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Article IX of Constitution

SECTION 6. Nominating Committee
The President shall appoint the Nominating Committee, which shall consist of the Chairman, and not less than six (6) nor more than sixteen (16) additional voting members of the EC.  
At least 70 days before the first session of each Biennial Convention, there shall be sent to each Affiliate, the names of the chairman and members of the Nominating Committee.  The notice shall also inform each affiliate of its right to make recommendations to the committee of candidates for nomination to be elected members of EC as provided in Article VIII.
A copy of the recommendations shall be sent to each member of the Nominating Committee by the MRJ Office not less than 60 days before the first session of the Biennial Convention.
Recommendations may be made in writing by no less than seven (7) members of the EC or by resolution of an Affiliate.  The recommendation(s) shall be sent to the office of the MRJ, not less than 45 days before the first session of the Biennial Convention.  
Not less than 30 days before the first session of the Biennial Convention, the Nominating Committee shall report and publish nominations to the EC.  Tom Wiener Chairs Nominating Committee - twiener@aol.com

MEN OF REFORM JUDAISM
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY 15, 2017

Meeting convened at 9:00 am by President Steven Portnoy.

The following Reports were given to the EC:

1.         Report on forthcoming MRJ Convention.  Convention will be held in July, 2017, at the Marriott in Crystal City outside of Washington, DC.  Our convention will be held at the same time as the FJMC convention, although certain events, and, in particular, religious services, will be conducted separately.  Several prominent speakers have been invited, and are expected to attend and address the attendees, including former Congressman Barney Frank, and possibly other present and/or past government officials such as Rabbi David Saperstein, Ambassador for religious affairs in the Obama administration and former director of the Religious Action Center.
2.         Report on ideas and suggestions for fund raising was presented by Larry Krasnoff.  This committee has adopted the name GELT- for Giving Embraces Lesson of Tzedukah. Presentation of fundraising suggestions were:
a)         EC members committing to make annual contributions;
b)         Voluntary member donations from men belonging to Brotherhoods and/or others
3.         Rob Himmelstein spoke about revisions to the constitution and by-laws of MRJ. Some minor changes have been made but more significant revisions should be ready by the July convention and a final version should be ready for review and discussion by that time.
4.         Bob Ingrum gave a report on the Committee for Social Action (CSA).  Bob sits on this committee (it is a Religious Action Center {RAC}) committee) and, in particular, on a sub-committee regarding sexual assault on campus.  He related his experience at the most recent meeting and a discussion ensued about the extent of “social action” which included whether or not the URJ, and especially MRJ should become involved in politics.  One topic of discussion was whether we should make any statement regarding cabinet appointments and, in particular, the attorney general nominee, Sen. Sessions.  President Portnoy reported that the RAC had taken a position in opposition to the nominee.
5.         Treasurer’s Report.  In the absence of Treasurer Paul Cohen, Dan Checkman gave an abbreviated Treasurer’s Report.  We have approximately $500 left in Citi Bank and they are closing our account.  Remaining funds are in a segregated account with the Union and a new account will be set up for MRJ.  Our funds that have been held by URJ are being returned to us.  URJ is holding approximately $69,500 of our money.
A Motion was made and seconded to pay the outstanding amount to FJMC.  Motion was passed unanimously.
Mention was also made about a website "TechSoup.com" which provides free and/or low cost software and hardware for non-profits. MRJ has purchased a three-user version of Quickbooks 2017 for non-profits. Our Treasurer and two Assistant Treasurers have each received a copy.

Good and welfare followed the announcements and reports.  (Old business and New business were covered in the above reports.)

Meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.

 /s/ Larry Pepper
Larry Pepper
MRJ Secretary