Founding Document

Constitution of the RAHA Network

The values and structure of the Persian Atheists Network — the foundation R.A.H.A is built on.

Name and Status

The name of the association shall be Persian Atheists, hereafter referred to as RAHA or the Association.
RAHA is a non-profit unincorporated association.
RAHA is a voluntary, membership-based organisation and is not a registered charity or a company.
RAHA is currently an independent association. It may in future seek cooperation, partnership, or formal affiliation with Humanists UK or other like-minded organisations, where such arrangements are consistent with its aims and values.

Aims and Objectives

To promote humanist values, including reason, compassion, dignity, equality, and justice.
To support critical thinking, scientific inquiry, freedom of thought, and ethical living without reliance on supernatural beliefs.
To build a supportive international community for Persian-speaking atheists, agnostics, humanists, secularists, and other non-religious individuals.
To provide opportunities for discussion, learning, cultural exchange, mutual support, and social connection among like-minded people.
To advocate for secularism, human rights, equality, and social justice in society and public life.
To organise educational, cultural, and public events, whether online or in person.
To cooperate with national and international organisations whose aims are compatible with those of RAHA.

Statement of Values

As a statement of its core humanist values, RAHA recognises the Amsterdam Declaration 2002 / Declaration of Modern Humanism adopted by Humanists International.
RAHA affirms freedom of belief and non-belief, equality of persons, and respect for human dignity.
RAHA is committed to democratic principles, open inquiry, inclusion, and peaceful dialogue.

Membership

Membership of RAHA shall be open to individuals who support its aims and values.
The Association may recognise different forms of participation, including Supporters, Members, and Honorary Members.
A Supporter is a person who follows, subscribes to, or participates in RAHA's public platforms or activities without becoming a formal member.
A Member is a person who has provided their full name and contact details, has been accepted under the Association's membership process, and supports the aims and values of RAHA.
An Honorary Member may be appointed by the Executive Committee or by a General Meeting in recognition of exceptional service or contribution to the Association or its aims.
Only Members may vote at General Meetings or stand for election to the Executive Committee, unless this constitution provides otherwise.
The Executive Committee may refuse an application for membership, or suspend or terminate membership, where a person's conduct is seriously inconsistent with the aims, values, safety, or good functioning of the Association.
A person whose membership is suspended or terminated shall be informed of the reasons and may request that the matter be reviewed by the Executive Committee or by a General Meeting.

Executive Committee

The Association shall be governed by an Executive Committee consisting of: the Founding Members, who shall serve as permanent ex-officio members of the Executive Committee; a Chair; a Secretary; a Treasurer; and up to five additional Committee Members.
For the purposes of this constitution, the Founding Members shall be the individuals listed in Schedule 1 to this constitution.
The Founding Members shall remain members of the Executive Committee unless they resign, cease to be Members of the Association, or are removed in accordance with this constitution for serious misconduct, incapacity, or conduct seriously inconsistent with the aims, values, safety, or good functioning of the Association.
The Executive Committee may appoint from among its members a Vice-Chair and may allocate additional responsibilities, including membership, communications, events, outreach, or fundraising.
Only Members of RAHA may serve on the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the general management, administration, and direction of the Association between General Meetings.
Any vacancy arising on the Executive Committee may be filled temporarily by co-option until the next Annual General Meeting.
The minimum number of Committee members shall be three.
The quorum for a meeting of the Executive Committee shall be three members or one-third of the Committee, whichever is greater.
Decisions of the Executive Committee shall normally be made by a majority vote of those present and voting. In the event of a tie, the Chair shall have a casting vote.

Annual General Meeting (AGM)

An Annual General Meeting shall be held once each calendar year, normally by the end of March.
At least 28 days' notice of the AGM shall be given to all Members.
The AGM shall: receive a report on the activities of the Association; receive the financial report for the preceding year; elect the Executive Committee; consider and vote on any resolutions properly submitted; and consider any other business properly brought before the meeting.
Only Members may vote at an AGM.
In any dispute concerning the affairs of the Association, a General Meeting of Members shall be the final internal authority, subject to this constitution and any applicable law.

Elections

Members of the Executive Committee shall be elected at the AGM and shall serve for a term of two years, subject to re-election.
Nominations for election to the Executive Committee shall be submitted to the Secretary at least 14 days before the AGM.
Each nomination must be supported by two Members of RAHA, namely a proposer and a seconder.
If insufficient nominations are received before the deadline, nominations may be accepted from the floor at the AGM at the discretion of the Chair.
Voting may be conducted by show of hands, secret ballot, or any other fair method approved by the Chair or by the meeting.
Existing Committee members who wish to continue in office must be nominated and elected in the same way as any other candidate.

Special General Meeting (SGM)

A Special General Meeting may be called by the Executive Committee or upon receipt by the Secretary of a request signed by at least 20% of Members.
Such a meeting shall be convened within six weeks of the request.
At least 28 days' notice shall be given to Members.
Only the business specified in the notice convening the meeting shall be considered at an SGM.
Only Members may vote at an SGM.

Meetings and Decision-Making

The Executive Committee shall meet at least quarterly.
General meetings of Members may be held in person, online, or in a hybrid format, provided that reasonable arrangements are made to ensure fair participation.
Unless otherwise provided in this constitution, decisions at General Meetings shall be made by a simple majority of those present and voting.

Finance

The income and property of RAHA shall be applied solely towards the aims and objectives of the Association.
RAHA may be funded through membership fees, donations, grants, fundraising activities, and other lawful sources consistent with its aims.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining accurate financial records and for presenting a financial report to the AGM.
All significant expenditure shall be approved by the Executive Committee and properly recorded.
Members of the Executive Committee shall not receive payment for their services, except for reasonable and properly authorised out-of-pocket expenses.
The AGM may appoint an independent person to examine or review the financial records of the Association, provided that person is not a member of the Executive Committee.

Partnerships and Affiliations

RAHA may cooperate with, affiliate with, or enter into partnership arrangements with organisations whose aims and values are compatible with those of the Association.
Any formal partnership or affiliation shall be subject to approval by the Executive Committee or by a General Meeting, as appropriate.
Nothing in this constitution shall be taken to imply that RAHA is currently formally affiliated with Humanists UK or any other organisation unless such affiliation has been duly approved and publicly declared.

Amendments to the Constitution

This constitution may be amended by a resolution passed by at least two-thirds of the Members present and voting at an AGM or an SGM called for that purpose.
Proposed amendments should normally be submitted in writing to the Secretary at least 14 days before the meeting at which they are to be considered.

Dissolution

The Association may be dissolved by a resolution passed by at least two-thirds of the Members present and voting at a General Meeting called for that purpose.
In the event of dissolution, any remaining assets or funds, after the payment of debts and liabilities, shall be transferred to a non-profit organisation or association whose aims are broadly consistent with those of RAHA, as determined by the Members at that meeting.

Dispute Resolution

Any serious internal dispute should first be addressed through the Executive Committee.
Where appropriate, the Executive Committee or a General Meeting may appoint an independent mediator or panel to assist in resolving the matter.
All internal disputes shall be handled in a manner consistent with fairness, dignity, confidentiality where appropriate, and the values of the Association.

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