MEMBERSHIP

 

The membership shall be the highest authority of the corporation.

 

A. QUALIFICATION OF MEMBERS: To be eligible for membership, a person must:

 

1. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age.

2. Be a resident of San Joaquin County, or the town of Galt from Sacramento County, for the last six (6) months.

3. Believe in the teaching of all Ten Gurus. The first one being Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the tenth one being Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

4. Believe in the Guru Granth Sahib as the living Guru of the Sikhs.

5. Possess a membership card provided by the election commission upon the completion of the membership form Exhibit “A”. The membership registration will be free of charge. Only registered members shall have all the privileges of a member.

6. Not practice any religion other than the Sikh religion.

7. Voting rights can only be conferred on to a person who uses “Singh” or “Kaur” in his or her name, or does seva in Gurughar and regularly participates in the Congregation.

 

B. DURATION OF MEMBERSHIP:

 

The term of membership is for two years. Membership must be renewed on or before the 31st of December of every non-election year. The registration period for new members is the same. The registration and renewal of membership will start on October 15th of every non-election year.

 

C. RIGHTS OF THE MEMBERSHIP:

 

1. The membership shall have the highest authority in matters related to the corporation. Its authority shall, exceed that of the Board of Trustees, Election/Arbitration Commission, Executive Committee, and the Sub-Committees in all matters, including disagreements and disputes. The decision of the membership shall prevail over any other decision taken by a member or any other body of members. For running day-to-day management and executive business, the Board of Trustees, executive committee, or any other representative body shall have the authority to make their decisions as set forth in these By-Laws

2. The membership shall have the final authority in revising the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the corporation, subject to the limitations set forth in Section III(G).

3. Every member has the right to vote and may contest an election for any position.

4. The membership shall elect the members of the Board of Trustees and Election/Arbitration Commission, as set forth in Section IV (B).

5. The membership shall have the authority to terminate any member, member of the Board of Trustees, or member of the Election Commission and to dissolve the Board of Trustees according to the procedures set forth in the By-Laws.

6. No decision of the membership shall violate the corporation laws of the State of California.

 

D. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MEMBERSHIP:

 

1. Follow the principles of the Sikh faith.

2. Make an earnest effort to become a Kesa Dhari or Amritdhari.

3. Set good examples of social, moral, and religious conduct.

4. Cooperate to assure the proper functioning of the Society and the Gurdwara Sahib.

5. Communicate any concerns or recommendations to the Board of Trustees in writing. A member may request a written response from the Board of Trustees, if needed.

6. Perform volunteer work to serve the Society and Sangat, singly or in cooperation with other members of the Sangat.

7. Participate in all membership meetings called for any decision-making purpose.