MOSQUES GOVERNANCE How to use this effectively for Propagation of Islam.

 “The hand of Allah is with the Jamaa (group)” (All agreed).

What is a good organization?  Every good organization must have:  (i) Goals and objectives and aims that do not contradict the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah  (ii) Leadership with clear roles and responsibilities  (iii) Rules that guide it (constitution)  (iv) Code of behaviour /conduct  (v) Method of resolving conflicts when they occur (we shall dwell on conflict resolution in detail later in this chapter).  (vi) Criteria for membership (who can become a member?)  (vii) Criteria for remaining a member (who can remain a member?)  (viii) A mechanism to change leaders through consultation or through elections  ix) Policy for providing equal opportunity for men, women and the youth to participate in the organisational activities and in decision making.

Why do Muslim organisations fail?  i) Not having or abandoning the above listed criteria of a good organisation  ii) Members not being loyal to the organisation and instead think of their selfish interests first  iii) Absence of team spirit and team work  iv) Failure to set priorities  v) Lack of transparency (openness) in the conduct of affairs, especially financial matters  vi) Neglect of the personal problems of members  Suppression of members’ views /idea/opinions  viii) Some members thinking and acting like they are more important than others (Animal Farm Syndrome ):“some animals more equal than others”.  ix) Lack of a planning culture  x) Failure to harness the energies /potentials of the youth and women

Leadership and Conflict resolution  About conflict:  Conflict is inevitable;  Conflict develops because we are dealing with people's lives, jobs, children, pride, self-concept, ego and sense of mission or purpose;  Early indicators of conflict can be recognized;  There are strategies for resolution that are available and DO work;  Although inevitable, conflict can be minimized, diverted and/or resolved.

 Beginnings of conflict:  Poor communication  Seeking power  Dissatisfaction with management style  Weak leadership  Lack of openness  Change in leadership

Conflict indicators:  Body language  Disagreements, regardless of issue  Withholding bad news  Surprises  Strong public statements  Airing disagreements through media  Conflicts in value system  Desire for power  Increasing lack of respect  Open disagreement  Lack of candour on budget problems or other sensitive issues  Lack of clear goals  No discussion of progress, failure relative to goals, failure to evaluate the superintendent fairly, thoroughly or at all.

Techniques for avoiding and/or resolving conflict:  Meet conflict head on  Set goals  Plan for and communicate frequently  Be honest about concerns  Agree to disagree - understand healthy disagreement would build better decisions  Get individual ego out of management style  Let your team create - people will support what they help create  Discuss differences in values openly  Continually stress the importance of following policy  Communicate honestly - avoid playing "gotcha" type games  Provide more data and information than is needed  Develop a sound management system

Courageous decision controversies:  The controversies usually involve  Changes in the way "we've always done things"  Notions of fundamental values  Determined, articulate advocates for every side  Inability to compromise  Rampant rumours  Elections, internal and external

Who should be on the management committee?  Taqwa (Piety)  Trustworthy  Commitment  Knowledge  Experience  Skills

Policies you may need to consider  Mosque management code of ethics  Smoking  Congregational responsibilities  Individual records – rights and privacy  Mailing list  Membership status guidelines  Noise  Collection of money  Counting the weekly offering  Staff pay  Claiming and paying budgeted expenses  Signatures policy

 Special gifts  Property and facilities  Facilities use requirements including for youth groups  and overnights stays  Grounds maintenance  Guidelines for posters, displays, and permanent items  on walls  Securing the facilities [confidential]  Allocation of outreach funds  By-laws for mosque projects  The environment  Selecting suppliers  Islamic education  Nursery  Youth and women

The mosque budget  A mosque budget will help the mosque achieve its goals. A good mosque budget should:  help the mosque to implement its programmes and objectives, and decide which are most important.  provide a way for mosque members to work together  give guidance on spending available funds  encourage good accounting of funds  challenge members to provide funds to deliver the services of the mosque  authorise the mosque leadership to act within its guidelines.

 Some very simple and basic measures could include the following:  At least three people to count and record offerings  Having a bank account  Cheques needing three signatures.  Procurement of goods and services to follow an authorisation procedure  Keep a list of assets at all times

Keeping records  The following records must be kept permanently :  minutes of meetings of members and the management committee  all documents and bylaws governing the mosque/organisation  copies of official receipts  and records for gifts made.

As a Mosque or Islamic Organisation do you have in place?  Governing document? (e.g. Constitution)  Written mission statement or vision?  Core values?  A management committee?  Defined roles and responsibilities of management committee?  Work plan for the next three (or five) years?  A quality statement?  Minutes and agendas for all meetings?  Contracts of employment?  Job descriptions?  Recruitment & Induction procedures?  Madrasah curriculum?  Volunteers management and support procedures?

 Staff management and support systems – supervision, review, appraisal, training and development?  Monitoring and evaluation system?  Publicity information?  Details of services – what, when, who etc?  A health and safety policy?  An equal opportunity policy?  A child/young person/vulnerable adults protection policy and procedures? (if applicable)  Other policies and procedures relevant to your area of work?  Financial management procedures?  Insurance?

 Complaints procedures?  Office procedures/handbook?  Organisation budget?  Fundraising strategy?  Organizational plan/strategy?  Quality system?  Audited accounts and annual reports?