Here is a comprehensive overview of the finance committee in a masjid, covering its purpose, responsibilities, composition, and key operational policies.
The Finance Committee is a standing committee of the Board of Directors (BOD) responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of the masjid. Its primary purpose is to ensure the organization's long-term financial health, stability, and integrity by managing funds in a professional, transparent, and Shariah-compliant manner.
This committee acts as the guardian of the community's amanah (trust), ensuring every donation is accounted for and used according to its intended purpose.1
The finance committee's duties are broad and foundational to the masjid's operations.
Financial Planning & Budgeting:
Leads the creation of the masjid's annual operating budget in collaboration with other committees and the Imam.2
Presents the budget to the Board of Directors for approval and to the General Assembly for transparency.
Develops long-term financial forecasts, including planning for capital campaigns (e.g., building expansion, new property).3
Financial Oversight & Reporting:
Monitors income and expenses against the approved budget throughout the year.4
Prepares regular, easy-to-understand financial statements (like an Income Statement and Balance Sheet) for the Board of Directors.5
Provides periodic financial reports to the general community to ensure transparency and build trust.
Policy & Internal Controls:
Develops and implements all financial policies and procedures.6
Establishes and maintains strong internal controls to safeguard assets and prevent fraud.7 (See Section 3 for details).
Management of Funds:
Manages the masjid's bank accounts, investments (in a Shariah-compliant manner), and cash flow.
Ensures all funds are properly received, recorded, and deposited in a timely manner.
Manages the process for bill payments, reimbursements, and payroll.8
Audit & Compliance:
Prepares all financial records for an annual internal or external audit.
Works with the appointed auditor to answer questions and provide documentation.
Ensures the masjid complies with all local, state, and federal laws for nonprofit organizations, including filing the annual IRS Form 990.9
The finance committee is not a role for just any volunteer. Its members are entrusted with the community's wealth, and their qualifications must reflect that responsibility.
Chairperson: The committee is almost always chaired by the elected Masjid Treasurer, who is a member of the Board of Directors.
Committee Members: The committee should consist of 3-5 members (including the Treasurer) who are appointed by the Board based on their professional skills.
Ideal Qualifications:
Accounting: At least one member should be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or have strong professional experience in nonprofit accounting.
Financial Expertise: Members with a background in finance, banking, or investment management.
Business Acumen: Individuals with experience in business operations, management, or law, who can provide strategic guidance.
Personal Qualities: All members must be known for their taqwa (piety), honesty, and integrity, and must be able to maintain strict confidentiality.
To function effectively, the committee must operate under clear, written policies approved by the board.
Fund Accounting: The Most Important Principle
The committee's single most important accounting duty is fund accounting. This means it must legally and physically separate all restricted funds from general operational funds.
Zakat Funds: 100% restricted. Cannot be used for any operational costs (e.g., salaries, utility bills, building maintenance). It must be held in a separate bank account and distributed only to Shariah-eligible recipients.
Sadaqa Jariyah / Building Funds: Restricted funds donated specifically for construction or a large project. Cannot be used for general operations.
General/Sadaqa Funds: Unrestricted donations that can be used for the approved operating budget (salaries, lights, water, cleaning, programs, etc.).
The Zakat & Finance Workflow
The Finance Committee and Zakat Committee work together, but have separate duties.
Collection (Finance): The finance team collects all Zakat donations, records them, and deposits them into the restricted Zakat bank account.
Vetting (Zakat): A person in need applies to the Zakat Committee. This committee confidentially verifies their eligibility according to the eight categories in the Qur'an.
Approval (Zakat): The Zakat Committee approves a specific amount for a specific need (e.g., "$700 for rent").
Payment (Finance): The Zakat Committee sends the approved request to the Finance Committee. The Treasurer processes the payment, typically as a check made directly to the landlord or utility company, not as cash to the individual.
Reporting (Finance): The payment is recorded in the accounting system as a distribution from the restricted Zakat fund.
Internal Controls & Separation of Duties
Internal controls prevent mistakes and protect the masjid from fraud.10 The key principle is separation of duties: no single person should have control over an entire financial transaction.
Sample Policy for Donation Box Collections:
Dual Control: Donation boxes must be emptied by at least two unrelated, approved individuals (e.g., the Treasurer and a board member, or two finance committee members).
Secure Counting: The money is counted in a secure, private room.
Verification: Both individuals count the cash and checks together.11 They fill out a Donation Count Sheet, and both individuals sign it to verify the total.
Recording: The signed count sheet and the money are given to a third person (e.g., a bookkeeper or admin) who enters the amount into the accounting software. This person does not do the counting.
Deposit: The person who did the data entry (or another committee member) prepares the bank deposit slip. The deposit is taken to the bank by one of the original counters.
Reconciliation: A fourth person (e.g., a non-Treasurer board member or external accountant) receives the bank statement at the end of the month and reconciles it, matching the deposit slips to the bank statement and the original count sheets.
In larger masjids, these two roles are separate to ensure a true "check and balance."
Finance Committee (Management): Does the work. It prepares the budget, writes the checks, and creates the financial statements. It's an internal management function.
Audit Committee (Oversight): Does the reviewing. It is an independent committee that reports directly to the Board. Its job is to hire an external auditor and review the auditor's report. It verifies that the Finance Committee is following its own policies.
In smaller masjids, the Board of Directors often acts as the "audit committee" by reviewing the finance committee's work and hiring the auditor.
The Programs and Services Committee (PSC) is the central coordinating body of the mosque, responsible for the planning, execution, and oversight of all community-facing activities. It functions as the main "engine" for community life, ensuring that the mosque's spiritual, educational, and social mission is translated into tangible action.
This committee is appointed by and reports directly to the Board of Directors (BOD). It rarely manages all activities itself. Instead, its primary role is to support, coordinate, and oversee a network of specialized subcommittees, each focused on a specific area of community need.
Here is a breakdown of the PSC's oversight role across those key areas.
The PSC ensures the core religious and intellectual life of the community is active and aligned with the Imam's guidance.
Program (Religious Events):
Function: Plans and executes all logistics for core religious events.
Activities: Manages Friday (Jumu'ah) prayer logistics, organizes Ramadan (iftars, Taraweeh), coordinates the two Eid prayers, and schedules guest lectures or halaqas (study circles).
PSC Oversight: The PSC coordinates with the Imam on topics, books all guest speakers, and ensures event announcements are made.
Education:
Function: Manages all Islamic educational programs for all ages.
Activities: Oversees the weekend/weekday children's school (madrasa), coordinates adult classes (e.g., Qur'an, Fiqh, Arabic), and runs "Islam 101" classes for new Muslims and the curious.
PSC Oversight: The PSC helps recruit and vet teachers (with Imam's approval), manages registration processes, and secures classroom space.
Interfaith:
Function: Builds bridges of understanding with other faith communities.
Activities: Organizes "Visit the Mosque" open houses, participates in interfaith dinners and service projects, and arranges for the Imam or board members to speak at local churches, synagogues, or temples.
PSC Oversight: The PSC is the main point of contact for external faith groups and ensures all interfaith activities are appropriate and mission-aligned.
The PSC ensures that the unique needs of every segment of the community are being met.
Children:
Function: Creates a fun, safe, and engaging Islamic environment for young children.
Activities: Runs "mommy and me" programs, organizes Eid carnivals, provides childcare during Jumu'ah or major events, and hosts story-time sessions.
PSC Oversight: The PSC ensures all volunteers working with children are background-checked and that all activities are safe and properly supervised.
Youth:
Function: Provides spiritual and social support for middle school, high school, and college-age youth.
Activities: Organizes youth group meetings, mentorship programs, sports tournaments (basketball, soccer), and social outings (e.g., hiking, game nights).
PSC Oversight: The PSC provides the budget for youth activities, helps secure spaces, and ensures a dedicated youth director or volunteer team is in place.
Women:
Function: Addresses the unique spiritual, educational, and social needs of sisters in the community.
Activities: Organizes sisters-only halaqas or Fiqh classes, social teas or brunches, fitness programs, and support groups.
PSC Oversight: The PSC champions these programs and ensures they have the necessary resources, privacy, and space within the mosque.
Men:
Function: Fosters brotherhood and spiritual development for men.
Activities: Plans father-son events, organizes men's breakfasts or BBQs, and hosts spiritual retreats or workshops.
PSC Oversight: The PSC helps book speakers and coordinates these events around the main prayer schedule.
Seniors:
Function: Engages and supports the elder members of the community.
Activities: Arranges daytime Qur'an circles, social luncheons, and health-related workshops (e.g., on Medicare, estate planning) relevant to seniors.
PSC Oversight: The PSC ensures all events are accessible (e.g., minimal stairs, clear audio) and provides transportation support if needed.
The PSC manages the mosque's role as a social support hub, embodying the principles of compassion and mutual aid.
Services (Pastoral & General):
Function: Provides core life-event services to the community.
Activities: Manages the mosque's Janazah (funeral) support team, coordinates Nikah (marriage) services with the Imam, and provides general pastoral counseling and support.
PSC Oversight: This is a critical function. The PSC ensures a clear, 24/7 contact system is in place for emergencies like a death in the community.
Social:
Function: Organizes large-scale events to build community bonds.
Activities: Plans annual community picnics or BBQs, potluck dinners, and family nights.
PSC Oversight: The PSC is responsible for the entire event logistics, from renting a park shelter to organizing food and volunteers.
Health:
Function: Promotes the physical and mental well-being of the community.
Activities: Hosts free or low-cost health fairs (blood pressure checks, dental screenings), organizes mental health workshops, and runs fitness classes.
PSC Oversight: The PSC recruits licensed healthcare professionals from within the community to volunteer their time and expertise for these events.
Financial:
Function: Provides financial assistance to those in need.
Activities: Manages the mosque's food pantry and confidentially processes and distributes Zakat and Sadaqa applications.
PSC Oversight: The PSC (or a dedicated Zakat subcommittee) develops a fair, confidential, and dignified process for vetting applications and distributing funds, in coordination with the Finance Committee.
Legal:
Function: Connects community members with professional legal resources.
Activities: Organizes free "Ask the Lawyer" clinics, holds workshops on topics like immigration law, and provides Islamic estate planning seminars.
PSC Oversight: The PSC partners with Muslim lawyers in the community to offer these services pro bono.
The PSC, in coordination with the Board, manages the mosque's relationship with the wider public and civic institutions.
Advocacy:
Function: Represents the interests of the Muslim community on key issues.
Activities: Partners with advocacy groups (like CAIR) to host "Know Your Rights" workshops and organizes letter-writing campaigns or meetings with officials on issues affecting the community (e.g., opposing discriminatory legislation).
PSC Oversight: All advocacy must be strictly non-partisan and approved by the Board of Directors to protect the mosque's 501(c)(3) status.
Civic Engagement:
Function: Encourages the community to be active and positive contributors to society.
Activities: Organizes voter registration drives, hosts "meet the candidate" forums (for all candidates, non-partisan), and coordinates community service projects like "Feed the Hungry" or highway clean-ups.
PSC Oversight: The PSC ensures all activities are non-partisan and focus on positive community contribution, building a strong, positive image of the mosque and the Muslim community.
Boards: communication between boards, between boards and members
Imam: liaison with Imam
Media: spokesman of the organization
Government: liaison with various government agencies
Interfaith: communication with interfaith entities
The Communication, Marketing, and Public Relations (PR) Committee is a vital function within a mosque's organizational structure. It's responsible for managing how the mosque communicates both internally (with its members, staff, and boards) and externally (with the media, public, government, and other faith groups). This committee acts as the mosque's "voice" and "ears," ensuring messages are clear, consistent, and effectively reach the intended audiences while also bringing feedback back to the leadership.1
Branding & Messaging: Develops and maintains a consistent identity for the mosque, including its logo, key messages, and overall public image. Ensures all communications reflect the mosque's mission and values.
Content Creation: Produces materials like newsletters, brochures, annual reports, website content, social media posts, and press releases.
Channel Management: Oversees all communication channels, including the mosque's website, email lists, social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, etc.), bulletin boards, and potentially a mobile app.
Event Promotion: Works closely with the Programs & Services committee to effectively market upcoming events, classes, and services to the community.2
Internal Communications: Facilitates information flow within the mosque structure.
The Communication Committee often plays a crucial role in managing relationships and information flow between key stakeholders:
Board-to-Board: In mosques with both a Board of Directors (BOD) focused on operations and a Board of Trustees (BOT) focused on oversight and long-term vision, the Communication Committee facilitates their formal communication.
This includes formatting, editing, and distributing official reports, resolutions, or policy updates from one board to the other.
The committee helps ensure these high-level communications maintain a professional tone and consistent branding.
It does not mediate disputes but manages the channel for official dialogue.
Boards-to-Members: This is a primary function. The committee is responsible for conveying the boards' decisions, policies, and strategic direction to the general membership.
Translating: Takes formal board decisions (e.g., budget approval, new policy) and translates them into clear, accessible language for the community.
Disseminating: Uses newsletters, website updates, social media, and announcements during prayers (after approval) to keep members informed.
Feedback Loop: Manages channels (like a dedicated email address or feedback forms) for members to send questions or concerns back to the boards, summarizing key themes for board review.
The committee supports the Imam in his public communication role, ensuring his messages are amplified effectively and align with the mosque's overall communication strategy.
Announcement Coordination: Helps the Imam draft and schedule important announcements (religious or community-related) to be made during prayers or events. Ensures announcements adhere to mosque policy (e.g., getting prior board approval for non-religious items).
Content Support: May assist the Imam in preparing materials for lectures, workshops, or online content (e.g., creating presentation slides, recording videos, writing summaries for the website).
Media Preparation: If the Imam is designated as a spokesperson or needs to interact with media, the committee provides media training, helps prepare talking points, and may accompany him during interviews to ensure messaging stays consistent with the mosque's official stance.
Scheduling: Coordinates requests for the Imam to speak at external events (interfaith gatherings, community forums), ensuring these align with his availability and the mosque's outreach goals.
Managing media relations is a critical PR function, especially during sensitive times.
Spokesperson Policy: The committee helps the Board of Directors develop and implement a clear media policy. This policy designates specific individuals authorized to speak on behalf of the mosque.
Designated Spokespersons: Typically, only the Board President/Chair and/or the Executive Director/Mosque Manager are authorized spokespersons for official organizational positions. The Imam may be authorized to speak on religious matters. The Communication Committee Chair might handle routine media inquiries.
Referral Process: The policy mandates that all media inquiries must be directed to the designated spokesperson(s). Other board members, staff, or volunteers should politely decline comment and refer the reporter appropriately.
Media Engagement:
Proactive: Writes and distributes press releases for positive news (e.g., community service events, Eid celebrations). Builds relationships with local journalists.
Reactive: Manages media inquiries, prepares official statements, and arranges interviews with the designated spokesperson.
Crisis Communication: In the event of a crisis (e.g., negative incident, controversy), the committee activates a pre-approved Crisis Communication Plan. This involves quickly gathering facts, preparing holding statements, briefing the spokesperson, monitoring media coverage, and managing internal communication to prevent misinformation.
The committee supports the Board in building positive relationships with local government and civic bodies.
Information Sharing: Keeps local officials (e.g., Mayor's office, City Council members, Police Department) informed about major mosque events or initiatives that might impact the community (e.g., large Eid gatherings requiring traffic management, community service projects).
Meeting Support: Helps prepare materials (fact sheets, community impact reports) for meetings between mosque leadership and government officials.
Advocacy Communication: If the Board decides to engage in non-partisan advocacy on issues affecting the community (e.g., zoning, public safety), the committee crafts the messaging for letters, public statements, or community alerts, ensuring it remains compliant with nonprofit regulations.
Building Relationships: Organizes or facilitates opportunities for positive interaction, such as inviting officials to mosque open houses or community iftars.
The committee is often the operational arm for the mosque's interfaith relations strategy.
Joint Communication: Drafts joint statements or press releases with partner churches, synagogues, or temples for collaborative events or in response to community issues.
Event Promotion: Manages the promotion of interfaith events hosted by the mosque (e.g., dialogues, shared meals, service projects) through the mosque's channels and by providing materials to partner organizations.
Relationship Management: Maintains a contact list of local interfaith leaders and organizations, ensuring regular communication and coordination.
Content Creation: Develops website content, brochures, or presentations that explain Islam clearly and respectfully for interfaith audiences.
The Facilities Committee is the standing committee appointed by the Board of Directors to be the primary steward of the mosque's physical assets. Its core purpose is to ensure the masjid building and grounds are safe, clean, functional, and well-maintained to support all prayers, programs, and services.1
This committee oversees the building's complete lifecycle, from routine maintenance to long-term preservation.
This is the committee's primary, ongoing responsibility. It is proactive, not just reactive.
Preventive Maintenance: Developing and managing a schedule for regular, professional servicing of critical systems to prevent failure.2 This includes HVAC (changing filters, seasonal tune-ups), roofing inspections, plumbing, and electrical systems.3
Janitorial & Custodial: Managing the cleanliness of the entire facility.4 This involves either hiring and supervising paid janitorial staff or organizing and managing volunteer cleaning teams.5 This is especially critical for wudu areas, restrooms, and prayer halls.
Repairs & Upkeep: Acting as the first point of contact for all repair requests (e.g., a leaky faucet, a broken light). The committee is responsible for diagnosing the problem and performing the repair (if minor) or hiring a qualified outside contractor (like a plumber or electrician).
Supply Management: Budgeting for and purchasing all necessary operational supplies, including paper towels, soap, trash bags, lightbulbs, and cleaning chemicals.6
Vendor Contracts: Managing all service contracts related to the building, such as landscaping/lawn care, snow removal, and waste disposal.
There is a critical distinction between day-to-day work and major projects:
Small Projects & Remodels: The Facilities Committee directly manages small-scale improvement projects.7
Examples: Repainting the prayer hall, replacing worn-out carpets, installing new shelving, or a minor office renovation.
Major Construction: For large, complex, and expensive projects, the Board of Directors will appoint a separate, temporary Building Committee or Construction Committee.
Examples: Building a new wing, a new-from-the-ground-up masjid, or a major structural renovation.
The Facilities Committee's Role: In this case, the Facilities Committee Chair serves as a key advisor to the Building Committee, providing essential input on existing infrastructure, long-term maintenance needs, and integration with the current building, but they do not lead the entire construction project.
Security is a shared responsibility, typically split between the Facilities Committee and a dedicated Security Committee (or Safety Team).
Facilities Committee's Role (The Hardware): This committee is responsible for the physical security systems.8
Installing and maintaining all locks, key-card access systems, and doors.
Installing and ensuring the functionality of the CCTV (security camera) system.
Maintaining exterior lighting to ensure the building and parking lot are well-lit.
Maintaining the building's alarm system.
Security Committee's Role (The Procedures): A separate Security Committee uses the tools the Facilities Committee provides. They handle the human side, such as developing evacuation plans, training volunteer security teams, coordinating with local police, and actively monitoring camera feeds during Jumu'ah and large events.
The committee ensures all building systems are operational and efficient.
Utilities: Manages all utility accounts (electricity, gas, water, sewer, waste). This includes monitoring usage, paying bills (in coordination with the Treasurer), and actively seeking ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs (e.g., LED lighting retrofits, smart thermostats).
IT (Infrastructure): The Facilities Committee is responsible for the physical IT and communication hardware.
Managing the audiovisual (A/V) systems in the prayer hall (microphones, speakers, projectors).
Overseeing the building's network wiring, server room, and Wi-Fi hardware.
(A separate IT/Media Committee would typically manage the website, social media, and software).
This committee ensures the building is safe and legally compliant.
ADA Modifications: The committee is responsible for ensuring the mosque is accessible. While religious organizations are exempt from Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), they are not exempt from state and local building codes, which have their own accessibility requirements. More importantly, the committee has an Islamic and ethical duty to make the House of Allah welcoming to all.
Activities: Identifying and removing physical barriers, such as by installing ramps, automated door openers, and accessible wudu stations and bathroom stalls.
Building Emergency Plan: The emergency plan itself (for fire, medical, or active threat) is typically created by the Security Committee and the Board. The Facilities Committee's role is to support this plan by:
Ensuring all safety equipment is functional and inspected (fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, emergency lighting, exit signs).9
Providing clear, updated floor plans to the Security Committee and first responders.
Clearly labeling all utility shut-off valves and electrical panels.
Can be one or more committees:
This committee reports to the Board and ensures the mosque's legal and structural foundation is sound.
Mandate: To maintain and protect the organization's governing documents and ensure legal compliance.
Legal Review: Conducts regular reviews of all operations, policies, and board performance to ensure there are no legal concerns and that the mosque is adhering to its 501(c)(3) status.
Bylaws and Policies: Manages a systematic review of all bylaws and policies (e.g., every 3 years) to ensure they are current, relevant, and legally sound.
Application: Works with the Audit Committee to ensure all policies are being applied correctly and equally across all departments and programs.
This must be a highly independent committee empowered to investigate all aspects of the organization. It should report directly to the Board (or a higher Board of Trustees, if one exists) and should not include any staff or board members whose departments are being audited.
Mandate: To provide independent, objective oversight of the mosque's financial, operational, and compliance integrity.
Internal Audit: Manages or acts as an independent internal audit team. It reviews documentation, implementation of policies, and any deviations from the bylaws, reporting all findings directly to the Board.
External Audit: Hires and manages the relationship with the external, independent auditor. It receives the auditor's final report before the Board or staff, reviews it, and presents the findings and any concerns to the full Board.
Complaint & Whistleblower System: Manages the official complaint process. It receives and logs all formal complaints, ensures they are sent to the appropriate body (e.g., HR, the Board President) for resolution, and follows up to confirm the complaint was addressed.
This committee oversees the mosque's "people operations," focusing on its paid staff (including the Imam) and key volunteer leaders.
Mandate: To ensure the mosque is a fair, professional, and supportive workplace.
Performance Evaluation: Establishes a neutral, fair, and objective performance evaluation process for all staff.
Job Descriptions: Develops and maintains clear, updated job descriptions that define responsibilities, reporting structures, and qualifications for all employees and key volunteer roles.
Compensation: Recommends salary and benefits packages to the Board.
This is a neutral body of respected community elders, scholars, or professionals (e.g., social workers, mediators) who are not on the main Board of Directors.
Mandate: To provide a confidential, trusted, and faith-based space for mediation and reconciliation.
Early Detection: Proactively finds ways to discover interpersonal conflicts early on through feedback and community presence.
Mediation: When a conflict is identified (often referred by the Audit Committee or Board), this body meets with the people involved. It provides a safe space for mediation, with the goal of finding an Islamic and mutually agreeable solution. This is not a disciplinary body; it is a reconciliation body.
This committee focuses on the long-term future and health of the mosque.
Mandate: To look beyond day-to-day operations and set a 3-5 year vision for the organization.
Analysis & Goals: Regularly analyzes community needs, demographics, and organizational strengths/weaknesses.
Planning: Leads the Board and community in developing a formal strategic plan with clear, measurable goals.
Implementation: Creates a roadmap for how to implement the plan and works with other committees to establish metrics for tracking progress.
This committee focuses on building a vibrant, involved, and organized community.
Mandate: To convert passive attendees into active members and to structure volunteer efforts for maximum impact.
Community Engagement: Develops strategies to increase formal membership, get members actively involved in committees, and ensure equal opportunity for all members to participate in leadership.
Community Organization: Finds ways to organize volunteers with clear tasks and responsibilities. It provides cross-training for teams, implements systems to increase cooperation, and works to decrease friction between different programs or committees.
An ad hoc committee is a temporary committee created by a mosque's Board of Directors to accomplish one specific, time-limited task.
The term ad hoc is Latin for "for this," meaning the committee is formed for this one purpose only.1 Unlike a permanent "standing committee" (like a Finance or Education committee), an ad hoc committee automatically dissolves once its work is complete.2
Ad hoc committees are a powerful governance tool. They allow the Board to focus on a single, important issue, bring in subject-matter experts from the community, and find a solution without creating permanent bureaucracy.
Ad hoc committees are formed for projects that are too large, specialized, or time-consuming for the Board or a standing committee to handle on its own.3
Imam Search Committee: The most common example. A diverse group is tasked with drafting the job description, advertising the position, vetting candidates, conducting interviews, and presenting a final recommendation to the Board.
Eid Planning Committee: Tasked with all logistics for Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha, including booking a venue, arranging for sound, organizing the takbirat, and managing food or festivities.
Capital Campaign Committee: Formed to plan and execute a major fundraising drive for a specific project, like a mosque expansion, a new building purchase, or a major renovation.
Bylaw Review Committee: Appointed every few years to review the mosque's constitution and bylaws and propose necessary updates or amendments to the Board and General Assembly.
Strategic Planning Committee: A group of experienced community members tasked with developing a 3-5 year strategic plan for the mosque.
Special Event Committee: Formed to plan a one-time event, such as a community-wide interfaith dinner, a 25th-anniversary celebration, or a major conference.4
The process follows a clear, five-step lifecycle from creation to dissolution.
1. Creation and Mandate (The "Charter")
The Board of Directors officially creates the committee by passing a board resolution. This resolution acts as the committee's "charter" or "mandate" and must clearly define:
The Purpose: A clear, one-sentence mission. (e.g., "To plan and execute the 2026 Eid al-Fitr prayer and celebration.")
The Deliverable: What the committee must produce. (e.g., "A final, ranked list of three qualified Imam candidates" or "A comprehensive, balanced budget for the event.")
The Timeline: A specific deadline for when the final report is due.
The Budget: The amount of money, if any, the committee is authorized to spend.
Authority: The committee's boundaries. (e.g., "The committee can interview candidates but cannot make a job offer.")
2. Appointment of Members
The Board of Directors appoints the committee's Chairperson and all its members. This is the key strength of an ad hoc committee:
Involving Non-Board Members: The Board can (and should) appoint members from the general community who have specific, valuable skills (e.g., HR professionals for an Imam search, event planners for an Eid committee, engineers for a building project).5
Expertise Over Politics: It allows skilled individuals to serve the mosque on a short-term project without committing to a full 2-3 year board term.
Board Liaison: At least one board member is typically assigned to the committee to serve as a liaison, ensuring communication flows back and forth.6
3. The Work Phase
The committee, led by its Chair, meets as needed to complete its task. It operates only within the scope of the mandate given by the Board. The Chair is responsible for managing the project, delegating tasks, and ensuring the committee meets its deadline.7
4. The Final Report and Recommendation
Once the work is done, the committee's official "product" is its final report to the Board of Directors. This report (which can be a written document, a formal presentation, or both) should include:
A summary of the committee's work and process.
Its key findings and analysis.
A final, clear recommendation for the Board to act on (e.g., "We recommend hiring Candidate A," or "We have secured the convention center for $10,000 and recommend approval.").
5. Dissolution
This is the final and most important step. After the committee has presented its final report and the Board has accepted it, the ad hoc committee's job is finished.
The Board of Directors will pass a formal motion during a board meeting to "thank the ad hoc committee members for their service and formally dissolve the committee."
This act is crucial. It prevents "zombie committees" from continuing to exist after their purpose is complete, which can lead to confusion and governance problems. The committee ceases to exist and has no further authority.