CODE OF PRACTICE FOR HUNZA CULTURAL FORUM ISLAMABAD

AKMI, VIEWS, AKDN MUSIC INITIATIVEE, CULTURE
VISION:    Pathans take pride in describing themselves through a single expression “Pashtun”. Historically ‘Hunzukutz’ also have a similar expression which is depictive of the combination of characteristics constituting an enviable heritage – “Hunzuwe Suchi”. This is a unifying as well as identifying concept. The vision for this forum entails the efforts to retain this characteristic amongst the Diaspora residing in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and adjoining areas through a simple once-a-year practice of organizing a “Tamasha”. This effort will also usher in developing leadership traits in our youngsters for the “CIVIL SOCIETY” through providing a platform of voluntary community service by sharing “Time, Knowledge and resources” – part of the faith of the majority of “Hunzukutz”. 
 In Burushaski, the word "Suchi" is something Pakistan as a nation needs to understand, digest and nurture in itself as a larger community. "Su3i" is the transcending behaviour of an individual towards the public good while undermining one's own priorities and even at the cost of one's comfort. 
Also, read Serial-7 "Rhythm and Movement" on this LINK  and also AKDN.

MISSION:    The mission is to plan and conduct a “Tamasha” (a cultural dance event) once a year in the last week of December by the youth hailing from HUNZA (Thumushaling, Garing pages 64 and 65 and also hear a narration: THUMUSHALING.

STRATEGY:     The monetary resources required to organize the two or three-day event will be raised from the well-to-do and willing participants as well as a reasonable entry fee – one rate for an earning member and a smaller one for children and students - to the venue.

All the members of a family can participate without any restrictions.

Help and sponsorship from well-placed individuals will be sought for assisting in the efforts and overcoming difficulties in the administrative arrangements CONTRIBUTERS.

Voluntary service especially from the youth for managing different aspects of the event will be a priority.

The treasurer will openly share the statement of account – income and expenditure – through the internet on this blog (ACCOUNTS).

PROGRAM:    The two or three-day ‘Tamasha’ will be held every year in the last week of December. Variety in the traditional settings will be introduced by integrating entertainment themes not only by professional musicians and singers but other interested male/female participants desirous of publicly showing their talents. Newly married couples will be encouraged to celebrate collectively – in fact, a mass marriage event can constitute part of the program. The program should preferably be held in an open setting, such as the Folk Heritage centre at Shakar Parian.

CODE OF PRACTICE FOR HUNZA CULTURAL FORUM ISLAMABAD

(Every organization should have a Code of Practice for Board members which is available to all stakeholders – AKDN Guideline Booklet No. 4)

All such organizations involve people who have committed themselves to improve the society in which they live by what they do and how they behave. Commitment and voluntarism may, however, not be enough for an effective organization – specific organizational skills are needed as well. And these skills can be learnt.

This document will ultimately contain the following Sections:

1. A Code of Conduct for the Governance (now)

2. Terms of Reference for all Members (now)

3. Terms of Reference for all Committees and sub-committees (on a required basis)

1. MEMBERSHIP:    Basic to each member is the understanding that Governance (Boards or similar structures) are a part of the management function of any non-profit and non-government organization (also known as civil society organizations or CSOs). At its most basic, management can be defined as:     “ensuring that an organization has clear objectives, and makes the most effective and efficient use of resources in order to achieve those objectives”. Each or all the members have at least some or all of five separate roots:
• Philanthropy and the desire to help people who are considered less fortunate
• The desire to improve local communities through mutual aid and self-help
• The desire to improve conditions through political and economic action
• The desire to take on services provided by the public or private sectors, and
• The simple reality of shared interests.

The term “governance” is increasingly used for the big picture, long-term and legal aspects of ensuring that an organization is properly run, and “management” for ensuring that the work gets done within this framework. A governing body which is legally and financially responsible for the organization and responsible for setting and monitoring long and medium-term objectives, and developing policies.

HCF members (Governance) are drawn from youth and others living in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and adjoining areas with a background listed in the preceding lines. The members are appointed or elected for three years.

EXECUTIVE STRUCTURE    Should have the understanding and regularly review the ethos and values that underpin the organization’s work, and ensure that Board members, volunteers and others involved with the organization understand these values and how they apply to their work. They are also expected to:
• Maintain a long-term overview of the organization and all its work
• Making strategic and major decisions about the organization’s objectives, policies and procedures
• Ensuring decision-making procedures are transparent people know who makes decisions and how they are made, and accountable (decisions are reported to the people who have a right to know about them)
• Ensuring that the needs and interests of relevant people and bodies are considered when making decisions
• Ensuring that adequate resources (especially people and money) are available to carry out activities, and making decisions about how to proceed when resources turn out not to be available
• Monitoring the work of the organization, especially progress towards objectives
• Ensuring appropriate action is taken when work is not being done, or is not being done properly
• Taking legal responsibility for the organization and all its actions
The body (All honorary workers) will consist of:
• A chairman:   
• A Vice-Chair
• A Board Secretary
• A Treasurer
The Chairperson’s/Vice Chairperson’s role has two parts, one practical, and the other institutional:
• Planning and running meetings of the body, ensuring that everything is covered and decisions are made when required, keeping order, helping the group deal with differences of opinion and conflicts, and being sure that everyone who wants has a chance to speak.
• Ensuring that the organization sets and sticks to its policies and priorities, then serving as a spokesperson for the organization, making essential or emergency decisions between committee meetings, working closely with the manager to ensure work is being done properly and helping staff with difficulties.
3. MEETINGS    It should meet every quarter. The venue/timing and Agenda will be disseminated by the Secretary at least 15 days in advance. Preferably a yearly schedule for regular meetings (Every three months) of the members for the entire year should be announced by Mid November each year. All interested “Hunzukutz” anywhere and also the committees constituted from time to time will participate. Emergent meetings may be held on the required basis with the consent of the chairman.  
4. MINUTES AND ACTION PLANS        A standard format – preferably the template available in the MS Office suite - for Agenda as well as the recording of ‘Minutes’ /’Action plan’ will be used. Any concerned “Hunzukutz” may initiate a proposed item for inclusion in the Agenda at any time through all available means, such as E-Mail, telephone, written paper etc. on this or a similar format  The decisions on each item of the agenda will be on the basis of ‘majority vote’ if a clear ‘consensus’ does not emerge in the meeting.
5. TENURE AND ELECTIONS    The tenure of the ‘Executive Body’ will be for three years. The candidates proposed by members/General public will be chosen on the basis of at least 50% secret votes of the meeting participants held for this purpose.
6. VIEWS, AKIM, MUSIC AND ISLAM
   
   I KNOW THAT IN SOME PARTS OF THE WORLD, THE WORDS “MUSLIM” AND “MUSIC” ARE NOT OFTEN LINKED TOGETHER IN THE PUBLIC MIND. BUT THEY SHOULD BE.
   
   The musicians we recognise this weekend represent highly diverse forms of Muslim musical heritage. Now I know that in some parts of the world, the words “Muslim” and “music” are not often linked together in the public mind. But they should be. The cultural heritage of Islam has long embraced musical language as an elemental expression of human spirituality. Listening to music, practising music, sharing music, and performing music – have long been an intimate part of life for Muslim communities across the world, as has been the chanting of devotional and historical or epic texts.
   
   

   FATIMIDS AND MUSIC DIVERSITY IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD PAST AND PRESENT
   
   LEARNED AT A YOUNG AGE ABOUT HOW MY OWN ANCESTORS, THE FATIMIDS, CULTIVATED MUSIC IN THE CITY OF CAIRO A THOUSAND YEARS AGO…IT WAS HERE IN AL-ANDULUS THAT MUSLIMS, JEWS, AND CHRISTIANS, CREATED TOGETHER AN EXEMPLARY CULTURE OF TOLERANCE, FOSTERING MUSICAL CREATIVITY. More
7. APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION WITH GB GOVERNMENT