World Sikh Council - America Region

OTHER COMMITTEES:

• THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
• THE INTERFAITH COMMITTEE
• RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL COMMITTEE
• LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
• SOCIAL AND CULTURAL COMMITTEE
• MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
• THE BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
• SUMMARY FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES


• POLICY and GUIDELINES ON FORMATION AND FUNCTIONING OF STANDING COMMITTEES

FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF VARIOUS COMMITTEES

1. THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
   
   
   1. Support of Education of Sikh Children and Sikh Youth
      
      
      1. The Committee shall bring together groups working to provide financial aid to Sikh children and Sikh youth in the pursuit of their educational goals. This would streamline, facilitate, and enhance the programs already started by dedicated Gursikhs. Several foundations and associations currently engaged in this noble activity should be persuaded to get together under the auspices of the World Sikh Council - America Region for even greater and more productive effort.
         
         
      2. The Committee shall identify outstanding Sikh children and Sikh youth for proper recognition and appreciation of their academic success. It will develop the criteria for such selection.
         
         
      3. The Committee shall bring together groups working on providing religious education to Sikh children and Sikh youth through various camps and retreats held all over the region. These groups shall be encouraged to identify and/or develop consistent and structured course materials including audio-visual educational materials.
         
         
      4. The Committee shall assist organizations seeking to set up educational facilities including full or part-time schools and other teaching establishments within the region.
         
         
      5. The Committee shall assist the gurdwaras within the region in development and implementation of their instructional programs for young children.
         
         
   2. Education at Colleges and Universities
      
      
      1. The Committee shall assist the existing not-for-profit organizations engaged in supporting higher education for Sikhs. If necessary, it shall establish educational foundations for the purpose of providing financial support to Sikhs pursuing higher education at universities. The Committee shall seek to set up appropriate guidance and counseling systems for aspiring Sikhs.
         
         
      2. The Committee shall identify existing endowed chairs at universities designated for study of Sikh religion and assist them in the fulfillment of their mission in a proper manner. It will encourage the establishment of appropriate trusts or endowments to support research on Sikh issues including religion, history, culture and other fields.
         
         
   3. Education for Senior Citizens and in English as Second Language
      
      
      1. The Committee shall assist gurdwaras and local communities in development of facilities for learning English as a second language. This is especially important for new immigrants some of whom have had no previous exposure to English.
         
         
   4. Development and Review of Educational Materials
      
      
      1. The Committee shall review educational materials currently in use in various schools, colleges and universities within the region. It shall point out errors and omissions, wherever appropriate, to he concerned authorities and ensure that correct information is provided to the students.
         
         
      2. The Committee shall, where necessary, encourage and support potential authors in developing educational material including books, pamphlets, audio-visual or computer based materials.
         
         
      3. The Committee shall encourage, support, and facilitate distribution of educational materials by interested groups so long as the contents are approved by the Committee. This shall include distribution of paper copies and/or use of electronic media including the World Wide Web.
         
         
   5. Library Facilities
      
      
      1. The Committee shall encourage and support the development of suitable library facilities for study of issues of interest and relevance to the Sikh faith.
         
         
2. THE INTERFAITH COMMITTEE
   
   
   1. Sikh participation in Interfaith Organizations
      
      
      1. The Committee shall identify interfaith groups within the region which are engaged in promotion of interfaith understanding and cooperation. It will encourage the local Sikh community in each of the areas served by these interfaith groups to participate in their activities and provide facilities for furthering mutual understanding. These activities often include interfaith dialogue sessions; discussion panels presenting views of different faiths regarding social, moral, and religious issues; visitations to places of worship of different faiths; joint worship; concerts; shared meals; social get-togethers and picnics, participation in United Nations festivals; celebration of religious and cultural diversity; support of human rights organizations like Amnesty International; among others. Sikh participation in these events would promote the general public's understanding of our faith and lead to better social interaction.
         
         
      2. The Committee shall maintain liaison with the Parliament of World's Religions as well as with other national and regional bodies representing groups of interfaith organizations. It will assist the Regional Committee of the World Sikh Council - America Region as well as the Executive Committee of the World Sikh Council in ensuring Sikh representation at all functions, meetings, conferences organized by the Parliament, including selection of speakers.
         
         
      3. The Committee shall make available appropriate materials on exposition of the Sikh religion and other Sikh issues to various Sikh communities engaged in interfaith activities.
         
         
      4. The Committee shall identify individuals and organizations that have achieved special distinction in the field of interfaith work and are considered worthy of recognition by the World Sikh Council. This process may be carried out by soliciting nominations, with necessary supporting documentation, through various member organizations as well as direct nomination by individuals.
   
   
   2. Bringing Sikh Issues to the Attention of the Interfaith Organizations
      
      
      1. The Committee shall bring issues affecting Sikhs as a religious community to the attention of interfaith organizations through the local communities as well as at the national level. These concerns may include difficulties with 'kakkars', human rights issues, problems as a small minority, among others.
         
         
   3. Development and Monitoring of Interfaith Literature
      
      
      1. The Committee shall provide input to the development of interfaith literature, interfaith calendars, and other educational and informational material produced and distributed by interfaith groups in the region.
         
         
      2. The Committee shall review material already published and take appropriate steps to get corrections implemented wherever necessary and called for.
         
         
   4. Providing Interfaith Education
      
      
      1. The Committee shall assist the Education Committee in selecting educational materials appropriate for learning about other faiths.
         
         
3. RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL COMMITTEE
   
   
   1. Sikh Studies
      
      
      1. The Committee shall work with the Education Committee in identifying appropriate materials for study of Sikh religion. In particular, it will review the material made available to member organizations and local gurdwaras for education of children in respect of accuracy. It will also work with the Education Committee to review published material on Sikh faith in respect of accuracy.
         
         
      2. The Committee shall work with the Education Committee or one or more of units set up by that Committee to develop arrangement for religious teaching at various gurdwaras including identification and selection of teachers.
         
         
      3. The Committee shall work with the Interfaith Committee in proper presentation of Sikh belief and practices.
         
         
      4. The Committee shall work with the Interfaith Committee in selection of speakers to represent the Sikh faith at important conferences to ensure that the Sikh faith is correctly represented.
         
         
      5. The Committee shall work with the Interfaith Committee to review input to the development of interfaith literature, interfaith calendars, and other educational and informational material produced and distributed by interfaith groups in the region.
         
         
   2. Religious Instruction
      
      
      1. The Committee shall work with the member organizations to arrange for instruction in Gurbani keertan.
         
         
      2. The Committee shall set up and/or support development of recordings of Gurbani keertan in Gurbani Raags as well as encourage and support distribution and dissemination of such recordings in the form of cassettes, CD-ROMs or other appropriate means.
         
         
      3. The Committee shall encourage and support the development of 'hymnals', consisting of coded music for singing of Sabads, for use in congregational keertan.
         
         
      4. The Committee shall review recordings of Gurbani Santhya and Gurbani Vyakhya for accuracy and encourage development of material which follows the Gurbani faithfully.
         
         
      5. For the accomplishment of items (b) through (d) above, the Committee shall work in collaboration with scholars and experts not only within the region but the world over.
         
         
   3. Sikh Rehit Maryada
      
      
      1. The Committee shall work with all the gurdwaras in the region to assist them in following the Sikh Rehit Maryada and any 'hukamnamas' issued from Sri Akal Takhat Sahib.
         
         
      2. The Committee shall work with the gurdwaras in the region to ensure that facilities are provided for people to take 'Khande da Pahul'.
         
         
      3. The Committee shall assist the gurdwaras in reviewing the credentials of persons who seek work as 'granthi' keertanya', 'kathakar' or as teachers of Sikh religion and philosophy whether on a permanent or visiting basis. The purpose shall be to ensure that only persons knowledgeable in the principles and traditions of the faith and having unquestionable personal character serve in these positions.
         
         
      4. The Committee shall receive and deal with any complaints received from any member of the Sangat regarding the practices followed by any 'granthi', 'keertanya' or 'kathakar' being in violation of the Sikh Rehit Maryada. The Committee will develop appropriate procedures to ensure just, fair and speedy disposition of such matters.
         
         
      5. The Committee shall assist in conflict resolution in various member organizations. The conduct of such assistance shall be based on Sikh Rehit Maryada and the 'hukamnamas' issued from Sri Akal Takhat Sahib.
         
         
      6. The Committee shall make available copies of Rehit Maryada to all Sikhs as well as others. The Committee shall get appropriate authorized translations done as necessary in various languages of the region.


4. LEGAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
   
   
   The Committee shall develop outreach programs to make every one concerned aware of assistance that they might be able to mobilize in case any Sikh/group of Sikhs or Sikh organization becomes a victim of discrimination or litigation based on the practice of their religion; hate crimes based on religion, race, or national origin. It will initiate and pursue steps to get laws and executive orders modified so that they do not infringe upon the right of a Sikh to freely and openly practice his/her faith. These shall include, but not be limited to, setting up subcommittees to work on specific tasks. The committee shall ensure collection and maintenance of databases of cases of discrimination and of hate crimes against Sikhs, documentation of cases of asylum, attempts at seeking executive and/or legal redress, lists of legal expertise available to the victims, among other tasks. The committee shall prepare lists of lawyers and attorneys who might be available to assist victims pro bono. The committee shall cooperate and collaborate with other human rights organizations engaged in similar activities to protect freedom of religion and of religious expression.
   
   The Committee shall work with the Interfaith Committee and the Religious and Spiritual Committee in proper presentation of Sikh belief and practices.
   
   
5. SOCIAL AND CULTURAL COMMITTEE
   
   
   The Committee shall facilitate sharing of information, experience and know-how between various member organizations and assist them in developing appropriate programs which shall include, but not be limited to, the following needs of the community including its role in the wider American society.
   
   

   1. Drug and alcohol abuse
   2. Domestic relations
   3. Career guidance
   4. Employment assistance and referral
   5. Programs for senior citizens
   6. Sports and recreation
   7. Financial assistance to the needy
   8. Service to the community at large
   9. Any other activities considered desirable and necessary for the attainment of the objectives of the World Sikh Council - America Region.

   
   The Committee shall make efforts to set up and support groups able to provide assistance, advice and expertise in mitigation and eventual elimination of drug and alcohol abuse from the Sikh community in the region. Similarly, the Committee shall set up and support groups able to provide assistance, advice and expertise in problems of domestic abuse or other family relations problems. The Committee shall assist and support efforts to develop systems for assisting various segments of the community in career guidance, employment assistance, development of programs for senior citizens, sports and recreation, and financial assistance to the needy. The Committee shall assist the member organizations develop programs for service to the community at large. It will assist various agencies and groups working on these problems in different cities and communities in developing joint programs and in developing appropriate collaborative efforts with governmental agencies and other social organizations. Any groups and associations currently engaged in this noble activity should be persuaded to come together under the auspices of the World Sikh Council - America Region for even greater and more productive effort.

   The Committee shall collaborate with the Education Committee, the Interfaith Committee, the Public Interface Committee and other committees as may be necessary to achieve the objectives set forth in the above sections.