At April’s chapter meeting we will be making an important decision about our status as a chapter of SURJ National.
SURJ National has undertaken a process to formalize the relationship between the National organization and chapters. They are asking chapters to either sign a legal agreement and abide by a “relational charter” or disaffiliate from the network and cease using the SURJ name and National resources.
At our chapter meeting on April 9th (note date change due to Passover!) we will be conducting our chapter-wide decision-making process to address this issue. This proposal is a bit different from past proposals in that it is being brought to the process by the whole Leadership Crew (LC), rather than a small subgroup of members.
Due to the importance and complexity of this issue and the short timeline given to chapters to make this decision, the LC has already had a number of conversations, conducted research including consulting with a lawyer, and developed a proposal that the LC has come to consensus on.
Please join us on April 9th from 6:30-8:30pm to discuss the proposal, ask clarifying questions, make amendments, and come to consensus! The proposal will be sent to SURJ NYC members before the chapter meeting. Please read the proposal and the legal agreement and relational charter linked within it before the meeting. Members will also be given information on how to give feedback if they cannot be present for the meeting.
Important reminder: Last October, SURJ NYC established a more formal membership structure. Part of that approved proposal was that only SURJ NYC members participate in the chapter-wide decision-making process. Everyone is welcome to come to observe but we will ask that only members use their red, yellow, and green “cards” to express agreement or disagreement and suggest modifications. If you want to participate in this process, sign up as a SURJ NYC member!
Onward,
SURJ NYC