1. Membership
a. General Membership: PCA Membership shall be open to all persons and entities interested in the objects of the Society of which the Directors or Trustees may approve. The membership shall be divided into two categories:
i. ISLAMIC TRUST membership is restricted to Pakistani Muslims.
ii. COMMUNITY TRUST membership is open to all Pakistanis.
ISLAMIC TRUST to be run by Board of Trustees.
COMMUNITY TRUST to be run by Board of Directors.
Members must be residents of BC and be of Pakistani origin and their spouses of any origin except for
the restriction provided in category (i).
Islamic Trust Membership and Community Trust Membership shall be approved and collected by the respective trust or joint agreement.
iii. DEFINITIONS:
1. Islam: Islam means complete submission to the will of Allah as described in the Holy Qu’ran and Sunnah. Islam is the last and complete religion, which was revealed to Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), the last of the prophets. The cardinal Articles of faith and five pillars are the basis of Islam.
2. Muslim: (a) A Muslim is a person who believes in Islam and declares that there is no God
but Allah and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) is the Messenger of Allah, (b) A Muslim is also
deemed to be a person who believes in the absolute and unqualified finality of the
Prophethood of Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH), the last of the Prophets, (the Seal of the
Prophets).
3. Islamic Center: a complex or place where all activities take place in accordance with
Islam.
The voting and sustaining members shall pay dues until other determination in the sum of $5.00 for each fiscal
year for each category of membership and a total of $10.00 for both categories of membership for each fiscal
year.
Senior citizens and full-time students shall pay $2.00 for each fiscal year for each category of membership
and a total of $4.00 for both categories of membership for each fiscal year.
For the purpose of this by-law:
(a) Senior Citizen will be persons who are over the age of 65 years old.
(b) Students will be those who are enrolled and attending full time at a recognized and bonafide
educational, vocational, or technical institution.
(c) The minimal age requirement for membership is 16 years.
b. Life Members or Institutional Members shall pay a subscription or dues to the Society in the sum of a
minimum of $500.00 in a lump sum and if of Pakistani origin shall be entitled to vote.
c. Honorary Members
i. Will not be required to pay any dues and shall not be voting.
ii. Such membership can be given by the executive by at least 2/3 majority.
d. Associate Members will pay an annual subscription of $5.00 for each fiscal year and shall be non-voting
members.
e.
i. The members of the society shall be unlimited
ii. Person shall cease to be a member of the society.
a. by delivering his/her resignation in writing to the Secretary or
b. by mailing or by delivering it to the address of the Society, or
c. On his/her death
All classes of membership in the Society are subject to the control, approval and regulation of the executive.
The right to membership amongst other qualification shall depend strictly upon compliance with the Constitution and
the By-Laws concerned of the Society herein.
i) The membership will commence on the first day of April in each year and will expire on the thirty-first day of
March the following year.
ii) The member shall not be in good standing if the membership is not renewed by 6 pm on the last Sunday of
April each year.
f. Deadline for the receipt of applications for the new memberships shall be the first Sunday in April each year by
6pm. Election chairman will be furnished with the annual membership list by the second Sunday of April each
year by 11pm.
2. Termination/Expulsion of Membership
a. Anyone or more grounds of the following shall result in termination of membership.
i. Failure to pay membership
ii. Conduct harmful to the Society
iii. Inability to abide by the aims and objects of the Society.
b. Action under this clause can be taken by the Board of Directors, by a vote of three-fourths of the entire Board.
No member shall be expelled or suspended without having first been given an opportunity to be heard by the
Directors at a meeting for that purpose and to be confirmed in special General Body meeting within sixty days
of termination.
c. Re-instatement of Membership. Membership relapsed under Clause 2a(i) shall be automatically restored on
payment of membership dues, (ii) The executive may reinstate the membership of person or persons who
have been expelled or terminated under Clause 2a(ii) & (iii) by a two-third majority such person or persons
shall not be eligible for any office of the Association for a period of two years from the date of re-instatement.
d. Every member shall have hereby agreed and covenanted that in the event of termination of membership or
expulsion there shall be no right or cause of claim or action whether inequity or in law in any circumstances
whatsoever against the Association herein or against any member, officer, director or servant or agent thereof
and further in consideration of admittance to membership at any time every member shall be deemed to have
waived any such right, claim, cause or demand.
3. General Body Meeting
i. All Voting and Sustaining members in good standing will be informed in writing at least two weeks in
advance about time, place and agenda for the meeting. Notice of meeting mailed to last address of
members (as with the Society) shall be considered a lawful notice
ii. Annual General Body meeting shall be held on the last Sunday of April of each year at a time and place
decided by the Executive of the Community and Islamic Trusts. The joint meeting resolution shall require
the majority of the Community trust and the majority of Islamic Trust to carry the resolution.
iii. Executive shall have the power to call any extraordinary general meeting of the Society herein at any time
upon similar notice.
iv. Twenty percent (20%) strength of members in good standing at any General Body Meeting present shall
constitute quorum for each meeting. After half an hour of First Call for the meeting the quorum shall be
reduced to 15%. If a quorum is still not present, the meeting shall stand adjourned to the same day in the
next week, at the same time and place, and if, at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within 30
minutes from the time appointed for the meeting, the members present constitute a quorum.
v. Only voting and sustaining members shall have the right to vote on such a meeting. Voting shall be by
show of hands, unless requested by any member, by secret ballot, simple majority of vote shall carry any
resolution.
vi. If at any time during a general meeting, there ceases to be a quorum present, business then in progress
shall be suspended until there is a quorum present or until the meeting is adjourned or terminated.
4. Executive
a. Shall comprise of a President, a Vice-President, a General Secretary, a Treasurer, a Director of Public
Relations and four (4) elected directors. The President of past year will remain as one director.
b. The number of directors may be increased or decreased at a General Body Meeting by at least 3/4 of the
majority.
c. The directors and Trustees may exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as the society
may exercise and do, and which are not by their by-laws or by statute or otherwise lawfully directed or
required to be exercised or done by the society in general meeting by subject, nevertheless, to the
provisions of (l). All laws affecting the society and (11). These by-laws and rules not being inconsistent
with these by-laws, which are made from time to time.
i. To sell, borrow money on security of or mortgage any real estate in the name of or under
control of the Society/Association or raise loans in the name of the Society/Association.
ii. To buy any real estate.
iii. To spend more than $5,000 on any one project.
iv. To initiate or defend Court Action on behalf of the Association.
All actions under Clause 4c (i), (ii) and (iii) can be undertaken by the executives if passed at a
General Body meeting.
d. Any member of the executive can be suspended by the Executive by a 2/3 majority but such suspension
must be approved and ratified at a General Body meeting by a simple majority within one month of date of
Executive itself.
i. Vacancies on the Board of Directors however caused be filled by the Director from among the
members nominated but not elected at the last general meeting in their descending order of
votes, within thirty (30) days. In the case of President, Vice-President, Secretary and
Treasurer, Board should elect from the elected directors.
ii. In the event there are no nominated members available for the positions of Directors, the
board of Directors shall have the power to fill the vacancy with 2/3 majority.
iii. If any member of the Board of Directors or Trustees shall resign his/her office or absent
himself/herself from 3 (three) consecutive meetings or be suspended or expelled from Society,
the Directors/Trustees shall declare his office vacated and shall appoint a successor in his/her
place to hold office in manner provided above. Any members resigning shall submit his
reasons for resignation.
v. Executive of the Board of Trustees shall consist of 5 trustees who shall in turn elect their office
bearers (Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer) at the first Meeting of the Executive subsequent to
the Annual General Elections. All duties for office bearers defined in clauses 4(e), 4(h) and 4(j)
shall also apply to the office bearers of the ISLAMIC TRUST except as noted.
e. RESPONSIBILITIES. President:
i. The President shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the society and of the Board of
Directors, and joint Board of Directors and Trustees. The President shall also be charged with
the general management and supervision of the affairs and operations of the society. The
President with the Secretary, or other officer appointed by the Board for the purpose shall sign
all resolution and membership certificates. During the absence or inability of the President, his
duties and powers can be exercised by the Vice-President.
ii. To call a meeting of the Executive.
e. The Vice President
i. Will act as President in the absence of the President.
ii. Will help the President in carrying out his functions.
f. General Secretary
i. Have custody of all records and documents of the Society, except those required to be kept by
the Treasurer.
ii. Keep minutes of the correspondence of the Society and Directors.
iii. Conduct all the correspondence of the Society.
iv. Issue notices of meetings of all directors and Society.
v. Have custody of the Common Seal of the Society.
vi. File an Annual Report with the Registrar of Companies within 30 days after each Annual
General Meeting. This duty to be performed by the General Secretary of the Community Trust.
g. Treasurer
i. The Treasurer shall receive, deposit and make disbursements of all monies of the Society,
provided that no disbursements shall be made except upon the authorization of the Board of
Directors and/or Trustees.
ii. Keep such financial records, including books of accounts as are necessary to comply with the
Societies Act. Render financial statements to the Directors, members and others when
required. Will keep register of members with names, address, date of becoming member and
class of members.
iii. All cheques will be signed by the Treasurer and President/Acting President or General
Secretary of the Association. The Treasurer must sign all cheques, if he is unable or unwilling
to sign, the President/Acting President and General Secretary shall sign.
The following duty to be performed by the Treasurer of the Islamic Trust:
iv. File the following with the Department of National Revenue, Taxation Division (Charitable and
Non-profit Organizations Section) within 60 days after the end of the fiscal period:
1. A completed copy of Return of Information (Form T2052) together with financial
statements for the corresponding, and
2. Two completed copies of Public Information Return (Form T3010) to be filed with
the Provincial Government.
i. Directors: Will help the President in carrying out the functions of the Association. All decisions in the
Executive meetings will be decided by a simple majority unless otherwise specified in the constitution or
by-laws. In case of an equality votes the chairman shall not have a casting vote in addition to the vote he
may be entitled to as a member, and the proposed resolution shall not pass.
j. Executive Meetings:
i. Can be called by the President or Acting President by himself/herself or through the General
Secretary or Acting General Secretary.
ii. Verbal or written notice of date, time and place must be given at least twenty-four hours in advance
of such meeting.
ii. Twenty five (25%) or more of the Executive members can request the President/Acting President
to call an executive meeting. They must provide an agenda. Such meeting must be called within
fifteen (15) days of receipt of such a request.
iv. The quorum for the executive meeting shall be six (6) members. Any resolution signed and being
in writing by all of the executive members shall have the effect of being a resolution carried at a
meeting duly called and attended by the Executive whether or not any member(s) of the Executive
have called or attended such a meeting.
Quorum for the Executive meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be three (3). All other requirements as
specified in clause 4(j) also apply to the Executive of the Islamic Trust.
The joint meeting between the Board of Directors and the Board of Trustees shall have the quorum based
on 6 members of Community Trust and 3 members of Islamic Trust. The joint meeting resolutions have
the majority of each trust voting for the resolution to carry it.
5. Accounts
a. Will be maintained by the Treasurer of the Islamic Trust as follows:
i. Trust Funds Accounts exempt from Income Tax dealing with:
1. Religion
2. Advancement of education
3. Settling of new immigrants
ii. General Fund Account dealing with the national and cultural activities not exempt from Income
Tax. This account shall be maintained by the Treasurer of the Community Trust.
The respective Treasurers’ shall present the accounts to the executives of the Islamic/Community Trust, whenever
required by them and Executive shall give at least one weeks notice.
b. The Treasurer will present accounts to the General Body Meeting whenever a new Executive is
being elected.
c. Accounts will be auditied by an auditor or person appointed by the Executive, at least once a year
before filing the annual report.
6. The Society shall have borrowing powers by raising security or mortgage upon its property or otherwise as the
Directors may decide, as and when necessary, but in compliance with Section 12 of the Act.
7. The Common Seal shall be affixed only when authorized by a resolution of the Directors and then only in the
presence of the persons prescribed in the resolution or no persons are prescribed, then in the presence of the
President and Secretary or Treasurer.
8. The by-laws relating to Community Trust, operations may be altered or amended by a Special General Body
Meeting of the Community Trust membership by 75% majority of the members at a meeting passing the Special
resolution. The by-laws relating to Islamic Trust operations may be altered or amended by a Special General Body
Meeting of The Islamic Trust membership by 75% majority of the members at a meeting passing the Special
resolution. Such Special General Body meeting to be convened by the Islamic Trust, Community Trust or both as
required.
Islamic Trust shall execute purposes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Community Trust shall execute purposes 3, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13.
9. Elections:
a. Will be held at a General Body Meeting on the last Sunday of April each year.
b. Voting and sustaining members shall be informed in writing at least two weeks in advance about
the election. Election shall be held on the Last Sunday of April each year at an annual general
body meeting.
c. Only Voting and Sustaining members as well as Life and Institutional members are allowed to vote.
d. Elections will be held by a secret ballot.
e. The Community/Islamic Trust will appoint an Independent Election Committee consisting of three
(3) members and the Community/Islamic Trust will provide guidelines on how to conduct the
election to meet the requirements and qualifications in accordance with the Constitution of the
Association Community Trust and Islamic Trust. The deadline for nominations and providing of the
membership list to the Election Chairman will be the second Sunday of April every year.
f. Elections for the 5 (five) Trustees of the Islamic Trust shall be held at the same time and place as
the elections for the Directors and office bearers of the Community Trust. A separate list of old and
new member’s of the Islamic Trust shall be supplied to the Election Committee at least 7 (seven)
days prior to the date fixed for the Annual Election. An eligible member contesting for the post of
Trustee shall not be entitled to stand for any other post in the Association. An eligible member
contesting for the post of an office bearer/director in the Community Trust shall not be entitled to
stand for any other post in the Association.
10. Books of the Association or Society herein may be inspected by members of the society herein upon two clear
weeks notice at the place of business of the Secretary or Treasurer of the society herein on weekdays,
holidays except during office hours.
11. Islamic Trustees
a. Qualifications for a Trustee:
i. Must be a Muslim Pakistani national or the Muslim child of a Pakistani national.
ii. Must be a permanent resident or citizen of Canada. Out of one’s entire period of residence in
Canada, a minimum residence of 3 years in British Columbia is necessary.
iii. Must agree with the Constitution and By-Laws of Pakistan-Canada Association and be able to
work with the general rules and regulations of the Association.
iv. Must be a member of Pakistan-Canada Association and in good standing for at least the
preceding minimum of 3 years immediately preceding; and during such period should have
paid his or her membership dues regularly each year and not in a lump sum to clear past
arrears.
v. Should not have been denied membership in the Pakistan-Canada Association or been
expelled from the membership.
vi. Should not be a member of any other parallel organization in British Columbia.
vii. Once elected as a Trustee, he or she will not hold any other office of Pakistan-Canada
Association.
b. Term of Office of Trustee:
i. Each trustee will be chosen through election in a duly convened meeting of the membership.
ii. The term of office of each trustee shall be for one year. In case of any one elected to fill a
vacant position, such person shall hold office for the remainder o his or her predecessor’s
term.
iii. A trustee will be eligible for re-election to any number of terms.
iv. The maximum number of trustees shall be five (5).
c. Removal of a Trustee:
The office of a trustee will be deemed to have become vacant and a trustee is liable for removal for
any of the following reasons, as the case may be:
i. In case of death or permanently abandoning residence in British Columbia.
ii. By becoming a member or any office bearer of any parallel organization.
iii. By engaging in activities considered harmful to the general interests of Pakistan-Canada
Association. The general membership of Pakistan-Canada Association Islamic Trust in a
particular year shall be the final body and authority to decide upon such behavior or conduct of
the individual or individuals involved.
iv. By failing to pay membership dues.
v. By any other reason deemed appropriate by the general membership of Pakistan-Canada
Association Islamic Trust.
Procedure for the Removal of a Trustee:
1. Upon receipt of a written request by one-third (1/3; of the paid-up members of Islamic Trust for the
removal of a Trustee, the Chairman of Pakistan-Canada Association Islamic Trust shall call a
meeting of the Board of Trustees. This meeting must be called within fifteen (15) days of the
receipt of such request.
2. After investigation, the Chairman shall convey the finding of the Board of Trustees to the
petitioners. However, if the petitioners are not satisfied with the finding of the Board of Trustees,
then a general meeting of the membership of the Islamic Trust will be called within thirty (30) days
from the date the finding of the Board of Trustees was communicated to the petitioners.
3. A trustee will be removed by a simple majority of the paid-up members of the Islamic Trust who are
present at the time of voting at a general meeting.
d. Duties of the Board of Trustees:
i. The Board of Trustees along with the President will be authorized to negotiate any contract or
agreement for the Association, or in its name to purchase, lease, acquire, sell, alienate,
exchange, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of rights and any securities, land, buildings, or other
property movable or immovable, real or personal, or any existing or future rights or interests
therein owned or to be owned by the Association.
ii. In order to initiate any of these transactions or proceedings, a decision would be made by a
simple majority of the Board of Trustees.
After completing the initial findings, the final authority for the decision shall not be exercised
unless and until the Board of Trustees and the President have obtained the consent of the twothird
(2/3rd) voting members at a duly convened general meeting for that purpose.
iii. Should the Islamic Trust decide to open a trust fund for any purpose, the Board of Trustees
and the Chairman of the Islamic Trust shall be authorized to operate such account.
The Trust account shall be opened and operated specifically for all aims and objects of the
Association relating to religious and educational activities and for the purposes of settling new
immigrants and shall exclude all expenses in connection with cultural or national activities.
Income tax receipts shall be issued for donations received in connection with these activities
only as specified above.
No withdrawal of funds from any trust fund or trust account will be made without the approval,
through proper resolutions, passed by at least a two-third (2/3) majority of the Board of Trustees.
There shall be no transfer of trust funds from one account to another.
Signatories or signing officers on all cheques will be the Chairman, Treasurer and General
Secretary of the Islamic Trust.
e. Existing Property:
All real property, including the lands and premises situated at 655 West 8th Avenue in the City of
Vancouver, Province of British Columbia, registered in the Vancouver Land Title office under No.
502408-L and all and any future acquisitions shall be held and owned by the Pakistan-Canada
Association, the Society itself. Furthermore, the property at 655 West 8th Avenue in the City of
Vancouver, Province of British Columbia, referred to above shall hereafter be designated as
“Jamia Masjid Vancouver” with its rights and privileges.
12. FISCAL YEAR:
The fiscal year of the Society will commence on the first day of April in each year and will terminate on the thirtyfirst
of March of the following year. The financial statements of the Society affairs for presentation to the members
at the annual general (END).
