Constitution and Bylaws

ADOPTED: JUNE, 1989 - AMENDED JUNE, 1995

HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, ARKANSAS

Article I - Name

This congregation shall be known as CONGREGATION HOUSE OF ISRAEL (BETH ISRAEL)

Article II - Purpose

The purpose of this congregation is to promote the enduring and fundamental principles of Judaism and to ensure the continuity of the Jewish people; to enable its adherents to develop a relationship with God through communal worship, study and assembly; and to apply the principles
of Reform Judaism to the values and conduct of the individual, family, and the society in which we live. In consideration of the above, we hereby adopt the following Constitution and By-Laws.

Article III - National Affiliation

This congregation shall affiliate with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UARC). It shall pay dues to the UARC and be entitled to all services as well as privileges prescribed in the UARC Constitution and By-Laws.

Article IV - Ritual and Religious Practice

Section 1

This congregation shall interpret Judaism in the tradition of Reform Judaism.

Section 2

The official ritual of worship shall be according to the "Union Prayer Book" or the "Gates of Prayer" or other appropriate services.

Section 3

This congregation shall be guided in its religious practices by its Rabbi as well as by the interpretations of the CCAR and in its congregational programs by resolutions adopted by the UARC Biennial Assemblies.

Article V - Membership

Section 1

Any person of the Jewish faith, eighteen (18) years of age or over, may be elected to membership upon approval of his/her application by a majority of the members of the Board of Trustees. A non-Jewish spouse in the event of the death of the Jewish spouse, may continue to be a member of the Congregation and is entitled to vote as defined in Section 2 of this Section.

Section 2

In the case of married persons, the unit of membership shall be the family. For the purpose of this article, the family shall be construed to mean husband, wife, and their unmarried children under 25 years of age,and who are not self-supporting and/or residing in another community while attending an educational institution. A non-Jewish spouse shall be considered a member in good standing and welcome to share in the fellowship of the congregation. Voting privileges and the holding of office in all facets of congregational life, the Board of Trustees, and committees shall be reserved to Jews by birth and Jews by choice.

Section 3

Members shall have the right to vote on all matters coming before meetings of the congregation and the privilege of voting shall be vested in the individual where the membership unit is the family. One vote per family unit will be allowed.

Section 4

The Trustees may establish special membership classifications with such provisions as it shall deem advisable.

Section 5

Members shall be responsible for support of the congregation through payment of dues, assessments and other fees as shall be determined by the Board of Trustees. A member who fails to pay any financial obligation within three (3) months may be suspended and deprived of all privileges upon vote of the Board of Trustees after he/she shall have been notified by certified mail of the impending suspension. The Board may waive, extend or modify any financial obligation due from a member.

Section 6

The resignation of any member shall not relieve him/her from payment of any obligation due at the time of resignation.

Article VI - Board of Trustees

Section 1

The Board of Trustees shall govern the affairs of this congregation, control its revenue and property, and take such action as shall,in its judgement,  best promote the welfare thereof.

Section 2

Nominations for new Board members shall be made by the nominating committee. The nominating committee shall be appointed by the President and shall consist of the immediate past President and four (4) members of the congregation at large. If the immediate past President is unable to serve, then an additional member of the congregation at large shall be appointed. Nominations from the committee shall be presented to the Board of Trustees prior to thirty (30) days before the annual congregational dinner each year.

Section 3

The Board shall consist of eight(8) official elected members, eight (8) of whom shall serve staggered terms of four (4) years each. The ninth Board member will be the current president of the Temple Sisterhood or duly elected representative and will change whenever a new Sisterhood president is installed. The tenth Board member will be the president the Temple Youth Group or duly elected representative and will change whenever a new Youth Group president is installed. In addition, there can be ex-officio members as appointed by the Board. The past-President is automatically an ex-officio of the Board and serves a one year term. Any congregational member of a regional or national UAHC board is automatically a member of the congregation board. No more thenfour (4) elected Board members' terms shall expire in anyone year. Elections will be held every two years. Current members cannot be re-elected for at least one (1) year following completion of a four (4) year term. However, if the current board president's board term expires before one (1) year after the expiration of his/her term as board president then that person shall remain on the board as an ex officio, non voting member until the end of that one year. All members are considered to be voting members.

Section 4

The Board of Trustees shall meet at least once a month and five (5) members present shall constitute a quorum.

Section 5

The seat of any Trustee who is absent, without adequate excuse, from three (3) consecutive regular Board meetings may be declared vacant by the Board.

Section 6

Members of the Board, as chosen lay leaders of the congregation are expected to set the example to membership by regular attendance at worship services and by active participation in the life and activities of the congregation. In order to be a Trustee, the individual must be a member in good standing in the congregation

Section 7

In situations where a Trustee is unable to complete a four year term, the Board of Trustees shall appoint a Trustee to serve the remainder of the term. The appointee will be nominated by the Nominating Committee as specified in Article VI, Section 2 The appointed Trustee will be
eligible to serve a full term immediately upon completion of the interim appointment.

Article VII - Officers

Section 1

The officers of the congregation shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, and a Secretary, all of whom shall be Trustees of the congregation, and a Treasurer who can be selected from the congregation at-large and shall serve as an ex-officio board member, not a currently elected member. All shall serve two-year officers' terms. The Vice-President shall serve as President- elect and shall become President following completion of the President's two year term. All other positions are subject to election by the Board of Trustees at its first meeting after the annual congregational meeting in the year where elections are held. The Secretary and Treasurer may be re-elected.

Section 2

The duties of the President shall act as chairperson at all congregational and board meetings, and shall appoint committees-all of which he/she is to be an ex-officio member, to call special meetings, to sign all legal documents, and to perform such other duties as are incident to the
office.

Section 3

The Vice-President shall succeed to the office of President in case of vacancy and shall act for the President in case of his/her absence or disability.

Section 4

The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all funds ofthe congregatign, except that the Building Fund shall have a separate treasurer. The Treasurer shall give a financial report at monthly meetings and an annual report at congregational meetings.

Section 4

The Secretary of the Board of Trustees serves also as the Secretary of the congregation, and reports monthly at Board meetings and annually at congregational meetings.

Section 5

Disbursement of congregation funds involved in the routine operation of the congregation will require only the signature of the Treasurer, who will make such expenditures only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Out-of-ordinary expenditures over one thousand dollars ($1,000) requires 2 signatures, the Treasurer and one other person as approved by the Board Any non-budgeted expenditures greater than one thousand dollars ($1,000) require specific Board direction.

Article VIII - Rabbi

Section 1

The congregation, in its selection of a Rabbi, shall abide by the rules and regulations of the UAHC and the Rabbinical Placement Commission of the UAHC.

Section 2

The Rabbi shall be selected by a special committee appointed by the President.  The committee shall recommend to the Board a Rabbi to be elected.  Upon approval by the Board of Trustees, this recommendation shall be presented to the congregation at a regular or special meeting.  A majority vote of the members present shall rule.

Section 3

The Rabbi shall have the right to attend all regular meetings of the Board of Trustees and congregation except when requested for some special reason to be absent. The Rabbi shall perform all duties incumbent upon and in accord with the office.

Article IX - Committees

The President shall appoint the following committees with the number of members on each varying as need presents.  Committees are to be classified as "Standing" which require that a rustee of the Board be the chairman and "Special" which may be chaired by a congregational member at-large, but which shall consist of at least one trustee who shall serve as the liaison with the Board.  Additional standing committees can be specified by the Board.

Section 1 - Standing Committees

• Activities Committee (Consists of three (3) sub-committees)
  • Programs
  • Social Action - responsible for inter-religious affairs and other programs
  • Adult Education
• Development Committee (Consists of three (3) sub-committees)
  • Major Projects:  plans and implements major project programs to provide additional funding and support for the Congregation.
  • Endowment:  augments programs necessary to create endowments, gift annuities, and other vehicles for the long term support of the Congregation
  • Adult Education
• Financial Review Committee (Consists of two (2) sub-committees)
  • Ways and Means:  develops budget and dues review
  • Investment/Finance: responsible for all the various asset accounts of the Temple, insuring their safety and investing the assets in a diligent manner.
• Future Planning: (Consists of three (3) sub-committees)
  • Focus Groups:  Establish means for congregational feedback to Board
  • Forward Planning:  Monitor developments of other committees to insure that all future needs of the Congregation are being addressed.
  • By-Laws Review:  Review and propose updates of By-Laws as needed.
• Membership Committee (Consists of three (3) sub-committees)
  • Hospitality:Establish hospitality for the recruitment of new members and for assistance to the Rabbi and his/her family.
  • Caring:  Extend help to both our members hen in need, and to the community at large.
  • Outreach: Work in the area of outreach welcoming non-Jewish spouses into our Temple community as well as extending a welcome to others who are unchurched who might seek information on Judaism. Reach out to unaffiliated Jews.
• Ritual Committee  (Consists of two (2) sub-committees)
  • Pulpit: Assists the rabbi in maximizing his/ her abilities to the best interest of all the Congregation Works with the Rabbi, sharing the concerns and accolades of the Congregation and providing information to the Congregation and Board from the Rabbi.
  • Synagogue Music: Work with the choir and others to implement essential and spiritual music programs for the services.

Section 2 - Special Committees

• Cemetery Committee:  Manage the cemetery under the authorization of the Board
• House Committee:  Responsible for the physical building and its maintenance and upkeep
• Temple Support:  (Consists of two (2) sub-committees
  • Publicity:  Provide announcements and articles for public dissemination
  • Bulletin:  Publish the monthly newsletter
• Youth and Education Committee:  Establish in conjunction with the Rabbi the program for the Religious School.

Article X - Cemetery

Section 1

The congregation may own land and other property for use as a cemetery. The management of such property shall be the responsibility of the Board of Trustees.

Section 2

The Board of Trustees shall delegate the management of the cemetery to a Cemetery Committee whose actions shall promulgate rules and regulations for the operation of the cemetery, set the charges for burial space,issue permits for burial and arrange for maintenance and perpetual care.

Section 3

The capital funds of the cemetery are to be kept by the Financial Review Committee and Cemetery Committee and appropriated in a manner determined by both committees.

Section 4

The right to purchase a grave or lot in the cemetery is limited to members of the congregation in good standing. Person of the Jewish faith who are not members of the congregation cannot acquire a grave or lot in the cemetery except by a special action of the Board of Trustees and upon special terms.

Section 5

In case a member purchases a lot or part of a lot in a cemetery and then loses his/her membership for any cause, except for resignation due to his/her leaving the city, he/she shall forfeit all claim to the unoccupied portion of said lot or part of said lot purchased, title to which shall revert to property of the congregation. However, when a member becomes a non-resident he/she may retain the lot by paying the standard annual charge. This refers only to those who purchased lots prior to mandatory perpetual care.

Section 6

Any member of the congregation who, for any reason, forfeits his/her membership must pay all back dues before he/she can purchase a lot or grave in the cemetery.

Section 7

If an owner of a cemetery lot should be in arrears either in congregational or cemetery dues, or for some reason drops out of the congregation and becomes a non-member, he/she cannot use any part of the cemetery for burial until all dues in arrears are paid.

Section 8

It is mandatory that perpetual care be purchased along with the purchase of a grave or lot.

Article XI - Meetings

Section 1

The annual meeting of the congregation shall be held in the months of May or June. At this meeting reports shall be submitted by the President, Rabbi, committees, Sisterhood and other auxiliaries as necessary. The budget for the coming year shall be approved, and such Trustees as necessary elected. Members of the congregation shall be notified at least fourteen (14) days prior to the meeting, and a majority of those present shall rule on voting. One (1) vote per family unit will be allowed.

Section 2

Special meetings of the congregation may be called by the President or shall be called at the request of the majority of the Board or upon written application of20% of the family units. The call shall set forth the purpose of the meeting and written notice mailed to members at least fourteen (14) days prior to the time of the meeting. Business shall be restricted to that specified in the call.

Section 3

Twenty-five percent (25%) of the family units of the congregation shall be a quorum.

Article XII- Amendments

Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws shall be presented in writing and shall be initiated by the Board of Trustees or by at least twenty percent (20%) of the members congregation. Such amendments may be acted on at any regular meeting or at any special meeting called for that purpose. Copies of the proposed amendments shall be mailed to each member at least fourteen (14) days prior thereto. An affirmative vote of a majority of the members shall be necessary to adopt any amendment.

Article XIV - Real Estate

Before any contact shall be entered into for the purchase, sale, or alienation of real estate by or for the congregation, the Board of Trustees shall ascertain all of the relevant material facts and submit them to the congregation at a regular or special meeting. It shall require a vote of a majority of the members to authorize any purchase, sale, or alienation of real estate.

Article XV - Rules of Order

The rules of procedures at meetings shall be determined by Robert's Rules of Order.