Beth El Synagogue Center USY Teen Leadership Board 2020-2021 United Synagogue Youth, METNY Board Guidelines Taken from Pages 1-2 of the METNY Regional Constitution, amended 2013-2014 Preamble We, the members of the New York Metropolitan (METNY) Region of the United Synagogue Youth (USY), of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, realizing that all Jewish youth must continuously strive for the perpetuation and strengthening of Judaism and cognizant of the historical and cultural background of the Jewish people, do hereby ordain and establish and Constitution of the New York Metropolitan Region of the United Synagogue Youth in order to further these principles. Article I. Values/Aims/Purpose/Objectives Section 1.01 Values 1. Friends/Kehillah 2. Leadership skills 3. Jewish Identity 4. Connection to the State of Israel 5. Jewish Education Section 1.02 Aims The New York Metropolitan Region of the United Synagogue Youth shall attempt to offer multiple avenues of engagement and leadership for the Jewish youth to strengthen their identification with Judaism, community and Israel, making Judaism a daily practice. The METNY Region of USY seeks to develop a spiritual, cultural, and social program based on personality development through individual encounters, needs, and interests for the USYers. The youth of the Region will experience the Jewish way of living through study, prayer, action, and friendship. This will lead to personal fulfillment and growth, while meeting their spiritual and social needs. Consequently, this will show the worth of making a significant impact on their kehillah, community, society, and the Jewish People as a whole. Section 1.03 Purpose The purpose of the Metropolitan New York Region is to run successful programs, to stimulate Jewish learning, leadership, and personal growth throughout the Region, Divisions, and Chapters. The Region shall serve the chapters (the core unit of the Region) in coordination with the Divisions within its jurisdiction. Section 1.04 Objective These objectives can be accomplished through programs conceived and directed by elected and appointed members with assistance and guidance from staff members hired by the Region or volunteering for the Region. These programs should be directed towards motivating and inspiring members to fulfill their individual goals and the goals of the METNY Region and USY. The METNY Region of USY therefore dedicates itself to: 1. Jewish education by instilling in its members a passion to engage in various methods of Judaic study and to establish new study programs within their chapters and communities that will help the average USYer live a Jewish life at home. 2. The observance of Shabbat and Holidays in a manner outlined by the Conservative Movement by encouraging its members to attend services and join their families in observing Shabbat and Holidays regardless of the extent to which Shabbat and Holidays are celebrated and by requiring the Regional and Geographical Area officers to observe the laws of Shabbat at all times in public and whenever possible in private. We strive to educate and encourage some practice that the USYer deems fit. 3. The observance of Kashrut, in accordance with the laws outlined by the Conservative Movement, by encouraging and educating all members to observe Kashrut in their private lives and by requiring the Regional and Geographical Area officers to observe the laws of Kashrut at all times in public and whenever possible in private. 4. Religious observance through the fulfillment of the mitzvot (commandments), both ethical & ritual, so as to encourage the individual to form a strong Jewish identity & to enable the USYers to make an informed choice as to the degree of personal observance in later years. 5. Prayer, as a means of individual and communal communication determined by the comfort level of each USYer. Prayer is not only limited to davening in Hebrew, but also includes reading the English, personal meditation, speaking to God, and any avenue of personal fulfillment decided by the USYer. 6. The State of Israel and the Zionist movement by encouraging its members to partake in programs to support Israel monetarily, verbally and spiritually. We carry out educational programs on the current events of Israel and Israeli awareness and promote a Zionistic attitude at all possible times. Our programs also enshrine Ahvat Yisrael (the love of Israel) in the USYers of the METNY Region, today and the years to come. 7. The strengthening of the Chapter by supporting each and every chapter in their programs and events, directors, and Chapter Boards. Chapter visits and updates are imperative to the success to the METNY Region; communication is key and must be stressed. The Region will encourage all members or potential members to participate in Chapter programs and events. This Region will support the Divisions in the same way. 8. The upstanding world community by taking an active stand against racism, sexism, homophobia, anti Semitism, bullying of all kinds, bigotry, hatred, and all other prejudices since we, as Jewish youth, understand the suffering of others, based on our relationship to Jewish history, and dedicate ourselves to human welfare and a united world for peace. 9. Self-expression and uniqueness by encouraging its members to make creative contributions to the Jewish tradition through innovation and experiment in worship and ritual, as well as self-expression in the fields of art, literature, music and drama. Also, the Region encourages its Divisions and Chapters to sponsor religious, cultural, social and athletic activities. 10. Fun and friendship, that USYers with rigorous and hectic schedules, deserve. By creating an environment that will connect USYers with each other throughout their lives. 11. International USY by promoting participation in International Convention, USY Pilgrimage, USY on Wheels, Nativ, USY High and all USY International clubs (i.e., Abraham Joshua Heschel Honor Society, Chalutzim, and 613 Mitzvah Corps). The Beth El Synagogue Center Teen Leadership Board Guidelines for the 2020-2021 school-year have been updated by the Director, Bekkah Gold, as of May 7, 2020 Beth El Synagogue Center USY Teen Leadership Board 2020-2021 United Synagogue Youth, METNY Board Guidelines Article II Board Members Section 2.01 The Beth El Synagogue USY Board, in this order, as follows: 1. President(s) 2. Israel Affairs Vice President 3. Religion/Education Vice President 4. Social Action/Tikkun Olam Vice President 5. Membership/Kadima Vice President 6. Communications Vice President 7. 9th Grade Representative(s) 8. Senior Fellow(s) Section 2.02 If Beth El teens do not run for all positions, those positions may not be filled for the 2020-2021 school year. The Director will then speak to Beth El teens about ways to fill the position’s responsibilities. Section 2.03 Once the Board is decided upon, there will be the opportunity to be a part of Grade Committees to help with recruitment for any and all USY events (including but not limited to chapter programs; learning opportunities; community service; divisional events; regional events) in September 2020. In addition, there will always be the opportunity for any and all Beth El teens to chair events at Beth El Synagogue Center, as the board is also required to do. There may be an opportunity to help plan a divisional or regional event at Beth El Synagogue Center, which will partly be the responsibility of the Board to execute as well. This may look different given circumstances because of COVID-19. See Director for more information. Section 2.04 General Board Guidelines To run for the Beth El Synagogue Center 2020-2021 Teen Leadership Board, the following guidelines must be met by all Board members: 1. Every board member must take part in planning and implementing at least 50% of chapter events during the 2020-2021 school year at Beth El (including but not limited to creating a new program, chairing a pre-planned USY event, adding a USY component to an already existing Beth El youth community or family program, new learning opportunities, Shabbat experiences, etc.) 2. Every board member must attend at least 65% of applicable Beth El teen experiences (including but not limited to USY programs, learning opportunities, Shabbat or holiday experiences, family programs, youth programs, etc.) and at least one divisional or regional event throughout the 2020- 2021 school year. 3. Every board member is required to post about events on social media (including but not limited to chapter, divisional, and regional events on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.) at least once prior to the event or as directed by the President(s) and/or the Director. 4. Every board member is required to contact (including but not limited to calling, texting, emailing, or utilizing private Facebook messaging) the call list of teens provided by the Director prior to events (including but not limited to chapter events; divisional events; regional events). Additionally, board members are expected to come up with new, innovative methods of advertising and engagement throughout the year. a. Board members are expected to get to know at least three of the teens on their lists very well to better understand their needs and interests. Therefore, when they contact these teens, board members can use their discretion when thinking about teens’ interest in the variety of programming offered at Beth El. The Beth El Synagogue Center Teen Leadership Board Guidelines for the 2020-2021 school-year have been updated by the Director, Bekkah Gold, as of May 7, 2020 Beth El Synagogue Center USY Teen Leadership Board 2020-2021 United Synagogue Youth, METNY Board Guidelines 5. All board members must attend Beth El Teen Leadership Board Meetings every other week or as they appear in the calendar during the 2020-2021 school year and must find the time for regular conversations/meetings with the Director.