Article I: Name  

Section I: The name of the organization shall be Hillel.

Article II: Purpose  

Section I: The purpose of Hillel shall be:

A: To create an organization founded upon the principles of Judaism. These principles include acceptance of all people without the expectation of conformity, giving tzedakah (charity) by serving the Jewish community, and the prohibition of proselytizing of any kind.

B: To reinforce Jewish identity and values for Cornellians of Jewish background as well as offering informative experiences regarding the Jewish people to all interested members of the college community. This includes education about the Jewish religion, culture, and political standing through programs and other opportunities.

C: To be an independent Hillel, the foundation for Campus Jewish Life, and as such follow the ordinances of their organization including: observing Kashrut laws, observing Shabbat, a commitment to pluralism, non-discrimination, a partnership with the broader Jewish community, and the usage of alcohol for religious purposes only.

D: To be a cooperative organization. Hillel will actively consider co-sponsorship of, support of, and participation in all proposals by Cornell College organizations on campus who respect the ideals and purposes of the organization.

E: To be an inclusive, accepting, and hospitable organization.

F: To provide an area to gather and discuss matters of diverse Jewish interest and concern with other Cornellians. To provide opportunities to engage in conference and seminar activities as well as to participate in social and religious gatherings pertaining to the Jewish community and experience.

G: To provide members of Hillel with leadership opportunities and to encourage community building by distributing responsibility for varied organizational tasks among all willing Hillel affiliates.

Article III: Membership

 Section I: Any interested member of the Cornell College community shall be eligible to be a member of Hillel contingent upon their respect and acceptance of the purposes and ideals outlined by the organization.

Section II: There shall be no fewer than two meetings of Hillel per block excluding Hillel events.

Section III: To be considered a member in good standing of Hillel, one must attend one meeting and thereafter either attend at least one meeting per block or remain in contact with the Executive Council.

Article IV: Executive Council

 Section I: Officers

A: There shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and a Communications Officer.

Section II: Election

A: Elections shall be held the first Tuesday of seventh block for the upcoming year. New Executive Council officers shall take office on the second Tuesday of seventh block and may seek guidance of old Executive Council members at their own discretion.

B: All members in good standing shall be eligible for nomination.

C: Nominations for officers shall be accepted until at least one week prior to elections and shall be submitted to a senior member of the Executive Council. If no senior member of the executive council exists, nominations shall be submitted to the President.

D: Nominees must accept nominations for candidacy two days prior to the publicized election date.

E: An election ballot shall consist of all those candidates who have been nominated and have accepted their nomination.

F: All members in good standing shall be eligible to vote.

G: All votes shall require 50% of members to be present to be considered valid.

H: Results of the election shall be posted and distributed to the general membership within 24 hours of election day.

I: Any vacant position shall be filled by two-thirds vote of the new Executive Council.

J: In the event of ambiguous results the President shall have the final decision.

Article V: Officers’ Duties

 Section I: President

A: To serve as liaison between Hillel and Student Senate.

B: To call and preside over meetings of the Executive Council and of the general membership.

C: To regularly attend meetings of the Executive Council and the general membership.

Section II: Vice President

A: To fill a vacancy in the office of the President.

B: To assume presidential responsibilities in the absence of the President.

C: To coordinate community service activities.

D: To regularly attend meetings of the Executive Council and the general membership.

Section III: Treasurer

A: To prepare and submit a budget to Student Senate each year.

B: To keep a ledger of all financial transactions and upon request report to the Executive Council on the condition of funds and their usage.

C: To deposit all funds in the student activities fund at the Cornell College business office. All disbursements shall be made by checks drawn from this fund.

D: To keep separate funds raised from fundraising.

E: To regularly attend meetings of the Executive Council and the general membership.

Section IV: Secretary

A: To keep accurate minutes for all meetings and distribute these minutes upon request to the general membership and the Executive Council within 24 hours of any meeting.

B: To keep record of the general membership and their attendance at meetings and special events.

C: To send out notices regarding meetings and events.

D: To regularly attend meetings of the Executive Council and the general membership.

Section V: Communications Officer

A: To be in charge of all media publications including, but not limited to, newspaper articles, flyers and signs.

B: To maintain the Hillel website.

C: To serve as liaison between Hillel and University of Iowa Hillel.

D: To regularly attend meetings of the Executive Council and the general membership.

Section VI: Impeachment

A: An officer may be removed from office if they fail to perform their Constitutional duties effectively.

B: An officer may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Council.

Section VII: Advisors

A: Advisors will be recommissioned every two years or at the discretion of the Executive Council.

Article VI: Committees

 Section I: Standing Committees

A: A standing committee may be formed at any regular meeting and shall be under the supervision of the Executive Council and the committee chair.

B: A committee chair will be selected from the Executive Council by simple majority vote of those members present in good standing.

C: Any member of Hillel may petition to be made a member of a standing committee, and shall be appointed at the discretion of either the committee chair or a member of the Executive Council.

Article VII: Amendments and Bylaws and Ratificatation

 Section I: By-laws

A: A by-law may be proposed by any member of Hillel.

B: There must be time allowed for debate of a by-law before a vote is taken on adopting it. A two-thirds vote of a quorum is required to pass the bylaw.

C: A bylaw may not in any way violate the constitution of Hillel.

 Section II: Amendments

A: Amendments to this Constitution may be proposed by the Executive Council or by ten percent of the members in good standing by way of a signed petition. Within two weeks of submission to the Executive Council, members in good standing shall vote upon the proposed amendment. An amendment shall pass with a simple majority vote.

B: Amendments shall be submitted to Student Senate for approval after being voted on.

Section III: Ratification

A: The constitution shall be ratified by two-thirds vote of a quorum of members in good standing.