ARTICLE I
Purposes and Membership

Section 1.  Purposes
 The purpose of the organization shall be to organize and maintain a Congregation of Humanistic Judaism.  Its objectives shall include holiday observance, social action, adult education, Sunday School, community events, and other activities that promote and encourage the development of the Congregation.

Section 2.  Principles
 The basic principles of The Greater Boston Society for Humanistic Judaism are as follows:

 (a) We take pride the history and achievements of the Jewish people.  We see Jewish history, like all history, as a purely human and natural phenomenon.

 (b) We find spiritual satisfaction in secular celebrations of Jewish holidays, study and discussion of Jewish and broader human issues, and action for social justice.

 (c) We believe that people determine the conduct of their own lives, and must take full responsibility for their behavior.

 (d) We believe that only people can solve human problems.  We do not use worshipful or prayer-like language or invoke the name of any deity or supernatural force in our rituals or services.

 (e) In resolving ethical dilemmas, whether personal or social, we seek solutions that respect the rights of every human being to live in freedom, have basic needs satisfied, and be treated with dignity.

Section 3.  Members
 The members of the organization shall consist of those individuals who pay their dues and who are also members of the national Society for Humanistic Judaism.  Membership in the organization shall be on an annual basis, from September 1 to August 31.  Members joining the organization after March 1 of any year will be charged only one-half of the annual membership fee.  All memberships expire on August 31.  An individual, or family, shall be deemed to be paid up so long as the dues are no more than four months late in payment The Executive Committee or its delegate shall have the power to reduce dues for individual members based on need or other special circumstances.

Section 4.  Dues
 The membership shall set the annual dues payable by members of the organization.  The organization may create reduced-rate membership dues for groups, such as families, so long as all members of such groups are accorded the same rights and obligations as members paying dues as individuals.

Section 5.  Voting Rights
 Each adult member (over 13 years of age) of the organization shall be entitled to vote on all matters coming before the members of the organization for action by them. There shall be no voting by proxy.

Section 6.  Obligations of Members
 Each adult member is expected to participate in one Holiday Committee and one Standing Committee during the course of each year. However, for adult members below the age of twenty-one who are enrolled full-time in school this requirement will be deemed satisfied by participation either in a Holiday Committee or a Standing Committee or the Youth Group, or by work as a Sunday School aide.  The President shall have the right to release any member from these obligations in recognition of special circumstances.
 

ARTICLE II
Meetings of Members

Section 1.  Annual Meeting
 The Annual Meeting of the members of the organization shall be held at such place and time as the Executive Committee shall decide.  At such meeting the Officers shall be elected from among those nominated on the slate and those additional persons nominated at that meeting, and such other business shall be transacted as has been offered by the Executive Committee or as the members present at the meeting determine.  At such meeting, changes in the number of Officers or the number, title, and duties of officers may be decided upon, subject to the restrictions of Article VIII; any such changes shall become effective on July 1 following the Annual Meeting subsequent to the one at which the changes are decided upon.  The budgetary performance for the past year shall be reported.  The budget for the following year will be presented and voted upon. 

Section 2. Special Meetings
 Special meetings of the members may be called by the President, or by the Executive Committee. Special meetings will also be called upon petition, signed by 10% of the adult members in good standing, which states the purpose of the meeting; such written requests will be scheduled within fourteen days from the date of the receipt by  President. At the special meetings the only purpose to be conducted shall be that stated in the notice thereof. The President, with the consent of the Executive Committee, shall decide the place and time of the special meeting.

Section 3.  Notice
 Notice of the Annual Meeting and all other meetings of the members shall be given to all members at least seven days prior to the date set for the meeting. Such notice shall also specify the purpose of the meeting. Notice in the newsletter is sufficient for this purpose, if delivered seven or more days prior to the meeting.

Section 4.  Quorum
 Twenty percent of the adult membership shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of the members. At any meeting where a quorum is present, all decisions, except for changes in these bylaws and changes in the Articles of Incorporation, shall be made by a majority vote of the members present. 
 

ARTICLE III
Officers

Section 1.  President
 The President shall be the chief executive officer of the organization.  The President shall: preside at all meetings of the members of the organization and of the Executive Committee; appoint the members and chairs of all committees other than the members of the Executive committee; and perform the duties of supervision and management usually vested in the office of the presidency of an organization, all in the implementation of policies and programs authorized by the Executive Committee. The position of President may be shared by two individuals elected for that purpose by the membership; either may act as President and both shall vote on the Executive Committee. In absence of a President-Elect a President shall be elected at the membership meeting at which other elections for officers are held.

Section 2.  President-Elect
 The President-Elect shall assist the President in the carrying out of the President’s duties, and, in the event of the unavailability of the President, shall act in the President’s place. The President-Elect shall also perform such other duties as are delegated by the Executive Committee. The President-Elect shall chair the Nominating Committee. The President-Elect will assume the Presidency one year following election as President-Elect. Two individuals elected for that purpose by the membership may share the position of President-Elect; either may act as President-Elect and both shall vote on the Executive Committee.

Section 3.  Secretary
 The Secretary shall take and keep minutes of all meetings of the organization and the Executive Committee.  A copy of the minutes shall be mailed or delivered to the President no more than 30 days following the meeting.  The Secretary shall compile and maintain a list of all resolutions approved by the membership or Executive Committee at all meetings.

Section 4.  Treasurer
 The Treasurer shall: keep a current list of members; keep full accounts of receipts and disbursements of the organization; deposit all monies and securities of the organization in the name of the organization with such depositories as shall be designated by the Executive Committee; render statements of the financial condition and operations of the organization at each meeting of the organization; and perform such other duties as shall be delegated to him or her by the Executive Committee.
 

ARTICLE IV
Executive Committee

Section 1.  Membership
 The management of the affairs of the organization shall be vested in an Executive Committee.  Included among the Executive Committee shall be the immediate past President and the current officers of the organization as specified in Article III. The Executive Committee will also include: 

• the Sunday School Committee Chairperson, 
• the Holiday Coordinator, and
• the Delegate to the National SHJ. 

Section 2.  Term of Office
 The term of office of each Executive Committee member shall begin on July 1 following the Annual Meeting at which they are elected.  The term will end on the following June 30.

Section 3.  Vacancies
 In the event of death, disability, resignation, or removal of an Executive Committee member, except for the President, the President shall nominate a person to fill the vacancy so created for the unexpired portion of the term of office.  The selection of the president's nominee shall require the approval of the majority of the Executive Committee.  The departing officer shall not be eligible to participate in any vote concerning approval of the successor. In the case of a vacancy in the office of President, the President-Elect shall assume that office and a new President-Elect shall be elected at the next meeting of the membership.

Section 4.  Removal for Cause
 Any Executive Committee member may be removed for cause in a secret ballot by a three-quarters vote of the other members of the Executive Committee.  Such Member must be notified at least two weeks in advance of the meeting at which such vote is to be taken, and he or she shall be afforded an opportunity to appear and be heard.

Section 5.  Meetings
 Regular meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held during the year at such time and place designated by the President.  Meetings may also be called by petition by a majority of the Executive Committee. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall generally be open to the general membership, provided, however, that in the event the meeting agenda includes issues of a sensitive or confidential nature, the President may, in his/her discretion, hold that the meeting is not open to the general membership. This decision, however, is subject to ratification by a majority of the officers of the Executive Committee.

 When an issue arises between scheduled meetings of the Executive Committee that requires a timely Executive Committee vote, the members of the Executive Committee may be polled by the president(s), either by e-mail or telephone.  In such circumstances, the decision shall be made by majority vote of the total number of Executive Committee members.

Section 6.  Quorum: Votes Necessary for Action
 Five members of the Executive Committee, of whom at least one is an officer, shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of the Executive Committee.  All decisions except for removal of an officer shall be made by a majority vote of the Executive Committee present.
 

ARTICLE V
Committees

Section 1.  Identity and Composition
 The activities of the organization shall be carried on through its committees, subject to the guidance of the Executive Committee from time to time. The committees of the organization shall be those named herein (the standing committees) and any additional committees that may be approved by the Executive Committee. Any member of the organization is eligible for membership on one or more committees of the corporation.. Committee chairpeople and members shall serve for a term of one year beginning July 1. 

Section 2.  Nominating Committee
 The Nominating Committee shall consist of four members: the President, the immediate past President, and the President-Elect and one other member of the organization who shall not be a member of the Executive Committee.  The President-Elect shall act as chair of the Nominating Committee. If needed, the Executive Committee may select alternate members of the Nominating Committee.  The Nominating Committee shall, by majority vote, select a proposed slate of Officers for the ensuing year.  Whenever possible, the membership shall be informed of the slate at least five days prior to the Annual Meeting. This slate shall be presented at the Annual Meeting.  Additional nominations, when properly seconded, may be made from the floor by any member of the organization.

Section 3.  Sunday Program Committee
 The Sunday Program Committee shall have overall responsibility for planning, scheduling and conducting the programs for the non-business activities of the organizations meetings. The Program Committee shall consult with standing committees and individual members to determine the needs and interest of the members. 

Section 4.  Holiday Committees
 A Holiday Committee shall be formed for each Holiday designated by the Executive Committee. Holiday Committees are responsible for staging the celebrations or ceremonies appropriate to their respective holidays. The Holiday Coordinator shall form the holiday committees and support their efforts.

Section 5.  Sunday School Committee 
 The Sunday School Committee shall plan, develop and conduct a Sunday School for the children of the members. The Sunday School Committee will be responsible for establishing and operating the curriculum and determining the faculty, texts, teaching aids and materials, meeting place and costs for the Sunday School in accordance with such guidelines as may be established by the Executive Committee. 

Section 6.  Sunday Morning Service Committee
 The Sunday Morning Service Committee shall plan and conduct the Sunday Morning Service based upon guidelines supplied by the Executive Committee. 

Section 7.  Membership Committee
 The Membership Committee shall develop programs and procedures designed to attract new members to the organization and to assist in their integration into the Congregation. The Committee shall also conduct exit interviews with departing members.

Section 8.  Social Action Committee
 The Social Action Committee shall be responsible for planning and coordinating community outreach activities, in coordination with the Program committee, as appropriate, and shall, from time to time, recommend to the Executive Committee entities, organizations or individuals to receive contributions or other assistance from the Congregation. 

Section 9.  Life Cycle Committee
 The Life Cycle Committee shall be responsible for the planning and coordination of Life Cycle support materials and guidance, and for outreach in the case of member’s life cycle events.

Section 10.  Music Committee
 The Music Committee shall perform music for the benefit of the congregation. Music selection and special performances are at the discretion of the chair.

Section 11.  Liturgy Committee
 The Liturgy Committee shall review, revise, and/or create the liturgical materials for congregational services.

Section 12. Publications Committee
 The Publications Committee shall be responsible for the creation and dissemination of the Newsletter and other congregational publications.

Section 13. Beyond Sunday Morning Committee
 The Beyond Sunday Morning Committee shall be responsible for developing social and educational activities that occur outside of the regular Sunday meetings for the benefit of the members of the congregation.

Section 14. Hospitality Committee
 The Hospitality Committee shall be responsible for providing the various catering responsibilities, including clean-up, around the regular Sunday meetings.

Section 15.  Other Committees
 The Executive Committee may create such ad hoc committees as it deems appropriate. Each such committee shall exist for a specified period of time.

Section 14. Term
 The term of office of chairs and members of standing committees shall expire on the June 30 following appointment. The terms of office for chairs and members of ad hoc committees shall be specified at their creation.  The President may fill vacancies in committees. The Executive Committee may remove members or chairs of committees at its discretion, by a two-thirds vote.
 

ARTICLE VI
Execution of Papers

 Except as the Executive Committee may generally or in particular cases authorize otherwise, all deeds, leases, transfers, contracts, bonds, notes, checks, drafts, or other obligations made, accepted, or endorsed by the organization shall be signed on behalf of the organization by the President or Treasurer.
 

ARTICLE VII
Personal Liability

 The Officers of the organization shall not be personally liable for any debt, liability, or obligation of the organization.  All persons, organization, or other entities extending credit to, contracting with, or having claim against the organization may look only to the funds and property of the organization for the payment thereof.
 

ARTICLE VIII
Amendment of Bylaws

 Amendment of these Bylaws may be proposed by the President, the Executive Committee or ten per cent (10%) of the voting members through written petition to the President, which petition shall include the suggested wording of the proposed amendment. Approval of the amendment may be accomplished by vote of two-thirds of the members of the organization present.  Notice of any proposed amendment of these Bylaws, along with the name of the person proposing the amendment and the name of the person seconding the proposal, shall be sent by the Secretary to all members of the organization at least 10 days prior to the membership meeting, if possible and reasonable.  Any revision of the proposed amendment may be submitted at the meeting only with the approval of a majority of the members present at the meeting or with the agreement of the individuals who proposed and seconded the amendment and only as long as it still has the same general purpose as the originally announced amendment.  Any amendment so revised must still be approved by a vote of two-thirds of the members voting, as set forth above. 
 

ARTICLE IX
Finances and Tax-Exemption

Section 1.  Fiscal Year
 The fiscal year shall run from September 1 to August 31.

Section 2.  Tax-Exemption
 The raising of funds, from members or otherwise, and the expenditure of the same shall be accomplished only in a manner consistent with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and regulations promulgated thereunder applicable to organizations exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of said Code.