Proposed WHC Constitutional Amendments

This letter was mailed to the Congregation on May 5, 2022.

To Our WHC Family,

Throughout the pandemic, Washington Hebrew Congregation has relied on Zoom and other technologies to carry its sacred mission forward and to conduct Temple business. Like many non-profit organizations, our Constitution and By-Laws provide a foundation from which important decisions are made.

Technology was already a significant part of our lives before COVID-19. However, our Constitution, last amended in 1998, does not reflect today’s capabilities and realities. For example, as of today, any vote of the membership cannot occur over Zoom or any other electronic technology but must instead take place at a meeting conducted in person. Likewise, WHC must use the United States Postal Service for any notice required under the Constitution and By-Laws to be given to membership.

WHC’s Constitution/By-Laws Task Force proposed to the Board, and the Board overwhelmingly approved, changes to the Constitution that would allow the Annual Meeting (and any other official meetings of members) to take place virtually and permit meeting notices to be sent by email. The proposed change with respect to virtual meetings is taken verbatim from DC’s Nonprofit Corporation Act.

We will ask for a Congregational vote on these proposed amendments at our Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 5 at 7:00 pm at Temple. If you have questions about these changes, the Constitution, or By-Laws, please feel free to contact Andrew at 202-253-6199.

We look forward to seeing you on June 5 as we honor WHC’s history and celebrate our future.

Warm regards,

 

Mark D. Director
President

Andrew Lazerow
General Counsel