The University of Southampton Islamic Society Constitution
In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
Preamble
The name of the organisation shall be “The Univerisity of Southampton Islamic Society”,
hereafter referred to as ‘The Islamic Society’ or ‘ISOC’.
Article 1 – Mission, Aims and Objectives
1.1 Mission
The University of Southampton Islamic Society strives to promote the teachings of the
Qur’an and Sunnah and cater for its members to fulfil their obligations to Allah (God).
We hope to provide a clear and profound understanding of Islam to all those interested.
1.2 Aims and Objectives
(a) To strive to uphold the teachings of the Noble Qur’an and Sunnah
(b) To facilitate a suitable place of worship where Muslim students and staff can offer
their five daily prayers
(c) To organise and hold the Friday congregational prayer.
(d) To make arrangements for Ramadan, the month of fasting
(e) To promote understanding between Muslims and Non-Muslims by through joint
events, an Islamic awareness week and participating at Students’ Union events.
(f) To educate our members about Islam by arranging talks and education circles
throughout the year.
(g) To strengthen the unity of Muslims and cater for their general wellbeing through
sports and social events.
(h) To encourage the involvement of members in the organization and running of the
society.
Article 2 – Membership, Enrolment and Withdrawals
-
Any staff or student at the University of Southampton is eligible for membership.
They must submit their name and university email address to the general secretary.
Membership may be terminated upon notification to the general secretary.
Further, membership is subject to continued participation at the University.
Article 3 – Organisational Structure
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3.1 President
a) Shall represent the society at the Students’ Union, University and external meetings.
b) Shall delegate the above responsibility to the Vice Presidents in his/ her place.
c) Shall be responsible for the management of the society
d) In the event of a voting stalemate within the committee the president shall have the
casting vote.
3.2 Vice-Presidents
a)
b)
c)
d)
There are two positions open for a male and female.
Shall act as the President in his/her absence.
Shall support the President in representing the ISoc.
Shall be responsible for overseeing key events and activities e.g. Freshers Week,
Islam Awareness Week, Charity Week etc.
e) Both Vice Presidents must ensure that the views of all members are given
representation as far as possible.
3.3 General Secretary
a) Shall be responsible for organising the committee meetings and setting out their
agenda
b) In the event of the president’s absence s/he shall chair the meetings
c) Shall take the minutes of the meeting
d) Shall oversee the implementation of points agreed in committee meetings
e) Shall be responsible for internal and external society communication
f) Shall keep the membership lists up-to-date
g) Shall be responsible for informing members about weekly ISOC activities via email
and other media.
h) Ensure the monthly prayer timetable is emailed to members in a timely fashion.
i) Book rooms and venues for all ISoc gatherings.
3.4 Treasurer
a)
b)
c)
d)
Shall be a signatory to the ISoc bank accounts
Shall present the annual accounts at the AGM
Shall be responsible for ensuring and supervising the proper financing of events
Shall reimburse committee members’ ISoc expenses on presentation of a valid
receipt
e) Discuss the budget required for eventd and activties with the committee.
3.5 Prayer Room Officer
a) There are two positions open for a male and female.
b) Responsible for ensuring that prayer facilities are in good condition and reporting
any cleaning or maintenance issues.
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c) Shall work alongside university staff to carry out any improvements to the prayer
room
d) Shall be responsible for ensuring there are sufficient and relevant books on the
bookshelves in the prayer room.
e) Responsible for making sure arrangements are in place for the Friday
Congregational prayer
f) Update the posters and notices in the prayer room in a timely fashion
3.6 Liaison Officer
a)
b)
c)
d)
There is one position open.
Contact speakers and other organisations in advance of events
Liaise with other societies, the Student Union and the University.
Shall as far as possible ensure ISoc representation at religiously related Students’
Union events.
3.7 Dawah and Education Officer
a)
b)
c)
e)
There are four positions open for two males and females
Responsible for the organisation of weekly education circles
Plan and carry out activities to share the teachings of Islam with non members.
Shall as far as possible ensure ISoc representation at religiously related Students’
Union events
3.8 Publicity Officer
a) There are two positions open for a male and female.
b) Responsible for the maintenance of the website
c) Responsible for updating and moderating the ISoc SUSU webpage, Facebook and
Twitter to publicise ISoc events and activities.
d) Send out texts, emails and other memos to members.
e) Responsible for arranging and managing audio/video recording of ISOC events.
3.9 Creative and Design Officer
a) Design posters or other media to advertise ISOC events. Applicant to be confident
with design programmes such as Photoshop.
b) Responsible for designing ISOC publications such flyers, leaflets, fresher’s
booklets etc. when appropriate.
3.10 Sports Officer
a) There are two position open for a male and female.
b) Shall be responsible for organising regular sports events
3.11 Socials Officer
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a) There are two positions open for a male and female.
b) Shall be responsible for organising regular social events.
Note: Each officer may convene their own sub-committees in relation to their stipulated
roles, but will remain responsible for the function of their own offices.
Article 4 – Meetings
4.1 Committee Meetings
These must take place a minimum of three times per semester, one at the beginning, middle
and end. However, meetings may be more often as appropriate. The committee shall be
convened by notification of the general secretary.
4.2 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
a) This will be held annually to occur at least three days before the Student Union (SUSU)
deadline.
b) All of the committee members must be Muslim students, and all students are allowed
to vote, both Muslim and Non-Muslim.
c) Details regarding the AGM must be published on the ISOC website two weeks before.
Moreover, a list of nominations for positions has to be published three days before the
elections on the ISOC website.
d) Candidate can only apply for a maximum of two positions during the AGM. If a
candidate get elected for the two positions simultaneously, the candidate must chose
one position and the second position automatically goes to the candidate with the next
highest votes.
e) Only students of the University of Southampton are eligible to vote in the AGM.
f) All members must be registered before starting the AGM.
g) At the start of the AGM the treasurer will present the budget report.
h) A quorum to ratify decisions made at the AGM is a minimum of 30 voting members
i) The order of elections at the AGM is as follows:
i.
President
ii. Vice-Presidents
iii. Secretary
iv.
Treasurer
v. Prayer room officers
vi.
Website & Media Officer
vii.
Publicity officer
viii. Dawah & Liaison Officers
ix.
Education Officers
x. Sports Officers
xi.
Social Officers
j) The election procedure is as follows:
i.
Each candidate will make a speech to last no longer than three minutes
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ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
If the case should arise where no one is running for a particular position then the
newly elected committee share the responsibilities for this role, until someone is
found. Similarly, if someone resigns during the course of the year, their workload
is shared amongst the remainder of the committee and an election is held for that
position.
There will be opportunity after each speech to question the candidate for a
maximum of three minutes.
Subsequently, voting is done by a secret ballot method using the first past the post
electoral system. In the event of a tie, votes are to be recast and order of preferences
must be specified.
The current ISoc committee then announces the new committee, the list of which
will be emailed to all members the following day.
From the middle of May the current committee start to handover gradually to their
successors. By the end of the semester the handover process should be complete.
4.3 Open General Meeting (OGM)
a) This may be called by:
i.
Twenty-five members with at least ten days notice
ii.
Or five committee members with at least ten days notice
Upon receipt if notification of an OGM to the general secretary, he must then make
arrangements for it and notify the society members
b) A chair will be elected at the start of the OGM.
c) A quorum to ratify decisions at the OGM is twenty members.
Article 5 – Finance
The treasurer is accountable for all matters appertaining to finance.. ISoc has one bank
account at Santander named as ‘UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON ISLAMIC
SOCIETY’. The account number is 48174542 and the sort code is 09-01-28
Article 6 – Amendments to the Constitution
Any amendment to the constitution deemed necessary shall be advocated to the committee
and must be approved by two-thirds of members at an open general meeting or the annual
general meeting.
Supplementary
In the event of a dispute as to the meaning of any or all parts of the constitution the matter
shall be referred to the Students’ Union for final adjudication on the matter.
Declaration
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The Southampton University hereby accepts and adheres to this constitution:
Name:_________________________________________
Position: _______________________________________
Signed: ________________________________________
Date: _________
Name:_________________________________________
Position: _______________________________________
Signed: ________________________________________
Date: _________
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