Ref: Conf/19/03

Agenda item 12: Report from the Secretariat, Boards and Desks

The Executive Council of the World Federation at its meeting of May 26, 2002, held in Toronto, Canada, considered a paper submitted by Executive Councillor Dr Akber Mithani titled, Seniors Conference: Improving Quality of Life and Enhancing Function, on the formation of a Seniors Advisory Board. The Executive Council approved the formation of a Seniors Desk in the interim and Dr Akber Mithani as its coordinator.

The proposals to form SAB is set out below for adoption by the conference.

Seniors Advisory Board (SAB) – Terms of Reference

Purpose
To address the needs of seniors across the world in our communities in the areas of Religious and Spiritual needs, Social and Community Service needs, Cultural needs, Financial needs, Housing and Settlement needs, Medical and Psychological needs and Educational needs.

Terms of Reference

• Increase the awareness amongst Jamaats and Regional Federations about the importance of seniors and their contributions in the progression of the community;
• To create a seniors network amongst the World Federation Communities world-wide;
• To achieve unity within and amongst the Khoja communities and individuals. Furthermore, establish and develop the communication and links with Muslim seniors’ organizations from non-Khoja communities;
• To facilitate the establishment of Seniors bodies across all our jamaats and regional federations in the world;
• To develop specific strategies and facilitate the implementation of these strategies that address the various needs of the seniors in our communities worldwide (e.g. spiritual needs, religious needs, housing needs, educational needs, medical needs etc)
• To launch, implement and manage the Planned Giving Program of the World Federation

 Structure

 The Seniors Advisory Board will be made up of the following individuals:

• Chairman of the SAB – Appointed by the President
• Administrative Coordinator – Appointed by the Chairman
• Following members will make up the core of the SAB
• Financial Advisor
• Information Technology & Communications coordinator
• Infrastructure and technological support coordinator
• Regional representative members – Africa (2), North America (2), Europe (2), India & Pakistan (2), Middle East (1)

The financial commitments and undertakings necessary for the performance by Seniors Advisory Board (SAB) of its function shall be as follows:

A.  The Office Bearers upon requests submitted by SAB Chairperson may make such funds as available to the SAB.

B.   Such funds as Chairperson of SAB may, with the approval of the President of the World Federation, raise by means of donations, gifts, loans or otherwise from Jamaats, Regional Organisations and individuals.

Wassalaam

Secretariat
2 September 2003