Constitution
Adopted March 1952, as amended April 1982, January 1985, May 1992, June 1994, July 1999, April 2003 and October 2003.

Article I: Name and Purpose

1. This Congregation shall be known as Temple Sinai.

2. The purpose of this Congregation shall be to promote Judaism in all aspects of life by means of public and private worship, by religious education, and through social and welfare activities.

3. The Congregation shall follow the forms, practices, and usages of a liberal interpretation of Judaism and shall affiliate itself with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.

Article II: Membership, Voting, and Dues

1. Any person of the Jewish faith or seeking to be associated with those upholding the Jewish faith, over the age of eighteen,(18) years, may be elected to membership in the Congregation on approval of his or her application by the Board of Trustees or any committee to which the Board shall delegate such responsibility. Each member shall upon election receive a copy of the Constitution. The Board of Trustees may, upon a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting, revoke such membership.

2. The Board of Trustees may establish special membership classifications with such provisions as it deem advisable.

3.1. A member shall pay such annual dues and assessments as shall be determined and fixed by the Board of Trustees and approved by the Congregation at the Annual Meeting in April.

3.2. A member in good standing has the following rights and privileges, subject to the rules of the Congregation:

(a) To vote at all Congregational Meetings. Each member of a domestic partnership, i.e., husband and wife or similarly-committed pair shall have one (1) vote;

(b) To have the members' children receive religious education, be prepared for Bar or Bat Mitzvah or Confirmation, with such children having the right to become a Bar or Bat Mitzvah and Confirmand in the Temple;

(c) To participate in all activities of the Temple;

(d) To be eligible for election as an Officer or Trustee;

(e) To have a seat at religious services and High Holy Days provided, however, that no seat shall be specifically assigned to any member; and

(f) To have such other rights as the Board of Trustees may establish.

3.3 The Board may at a regular or special meeting adopt rules or regulations setting forth the circumstances under which a member in good standing may be denied some or all of the rights or privileges of membership by reason of delinquency in dues payment. Termination of Temple membership shall be governed by the provisions of Section 1 of this Article.

4. A member's unmarried children who are not self-supporting shall be junior members. Junior members shall have all the rights, duties, and privileges of members in good standing, except the right to vote at any meeting or upon any proposal, the right to initiate any petition provided for by this Constitution, the privilege to serve as an Officer or Trustee, and the duty to pay dues, unless otherwise provided herein.

5. There shall be a classification of honorary members who shall be elected by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Trustees and who will have all the rights and privileges of a member but shall not pay dues and assessments.

6. The resignation of any member shall not relieve the member of the payment of any obligation due to the Congregation at the time of such resignation.

7. The Board of Trustees may grant to persons other than members in good standing any of the rights listed in Article II, Section 3.2 other than subsections (a), (d), and (f).

Article III: Board of Trustees

1. The Congregation shall elect a Board of Trustees from among its members, which shall be composed of the Officers, the Immediate Past President, and nine additional persons each of whom shall be elected to serve for a three year term and who may not serve for more than two consecutive full terms. In addition, the President may appoint not more than three persons from among the Chairs of the Standing Committees listed in Article IX.1 to serve as Trustees for terms of one year. No person may serve as an appointed Trustee for more than three consecutive full terms. No person, other than an Officer or Immediate Past President, may serve for more than six years consecutively.

2. The Board of Trustees shall govern the affairs of the Congregation, control its revenues and property, determine dues, employ and discharge employees, except as otherwise provided in Articles VI and VII, order Special Meetings, remit the whole or any portion of dues to a member, and take such other action as shall in its judgment best promote the welfare of the Congregation, subject to actions at Congregational Meetings.

3. The Board of Trustees shall meet once each month during the months of September through July and also at the call of the President on twenty-four (24) hours' notice, written or oral. Meetings are to be held on a definite day each month which will be determined at the first meeting of any newly constituted Board. The first meeting of the newly constituted Board shall be held on the next regular meeting day of the preceding Board following the April Congregational Meeting and shall be a joint meeting of both Boards.

4. A majority of the members of the Board of Trustees shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Board. All votes must be cast in person.

5. Any action of the Board may be vetoed by a majority of the voting membership present at a Congregational Meeting within two (2) months after giving notice to the membership of such action. Where notice of the action is not given except by way of formal report of the Trustees at the Annual Meeting, then the action may be vetoed by a majority of the voting membership at the Annual Meeting, subject to Article IV, Section 3.

6. Notice of all meetings of the Board of Trustees shall be given to all Trustees.

7. Any Trustee may be removed from office by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the total membership of the Board of Trustees. The office of any Trustee who is absent without good and sufficient cause for three (3) successive meetings may be declared vacant by a majority vote of those present and voting of the Board of Trustees. No removal of a Trustee or declaration that the office is vacant shall be done except after notice by certified mail to the Trustee. The Trustee shall have the right to request a hearing by the Board of Trustees and to have a hearing. Any vacancy on the Board of Trustees shall be filled in accordance with Article V, Section 7.

8. Subject to the approval of the President, the Secretary promptly shall cause a summary of the votes and proceedings of the Board to be published to the Congregation through a Temple publication mailed to Congregants and/or on its Web site.

9. All actions of the Board of Trustees shall be by a majority of those present and voting unless otherwise provided herein.

10. The Executive Committee of the Board, consisting of the President, Immediate Past President, and the Vice-Presidents shall have the power to act for the Board between meetings of the Board of Trustees. The Executive Committee shall report to the Board of Trustees all of its actions at the next regular meeting of the Board.

11. The Past Presidents, except the Immediate Past President, shall be Honorary Trustees without vote.

12. Any member of the Congregation may request of the President the opportunity to address the Board. Such request shall be in writing no less than 2 weeks before the Board meeting in question and shall identify the subject or subjects which the member wishes to bring before the Board. Such request shall be rejected only for good cause. Notwithstanding the above, at the President's discretion, the request can be deferred for presentation at the next subsequent Board meeting.

Article IV: Congregational Meetings

1. The Annual Meeting of the Congregation shall be in April of each year, upon such date as the President shall designate. There shall also be a Congregational Meeting during October of each year, upon such date as the President shall designate. The Secretary shall mail written notice of the date and place of these meetings to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to the date chosen. Elections of Officers and Trustees shall be held during the Annual Meeting.

2. Not less than thirty (30) days before the annual Congregational Meeting at which elections are to be held, the Nominating Committee shall publish to the Congregation its recommendations for Officers and Trustees. Such notification shall include brief biographical statements concerning each candidate. The notice shall indicate the right and procedure of nomination by petition. Any additional candidates, running by petition, shall submit for circulation to the Congregation a similar one paragraph statement not less than twenty (20) days before the meeting; such information shall be circulated to the Congregation no less than fourteen (14) days prior to the Congregation Meeting. Except as may be waived by the Nominating Committee or the President in any specific case, each candidate shall be present at the election meeting and shall subject himself or herself, as the case may be, to questioning by the Congregation.

3. Special meetings of the Congregation may be called by the President, or may be called at the request of a majority of the Board of Trustees or on written application of ten (10) percent of the membership. The call for a special meeting shall set forth the purpose of the meeting and written notice thereof shall be mailed to members of the Congregation at least fourteen (14) days prior to the time of such meeting. No business shall be transacted at such meeting except that specified in the call.

4. At any meeting at which an election is to be held, and in any event at the Annual Congregational Meeting, an official quorum count shall be made by the secretary of the meeting and recorded in the minutes of the meeting. Election shall be by written ballot in the case of a contest, in which case two (2) Inspectors of Election shall be appointed by the President to collect and count the votes.

5. Not later than thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting the Finance Committee, upon the approval of the Board of Trustees, shall cause the mailing to the Congregation of the proposed operating and capital budget for the following fiscal year together with the plan for meeting the budget, including the dues schedule. These shall be submitted to the Congregation at the Annual Meeting for approval by a majority of those present and voting. Both the budget and the plan for meeting the budget must be approved by the Congregation before either becomes effective.

6. A quorum of any meeting of the Congregation shall exist when twenty-five percent (25%) of the voting members shall have been accounted present.

7. In the event that less than a quorum shall appear for any meeting of the Congregation, the presiding Officer of the meeting may direct that the business of the meeting be transacted by the members then present. Any action taken by such members under such circumstances shall be advisory only. Such action shall thereafter be voted upon by the Board of Trustees within three (3) months and shall be valid if passed by a vote of not less than a majority of the whole membership of the Board of Trustees.

8. All votes must be cast in person.

9. If there is less than a quorum for the Annual Meeting:

(a) The slate of Officers and Trustees submitted by the Nominating Committee shall be deemed elected;

(b) The newly elected Board of Trustees shall, at its first meeting, consider business from the said Annual Meeting, including approval of the budget; and

(e) If any business from the Annual Meeting is not passed by a majority of the whole membership of the Board at its first meeting, it shall not be discussed at the next Board meeting but may be brought up as ordinary new business at any subsequent meeting.

Article V: Officers

1. The Congregation shall annually at its April meeting elect a President, six (6) Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, Financial Secretary, and Secretary. The six (6) Vice-Presidents are Finance, Ritual, Education, Membership, Operations, and Development. Every person elected to an office shall be deemed to have been elected at the same time to the Board of Trustees for a term of one (1) year. Nominations of all Officers and Trustees shall be made by a Nominating Committee. Nominations for any office or for a voting Trustee may also be made by petition, subscribed to by at least ten (10) members of the Congregation.

2. Nominations of the Nominating Committee must be filed and read at a Board of Trustees meeting at least forty-five (45) days prior to the election to be held at any subsequent Annual Meeting. Nominations by petition must be filed with the Secretary at least twenty (20) days prior to such election.

3. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Congregation and Board of Trustees; shall call Special Meetings of the Board of Trustees; shall be an ex-officio member of all Committees and make an annual report of the activities of the Board of Trustees and of the status of the Congregation at its April meeting. The President shall have the same voting right, at any meeting of the Board of Trustees or of the Congregation, as any Trustee or member, respectively, would have at the said meeting.

4. In the absence of the President, a Vice-President, as selected by the Board of Trustees, shall assume, during said absence, all of the President's duties and responsibilities and, during such absence, shall also be an ex-officio member of all Committees.

5. The Treasurer and Financial Secretary shall ensure the maintenance of appropriate records, the mailing of bills, the receipt of monies, the disbursement of funds, the maintenance and furnishing of receipts when necessary, the depositing of all monies in the Congregation's bank in the name of the Congregation; the making of written monthly reports to the Board of Trustees and an annual report to the Congregation on the status of the Treasury; and the performance of such other duties as the offices require.

6. The Secretary shall take and read minutes, report communications, be custodian of the Congregation's Seal, issue all notices of meetings, and perform such other duties as the office requires.

7. In the event of vacancy of any office or voting trusteeship, the Board of Trustees shall appoint a successor to such office or trusteeship for the unexpired term thereof. No person shall be elected to the office of President for more than two (2) consecutive complete terms, or to the office of a Vice-President for more than four (4) consecutive complete terms. Such officers(s) may be elected to such office again after a break in service in said office.

8. Checks shall be signed by any two (2) of the following Officers: the President, Vice-President of Finance, Financial Secretary, or the Treasurer.

Article VI: The Rabbi

1. The Rabbi shall be selected from the membership of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR).

2. The Board of Trustees shall have full and exclusive authority to select, engage and retain a Rabbi for an initial period or periods not to exceed an aggregate of three years on such terms and conditions as the Board deems to be in the best interests of the Congregation. The members of the Search Committee formed to choose a new Rabbi shall be selected in the same manner as are members of the Nominating Committee as provided in Article IX.

3. At least six (6) months prior to the end of the third year during which any Rabbi has provided services to the Temple, and at least six (6) months prior to the expiration of any subsequent contract of such Rabbi, the Board shall advise the Congregation of its recommendation as to whether the services of the Rabbi should or should not be continued. The determination of the Congregation as to the retention or termination of the Rabbi shall be conclusive unless the termination is by reason of the Rabbi's loss of membership in the CCAR, in which event the Board may terminate the Rabbi without obtaining Congregational approval. If the Board is split on the issue of termination or renewal, one or more minority reports may be rendered.

3. A Rabbi may be offered a tenure position after serving a minimum of ten (10) years. Such tenure shall be in effect from that time until age sixty-five (65). Tenure shall be approved at a Congregational Meeting.

4. A Rabbi may be granted Emeritus status after having served for a minimum of ten (10) years.

5. The Board of Trustees shall submit the recommendation(s) described in Section 3 and 4 to the Congregation for approval at a Congregational Meeting.

6. The exception in Article XIV, Section I shall not apply to Article VI, Section 3.

7. An Assistant Rabbi may be hired by the Board of Trustees from the membership of the CCAR if it deems it appropriate, on such terms as it deems in the best interests of the Congregation, and in concert with the Rabbi.

8. The Rabbi, and Assistant Rabbi, shall perform all duties incumbent upon and in accordance with the office. The Rabbi shall be responsible to the Board of Trustees, and the Assistant Rabbi to the Rabbi, and the Rabbi Emeritus to the Rabbi.

9. The Rabbi, and Assistant Rabbi and Rabbi Emeritus, shall be ex officio members of the Congregation, with all the rights and privileges thereof.

Article VII: The Cantor

1. The Cantor shall be selected from among the membership of the American Conference of Cantors, if available. The Board of Trustees shall have full and exclusive power to select and engage a Cantor for a period not exceeding two (2) years and upon such terms and conditions as they may deem to be in the best interest of the Congregation. It may, on its own recognizance, extend such contract for an additional one
(1) year. The members of the Search Committee formed to choose a new Cantor shall be selected in the same manner as are members of the Nominating Committee as provided in Article IX.

2. At least six (6) months prior to the end of the second year during which any Cantor has provided services to the Temple, and six (6) months prior to the expiration of any subsequent contract of such Cantor, the Board shall advise the Congregation of its recommendation as to whether the services of the Cantor should or should not be continued. The determination of the Congregation as to the retention or termination of the Cantor shall be conclusive unless the termination is by reason of the Cantor's loss of membership in the American Conference of Cantors, in which event the Board may terminate the Cantor without obtaining Congregational approval. If the Board is split on the issue of termination or renewal, one or more minority reports may be rendered.

3. The Board of Trustees shall submit the recommendation(s) described in Section 3 of this Article to the Congregation for approval at a Congregational Meeting.

4. The Board of Trustees will negotiate appropriate salary, compensation, and terms.

5. The Cantor shall perform all duties incumbent upon and in accordance with the office and as detailed in a job description.

6. The Cantor shall be an ex officio member of the Congregation all rights and privileges of a member.

Article VIII: The Educator

1. An Educator shall be engaged to serve as the professional responsible for the educational activities of the Congregation.

2. The Educator must meet the qualifications of the National Association of Temple Educators and should be a member of the Association but need not be a certified principal.

3. The Board of Trustees shall have the exclusive and full power to select and engage an Educator on such terms and conditions as the Board may deem to be in the best interest of the Congregation. The members of the Search Committee formed to choose a new Educator shall be selected in the same manner as are members of the Nominating Committee as provided in Article IX.

4. The Educator shall perform all duties incumbent upon and in accordance with the office.

Article IX: Nominating Committee

1. The President shall appoint the Nominating Committee of seven members with the consent of a majority of the board of Trustees no later than the December board meeting.

2. The Nominating Committee shall consist of at least two (2) Trustees, whose terms do not expire in the current year, and at least three (3) members from the Congregation who are not Trustees.

3. Members of the Nominating Committee shall not be eligible for nomination by the Nominating Committee but are eligible for nomination by petition.

Article X: Standing Committees

1. The following committees are the Standing Committees of the Congregation with their respective duties, whose chairpersons and members, shall be appointed by the President with the consent of the Executive Committee:

(a) The Ritual Committee in concert with the Rabbi and the Cantor shall see that the form of worship desired by the Congregation is observed. The Rabbi and Cantor shall serve as members ex officio;

(b) The House Committee shall keep the property and buildings of the congregation in good order and repair. The House Committee Chairperson shall supervise the work of the caretakers;

(c) The Membership Committee shall promote such activities as shall tend to increase, activate, and retain the membership of the Congregation;

(d) The Religious School Committee shall make all regulations necessary for the governance of the Religious School. It shall make all policy with respect to curriculum and other school matters as may be appropriate. Teachers in the Religious School may be engaged, for a term not to exceed one (1) year, by the Educator of the School, subject to the approval of the Religious School Committee. The Educator shall serve as a member ex officio of the Committee;

(e) The Program Committee shall be in charge of social, entertainment, cultural, and fund-raising events;

(f) The Caring Committee shall assist all programs and be responsible for the good and welfare activities of the Congregation including house visitations, as appropriate. It will, on behalf of the Congregation, bring cheer to any ailing member at home and in the hospital and pay condolence calls as may be appropriate;

(g) The Public Relations Committee shall promote the best interests of the Congregation by internal and external communications;

(h) The Youth Committee shall promote the welfare of the Congregation's young people through their college years. The Youth Group Adviser and the President of the Youth Group shall serve as members ex officio;

(i) The Finance Committee shall be chaired by the Vice President of Finance and consist of the Treasurer, Financial Secretary, and at least three members who are not members of the Board of Trustees. It shall be responsible for all financial matters of the Congregation to the Board of Trustees. It shall have as a minimum, to the extent practicable, subcommittees on capital appropriations, member review, and budget. The capital appropriations subcommittee will prepare the annual capital budget and review all capital expenditures prior to submission to the Board of Trustees. The member review subcommittee shall pass on any exceptions with respect to members' financial obligations to the Congregation. This subcommittee shall be chaired by a past President or past Vice-President who has not served actively on the Board for at least four years and the remaining members shall be the Vice President for Finance, the Treasurer, any one member who has been a member of the Congregation for at least ten (10) years, and the Rabbi ex officio. The budget subcommittee shall prepare the annual budget. This subcommittee shall be chaired by a member of the Congregation not now serving on the Board of Trustees and the remaining members shall be the Treasurer, the Vice President for finance, and two (2) members not now serving on the Board of Trustees;

(j) The Audit Committee shall be appointed no later than May 30 of any year to prepare, or review, the audit of the Congregation's books no later than three (3) months after the close of the fiscal year. It shall consist of no less than three (3) members who are not presently actively involved in the finances of the Congregation or serving on the Board of Trustees. It shall be responsible to the President and Board of Trustees;

(k) The Constitution Committee shall give such aid and advice concerning constitutional matters as may be required by the Trustees, Officers, Congregation, or members; and assist members in the preparation of any petition, or other document under the Constitution;

(1) The Social Action Committee shall promote and actively participate in activities which further the social ideals of Judaism and promote these ideals within the Congregation; and

(m) The Gifts Committee shall be responsible for all regular giving opportunities such as the Flower and Tribute Fund, the Library Fund, the Tree of Life Fund, the Book of Life Fund, special bequests, and any other special fund raising activities as may be appropriate. It shall coordinate closely with the Finance Committee and shall promote regular giving as a part of our fund raising activities.

(n) The Lifelong Learning Committee shall promote, and provide
opportunities for, continuing learning and deepening understanding of historical, cultural, spiritual and other aspects of Judaism among members of the congregation, provided, however, that the Religious School Committee shall have primary responsibility for governance of the Religious School.

2. Each standing committee may have not more than two (2) junior members who shall have the right to vote while so serving. The President shall appoint the Junior members.

3. The Board of Trustees shall review all policies and may overrule any actions of standing committees.

Article XI: Fiscal Year

1. The fiscal year of the Congregation shall be July 1 to June 30. The Vice-President of Finance shall make a report of the previous year's finance at the Annual Meeting of the Congregation in April.

Article XII: Amendments

1. Amendments to this Constitution must be submitted in writing and must be proposed by the, Board of Trustees, or by at least ten percent (10%) of the members of the Congregation, and filed with the Board of Trustees. Such amendments as are proposed must be mailed to all members at least thirty (30) days prior to any Congregational Meeting, with the notice that the proposed amendments will be voted upon at that meeting. Each such proposed amendment shall be voted on at that meeting, and shall be enacted if approved by 2/3 of those members present, providing that a quorum of the Congregation is present at the meeting. If such a quorum is not present at such a Congregational meeting, subject to Article IV, Section 3, an affirmative vote of two thirds (2/3) of the whole membership of the Board of Trustees at two successive meetings shall be necessary to adopt such amendments. Such vote must be obtained within three (3) months after the Congregational Meeting.

Article XIII: Auxiliary Groups

1. No auxiliary group or society shall be formed except upon the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Article XIV: Extraordinary Financial Commitments

1. Before any contract for the purchase, sale or alienation of real estate or any commitment involving the expenditure of more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), excepting employment contracts, 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 meeting or a special meeting to be called for that purpose. It shall require a vote of two thirds (2/3) of the members present and voting, subject to Article IV, Section 6, to authorize any such purchase, sale, alienation, or commitment.

2. In the event of a meeting to authorize such purchase, sale, alienation, or commitment, at least ten (10) days notice of the time, place, and object of such meeting shall be given by mail to each member Of the Congregation by the President and Secretary or a majority of the Board of Trustees.

Article XV: Rules of Procedure

1. The rules of procedure shall be determined by Robert's Rules of Order.

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