WOI Bylaws
Women of Isaiah
Bylaws
ARTICLE I
NAME
This organization shall be known as Women of Isaiah (WOI). It is an auxiliary of Temple Isaiah of Lafayette.
ARTICLE II
MISSION AND PURPOSE
SECTION A:
The mission of Women of Isaiah, affiliated with the Women of Reform Judaism, is to strengthen and unite the women of Temple of Isaiah and support them in efforts to understand and perpetuate reform Judaism in the home, temple, and community; and to reinforce their bonds with other Jewish women worldwide.
To assist Temple Isaiah in the furtherance of Reform Judaism in this community by stimulating spiritual and educational activities; by assisting financially in Congregational projects and community projects; and by promoting the social, religious and communal aspects of Congregational life.
SECTION B: This organization shall be affiliated with the Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) and WRJ Pacific District (WRJPD). WOI will further the programs of WRJ to the best of its ability and shall cooperate with and abide by the policies of those organizations.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
SECTION A: All who are members of Temple Isaiah and dedicated to the mission of WOI may become active members in good standing upon annual payment of WOI membership dues as herein provided.
SECTION B: WOI is open to anyone who identifies with WOI’s mission and values. WOI welcomes anyone who identifies as female, nonbinary, or gender fluid. Whenever the words “woman” or “women” appear in these bylaws, we understand them to include all of these individuals. WOI welcomes all who identify as Jewish or have a commitment to the Jewish community.
SECTION C: Women who are not members of Temple Isaiah may become members of WOI on an annual basis at the discretion of the WOI Leadership Council in consultation with Temple Isaiah clergy.
SECTION D: Only members shall have the privilege of voting.
SECTION E: Any member of another WRJ sisterhood who joins Temple Isaiah shall be considered a member of WOI until the end of the fiscal year of this body.
SECTION F: Annual WOI membership dues shall be determined by the Leadership Council.
Dues of the organization shall be annual, and shall be payable in advance, and understood to include the annual dues to WRJ and WRJPD by their charter, as well as specialized funds, as required and requested. Dues shall be determined by the WOI Leadership Council and may be adjusted following annual review by the finance committee and approval by the Council.
SECTION E: Since WOI are active members of WRJ, membership fees to WRJ and WRJPD shall be submitted annually as required by their charter, as well as specialized funds, as required and requested by WRJ and WRJPD.
SECTION G: All clergy and partners of clergy who identify as female, non-binary, or gender fluid are welcome as complimentary members. WRJ and WRJPD dues shall be paid by WOI for such honorary members.
SECTION H: The fiscal year shall be July 1st through June 30th.
ARTICLE IV
GOVERNANCE MODEL
SECTION A:
In keeping with the objectives of WOI to support and lead in our communal Jewish life, the Council has the following responsibilities:
To guide and direct the organization;
To adopt the annual budget and to be fiscally responsible for the financial health of the organization;
To collect dues from its members;
To plan activities for the general membership;
To carry out orders and instructions of the general membership,
To initiate and recommend for action to the general membership matters dealing with the financial responsibilities of the organization when necessary;
To carry out the full power of the organization during the summer recess;
To serve as committee chairs;
To address any other matters pertaining to the advancement of the organization.
ARTICLE V
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBER ELIGIBILITY AND NOMINATIONS
SECTION A: Anyone who is a member of WOI and a member of Temple Isaiah may serve on the Leadership Council.
SECTION B: THE COUNCIL (8-12) SHALL CONSIST OF Council Coordinator, Secretary, Finance Chair, Parliamentarian, Membership Chair, Community Outreach Chair(s), Programming Chair, Communications Chair, WRJ-WOI Liaison, Maagal Tzedakah Chair, and other members as deemed necessary by the Leadership Council and voted upon at the next election.
SECTION C: The Leadership Council shall be members in good standing of WOI and Temple Isaiah in accordance with Temple Isaiah’s bylaws, the Council Coordinator shall be a member(s) of the Temple Isaiah Board of Directors. The Council Coordinator may assign a representative who is a Leadership Council member to attend the Temple Isaiah Board meetings.
SECTION D: Nominations for the Leadership Council shall be made by the Nominating Committee. The Parliamentarian shall act as the chair of the Nominating Committee.
The consent of each candidate must be obtained before their name is placed in nomination.
Only WOI members in good standing shall be eligible to serve on the nominating committee.
The Nominating Committee shall be made up of 1 past president or past Leadership Council Coordinator, 1 current or former Leadership Council member, and 1 other WOI member and others as deemed necessary by the chair.
SECTION E: The Nominating Committee shall present names of candidates for the Leadership Council by the April meeting of the WOI Leadership Council at which time further nomination may be made from the floor.
SECTION F: Election of the Leadership Council shall be at a meeting of the WOI general membership by May. Such election of the Leadership Council may be conducted via email at the discretion of the Leadership Council.
SECTION G: Leadership Council Members shall serve for a minimum term of 2 years. Leadership Council Members shall assume their duties on July 1st. Leadership Council members shall serve no more than 2 consecutive terms (serving in either one or two different positions). Leadership Council members may run for office following a one-year break. Terms shall be staggered such that one-half of the council members shall be up for election annually. Exceptions to this rule must be voted upon by the Leadership Council with a majority (50% plus one) prevailing.
SECTION H: Vacancies in office shall be filled by the president(s) assumed by other Leadership Council Members until the Nominating Committee finds a replacement or the next WOI general election.
ARTICLE VI
DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL LEADERS
SECTION A: COUNCIL LEADERS. See Article IV, Section B.
Leadership Council members shall meet regularly, and the dates and times of the council meetings shall be published to the general membership.
SECTION B: The Council Coordinator shall serve as the designated coordinator, attend monthly Temple Isaiah board meetings, represent WOI with WRJ – President/Leadership, and serve as the contact person for Women of Isaiah to temple administration and clergy. The Council Coordinator may call for special meetings of the Leadership Council and General Membership. They may assist with the yearly calendar, goal setting, and council meeting schedule.
SECTION C: The Secretary shall produce minutes and record decisions of the Leadership Council meetings and any other duties as assigned by the Leadership Council.
SECTION D: Finance Chair shall be responsible for keeping the banking and financial records of the organization and act as the Chair of the Finance and Budget Committee overseeing the annual budget process.
SECTION E: The Parliamentarian shall advise the Leadership Council on proper parliamentary procedures, and chair the Bylaws and Nominating Committees.
SECTION F: The Membership Chair(s) shall develop and implement a membership program plan and update and maintain the current WOI member database.
SECTION G: The Community Outreach Chair(s) shall provide opportunities for WOI to volunteer in the larger community by acting as the liaison to Values in Action.
SECTION H: The Programming Chair(s) shall ensure that WOI offers a variety of programs to engage the membership and to assist with ongoing programs as needed.
SECTION I: The Communications Editor shall work with Temple Isaiah’s
Director of Communications to produce the WOI eNew, the monthly newsletter for the WOI membership.
SECTION J: The WRJ-WOI Liaison shall educate members about the connections to Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) and encourage members to engage in WRJ events and activities.
SECTION H: The Chair of Maagal Tzedakah shall manage this WOI grant program according to its plan. The Chair shall report to the Leadership Council on a regular basis regarding grants received and approved.
ARTICLE VII
MEETINGS
SECTION A: The WOI Leadership Council shall hold regularly scheduled meetings. Special meetings of the WOI general membership may be called by the WOI Leadership Council with written notice or email with at least one week notice.. Any member of the Leadership Council may call a special meeting.
SECTION B: For general membership meetings, a quorum shall consist of ten percent of the members in good standing.
ARTICLE VIII
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
SECTION A: The Leadership Council shall consist of the Council Members, and any other members of WOI as designated by the Leadership Council. Each member of the Leadership Council shall be entitled to one vote per position.
SECTION B: The WOI standing committees shall include but not be limited to: Membership, Programming, Finance, Maagal Tzedakah, and Nominating. All committees shall be chaired by WOI members in good standing. Committee chairs shall be appointed by the Leadership Council. Committee members shall be selected by the committee chair or Leadership Council, subject to the requirements of these bylaws.
SECTION C: The Leadership Council shall authorize special expenditures, fill all vacancies in office, and serve at the behest of the WOI Membership to the best of their ability.
SECTION D: Special meetings of WOI membership may be called by the a majority (50% plus one) of the Leadership Council
SECTION E: At regularly scheduled Leadership Council meetings a majority (50% plus one) of Leadership Council members shall constitute a quorum.
SECTION F: The WOI Leadership Council shall approve a yearly budget.
ARTICLE IX
DELEGATES TO CONVENTIONS
SECTION A: WOI shall budget annually for the expenses of a delegate(s) to the WRJ and WRJ Pacific District assemblies, the specific amount to be left to the Budget Committee.
SECTION B: Only members in good standing are eligible to be delegates.
SECTION C: Subject to the Leadership Council’s approval, WOI shall budget for Leadership Council members to attend conventions whenever feasible. If the budget is limited, then Leadership Council members shall decide how to allocate money budgeted for convention, whether dividing the money equally among LC members attending, or voting on specific members who will receive reimbursement based on need.
ARTICLE X
AMENDMENTS
SECTION A: These bylaws shall be reviewed at least every 7 years.
SECTION B: To amend the bylaws, a Bylaws Committee shall be appointed by the Leadership Council. The Bylaws Committee shall submit proposed changes to a meeting of the Leadership Council for initial approval.
SECTION C: Proposed changes to the bylaws that are approved by the Leadership Council shall be made available to the WOI membership at least thirty days before the meeting at which the proposed changes will be voted upon. A two-thirds majority of the members present and voting at the meeting is required to approve an amendment. No changes to the proposed amendments, other than minor, non-substantive corrections, shall be made at the meeting where the vote is taken.
SECTION D: Upon adoption, an amendment immediately becomes part of the bylaws.
ARTICLE XI
RULES OF ORDER
Roberts Rules of Order, Revised, shall be the authority of the Women of Isaiah.
Revised: 5/2024
Previous Revisions: 5/4/2015, 7/24/2007
For WOI policies, including WRJ Convention Reimbursement, visit https://temple-isaiah.org/community/woi-policies/
By-laws_Final_6_14_24_Clean_Copy_(1).docxClick here to download the WOI Bylaws
For WOI policies, including WRJ Convention Reimbursement, visit https://temple-isaiah.org/community/woi-policies/