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MCWS GENERAL BODY MEETING
MCWS GBM Min for Feb 27, 2015:
THE FOLLOWING SHURA MEMBERS & TRUSTEES WERE PRESENT FOR THE MCWS SHURA MEETING HELD after Isha
BR. SYED ARIF
BR. KHALID WAQHAR
BR. HAARIS AHMAD
BR. RIZWAN BAIG
BR. JAWAD ANWAR
BR. ABDULLAH HAYDAR
SR. HASINA ABDU
SR. ANILA BAIG (Absent)
BR. MAAJED HUQ
THE FOLLOWING TRUSTEES WERE PRESENT
Br Jabir Baig
Br Saleem Qureshi
Br Saeed Siddique
Br Hamid Balbale
Br Tariq Abbasi
THE FOLLOWING GUESTS WERE PRESENT: 43 Men (all members except 5) and 7 Women(all members)
Meeting started @ 8:30 pm with a Quran recitation by Yusuf Uzhunnan
Closing Dua by Sh Ali @ 10:17pm
The Agenda for meeting was:
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Recitation of Quran
Introduction of Shura and Trustees
Review and approve 2014 GBM minutes
Accomplishments in 2014
MCWS Youth Director Report
Finance Committee Report for 2014
MCWS Plan/Goals for 2015
Questions and Answers with MCWS Members
Opening Remarks
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Br Maajed made opening introduction remarks welcoming all and discussed the Agenda for the
GBM mtg.
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Sh. Ali then spoke and asked community to listen to the annual report and ask constructive
questions. He stated that this was an opportunity to discuss and give feedback to the board to
make MCWS better in the future.
Review of 2014 GBM Mtg Minutes
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Br Maajed went over the 2014 GBM min mtg. The point was raised and requested by Br.
Muzammil that MCWS post or send via email the mtg minutes in the future. This will be done for
the 2015 mtg minutes.
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The minutes were approved with a 1st vote by Br Saeed Siddique and 2nd by Br. Shahid Khan.
Introduction of Shura and Trustees
- Br Maajed made an introduction of the Shura and Board of Trustees.
- Br Saeed Siddique spoke for a few minutes discussing the brief history of MCWS and transition to
the current Shura, getting involved as a community, and helping BoT and Shura shape the future
via the Vision 2050 type activities.
Accomplishments in 2014
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The presentation (attached) was shown that gave a summary of the major accomplishments in
2014. This was presented and discussed by Br Haaris. He further stated that these were not just
accomplishments by the Shura but by the whole community. These sort of activities could not be
done without the help and support of the entire MCWS community.
Accomplishments in 2014(Youth)
- MCWS Boys Youth Director Br Osama Odeh presented a picture slide presentation discussing the
various Youth activities that took place or has been established. These included
o Ramadan Qiyams(over 300 kids with established speakers
o Weekly Halaqas and Iftars
o Sunnah Saturday
o Friday CORE activities
o Middle School Qiyam
o MIST competition at national level (Finished 4th in Wash DC)
o Team Fajr weekly activities
o Many other activities including Girls activities
- Main point is to provide a positive Islamic environment for the youth.
Financial Results for 2014
- Br Rizwan presented the financials for 2014. Main message is that 2014 had a net positive of
$196,787.
Goals for 2015
- Br Haaris went over the Major Goals for 2015. They are:
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Increase Membership by improving process/benefits
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Create/prioritize plan for Facility
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MCWS Branding/Website Re-launch
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Establish Financial Sustainability Plan
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Create/establish clear guidelines/policies/procedures
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Development of Character Curriculum for MCWS
Q&A
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Sister asked why MCWS does not sponsor booth at Liberty Fest and if Shura can look into
somehow creating better exit for ladies after normal prayer so not to have to go through the Men’s
Wudu area Hallway as there are always men congregating in this area after prayer. This causes
the ladies to have to walk through them.
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Sr Hasina addressed the 1st point and stated that Outreach committee had to prioritize
and preferred to use other methods like regular coffee chats with non-muslim orgs,
church groups, more regular open house, and other pro-active Dawah activities.
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For 2nd point, Shura will discuss how to alleviate situationACTION
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Sr asked about activities or ways our MCWS youth are active in helping the poor like soup
kitchens, etc. This is a good way for our youth to appreciate what they have and helps improve
the image of our community
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Br Haaris and Br Osama answered that there are some activities but this will also be
looked at in the futureACTION
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Br. asked is the 2050 amount stored by MCWS is enough. His assumption is that you need in the
range of $2-3 Mio to acquire a property. He also suggested that the radius should be increased
for better selection.
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Br Haaris addressed that this is true but MCWS is also looking at other sources or
methods for funding
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Br. then asked why the membership was raised if more donations came in 2014. Would it not be
better to lower it to get more people to become member?
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Br Arif stated that the old membership rate was in effect for many years and after
benchmarking with area similar Masjids, it was deemed that a reasonable raise was
needed.
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Br asked why donors who donate more than the membership required amount do not
automatically become members.
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Br Arif answered that they would be automatic if they specifically state on check or inform
us. If this is not done, there is no way for MCWS to know if membership is wanted or this
is just a donation. There are people who only want to donate but do not want to become
members.
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Br asked why there is not a permanent place or area for the Sisters especially the female youth.
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Br Haaris stated that this is mostly true but there is a classroom that is for the Sr Youth.
Also there is planned realignment of the basement lounge to make space for the Sisters.
In general, there are many activities now going on and constant adjustments have to be
made
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Br then asked if MCWS as a bigger more established masjid supports smaller struggling Masjids.
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Br Haaris answered that MCWS does this with Masjid Salaam. MCWS is also one of the
only area Masjids that is open in the sense MCWS allows other orgs to fundraise for
themselves in our facility.
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Br thanked MCWS for the support for other Masjids and then asked why MCWS does not invest
the 2050 fund.
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Br Haaris answered that MCWS are very careful with this and are looking at very
conservative ways to invest this. Do not want to risk losing anything that later the Shura
cannot answer for.
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Br asked about archiving and putting on MCWS website some of the Angels Circle or Friday
Khutbahs for reference.
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Br Haaris stated that this would be looked. Need to make sure that is acceptable to the
speakers as wellACTION
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Br stated that the Room L near Sh Ali office has been used for outreach or other activities. This
room is a poor representation of our MCWS community. The Shura needs to fix this and prioritize
this. He specifically asked for a timing plan.
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Br Haaris and Br Khalid stated that this was already planned to be done especially to
make office for Asst Imam. Quoting ongoing and plan is to finish prior to
RamadanACTION
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Br asked from financial statements why MCWS pays $2,929 to the bank for fees.
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Br Rizwan replied that this is standard but MCWS would investigate to reduce this or
eliminate it.<--ACTION
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Br asked in regards to education and Sunday school. He asked if there is any process to look at
or benchmark our curriculum. He also asked if there is any career planning for our kids
o
Br Jawad stated that benchmarking was done and the curriculum has been reviewed but
he would have to further discuss with Sr Shaheen for the last time it was doneACTION
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Br Osama stated that some of the mentors do try and guide them and help with college
prep but no formal thing done. This is something of potential in the futureACTION
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A brother asked about installing an awning for the entrances.
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B Khalid stated that this would have to be discussed with the Joint SecACTION
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Br asked about increasing security and latest on MIC collaboration
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Br Haaris stated that MCWS does share payment for security during daytime with MEC.
7 day 24 hr security is more expensive. MCWS does review security needs and
increases when needed like in Ramadan and installation of cameras
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MCWS and MIC have had discussions about collaboration and will continue to do so.
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Br said when big speaker like Yasir Qadhi come for 3 day seminar, their Friday topic is basically
the beginning of the 3 day topic. Why not make different topic?
o
This can be discussed with speaker but generally this is also done to get people more
interested to come to the larger event.
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Br also requested more updates from the Shura via short meeting or announcements/updates
after prayer or office hours.
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Br Haaris stated that MCWS will try to better communicate via website/NL and also
establish some office hours. ACTION
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Br asked if MCWS can publish the budget for 2015
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Br Haaris replied that this would tried to be doneACTION
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Br asked when MCWS would be free or plan to be free of MEC
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Br Haaris said that MCWS is mindful of this and this is why we do look at the 2050 stuff
and other fund sourcing but MEC is a sister org that we do plan to work with well into the
future in the current campus set-up.
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Br asked why MCWS has not sponsored or done a MCWS dinner for Syria with top level
speakers.
o Br Haaris stated that this has been done via our Youth and help for Islamic Relief and
others.
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Br. Haaris then also asked all to make a special Dua for Br Mashood.
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Mtg was closed around 10:17pm with motion from Br Hussein and 2nd by Br Jabir Baig.
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Sh Ali made closing Dua
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