The Members of Har Eitan Makom Shalom (HEMS) have two main goals:
One goal is to participate in (and/or evaluate, plan and implement) a number of on-going educational programs and projects which will raise ecological awareness and encourage personal responsibility, by utilizing the principles of wholistic peace, complementary medicine, sustainable agriculture, conflict resolution and natural time.
The other goal is to arrange professional, political and/or financial support so that the abandoned army base on Har Eitan can be transformed into a distinguished "Living Memorial" and a unique "International Community Center".
Both goals are for the benefit of children and adults, in Israel and abroad.
ARTICLE 1: NAME
1.1 The name of the non-profit organization will be "Har Eitan Makom Shalom" abbreviated: HEMS. This name is translated into English as "The Mt. of Strength and Place of Peace". Likewise it can be translated into any other language, but the name "Har Eitan Makom Shalom (HEMS)" should be mentioned at least once in each official document
ARTICLE 2: GOALS
2.1 We will arrange professional, political and/or financial support so that the abandoned army base on Har Eitan can be transformed into a distinguished International Community Center and Memorial
2.2 We will participate in (and/or evaluate, plan and implement) a number of educational programs and projects which will raise ecological awareness and encourage personal responsibility, by utilizing the principles of wholistic peace, complementary medicine, conflict resolution, sustainable agriculture and natural time
ARTICLE 3: CONTACT INFORMATION
3.1 All legal documents necessary to maintain HEMS will be filed with: the Ministry of Interior, The Non-Profit Section, Jerusalem
- a) names, addresses, phone numbers and signatures of directors will be
provided along with each position and the beginning and ending dates of
their terms
b) an annual report, will explain the financial report, general membership information, changes in leadership and/or amendments (if any), the previous years highlights, and the next years goals
c) the financial report will detail income and expenditures for the year
d) list of members' names, addresses, legal ID numbers and membership dates
e) signed minutes ('protocol') of each steering committee meeting
3.2 The main office of the non-profit organization will be at:
- 23 Keren Kayemit St., Maoz Tsion (the western edge of Jerusalem)
3.3 Many other 'official' ways will exist to contact HEMS. These currently include:
- telephone:(02) 570-2248
fax: (02) 570-2249
mail: Box 40044, Mevaseret Tsion, 90805 Israel
e-mail: dream@shani.net
website: https://members.tripod.com/~Har_Eitan
ARTICLE 4: CO-DIRECTORS (also known as DIRECTORS)
4.1 All the business and property of HEMS will be managed by a steering committee of 7-12 'Co-directors'. This committee will consist of a 'Chairperson', an 'Assistant Chair', a 'Secretary', a 'Treasurer', and 3-8 other directors. ( Hopefully there will be a Russian, Hebrew, English and Arabic 'Spokesperson' in each steering committee )
4.2 The directors will be elected by popular vote and will serve a term of three years. 7 consecutive years is the maximum number of years that anyone can serve in a particular position on the steering committee
4.3 The directors agree, to the best of their ability, to:
- a) provide current contact information to the Ministry of Interior, Non-Profit
Section, Jerusalem and to the membership
b) attend all steering committee meetings
c) stay informed of developments regarding Har Eitan
d) vote responsibly
e) act within the law
f) understand and fulfill the duties assigned to their position as outlined in Article 7
g) enlist the help of professional advisors (i.e. attorneys, accountants, ...) if and when necessary
h) promote the goals of HEMS with as many people as possible
4.4 Directors can be removed from the steering committee if, and only if, all of the following conditions occur:
- a) the director in question is warned in writing, when possible, that there
is a danger of being removed from the steering committee
(the warning should be at least two weeks before any further action is
taken)
b) the director in question is given a chance to resign and/or make a statement prior to a vote concerning the removal
c) there is a unanimous decision for the removal by the other directors
4.5 If a director wishes to resign, the resignation should be submitted in writing to the chairperson or the secretary. Copies of the resignation will be distributed to the remaining directors and made available to the members.
4.6 If a director resigns or is removed, the remaining directors may appoint a replacement for the remainder of the fiscal year. But at the next annual meeting, the members will be given the chance to elect a new director
ARTICLE 5: MEETINGS
5.1 At least 4 steering committee meetings should be conducted each year. One meeting, near the end of each fiscal year will be known as the 'annual meeting'. The annual meeting will be open to all members; and it will be the place where the annual report is presented. The annual meeting will also be the only time that new directors are elected and new amendments are voted on
5.2 Meetings can be called by the chairperson or a 2/3 majority of the directors
5.3 An official meeting can only take place under the following circumstances:
- a) the chairperson conducts the meeting (the assist chair may conduct the
meeting if the chairperson or a 2/3 majority of the directors request)
b) a majority of the current directors are present
c) all the directors and advisors were properly notified two weeks before the meeting
5.4 Any director that completes a full three year term, will be considered an advisor for the following three years. Advisors are welcome at all steering committee meetings. Advisory posts can also be granted and revoked according to a decision by the steering committee
5.5 All decisions in the steering committee must have the support of 2/3 of the directors who are present. Under special conditions (outlined by the steering committee), directors may submit an absentee vote. Normally, these votes will be carried out by a show of hands, but upon the request of two or more directors a secret ballot can be conducted instead.
ARTICLE 6: MEMBERSHIP
6.1 Regular membership is open to anyone regardless of nationality, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, education, physical abilities or social status. By requesting membership, we are in basic agreement with the goals and procedures defined by these by-laws
6.2 Membership will begin when the secretary or the treasurer receives a signed membership application form and the appropriate registration fee
6.3 The membership form must include the name, address and legal ID number of the prospective member
6.4 Each member will receive an official membership acceptance letter from the secretary stating the dates that the membership began and when it legally expires. Each one will also receive deep and sincere appreciation
6.5 Lifetime membership is granted to select members so that they do not have to pay an annual fee. A lifetime member will have all the rights and priviledges of a regular member. To become a lifetime member, one needs to be approved by the steering committee. Each director who serves a full three year term is automatically granted lifetime membership. Plus any member who contributes over 1000 US dollars or completes four years of study at HEMS is eligible for lifetime membership
6.6 All members have the right to:
- a) make suggestions
b) read any materials published by HEMS
c) contact the directors
d) attend general meetings
e) vote in elections
f) nominate directors
g) propose amendments
h) volunteer for special interest committees
(i.e. nominations, elections, public relations, translation ... )
6.7 Membership is automatically cancelled if the annual fee is not received before the expiration date found on the membership letter. It can also be cancelled by a unanimous decision of the steering committee if a member is convicted of a felony or publicly makes a statement in conflict with our basic mission statement.
6.8 Membership renewal is automatic upon the receipt of the annual fee
6.9 The membership fee will be set each year by the steering committee, but it will not exceed 20 US dollars a year. This fee can be paid in cash, check or money order in US dollars or the equivalent in Israeli shekels
ARTICLE 7: DUTIES OF THE DIRECTORS
7.1 The Chairperson will, to the best of his/her ability:
- a) arrange and conduct 4 (or more) steering committee meetings
b) ask the Assistant Chair to conduct the meeting if unable to attend
c) take responsibility to oversee that legal requirements are fulfilled
d) supervise all activities of HEMS
e) authorize checks along with the Treasurer
7.2 The Assistant Chair will, to the best of his/her ability:
- a) arrange and/or conduct meetings when the chairman asks
b) observe that legal reguirements are fulfilled
c) assist in the supervision of HEMS as directed
7.3 The Secretary will, to the best of his/her ability:
- a) take notes at the steering committee meetings
b) make (and keep) a record of the 'minutes' based on these notes
c) send an official 'protocol', signed by the chairperson, to the Ministry of Interior within two weeks of each meeting
d) assist the Chairperson with documentation and phone calls
7.4 The Treasurer will, to the best of his/her ability:
- a) receive and deposit all funds relating to HEMS within one week
b) record all transactions regarding HEMS
c) make payments only when authorized by the steering committee to do so
d) establish and/or maintain bank accounts
e) authorize checks along with the Chairperson
f) present quarterly reports to the steering committee
g) prepare a financial report at the end of each year
7.5 Each Spokesperson will, to the best of his/her ability:
- a) see that important information is translated into Russian, Hebrew, English
and Arabic
b) inform the members from each of these language groups
c) speak with the media in his/her native tongue when appropriate
7.6 Directors without specific duties will, to the best of their ability:
- a) look for ways to assist specific duty directors
b) be prepared to replace a specific duty director if the need arises
c) head special interest committees, like nominating and election committees
ARTICLE 8: FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
8.1 Only the steering committee may authorize a person or organization the right to enter into a contract with HEMS. If someone donates time, money or other resources to HEMS, the steering committee may authorize some compensation.
8.2 All loans for HEMS must be authorized by the steering committee
8.3 All checks issued in the name of HEMS will be signed by the chairperson and the treasurer
8.4 All donations, tuitions, rents, and/or other payments will be deposited in the bank account for HEMS within one week of their receipt. Under no condition will any of HEMS funds be lent out or used for any other purposes besides those established in these by-laws
8.5 HEMS shall adhere to the financial policies established by the State of Israel and the Ministry of Interior, The Non-Profit Sector, Jerusalem
8.6 The fiscal year of HEMS shall be a specialized calendar year, based on the first new moon on or before the spring equinox
ARTICLE 9: AMENDMENTS AND BALLOTS
9.1 Any member can propose an amendment by writing a 'Proposal to Amend the By-laws' and by sending it to the secretary of HEMS. Each of the directors as well as the advisors will be given a chance to examine the request.
9.2 But in order to put a proposed amendment on the ballot, it must have the support of the steering committee or a petition with 100 members names, addresses and signatures
9.3 The 'ballot' for new directors will be made by a 'nominating committee' once a year. Only members who agree to be on the ballot may be placed there. Potential directors must submit a written statement of their intentions along with their background and their contact information
9.4 The final ballot (or a reduced version of it) must be approved by the steering committee one week before the annual meeting
9.5 After the election, the ballots will be counted by the 'election committee'
9.6 Directors will simply be elected by the most votes. But in order to accept an amendment, a 2/3 majority of actual voters must vote 'FOR' it
ARTICLE 10: MODIFYING THE MISSION STATEMENT
10.1 Once we obtain permission to transform the abandoned army base on Har Eitan into a distinguished International Community Center and Memorial, the first goal in the Mission Statement will automatically be changed to: Our first goal is to provide (and/or support the) professional services and natural products on Har Eitan so that the abandoned army base can be maintained as a distinguished "Living Memorial" and a unique "International Community Center"
10.2 Any other changes in the Mission Statement must be made by an ammendment supported by a unanimous decision of all the directors
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