World Sikh Council - America Region

Click to view in PDF format

ARTICLES:

• ARTICLE I. NAME
• ARTICLE II. OFFICES
• ARTICLE III. AIMS AND OBJECTS
• ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP
• ARTICLE V. GENERAL BODY
• ARTICLE VI. ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS
• ARTICLE VII. MANAGEMENT OF THE WORLD SIKH COUNCIL - AMERICA REGION
• ARTICLE VIII. REGIONAL COMMITTEE
• ARTICLE IX. ADOPTION AND REVISION OF THE ARTICLES
• ARTICLE X. OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
• ARTICLE XI. DISPUTES AND DIFFERENCES

BYLAWS:

• ARTICLE I. OFFICES
• ARTICLE II. THE GENERAL BODY
• ARTICLE III. THE REGIONAL COMMITTEE
• ARTICLE IV. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
• ARTICLE V. THE OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL
• ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES
• ARTICLE VII. ADOPTION OF REVISED BYLAWS

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of the organization shall be the World Sikh Council - America Region.
Back to index

ARTICLE II. OFFICES

The Office of the World Sikh Council-America Region shall be located within the United States of America.
Back to index

ARTICLE III. AIMS AND OBJECTS

The aims and objects for which the World Sikh Council - America Region is established are as under:

1. Preservation of and respect for a distinct Sikh identity;
2. Safeguarding the cultural heritage of the Sikhs;
3. Advancement of social and economic interests of the Sikhs;
4. Promotion of quality education among Sikhs;
5. Promotion of Sikh studies in general and religion, theology, liturgy and history in particular;
6. Promotion of public awareness of Sikh beliefs and practices in order to enhance educational and employment opportunities for the Sikhs;
7. Developing programs for proper upbringing of Sikh children and youth and imparting to them sound knowledge of, and inspiring in them real pride in the Sikh identity, religion, culture, tradition, and history;
8. Acceptance and implementation of Panth Parvanit (approved by the Panth) "Sikh Rehit Maryada" (the Sikh way of life) as notified by the Shromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee;
9. Propagating awareness of, and strengthening faith in fundamental human rights and the dignity of the human person;
10. Emphasizing equality of all human beings as preached by the Sikh Gurus and ensuring equal rights to men and women;
11. Harmonization of relations among various social and religious groups, associations and institutions in order to establish a strong and forward-looking international brotherhood, firm in Sikh spirit and resolutely committed to the Sikh way of life; and
12. Cooperating with national and international organizations in maintaining the rule of law, establishing peace and security, and promoting the basic Sikh tenet of SARBAT DA BHALA (well-being of all people).

For fulfillment of the Aims and Objects of the World Sikh Council - America Region, it shall:

1. Establish and/or support and encourage educational institutions including but not limited to study and research related to Sikh religion, history, art and culture, and other topics of interest to Sikhs in the America Region;
2. Establish trusts, endowments, and chairs in universities and institutions of higher learning and hold exhibitions, functions, conferences, and seminars and carry out similar programs related to education in Sikh religion, history, art and culture, Punjabi language, and other topics and subjects of interest to Sikhs in the America Region including the development of educational materials;
3. Establish and support newsletters, newspaper(s), magazines/journals, books and other publications, libraries, archives, audio-visual materials, websites, electronic or other means of communication, to make available and disseminate information about the Sikh religion, history, art and culture, and the Sikhs in general;
4. Appeal for, solicit, accept, receive and/or collect, acquire or dispose off moveable and/or immovable property, and accept money, special subscriptions, donations, grants, endowment funds, gifts, bequests and/or services from any lawful source;
5. Make rules, by-laws, and manual of procedure and lay down conventions to facilitate smooth functioning of the organization; and do any and all acts or things that a not-for-profit organization is authorized to do and which may be necessary, convenient or desirable in the administration of the affairs and for the full attainment of the objects of the World Sikh Council - America Region.

Back to index

ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP

1. The following shall be eligible to be enrolled as members of the World Sikh Council - America Region:
   1. Gurdwaras (registered or unregistered) which are managed by Sikh Sangat (congregation), follow the Sikh Rehit Maryada referred to in Article 3 (viii), and are located in the America Region. Thus, gurdwaras and institutions owned/controlled/managed by an individual or members of one family or other exclusive group or those that do not accept the Sikh Rehit Maryada shall not be eligible for membership.
   2. Registered/incorporated/notified Sikh institutions/trusts/societies/ associations and other bodies exclusively engaged in the promotion of Sikh educational, religious, socio-cultural, or historical interests.
   3. Eminent Sikh individuals with known contribution to the cause of Sikhism. This membership shall be by nomination. They shall be non-voting members.
   4. Individual members, if any from the region, already (prior to 12/21/1997) enrolled and notified under the original Constitution (of the World Sikh Council) as members. They shall, however, cease to be members on the expiry of their initial tenure.
   5. Sikh institutions already enrolled and notified as members of the Vishav (World) Sikh Council - USA.
2. Membership shall be by invitation/application. The Regional Committees shall enroll the eligible members in the America Region. The decision of the Regional Committee (of the World Sikh Council - America Region) in the matter of such approval or non-approval may be appealed to the General Body defined in Article 5 below. Decision of the General Body shall be final.
3. The gurdwaras/institutions/trusts/societies/associations, and other bodies, on becoming members, shall be represented in the World Sikh Council - America Region by a duly authorized nominee of the concerned entity. The nominee must fulfill the requirements of member listed in section D below.
4. Qualifications and Disqualifications for membership.

   Qualifications

   To be qualified to become or continue to be an individual member or to represent any organization which is a member of the World Sikh Council - America Region, the person concerned must be a Sikh who
   1. has full faith in only the Ten Gurus and Sri Guru Granth Sahib and believes in no other religion;
   2. is not less than 21 years of age;
   3. has proficiency in reading, writing and speaking Punjabi or English, and
   4. believes in the aims and objects of the World Sikh Council - America Region and agrees to fulfill the same.

   Disqualifications

   No organization/individual that does not accept and follow the Panth Parvanit Sikh Rehit Maryada shall be eligible to be a member. No person shall be entitled to become, or continue as, a member of the Council, or serve as a representative of any member organization, if he or she
   1. has been declared by a competent authority to be insane or mentally incompetent;
   2. has committed any of the four "Bajar Kurehats" listed in the Sikh Rehit Maryada;
   3. has been convicted of any felony or offense involving moral turpitude;
   4. is considered by the Regional Committee not a fit person to become or to continue to be a member of the World Sikh Council - America Region.
5. The membership fee, if any, shall be fixed by the Regional Committee.

Back to index

ARTICLE V. GENERAL BODY

General Body of the World Sikh Council - America Region (hereinafter referred to as the Council) shall consist of one representative each of all the voting members of the Council. Each member organizations shall have complete authority to name, appoint, recall, or replace its representative at any time with proper written or e-mail notification of the event to the Secretary General. A representative once named shall continue to serve till such time as the Secretary General is notified of a change by the member organization he/she represents.
Back to index

ARTICLE VI. ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS

World Sikh Council -America Region is organized and operated exclusively for charitable, religious, and educational purposes including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. The World Sikh Council - America Region is not a social club. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered, and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the aims and objects clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on: (a); by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b); by any organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the County in which the principle office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.
Back to index

ARTICLE VII. MANAGEMENT OF THE WORLD SIKH COUNCIL - AMERICA REGION

The affairs of the Council shall be managed by the Regional Committee subject to the Bylaws as approved by the General Body from time to time.
Back to index

ARTICLE VIII. REGIONAL COMMITTEE

1. Constitution of the Regional Committee

   The Regional Committee consisting of sixteen members shall be formed by the General Body of the World Sikh Council - America Region. The number of members may be changed by the General Body at any time.

2. Functions of the Regional Committee

   Functions of the Regional Committee shall be defined by the General Body through Bylaws approved by it. The General Body may alter these functions at any time through amendment of the Bylaws.

Back to index

ARTICLE IX. ADOPTION AND REVISION OF THE ARTICLES

These Articles come into force when accepted unanimously by the Regional Committee and approved by the Patron. Amendments to the Articles may be proposed by the Executive Committee, a simple majority of the members of the Regional Committee or by petition by one-third of members of the General Body. In either case, the proposal shall be considered at the following General Body meeting and, shall only be considered approved if agreed to by three-fourths of the members voting in person or through mail ballot.
Back to index

ARTICLE X. OFFICIAL LANGUAGE

The World Sikh Council - America Region shall have two main official languages: Punjabi in Gurmukhi script and English in Roman script. The Articles of Incorporation and By-laws shall be in English. A Punjabi translation of these documents shall also be available upon request. The form of numerals to be used shall be the international form.
Back to index

ARTICLE XI. DISPUTES AND DIFFERENCES

Any dispute or difference of any type, which cannot be resolved by the Regional Committee or by committees duly authorized by it to the satisfaction of the parties to the dispute or the difference, shall be referred to the General Body whose decision thereupon shall be deemed to be the decision of the parties to the dispute or the difference and shall be final and shall not be liable to be questioned or impugned in any court or other forum. At the General Body meeting considering the issues, a simple majority of the members voting in person or through mail ballot shall be sufficient for the decision to be implemented.
Back to index

BYLAWS:

ARTICLE I. OFFICES

The offices of the corporation shall be at such place within the United States of America as may be designated from time to time by the Regional Committee of the World Sikh Council - America Region.
Back to index

ARTICLE II. THE GENERAL BODY

General Body of the World Sikh Council - America Region (hereinafter referred to as the Council) shall consist of one representative each of all the voting members of the Council. Each member organizations shall have complete authority to name, appoint, recall, or replace its representative at any time with proper written or e-mail notification of the event to the Secretary General. A representative once named shall continue to serve till such time as the Secretary General is notified of a change by the member organization he/she represents. The following rules shall apply to the working of the General Body.

1. The General Body shall run the affairs of the Council through a Regional Committee selected by it.
2. The General Body shall meet at least once a year. This meeting, designated as the Annual Meeting, may be held at the same time and place as one of the meetings of the Regional Committee. The Secretary General will be responsible for arranging this annual meeting on behalf of the Regional Committee. Special meetings may be called at such other times as shall be determined by the Regional Committee or by petition by one-third of the membership of the World Sikh Council - America Region.
3. A notice of at least forty five days shall be given to all members of the General Body - to the member organizations through their designated representatives and directly to individual members. This notice shall include the date, time, and place of the meeting and the proposed draft Agenda.
4. Agenda for the General Body meeting shall be established by the Secretary General and in consultation with the other members of the Executive Committee but any member of the Council or of the Regional Committee may, at any time, make suggestions for items to be included in the agenda.
5. Quorum for the General Body meeting shall be thirty percent (30%) of the total number of voting members.
6. All decisions/resolutions approved by the General Body must have the support of a simple majority of the members present and voting at any meeting of the General Body which has been properly called and satisfies the requirements of quorum. A simple majority of the members, present and voting at any meeting of the General Body, can place an item on the agenda of the Regional Committee which, by that action, is obligated to act on it at its next meeting.
7. The Secretary General shall record the minutes of the meetings of the General Body. These minutes should be provided to the members within two weeks of each meeting.
8. General Body shall be the final authority in appointment of the Regional Committee, assignment of duties to and evaluation of performance of all officers, committees, and other bodies of the Council, including censure, recall, and replacement of any or all of the members of these bodies. It shall have final authority in framing rules and bylaws for the working of the Council itself and all its constituent units.
9. Council may, if it deems it necessary or desirable for accomplishment of the purposes of the Council, set up Zonal Councils consisting of members from a geographical region within the America Region.

Back to index

ARTICLE III. THE REGIONAL COMMITTEE

1. Membership of the Regional Committee

   The Regional Committee consisting of sixteen members shall be formed by the Council. The number of members may be changed by the General Body at any time.

2. Functions of the Regional Committee

   The Regional Committee shall exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as the Council is authorized to exercise and/or do. In particular, it shall have the following powers and discharge the following duties:

   1. To manage and control all affairs of the Council and generally to do all acts as are incidental and conducive to the attainment of the aims and objects of the Council;
   2. To deal with and settle all questions and issues regarding the activities, programs, policies, and the projects of the Council;
   3. To manage and regulate finances, accounts, and investment of funds of the Council as it may think to be in the best interest of the Council;
   4. To put all money belonging to the Council in any scheduled Bank or Banks except such sum by way of interest for day to day expenses as may be fixed by the Regional Committee from time to time;
   5. To appoint subcommittees to deal with specific matters and within specified guidelines. But all acts and deeds of the subcommittees shall be got ratified by the Regional Committee in its next meeting;
   6. To appoint salaried persons or volunteer workers for specific objects of the Council and to determine their terms and conditions. This power may be delegated by the Regional Committee for such time as may be specified and subject to such conditions, if any, that may be imposed, to the Executive Committee, or to an officer, committee, or subcommittee, whether standing or special, at the discretion of the Regional Committee;
   7. To frame and amend rules and/or code of conduct for the members, employees and other persons consistent with the Articles of Incorporation of the Council;
   8. To pass standing orders and make by-laws, whenever required, for the efficient working of the Council and to exercise all other powers of the Council not inconsistent with its Articles of Incorporation;
   9. To enter into contracts and conduct or undertake and/or defend any litigation including public interest litigation by or on behalf of the Council through person/persons authorized by it. He/she/they shall be competent to engage lawyers and sign and verify pleadings, plaints, written statements, applications/affidavits of all types including Review/Revision and Appeals;
   10. To select an Executive Committee from amongst its own members to perform any or all of the above functions;
   11. To nominate/approve organizations and/or individuals for membership of the World Sikh Council - America Region. However, any member may suggest or recommend names for membership. Sample forms in English and Punjabi for organizational membership are appended to these Bylaws.
   12. To take any other action in the best interest of the Council and consistent with its Articles of Incorporation.
   
   
3. Selection of Members of the Regional Committee

   Members of the Regional Committee shall be appointed for a period of three years but may be re-appointed. However, no individual shall serve on the Regional Committee for more than two continuous terms, either full or partial, but shall be ineligible to a new term until three years shall have elapsed. The period of service shall be counted from the first day of the year in which the member was selected. Thus, partial year service in the first year of service would count as a full year for the purpose of this rule.

   1. The appointment of members of the Regional Committee shall commence on the date of announcement of their selection. This would ordinarily be the beginning of the calendar year.
   2. Members of the Regional Committee completing their term shall retire. Vacancies may also be caused by death, resignation, inability to serve, or expansion of the Regional Committee. In case of reduction in the size of the Regional Committee, only the number of vacancies required to bring the membership to full strength shall be filled. If a member retires during the course of his/her term, the vacancy shall be added to the next round of selections.
   
   
   3. To fill vacancies on the Regional Committee the following procedure shall be followed:
      1. The Secretary General will prepare a list of members due to retire at the end of the year. The list shall indicate for each retiring member whether he/she is eligible for nomination for another term.
      2. The Secretary General shall forward the list at (a) above to all voting members of the World Sikh Council - America Region requesting nominations, equal in number to the number of vacancies to be filled, of eminent Sikhs fulfilling the qualifications for membership laid down in the Articles of Incorporation. The members shall be advised that the nominations need not be from their own congregation or geographical area or restricted to members of the Council but effort should be made to select the most suitable persons from around the America Region.
      3. The member organizations, through their representatives, shall forward their nominations, along with brief descriptions of their reasons for the selection describing the qualifications of the nominees. This would help the next step in the selection process.
      4. The Secretary General shall compile the nominations received and forward the list so made, along with the description of qualifications of each nominee, to the voting members of the Council with the request that now they should select a number equal to the number of vacancies restricting their choice to this list.
      5. Upon receipt of nominations from the voting members, the Secretary General shall promptly tally the number of nominations received by each nominee and announce the names of those receiving the highest number of nominations up to the number required to fill the vacancies. In case more than one person receives the number of votes necessary for selection, the names of these tied persons shall again be sent to the member organizations with the request that they nominate the necessary number of persons from this group.
      6. If any of the persons selected shall decline or be unable to serve on the Regional committee, the person next below in the tally of votes shall be deemed selected.
      7. The Secretary General shall prepare a list of persons selected to fill the vacancies and submit it to the members of the Regional Committee with the request that if any of them sees any reason why any one or more of the persons selected should not be allowed to serve. If any member of the Regional Committee objects to any person on the list, such objection shall be conveyed to the organization that initially nominated the person in question. The objection and the rebuttal shall be reviewed by the existing Regional Committee and its decision implemented.
      8. The Secretary General will publicly announce the result of the selection process and formally convey them to the members of the Council. The newly selected members of the Regional Committee shall commence their work immediately after the announcement.
      
      
      9. To implement the above procedure in a timely fashion, the Secretary General will follow the following timeline as far as possible:
         1. First week of August: Request the member organization to update the data as to their representative. This will be done by filling out the annual information form appended to these Bylaws.
         2. First week of September: Inform the member organizations about vacancies expected on the Regional Committee and to seek nominations for replacements.
         3. First week of October: Provide the member organizations with a list of nominees and request them to indicate their choice for the number of vacancies out of this list.
         4. First week of November: Announce the names of the new Regional Committee and request the new Regional Committee to choose the Executive Committee from among its own members.
         5. First week of December: New Executive Committee is selected and announced.
4. Quorum for Regional Committee meetings shall be thirty percent (30%) of its total membership.
5. Tenure of the Regional Committee

   The Regional Committee shall take over functions from its predecessor Regional Committee immediately upon its selection being announced.

6. Meetings of the Regional Committee
   1. The Regional Committee shall meet at least twice each year or more frequently if necessary. One-third of the members of the Regional Committee may ask the Secretary General to call a special meeting of the Regional Committee. At least two weeks notice shall be given for such meetings if they involve travel. Meetings of the Regional Committee may be held through e-mail, fax, phone, or other device to the satisfaction of the Regional Committee. For these meetings not involving travel, the requirement of two weeks notice may be dispensed with.
   2. Minutes of the all meetings shall be recorded by the Secretary General and mailed / e-mailed to the members within two weeks of each meeting.
   3. All decisions of the Regional Committee shall be by simple majority vote of those present and voting at the scheduled meetings or by simple majority of all members voting if the vote is taken by mail, postal, electronic, fax, or any other proper means.
   4. All actions of the Regional Committee shall be reported to the Council at its annual meeting or any special meeting whichever comes earlier. The Secretary General shall prepare this report.

Back to index

ARTICLE IV. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. Membership of the Executive Committee

   The Executive Committee consisting of five members shall be formed by the Regional Committee. The number of members may be changed by the Regional Committee at any time but shall not be less than four, the number of officers of the Council.

2. Functions of the Executive Committee.

   The Executive Committee shall act in behalf of the Regional Committee and be subject to direction, control, and recall by the Regional Committee. All acts of the Executive Committee shall be reported to the Regional Committee and be subject to the Regional Committee's approval.

3. Selection of members of the Executive Committee

   Each year, after the vacancies in the Regional Committee have been filled and the new Regional Committee constituted, the Secretary General will follow the following procedure:

1. First week of November: Request the new Regional Committee to choose the Executive Committee from among its own members. After the nominations have been received, the Secretary General shall tally the number of nominations for each of the nominees and announce the names of the five receiving the most nominations. The Secretary General shall convey the fact of their selection to the members concerned. If any of the persons selected is unable to serve, the next person receiving the most nominations shall be selected. In case of a tie, the Secretary General shall request members of the Regional Committee to select the required number from amongst the tied nominees.
2. First week of December: Announce the names of the members of the Executive Committee.
4. Tenure of the Executive Committee

   The Executive Committee shall commence transition from its predecessor Executive Committee by the second week of December. The outgoing Executive Committee and officers shall ensure smooth transition.

5. Meetings of the Executive Committee
   1. No rules for periodic meetings are necessary for the Executive Committee. Members of the Executive Committee shall be expected to be in frequent communication with each other so that all decisions taken by the Executive Committee on all affairs of the Council are fully discussed among them to arrive at a joint decision in each case. This communication may be by phone, fax, email or other appropriate means.
   2. The Vice Chairperson shall keep record of all decisions and acts of the Executive Committee. The Vice Chairperson shall report these actions to the Council at its annual meeting. All actions must be reported to the Regional Committee immediately. If logistically possible, the Regional Committee members will be consulted on all but routine matters.
   3. All decisions of the Executive Committee shall be by simple majority vote.

Back to index

ARTICLE V. THE OFFICERS OF THE COUNCIL

1. Officers of the Council

   The Council shall have four officers, viz., The Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson, the Secretary General, and the Treasurer. To select these officers, the following procedure shall be followed:

   1. First week of December: The Secretary General shall request members of the newly selected Executive Committee to choose officers from among themselves.
   2. Second week of December: The Secretary General shall announce the names of the new officers and the at large member of the Executive.

   The new Officers take over charge of their respective offices from their predecessors and start functioning in their respective capacities on or about the New Year's day.

   The fifth member of the Executive Committee shall be an "at large" member who may be assigned specific duties by the Executive Committee at its discretion. The fifth member of the Executive Committee shall serve the same term of office as the officers. The officers shall serve at the pleasure of the Executive committee which may reassign duties, recommend recall or replacement of any of the officers. Duties of the officers shall be as described in the following sections.

2. CHAIRPERSON

   The Chairperson shall
   

   1. serve as chief executive officer of the World Sikh Council - America Region and, as such, perform all duties associated with such office, together with such additional duties as shall, from time to time, be delegated by the Executive Committee of the World Sikh Council - America Region;
   2. preside at all meetings of the World Sikh Council - America Region including those of the General Body, the Regional Committee, the Executive Committee, and any other units within the organization;
   3. serve as an ex-officio member of all committees constituted by the World Sikh Council - America Region;
   4. represent the World Sikh Council - America Region in any negotiations which involve the organization in any contractual obligations;
   5. represent the World Sikh Council - America Region in liaison with the President of the World Sikh Council, and other Regional Committees and Sikh Councils around the world.
3. VICE-CHAIRPERSON

   The Vice-Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson in case the Chairperson is unable to perform them. The Vice-Chairperson shall also perform any duties that may be assigned to him/her by the Executive Committee.

4. SECRETARY GENERAL

   The Secretary General shall
   

   1. keep minutes of the meetings of the World Sikh Council - America Region, and of the Regional Committee;
   2. issue notices of meetings of the General Body and of the Regional Committee;
   3. prepare the agenda for the meetings;
   4. serve as custodian of records and history of the World Sikh Council - America Region including record of all correspondence to and from and in behalf of the World Sikh Council - America region and the Regional Committee; and
   5. perform, in general, all duties inherent in the office of Secretary, and such other duties as may, from time to time, be assigned by the Executive committee.
5. TREASURER

   The Treasurer shall:
   

   1. have custody of, and be responsible for, all funds and securities of the World Sikh Council - America Region;
   2. oversee receiving and giving receipts for moneys due and payable to the World Sikh Council - America Region in such banks, trust company or other depositories as shall be approved by the Regional Committee;
   3. perform, in general, all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and such other duties as may, from time to time, be assigned by the Executive Committee.
6. Tenure of Officers

   Officers of the Council shall be selected to serve one year term which may be renewed. However, no officer shall serve for a continuous period exceeding two years but shall be ineligible to a new term until one year shall have elapsed.

7. Communications

   All communications on behalf of the Council with the public, the media, and government authorities at all levels, or with other organizations shall be by the Chairperson or the Secretary General. They shall invariably be the product of consultation among the members of the Executive Committee.

   No member of the Executive Committee may participate in a public function as a Sikh representative except as a representative of the Council. Any exceptions to this are subject to the unanimous written consent of the Executive Committee.

Back to index

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES

1. The Regional Committee shall set up and/or disband various committees, foundations, working groups or other bodies, standing or otherwise, within the geographical region.
2. The Regional Committee shall elect the moderators and members of all committees, foundations, working groups or other bodies, standing or otherwise, and shall have the authority to add to, replace, fill any vacancies howsoever caused, or change the membership of these bodies at any time.
3. The number of persons on each committee, foundation, working group or other body, shall be determined by the Regional Committee. Members shall be appointed for a term of three years with one-third retiring each year. Members may be re-appointed for up to two consecutive terms.
4. One member of the Regional Committee shall serve as an additional member of each of the standing committees set up by the Regional Committee. He/she shall serve as liaison between the respective committee and the Regional Committee to facilitate the working of the committee. Other members of the Regional Committee may be nominated in addition to the liaison person.
5. Initially, the following standing committees shall be set up for the attainment of objectives set forth in the Articles of Incorporation of the World Sikh Council - America Region and for proper functioning of the World Sikh Council - America Region.
   1. Social and Cultural Committee (objectives ii, iii, iv, vi, and x, Article III);
   2. Education Committee (objectives ii, iv, v, vi, and vii, Article III);
   3. Interfaith Committee (objectives xi and xii, Article III);
   4. Religious and Spiritual Affairs Committee (objectives v, vii, and viii, Article III);
   5. Human Rights and Religious Freedom Committee (objectives i, ix, and x, Article III);
   6. Legal Affairs Committee (objectives i, ii, ix, and x, Article III);
   7. Membership and Organizational Affairs Committee;
   8. Budget and Finance Committee;
   9. Public Interface Committee;
   10. Communication and networking committee;
   11. Youth Committee

Article III in the above list refers to Article III of the Articles of Incorporation of the World Sikh Council - America Region. The specific tasks to be handled by each committee, foundation, working group or other body shall be determined by the Regional Committee. Each unit set up by the Regional Committee shall present a detailed report on its activities, including progress in accomplishment of objectives and goals, as well as problems and difficulties to the annual meeting of the Regional Committee. The report shall include listing of projects recommended for approval of the Regional Committee and projections regarding accomplishment of tasks. These reports shall include reports on the work of any subcommittees, special committees, task committees or other groups, panels or units set up by the committee.
Back to index

ARTICLE VII. ADOPTION OF REVISED BYLAWS

1. These revised Bylaws shall require a majority of the Regional Committee to propose the change. These will be implemented immediately upon approval by the General Body at its annual or special meeting or mail / e-mail ballot vote.
2. These Bylaws may be amended through proposal by the Executive Committee or by the Regional Committee and approval by a majority vote of the General Body at its annual or special meeting or mail / e-mail ballot vote.

Back to index

Membership Form (pdf) in English / Punjabi.