Committee Policy Guidelines

Adopted February 19, 2004

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The Committees of Temple Sinai are the lifeblood of the Congregation. They are the primary source of ideas, activities and energy for the Temple. As such, it is vitally important that there is a consistent and thorough approach to their creation, appointment and operation.

These guidelines are meant to be reviewed periodically, but changed only occasionally when a fundamental shift is directed by the Board of Trustees. While these Guidelines do not require Congregational approval, it is assumed the members of the Board of Trustees will only alter these Guidelines after proper consideration and reflection.

The Guidelines are the result of a process including review by many Temple members, the Chairs of all committees, the Executive Committee and ultimately, the Board of Trustees. The sections of these Guidelines cover the creation, operation and appointment of Committees, as well as dividing the standing committees into the topical sections of Governance, Religious Affairs, Education, Community/Tikkun Olam, Congregational Affairs, Facilities Management and Financial.

When circumstances require, the President may appoint two individuals as Co-chairs of a committee. The allocation of their responsibilities shall be determined by the co-chairs in consultation with the committee’s liaison to the Executive Committee and with the President.

Leadership development is encouraged by the requirement that, except as directed by the Bylaws for specific committees, Committee Chairs may only serve two consecutive years as Chair. This will facilitate training and mentoring in the committee process. There is nothing in these Guidelines or the Bylaws that would prevent an active, contributing Chair of a committee from staying on a valued member after the expiration of the second consecutive year as Chair.

Under these Guidelines, each Standing Committee has a charge or mission based upon the Mission of the Temple. The Committees are provided with a structure to obtain members, conduct activities, spend money (where allocated) and report to the Board on a regular basis. While these Guidelines are comprehensive, they allow the Committees the flexibility that is needed to operate in the ever-changing world of Temple Sinai and Reform Judaism.

Section One. Appointment of Committees, Committee Chairs and Committee Members

1. The President shall appoint Chairs of all standing committees (other than those designated by the Bylaws), upon proper consultation with the Executive Committee, by June 1 or each year (or as soon thereafter as practicable).

2. By June 1 of each year (or as soon thereafter as is practicable), each Committee Chair shall appoint the Committee members with the approval of the President and the Committee Liaison to the Executive Committee. Additional members may be appointed from time to time.

3. When the election for the Office of President is uncontested, the President is encouraged to announce the appointments of Chairs and approve appointments of members of standing committees prior to the Annual Meeting of the Congregation.

Section Two. Committee Operations

1. By May 1 of each year, the Chair of each Standing or Special Committee shall provide the Board of Trustees with a written report, in which the Chair reviews the Committees goals, accomplishments and projects in progress, as well as suggesting a starting agenda for the next Committee year.

2. The following Standing Committees shall exist in accordance with the Bylaws and these Guidelines and, except as otherwise directed by the Bylaws, shall operate according to the following charges.

Section Three. Governance Committees

1. Executive Committee (see Bylaws)

2. Nominating Committee (see Bylaws)

3. Bylaws Committee shall:

Section Four. Religious Affairs Committees

1. Worship Committee shall:

Section Five. Education Committees

1. Adult Education Committee shall:

1. Plan and implement Adult Education programs; and
2. Support the adult educational programming of other Temple committees; and
3. Support the adult educational programming of the union for Reform Judaism.

2. Religious School Committee shall promote the formal and informal Jewish education of Temple Sinai’s children and their families by:

1. Working with the professional staff to plan programs and create and implement policy;
   
2. Working with other Temple Committees;
   
3. Encouraging family involvement in educational activities; and
   
4. Support Youth Activities.
   
   

Section Six. Community/Tikkun Olam Committees

1. Social Action Committee shall develop programming, identify opportunities and provide leadership to promote participation of the congregation in Tikkun Olam consistent with our obligations as Reform Jews. This includes performing the mitzvah of tzedakah, acting on our commitment to social justice, and providing assistance to those in need in the Jewish community and the community at large.

2. Caring Connection Committee shall:

1. Provide caring acts to Temple Sinai families and foster closeness and warmth among its members; and
   
2. Provide opportunities to Temple Sinai members to satisfy their holy obligations by extending themselves within our congregational family through acts of loving kindness including visiting the sick and celebrating and attending life cycle events.
   
   

Section Seven. Congregational Activities Committees

1. Membership Committee shall:

1. Plan and implement programs to attract and welcome new members;
   
2. Work cooperatively with the professional staff to enhance the new members= transition experience and integrate new members into the congregation;
   
3. Plan and implement strategies and programs to retain members by ensuring that members have access to the staff and lay leadership of the congregation; and
   
4. Report the applications of new members to the Board for approval.
   

2. Program Enhancement Committee shall:

1. Identify and develop new programs to enhance the mission of Temple Sinai;
   
2. Encourage other program committees to submit new programs for consideration
   
3. Make recommendations to the Executive Committee regarding new programs; and
   
4. Make recommendations to the Board of Trustees concerning grants from the Program Enhancement Fund.
   

3. Cultural Arts Committee shall plan and implement cultural activities for the congregation and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees concerning grants from the Cultural Arts Fund.

4. Interfaith Outreach Community Committee shall reach out to interfaith families and those who have recently become Jews and make them feel comfortable; and to plan and provide programs to help integrate interfaith families and those who have recently become Jews into the Congregational community.

5. 20/30's Committee shall:

1. Recognize the unique needs and perspectives of adults in their 20's and 30's;
   
2. Bring together individuals, couples and parents who are in their 20's and 30's to share meaningful Jewish experiences;
   
3. Connect with one another through a variety of educational, religious, spiritual, social action, and social programming; and
   
4. Create a close-knit 20/30's community that serves as a bridge to our greater Temple Sinai family.
   

6. Senior Adults Committee shall plan programs for all adult members - especially senior members (both men and women) - who have time to enjoy cultural entertainment experiences.

7. Communications Committee shall recommend, the development and implementation of communications strategies to maximize participation in Temple Sinai events and causes, and enhance the image of the congregation internally and externally.

8. Leadership Development Committee shall identify members who have the potential to become leaders of the Congregation and develop programs to encourage and train them for Temple leadership.

9. Long Range Planning Committee shall be responsible for formulating a 3-5 year strategic plan that should include a comprehensive fund raising strategy.

Section Eight. Facilities Management Committees

1. Art Committee shall, when requested by the Executive Director or the Executive Committee

1. Recommend works of art to be purchased by the Temple;
   
2. Recommend works of art to be accepted as gifts;
   
3. Recommend where and how works of art shall be displayed and identified;
   
4. Maintain the Temples collection of art; and
   
5. Maintain an inventory of the Temples collection of art and the donors thereof.
   

2. Building/Capital Committee shall:

1. Oversee the maintenance of Temple facilities;
   
2. Solicit and evaluate bids of contractors; and
   
3. Submit recommendations to the Board of Trustees for major repairs and capital projects for the Temple facilities.
   

3. House Policy Committee shall:

1. Recommend to the Board of Trustees rules and regulations with respect to use of physical facilities; and
   
2. Oversee the administration of rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Trustees with respect to the use of such facilities.
   

4. Memorial Park Committee shall

1. Oversee the operation of the Memorial Park, including, but not being limited to expansion, sales, pricing and use of the facilities;
   
2. Oversee the maintenance of buildings, grounds and equipment at the Memorial Park;
   
3. Review and evaluate bids of contractors relating to the Memorial Park;
   
4. Submit recommendations to the Board of Trustees for major repairs and capital projects for the Memorial Park;
   
5. Formulate a strategic plan including endowment, perpetual care and the future needs of the park.
   

5. Library Committee shall maintain the Temple Library, acquire new material and plan programs using Library material.

Section Nine. Financial Committees

1. Budget Committee (see Bylaws)

2. Financial Policy Committee (see Bylaws)

3. Development Committee shall be chaired by the Second Vice President and shall be responsible for the solicitation of gifts and the implementation of the development projects formulated by the Long Range Planning Committee, and approved by the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees.

4. Ways and Means Committee shall be responsible for fundraising related to the annual operating budget.