As you may be aware, we have been working on a significant revision to our congregational bylaws. The last update to our current bylaws was in 2014. That version was sorely in need of updating. I’m writing to you today with a list of some of the changes we’ve made. I’ll also be attaching copies of both the 2014 version and the new proposed version, as well as a summary of the proposed update. You’ll see that the new bylaws are easier to read and understand. You won’t need a law degree. We’ve also brought the proposed version in line with current URJ guidelines and trends in URJ congregations. The 2014 version was redundant in places and contradictory to itself in others. We’ve fixed that. We’ve eliminated both the Financial Secretary position and the Vice President of Education from the Executive Board, while adding a Recording Secretary. The name of the Executive Board is also changing to Executive Committee. These changes are consistent with the vast majority of other URJ congregations. The job of financial secretary has been assumed by our office staff who have been doing an amazing job. As for Vice President of Education, the elimination of this position was a common-sense change as well as following trends around other URJ congregations. The position was an impediment to the educational director being able to do their job effectively, as well as being redundant with responsibilities of both our Director of the Preschool and Educational Director. As a replacement, we are establishing a standing Education Committee to effectively support and guide the Educational Director in helping our children flourish. This Education Committee is a completely separate entity from a PTA. Attached to this email, you will also find a proposed description of the Education Committee.
Another change was modifying the rules for who is eligible to vote. We’ve changed the rules to state that each member unit gets 1 vote. Again, this was a common-sense change giving each family an equal say in the happenings here at Old York Road Temple - Beth Am
We’ve reduced the size of the Board of Directors from 30 to 15 members at large, more commensurate with our current congregation size of under 500 units. Our committee has worked diligently on this update since the Fall of 2021. We have experts on the committee who do bylaw work professionally. We feel we’ve put together an exceptional product for the future of Old York Road Temple - Beth Am.
From Monday May 1 through Thursday May 4 at 5 pm, we will be having an open comment period to address any concerns with changes to the bylaws. This will be done via email only and questions must be received by May 4 at 5 pm. Please feel free to email me directly with any questions. At the annual meeting, for the sake of expediency, we will not have discussion, but only a balloted vote of the congregation on the proposed By-Laws as they are presented. The Executive Board and the Board of Directors are recommending ratification and both bodies have already voted in favor of the update.
Thank you all for your time and consideration of this update to our congregational bylaws and helping to ensure the future of Beth Am.
B’Shalom, Joshua Posnan President, Old York Road Temple - Beth Am
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