Kol Hadash ByLaws

Kol Hadash Bylaws

Article V of the Bylaws was suspended with approval of the general membership in May 2008 and again in May 2009 to allow Kol Hadash to operate under a Steering Committee instead of a Board of Directors. 

ARTICLE I - NAME

This organization shall be known as KOL HADASH, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOR HUMANISTIC JUDAISM, affiliated with the Society for Humanistic Judaism (SHJ).

ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVES

Section A: The purpose of KOL HADASH is to provide a community that encourages the celebration of Jewish identity, history, and culture within a nontheistic secular framework.

Section B: Kol Hadash shall not attempt to influence legislation, nor shall it participate or intervene in any political campaign, including the publication or distribution of statements on behalf of any candidate for public office or ballot issue.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Section A: Any person wishing to support and participate in Humanistic Judaism may become a member. 

Section B: The dues for each member shall be established by the Board of Directors (BOD), and shall include membership in SHJ. They will be on an annual basis established by the BOD.

Section C: Dues are payable annually by September 30th unless a mutually agreeable payment schedule has been established between the member and a board member arranging such schedules. Any membership not paid within 45 days of the due date shall be considered lapsed.

ARTICLE IV - GUESTS

Section A: Guest policies will be determined by the Board of Directors. Guests are welcome to participate in all open general membership meetings, but may be charged a fee as determined by the BOD.

ARTICLE V – BOARD OF DIRECTORS (BOD)

Section A: Section A: Kol Hadash operates under a Board of Directors. The BOD shall consist of no more than 11 members: an Executive Committee composed of 4 elected officers (President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary), and a Past President; and 6 additional Directors appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Committee. Each member of the BOD shall have one vote. Any vacancy on the BOD may be filled by direction of the 

President with the approval of the majority of the remaining members of the BOD.

Section B: The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining records of income and disbursements, paying all bills, and keeping a permanent record of bank deposits and balances. One or more officers will be authorized by the BOD to sign checks in the absence of the Treasurer.

Section C: Only the President shall have authority to make financial commitments on behalf of Kol Hadash, with approval of the BOD.

ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS

Section A: The BOD shall determine the date and time of the annual business meeting.

Section B: The BOD may call special meetings of the membership. All members shall be notified at least 10 days prior to any special meeting, and shall be advised, in advance, of the agenda for such meeting.

Section C: Regular meetings of the BOD are open to all members.

Section D: The latest issue of Roberts Rules of Order shall govern at all general membership and BOD meetings.

ARTICLE VII - QUORUMS

Section A: The quorum at any membership meeting shall be the presence of 20 percent of the membership. For quorum purposes each member of a family unit shall be counted individually. (A family unit shall have a maximum of 2 votes.) 

Section B: The quorum for all BOD meetings shall be a majority of the Board membership.

ARTICLE VIII - NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section A: All current members shall be eligible to hold office, to nominate candidates, and to vote.

Section B: The BOD shall publish at least 30 days prior to the election the list of nominees for the elective offices for the forthcoming year. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the annual business meeting during which the election is held. The previous consent of the nominee is required.

Section C: Election and installation of officers shall take place at the annual business meeting of the membership. The term of each member of the BOD shall terminate at the following annual business meeting.

Section D: Any members not able to attend the annual business meeting may request an absentee ballot and vote by mail. These ballots must be received not later than one business day prior to the election.

ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS

Section A: Proposed Amendments to Kol Hadash bylaws shall be presented to the membership by the BOD for comment in two consecutive issues of the newsletter, and discussed at a meeting designated by the BOD for this purpose.

Section B: Amendments must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the BOD following a review of comments received.

ARTICLE X – NON-PROFIT STATUS

Section A: Kol Hadash is a non-profit religious organization and is designated as a “church” within the meaning of Section 501© (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Section B: Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, Kol Hadash shall not engage in any activities not permitted (a) by an organization exempt from Federal income tax under Section 501© (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code.

ARTICLE XI – DEDICATION/DISSOLUTION

Section A: The property of Kol Hadash is irrevocably dedicated to its operations and support, and no part of the net income or assets of Kol Hadash shall ever inure to the benefit of any director, officer, or member thereof, or to the benefit of any private person.

Section B: In the event of the dissolution of Kol Hadash, the BOD shall disburse all assets remaining after payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities of Kol Hadash. Such remaining assets shall be distributed to a recognized non-profit organization, preferably one that shares the objectives of Kol Hadash. 

Your support and contributions will enable us to continue offering a hub to culturally-identified Jewish folks and their families in the San Francisco Bay Area. We are a 501-c-3 nonprofit organiization, Federal ID #94-3165967.  We are a member organization of the Society for Humanistic Judaism.