The coordinator of a committee becomes a non-voting member of
the Executive Committee and so then must be invited to Executive
Committee meetings. A person can be a coordinator of only one
committee at a time. The coordinator must submit a detailed report
to the President. The bylaws sound like this report only has to
be done once, at the end of the committee's task. I suggest you
ask for detailed written reports more often if the committee has
been formed for more than a few months.
Committees are free to conduct their assignment uninterrupted
until the assignment is completed. The assignment has to be in
the original memo from the Executive Committee forming the ad
hoc committee. Remember that this memo has to be publicly posted
and contain certain information .
Recommendations of the committee can be rejected by the President
or by 2/3s of the Shura Council present in a meeting called to
discuss the recommendations. The Executive Committee can veto
Shura Council resolutions.
I strongly, strongly suggest that each and every Committee, when
it is first formed, be given an assignment to research
the area of responsibility and write a report about the best ways
to proceed. This should be their only assignment. Then, after
you have the report, the Executive Committee can reform the ad
hoc committee with a clear memo of assignment. If you have a coordinator
who, through experience and/or education, you are sure knows how
to be successful in that area, you could dispense with this as
a first step.
SUGGESTIONS FOR COMMITTEES:
Newsletter Committee
Responsible for the publication of the newsletter....
meet deadlines
get articles
gather announcements
Hospitality Committee
Responsible for visitors to the masjid...
invite interested groups
develop a set program: speakers, video, question & answer, etc.
provide refreshments and take-home materials
New Muslim Committee
Responsible for taking new Muslims "under their wing"
teach basics, answer questions, form relationship
get them involved in activities
Community Development Committee
Responsible for getting people involved in the projects of all the other committees.
target talented individuals and encourage participation
advertise activities and needs of other committees
provide "open house" nights where all other committees can present their activities
Media Response Committee
Responsible for relations with the press and press releases
watch and listen to local press and identify issues of concern to Muslims
respond with press releases, letters to the editor, interviews etc.
notify media of events within Muslim community
Muslim Education Committee
Responsible for Arabic and theological education to Muslims
Outreach Committee
Responsible for outside speaking engagements to schools and ecumenical groups
work with Hospitality Committee
contact churches, schools, synagogues and social groups
elicit interest with brochure
maintain speakers' list
train speakers
Maintenance Committee
Responsible for the physical upkeep and landscaping of the masjid
Community Feedback Committee
Responsible for fostering communication among Members and between General Body and Administration through monthly meetings.
Assignment ends: August 1996
Coordinator:
Members:
Budget: costs for refreshments, copying
Set dates for monthly meetings for the Committee's term.
Distribute and publicize the dates throughout the term.
Obtain Agenda from EC. Copy and distribute at meeting.
Arrive early for meeting: set up chairs, tables and refreshments. Clean up after meeting.
Maintain list of attending Members. Call Members who do not attend and encourage their participation.
Take minutes of each meeting: distribute to members, file in office
and report to Newsletter Committee.
Monthly Community Dinner Committee
Responsible for fostering fellowship by means of community dinners.
Assignment ends: August 1996
Coordinator:
Members:
Budget: costs for eating utensils
Set dates for monthly "pot-luck" community dinners and advertise in Newsletter.
Set up downstairs tables, check for eating utensils, clean-up supplies.
Maintain a count of participants each month.
Clean up afterwards.
Social Events Committee
Responsible for fostering fellowship by special social events.
Assignment ends: August 1996
Coordinator:
Members:
Budget:
Do all necessary to plan, execute and follow-up the annual Summer
Camp, community-wide picnics, and other special social events.
Have summer activities ready to go by the beginning of June. Announcements
and follow-up reports on each special activity to the Newsletter
Committee.
Ramadhan and Eid Committee
Responsible for the coordination of all activities.
Assignment ends: August 1996
Coordinator:
Members:
Budget:
Plan and announce Eid prayers and activities as per the Islamic
Council of Pittsburgh. Provide a nightly Iftar during Ramadhan
for singles and family Iftar on Saturdays.
Office Management Committee
Responsible for the maintenance of a smoothly operating office.
Assignment ends: August 1996
Coordinator:
Members:
Budget:
Check each day for phone messages, write down and distribute to
the appropriate individual or Ad Hoc Committee. Maintain an inventory
of all office supplies and order as needed, paying special attention
to copy paper and toner. Maintain office machines including computers.
Maintain detailed financial accounts and submit to Treasurer.
Maintain list of all Members who have keys as per the Executive
Committee.
Maintenance Committee
Responsible for the maintenance of the building and grounds of the Islamic Center.
Assignment ends: August 1996
Coordinator:
Members:
Budget:
Weekly cleaning of floors and carpets and other cleaning as needed.
Weed, fertilize and maintain lawn such that a smooth green lawn
is produced. Plant flowers and other decorative plants. Keep grounds
clean of litter. Set up and encourage recycling program.
Da'wah Committee
Responsible for inquiries from non-Muslims and inviting all to Islam.
Assignment ends: August 1996
Coordinator:
Members:
Budget:
Learn and teach the Members the psychology and sociology of religious conversions. Identify target groups.
Produce database of churches, synagogues, schools and other appropriate organizations.
Identify Members able to speak appropriately to non-Muslim groups.
Advertise speakers' service to all in database through mailings and phone calls. Produce and utilize evaluation forms.
Maintain communication and coordination with various Student Organizations.
Organize occasional "open house" for non-Muslims. Coordinate with Social Events Committee.
Provide teaching workshops to members on how to most effectively
convey the message of Islam (including the acknowledgment of differences
among Muslims!).
Muslim Education Committee
Responsible for the continuing education of Muslims.
Assignment ends: August 1996
Coordinator:
Members:
Budget:
Organize weekly Study Circles and periodic special workshops in
theology, Arabic, Qur'anic Recitation, history, current events
and issues of interest to Muslims. Survey and evaluate community
needs in these areas.
Women's Committee
Responsible for events and issues directly related to women and gender-related issues.
Assignment ends: August 1996
Coordinator:
Members:
Budget:
Foster bonding and cohesion among women and discussion of women's
issues and child-care issues. Provide workshops for General Body
on gender-related issues such as sexism, marriage relationships,
child-care.
Child Care Committee
Responsible for children's activities and supervision during adult programs.
Assignment ends: August 1996
Coordinator:
Members:
Budget:
Work with Islamic School personnel. Supervise and provide activities for infants
and children while adults attend other Center activities.