CONSTITUTION
of the
North American Federation of Temple Youth
Missouri Valley Region
April 2014
PREAMBLE:
We, the members of temple youth groups in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska,
Wyoming, Colorado, and parts of Illinois and Kentucky, being conscious of our needs as
Jewish youth, being aware of what we have at stake in Judaism, and believing that we
must actively share in the labor of upholding Judaism in order that we must serve
mankind, do establish this Constitution so that we may more actively engage in the
furtherance of the ideals of our Jewish faith.
ARTICLE ONE:
NAME
Section 1:
The name of this organization shall be the North American Federation of
Temple Youth - Missouri Valley, to be known as NFTY-Missouri Valley,
to be abbreviated NFTY-MV and to be commonly referred to as Mo
Valley
Section 2:
The names of the two sub-regions shall be the St. Louis, Illinois, Iowa
District, to be abbreviated as SLIID, and Western.
Section 3:
The name of this region’s official mascot shall be Victor Irving Flapper
Marvin Emanuel Viking Borowitz Ronnie MoVFTY Frankel Zoë Junior,
to be commonly referred to as Victor.
ARTICLE TWO:
AFFILIATION
Section 1:
NFTY-Missouri Valley shall be affiliated with the North American
Federation of Temple Youth, NFTY, and shall be an active unit thereof.
As an affiliate of NFTY, Missouri Valley shall also be affiliated with the
Union for Reform Judaism and the World Union for Progressive Judaism.
Section 2:
Any society of Jewish youth affiliated with or sponsored by a
congregation affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, or any society
that organizes itself in a locality where there is no such congregation and
which is devoted to the purpose of liberal Judaism is eligible for
membership in NFTY-MV. Written applications should be directed to the
NFTY-MV Regional President, who shall enter the group on the NFTYMV roster until such time as the NFTY-MV Regional Executive Board
shall formally receive the group in membership. These groups will be
known as Temple Youth Groups, and abbreviated as TYG's.
Section 3:
The sub-regions shall be active units of NFTY-MV and be affiliated with
those organizations so stated by NFTY-MV.
ARTICLE THREE:
Section 1:
The purpose of this organization shall be:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Section 2:
PURPOSE
To unite the young people of our congregations so that they may
share in the joys of fellowship and cooperate in the pursuit of
common aims.
To help Jewish youth lead richer lives through heightened religious
and cultural heritage.
To prepare its members for intelligent and loyal shouldering of
responsibilities as adults and members of their congregations and
communities.
To support its parent bodies, the North American Federation of
Temple Youth and the Union for Reform Judaism, in the execution
of their aims and purposes.
To abide by the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam -- repairing the
world.
The purpose of the sub-regions shall be:
a.
b.
c.
To serve as active units of NFTY-MV and carry out those goals
stated by NFTY–MV.
To encourage close communication between the youth groups in
the sub-region and to unite them as one functioning branch of
NFTY-MV.
To work closely with the other sub-region in the unification of the
entire region.
ARTICLE FOUR:
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1:
The membership of NFTY-Missouri Valley shall consist of Jewish youth
with Reform Jewish ideals from the age of fourteen, or in the ninth grade,
to the age of eighteen, or graduation from high school, and who reside
within the boundaries of NFTY-MV or attend a congregation within those
boundaries.
Section 2:
A person may not hold more than one membership in NFTY-MV at one
time.
Section 3:
SLIID sub-region shall be defined as all NFTY-MV Temple Youth
Groups in the states of Iowa and Missouri, excluding the Kansas City,
Missouri area, and parts of Illinois and Kentucky.
Section 4:
Western sub-region shall be defined as all NFTY-MV Temple Youth
Groups in the states of Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming and the
Kansas City, Missouri area.
ARTICLE FIVE:
OFFICERS
Section 1:
The officers of NFTY-Missouri Valley who shall constitute the regional
Executive Board shall be the non-voting member of the President, except
for occurrences deemed necessary for the President to evoke voting
privileges, and the regular voting members of the Programming VicePresident, Social Action Vice-President, Religious and Cultural VicePresident, SLIID Membership Vice President, Western Membership Vice
President, Communications and Visuals Vice President, and Special
Projects Coordinator.
Section 2:
The non-voting members of the Regional General Board, named Cabinet
members, shall include any Chair persons appointed thereof, the
immediate Past President, the NFTY Advisor of Missouri Valley, or any
appointee thereof.
Section 3:
All elected officers shall be elected at Spring Chavurah in accordance with
elections procedures. The Special Projects Coordinator will also be elected
at Spring with the same election procedures. There will be a requirement
that the candidates for Special Projects Coordinator have been to Camp
Rainbow at least once prior to running.
Section 4:
The term of office for Executive Board Members shall commence with
installation at Spring Chavurah and shall conclude with the installation of
the next Executive Board at the following Spring Chavurah.
Section 5:
In the event of vacancy on the Regional Executive Board, the President
shall reserve the right to appoint someone, with the Executive Board’s
input and consent, to serve until the next possible Board meeting. If a
vacancy occurs in the Presidency, the Programming Vice-President will
immediately assume the responsibilities and duties of the President.
Section 6:
Impeachment of Officers
a.
Impeachment should be considered if and when an officer fails to
fulfill his or her stated responsibilities and such failure is
detrimental to NFTY-MV.
b.
Impeachment Procedures:
1. A written complaint should be filed with the Regional
President or Advisor.
2. The action to impeach should be initiated by 5/7 of the
Regional Executive board and the NFTY-MV Regional
Advisor.
3. Impeachment is accomplished with the approval of 2/3 of the
NFTY-MV delegates.
ARTICLE SIX:
REGIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD
Section 1:
The organization and its affiliates shall be governed by the NFTYMissouri Valley Regional Executive Board, to be referred to as Regional
Board or abbreviated RegBo.
Section 2:
The Regional Executive Board shall transact all the business of the
organization. Any business transacted by the Regional Executive Board
shall require the approval of the NFTY-MV Regional Advisor and a
majority vote of the Executive Board in the presence of a quorum.
Section 3:
A quorum of the Regional Executive Board shall consist of at least 2/3 of
the voting members.
Section 4:
The Regional Executive Board shall hold meetings to conduct business at
least four times a year.
Section 5:
The Regional Executive Board shall act for the good and welfare of the
organization, and shall not be empowered to enact any measure not
consistent with the Constitution and By-Laws of NFTY-MV or the
Constitution and By-Laws of NFTY.
Section 6:
The Regional Executive Board has the power to appoint any necessary
Chair-People for any given reason.
Section 7:
The order of succession of the Regional Executive Board shall be:
President, Programming Vice-President, Social Action Vice-President,
Religious and Cultural Vice-President, SLIID Membership VicePresident, Western Membership Vice President, Communications and
Visuals Vice President, and Special Projects Coordinator.
ARTICLE SEVEN:
DUTIES OF THE REGIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD
OFFICERS
All Executive Board members of NFTY-MV are expected to attend all Board meetings,
and to complete any responsibilities that are necessary and proper to carry out numerous
tasks that may arise throughout the year and require the attention of the Regional Officers
in order to perpetuate the region in an efficient manner.
Section 1:
President
a.
To coordinate the Presidential Network of TYG Presidents.
b.
To be responsible for the work of and to exercise direct
supervision over the members of the Regional Executive Board.
c.
To preside over all Regional Executive Board meetings whenever
and wherever he/she is present.
d.
To be able to call regional Executive Board meetings whenever
and wherever deemed necessary with the approval of the NFTY
Regional Advisor and a 2/3 majority of the Executive Board.
e.
To distribute all regional correspondence to its affiliate TYG’s
except when dealing with function and duties of another Executive
Board member.
f.
To maintain the Constitutional documents of the region, updating
any grammatical or logistical changes that are necessary without
changing the meaning of the document.
g.
To serve as Regional Chairperson for all NFTY programming
contests and award programs.
Section 2:
h.
To be in charge of regional efforts concerning NFTY, North
American Projects.
i.
To actively promote participation in NFTY camps, Israel
Programs, trips and other programs.
j.
To promote and coordinate participation in NFTY competitions.
k.
To maintain regular contact with the NFTY President and the
North American President Network.
l.
To preside over the Regional General Assembly, occurring at
Winter and Spring Chavurot.
m.
To maintain the Missouri Valley Regional Bylaws as outlined in
Article 13.
Programming Vice-President
a. To coordinate a Programming network of TYG Programming VicePresidents.
b. To be informed of the North American award system for
programming and assist the TYGs to complete the program.
d. To coordinate with the TYG's responsible for Regional Chavurot and
events, act as a regional contact, and ensure that the theme for the
weekend and the subsequent educational and social programming
is of adequate standards.
e. To be informed of the North American award system for
programming, Study Theme ideologies, and programmatic goals
and ensure their completion and success on a TYG and regional
level.
f.
To keep the NFTY-MV Programming Banks organized, up to date,
and accessible.
g. To maintain regular contact with the NFTY Programming VicePresident and the North American Programming Network.
h.
To ensure the region is aware of the current NFTY Study Theme
and support related programming.
Section 3:
Section 4:
Section 5:
Social Action Vice-President
a.
To coordinate and correspond with the Social Action Network of
TYG Social Action Vice-Presidents.
b.
To publicize Social Action projects in the region.
c.
To maintain regular contact with the NFTY Social Action VicePresident and the North American Social Action Network.
d.
To ensure the region is aware of the current NFTY Action Theme
and support related programming.
Religious and Cultural Vice-President
a.
To coordinate a Religious and Cultural Network of TYG Religious
and Cultural Vice-Presidents.
b.
To oversee the religious aspects of regional meetings.
c.
To oversee religious and cultural aspects of regional events.
d.
To ensure implementation of study programs in the TYGs.
e.
To compile services written by the RCVPs of Missouri Valley
TYGs.
f.
To maintain regular contact with the NFTY Religious and Cultural
Vice-President and the North American Religious and Cultural
Network.
SLIID and Western Membership Vice Presidents
a.
To coordinate the Membership Network of TYG leaders who are
invested in increasing the membership of their TYGs.
b.
To be responsible for increasing membership within the sub-region
on both a local and sub-regional level.
c.
To oversee the maintenance of accurate membership records
within TYGs
d.
To be responsible for planning and overseeing a minimum of one
inter-city event taking place within his/her sub-region.
Section 6:
e.
To be responsible for assisting TYGs in planning rush programs.
f.
To be responsible for coordinating and overseeing the creation of
new TYGs.
g.
To plan and hold meetings at chavurot for new members.
h.
To serve as a liaison to the Junior Youth Group programs within
his/her sub-region.
i.
To take an active role in the planning and execution of a Junior
Youth Group Chavurah in co-ordination with his/her coMembership Vice President by being a liaison to the co-chairs for
the planning and duration of the event.
j.
To maintain regular contact with the NFTY Membership VicePresident and the North American Membership Network.
Communications and Visuals Vice President
a. To coordinate the Communications and Visuals Vice President
Network of TYG Secretaries, Communications and Visuals Vice
Presidents, and the like.
b. To record, publish, and distribute meeting minutes at all Executive
meetings, General Board meetings, and General Assemblies.
c. To compose a slide show for each regional or sub-regional chavurah.
d. To maintain order and records of all Regional General Assemblies.
e. To, with the assistance of the President, implement the Rules of Order
at General Assembly meetings.
f.
To, with the assistance of the President, republish the NFTY-MV
Rules of Order, for relevance and grammatical correctness, at the
beginning of the year, every other year, during a year ending in an
odd number (i.e. 2012-2013).
g. To maintain regular contact with the NFTY Communications VicePresident and the North American Communications Network.
Section 7:
Special Projects Coordinator
a.
To coordinate a network of TYG leaders invested in actively
supporting Camp Rainbow and raising funds for their TYGs.
b.
To assist in the coordination of the regional Mitzvah Corps, Camp
Rainbow.
c.
To support the various TYG events throughout the Missouri Valley
Region and advocate for Camp Rainbow.
d.
To coordinate the regional ‘Camp Rainbow Jugs’ fundraiser on the
Sunday morning of every regional Chavurah.
e.
To actively seek out potential counselors within Missouri Valley.
f.
To plan, write, and coordinate a Camp Rainbow program for at
least the regional Winter Chavurah, but may write Camp Rainbow
programs for other regional events, as coordinated with the
Regional Advisor and hosting TYG.
g.
To attend, if possible, the fundraising event for at least two TYGs
within the region. The SPC may have access to funds for travel, as
coordinated with the Regional Advisor.
h.
To be active with the NFTY Executive Board as seen fit and
beneficial, but may or may not attend Mechina, and will not attend
Veida, based on North American NFTY parameters
ARTICLE EIGHT:
QUALIFICATIONS FOR CANDIDATES FOR
EXECUTIVE BOARD POSITIONS
Section 1:
Members of NFTY-MV declaring candidacy must submit a binding letter
of intent to run for office to the NFTY- Missouri Valley President, prior to
elections.
Section 2:
Members of NFTY-MV declaring candidacy for SLIID Membership Vice
President or Western Membership Vice President must reside within the
boundaries of the sub-region corresponding with the Vice Presidency of
their candidacy or attend a congregation within those boundaries.
Section 3:
The letter of intent will be distributed to all members of NFTY-MV and
TYG Advisors.
Section 4:
The election process for all candidates will proceed as follows:
a. Candidate speeches will be given to attendees of Spring
Chavurah.
b. The Candidates will participate in a Question and Answer
session to provide further information pertaining to the
election.
c. Caucuses will occur as a TYG. Within the caucus the TYG
will discuss the use of their votes. The number of votes the
TYG is granted will then be cast.
d. The TYG President and Advisor will be responsible for the
caucus and the TYG voting session.
Section 5:
The order of election will be: Special Projects Coordinator,
Communications and Visuals Vice President, Western Membership Vice
President, SLIID Vice President, Religious and Cultural Vice President,
Social Action Vice President, Programming Vice President, President.
Section 6:
In due time prior to Spring Chavurah the number of members in each
Temple Youth Group and the number of members in attendance at the
chavurah from each TYG must be provided to the Regional President.
These two numbers will be averaged to determine the number of votes
each TYG is granted.
Section 7:
Votes will be distributed as follows:
a. All TYGs with an average number over three will vote on their
own accord. If a TYG does not meet this criterion they will
vote with the next smallest youth group possible, adding to that
TYG’s total number of votes.
b. Each youth group with an average over three members will
automatically be given two votes. Youth groups will be granted
more votes respectively for the average number of people
present.
05-10 people average = 1 extra vote - 3 total
11-20 people average = 2 extra votes - 4 total
21-30 people average = 3 extra votes - 5 total
31-40 people average = 4 extra votes - 6 total
41-50 people average = 5 extra votes - 7 total
50 + people average = 6 extra votes - 8 total
c. Members of the Regional Executive Board will participate in a
caucus separate from the TYGs to discuss their votes. The
Regional Board will be granted 1 vote each.
Section 8:
The Regional President and Advisor will total the votes from each election
and announce the winner. It is suggested that a neutral third party, postNFTY age, be present.
Section 9:
On the final day of Spring Chavurah, if there is a vacant position on the
elected regional board for the following year, the newly elected regional
board is to make an announcement to the attendees of Spring Chavurah
making them aware of the vacant position. Any Missouri Valley
participant who expresses interest in running for the position must submit
a letter of intent as described in Article 9, Sections 1 & 3 to the newly
elected Regional Board one week after the final day of Spring Chavurah.
Within two weeks after letter of intent submissions are due, candidates for
the vacant position must have an interview with the Regional Board and
Regional Staff Person. The Regional Board will appoint a candidate to fill
the vacant position by means of majority vote and share its decision with
the remainder of Missouri Valley.
Section 10:
A candidate receiving a simple majority of the vote will be the declared
winner.
Section 11:
If no candidate receives a majority:
a.
A democratic run-off will take place between the candidates who
receive the most votes. This may be an instant run-off.
b.
The run-off election results will then be tallied and the winner
declared.
ARTICLE NINE:
QUALIFICATIONS FOR CANDIDATES FOR
GENERAL BOARD POSITIONS (Cabinet)
Section 1:
All paid members of NFTY-MV, not otherwise elected to a Regional
Board office, shall be eligible for appointment to the Regional General
Board.
Section 2:
All necessary Regional General Board positions shall be appointed shortly
following the installation of the Regional Executive Board into office.
Section 3:
The Regional Executive Board shall reserve the power to appoint a
previously appointed chairperson a member of the General Board.
Section 4:
The Regional Executive Board shall appoint General Board positions
(Cabinet) based on letters of intent and interviews. As in all decisions, the
President’s vote will only be considered in the event of a tie.
Section 5:
General board members may be installed at any point during the year.
ARTICLE TEN:
REGIONAL EVENTS
Section 1:
NFTY-Missouri Valley shall have the following events: Leadership
Training Institute, SLIID Fall Chavurah, Western Fall Chavurah, Winter
Chavurah, Junior Youth Group Chavurah, Senior Function, Spring
Chavurah, and any other regional or sub-regional events the Regional
Executive Board deems necessary or advisable.
Section 2:
The Co-Chairs and/or planning committee for each regional event shall be
chosen by a consensus of the hosting TYG if applicable, subject to
approval by the NFTY-Missouri Valley Regional Advisor and host TYG’s
advisor.
Section 3:
All violations of the NFTY-MV Constitution or the NFTY Brit Kehillah
(NFTY-Code of Conduct) that occur at a regional or sub-regional event
shall be enforced by the NFTY Regional Advisor, and/or the NFTY
Director of Operations, with the input of the TYG Advisor.
Section 4:
The time period between Fall Chavurot and Winter Chavurah and Winter
Chavurah and Spring Chavurah shall be used for inter-cities, caravans, and
other youth group programming.
Section 5:
Hatikvah must be sung at the first service, program, or meal and/or at the
beginning of friendship circle at every Missouri Valley event.
Section 6:
General Assemblies shall be conducted in the following manner:
All paid members of NFTY-Missouri Valley attending a Chavurah during
which a General Assembly (GA) shall be held will have the option of
choosing to attend the GA. At the time of application to the GA,
participants will have the opportunity to indicate on their application that
they would like to attend GA. Participant choosing not to attend GA will
be involved in other programming consistent with NFTY’s goals.
Each youth group in attendance will be allotted votes based on the
following system:
Each youth group with an average over three will automatically be given
two votes. Youth groups will be granted more votes respectively for the
average number of people present.
05-10 people average = 1 extra vote - 3 total
11-20 people average = 2 extra votes - 4 total
21-30 people average = 3 extra votes - 5 total
31-40 people average = 4 extra votes - 6 total
41-50 people average = 5 extra votes - 7 total
50 + people average = 6 extra votes - 8 total
“Averages” are considered to be the average between paid members to the
region and members in attendance at the Chavurah. No youth group will
be with fewer than 2 votes.
Each TYG will be allowed 4 voting delegates who decide the distribution
of their TYG’s allotted votes.
One spokesperson (a voting delegate) will announce the distribution of
votes from his/her TYG.
ARTICLE ELEVEN:
AMENDMENTS AND RATIFICATION
Section 1:
An amendment, defined as an addition to or change of the text of this
Constitution, may be proposed to or by the Regional Executive Board. The
Executive Board must adopt the amendment by a 5/6 majority. The
amendment must be ratified by a simple majority vote of those present at
the next General Assembly of the NFTY-MV members.
Section 2:
Any member of NFTY-Missouri Valley can propose an amendment to this
Constitution. Upon this proposal, the amendment must be considered for
adoption at the current General Assembly by a 2/3 majority. Ratification
is subject to the approval of 2/3 of the Regional Executive Board.
Section 3:
All resolutions passed by the Regional Executive Board or the General
Assembly must be kept in a Resolution Bank.
ARTICLE TWELVE:
FUNCTIONS OF THE MISSOURI VALLEY
BYLAWS
Section 1:
The Missouri Valley Bylaws are non-committal guidelines by which the
continuing generations of NFTY Missouri Valleyites and NFTY-MV
Regional Board members may choose to operate by or edit their selves.
The Missouri Valley Bylaws are to a distinct document from the Missouri
Valley Constitution and in no way, shape, or form are to be regarded as
constitutional legislation.
Section 2:
The Missouri Valley Bylaws are to be maintained by the Missouri Valley
Regional President.
Section 3:
In order to add, remove, or change, something within the Missouri Valley
Bylaws, the desired change must first be presented by the Regional
President to his/her fellow Missouri Valley Regional Executive Board
members during a sanctioned Missouri Valley Regional Board meeting.
Upon presentation, the matter will be opened to discussion followed by a
vote by the Regional Executive Board. The requested change must be met
with a simple majority vote in order to pass, following which the Missouri
Valley Regional President will edit the Missouri Valley Bylaws.
Effective April 2014