Our Constitution

Preamble
Of the Muslim Students Association of Clear Lake High School located on 2903 Falcon Pass Drive. The Muslim Students Association shall be an organization dedicated to encouraging and facilitating the basic knowledge of Islam. This knowledge shall allow members to contribute positively, both individually and collectively towards meeting the needs of the school, the club, and the community in the ways of the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (May peace be upon him).


Article I: Name.
The name of the club shall henceforth be named the Muslim Students Association. Within this document, it shall be referred to as such.


Article II: Purpose.
Section A. The purpose of the Muslim Students Association at Clear Lake High School is to serve the best interests of Islam and of its members. The Muslim Students Association shall, in all its integrity:
1. Perform actions and deeds in the ways of the Qur’an and Sunnah, while promoting unity and brotherhood for the sake of Allah (SWT).
2. Allow for the means of religious, social, and cultural activities within the Muslim Students Association in the best interest of Islam.
3. Organize and maintain congregational prayers at the appropriate times.
4. Promote friendly relations between Muslims and non-Muslims within Clear Lake High School at all times.
5. Take the initiative to spread the knowledge of Islam within the school and community.

Section B. The Muslim Students Association agrees to conform and abide to all rules and regulations of all clubs of Clear Lake High School.


Article III: Membership and Meetings.
Section A. The Muslim Students Association shall consist of members, Muslim or Non-Muslim.
Section B. A member of the Muslim Students Association can be any student attending Clear Lake High School who wishes to be placed in the club. Non-Muslims are invited to be a part of the Muslim Students Association, as well.
Section C. Members may withdraw their membership at any time, without any cause or notification of officers.
Section D. Members are required to pay dues in the fall of each year.
Section E. The Muslim Students Association shall not discriminate by race, creed, gender, national origin, or religion.
Section F. Meetings shall be held on every Friday after school.
Section G. Members are expected to perpetually respect Islamic ways, whether in the Muslim Students Association meetings or not. The Members must realize they are the reflections of our club, and more importantly, our religion, to Clear Lake High School.


Article IV: Officers.
Section A. Officers of the Muslim Students Association of Clear Lake High School shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Historian, Treasurer, Event Coordinator, and MIST Coordinator.

President:
The President’s responsibilities will include-
a) Acting as a spokesperson for the Muslim Students Association at all times.
b) Allotting responsibilities among the other Officers.
c) Overseeing and advising all activities that occur within the Muslim Students Association.
d) Ensuring that all officers are active in pursuing all responsibilities of their positions effectively and efficiently.
e) Ensuring good public relations with Clear Lake High School students, faculty members, and the Muslim community.

Vice President:
The Vice President’s responsibilities will include-
a) Acting as a spokesperson for the Muslim Students Association at all times.
b) Assisting the President in any and all events and activities being pursued by the Muslim Students Association.
c) Ensuring good public relations with any and all outside sources being contacted by the Muslim Student’s Association.
d) Overseeing and advising officers in any activities of the Muslim Students Association, should the President not be available.

Secretary:
The Secretary’s responsibilities will include-
a) Taking minutes and notes of any and all officer board meetings.
b) Providing officers with full lists of members, emails, telephone numbers, etc.
c) Maintaining summaries of any and all general meetings and events of the Muslim Students Association.
d) Using the Muslim Students Association email with full and clear intent to distribute information regarding the activities and current news of the Muslim Student’s Association.
e) Assisting the President and Vice President in any remaining choices regarding the Muslim Students Association.


Historian:
The Historian’s responsibilities will include-
a) Taking clear pictures and videos of events and activities performed by the Muslim Students Association.
b) Providing the Muslim Students Association with any and all pictures and videos to include in the Clear Lake High School slideshow at the Muslim Students Association Banquet.

Treasurer:
The Treasurer’s responsibilities will include-
a) Maintaining all records of financial transactions of the Muslim Students Association.
b) Collecting and depositing all funds received on the behalf of the Muslim Students Association.
c) Creating or maintaining a bank account with all money collected by the Muslim Students Association.
d) Overseeing all fundraising events organized by the Muslim Students Association.

Event Coordinator:
The Event Coordinator’s responsibilities will include-
a) Organizing and attending all events held by the Muslim Students Association.
b) Placing a khateeb each Friday to give a religious khutbah to all members of the Muslim Students Association.

MIST Coordinator:
The MIST Coordinator’s responsibilities will include:
a) Registering and preparing each member participating in the Muslim Interscholastic Tournament.
b) Filling out all necessary paperwork and signing all necessary forms for participation in the Muslim Interscholastic Tournament.

The above officers shall meet once a month, or more, to discuss upcoming Muslim Student’s Association activities.


Section B. The Muslim Students Association bears all rights to place and remove officers as necessary.

Impeachment and Removing of Officers:
The rules and guidelines as pertaining to the impeachment and removing of officers:
Any officer may be removed from their position at any time if the following problems persist following a warning or probation:
a) Lack of interest within the Muslim Students Association.
b) Does not dedicate time and effort to the Muslim Students Association.
c) Does not participate in activities and events deemed as important within the Muslim Students Association.
d) Does not attend meetings over a large period of time.

A majority of officers must vote the accused officer off from his/her position. If there is no majority vote, the officer may not be removed. If an officer is removed and holds accusation against the Muslim Students Association, the Sponsor shall be notified. Once an officer is removed, it is a permanent leave.

If an officer is removed during the year, the officers will have a choice to either:
a) Assign a new officer to the position held by the previous one.
b) Carry on with the activities of the Muslim Student’s Association without any person as that titled officer for the remainder of the year.


Article V: Elections.
Section A. Elections shall be held in the month of May every year. The officers of the Muslim Students Association will henceforth be entitled the Election Committee at this time in year, to conduct the elections.

The Election Committee:
Section A. The Election Committee’s responsibilities include-
a) Running all aspects of the elections of the Muslim Students Association.
b) Preparing nomination forms and all other necessary documentation.
c) Writing up ballots.
d) Counting ballots and announcing the new officers no later than the Muslim Students Association Annual Banquet.
e) Hearing all contentions to the procedures and results, and accusations against the Election Committee in matters concerning the elections. The current Sponsor of the Muslim Students Association shall hear any charge against the Election Committee.

Nominations and Qualifications:
The rules and guidelines of nominations and qualifications are as such:
a) Another member, an officer, or the current Sponsor may nominate a member of the Muslim Students Association. A member may not nominate themselves.
b) Members and current officers cannot run for more than 2 officer positions in a single year.
c) To be qualified for a nomination, the member running for an officer position must be:
1. A regular attendee and member of the Muslim Students Association that is consistently present at roughly 80%+ of meetings and events.
2. A regular and legal student of Clear Lake High School.
3. Has demonstrated exceptional leadership and communication skills in participating in events coordinated by the Muslim Students Association.
4. Signs a form indicating the future dedication of the following year to actively participating in events and activities of the Muslim Students Association, should they be picked for the officer position.
d) The Election Committee shall not and will not favor any candidate over another.

The 5/6th and 6/7th Amendment
The rules and guidelines pertaining to the 5/6th and 6/7th Amendment are as such:
The 6/7th Amendment (Enacted by Clear Lake High School) shall be used to remove candidates whom are seen as unfit for the Officer position. If 5/6 (or 6/7) of the total current Muslim Students Association Officers do not approve and do not commend a current candidate, they may remove that aforementioned candidate from the ballot.

Voting Process
The voting process will consist of the following:
a) A preliminary round which will consist of a maximum one and a half minute speech in which is to be given by the candidate to the present members of the MSA on a specified election day.
b) The MSA members will then make confidential votes based off the speeches and personal judgments after all the candidates for a specific position have concluded their speeches.
c) After calculation of the member votes, the top two qualifying candidates from each position shall advance to a second round in the voting process.
d) The second round of the voting process will take place within the following week, and may be conducted on weekends and/or weekdays after school.
e) The second round will consist of individual interviews for the candidates for each position, after which the officers will cast their votes individually for the candidate they see most fit.
f) The Sponsor may indicate whom he/she would like to recommend for the present officer position, however the vote only counts as a tie breaker if such a situation occurs.
g) The candidate with the most Officer votes (vote = 1 point) will win the current officer position.
h) Any contentions and charges against the Officers or the voting results shall be heard and addressed by the MSA officers.



Article VI: Muslim Interscholastic Tournament.
The Muslim Interscholastic Tournament [MIST] is an annual competition geared to permit Muslims from regions in Texas to national competing for Muslim high-school students. It is a nationally acclaimed organization that allows students to compete in various Islamic, artistic, and academic categories.
Section A. In order for any member to be eligible for MIST, dues must have been paid in full.
Section B. All rules and regulations provided by MIST at www.getmistified.com are to be read, abided, and agreed to by members of the Muslim Student’s Association who wish to participate.


Article VII: Joint Meetings with Other Schools.
The Muslim Student’s Association of Clear Lake High School is known for teaming up with other schools within the Clear Creek Independent School District in order to promote intercommunication and interaction with a wider array local youth.

Joint Meetings:
a) Joint meetings shall be held on convenient and well planned out dates agreed upon by the majority of MSA members from their respective schools, alternating schools with every meeting. For instance, the first joint meeting of the year 2009-2010 shall be held on the campus of Clear Lake High School, in October. The next meeting would be held in December, on the campus of Clear Brook High School.

Article VIII: Qualification for Honor Chords.
Members of the Muslim Student’s Association at Clear Lake High School may qualify to receive honor chords for their high school graduation by meeting certain club commitments outlined in this article.
General yearly requirements:
A) Dues must be paid in full and on time every year.
B) The member must attend a minimum of 20 meetings during his/her junior year.
C) The member must attend a minimum of 20 meetings during his/her senior year.
D) The member must participate in at least 2 competitions at the annual Muslim Interscholastic Tournament during his/her junior or senior year.
E) The member must attend at least one out of school volunteer event hosted by the Clear Lake High School Muslim Student’s Association.
F) The member must attend at least one MSA banquet.
G) The member must have a minimal GPA of 3.5.
H) The member must have minimal, if any, officer referrals or ISS.
I) The member must not have any suspensions from school.
J) The member must have an E or S in conduct in all of their classes.

Specific requirements for class of 2014

A) Dues must be paid in full and on time every year.
B) The member must attend a minimum of 10 meetings during the second semester of his/her junior year.
C) The member must attend a minimum of 20 meetings during his/her senior year.
D) The member must participate in at least 2 competitions at the annual Muslim Interscholastic Tournament during his/her junior or senior year.
E) The member must attend at least one out of school volunteer event hosted by the Clear Lake High School Muslim Student’s Association.
F) The member must attend at least one MSA banquet.
G) The member must have a minimal GPA of 3.5.
H) The member must have minimal, if any, officer referrals or ISS.
I) The member must not have any suspensions from school.
J) The member must have an E or S in conduct in all of their classes.

Specific requirements for class of 2013

A) Dues must be paid in full and on time every year.
B) The member must attend a minimum of 10 meetings during the second semester of his/her senior year.
C) The member must participate in at least 2 competitions at the annual Muslim Interscholastic Tournament during his/her junior or senior year.
D) The member must attend at least one out of school volunteer event hosted by the Clear Lake High School Muslim Student’s Association.
E) The member must attend at least one MSA banquet.
F) The member must have a minimal GPA of 3.5.
G) The member must have minimal, if any, officer referrals or ISS.
H) The member must not have any suspensions from school.
I) The member must have an E or S in conduct in all of their classes.