CONGREGATION BETH-EL
249 Arch Street Sunbury, Pennsylvania
CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
We the People of the Jewish faith residing in the area and vicinity of Sunbury, Pennsylvania, do hereby establish Congregation Beth-El, in order to: (a) maintain a synagogue and center for Divine worship and religious observance according to the tenets and precepts of the Jewish faith; (b) conduct classes for instruction in the religious doctrines and traditions of Judaism; (c) encourage the cultivation of American ideals; (d) encourage social service, and cultivate social interaction as a means of fostering Jewish sentiment.
ARTICLE I. AFFILIATION
SECTION 1. Congregation Beth-El shall be guided by the principles and precepts of the Jewish faith.
SECTION 2. Whenever there shall be raised a difference of opinion among members regarding any religious law or custom bearing on Congregational activities, proposed or established, the question at issue shall, on the petition of at least one-third of the members, be submitted to the Board of Trustees and the Rabbi for proper analysis and decision; and the decision of this Board shall be binding on the Congregation.
ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1. Any Jew or spouse of a Jew age 18 or over shall be eligible for membership.
SECTION 2. There shall be several categories of membership:
a. Family Membership. Such membership shall be extended to couples and shall entitle each to all membership privileges. (The couple shall be entitled to two votes, provided both are present at the place and time of voting.) Such membership shall include their children under age 18 and
their unmarried children age 18 or older attending school on a full time basis.
b. Individual Membership. Such membership shall be extended to individual men and women. (Each shall have one vote.) Such membership shall include their children under age 18 and their unmarried children age 18 or older attending school on a full time basis.
c. Honorary Membership. Such membership may be extended by the Board of Trustees to any deserving persons in the community, and shall include the Rabbi and family.
d. Associate Membership. Such membership shall be available to individuals and families who reside within 50 miles of the synagogue and who are full members in good standing at another religious congregation located within 50 miles of the synagogue.
e. Non-resident Membership. Such membership shall be available to former members in good standing who reside more than 50 miles from the synagogue.
SECTION 3. Applications for membership shall be made in writing to the Membership Committee, which shall report on each application to the Board of Trustees for appropriate action.
SECTION 4. A member may be suspended or expelled by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Trustees at any regular or special meeting for failure to pay dues for a period of four quarters or more (unless exonerated by the Finance and Budget Committee) or for conduct which brings discredit upon the Congregation.
SECTION 5. A member suspended for non payment of dues who makes application for reinstatement may be reinstated by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees. Such application for reinstatement must be accompanied by the amount in arrears for which the member was suspended unless the Board of Trustees at its discretion deems otherwise.
SECTION 6. PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP include:
a. The right to attend all general, special, and congregational meetings of the Congregation.
b. The right to vote is contingent upon the category of membership, at all general, special, and congregational meetings of the Congregation, as follows:
(i) Family Membership: each spouse shall have one vote.
(ii) Individual Membership: one vote.
(iii) Honorary Membership: no voting rights.
(iv) Associate Membership: no voting rights.
(v) Non-resident Membership: no voting rights.
A member's vote must be exercised in attendance at the meeting. No proxies or absentee ballot votes are permitted.
c. The right to be nominated, to be elected, and to hold office,except this right is not afforded to Non-jewish Members, Honorary Members, Associate Members,or Non-resident Members.
d. The right of members of the family to participate in religious services, subject to the rules and regulations established by the Board of Trustees.
e. The right to enroll members of the family in the Religious School of the Congregation.
f. The right to utilize the facilities and professional staff of the Congregation, subject to the rules and regulations established by the Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE III. DUES
All categories of membership shall pay such dues as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE IV. MEETINGS
SECTION 1. There shall be two ("Semiannual") Meetings of the Congregation each year, on such days as the Board of Trustees may designate:
a. The Fall/Winter Meeting of the Congregation shall be held no later than January of each year.
b. The Spring/Summer Meeting of the Congregation shall be held no later than June of each year. Elections shall be held for positions of Office (elected to three year terms), and for those positions on the Board of Trustees which expire, and/or are otherwise vacant, at the Spring/Summer Meeting of the Congregation.
c. Notice of Meetings shall be given in writing, by mail, to all members of the Congregation, directed to their addresses as they appear on the books of the Congregation, and sent not less than fourteen (14) days prior to such meeting.
SECTION 2. "Special" Meetings of the Congregation:
a. may be called by the President whenever deemed necessary.
b. must be called by the President (except as set forth in Article IX) at the special written request of ten (10) members of the congregation, in good standing, or at the written request of five (5) members of the Board of Trustees; said request, submitted to and received by the President,
shall state the reason for and the purpose of the Special Meeting. In the event that the President fails to issue a call for a Special Meeting within five (5) days after being duly requested to do so, any other Officer of Trustee may issue the call for the Special Meeting in response to the
request duly submitted to and received by the President previously.
c. No business shall be transacted at a Special Meeting, except for the purposes stated in the call. Notice of such a Special Meeting shall be given by the Secretary of the Congregation, by mail, to all members of the Congregation, directed to their addresses as they appear on the books of
the Congregation, sent not less than fourteen(14) nor more than forty (40) days prior to such meeting.
SECTION 3. At all Meetings of the Congregation, Semiannual or Special (except as set forth in Article IX), a quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of twenty-five (25) members of the Congregation, including officers present, but in the absence of a quorum, a lesser number
may adjourn the meeting to some future time not less than seven (7), nor more than twenty-one (21), days from the date thereof, and the Secretary shall thereupon give at least three (3) days notice by mail of such adjourned meeting to all members of the Congregation.
ARTICLE V. BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SECTION 1. The management and administration of the affairs of the Congregation shall be vested in a Board of Trustees. Matters of religious significance shall be considered by the Board in consultation with the Rabbi.
SECTION 2. The Board of Trustees shall have full charge of the business of the Congregation.
a. It shall have the power to handle all matters requiring immediate action and shall prepare for proper submission to the membership of the Congregation any suggestions, motions, or resolutions as it may deem necessary to further the work of the Congregation.
b. It shall have jurisdiction over admissions, resignations and suspensions of members as limited by Article V Section 4 herein, and shall have jurisdiction over removal charges against Officers as provided for in Article V Section 4 herein.
c. It shall have control over the Religious School conducted by the Congregation and shall have the power to engage Religious School teachers.
d. It shall have the power to engage a temporary Rabbi, a temporary Cantor, and all other employees of the Congregation.
SECTION 3. The Board of Trustees shall consist of:
a. Twelve (12) "at-large" members elected by the Congregation at a Spring/Summer Meeting of the Congregation, for a term of three (3) years to commence July 1st, overlapping in such a manner that the terms of office of each years set of four (4) elected Trustees shall expire every three (3) years.
b. One(1) member elected by Sisterhood annually.
c. One(1) member elected by Mens Club annually.
d. The Officers of the Congregation (that is, the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, each elected at the biennial Spring/Summer Meeting of the Congregation to a two (2) year term of office commencing July 1st) are ex-officio members of the Board, with voting
rights.
e. The Past Presidents of the Congregation.
f. Honorary Board members (with voting rights), named annually at the discretion of the Board, the number of which shall not be more than four (4) at any given time.
SECTION 4: Vacancy, Resignation and Removal
a. Any Officer or Trustee absent from three (3) consecutive meetings of the Board, without sufficient cause, shall be deemed to have relinquished their office, subject to the final decision of the Board of Trustees. Should the Board find that such absences were willfull and without sufficient cause, it shall declare the office vacant.
b. Removal from Office: charges, against any Officer or Trustee, of neglect of duty or conduct detrimental to the welfare of the Congregation or its reputation must be made in writing to the Board of Trustees by the the President or by any five (5) members of the Congregation in good standing.
A copy of the charges shall be served upon the person so charged by Certified Mail, who shall be invited to a Special Meeting of the Board of Trustees at which time the charges shall be heard. Service of the charges upon the person so charged shall be made not less than seven (7) days prior to the date of said Meeting, for hearing. The person(s) bringing the charge(s) shall be required to appear and submit proper evidence sustaining the charge(s) in the presence of the person so charged, who shall then be given full opportunity to defend themself. They may be represented by a member of the Congregation in the presentation of their defense. The President shall preside at all such hearings, except in cases where he is personally involved. A decision of the Board of Trustees shall be arrived at by secret ballot and a majority vote of the Trustees present and voting shall be necessary for a decision. The decision may provide for censure or
removal.
SECTION 5: The Board of Trustees shall be charged with and assume control of all of the property of the Congregation; shall designate the bank or banks wherein the funds of the Congregation shall be deposited; shall be responsible for all expenditures and disposal of Congregational funds and property, but shall not invest any of the funds of the Congregation in any investments which are not authorized for investment by fiduciaries in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
SECTION 6: The Board of Trustees shall make such rules and regulations, consistent with this Constitution, as they may deem advisable, for the proper conduct of their meetings and for the furtherance of the general purposes of the Congregation.
SECTION 7: The Board of Trustees shall meet monthly (except during the month of July), and by resolution at other times as the Board may designate. A quorum of the Board of Trustees shall be nine (9). No matter may be decided upon by the Board except by a majoriy vote of Board members present.
SECTION 8: Special Meetings of the Board of Trustees may be called by the President at his or her discretion, and must be called by them at the written request of three (3) Board members. Said request shall state the reason for and the purpose of the meeting. In the event that the President fails to issue a call for a Special Meeting within five (5) days after being requested to do so, any other Officer or Board Member may issue such a call.
SECTION 9: In the event of the death, resignation or removal of an Officer or of a Trustee of the Board, a successor shall be elected by the remaining Board to fill the Office or Trustees position for the unexpired term.
SECTION 10: No consolidation with any other congregation, and no sale, purchase, or mortgage of real estate or lease in excess of two (2) years shall be effected by the Board of Trustees without a majority vote of the membership of the Congregation.
SECTION 11: The Board of Trustees shall hire or contract with all personnel and shall have the authority to renew or to discharge personnel, EXCEPT the Rabbi as set forth in Article IX.
ARTICLE VI. OFFICERS
SECTION 1: The elected Officers of the Congregation shall be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Each Officer is elected to a two year term to commence July 1st following the biennial Spring/Summer Meeting of the Congregation when all Officers are elected.
SECTION 2: The PRESIDENT
a. shall preside over all meetings of the Congregation (as President) and Board of Trustees (as Chairperson); shall call all Meetings of the Congregation and of the Board of Trustees, except a set forth in Article IV, Section 3; sign all agreements, contracts, deeds and other documents
for the Congregation, pursuant to appropriate resolutions by the Congregation or the Board of Trustees; countersign all checks, vouchers and notes, together with the Treasurer, as may be directed by the Congregation or the Board of Trustees; and appoint all committees.
b. shall be an ex-officio member of all committees without the right to vote.
SECTION 3: The VICE-PRESIDENT shall assist the President in the discharge of their duties; and, in the case of the Presidents absence, resignation, death or disability, shall discharge all of the duties of the President.
SECTION 4: The SECRETARY shall keep a record of the Members of the Congregation as well as of the Officers and Board members; the Secretary shall furnish the Treasurer with the names of all persons who have become members of the Congregation. The Secretary shall keep accurate Minutes of the proceedings of Meetings of the Congregation and the Board of Trustees
and shall issue all notices for such meetings; formally correspond on behalf of the Congregation and the Board of Trustees; sign such instruments or documents as may be necessary to effectuate the proper directions and instructions of the Congregation, the President, and the Board of Trustees.