By-Laws

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF TEMPLE SINAI

ARTICLE I back to top

NAME
This congregation shall be known as Temple Sinai

ARTICLE II back to top
PURPOSE
The purpose of Temple Sinai is the establishment and maintenance of all facilities for the practice and advancement of Reform Judaism.

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MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Any person of the Jewish faith or any person seeking to be associated with those upholding the Jewish faith shall be eligible for membership in the congregation.

Section 2: The unit of membership shall be the individual, or in the case of married persons, the family. (The family in this case shall be defined as husband, wife, and their unmarried children. Children over 21 who are self-supporting shall not be considered in the family group.)

Section 3: No one shall be denied full rights or membership due to financial considerations. The dues of each member shall be set by a dues committee, subject to review at the request of the Executive Board. Dues in each case shall be governed by the member’s financial ability to contribute a just share to meet the expenses of the congregation. The amount set as dues of each member shall be subject to revision from time to time at the request of either the member or the dues committee, or the Executive Board.

Section 4: A member in good standing shall have the following rights and privileges:
A. To attend all meetings of the congregation and vote upon any matters which may lawfully come before and of its meetings.
B. To have his or her children instructed in the religious school curriculum for such instruction, confirmed and graduated in the Temple, upon meeting the necessary requirements for confirmation and graduation.
C. To participate in all activities of the Temple.
D. To have the services of a Rabbi of the Temple at customary religious ceremonies involving members of the congregation, and their immediate families.

Section 5: The Board of Trustees may levy special assessments upon the members of the congregation subject to the approval by a two-thirds vote of the members vote of the members of the congregation present at a duly called regular meeting or special meeting.

Section 6: Each of the following shall be entitled to vote:
A. The individual member.
B. In the case of a family, husband and wife shall each have one vote.

Section 7: Dues are payable in advance. A member in arrears for six months may, on the vote of the Board of Trustees, be suspended from membership, after thirty days notice in writing sent to the member by registered mail addressed to the last address of such member appearing in the records of the Congregation. Upon suspension, all rights and privileges of such suspended member in the congregation shall cease.

Section 8: A member thus suspended may be reinstated by the Board of Trustees on payment of all arrears or compliance with any other terms the Board may stipulate.

Section 9: After their first year of membership, members in good standing must make a five-year pledge to the Building Fund. The minimum amount of such pledges will be established by the Board and reviewed annually. Exceptions to the minimum pledge will be considered by the Building fund Committee in consultation with the Executive Committee. Members who refuse to make such a pledge will no longer be regarded as members in good standing. Non-payment of the pledge will be treated as non-payment of dues.

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Section 1: All members of the Board shall be members in good standing of Temple Sinai. The Board of Trustees shall consist of the officers of the congregation, the past Presidents, one representative of the men’s and one representative of the women’s, one representative of the senior youth, and one representative of the garden club organizations of the Temple, and a minimum of six (6) members elected by and from the congregation, until the membership of the congregation exceeds one hundred (100), at which time one additional trustee shall be elected at the next annual meeting for each additional twenty-five (25) members or portion thereof and the chairperson of each standing committee of the Temple, having been appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Board.

Section 2: The congregation shall elect for the first year, half of the Trustees to serve for one year, and half of the Trustees to serve for two years.

Section 3: The congregation shall thereafter elect the requisite number of Trustees for a term of two years, provided, however, that no trustee shall be elected for more than two successive terms. No trustee shall be eligible for re-election until the time equal to term(s) served by such trustee has elapsed.

Section 4: The representatives to the Board from the brotherhood and the sisterhood shall serve for one year, and may be returned by their organization for not more than one successive term.

Section 5: The Board of Trustees shall have the general management of the affairs, funds, records, and property of the congregation. It shall act on all matters of policy, fill all vacancies on the personnel elected by the congregation until the next congregational election, not herein otherwise provided for, and perform such other duties as the members in regular or special meetings assembled from time to time may prescribe.

Section 6: The Board of Trustees shall meet once each month on a day set by the President, and in addition may meet at the call of the President. Three days notice shall be given of all regular meetings. A 24-hour notice shall be given of any special meetings.

Section 7: A quorum of the Board of Trustees shall consist of one more than fifty percent of the total number of members of the Board of Trustees. All actions of the Board of Trustees shall require a majority vote of the members present.

Section 8: The office of any trustee who is absent from three successive regular meetings of the Board without adequate excuse may be declared vacant by a vote of the Board.

Section 9: The Board of Trustees shall be authorized to expend on any extra budgetary project up to one thousand dollars. Any appropriation in excess of this amount shall require approval by both the Board and the congregation.

Section 10: The Board of Trustees shall have the authority to employ and discharge any and all personnel or employees of the Temple, with the exception of the Rabbi who has to be approved by vote of the congregation.

Section 11: The Board of Trustees shall have the management of all properties of the congregation.

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OFFICERS
Section 1: The officers of this congregation shall consist of a President, a first Vice-President, a second Vice-President, a recording Secretary and a Treasurer all to be elected for a term of one year at the annual meeting of the congregation. No person except the recording Secretary and the Treasurer shall be elected to the same office for more than three successive terms, and shall not be eligible for re-election until the time equal to the term(s) served by such office. Any persons elected to the office of recording Secretary or Treasurer shall be eligible for re-election to such office as he or she may desire without limitation.

Section 2: The President shall preside at all meetings of the congregation, and of the Board; he shall appoint committees, call special meetings, sign all legal documents, and perform all duties incident to the office. He shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

Section 3: The first Vice-President shall act for the President in case of the absence or disability of the President and the second Vice-President shall act for the President in case of the absence or disability of both the President and the first Vice-President. In case of vacancy in the office of the presidency, the order of succession thereto shall be the first Vice-President and if he is unable to act herein the second Vice-President; in either event whoever succeeds to the office of the presidency hereunder shall hold until the next regular election. The President shall assign to the first Vice President such duties as he shall deem necessary and shall assign to each Vice President such committees for their respective supervision thereof as he may require and each Vice President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees to which he has been assigned by the President.

Section 4: It shall be the duty of the recording Secretary to keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Board. He shall preserve all such books, papers and documents as may be entrusted to him, all of which shall at all times be open to the officers, the Board, or the properly constituted committees.

Section 5: Before assuming office, the Board of Trustees may require the Treasurer to give good and sufficient bond.

Section 6: Vacancies, in any office, except the office of President, may be filled by the Board, and such appointee shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the congregation.

Section 7: The duly elected officers of the temple shall constitute an Executive Committee and shall meet at least monthly at the call of the President. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the President may, at his or her option, appoint up to two (2) additional members (in good standing) of Temple Sinai to serve on the Temple’s Executive Committee. All such Presidential Appointments must be reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees before becoming effective. The term of such Presidential Appointments shall expire at the close of the fiscal year of appointment, provided however, that such appointments may be renewed at the request of the President and upon Board approval, for one additional term.

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RABBIS
Section 1: The Rabbi shall be the spiritual leader of the congregation, and shall supervise the religious services, and educational program of the congregation. The Rabbi, or the associate, or assistant Rabbi shall officiate at customary religious ceremonies for members of the congregation, and their immediate families. The Rabbi shall submit a report at each annual meeting of the congregation.

Section 2: The Rabbi shall have the privilege of attending all meetings of the Board, and the congregation, except when requested for some special reason to be absent. He shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

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STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1: The following standing committees shall be appointed by the President, subject to approval by the Board of Trustees following the annual election:
A. Ritual Committee
B. School Committee
C. House Committee
D. Finance Committee
E. Music Committee
F. Membership Committee
G. Social Action Committee
H. Club Sinai
I. Publicity Committee
J. Nominating Committee
K. Fine Arts Committee
L. ARZA (Association of the Reform Zionists of America) Committee
M. Adult Education Committee
N. Endowment Committee

The number of members on each committee shall be at the discretion of the President, but in no event shall the number be less than three except as otherwise provided. The several standing committees shall serve for a term of one year and until their successors are appointed and approved, as above provided. A majority of each committee shall constitute a quorum.

ARTICLE VII A back to top
ENDOWMENT
Section 1: There is hereby established the Temple Sinai Endowment Fund. (“Fund”)
A. The Fund shall receive, hold, accept, invest and manage gifts, devices and bequests of money and other property transferred to it.
B. The income and principal of the Fund shall be used for such purposes as are set forth in ARTICLE II of the By-Laws of Temple Sinai.
C. The management of and expenditures from the Fund shall be subject to the direction of the Board of Trustees of the Congregation with the advice of the Endowment Committee.
D. The Board of Trustees shall adopt such rules and regulations with respect to the Fund as it shall, with the advice of the Endowment Committee, determine.
E. Notwithstanding the provisions of ARTICLE IV, Section 9, of these By-Laws, the income earned by the Fund up to five percent (5%) of principal may only be expended by a recommendation of two-thirds (2/3) of those present and eligible to vote at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Trustees and then the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of those present and eligible to vote at a regular or special meeting of the Congregation. Any expenditure of income in excess of five percent (5%) of principal may only be expended by a recommendation of three-quarters (3/4) of those present and eligible to vote at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Trustees and then the affirmative vote of three-quarters (3/4) of those present and eligible to vote at a regular or special meeting of the Congregation. Any unexpended income would automatically be added to principal at the end of each year.

Section 2: Endowment Committee
A. There is hereby established an Endowment Committee.
i. The members of the Endowment Committee and its chairperson shall be appointed by the President, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees. Appointment to the original Endowment Committee and to fill vacancies on the Endowment Committee shall be made at the first meeting of the Board of Trustees following the annual election.
ii. The President shall appoint six (6) members to serve on the Endowment Committee. The President shall, by virtue of his or her office, be the seventh member of the Endowment Committee.
iii. Two (2) members of the original Endowment Committee shall be appointed for a term of one (1) year; two (2) members of the original Endowment Committee shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years; and two members of the original Endowment Committee shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years.
iv. Persons appointed to the Endowment Committee following the appointment of the members of the original Endowment Committee (who are not appointed to fill a vacancy caused by the non-services of a member of the original Endowment Committee) shall serve as a member of the Endowment Committee for a term of three (3) years.
B. Endowment Committee Functions. The Endowment Committee shall have the following powers and functions: It shall
i. solicit and authorize solicitations of monies and property to be applied to the Fund.
ii. make recommendations to the Board of Trustees with respect to:
a) the acceptance or rejection of any and all proposed gifts to the Fund;
b) the investment of the Fund
c) the expenditure of principal of and income from the Fund; and
d) the promulgation of rules and regulations (and changes thereto), and such other matters as may be appropriate concerning the administration, management, receipt of monies and property and expenditure and distribution of principal and income from the Fund.

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MEETINGS
Section 1: The annual meeting of the congregation shall be held in May of each year on a day designated by the Board of Trustees. Written reports shall be submitted by the President, Treasurer and chairman of each standing committee. At each annual meeting of the congregation the Rabbi(s), officers, and Trustees shall be elected in accordance with the provisions of these by-laws. A budget for the coming year shall be approved.

Section 2: Special meetings of the congregation may be called by the President himself, or at the request of a majority of the Board of Trustees or upon written application of ten percent (10%) of the members, but in no event less than five members.

Section 3: The congregation shall be invited to attend every third regular meeting of the Board of Trustees. At such meetings the congregation shall have the right to be heard.

Section 4: Notice of the annual meeting of the congregation shall be given by mail to each member of the congregation at least 10 days prior to the holding thereof. The notice shall state the purpose of the meeting; no business shall be transacted except that specified in the notice. Notice of special meetings of the congregation shall be given by written or oral notice at least 48 hours prior to such meeting.

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NOMINATIONS
Section 1: Nominations of all officers and trustees shall be made by the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall consist of 2 members of the Board of Trustees and 3 members of the congregation at large. The chairperson shall be designated by the President.

Section 2: The slate of nominees shall consist of one nomination for each officer and for each elective trustee whose term of office shall expire at the close of the then current fiscal year.

Section 3: Nominations by the Nominating Committee shall be reported to the recording Secretary at least 15 days prior to the election.

Section 4: Nominations for any elective office may be made by written petition of 5 members of the congregation, said nominations to be files with the recording Secretary at least 15 days before the election.

Section 5: Notice of the final slate of candidates including those nominated by petition shall be mailed to all members of the congregation at least 5 days before the election. Candidates nominated by the Nominating Committee shall be designated as such.

Section 6: All nominees shall indicate in writing to the recording Secretary acceptance of the nomination at least 10 days prior to election.

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FISCAL YEAR
The fiscal year shall end on May 30th each year.

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AUXILIARY ASSOCIATIONS
Auxiliary or activity units of the congregation may be formed with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

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PURCHASE OF REAL ESTATE
Before any contract for the purchase, sale or alienation of real estate by or for the congregation shall be entered into, the Board of Trustees shall ascertain all of the relevant material facts and submit them to the congregation at a regular or special meeting to be called for that purpose. It shall require a vote of two-thirds of the members present and eligible to vote to authorize any purchase, sale or alienation of real estate.

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RULES OF ORDER
The rules of procedure at meetings shall be determined by Roberts Rules of Order, latest revised edition.

ARTICLE XIV back to top
AMENDMENTS
Amendments to the constitution and by-laws shall be presented in writing and shall be proposed by the Board of Trustees or at least ten percent (10%) of the members of the congregation, and shall be filed with the recording Secretary.
Such amendments must be acted on at the next regular meeting of the congregation or at any special meeting called for this purpose. Copies of the proposed amendments shall be mailed to each member along with the notice of the meeting at least ten days prior thereto. An affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members present and eligible to vote shall be necessary to adopt any amendments.

Amended and Approved
July 25, 1984

Amended and Approved
May 21, 1986

Amended and Approved
May 7, 1990