THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT ISLAMIC SOCIETY CONSTITUTION

Version 1 | 19/09/2011

kentisoc.com| isoc@kent.ac.uk

IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL

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Article 1)

NAME

The name of this society shall be The University of Kent Islamic Society. Throughout this document it will be referred to as The Islamic Society or The Society.

Article 2)

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The Islamic Society shall exist to: a) To assist Muslim students with their religious requirements. b) To cater for the social, spiritual and academic wellbeing of Muslim students. c) To represent the voice of Muslim students with respect to the University, the Union and the wider community. d) To be a platform for debate, facilitating the development of critical thought amongst students. e) To arrange events and activities for both Muslims and non-Muslims on campus. f) To support and protect the interest of Islam and Muslims on campus g) To challenge Islamophobia by raising awareness of Islam and addressing any misconceptions. h) To foster unity between Muslims on campus. i) To uphold Islamic values in accordance with the Holy Quran and Sunnah of the final Messenger, Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Article 3)

AFFILIATIONS

Section 1) The Islamic Society is affiliated to: a) Kent Union b) Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) Section 2) The Islamic Society may also work closely with other organisations that share its aims.

Article 4)

MEMBERSHIP

a) Full membership shall be open to all full Union Members. b) Associate membership shall be open to all staff and alumni of the University of Kent, to students from other institutions and to members of the public. c) A subscription shall be required as specified by the Societies Federation Committee. d) All references to Members in this Constitution shall be to paid up Members of The Society.

Article 5)

MEMBER ENTITLEMENTS

Section 1) All Members of The Society, whether Full or Associate, shall be entitled to: a) Attend, speak and place items on the agenda at all Society General Meetings. b) Attend, speak and place items on the agenda at all meetings of the Society Committee. c) Inspect all Society minutes at seven (7) calendar days' notice. d) Inspect the Society accounts at seven (7) calendar days' notice. Section 2) All Full Members of The Society are also entitled to: a) Stand and vote in Society Committee Elections subject to Election Rules. b) Vote at all Society General Meetings.
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Section 3) All Associate Members of The Society shall be entitled to partake in Society events at the discretion of The Society and the Societies Federation Committee.

Article 6)

STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE

Section 1) All government of The Society shall be in accordance with this Constitution, Kent Union's Constitution and Rules and the Societies Federation Constitution. Section 2) The Society shall function on three levels. They are the following: a) the Executive Committee b) the Committee c) the Members Section 3) The Society shall have a number of key decision-making bodies. In order, starting with that of highest authority, they are the following: a) The Society Annual General Meeting b) The Society General Meeting c) The Society Committee Meeting d) The Society Executive Committee Meeting Section 4) The Union Societies Federation Committee shall be informed of any changes to the structure and governance of The Islamic Society.

Article 7)

THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1) The Executive Committee consists of the following elected, voting, executive officers: a) The President b) The Vice President (Sisters) c) The Vice President (Brothers) d) The General Secretary e) The Treasurer Section 2) The Executive Committee alone shall be entitled to pay out or withdraw funds from The Society's account, or to pay for Union services by internal transfer. Section 3) No member shall hold more the one Executive Committee post Section 4) The Union Societies Federation Committee shall be informed of the names of all Society Executive Officers. Section 5) Refer to the document entitled Roles and Responsibilities for more detail on each executive committee position.

Article 8)

THE COMMITTEE

Section 1) The Committee consists of The Executive Committee and any additional roles set by The Executive Committee. Section 2) The Committee may co-opt or submit for election such voting Officers as it considers necessary.

Article 9)
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THE GENERAL MEETING

Section 1) The Annual General Meeting shall be held once per academic year during term time to elect a new Committee. Section 2) Society General Meetings may be called by any member of The Society.

Article 10) THE SOCIETY COMMITTEE MEETING

Section 1) The Committee Meeting shall be responsible within Constitutional limits for determining policy.

Article 11) THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1) The Executive Committee Meeting shall be responsible for reviewing the health of The Islamic Society.

Article 12) FINANCE

Section 1) All financial matters shall be dealt with in accordance with Kent Union's financial procedures. Section 2) Confirmation of expenditure or withdrawal of money from the Society's account shall be validated by no means other than the signature of the Treasurer and one other Executive Officer. Section 3) Neither the Society nor Kent Union accepts any liability for any debt or other obligation incurred by any of its Officers or other Members, whether or not it is incurred on behalf of the Society.

Article 13) AMENDMENTS

Section 1) The Society General Meeting shall be the sole body competent to amend the Constitution and Rules. Section 2) All amendments to the Constitution shall require the support of four-fifths of those voting at a General Meeting. Section 3) Any approved amendments must be presented to the Student Activities Sabbatical Officer for approval before they come into effect.

Article 14) INTERPRETATION

Section 1) In the event of a dispute as to the interpretation of any part of the Constitution or Rules, the ruling of the Executive Committee shall be sought. Section 2) In the event of a challenge to the Executive Committees ruling, the decision of the Students Activities Sabbatical Officer shall be sought. Section 3) In the event of a challenge to the Student Activities Sabbatical Officers ruling, the decision of the Union Council shall be final.

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