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Draft

Sir John Cass Students Legacy Projects (SJCS Legacy)

Small acts of kindness, adds up to big differences

Date: 22 August 2023

1.0 Introduction

The SJCS Legacy Group was formed by a smaller group of Ex-Sir John Cass Students who are also part of the much larger EX-Sir John Cass Students WhatsApp Group that has been running for a number of years.

Some pupils have floated an idea from time to time to build on the collective strength of the group to do other positive action such as social and charity work to bring relief and benefit to some of our fellow human beings around the world.

Others felt that charity work should be a personal matter and many were doing such work on an individual and collective level, and the good name of the Ex-SJC Students Group should not be damaged due to possible misappropriation of collected funds and other negative developments. Some fellow members pointed out instances of abuse of charity funds within the greater community – which was accepted and acknowledged as points of legitimate concern. The views that were expressed are respected, and differences of opinion are tolerated, but at the same time good initiatives led by a group of individuals, with no previous reputational issues, should be supported that can potentially bring about positive impact for those who are less fortunate.

However, it was felt that such initiative should be done by those who are particularly interested and are prepared to devote time and energy outside the Ex-Sir John Cass Students WhatsApp Chat Group. This would minimise disturbing the members of the group and avoid confusing the purpose for which the Ex-SJC Students Group had been set up - mainly as a general chat and social group with an annual re-union event as its main focus. This advice was taken and the SJCS Legacy Group was formed after like-minded individuals met at the 2023 Re-union.

An undertaking was given that our fellow students would be informed about the developments and progress in due course. A message was posted on 13th August 2023 ahead of an informal meeting taking place later that afternoon.

2.0 Progress report and recommendation by the SJCS Legacy Steering Group

At an initial informal meeting of around 15 Ex-SJCS held on 13th August 23, robust discussion took place in East London (Burdett Road, E14), where everyone was invited to contribute their thoughts, ideas, legitimate misgivings (which were accepted and addressed) regarding undertaking at least one significant charity project (to achieve continuous reward) every year to benefit ourselves (our loved ones if that is the personal intention), our current ex-students, those that are unwell and those that have passed away.

It was agreed by the overwhelming majority, with no opposition, that one significant charity project will be delivered by the SJCS Legacy Group agreeing with the above aim for the reward as already mentioned in the introduction.

It was agreed that at least £1500 (fifteen hundred pounds) would be raised by those present by the end of August 2023 to deliver a water well project. On the 23rd of August the £1500 target has been reached. The SJCS Legacy Steering Group will now be sourcing a water well project in an area and country where there is desperate need, bringing much needed relief to people who do not have the basic necessities like water that we take for granted in Europe and other parts of the world. This project is expected to be delivered within 12 -16 weeks from the day the funds are transferred to a reliable and vetted charity specialising in water wells, with sustainability and maintenance plans to deliver benefit continuously for as long as possible.

3.0 Good-will Support requested from EX-SJCS Organising Committee

3.1 We are informing all the members of the EX-SJCS Organising Committee of the progress made so far in moving forward with developing the idea of for an annual charity project, mainly, in memory of Ex-SJCS.

3.2 We seek your support and prayers for the success of this initiative.

3.3 The EX-SJCS WhatsApp Group will be notified that this initiative is taking place and there is an opportunity to join our very first project by way of supporting it thorough donations, entirely voluntarily, with whatever amount one may wish.

3.4 For one project every year EX-SJCS WhatsApp group members would be approached to see our fellow students wish to contribute or join our fundraising effort.

3.5 A verbal report will be presented at the annual Ex-SJCS re-union event on the projects that have been delivered in memory and for the benefit of our fellow students, past and present, as well as those who are unwell.

3.6 Ex-SJCS benefit when others benefit through our donations and effort, in this life and the Hereafter. May these acts of charity bring our hearts and minds together both in this life and in Jannah.

3.7 Anyone outside of Ex-SJCS may also contribute to our initiative if they agree with our aims, to achieve greater impact with us, than they would achieve by doing other charity projects or interventions alone with a smaller sum of money.

4.0 Background

The Ex-Sir John Cass Students WhatsApp Group has been running for nearly 10 years or more. It has served as chat group for former students to keep in touch.

An annual event is organised by the SJC Organising Committee to bring former students together at different types of re-union events, once a year, to meet each other, enjoy each other’s company, reconnecting with memories spanning over several decades, and increasingly it is a social gathering and support group.

In 2023 nearly 150 students gathered at Ensign Community Centre (Wapping, London), the largest gathering to date. Thanks to the SJC Organising Committee the organisation was once again excellent and pupils from 1977 – 1994 attended the event.

The school has since been renamed as All Saints School following the controversy over links of the founder of the school been linked to aspects of the slave trade. The students who have gathered identify with Sir John Cass School and to use any other name would confuse former students.

5.0 The purpose of SJCS Legacy Group

The main purpose of the SJCS Legacy Group is to gain reward and blessings from Allah (swt) for our fellow Ex-SJC Students who are current members of the WhatsApp Group, attendees at the annual event, those who are not well, and especially those who have sadly passed away.

If the SJCS Legacy Group can continue work in to the distant future (inshAllah) with pupils from later years joining the Ex-student body and then supporting the work of the SJCS Legacy Group, they we will have created a means of doing acts of continuous charity that will be benefit us long after we have left this world.

It is also an honourable and recommended action to remember through acts of charity those that have left us and returned to our Lord (swt), for we do not know what action will assist us in receiving Mercy, forgiveness, ease and immense reward during our lifetime and in the Hereafter.

6.0 Guiding principles

We do not like too many rules, but some are necessary for working in a group setting. These are some of our guiding principles of SJCS Legacy Group.

• Anyone from the Ex-SJCS Group could join the SJCSlegacy Group if they agree with the aims of the group and some very simple ground rules around cordial conduct.

• Our intention is to gain reward by undertaking at least one significant project in different parts of the world on a rolling basis, based on deprivation, need and high impact, to improve people’s quality of life, including by making them self-sustaining and empowered.

• No member will personally benefit from any funding or project allocation decisions and must declare conflict of interest where their interests come into play in decision making etc. ( they will need to remove themselves from decision making and influencing in such instances of conflict of interest arising)

• Projects that are chosen will not deviate from the main principles of Islam and tradition of our Prophet Muhammad (saw) and will be aimed at relieving the difficulties and addressing disadvantages faced by our fellow human beings, irrespective of faith.

• Everyone can express their views, with evidence where necessary, and they will be listened to. However,decisions need to be made, and this must be left to the SJCS Legacy Group Steeriing Group if majority decision cannot be achieved at general gatherings, when these are called (at least once a year if requested) or in chat group discussions.

• Any complaints will be put verbally first for resolution, then in writing to the SJCS Legacy Steering Group for a final and binding proposal for seeking solution and decision (we are not formally structured, but still need to consider that disagreements may arise which will need to be addressed properly if informal resolution cannot be achieved)

All rules will be reviewed from time to time for effectiveness, efficiency and value for money and impact by the SJCS Legacy Steering Group and will be proposed for adoption to the SJCS Legacy Group by majority decision. Decision within the SJCS Legacy Steering Group will be by simple majority, with more than 50% membership being present in case of difference of opinion.

7.0 The beneficiaries

Any human being. The SJCS Legacy Group will prioritise project ideas, regions and topics to achieve maximum impact that are deemed important.

8.0 Types of projects that will be funded

Any act of continuous charity will be primary priority. Other ideas and actions aimed at relieving distress and improving quality of life will be considered.

Some possible ideas:

• high quality water well serving around 500-1000+ people

• olive tree planting for livelihood, farming and agriculture

• cataract operations and medical assistance, health promotion and disease prevention

• sustainable power supply and infrastructure

• social, economic and educational support to empower people and reduce dependency

9.0 Implementation and delivery

The SJCS Legacy Group of up to maximum of seven members will research, investigate, source reliable charities and initiatives, and means, through which continuous and other acts of charity projects and interventions will be delivered.

Proof of delivery and anticipated benefit and outcomes will be provided.

10.00 Next Steps

Once the water well project is delivered the SJCS Legacy Steering Group delivers the first water well project the SJCS group will be informed about completion and handover of the project to the community concerned.

Various communication methods will be used to raise funds for the next project ahead of the Ex-SJCS Re-union 2024.

Our rules of operation will be reviewed and will be kept operationally focused, with minimum bureaucracy, but retaining integrity, transparency and confidence of donors.

There is no intention to create a charity as that is outside our scope and capacity. We will use existing and reliable charity organisations, mainly, to deliver our chosen project on rolling basis, covering different parts of the world, based on need, value for money and achieving high impact (maximum benefit).

Summary of today's meeting:

13th August 2023, 2:15 pm, Candy Cotton Restaurant, Burdett Rd, E14.

[Attendance: Please see photos and pledge list – informal meeting]

We began with Quran recitation by Mamunur.

1. Everyone introduced themselves and expressed their understanding of why they came to today's meeting. Took a bit longer for the intro and initial views, but go there at the end.

2. We are not establishing a charity organisation. That is outside our scope. We will use established charity organisations for a chosen project through a steering group comprising: Shahi Miah, Foysol Ali, Muhammad Ruhani, Masoom Chowdhury, Nazrul Islam [supported by Zahid Hussain as required]

(Others willing to join this subgroup are welcome [maximum 7])

3. We have got together to agree on doing at least one legacy charity project for ourselves, our school mates (past, present, deceased, unwell etc. ) through a reliable, proven, established charity that can deliver a high impact project where most needed. Our actions will be grounded in Islam and the tradition of our beloved Prophet (saw)

4. We will engage in this annual continuous legacy charity initiative as this group, regardless of whether anyone else from outside this group membership contributes or not. We shall ask others to join this noble initiative to add to funds for greater impact.

5. It was suggested that the first project be a high-qualitywater well, with a likely budget requirement of £1500.

6. The name of SJC group with year designations (possibly) will be used. As the group move forwards others from SJC, past and present, as well as others who agree with our purpose will be invited to join our efforts.

7. This group is an open forum, people will have differences of opinion, we will be cordial and polite, if we make a mistake we will acknowledge and apologise, move on, our purpose is to achieve high impact for beneficiaries, for our akhirah, for the benefit of our brothers who have passed away, those who are unreachable, those who are unwell etc.

8. We will have some more face to face meetings, but our main discussions and updates will be via this chat group (respecting everyone's time)

9. We will aim to achieve our first project delivery/implementation decision within three months, inshAllah

10. Some funds were raised today, collected in cash £250. A further £1000 was committed. To be sent to Ruhani bhai or via Justgiving page to be set up. Details to be provided later. Money commitment to be submitted within 4 weeks from today.

11. Amount to be contributed by each member is entirely voluntary, and in secret (if requested)

12. 6-7 members of the SJC reunion group were present, they will inform the rest of the SJC organising committee of developments. A message was posted in the SJC reunion group informing all of today's meeting and that further updates will be provided (with opportunity to support and join our continuous charity efforts)

13. We have listened to request for structuring and appointing chairman etc, but the decision making will be kept loose for now, with different people facilitating meetings as required. The steering group will be the means fir decision making and implementation for now.

14. The meeting ended with Surah Al-Asr

If I have missed anything, please let me know.

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