Kehillas Tzemach Dovid Provisional Constitution
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Article I. Purpose of Tzemach Dovid

						

						
1. Kehillas Tzemach Dovid of Teaneck has been formed to provide an Orthodox shul conducive to davening with kavana, a makom tefilla where the entire tzibor will be committed to the observance of the halachos of tefilla. It is specifically committed to a slow, quiet davening.

						
2. Tzemach Dovid is also to serve as a core group that will humbly undertake the following ambitious program:

						
> To create an intensive Torah atmosphere which will permeate all aspects of life in Teaneck. To enhance the observance of all mitzvos. To found a bais medrash in our town. To provide a proper environment for our children's chinuch. To promote the development of yiras Shamayim and ahavas HaShem.

						

						
Article II. Membership

						
1. Membership is open to all Jews who commit to support the goals of Tzemach Dovid as outlined in Article I.

						
2. Full members are those who meet the qualifications outlined in section 1, and meet the financial requirements as established by the general membership. Full members shall be entitled to full participation in all shul governance.

						
3. Associate members are those who meet the qualifications outlined in section 1, and meet the financial requirements as established by the general membership. Associate members shall be entitled to participation in all shul functions, excepting governance.

						
4. Any member who lapses in the above qualifications, shall be deemed in suspension. Suspended members may not serve on Council or committee, and may not vote in elections, or any shul matter.

						

						

						
Article III. The Council

						1. The Council will provide basic governance of the shul in accordance with the direction of the general membership, to accomplish the basic purpose and goals of Tzemach Dovid, as outlined in Article I.
						
2. The Council will consist of 5 members, elected by the general membership.

						
3. Any Orthodox Torah observant full member is qualified to serve on the Council.

						
4. The Council shall elect from among its male members a Council Coordinator, who shall serve as chairman of the Council and general membership, and as liaison with the community at large.

						
5. The Council shall establish any special positions among Council members as required for the smooth operation of the Council and Tzemach Dovid.

						
6. The Council shall establish as required any committees deemed necessary for the smooth operation of the Council and Tzemach Dovid. Committee membership shall be open to any full member.

						

						

						
Article IV. The Rav

						1. The Rav shall uphold the principles of Tzemach Dovid as outlined in Article I.
						
2. The Rav shall determine that all activities of Tzemach Dovid and it's Council are in accordance with halacha, and has the authority to pasken for Tzemach Dovid, and impose his psak on all activities and decisions of the general membership and Council.

						
3. Should a majority of the Council, or 40% of the membership believe that a conflict exists between a psak of the Rav under Section 2, and the general principles of Tzemach Dovid as outlined in Article I, a determination shall be made by a Rav or Bais Din which is mutually acceptable to the parties in disagreement.

						

						

						
Article V. Elections

						1. Nominations for Council shall be submitted by 1 Sivan to the Election committee established by the Council.
						
2. Nominations are open to all Orthodox Torah observant full members.

						
3. Election of Council members will be held by mail ballot of all full members.

						
4. Ballots will be mailed by the second week of Sivan to all those on record as full members as of 1 Sivan, and must be returned by 1 Tamuz.

						
5. Election results shall be announced by mail in Tamuz.

						

						

						
Article VI. General Membership Meetings

						1. General membership meetings shall be held at least three times a year. Agenda for the meetings will be presented to all full members prior to the meetings.
						
2. Any full member can call a general membership meeting by petition containing signatures of 25% of the full membership.

						
3. Additional general membership meetings shall take place as determined by the general membership or Council.

						
4. Minutes of all general membership meetings shall be provided to all full members.

						

						

						
Article VII. Council Meetings

						1. Council meetings open to the general membership shall take place quarterly, with advance notice given to all full members. All full members shall be entitled to attend these special Council meetings as non-voting observers. A specific time in which full members can initiate discussion on any topic and present their views shall be allocated at these meetings, with time limitations per speaker determined by the Council.
						
2. Additional Council meetings shall take place as determined by the Council.

						
3. The Rav shall be entitled to attend all Council meetings except for those meetings or segments of meetings dealing with the Rav's position.

						

						

						
Article VIII. Amendments

						1. All articles of this charter are subject to amendment, with the exception of Articles I and VIII.
						
2. The Charter can be amended by a 3/4's majority vote of the full membership.

						
3. The Council shall propose to the membership a permanent constitution within 3 years of adoption of this provisional charter. Upon approval of the permanent constitution by 2/3's majority vote of the full membership, the permanent constitution shall supersede this working charter, provided that the new constitution contains the provisions of Article I in full.

						
4. This provisional charter shall remain in effect until a permanent constitution has been approved by the general membership.

						

						

						
Amendments to the Constituion

						

						
Article I

						
The Council will consist of 5 members, elected by the general membership to the five positions outlined in the following sections. Any Orthodox Torah observant full member is qualified to serve on the Council, but only male members are eligible to serve as Council Coordinator.

						
The Council Coordinator shall coordinate all Council and General Membership functions, serve as chairman of Council and General Membership meetings, and act as liaison with the Rav, and with the community-at-large.

						
The Building Coordinator shall, while Tzemach Dovid lacks a permanent facility, be responsible for all matters pertaining to obtaining temporary facilities (by means of rental or otherwise) for davening and other shul functions, and the preparation and maintenance of such facilities as required. The building coordinator shall also be responsible for the search for a permanent location for the shul, overseeing the fabrication of building plans by a qualified architect, and overseeing the construction of a permanent shul building. At such time as Tzemach Dovid obtains a permanent building, the building coordinator shall be responsible for maintenance of the building, and shall coordinate use of the facilities.

						
The Correspondence Coordinator shall be responsible for all Council and Shul correspondence, including all shul mailings, the newsletter, and the phone squad, and shall also take accurate minutes of all meetings, and provide such minutes to Council members and the general membership.

						
The Financial Coordinator is responsible for overseeing general shul finances, including dues collection, paying of bills, and fund-raising.

						
The Programming Coordinator is responsible for all shul functions (excluding davening) such as shiurim, kiddush, melava malka, seuda shlishis, and social events, etc.