Organization Structure

The FIRAT: The Family Issues Resolution Assistance Team

(FIRAT: Turkish name for the Euphrates River, possibly derived from old Persian script, Ufratu,"Good place to cross")

This organization was conceived on 9/1/08, Shaban 30th 1429 AH. The motivation is obvious, i.e to fill the needed gap in the collage of various community service organizations in our community. Founding family felt this dire need in our community and rather than hoping that other organizations start this effort they decided to do something themselves. Insha-Allah many of us feel a need to do something for the sake of Allah; and we encourage you to start the work and get going and provide opportunities for other community members to join you in doing something worthwhile.

Insha-Allah the organization structure will be fine tuned by the Formation Committee. However, the following structure is envisioned by the founding family.

1. Founding members: Rafeeqi Family

2. 'The FIRAT' Board consist of 9 members (A-member: 2 under 20 yr; B-member: 3 between 20 to 35 yrs; C-member: 4 over 35 yrs; about equal number of men and women; all Muslims; 3 under 35 age group shall be married)

3. Board terms: 4 yrs. First time only after 2 yrs re-election of 1 from A, 1 from B, 2 from C; the ones to go for re-election will be based on voluntary option or draw or moving over to higher age group

4. Elected Board Positions: President, VP who would be President-Elect; Secretary, Treasurer. Others will be Selected Positions, selected by the Board.

5. Founding members will be life time honorary members of the Board with no voting rights; until they opt to leave. Not for ego; but to help maintain the focus and initial motivation when this concept was born.

6. A separate advisory board of 10 members (licensed pshycologist, social workers, religious scholar a must, children and adults); Founding family will be member for life of the advisory board too (not counted in the total count of members).

7. Various adhoc committees and teams to be formed when needed by the Board.

8. One permanent Outreach Committee to be responsible for helping other communities build The FIRAT-City or The FIRAT-Area (like The FIRAT-USA as National; The FIRAT-Santa Clara, The FIRAT-Bay Area; The FIRAT-Tri City, etc.) . Task: make cookie cutter policies and procedures; communicate with other interested communities, help them set up, etc.

9. One permanent Children Support Group, CSG ( 7 members committee; and many members). Members to accompany, when needed, the counselors to Guest Family in order to engage with children while counselor is busy with parents.

PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR KIND INPUTS.
THIS ORGANIZATION IS FOR ALL OF US, BY ALL OF US, AND WITH ALL OF US FOR THE SAKE OF OUR ALLAH ALMIGHTY.