What is Sisterhood?  Sisterhood is the organization of the women of the Congregation who band together in friendship for programs to benefit the Temple and the community, for social activities, for learning, and, above all, for individual growth so that each woman may find an opportunity to fulfill her potential as a person and as a Jewish woman. Sisterhood provides the arena for the individual to expand and grow in a Jewish atmosphere.

The new “Little Sister” membership category provides an opportunity for our members to include their daughters and granddaughters in the wonderful work performed by Sisterhood.

Why join Sisterhood?  Within the structure of the Congregation, Sisterhood is the collective presence, voice, and strength of women. It is the place where women can meet and work together for the benefit of the Congregation. Here, women can initiate and develop projects in which they have an interest. Sisterhood provides an outlet for the creative energy, talent, and leadership potential for individual Jewish women. Sisterhood also gives women a worldwide identity through its affiliation with Women of Reform Judaism, a federation of 100,000 members throughout the United States, Canada, and overseas.

We will be voting on the following by-laws changes    on Thursday, February 23rd at our Dinner and Movie

BY-LAWS

OAK PARK TEMPLE SISTERHOOD B'NAI ABRAHAM ZION

Amended 2012 


Article I - Name

      This organization shall be known as Oak Park Temple Sisterhood B'nai Abraham Zion (“Sisterhood”).

Article II - Objectives

      The objectives of Sisterhood are:  to support spiritual activity in the Temple and to provide services to enrich the Temple, its members, and its religious and pre-schools.

Article III - Membership

      Any woman who is interested in the work of Sisterhood and/or the Temple may join Sisterhood.  


Article IV - Dues

  Section 1.  Each member shall pay annual dues as set by the Board of Directors.

  Section 2.  Honorary members shall be exempt from the obligation to pay dues.

  Section 3.  Any member may become a Life Member with a one-time payment as set by the Board of Directors.

Article V - Officers and Board Members

      Section 1.  The Board of Directors (“Board”) shall consist of a minimum of ten directors which includes all officers. In addition, all past Presidents of Sisterhood are life members of the Board.  Any member in good standing of Sisterhood and Oak Park Temple is eligible for election to the Board. Each Board member shall serve a one-year term and may be reelected for an unlimited number of additional terms.  Any Board member may be removed during her term for good cause, as determined by the Board, including unexcused absence from three consecutive Board meetings.  


      Section 2.  The officers of Sisterhood shall be:  President, Executive Vice- President, Programming Vice-President, Fundraising Vice-President, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer.  The Executive Committee consists of the officers of Sisterhood and the immediate past President.  Any Jewish member in good standing of Sisterhood and Oak Park Temple is eligible for election to any office. The President and Executive Vice-President shall each serve a two-year term.  All other officers shall serve a one-year term and may be reelected for an unlimited number of additional terms.  Any officer may be removed during her term for good cause, as determined by the Board, including unexcused absence from three consecutive Board meetings.

Article VI - Elections

      Any Board member, any officer, or any eligible member of Sisterhood may nominate herself or any other eligible member of Sisterhood for election to the Board or any office of Sisterhood.  Elections shall be held at the end of the year event of Sisterhood of which the Members have been notified as provided in Article VIII of these by-laws.  All Board members and officers shall be elected by a simple majority of those present and voting at such meeting.  If any office or Board seat becomes vacant for any reason during an unexpired term, the President may appoint an eligible member of Sisterhood to complete the term.

  


Article VII - Duties of Officers

  Section 1.  The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of Sisterhood and shall preside at all meetings of Sisterhood.  She shall also appoint committees or individuals to carry out duties authorized by the Board.

      Section 2.  In the absence of the President, the Executive Vice-President shall assume full responsibilities.  It is presumed that she will assume the office of President at the end of the President's current term.

      Section 3.  The Programming Vice-President is responsible for overseeing projects and events approved by the Sisterhood Board of Directors.

      Section 4.  The Fundraising Vice-President is responsible for all projects which generate money for the use of Sisterhood.

      Section 5.  The Recording Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all meetings of Sisterhood.  Said minutes shall be distributed to all members of the Board of Directors at least one week prior to the next scheduled meeting.  The Recording Secretary is also responsible for maintaining a hard copy of said

minutes.

      Section 6.  The Corresponding Secretary shall write all correspondence as directed by the President.  She shall also read correspondence at all Board meetings.

      Section 7.  The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records of Sisterhood, operate any bank accounts, receive any dues, donations, or other funds of Sisterhood, and make only such payments as authorized by the President and/or the Board.  The Treasurer shall report to the Board at each meeting the current

financial state of Sisterhood, prepare an accounting at the end of each fiscal year, to be presented to the Board no later than two months after the close of the fiscal year.  The Treasurer shall also prepare a budget for the coming fiscal year to be presented for approval to the Board no later than June 30th.  The fiscal year shall be July 1st to June 30th.

  


Article VIII - Meetings

      Section 1.  Sisterhood shall hold a meeting of the Board at least every other month, a meeting of the general membership at least once each year, and, from time to time, such other meetings or programs as the Board may decide.  The Board shall provide advance notice of any such meeting to all members by

publishing the dates of such meeting in the Oak Park Temple newsletter and by electronic notification.  Any member (or, at the invitation of the Board, any prospective member) of Sisterhood may attend any Board meeting but shall not have the right to vote at such meeting.

      Section 2.  Five members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of the Board. 

Article IX - Committees

      The President shall appoint committees or individuals to carry out duties authorized by the board.

Article X - Amendments

      These By-laws may be amended upon the recommendation of the Board and by a vote of 2/3 of the general membership of Sisterhood present and voting at any general membership meeting of Sisterhood.