Region By-Laws
BYLAWS
Seaboard Region
Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs
Adopted: March 24, 2002
Amended: April 29, 2007
Amended: May 4, 2014
ARTICLE I – NAME
The name of the organization shall be the “Seaboard Region of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs,” otherwise known as the FJMC Seaboard Region” or “Seaboard Region.” It is a non-profit organization affiliated with the international Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs (“FJMC”).
ARTICLE II – PURPOSES
1. The purpose of the FJMC Seaboard Region is to affiliate those Men’s Clubs or Brotherhoods in the Regional Territory, as defined in Article IV, which meet the membership requirements as set forth in Article III, and to provide supportive services and programs to those Men’s Clubs or Brotherhoods that are members of the Seaboard Region and affiliated with the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs.
2. The Seaboard Region shall also:
A. Implement the policies, programs, and objectives of the FJMC on the regional and club level.
B. Promote Conservative Judaism through social, educational, and religious activities and programs in cooperation with the aims and purposes of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, and the Rabbinical Assembly of America.
C. Promote knowledge and appreciation of our Jewish heritage and assist in the incorporation of these teachings into our daily lives.
D. Develop programs and resources which will enrich the quality of Jewish life in the home and community.
E. Train Jewish laity in preparation for leadership roles in their Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods, synagogues, community, and the Conservative Movement.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
Any Men’s Club or Brotherhood in agreement with the bylaws, purposes and regulations of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs shall be eligible for membership in the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs and in the Seaboard Region.
ARTICLE IV – REGIONAL TERRITORY
The Seaboard Region shall consist of those states, the District of Columbia, or such other areas as may be designated from time to time by the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs.
ARTICLE V – EXECUTIVE BOARD
1. The management and control of the Seaboard Region and its affairs shall be vested in an Executive Board. The Executive Board shall have full authority to take any action that does not conflict with the bylaws, purposes and regulations of the Seaboard Region and of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs.
2. The Executive Board shall be comprised of a President, First Vice President, four Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary, and the Immediate Past President.
3. The President shall be limited to two two-year terms in that office. Individuals can serve a maximum of four consecutive (five total) two-year terms in the other elective offices as set out in this Article.
4. The term of office for regional officers shall be from approximately June 1 until May 31 in odd-numbered years, and the installation of such officers shall be held as close to June 1 as practicable.
5. The President shall serve as Chair of the meetings of the Executive Board. If the President is unable to attend, the First Vice President shall serve as Chair.
6. The duties of the members of the Executive Board shall be as their titles so indicate and as stated in the description for each Officer, or as specified by the Executive Board.
7. Meetings of the Executive Board shall take place at least quarterly, either in person or via telephone conference call.
8. Notice of a meeting must be sent by the President or First Vice President via first class mail or e-mail at least seven days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled.
9. Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the President or by at least three members of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VI – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1. The Executive Board shall be advised by a Board of Directors comprised of:
A. the current Presidents of Men’s Clubs and Brotherhoods that are members of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs and of the FJMC Seaboard Region, and
B. all past Seaboard Region Presidents, and
C. no more than 10 men appointed by the president as district directors, committee chairs, or advisors.
2. Meetings of the Seaboard Region Board of Directors shall be held at least once each calendar year, either in person or via telephone conference call. The President of the Seaboard Region shall serve as Chair of the meetings of the Board of Directors. If the President is unable to attend, the First Vice President shall serve as Chair.
3. Notice of a meeting of the Board of Directors must be sent by the President or First Vice President via first class mail or e-mail to each member Men’s Club and Brotherhood President and to each participating Past Regional President at least seven days prior to the date on which the meeting is scheduled.
4. All officers of each member Men’s Club and Brotherhood may attend an participate in the deliberations of the FJMC Seaboard Region Board of Directors, but each Men’s Club and Brotherhood President either must attend the meeting as the official representative of his Men’s club or Brotherhood or must designate an individual officer to serve as his official designee.
5. The President of the Seaboard Region individually, or the Executive Board collectively, may seek the advice of the Board of Directors on any topic or issue at any time; however, the advice or decisions or directions of the Board of Directors shall not be determinative nor shall they bind the actions of the Executive Board in its management of the Seaboard Region.
ARTICLE VII – SELECTION OF OFFICERS
1. The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee not later than November 1 of each even-numbered year. The Nominating Committee shall consist of the three immediate past regional presidents and two additional members appointed by the president. Members of the Nominating Committee shall not be eligible for election to a regional office that year. If one of the three most recent past presidents does not qualify or is unwilling to serve, the president may appoint another past regional president. The most recent past regional president shall serve as chair of the Nominating Committee.
2. The Nominating Committee shall seek the written comments or views of the President and First Vice President on potential candidates, and the committee may ask potential candidates to submit written responses to questions before the committee evaluates the character and qualifications of the candidates and announces a proposed slate of nominees.
3. Each individual nominated to serve on the Seaboard Region Executive Board shall be a member in good standing of a Men’s Club or Brotherhood affiliated and in good standing with the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs and the Seaboard Region. No more than two individuals from a single member Men’s Club or Brotherhood may be selected to serve on the Executive Board at any one time.
4. The Nominating Committee shall report its slate of nominees to the Executive Board not later than March 15th of each odd numbered year, and the election shall be held at a Board of Directors meeting. The members of the Board of Directors shall vote from among the names on the slate and such others who might be nominated from the floor. Voting must be in person. A majority of those voting shall suffice to elect an individual to an office.
5. In the event of a vacancy in any office, the President shall appoint an individual qualified in accord with the criteria listed in paragraph 3 to serve for the remainder of that term of office.
ARTICLE VIII – COMMITTEES
The Executive Board may, by resolution, designate such standing committees for such purposes and having such powers as it may determine, and the President shall designate such special committees as he may deem appropriate and may appoint the chair and its members of all such committees. The President and Immediate Past President shall be ex-officio members of all committees.
ARTICLE IX – BUDGET & FISCAL YEAR
1. An annual income and expense budget, and a comparison of the previous year’s projected budget with the actual results shall be prepared by the Treasurer for each fiscal year and shall be approved by the Executive Board before the start of the fiscal year. The Treasurer of the Seaboard Region shall give a financial report to the Executive Board at every meeting of the Executive Board and to the Board of Directors at every meeting of the Board of Directors.
2. The fiscal year shall be September 1 – August 31.
ARTICLE X – REGIONAL RABBINIC ADVISOR
There shall be a Regional Rabbinic Advisor selected from time to time by the Executive Board who is a Rabbi of an affiliated Men’s Club or Brotherhood and a member of the Rabbinical Assembly and of the Conservative Movement.
ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS
These bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors present and voting at any Board of Directors meeting, provided that any proposed bylaw amendment shall be mailed by first class mail to each member of the Board of Directors for his review at least seven calendar days in advance of the meeting.
ARTICLE XII – SUPERCESSION & EFFECT
Upon the adoption of these bylaws by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Directors present and voting at any Board of Directors meeting as per Article XII of the Constitution of the Seaboard Region of the Federation of Jewish Men’s Clubs originally dated November 1, 1990, these bylaws shall take full force and effect and shall supersede any and all FJMC Seaboard Region Constitutions or Bylaws previously adopted.