GURDUARA COUNCIL
Background to the Project
On 16 September 2014, Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship (OMAC) provided funding to the Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria (SICV) for the establishment of a Gurduara Council in Victoria.
The 2011 ABS Census figures estimate there are 30,000 Sikhs living in Victoria, with largest settlement in North western region. There are approximately 31,065 persons speaking Punjabi, compared to the previous census there was a 226% increase in Sikh-Punjabi population in Victoria.
The Victorian State Government recognises the importance of supporting the emerging needs of this community and has provided a total funding of $28,000 (under Community Harmony Program) to enable Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria (SICV) to undertake the following activities:
1. Governance and Organisation Development
2. Organisational Planning
3. Financial Plan
4. Collaboration and Partnership
SICV engaged the services of Ms Jatinder Kaur (Governance and Organisational Development, Organisational Planning, Collaboration and Partnership), Ms Gurprem Kaur (Financial Plan) and Ms Sangeet Thaker of legal firm Madgwicks (Constitution) to fulfil the requirements set by OMAC as part of the funding.
Community Consultation Process:
The Project team undertook extensive community consultation included face to face focus groups which were held at the following Gurduaras across Victoria in October/November 2014:
1) Sri Guru Granth Sahib - Keysborough Gurduara (25 & 26 October 2014)
2) Sri Guru Nanak Satsang Sabha - Blackburn Gurduara (1 & 2 November 2014)
3) Sri Guru Singh Sabha - Craigieburn Gurduara (15 & 16 November 2014)
4) Sikh Community of Western Victoria - Tarneit Gurduara (22 November & 7 December 2014)
5) Sri Guru Nanak Satsang Sabha - Hoppers Crossing Gurduara (22 November 2014)
6) Guru Nanak Sikh Society Shepparton - Shepparton Gurduara (23 November 2014)
Community Surveys in Punjabi & English were sought from the Sikh community members, the project received over 190 surveys and many sangat members attended the focus group held at the 6 Gurduaras.Community announcements were made on Punjabi SBS radio, Quami Awaaze and Gurduara announcements.
All of this feedback was analysed and will be in the Consultation Report which will be available on SICV website shortly.
On 28 February 2015, the Project team presented to the members of Gurduaras’ Management Committee members:
- The findings from community consultation
- Proposed structure of Victoria Sikh Gurduara Council
- Victoria Sikh Gurduara Council Constitution
Victorian Sikh Gurduara Council - Purpose
The proposed structure of VSGC will include a Board with 5 members, 1 from each of the 5 Gurduaras’ Committee members: elect a President, Secretary and Treasurer of VSGC and ordinary members.
The functions and responsibilities of Victorian Sikh Gurduaras Council (VSGC) is to be the umbrella organization of Sikhs in Victoria and the elected body of Sikh Gurduaras.
The VSGC’s major governing purpose is to represent the collective view of the Sikh community residing in Victoria and provide peak advisory and coordinating role with Governments, Non-Government and community and Multi-faith groups in Victoria.
Role of 5 Independent Members
The position of the 5 Independent members will be advertised to Sikh community with selection criteria. We are seeking Expression of Interest (EOI) from members of Sikh community who wish to nominate for one of the 5 Independent members appointed to the VSGC. One of these positions must be filled by a Woman. The VSGC will have 5 Advisory groups or sub-committee which will have specific focus on:
1. Sikh Religious Multi-faith Advisory Group
2. Social Welfare Advisory Group
3. Legal Rights & Advocacy Advisory Group
4. Youth Advisory Group
5. Women Advisory Group
Selection Criteria: for appointment as an Independent member the applicant must:
a) be a Sikh who is at least a Keshdhari and/or Amrit-dhari (Initiated Sikh);
b) demonstrate their experience in working with Sikh community (letter of support or evidence);
c) be able to commit 10 hours on a volunteer basis per week towards Victorian Sikh Gurduara Committee activities;
d) be literate, educated and be able to use email, phone to communicate with internal and external stakeholders;
e) sign and agree to the ‘Code of Conduct’, comply with any probity and disclose any relationship with any current or previous Gurduara committee members or employees;
f) Identified positions will be based on the specific criteria (e.g. Sikh Women and Sikh youth aged between 18 to 30 years); and
g) No Applicant with criminal record or person convicted of fraud will be accepted.
Proposed Victorian Sikh Gurduaras Council Structure
VICTORIAN SIKH GURDUARAS COUNCIL Constitution
Attached below is the final VSGC Constitution
