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Beacon hebrew Alliance Bylaws

 March 2023 

CONTENTS 

Article I Name 

Article II Purpose  

Article III Fiscal Year  

Article IV Duration  

Article V Membership  

Article VI Dues  

Article VII Privileges of Membership  

Article VIII Membership Meetings  

Article IX Board of Trustees 

Article X Nomination, Election and Qualifications of  the Board of Trustees  

Article XI Pulpit  

Article XII Committees 

Article XIII Order of Business 

Article XIV Parliamentary Practice 

Article XV Amendments

  

ARTICLE I 

Name 

Section 1: The “Congregation” shall mean The Beacon Hebrew Alliance. It is referred to as  "BHA" throughout this document. 

Section 2: The “Board” shall mean the Board of Trustees of the Congregation, including the  officers. 

Section 3: The “Trustee” shall mean any individual member of the Board. 

ARTICLE II  

Purposes 

The following are the purposes of BHA: 

• To maintain a Synagogue for worship and religious observance according to the practice of  Judaism, as set forth by the Conservative Movement 

• To provide instruction in religious Judaism and develop Jewish Culture 

• To encourage social service, religious observances, and to develop the moral, mental, and  physical welfare of its members 

• To maintain a center for the cultivation of Jewish thought, action, and community

• To own, operate and maintain cemetery property for persons of the Jewish faith, all pursuant to  the rules and regulations of this organization 

Article III  

Fiscal Year 

THE FISCAL YEAR of BHA is from July 1 through June 30. 

ARTICLE IV  

Duration 

As long as there are ten (10) members in good standing, BHA cannot be dissolved.

Should there be less than ten (10) members in good standing, the remaining members may elect  to dissolve BHA. Should BHA be dissolved, following the satisfaction of all outstanding debts  and obligations, the remaining assets of BHA shall be distributed to one (1) or more not-for profit Jewish religious and/or educational organizations as identified by the membership at the  time of dissolution. 

 

ARTICLE V  

Membership 

Section 1: Membership is open to anyone whose immediate family includes at least one adult of  the Jewish faith. 

Non-Jewish spouses/partners (Mishpuchah members) are fully welcomed and can participate in  the life of the community with the exception of service on the Ritual and Cemetery Committees,  voting and service on the Board. 

Honorary membership is conferred upon the clergy of BHA and their spouses/partners, as well as  other deserving persons of the community (as determined by the Board). Honorary membership  does not confer voting privileges. 

Section 2: Membership in BHA includes the dependent children (to age 26) of a member. These  children are entitled to all membership benefits (other than voting and holding office). 

Section 3: Application for membership is made in writing to the head of the Membership  Committee and/or to the Secretary, who reports on each application to the Executive Committee  for appropriate action. A majority vote of the Executive Committee is required to elect an  applicant to membership. All applications shall be accompanied by a minimum of 25% of one  year's dues. 

Section 4: A member may be suspended or expelled by a two-thirds vote of the Executive  Committee present at any regular of special meeting, for any of the following reasons: 

a. Failure to pay dues or assessments for a period of two years or more. 

b. Conduct that brings discredit upon the Congregation.

 

ARTICLE VI 

Dues 

Section 1: The annual membership dues are fixed by the Executive Committee at the beginning  of each fiscal year, after allowing the congregation 60 days to respond to any proposed changes.  The Executive Committee is authorized to decrease the amount of said minimum dues only in  the event of the financial hardship of a member. 

Section 2: Newly elected members are credited in the fiscal year following their election with the  prorated amount of dues. 

Section 3: Assessments can be made by the Board. 

Section 4: Members who fail to meet their financial obligations within one year from the due  date are considered delinquent and not in good standing. They are suspended from all rights and  privileges of membership including the right to attend meetings or act as an officer. This  suspension becomes effective after a 15 day period following written notice sent by registered  mail, advising the member of such delinquency. Upon paying all delinquencies, such member  will be restored to good standing. 

  

ARTICLE VII  

Privileges of Membership 

Except as provided in Section 1 of Article V, members in good standing have the following  privileges: 

1. To attend all meetings and functions of BHA 

2. To have a voice and a vote at membership meetings 

3. To hold office in BHA. 

4. To participate in worship at all religious services in the Synagogue, subject to "Minhag Ha Makom", the customs and practices of BHA. 

5. To have use of the BHA Cemetery, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the BHA  Cemetery Association.

 

ARTICLE VIII  

Membership meetings 

Section 1: The membership meeting for the purpose of election of officers is held annually, not  less than 30 days nor more than 90 days before the start of the fiscal year. 

Section 2: Annual and regular meetings of the membership are called by the President to conduct  BHA business. 

Section 3: Members are sent written notice at least fourteen (14) days before BHA annual and  regular meetings. 

Section 4: Special meetings of the BHA membership are called: 

a. at the President's discretion 

b. or, by the President, if requested in writing by ten (10) members who are not also  members of the Executive Committee. 

The written request must state the reason for and the purpose of the meeting. If the President fails  to issue a call for the special meeting within three (3) days after being requested to do so, any  other elected officer may issue the call. 

Section 5: No business is to be transacted at a special meeting, except for the stated purpose.  Notice of such special meeting is to be given by the Secretary to all members of the  Congregation, sent not less than five (5) days prior to such meeting. 

Section 6: Notification of all meetings may be by first-class mail, facsimile, or electronic mail.  Notification is given when deposited in the United States mail with correct postage and  addressed to the member’s address as it appears in the record of members, or when it is sent to  the member’s fax number or email address as it appears in the record of members. Notification  will be sent to a different address, fax number or email address upon the member’s request in  writing to the Secretary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, notice shall not be deemed to have been  given electronically if BHA is unable to deliver two consecutive notices to the member by  facsimile or electronic mail or BHA otherwise becomes aware that notice cannot be delivered to  the member by facsimile or electronic mail. 

Section 7. At all membership meetings of BHA, regular and special, a quorum for the transaction  of business consists of fifteen (15) members, including officers present. A fewer number can  adjourn the meeting to some future time, not less than six (6) nor more than twenty (20) days from the date of adjournment. The Secretary sends notice at least five (5) days before the  rescheduled meeting date. 

Section 8: The Board may determine, in its sole discretion, whether regular and special  membership meetings shall be held solely in person, solely by electronic communication, e.g., by  Zoom, or a combination (hybrid) of in-person and electronic communication.    

 

ARTICLE IX 

Board of Trustees 

Section 1: Except as expressly provided herein, the Board will govern and control the affairs of  BHA and will have all powers necessary for the administration and operation of the Synagogue,  without conflicting with clergy's roles and responsibilities, including, but not limited to: 

a) Management of the funds and other property of the Congregation; 

b) Adoption and enforcement of appropriate procedures and regulations for the welfare of the  Congregation; 

c) Authority to fix fees for the use of the facilities of the building; 

d) Authority to hire and remove all employees of the Congregation and to determine their salaries and periods of employment except as otherwise provided herein or by a resolution duly  adopted by the Board;  

e) Authority to make all determinations concerning the officers, committees and the  Congregation-affiliated organizations; and 

f) Authority to determine the place of membership, corporate, and trustee meetings, including the  authority to determine whether such meetings shall be conducted partially or solely by means of  electronic communication. 

Section 2: The Board (officers and Trustees) will be elected from among the voting members of  the Congregation. The Board for each term will be comprised of four officers and three to nine  Trustees-at-large. The size of the Board for each term will be established by the existing Board.  

The Board or the President may designate members of the Congregation to serve as ex-officio,  non-voting members of the Board. 

Section 3: The terms of office of the Board will coincide with the fiscal year of BHA. 

Section 4: Initially, Officers and Trustees-at-large will be elected for terms of one, two or three  years so that officer and trustee-at-large elections will thereafter be staggered. After those initial  terms, newly elected officers and Trustees-at-large shall be elected for three-year terms. 

Section 5: Any member of the Board may be removed by a vote of two-thirds of the remaining  Board. 

Section 6: Any vacancy on the Board will be filled promptly by a vote of the remaining members  of the Board. Any member of the Board so elected will serve until the next meeting of the  membership at which election of members of the Board is in the order of business and a  successor is elected and installed. Members of the Congregation will be promptly notified of all  vacancies on the Board. 

Section 7: The Board will ensure that all officers, members of the Board and employees of the  Synagogue are covered by a bond and/or Directors and Officers Insurance, the premium for  which is to be paid by the Congregation. 

Section 8: Except as otherwise required hereby or by law, no contract will be entered into on  behalf of the Congregation without the approval of the Board, with final oversight by the  President, or pursuant to rules approved by the Board. 

Section 9: The Board will enact such policies, including conflict of interest policies, as may be  required by law. 

Section 10: The Board will establish rules for the issuance of checks and any documents to be  signed by officers of the Congregation. 

Section 11: The officers of the Congregation will be: 

PRESIDENT: the President will: fulfill General Board member responsibilities; set the tone for  the Board and its activities; create the agenda for the Board meetings, in consultation with other  Board members; act as a spokesperson for the congregation; ensure Board resolutions are carried  out; oversee search for the Rabbi and Cantor, if required, and enter into contracts with them, as  approved by the Board and the Congregation, as and to the extent required by law; ensure that  employment arrangements with BHA staff are upheld, work with the Nominating Committee to  recruit, and orient, new Board members; call special meetings if necessary; facilitate or delegate  facilitation for the Board meetings; maintain the leadership pipeline (in coordination with the  Governance Committee); understand and provide oversight of financial budgeting and fiduciary  compliance; sign and provide oversight to contracts obligating the synagogue. 

VICE-PRESIDENT: the Vice-President will: fulfill general Board member responsibilities; work  with the President to ensure that Board members are fulfilling their roles; oversee the functioning  of committees, and work with the President to appoint committee membership and leadership;  carry out special assignments as requested by the President; understand the responsibilities of the  President and be able to perform these duties in the President’s absence. 

TREASURER: the Treasurer will: fulfill general Board member responsibilities; understand  financial accounting for nonprofit/religious organizations; serve as the chair of the Finance,  Audit and Compliance Committee; manage, with the Finance, Audit and Compliance  Committee, the Board’s review of and action related to the Board’s financial responsibilities;  work with the President and accountant to track and monitor budget vs. actual and monitor the  cash flow; help to problem-solve around fiduciary issues; be the first line of consultancy for  managing money; work with the President and accountant to ensure regular reports to the Board  with regard to the financial solvency of the congregation; oversee the congregation’s financial  compliance such as tax filings and insurance; present the annual budget to the Board for approval  as well as to the membership, at the regularly scheduled annual membership meetings. 

SECRETARY: the Secretary will: fulfill general Board member responsibilities; ensure the  safety and accuracy of all Board records; take and circulate Board minutes; assume the  responsibilities of the President in the absence of the President and Vice-President; provide  notice of meetings of the Board and/or of a committee when such notice is required. 

Section 12: Initially, the officers will be elected for terms of one, two or three years so that  officer elections will thereafter be staggered. After those initial terms, newly elected officers  shall be elected for three-year terms. Officers may not serve more than six consecutive years in  the same position.  

Section 13: The Board may determine, in its sole discretion, whether regular and special  meetings of the membership and the Board shall be held solely in person, solely by electronic  communication, e.g., by Zoom, or a combination (hybrid) of in-person and electronic  communication. A majority of the Board (including officers) shall constitute a quorum for the  transaction of Board business. Actions of the Board and the Executive Committee may be  approved by a majority of those present, except as otherwise required by law. Actions of the  Board and the Executive Committee without a meeting require unanimous written consent. 

 

ARTICLE X  

Nomination, Election and Qualifications of the Board of Trustees 

Section 1: The Nominating Committee consisting of three (3) members in good standing is  selected by the President and approved by the Board and made public at least (30) days prior to  the membership meeting for election of officers. 

Section 2: The Nominating Committee nominates Board candidates to be elected at a meeting of  the membership for said purpose. The list of nominees will be presented to the President at least  twenty (20) days before the election meeting of the membership with the assurance that the  candidates are willing and able to accept the nomination. All nominees will be members in good  standing for at least one (1) year prior to the annual meeting. Nominees for President will be  members in good standing for at least two (2) full years. 

Section 3: The list of nominees will be sent to each member of BHA together with the notice of  the membership meeting for officer elections (in accordance with Article 8, section 6).  Additional nominations for any office may be made in writing at least five (5) days before the  election meeting to the President or Secretary of BHA. These additional nominations must  include the assurance that the nominee is willing and able to serve. No nominations from the  floor shall be made at the annual meeting unless: 

• there are no nominees for a particular office  

• a candidate is unable to serve 

Section 4: The vote for all elective offices is by secret ballot, to the extent practicable. Each  member will be present (in person or by electronic communication) at the membership meeting  to qualify to vote, or the member may execute an absentee ballot. 

Section 5: The Board shall have the authority to decide whether absentee ballots will be sent (in  accordance with Article 8, section 6) or will be made available electronically along with the list  of nominees to all eligible members in good standing prior to the election. In the case of absentee  ballots made available in paper form, the ballots must be signed and dated; the printed name of  the voter must also appear on the ballot near the signature; and the ballot must be returned to a  member of the Nominating Committee in a sealed envelope prior to the time voting begins. In  the case of absentee ballots made available electronically, to the extent practicable, there will be  equivalent ways of identifying the voter, maintaining secrecy and requiring that the ballots are  submitted before the end of the voting period. 

Section 6: A member entitled to vote at any membership meeting may vote by proxy on any  proposition to sell, mortgage or lease any of its property or for its consolidation with one or more  other religious corporations of the Jewish faith. 

 

ARTICLE XI  

Pulpit 

Section 1: The pulpit of BHA is occupied by an ordained rabbi or a student enrolled in a rabbinic  studies program affiliated with the Conservative Movement. 

Section 2. The rabbi is appointed by BHA at its annual meeting or at a special meeting called for  that purpose. 

Section 3. The rabbi is responsible for implementing the religious objectives of BHA. The rabbi  enjoys freedom of the pulpit. When appropriate, the rabbi consults with the Executive  Committee or any special committee or committees for advice and guidance. The rabbi is the  Mara D'atra of the congregation, assuming final responsibility for Halakhic responsibilities. A  non-ordained rabbi must seek the Halakhic counsel of the seminary. 

 

ARTICLE XII 

Committees 

Section 1: BHA will have two types of committees: Committees of the Board, and Committees  of the Corporation. 

Section 2: Committees of the Board, which include the Executive Committee (comprised of the  four officers of the Board) have the authority to bind or make decisions on behalf of the Board  and must be comprised solely of voting Board members. Any binding decisions voted on by the  Executive Committee must be unanimous. 

Section 3: Committees of the Corporation are advisory to the Board and may include non-Board  members and volunteers, as determined by the Board. Each Committee of the Corporation will  have at least one member representative from the Board. 

Section 4: Committees of the Corporation may include the following: Cemetery; Education;  Events; Facilities; Finance, Audit and Compliance; Fundraising; Hospitality; Membership;  Nominating; Governance; and Ritual.

 

ARTICLE XIII  

Order of Business 

Section 1: The order of business at all BHA meetings is as follows, unless suspended by a vote  of the majority present. 

1. Reading of minutes 

2. Special business, if any, for which the meeting is convened 

3. Reports of officers 

4. Reports of standing committees 

5. Reports of special committees 

6. Old business 

7. New business 

 

ARTICLE XIV  

Parliamentary Practice 

Robert's Rules of Order are the standard for parliamentary procedure in BHA in the absence of  any other rules governing this type of procedure. 

 

ARTICLE XV  

Amendments 

Section 1: The By-laws, or any portion thereof, may be amended in the following manner: 

a. The proposal to amend or suspend one or more articles of these By-laws, or to introduce new  articles to it, will be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee, signed by not less than ten  (10) members in good standing of BHA. The proposal shall be read at the next meeting of the  membership. 

b. The Executive Committee will consider such proposal at its next meeting. c. At the subsequent regular or special meeting of BHA, the congregation will consider and vote  on the proposal. 

d. At such meeting, a report shall be submitted on the recommendation(s) of the Executive  Committee 

e. If two-thirds of the vote of the congregation present favors the proposal, it shall be declared  adopted. 

Section 2: A proposal for amendment or suspension which has been rejected by BHA may not be  resubmitted for the consideration of BHA unless twelve (12) months have elapsed since the time  of such rejection. 

Section 3: These By-laws, when approved by the Congregation at a membership meeting, will  become effective upon such approval, and the former By-laws and amendments are repealed. 

 

Sun, November 3 2024 2 Cheshvan 5785