The Community Council of the Three States (New York, New Jersey, and Texas) is a council rooted in Islamic brotherhood and noble humanitarian values. It is guided by the efforts of scholars, preachers, and students of knowledge, who play a central role in promoting guidance, moderation, and community well-being.
We aim to build an informed and compassionate community—one that thrives through knowledge, unity, and the timeless principles of justice, kindness, and service.

Internal Bylaws of the Organization

Article I: Name and Nature of the Organization

• Section 1: Name of the Organization: The name of the organization is the "Tri-State Imam Council".
• Section 2: Headquarters: The main headquarters of the organization shall be located in the State of New Jersey.

Article II: Vision, Mission, and Objectives

• Section 1: Vision: "To include in its membership all imams of the three states (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut) before the year 2025."
• Section 2: Mission: "To care for the imam socially, and to elevate him academically and professionally, enabling him to fulfill his leadership and spiritual roles to the fullest extent."
• Section 3: Objectives:
• Improving the social welfare of imams, including health insurance, cooperative funds, disability coverage, and social solidarity in cases of sudden financial hardship.
• Achieving social solidarity among the council members.
• Building social bonds among the imams and their families.
• Providing the imam with the skills necessary to perform his duties efficiently and easily.
• Familiarizing the imam with the laws, norms, and societal traditions that are indispensable to know, thereby avoiding legal violations that could negatively impact him and the Muslims around him.
• Elevating the academic standard of imams, both in jurisprudence (Fiqh) and outreach (Dawah), as well as in various fields of knowledge they may require.
• Serving the community, which is reflected in the following:
  • a. Providing religious services at the individual level as well as addressing public issues.
  • b. Resolving disputes referred to the Council, whether marital/familial or other forms of dispute.
  • c. Building bridges of communication and understanding between communities, religious institutions, and other civil society organizations.
  • d. Strengthening cooperation among Islamic institutions.

Article III: Dissolution of the Organization

In the event of the dissolution of the organization, its assets shall be distributed to one or more non-profit Islamic organizations concerned with imams' affairs, in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code (tax laws).

Article IV: Conflict of Interest

• Section 1: Purpose The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to protect the organization when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director, or might result in a benefit through any transaction. This policy is intended to supplement, but not replace, any applicable state or federal laws governing conflicts of interest applicable to non-profit organizations.
• Section 2: Definitions and Material Interest
• Interested Person: Any president, officer, or member of a committee with Board-delegated powers, who has a direct or indirect financial interest, as defined below, is an interested person.
• Financial Interest: A person has a financial interest if they have, directly or indirectly:
  • 1. an ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the organization has a financial transaction.
  • 2. a compensation arrangement in any form with any entity with which the organization has a financial transaction.
  • 3. a potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity or individual with which the organization is negotiating a transaction or arrangement.
Note: A financial interest is not inherently a conflict of interest. A person who has a financial interest may have a conflict of interest only if the Board of Directors decides that a conflict of interest exists.
• Section 3: Procedures
• Duty to Disclose: In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest. The Board shall give them the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the Board and committees with delegated powers considering the proposed transaction.
• Determining Whether a Conflict of Interest Exists: After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, they shall leave the Board meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon.
• Addressing the Conflict of Interest:
  • 1. The interested person may make a presentation at the Board meeting.
  • 2. The director or committee chair, if appropriate, may appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction.
  • 3. The Board or committee shall determine whether the transaction is in the organization's best financial interest or if a conflict of interest outweighs it.
  • 4. If a more advantageous transaction is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the Board or committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether to enter into the transaction.
• Section 4: Violations of the Conflicts of Interest Policy
• If the Board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such belief and afford them an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose.
• If, after hearing the member's response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the Board or committee determines the member has failed to disclose a conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.

Article V: Membership

• Section 1: Types of Membership: The Council comprises two types of membership: Core (General) Membership and Honorary Membership.
• Section 2: Definition of Core Membership: The term "Core Member" refers to the individuals who constitute the General Assembly.
• Section 3: Requirements for Core Membership:
• The applicant must fill out a membership application and must be at least 18 years old at the time of application. The Board of Directors is authorized to decide on the application.
• The applicant must be an active imam in any mosque within the three states (New Jersey, New York, Connecticut) and their surrounding areas, or a scholar of Islamic Sharia (holding an academic degree in Islamic studies).
• The applicant must adhere to the methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah.
• Commitment to the internal bylaws of the organization.
• Payment of the annual membership fee.
• Section 4: Rights of Core Members:
• Receiving a copy of the organization's annual report, as well as the financial report.
• Discussing the annual report, questioning Board members, participating in planning, and shaping the organization's goals at every stage.
• The right to vote in elections, provided that their membership has been active for at least six months.
• The right to nominate/endorse any core member for the Board of Trustees, provided that their membership has been active for at least six months.
• Running for the Board of Trustees if they meet the candidacy conditions mentioned in Section 2 of Article VI.
• Section 5: Honorary Membership: "Applies to anyone who does not meet the requirements for Core Membership but is an active worker in the field of Dawah or is actively concerned with the affairs of imams."
• Section 6: Requirements for Honorary Membership:
• Filling out a membership application and being at least 18 years old at the time of application. The Board of Directors holds the authority to approve or deny the request.
• Adhering to the methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah.
• Being a resident of one of the three states.
• Commitment to the internal bylaws of the organization.
• Payment of the annual membership fee.
• Section 7: Rights of Honorary Members:
• Participation in the general activities of the Council.
• Participation in private activities upon a specific invitation from the Council.
• Eligibility for membership in the Advisory Council upon nomination by the Board of Trustees.
• Receiving the monthly newsletter.
• Section 8: Annual Subscription Fee: "The annual subscription fee for General Assembly members is $120.00. This amount is subject to change by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. The Board must announce this change during the General Assembly meeting. Any such change will apply to the upcoming fiscal year and will not be applied retroactively. Membership fees are non-refundable."

Article VI: The Board of Trustees

• Section 1: Number of Members: "The Board consists of nine elected members."
• Section 2: Candidacy Requirements for the Board of Trustees: Candidates for the Board of Trustees must meet the following conditions:
• They must meet all the requirements of Core Membership.
• They must have held active membership for at least two consecutive years.
• They must be at least 25 years of age.
• They must be an actively practicing imam.
• Section 3: Elections:
• The Board of Trustees sets the date for elections at least two months before the end of the current Board's term and notifies the General Assembly.
• The Board appoints an Election Committee from the members of the General Assembly and any honorary members they deem fit.
• The deadline for submitting candidacy is 30 days prior to the election date.
• The period for submitting appeals/objections ends two weeks before the scheduled election date.
• The Election Committee must send the final list of candidates to all members of the General Assembly.
• Votes shall be counted publicly in front of the General Assembly members.
• The top nine candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall become members of the new Board.
• The newly elected members must meet with the outgoing members within two weeks of the results announcement for the official transition of duties.
• Election results shall be published on the Council's website and all its social media platforms.
• Section 4: Vacancies on the Board of Trustees: A seat on the Board of Trustees shall be deemed vacant under any of the following circumstances:
• Death of a member, or any illness that prevents them from performing their duties.
• Resignation.
• Dismissal.
• Relocation of the member outside the Tri-State region represented by the Council.
• Absence from three consecutive meetings without a valid excuse.
• Resolution: The vacant seat shall be filled by the next candidate inline based on the highest votes from the previous election.
• All such cases are determined and resolved by the Board of Trustees.
• Section 5: Board Term:
• The term of office for the Board of Trustees is four years.
• No member may serve on the Board of Trustees for more than two consecutive terms.
• Section 6: Quorum: "A meeting of the Board of Trustees shall not be legally convened unless a quorum of at least five members is present."
• Section 7: Board Meetings: "The Board of Trustees shall hold three regular meetings annually, or meet as needed in case of emergencies."
• Section 8: Composition of the Board: "The Board of Trustees consists of a President, a Vice President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and five general members."
• Section 9: The President:
• The newly elected Board shall vote to elect a President from among themselves; the candidate who wins by a simple majority shall be the President.
• If multiple members wish to run for the presidency, a vote will be held, and whoever receives the highest number of votes will be the new President.
• The President of the Board of Trustees is the primary official spokesperson for the Council and represents it both internally and externally. The President has the right to delegate this task to a member of the Board. No other member has the right to represent the Council without authorization.
• The President—or the Vice President in the President's absence—shall chair both the General Assembly meetings and the Board of Directors meetings.
• Following consultation with Board members, the President must submit an action plan six weeks prior to the General Assembly meeting.
• The President monitors the performance of Board members, ensuring compliance with the internal bylaws and the action plan approved by the General Assembly.
• In the event of a tie vote (50% for and 50% against) on any project or motion brought before the Board, the President has the casting vote to break the tie.
• The President's term is four years, with a maximum limit of two consecutive terms.
• Section 10: The Vice President:
• The Vice President reports directly to the President.
• The Vice President acts on behalf of the President in all duties during his absence or upon official delegation.
• The Vice President manages the operations of the Executive Committee in the event of the resignation or dismissal of its chairperson.
• Section 11: The Board Secretary:
• The Secretary is directly linked to the President and reports directly to him.
• The Secretary's duty is to follow up on the tasks of the Board of Trustees and maintain communication with the Executive Director.
• Preparing the Council's budget in cooperation with the Executive Director and presenting it to the Board.
• The Secretary, in cooperation with the Executive Director, must verify all reports to be presented to the General Assembly six weeks before its meeting.
• Section 12: Financial Officer (Treasurer):
• The Treasurer reports directly to the President.
• The Treasurer's duty is to review financial reports with the Executive Director and ensure compliance with the law.
• The Treasurer is directly responsible for organizing fundraising events, seeking funding sources, and following up with donors to fulfill their pledges, assisted by the Executive Director and other staff.
• The Treasurer must present the financial report at the General Assembly meeting; this report must be submitted to the Board Secretary six weeks prior to the meeting date.
• Section 13: Specialized Committees: "The Board of Trustees has the right to form any specialized committees it deems necessary to execute its objectives."

Article VII: The Executive Committee

"The Board of Trustees shall appoint an Executive Committee with an adequate number of members to carry out the assigned tasks."

• Section 1: Members of the Executive Committee: "The Executive Committee consists of the Executive Director of the Council and the administrative team of their choosing, subject to approval by the Board."
• Section 2: The Executive Director:
• The Executive Director is appointed by the Board to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Executive Committee.
• The Executive Director implements the Board's policies and strategic plan.
• Developing and executing the Council's annual plan.
• The Executive Director's role is structurally linked to the Board Secretary, and they report directly to the Secretary.
• The Executive Director must submit the annual budget to the Board for approval.
• The Executive Director prepares for the annual General Assembly meeting.
• The Executive Director must submit the general annual report to the Board six weeks prior to the General Assembly meeting.
• The Executive Director operates strictly within the boundaries of the budget approved by the Board.

Article VIII: The General Assembly

• Section 1: Definition of the General Assembly: It is the collective body of all Core Members.
• Section 2: General Assembly Meetings:
• The Council holds one regular annual meeting.
• Quorum: The meeting is validly convened with a simple majority. If a quorum is not reached, the Assembly is called for another meeting within a month, which will be legally valid regardless of the number of attendees.
• An extraordinary (emergency) General Assembly meeting can be called by:
  • (a) An invitation from the President of the Board of Trustees.
  • (b) An invitation from a Board member, provided they obtain the approval of two-thirds of the Board.
  • (c) A request by the General Assembly members, provided it is backed by one-third of the total assembly membership.
• Section 3: Duties of the General Assembly:
• Discussing annual reports and future plans submitted by the Board.
• Amending the bylaws/constitution if necessary, following a formal proposal submitted six weeks prior to the meeting.
• Issuing a vote of no confidence against the Board and calling for new elections, subject to the approval of a two-thirds majority of the members.

Article IX: The Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the organization shall match the calendar year, beginning on the first day of January and ending on the last day of December.

Article X: Termination and Expulsion of Membership

• Section 1: A member's status shall be suspended if they fail to pay dues for an entire fiscal year.
• Section 2: Membership officially terminates upon the death or resignation of a member.
• Section 3: Expulsion of a Member: "Any member shall be expelled if they commit an individual act that violates the Council's constitution, or if they commit a violation of Islamic Law (Sharia) or civil law. An arbitration committee shall be appointed by the Board to assess the scope of the violation and submit a report to the Board, which will make the final decision."