ISNA-MYNA relationship analysis

ISNA/MYNA Relationship – 4 Options for the futureCurrently, the ISNA/MYNA relationship is unclear. The ISNA Majlis ash-Shura has authority over MYNA, which would make it seem that MYNA is a department within ISNA. But the tools necessary for functioning as a department do not exist; also, it is referred to as an affiliate and operates as an affiliate with special privileges that other affiliates do not have.


1-Department within ISNA

A purely ISNA youth program, operated like ISNA Development Foundation, from the headquarters by a director.
Benefits:

financial support-
all activities are fully funded by ISNA

office space-
MYNA operates out of the headquarters, storage of equipment and data.

Costs:

no seat on the Majlis-
a department within does not play a controlling role

no control over funds-
earmarked funds may be diverted to satisfy other ISNA needs if funds are not available.

no control over leadership-
MYNA leadership may be replaced if and when ISNA leadership desires

2-tier politics-
any organization may have politics, MYNA will have to deal with its own politics, while also being directly affected or involved in potential politics within ISNA.

bound by ISNA priorities-
a change in priorities of the ISNA leadership may mean a loss of resources or a change in the nature of MYNA regardless of the desires of MYNA leadership;
pressure to do work that ISNA desires regardless of MYNA needs

legal issues-
MYNA will be directly affected by any legal problems that ISNA falls into and vice/versa

2-Organization Affiliated with ISNA
A-with Special Status
An affiliated organization that has privileges due to the priority nature of youth activities.
Benefits:

seat on the ISNA Majlis-
gives MYNA an equal say in the ISNA decision making processes

special privileges:
office space-
at ISNA headquarters

convention space-
at ISNA convention
Costs:

legal issues-
any thing that happens to ISNA will directly effect MYNA

control-
ISNA leadership may feel that because they give special privileges, they also get privileges:

to affect MYNA priorities and leadership

to affect MYNA activities:
speakers and format at convention and other activities

funds-
funds to sustain the organization must be raised to pay for operation costs as well as activity costs

2-Organization Affiliated with ISNA
B-like other affiliates
An affiliate organization that operates independently from ISNA, like IMA, AMSS, AMSE, etc.
Benefits:

seat on the ISNA Majlis-

separate organization-
with its own non-profit status, so, in current political climate, if anything happens to ISNA, MYNA will survive; also
ISNA is protected from anything MYNA may do.

accountability-
we will be accountable for our own actions, so there will be better organizational and financial practices

no more control issues-
ISNA cannot meddle

permanence of the organization
Costs:

convention space-
possible loss of logistical and financial assistance at ISNA convention

funds-
funds to sustain the organization must be raised to pay for operation costs as well as activity costs


3-Independent Organization

A separate organization independent of ISNA or any Islamic Movement
Benefits:

grassroots-
we can develop a grassroots body that can feed other organizations regardless of their relationship with ISNA

accountability-
we will be accountable for our own actions, so there will be better organizational and financial practices

no more control issues-
not at all related to ISNA
independent to create an organization that can take youth work in directions that other Muslim organizations cannot

permanence of the organization-
a board of directors that are not at the mercy of ISNA’s Majlis or potential legal problems at ISNA
Costs:

will hurt ISNA-
loss of people capable of doing youth work; people may feel that ISNA has troubles because it was not capable of keeping an affiliate organization within its umbrella

brand name-
ISNA may own the MYNA name:
a group independent of ISNA cannot be called MYNA;

people recognize MYNA, and a new organization will have to work hard to establish itself in the hearts and minds of many Muslim communities

competition-
ISNA will feel inclined to do youth activities in the name of MYNA, which will create competing activities possibly in the same communities

prepared by asad siddiqui