1. Name
The name of the association is The Canadian Association for the Study of Islam and Muslims/L’Association canadienne pour l’étude de l’islam et des musulmans et musulmanes, hereafter referred to by its English acronym, CASIM.
2. Purpose
CASIM is a national organization established to enable and facilitate the study of the Islamic tradition and Muslim life from diverse disciplinary and methodological approaches.
3. Aims
a) CASIM seeks to promote scholarly research across the complete range of academic topics on Islam and Muslims.
b) CASIM seeks to facilitate and foster scholarly exchanges between Canada-based scholars working on Islam and/or Muslims.
c) CASIM assists and participates with other existing University organizations and institutes to enhance their work at a national level.
d) CASIM seeks to contribute to and elevate national discussions on Islam and Muslims. CASIM will issue statements on matters relating to Islam and Muslims in Canada when appropriate.
4. Members
Membership to CASIM is available to persons or institutions committed to furthering CASIM’s purpose and aims. Interested parties must apply for and be accepted into membership by resolution of the Council. The Council may create a mechanism to standardize the approval process for members. Only full members can vote at meetings of the Association or be elected to the Council.
a. Full members
Full membership is open to those with an academic interest in Islam and/or Muslims in a research or teaching position at a Canadian postsecondary institution.
Full membership is also open to graduate students in Canadian post-secondary institutions with an academic interest in Islam and/or Muslims. The Council reserves the right to set membership fees at a lower rate for students.
b. Affiliated members
Affiliated membership is open to those with an academic interest in Islam and/or Muslims working outside of a Canadian postsecondary institution, including a University outside of Canada.
c. Student members of non-Canadian Institution
Student membership is open to graduate students of a Canadian post-secondary institution with an academic interest in Islam and/or Muslims.
d. Community organizations
Membership is open to community organizations in Canada with an interest in contributing to a greater understanding of Islam and/or Muslims.
All members are subject to a biennial fee as a condition of membership. The Council will determine the appropriate fees for each category of membership starting in January each two years.
5. Members’ Meeting
The Council will call for an biennial Members’ Meeting. The Council will provide a minimum of 60-days notice to full members. Election of the Officers and Council Members will take place at the Members’ Meeting. The Officers will prepare an annual financial statement for the Members’ Meeting and a Report of CASIM’s activities. Any proposed motions must be sent to CASIM’s secretary 14 days prior to the meeting. Members’ meetings will not be held in the same municipality during two consecutive years.
The Council may also call a Special Members’ Meeting with a notice of 21 days.
6. Council: The Council is made up of the Officers and other elected members, totalling no more than fifteen members. The Council is responsible for overseeing the Officers’ running of the organization. It will meet at minimum once a year either in person or virtually. All terms of office are for one year.
7. Officers: The Council will delegate day to day responsibilities to six Officers among its fifteen members. These six officers will hold the positions of Chair, Secretary, Communications Officer, Treasurer, Outreach Officer, and Events Officer. The Executive Committee will convene for online meetings on a monthly basis. A minimum of one Officer position will be reserved for a graduate student from a Canadian University. All terms of office are for two years.
The Officers are accountable to the Council. They will provide Council Members with minutes of their meetings. Upon request from a Council Member, the Chair will convene a meeting with the Council within no later than 21 days from the Council Member’s request.
8. Responsibilities of Each Officer
a. The Chair
The Chair convenes and presides over meetings of the Council, represents CASIM with external bodies and research councils, and ensures the good order of the association.
b. The Secretary
The Secretary oversees the day-to-day administration of CASIM (in conjunction with the hired administrator), drafts an annual report on the activities of the Association, and keeps minutes of meetings.
c. The Treasurer
The Treasurer is responsible for the financial administration of the Association (in conjunction with the hired administrator), presents the accounts of CASIM to the Annual General Meeting, and reviews approval of membership applications.
d. The Communications Officer
The Communications Officer is tasked with the maintenance of the emailing list and corresponding with the Council and Members and the promotion of CASIM’s events (in conjunction with the hired administrator) on social media and through email).
e. The Outreach Officer:
The Outreach Officer is responsible for the maintenance of the website and the promotion of CASIM events. In conjunction with the officers, the outreach officer will is responsible for drafting statements of the association.
f. The Events Officer
The Events Officer oversees the organization of the Association’s activities, including the biennial conference.
9. Vacancies
A Vacancy on the Council may be the result of two situations:
1) An election has not filled all Council positions
2) A member of the Council has submitted her/his resignation
The Officers may fill a vacancy by extending an invitation to a full member.
10. Quorum
Quorum consists of three members for an Officers Meeting, eight members for a Council Meeting, and 12 members for the Annual Members’ Meeting.
Quorum must be established at the opening of a meeting only, such that a meeting may proceed if quorum is not present throughout the meeting.
Quorum may be established via video or telephone conferencing.
11. Income
Auditors will be appointed to review the financial books and records of the organization and to report this information at the next annual meeting.
Financial assets will be used exclusively towards furthering the purpose and aims of CASIM. Members of the Council shall receive no compensation for carrying out their duties, but may be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.
12. By-Laws
This Constitution does not preclude the Officers or Council from formulating by-laws that ensure the sound governance of CASIM. By-laws may be created or amended at any duly constituted meeting. The Council has final say over CASIM’s by-laws in the event of a disagreement between the Officers and the Council. By-laws can supplement or interpret the provisions of the Constitution but they cannot overturn them.
13. Amendments
This Constitution may be amended by the vote of at least 2/3 of the members present at an Annual or Special Members’ Meeting, where a notice of amendment has been given at least 30 days prior. Members must submit proposals for amendments to the Secretary.
14. Dissolution
Dissolution of the association shall occur by way of at least 2/3 of the vote of Council Members followed by 2/3 of the vote among those present at a Members’ Meeting. Upon dissolution of this association, any property or assets are to be used first to settle the association’s liabilities or debts. Should any property or assets remain afterwards, they will be donated to a charitable organization whose aims closely resemble those of CASIM, as determined by its members at dissolution. Members of CASIM shall have no interest in the property and assets of the association during the functioning of the association or upon its dissolution.