council.d. Keepdetailedrecordsoffinancialtransaction,allreceipts/payments,and

income/expendituresandbethecustodian(butnotsignatory)ofthechecks.e. AdvisechaptersoftheirfinancialobligationstotheNationalCouncilatleastquarterly.f. BeresponsibleforpreparingtheannualbudgetwiththeassistanceoftheTreasurer.g. Possessadequateknowledgeofcurrentgeneralaccountingprinciplesandprocedures.

7.PublicRelationsandInformationTechnologyOfficerHe/Sheshall:

a. BeresponsibleforallpublicationsoftheNationalCouncilinprintandthroughelectronicmedia.

b. BeresponsibleforalltheNationalCouncilPublicRelationsactivities,eventsandprograms.

c. CoordinateallactivitiesnecessarytopublicizeNationalCouncilprogramsandactivities.d. MakearrangementsforsocialactivitiesoftheNationalCouncil(location,foodandother

arrangementsnecessary).e. PossessadequateknowledgeoftheuseofcurrentInformationTechnologypractices.

8.InternalAuditorHe/Sheshall:

a. BeresponsibleforauditingthefinancialandoperationalactivitiesoftheNationalCouncilandsubmitareporttotheNationalCouncilatleasttwiceayear.

b. BegrantedaccesstoallavailablerecordsanddocumentsfromanymemberoftheNationalCouncil,andhastheauthoritytorequestanyinformationthatisrelevantforauditpurposes.

c. Possessesadequateknowledgeofthecurrentgeneralaccountingprinciplesandprocedures.

d. ShallfileacopyofeachwrittenreportwiththeSecretaryGeneraloftheNationalCouncil.

9.YouthAmirTheYouthAmirshall:

a. Providevision,leadershipandcoordinationfortheyouthmembersoftheNationalCouncil

b. RepresenttheAdvancedPlatformCommittee(APC)inallexecutiveandShuraboardmeetings.


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c. PresentaplanofactivitiesoftheAPCtotheJointBodyannuallyforapproval;anymajordeviationfromtheapprovedplanmustalsobepresentedforapprovalfromtheJointBody

d. PresentareportoftheactivitiesoftheAPCatthegeneralmeetingsoftheNationalCouncil.

e. BeasignatorytotheAPCbankaccountandtakeultimateresponsibilityforthemanagementofAPCfunds.

f. PresentAPCmembersthatwillserveintheNPCandothercommitteesoftheNCNMO.g. ServetheNationalCouncilinothercapacitiesasrecommendedbytheJointBody.

SECTIONC:BOARDOFTRUSTEESTheBoardofTrustees(BOT):

1. shallconsistoffivemembers.Chaptersshallbeencouragedtonominatequalifiedcandidates,whichshouldincludewomen.

2. shallhavememberswhohavecumulativeleadershipexperienceof6yearsinMuslimorganizations,outofwhichatleasttwoyearsmustbewiththeNationalCouncil.

3. membershallnotbeeligibleforselectiontoanExecutiveofficeduringhis/hertenureasaboardmember.

4. membersshallhavethreeyeartermsandamembershallbeelectedforamaximumoftwoconsecutiveterms.

5. membersshallselectthechairmanandthesecretaryatthefirstmeetingoftheirterm.6. shallhavetheauthorityandresponsibilitytomanage,maintainandprotecttheassets

andpropertiesoftheNationalCouncil.7. shallhavetheauthoritytomakeinvestmentsoftheNationalCouncilfunds,asthey

deemprofitable,inconsultationwiththeExecutiveandShuraBoard.8. shallprovidetheNationalCouncilwithresourcesintermsofwell-placedindividualsand

philanthropistorganizations,aswellasgovernmentagencies;andmayrequestforandacceptcontributionsinanyformandfromtheseandalllegalsourcesconsistentwiththeobjectivesoftheNationalCouncilandtheprinciplesofIslam.

9. shallhavetheauthorityandresponsibilityofinitiating,implementingandsupervisingvariousprogramsinkeepingwiththeobjectivesoftheNCNMO.

10. shallprepareaplanofactivitieseverysixmonthsandsubmitittotheExecutiveforimplementation.

11. representativesshallattendJointBodymeetings,andshallactinconjunctionwiththeShuraasmediatorsintimesofdisputebetweenchaptersorbetweenmembersinachapterwheresuchbecomesnecessary.

12. shallmeetregularly,andshallgiveareportoftheiractivitiesateverygeneralmeeting.13. shallensurethatanyaudit,revieworrecommendationsthatwillimprovetheorganization’s

operationsisimplemented


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SECTIOND:THESHURABOARDTheShuraBoardshall:

1. Actastheguideonspiritual,religiousandadministrativemattersfortheNationalCouncilusingtheQuranandtheSunnahofProphetMuhammad(SAW).

2. Provide/approvelearnedresources,scholarsandspeakersforallNationalCouncilactivities.

3. Promotecooperation,unityandbrotherhoodamongthescholarsandImamsofeachchapter;andamongchapterswithinthesamecity,stateorregion.

4. Encourage,supportandpromoteself-developmentandcontinuouseducationofShuramembers.

5. EnsurethattheNationalCouncilgoalofpropagatingIslamisfulfilledinconformitywiththeQuranandSunnahoftheProphet(SAW)throughinitiationofappropriateprograms,eventsandactivities.

6. TheLead/ChiefImamsofmemberchaptersareautomaticmembersoftheShura.EachmemberchaptershallforwardthenameoftheirleadImamandnotifytheShuraBoardSecretaryandtheExecutiveBoardGeneralSecretaryinwritingifanImamisreplaced.

7. IncludetheYouthAmirasanautomaticmemberoftheShura.8. Electworthyindividualsashonorarymembersusingdueprocessbasedontheir

scholarlyachievement,meritandcontributionstotheNationalCouncil.9. Selectindividualswhoareknowntobeofgoodcharacterandareactivemembersof

ShuraBoardtothefollowingofficesforaperiodofthreeyearsandamaximumof2consecutiveterms:

a. Amirb. Secretaryc. Treasurerd. FinancialSecretary

10. ProvideconsenttotheExecutiveonanynewlyproposedprogramafterdueconsultationamongitsmembers.TheopinionofthemajorityoftheUlama(Islamicscholars)basedontheQuranandSunnahoftheProphet(SAW)shouldbegivenpreferencewhentherearedifferencesofopinionsonthevalidityofsuchprograms.

11. MeetmonthlytodiscusstheprogressandaffairsoftheNCNMO.12. HelptogeneratefundsfortheNCNMOinconjunctionwiththeExecutiveBoardandBOT13. UsetheannualShuraBoardbudgetforDa’wahpurposesonly.SponsorshipofShura

BoardofficerstoNCNMOevents(ifany)shallbetheresponsibilityoftheirrespectivememberchapters.

FunctionsoftheAmirTheAmirshall:

1. ProvidereligiousguidanceonIslamicissues.2. Presentareportatgeneralmeetings.3. RepresenttheNationalCouncilonspiritualorreligiousfunctions.4. RepresenttheShuraBoardatJointBodymeetings.


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5. Co-endorseanycertificateofaward.6. DelegatefunctionstootherShuramembersasneeded.

FunctionsoftheSecretaryTheSecretaryshall:1. Conveneregular/emergencymeetingsoftheShuraBoardmembers,andkeeprecordsofsuchmeetings.

2. Receive,openandensureappropriateresponsestocorrespondence.3. PreparetheannualShuraBoardreporttobepresentedatthegeneralmeeting.4. Delegateanyfunctionstoassistants/otherShuramembersasneeded.5. KeepalistofallShuraBoardmemberswiththeircontactinformationandupdatethelistasneeded.

6. RepresenttheShuraBoardatthemonthlyJointBodymeeting.

FunctionsoftheFinancialSecretaryTheFinancialSecretaryshall:

1. PreparetheannualbudgetfortheShuraBoardandrequestfundingfromNCNMO.2. CollectfundsandgivetotheTreasurerfordeposit.3. ServeasthefinancialadvisortotheShuraBoard.4. KeepdetailedfinancialrecordsofallShuraactivities.5. PreparefinancialreportstobepresentedatNCNMOgeneralmeetings.6. ProvideinformationonShuraBoardfinancialactivitiestoAuditors.

FunctionsoftheTreasurerTheTreasurershall:

1. Makedepositstothebankandgivethedepositslipstothefinancialsecretary.2. MaketheoriginalbankstatementavailabletotheFinancialSecretaryeverymonth.3. WorkwiththeFinancialSecretarytoprovidenecessarydocumentsforauditpurposes.

SECTIOND:THEJOINTBODY

1. TheJointBodyshallcompriseofthreerepresentativeseachfromtheExecutive,Shurah

andtheBoardofTrusteesandtworepresentativesoftheAPC.2. ThePresidentshallcoordinatemeetingsoftheJointBodyandthereshallberegular

meetings,aswellasemergencymeetingsasneeded.3. TheJointBodyshallactasthemajorstakeholdersoftheNationalCouncil,andshall

discussissuesaffectingtheoveralldevelopmentoftheNationalCouncil.4. TheJointBodyshallhavethepowertoinviteotherstojoinmeeting,whereitis

necessarytodoso.5. EachoftheJointBodyarmsshallberequiredtopresenttheirrespectivearm’sopinions

andreportsatthemeeting.


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6. ThequorumforJointBodymeetingsshallbe4peoplewithatleast1representativefromeachofthearms.

ARTICLEVII

COMMITTEES

1. CommitteesandAd-HocCommitteesshallbecreatedanddissolvedaccordingtothe

needsoftheNationalCouncil.2. TheExecutiveBoardshallspelloutthedutiesandresponsibilitiesofanycommittee.3. AllcommitteesshallreportdirectlytotheExecutiveBoard.

NATIONALPLATFORMCOMMITTEE(NPC)TheNationalPlatformCommittee(hereinafterreferredtoasNPC)shall:

1. BeconstitutedbynominationattheGeneralassemblytoplan,organizeandcoordinatetheyearlyPlatformprogramoftheNationalCouncil.

2. BeastandingCommitteecomprisingoffivemembersselectedeverytwoyearsatthesecondBi-annualgeneralmeetingoftheNCNMO.

3. Alsoincludethefollowingmembersinadditiontothefivepermanentmembers:a.Twoyouthrepresentatives;b.Tworepresentativesfromthecurrenthostchapter;c.Tworepresentativesfromtheimmediatepasthostchapter;andd.TheFinancialSecretaryandoneotherExecutiveOfficer.

4. OperateundertheNCNMO'sguidelinesforHostingEventsandPrograms,approvedbytheGeneralAssembly.

5. SelectitsChairmanandSecretaryatitsfirstmeetingafterinaugurationwhichtakesplaceattheclosingceremonyoftheannualplatformprogramimmediatelyfollowingtheirselection.

6. LiaisewiththeExecutiveBoardincarryingoutitsdutiesandobligations.7. TheNPCChairpersonorrepresentativeshallbeavailableuponadvancednotice,to

answerquestionsand/orconcernsuponsummonsbytheJointBody.8. TheNPCChairpersonorrepresentativeshallpresentupdatesandreportsatallGeneral

Assemblymeetings,andshallbringanymajorchangestotheExecutiveBoardforconsideration.

ADVANCEDPLATFORMCOMMITTEE(APC)TheAdvancedPlatformCommittee,alsoreferredtoasAPC,istheyouthwingoftheNationalCouncil


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TheAdvancedPlatformCommittee:

1. Membershipislimitedtoyoungadultsbetween18and40years.2. Shallselectitsofficersandsub-committeesasspecifiedintheGuidelinesapprovedina

properlyconvenedmeetingoftheAPC.2. Shallorganizeprograms,projectsandretreatsdeemedessentialforyoutheducation,

inclusionandawareness,towardsadvancementofthegoalsoftheNationalCouncil.3. ShallpresentbudgetsandproposalstotheGeneralAssemblyforapproval,throughthe

ExecutiveBoard,andrequestforfundingandsponsorship.4. CanmaintainitsBankAccount,andshallberequiredtosubmitperiodicalreportsofits

financialactivitiesasrequestedbytheExecutiveBoard.5. ShallhaveadvisersfromthemembersoftheNationalCouncil6. MembersareboundbytheprovisionsofthisConstitution,aswellastheAPCGuidelines.7. ShallberequiredtopresentareportofitsactivitiesatNationalCouncilgeneralmeetings.ARTICLEVIIINATIONALCOUNCILMEETINGS1. TheNationalCouncil’smeetingshallbeheldinademocraticsettingwitheachchapter’s

delegatepresentingtheirrespectivechapter’spointsofvieworallyorinwriting.2. TheNationalCouncilshallhaveitsgeneralmeetingsasdeemednecessary,butatleasttwice

ayear.3. Anynumberofrepresentativesinattendancewillconstituteaquorumforthegeneral

meetings,providedadequatenoticeofthemeetingisgiven.4. ThePresidentmaycallforemergencymeetingwheneverneeded.5. Anydecisiontakenatthegeneralmeetingshallbebindingonallmember-chaptersunless

otherwiserevokedbya2/3majorityofvotingmemberchapters.6. Itismandatoryuponallchapterstoberepresentedateachmeeting.7. Eachchaptershallsendatleast3delegatestotheNationalCouncilmeetings,andshall

encouragemorememberstocomeasobservers.Thedelegatesshallconsistofpersonsinleadershipcapacityatthechapterlevel.

8. Eachchapterpresentatthemeetingshallhaveonevote,irrespectiveofthenumberofdelegatespresentatthemeeting.

9. Achaptermaybeallowedtovoteabsentee,ifsuchchapter’sabsenceisduetoextraneouscircumstances,andsuchchapterhascommunicateditspositiontothecouncilinwritingandthememberspresenthasdecidedtoadmitsuchchapter’sabsenteevote.Suchvoteshallbecountedonallresolutionsforwhichthechapterhascommunicateditsposition.Suchabsenteevoteshallnotbecounteddifferently.

10. Pointofordermustbeheardandobeyedatalltimes.PointofobservationsmustbeheardifallowedbythePresidentorhis/herdesignate,intheorderitwasraisedimmediatelyafterthespeaker,andthePresidentorhis/herdesignatemustannouncethenumberofobservationsandtheorderofsuchobservations.


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11. Debatemustbelimitedtotheissueunderdiscussion.NospeakerwillbeallowedonceapersonhasbeengiventheflooruntilHeorShefinishes,excepttoraiseapointoforderobservation.

12. Eachspeakermayspeakonbehalfofhisorherchapter.Nospeakerwillbeallowedtospeaktwiceonanyissueuntilothershavebeengivenachance.Noside-talkwillbeallowedduringdeliberations.

13. TheAssistantSecretaryGeneral/Sergeant-at-Armsshallbetaskedtoensurethatrulesarefollowedduringmeetings.IntheabsenceoftheAssistantSecretaryGeneral,thePresidentshallappointanotherpersontobetheSergeant-at-Arms.

ARTICLEIXFINANCE1. TheNationalCouncilshallbefinancedbylevies,contributions,donations,and

membershipduesandbyallothersourcesconsistentwiththepurposeoftheNationalCouncil.

2. Thereshallbeanannualcontributionof$400(fourhundreddollars)perchapter,payableinnomorethan2equalinstallmentsof$200,dueonorbeforethebi-annualmeetings.Thisamountshallbereviewedperiodicallyandbesubjecttochange.

3. ContributionsfromIslamicandsocialfunctionsshallbeacceptablesubjecttomaintainingthedignityandtheobjectivesoftheOrganization.

4. TheNationalCouncilshallsetupanendowmentwhichisfundedinpartbyupto10%ofthenetincomeandexpendituresonanannualbasisforinvestmentpurposessubjecttoapprovalofthehouse.

5. TheaccountoftheOrganizationshallbemaintainedatabankwhichhasnationalspread.6. AtleasttwosignaturesshallberequiredforalltransactionswiththeBank.

ARTICLEXELECTIONS1.ELECTIONCOMMITTEE:

a. AllelectionsshallbeconductedbyanElectoralCommitteeconsistingof1personfromtheShura,1fromtheAPCand3membersfromthefloor,includingatleastonefemale.AnymemberoftheElectoralCommitteecannotbeacandidate.

b. Thecommitteeshallbeimpartial,andnotcampaigninfavoroforagainstanycandidate.

c. Incaseanelectedpositionbecomesvacantforanyreason,theJointBodymaycallforabye-electionandappointanElectoralCommitteeinaccordancewith(a)abovetoadministersuch.


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2.ELIGIBILITYa. Uponreceivingnominationsfromthememberchapters,thecommitteeshallcertifythe

eligibilityofboththechapterandthenominee.b. EligiblechaptershallhavegoodattendancerecordatNationalCouncil’smeetings,have

atleastoneyearofcontinuousmembershipandattendanceattheNationalCouncil’sprograms,andmustbeinagoodfinancialstandingwiththeNationalCouncilbypayingitsduesuptodate.

c. AneligiblecandidateshallbeapracticingMuslim,whoisanactivememberofthesponsoringchapter.

d. EligiblecandidatemusthaveattendedNationalCouncil’sprogramsconsistentlyinthelasttwoyearsbeforetheelection.

e. Theelectoralcommitteeshallhavethepowertodisqualifyanynomineebasedonnewundisclosedeligibilityfacts,evenaftersuchnomineehavebeenearliershortlisted.Thedisqualifiednomineeshallhavetherighttoappealtothegeneralbody.Thegeneralbodyshalldecidebysimplemajorityvotewhethertoalloworremovethenominee’snamefromtheelectionballot.

3.ELECTORALPROCESSa. Theelectiondateshallbeannouncedeight(8)weeksbeforetheelection.Atthistime,

theelectioncommitteeshallsolicitnominationsforalltheopenpositions.b. Nominationsshallbeclosedfour(4)weekspriortoelection.Nonominationformshallbe

acceptedafterthisdate,exceptwhereapositionwasnotappliedfor.Thecommitteeshallhavethepowertoaskfornominationsuptilltheelectiondateinthiscircumstance.

c. Allcandidatesshallberequiredtocompleteanominationform,tobeusedinthescreeningprocessbythecommittee.Thecandidate,aswellasthePresident,theSecretaryGeneralandtheImamofthesponsoringchaptershallsignthecompletednominationform.Noself-nominationshallbewelcomefromanymember.

d. Nominatedcandidatesshallbeshortlistedthroughascreeningprocessbythecommitteebeforeelection.Asimplemajorityofthecommitteemembersshallbeinagreementwiththeshortlistedcandidates.Chapterswithanydisqualifiednomineeshallhavetherighttoappealsuchdecision.Thecommittee’sdecisionaftertheappealshallbefinal.

e. AcandidatecannotbelistedformorethanthreepositionsoutofallavailablepositionsinallBoards.

f. Anycandidatewhoisabsentwithoutapriorwrittenexcusedeliberateduponandacceptedbytheelectoralcommitteebeforetheelectiondateshallberemovedfromallnominatedpositions.

g. Achaptercannothavemorethanonenomineeforthesameposition.h. Alistofallshortlistedcandidatesshallbepublishedandcirculatedoneweekbefore

election.i. Aftertheelection,thecommitteeshallannouncetheverifiedresultsandallelectionmaterials

shallbepreservedbythenewExecutiveBoardforatleastsixmonths.j. ElectedofficersshallhaveatransitionalperiodbetweentheelectionandtheannualPlatform

programtooperateasshadowofficers.TheyshallattendmeetingswiththeoutgoingBoardmembersandparticipateinallBoardactivitiesinanon-votingcapacity.


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k. AllelectedofficersshallbesworninattheclosingceremonyoftheannualPlatformprogram,andshallassumeofficeimmediatelythereafter.

l. AllNationalCouncil’sdocumentsandpropertieswiththeoutgoingofficersshallbetenderedonorbeforetheswearinginday.

4. CONDUCTExecutiveBoard

a. Allpositionswithonlyonenomineeshallbeannouncedfirstwiththesolenomineeforthepositiondeclaredaswinner.

b. OnceanomineewinsapositioninaBoard,allothernomineesfromthesamechaptershallbeeliminatedfromtheremainingpositionsinthesameBoard.Allpositionswithonenomineeremainingarethendeclaredwinners.

c. Election/selectionshallbeconductedfortheremainingpositionsinthereverseorderlistedunderExecutiveOfficersinthisConstitution.

d. Iftherearethreeormorenomineesremainingforaposition,thenomineesshallbegivenanopportunitytoaddressthemembers.Eachchaptershallberequiredtopresentarepresentativetocastvotes.Therepresentativeshallcastavoteforthecontestedpost,andvotingshallbedoneconfidentially.Wherethereisa3-waytie,thevotesshallbere-castuntilthetoptwocandidatesemerge.

e. Apersonnominatedbythecommitteethenselectsatrandominafairmannerfromthenamesofthetwonomineesremainingorwiththehighestvotes.

BoardofTrusteesandNPC

a. IftherearemorenomineesthanavailableBoardpositions,thenomineesshallbegivenanopportunitytoaddressthemembers.Eachchaptershallberequiredtopresentarepresentativetocastvotes.Therepresentativeshallcastavoteeachforthenumberofopenpositions,andvotingshallbedoneconfidentially.

b. Nomineesaredeclaredaswinnersindescendingorderoftheirvotecount.Ifthereisatieonthelastpositions,thevotesshallbere-casttobreakthetieforthespecificposition.

ARTICLEXIDISSOLUTION1. FollowingtherecommendationoftheNationalCouncil,dissolutionoftheOrganization

mustberatifiedbya2/3-majorityvoteofthememberchapters.2. Upontheadoptionofsuchresolutionbythemembers,theOrganizationshallceaseto

conductitsaffairsexceptasmaybenecessaryforthewindingdownthereofandshallproceedtocollectallitsassetsandapplyanddistributethemasrequired.

3. AllliabilitiesandobligationsoftheOrganizationshallbepaid;satisfiedanddischargedoradequateprovisionsshallbemadethereof.Inconjunctiontherewith,allassetsrequiringreturnorsubjecttoannotation(i.e.tobeusedonlyforcharitableorreligiouspurposes),shallbereturnedortransferredappropriatelyinlinewithIslamicinjunctions.

4. TheBoardofTrusteesshallbetheadministratoroftheNationalCouncil’sassetsandLiabilities.


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5. UponwindingupanddissolutionoftheNationalCouncil,afterpayingoradequatelyprovidingforthedebtsandobligationsoftheNationalCouncil,theremainingassets(propertiesandfunds)shallbeapportionedtoMuslimCharityOrganizations.However,ifthereisnoqualifiedMuslimcharitableorganization,orunwilling,orunabletoacceptthedistribution,thentheassetsofNCNMOshallbedistributedtoanon-profitfund,foundation,orcorporationwhichisorganizedandoperatedexclusivelyforcharitable,educational,religious,andorscientificpurposesandwhichhasestablisheditstaxexemptstatusundersection501(c)(3)oftheInternalRevenueCode,orcorrespondingsectionofanyfuturefederaltaxcode,orshallbedistributedtothefederalgovernment,ortoastateorlocalgovernment,forapublicpurpose.AnysuchassetsnotdisposedofshallbedisposedofbytheCourtofCommonPleasofthecountyinwhichtheprincipalofficeoftheorganizationisthenlocated,exclusivelyforsuchpurposesortosuchorganizationororganizations,assaidCourtshalldetermine,whichareorganizedandoperatedexclusivelyforsuchpurposes.

ARTICLEXIICHARITABLEASSISTANCE

1. TheNationalCouncilmayprovidecharitableassistancetoanyMuslim,Muslimorganization

ortothegeneralpublicinneedasdeterminedbytheJointBodyorbytheNationalCouncil’sgeneralmeeting.

2. NoassistanceshallbeprovidedthatwillplaceundueburdenonthefinancialpositionoftheNationalCouncil.

3. AssistancemayalsobeprovidedtoanyoneororganizationrecommendedtotheExecutiveCouncilbyachapter,ifthechapterhasexhaustedlocalassistanceorthechapterdeemeditnecessary.

4. Eachsituationshallbeconsideredseparatelyonitsownmerits.ARTICLEXIIIOATHOFOFFICE

Theoathofofficeshallbeasfollows:

BismillahiRahmaniRaheem.I,Brother/Sister………………………………………………..solemnlyswearandpledgeinthenameofAllahtoupholdtheconstitutionoftheNationalCouncilofNigerianMuslimOrganizationsintheUnitedStatesofAmerica,toserveAllah,Islam,andMuslimsingeneraltothebestofmyability,tohonestlydedicatemytimetodefendandprotecttheinterestoftheNationalcouncil.SohelpmeAllah.


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ARTICLEXIVAMENDMENTS

1.Thisconstitutionmaybeamendedbya2/3majorityvoteofthememberchaptersoftheNationalCouncil.2.Anyamendmentsoratifiedshallbeimmediatelybecomeanintegralpartoftheconstitution.3.Alistofamendmentsshallbekeptasanaddendumtotheconstitutionuntiltheconstitutionisratifiedandsuchamendmentsareincorporated.REGISTEREDOFFICETheregisteredofficeoftheNationalCouncilshallbe1025ConnecticutAvenue,Suite1000,Washington,DC20036.TheregisteredagentoftheorganizationshallbeMufutauR.Adeleke.Themailingaddressoftheorganizationshallbe:P.O.Box91736,Washington,DC20090INITIALINCORPORATORSName AddressAlhajiYusufJumaOlaleye 5202NewtonStreet#3

Bladensburg,MD20785AlhajiAbassAdebisiBakrey 152WashingtonAvenue

Brooklyn,NY11205AlhajiAbdul-KadiriOjibara 104HillsideTerrace

Irvington,NJ07111WasiuYusuf 22BroomStreet

Providence,RI02905MufutauR.Adeleke 305HamiltonStreetNW

Washington,DC20010PreparedbyConstitutionReviewCommittee(2015-2016):1.AlhajiMuhydeenIbiyemi(Providence,RhodeIsland).Chairman2.ImamMonsurOgun(LosAngeles,SouthernCalifornia)Secretary3.AlhajJubrilSalabiu(Minneapolis,Minnesota)4.AlhajaMuyibatAlesh(Providence,RhodeIsland)5.BrotherKolaAkinade(Houston,Texas)6.Dr.MusodiqBello(Milwaukee,Wisconsin)7.SisterRamotalaiCoker(Washington,DC)

constitution of the national council of ...organizations, united states of america and this...

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