
UPCOMING EVENTS

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I

The Institution shall be known as “THE HINDU TEMPLE”.

ARTICLE II

The objectives of the Temple shall be:

A) To provide a place of spiritual worship for believers of Hindu

Philosophy and religion.

B) To promote the religious activities and festivals among Hindus and disseminate the Hindu religion and culture among others.

C) To impart the knowledge of Hindu religion to the Hindu community and the children of Hindu origin and others interested in it.

D) To conduct religious, cultural and ceremonial activities (E.g. weddings, thread ceremony etc.)

E) To enhance the Indian heritage and to promote Indian culture.

F) To provide humanitarian services for people of all races and culture, here at home and in India as well as anywhere in the world.

G) Construction of the study center consisting of auditorium, library, kitchen and other facilities.

All such activities shall be conducted exclusively in furtherance of cultural, educational and charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501©(3) of the Internal Revenue Code 1954.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP AND GENERAL BODY

1. Any person who believes in Hinduism (including Jainism, Buddhism or Sikhism) and complies with objectives of the Temple set forth in the article II of the constitution shall be eligible for the membership. Furthermore, any member who donates an initiation fee of $250 and annual dues as decided by the Board of Trustees and the Executive committee, shall be known as a voting member. The general body of the Hindu Temple will be comprised of the voting members only.

2A category of Life membership of the Hindu temple will be initiated in 1992. Total cost of life membership will be $2000 for those who choose to become Life members in 1993.After 1993, the Board of Trustees will decide the cost of Life membership for the following year during preceding year.

The Life membership dues in 1993 may be paid during that year or paid in 3 installments, e.g. in the year 1993, $800; in the year 1994,$700; and in the year 1995,$500. To enjoy the benefits of this Life membership category, the installment dues must be paid by March 31, of each year. Those who do not pay the installment as agreed, will forfeit the benefit of the Life membership and the monies paid for installment will not be returned. Donations made for other purposes , e.g, sponsoring a Pooja or lunches, will not count toward the Life membership.

Life and General body membership shall have one vote, but membership can be considered as a family membership(husband, wife and unmarried children up to the age of 25 yrs).

Life members will enjoy all the benefits enjoyed by General body voting members. Additional life membership benefits will be

(a) one free sponsorship for one pooja each year,

(B)$100.00 off towards the rental of the hall for a private function once a year,

(c) additional benefits maybe declared for this class of membership in the future at the discretion of the Board of Trustees.

Until end of the year 1992, to become a member of Hindu Temple, the initiation fee will be $250.00.Annual dues required to maintain voting membership will be $120.00 for Family membership and $60 for Single membership. After the year 1992, each year the Board of Trustees will decide the initiation fee, Family and Single membership dues for the following year.

Remove this paragraph as this is covered above.

ARTICLE IV

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

There shall be the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee of General body. The Board of Trustees shall be the governing body. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for executing the functions and activities of the Temple with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Board of Trustees:

A) Permanent members of the Board of Trustees: Members who have donated ten thousand dollars each and continue to donate two hundred and fifty dollars per year will be permanent members of the Board of Trustees. After 1992 lifetime donation of the following amount will be required to become permanent member of BOT.

i)$ 12000.00 by the end of year 1993

ii)$13000.00 by the end of year 1994.

iii) $15000.00 by the end of year 1995

Iv) After 1995,, each year the Board of Trustees will determine the amount required to be eligible for the permanent membership of the Board of Trustees for the following year.

All donations given from the date of initial organization of the Temple until Dec.31 of the previous year will be counted in deciding the eligibility for the permanent membership of the Board of Trustees. These members shall be permanent members of Board of trustees.

All permanent members of the Board of Trustees will have equal rights and privileges.

The yearly dues for the permanent member of the Board of Trustees will be $250.00 per member per year; and thereafter the dues will be decided on a yearly basis by majority of the Board of Trustees at the annual board meeting. It can never be less than $250.00 per member per year. (exception: Life member of Board of Trustees)

b) Members at Large: Two members shall be elected from the general body for term of one year to serve as a member of Board of Trustees.

c) The President and the immediate past president of executive Committee will serve as the members of the Board of Trustees for the term of their office.

c) The President, President elect, Immediate past President of the Executive committee will serve as the member of the Board of Trustees for the term of their office.

d) A new category of the Board of Trustees shall be created 1993. This category will be called “Life Membership of the Board of Trustees” .The cost of membership will be $3000.00 in the year 1993.It could be paid in following installments; $1000.00 in the year 1993,$1000.00 in the year 1994, and $1000.00 in the year 1995.

Starting in 1994, the Board of Trustees will decide the fees required for this category of membership for the following year, during the preceding year

Benefits of Life membership of the BOT will be:

i) No yearly dues.

ii)All benefits and rights enjoyed by general membership, general Life membership and the permanent members of Board of Trustees.

iii) Additional benefits may be decided for this class of membership at the discretion of the BOT.

B) Officers of the Board of Trustees:

There shall be a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and a Secretary of the Board of Trustees elected from the permanent members of Board of Trustees.

C) Election of the officers of Board of Trustees:

The nominees for the office shall be duly proposed and seconded by any two members of the Board of Trustees. All duly proposed nominees for the officers shall be presented to the entire board membership for election. The election shall be held in January of each year by a written mail ballots to all the board members to be returned within two weeks. The new officers shall be installed in February of each year

C) Election of the Officers of the Board of Trustees The Working committee of the Board of Trustees: The Board of Trustees shall appoint a working committee of thirteen members. It shall consist of Chairperson, Vice chairperson, secretary, President and immediate past President of the Executive committee, The two elected members at large and six needed additional members elected by the entire board. For conduct of business at least 50% of the working committee members present shall constitute the quorum.

D)The Governing Body of the Board of Trustees: This body will have total twenty-one members. This will consist of 3 officers of BOT, 6 elected permanent members of BOT, and 6 elected members from general body (including President & President – elect and Past President of the Executive committee).The remaining six members of governing board will consist of a Financial Custodian and five chairpersons of various board committees.( Finance, Long range planning, building ,human resources , constitution & bylaws) The committee chairpersons wil be appointed by the BOT chairperson from the voting permanent or Life members of BOT.

The governing body will have the authority to make all the decisions on behalf of BOT with the following exceptions: a) sell of the Temple land, b) planned capital expenditure of over $100,000.00 during one year.

The meeting of the whole BOT should be called when requested by majority of governing body of BOT and/or at the discretion of the Chairperson of BOT, and or at written request of 10 voting members of BOT The request for BOT. meeting should be sent to chairperson of BOT. and must spell out issues involved. Chairperson should try to resolve the issues in the Governing Board initially. If this is not successful , then either whole BOT. meeting or sending ballot can be carried out

Any other members of the Board may attend any meeting of the Working Committee and shall have the right to vote.

The BOT will have various committees to help carry out their function. In the beginning of the year, the committees will be organized by Chairperson and approved by Governing Board. The Governing Board will meet at least four times during the year. Usual standing committees will be 1) Long range planning 2) Board development 3) Building & Grounds 4) Constitution & Bylaws. 5) Finance,6) Human resources. Ad hock committees can be appointed by the chairperson. Permanent BOT members will chair all BOT committees. Majority of members of committees will be BOT members. Nonmembers can be appointed based on need of the committee. All BOT committees will meet as necessary and report to Governing Body. The committee structure & procedure for appointment of chairs & members of committees can be determined & changed by governing body in future.

The duties of the Board of Trustees will be to advice and initiate any suggestions towards the welfare and smooth operation of the temple

The Executive committee will carry out day-to-day activities of the Hindu Temple and will carry out the decisions of BOT. The Executive committee shall inform the BOT of all the activities of the Temple on a regular and periodic basis by sending agenda in advance to the Chairperson of BOT, and subsequently, the minutes of the Executive committee meetings. The Chairperson of BOT may attend the meetings of the Executive committee at his/her discretion. He or she may choose to send a delegate in his/her absence.

E) The Executive Committee shall consist of President, a President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary and a Treasurer. These officers will be elected by the general body for the term of one year.

The five officers of the Executive committee shall be responsible for the form and realization of the Temple’s objectives as well as the operation of the Temple’s premises with the approval of BOT.

The President With The help of officers of the Executive committee shall be responsible for the form and the realization of the Temple’s objectives as well as the operation of the Temple’s premises, with the approval of the BOT. The term of new officers will begin on Jan 1 each year.

G) The Authority to interpret the Constitution and the By-Laws resides with the BOT and the Executive committee. In case of disagreement, the interpretation of the BOT shall prevail.

The President shall conduct elections for the officers in October and November of each year. All the voting will be conducted by a secret ballot sent by mail to all voting members and the decision will be based on the majority votes on the ballots received.

The President will conduct elections involving the General Body members during November of each year This could be done by appointment of nominating committee, similar to Board Development committee. This committee will nominate for President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer , three general body members to represent at BOT. Additional nominations can be made by end of October by submission of signed documents by 10 voting members. The ballots should be sent in mail if there are more than one nomination for a position.

Executive Committee may establish various committees as necessary to conduct the various affair of the Temple.

J) All dues collected from both Life membership categories shall be placed in a separate endowment fund and only interest earned from that can be used.

ARTICLE V

GENERAL BODY MEETING

1) President shall call at least one general body meeting each year during the month of October or November.

All meetings of the temple shall be presided over by the president & conducted according to the conventional rules of parliamentary procedure.

2) The agenda of this annual meeting shall include a) the annual report of Executive committee, including the financial statements.

2) b)the announcement of results for the election of new officers.

c) The transfer of authority to the newly elected Executive body

3) The agenda may be extended by simple majority votes of the Members present at the meeting.

4) Twenty five percent of the voting members shall form a quorum of the general body meeting. To be eligible to vote, a person has to be a paid member at least 60 days prior to the annual meeting.

5) When 30%of membership requests in writing, president must call general body meeting.

Article VI

FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS:

The Temple shall meet its financial obligations through:

a) Membership fees,

b) revenues from the religious and cultural programs,

c) special fundraising activities and

d) donations.

Article VII

AMENDMENTS:

Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws may be proposed by the BOT., Executive committee or by written petition of at least 15 voting members.

All proposed amendments should be received by the BOT. at least 60 days prior the general body meeting. All proposed amendments must be reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees before voting by general body.

The Chairperson of the BOT, may refer the matter to the Constitution and By-Laws committee and/or governing body. The chairperson of BOT must receive all amendments requests in written format.

The proposed amendments with approval of BOT. will be sent to the general body in a written form for voting. The decision will be based on the 2/3 of the majority votes of the ballots received.

The amended constitution and By-Laws shall be effective after a review of the results of voting by the Executive Committee and BOT. The amended constitution and By-laws will be signed by the secretary and the President of the executive committee and the Chairperson of the BOT.; and will be mailed to all voting members.

The amendment will be effective after reviewing the results by the Governing body. The Chairperson of BOT and the President of the Executive committee will sign amended Constitution and By-Laws.

Copies of Constitution and By-Laws should be available in the Temple and should be provided to the voting members if requested.

By-Laws

ARTICLE I General Regulations

1. The temple shall attempt to foster amiable attitudes among the various cultural, linguistic and religious groups of India.

2. The official pronouncement of the Temple shall not include derogatory statements about any nation or religion.

3.The Temple shall not promote any activities that represent anti-American or anti-Indian attitudes.

4. The Temple and its activities shall not be used as a forum for the defilement of the personality of any member.

5. The use of alcoholic beverages and non-vegetarian food will be permitted only in a separate auditorium if there is one built.

6. Smoking will be restricted to non-worship areas of the Temple.

5. The use of alcoholic beverages and non-vegetarian food may be permitted only in a separate auditorium if there is one built.

6. Temple smoking policy – Smoking in the Temple and Heritage hall is not permitted. Applicable state and local laws regarding smoking will be enforced on temple property.

ARTICLE II Objectives

1. Objectives A) through G) of Article II of the Constitution shall be considered the primary objectives of the Temple.

2. Participation in overseas Indian welfare efforts by the Temple shall be contingent upon the conditions.

a) that such activities will not interfere with the achievement of the other objectives of the Temple.

b) that money over and above the required funds of $ 500.00 is available.

c) that at least four members of the Executive committee shall sign a written agreement on the specific welfare organization that should be supported.

d) that the money will be spent on impartial and verifiable welfare activities.

3.The Temple may raise money for previously specified welfare project and send entire amount so raised to the specific organization. It must be approved by the Board of Trustees.

Article II Non religious activities

1) Official participation in overseas Indian welfare efforts by the Temple shall be contigent upon the following conditions:

a) That such activities will not interfere with the achievement of the other objectives of the temple.

b) The executive committee and 75% of Governing board approves such participation

ARTICLE VI

GENERAL BODY MEETING

All meetings of temple shall be presided over by the President and conducted according to the conventional rules of parliamentary procedurw.

2. If in the annual meeting a quorum of 25% of the eligible members is not present, the President shall dismiss the meeting after announcing a date for a substitute meeting to be held not earlier than one week and no later than two weeks after the first general body meeting.

3. In a substitute meeting all eligible members present shall form the quorum and agenda held in such a meeting shall be considerd constitutional.

4. General body meeting will be called by the Executive Committee at any time at least 30% of membership has given written request for that meeting.

Remove whole article VI as it is covered before.

Article III MAJOR DECISIONS

1.For major decisions the Executive Committee shall seek approval from the BOT. The BOT. will give the majority recommendations to the Executive Committee (within two months)

2. The BOT may make recommendations at their own initiatives on any major policy decisions to the Executive Committee with the majority votes by the Board members.

All major decisions require appropriate consultations between the Executive committee and the Governing Body of BOT. The examples of such issues may be

a) Major expansion of the Temple and hall,

b) legal or tax problems,

c) Non-traditional use of the Temple or the hall.

d) Plan to develop temple land.

e) Significant changes in hired or contracted personnel.

Board decision will be final.

Article IV TREASURER

1.The Treasurer will be an elected member of the Executive committee and shall give reports of all transactions to the Executive committee at its meetings.

2.The Treasurer shall be responsible for keeping records of all monetary transactions including receipts, expenses and preparing the balance sheets.

3.The monetary transactions will be done by the authority of Executive committee and cheques will be signed by at least two members of Executive Committee. Any amount exceeding $1000.00 should have written approval by BOT.

4. The annual report will be approved by the Executive Committee with the help of treasurer, before it is presented to the annual general body meeting by the secretary.

3. The monetary transactions will be done by the authority of the Executive committee and checks will be signed by at least two members of the Executive committee. Any amount exceeding $5000.00 should have written approval by the Chairperson of Board of Trustees.

4.The Executive committee with the help of the Treasurer will approve the annual report, before the Secretary presents it to the annual general body meeting. Treasurer will also send annual financial report To members of general body and BOT. The Treasurer will not keep more than $10,000.00 in the bank account. Additional moneys should be transferred to the Financial Custodian.

5. Treasurer will cooperate with financial custodian of BOT regarding transfer of excess funds, maintenance of yearly & long-term record

Financial Custodian: F.C. will be a voting member of BOT for at least 10 years and have established residence in Temple service area. The Custodian will be responsible for records of short and long-term donations of all the members. The Custodian in consultation with Finance committee & or the governing body of BOT will make decisions regarding investments of the Temple funds, which includes an Endowment fund. Custodian will work closely with treasurer & report periodically to governing body , financial status of temple. He or she will also be responsible to report to secretary of BOT & executive committee regarding new BOT members. (By the virtue of meeting donations requirement). CuStodian also will be responsible for 1) financial audit. 2)Tax issues

Custodian term of office ? Method of election ? Selection?

Article

MURTI,POOJA AND FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS

1 Murti: Number ,size ,kind and order of placement will be decided by majority vote of the general body, keeping in mind the monetary resources. Once installed , these Murtis will be permenant and cannot be changed by any means. In case of damage, the same Murti shall be re-installed.

1. MURTI: Number, size, kind and order of placement will be decided by majority votes of the BOT, keeping in mind the monetary sources. Once installed, these Murtis will be permanent. In case of damage, the similar Murti shall be installed, if possible.

2.The Executive committee and the BOT will make decisions on the general guidelines about the types of Pooja and Poojari.

(Old) All segments of Hindu religion will be given equal opportunity to celebrate their own festivities (e.g. “Durgapooja”, “Janmashtami”, “Mahavir Jayanti” “Yajna-Havan”, Guru Nanak Jayanti, and “Deepawali”,etc)The scheduling of these activities will be based on the Hindu calendar. If there is a conflict , then it will be based on a first come first serve basis.

3. All segments of Hindu religion will be given equal opportunity to celebrate their own festivities (e.g. Durgapooja, Janmashtami, Mahavir Jayanti, Yajna-Havan and Deepawali etc.). The scheduling of these activities will be based on the Hindu calendar. If there is a conflict, then it will be based on first come first serve basis.

Please note there has been much revision to this constitution, and much language has been added. But the new language has not yet been Ratified.

S. Jetley : President Hindu Temple of Toledo, 2006

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