• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Skip to footer navigation

  • Calendar of events
  • 687 Larch Av, Teaneck NJ
  • 201-836-5187
  • Contact Us
  • DONATE
Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Leader
      • Leader Curt Collier
      • Leader’s Talks
      • Joe Chuman, Retired Leader
        • Talks by Dr Joseph Chuman
        • Speaking of Ethics: Living a Humanist Life
        • Wedding Officiant
    • Gatherings
    • FAQ
      • How does Ethical Culture make a difference in society?
      • What social life is there in Ethical Culture?
      • How is Ethical Culture religious?
    • Ethical Brew
    • Ceremonies
    • Philosophy
    • Constitution & Bylaws
    • Contact Us
  • Sunday School
    • About Our Sunday School
    • Primary Class
    • Elementary Class
    • Junior Class
    • Senior Class
    • Sunday school FAQ
    • Sunday School News
  • Social Action
    • History of Our Social Action
    • All Social Action Articles
    • Battling Racism
    • Environmental Action
    • Healthcare
  • Adult Education
    • About Our Adult Ed Programs
    • Open Mic
    • Conversemos
    • Job Club
    • Accountability Circle
      • Anti-racism
      • Gender Explorations
    • Mindfulness Mediation
    • Socrates Cafe
    • Ethical Culture Review of Books
  • News
    • All News
    • President Column
    • UN Report
    • Gathering Addresses
    • Member News
    • Sunday School News
  • EVENTS

Members Pass Budget and Constitutional Changes

November 28, 2020

We again held a successful full membership meeting via Zoom. The primary business of the Nov. 15 meeting was voting on our budget for next year and the proposed Constitutional changes.

Joe, in reporting on the State of the Society, noted his upcoming retirement and observed that events have a coloring of sadness. I noted the gift we are preparing for Joe, a book illuminating some of his prodigious legacy. To have your personal tribute to Joe be a part of this book, please send it to Beth Stein ([email protected]) or Theresa Forsman ([email protected]) by Dec. 10.

I noted that Joe’s leadership style promoted active lay leaders in the Society, so we’ll be relying on our ability to step up as we move forward. The Leadership Advisory Committee is searching for an interim leader (see article, Page 3) to help the community with the transition. A larger search committee will be formed to take on the task of finding a permanent leader.

Reduction in revenue

The budget discussion was led by Finance Co-Chairs Esther Sandrof and Lucy Lettis. There were some assumptions made in the development of the budget, but they noted that given the unknown fallout of the virus, it may need to be revisited. There was some reduction in expectation of revenue, given the inability to fundraise via the Skills Auction and Ethical Brew. Rhymes and Reasons, our main rental, might have an uncertain future, as universal preschool may be instituted.

Some expenses were reduced, given Joe’s retirement; budgeted leader salary costs were cut by 20 percent. We are assuming we may be back in the build-ing, with some degree of normalcy, by next September. The budget of almost $212,000 passed unanimously.

The Constitution and Bylaws Committee presented amendments to the Constitution that had been approved by the Board of Trustees. The changes mostly reflected how the board and committees currently perform their duties, electronic notification to the membership, simplification of some of the language, and allowing modification of specifically mentioned dates for events. These amendments passed unanimously. 

Suggested topics for spring

A larger discussion of topics to be addressed for the spring membership meeting was held. Suggested topics included: withdrawal language, proxy voting, minimum pledge, restrictions on the Commemorative Fund, restrictions on co-chairs, relaxing requirements for board positions and committee chairs, and moving some language to the bylaws. These topics will be addressed by the Constitution and Bylaws Committee and Board of Trustees through the winter and spring, for consideration at the spring membership meeting.

Thank you to all who participated.

Susan Lesh, president

Primary Sidebar

Ethical Brew is Back!

Ethical Brew Coffeehouse

Recent News

  • Calling All Families to our Fall Festival!
  • We Grow and Flourish When We Help Others Do the Same
  • Members, Friends Join March to End Fossil Fuels
  • Open Mic Variety Night Gets Even Better!
  • A Sleepover Under Stars and Amid Bright Lights

Sign up for our newsletter.

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

We believe in ethics. We believe in people.

Please believe in us.

About Us

Ethical Culture was founded to focus on community and good works, rather than personal salvation. Read more…

Archives

Footer

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Connect with Us

Address: 687 Larch Ave, Teaneck, NJ 07666
Phone: 201-836-5187
Email: [email protected]

Sign up for our newsletter.

 

Recent Posts

  • Calling All Families to our Fall Festival! September 19, 2023
  • We Grow and Flourish When We Help Others Do the Same September 18, 2023
  • Members, Friends Join March to End Fossil Fuels September 18, 2023
  • Open Mic Variety Night Gets Even Better! September 18, 2023
  • A Sleepover Under Stars and Amid Bright Lights September 14, 2023
Our Society’s Covid-19 Guidelines

We believe in ethics. We believe in people.

Please believe in us.

Topics

atheism atheist church book review children civil rights climate change community compassion death democracy Doris Friedensohn education Elizabeth Warren environment environmentalism Ethical Brew ethical community Ethical Culture ethical education ethics family Felix Adler gender happiness healthcare humanism humanist humanists human rights Israel Joseph Chuman LGBTQ+ politics racism religion Secular Humanism social action Socrates Cafe Sunday School technology transgender Trump unemployment world health youth

What We Do For Fun….

There's always time for play: celebrations, discussions (some in Spanish -- find Conversemos on our calendar), hikes, picnics, cultural outings, and more. Come join us!
Kids get into the act
Diane running the show

Important Links

  • Member of the American Ethical Union
  • Ethical Brew
  • Sanctuary Committee
  • BC Gun Violence Prevention
  • NJ Website Designer
© 2023 | The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

Copyright © 2023 · Kreativ Pro On Genesis Framework · The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County · Log in

  • Calendar of events
  • 687 Larch Av, Teaneck NJ
  • 201-836-5187
  • Contact Us
  • DONATE