Organisation

Sikh Council UK Organisation

The Sikh Council UK is a membership based, democratic and representative organisation.  Any organisation that has existed in the UK for at least two years and operates for the benefit of the Sikh community can apply to become an Affiliated Member Organisation.

Affiliated Member Organisations include Gurdwaras, local & regional Gurdwara Councils, Jathebandis, campaign groups, women’s groups, young people groups, schools and educational organisations, social and welfare organisations and NGO’s.

General Assembly

Affiliated Member Organisations pay an affiliation fee every two years, the level of which will be determined by the size of the organisation.  The affiliation fee also determines whether the organisation is entitled to send one, two or three delegates to meetings of the General Assembly which take place at least twice a year.

The General Assembly is the ultimate decision making body of the Sikh Council UK and is also responsible for selecting the Executive Committee every two years.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee consists of fifty one members of whom thirty are selected by the General Assembly.  The selected thirty will then co-opt the remaining twenty one who may or may not be members of the General Assembly.

This system preserves the power of Affiliated Member Organisations whilst allowing for deficiencies such as gender, age, geographic, social and cultural background to be addressed.  It also allows for gaps around specific skills and experiences to be addressed.

Office Bearers

The General Assembly will appoint from amongst the Executive Committee members the following office bearers who are required to be Amritdhari.  Assistants to the office bearers as well as other named officers may be appointed all of whom who do not have to be Amritdhari.

  • Secretary General
  • Administrative Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • Coordinator of Affiliate Organisations
  • Spokesperson

 

Specialist Sub-Committees

The Executive Committee is accountable to the General Assembly for the efficient and proper functioning of the Sikh Council UK.  To assist in this, the Executive Committee may appoint specialist sub-committees as it sees fit including the following as a minimum:

  • Community Safety
  • European and International Affairs
  • Finance
  • General Purpose
  • Indian Sub-continent Affairs
  • Media and Communication
  • Strategy, Policy and Legal Affairs

The Chairs of the specialist sub-committees are appointed by the Executive Committee from amongst its members.  Other members are appointed on the basis of skills, experience and expertise and members may or may not be members of the Executive Committee or General Assembly.

Board of Jathedars

A Board of Jathedars is established consisting of Amritdhari Sikhs who have achieved distinction in their fields.  The Board of Jathedars will serve as an advisory and scrutiny body as well as deal with grievances and disputes.  Members of the Board of Jathedars are appointed by the General Assembly.