Adopted May 6, 1969
(This edition includes all amendments and revisions as of May 11, 1993) Revised and approved May 8, 2007

Table of Contents
Article I - Name Page 4
Article II - Purpose Page 4
Article III - Eligibility for Membership Page 4
Section 3.1 Requirements for Membership
Section 3.2 Applications for Membership
Section 3.3 Recommendations for Membership
Section 3.4 International Memberships
Section 3.5 Formulation of Additional Standards for Membership
Article IV - Termination of Membership Page 6
Section 4.1 Continual Compliance to Standards
Section 4.2 Violations of Ethical, Moral and/or Professional Standards
Article V - Dues and Assessments Page 7
Section 5.1 Annual Dues
Section 5.2 Suspension of Dues
Section 5.3 Assessments
Article VI - Officers Page 8
Section 6.1 Elective Officers and Term of Office
Section 6.2 Appointive Offices
Section 6.3 Composition and Powers of the Executive Council
Section 6.4 Vacancies in Executive Council
Section 6.5 Authority of Officers

Article VII - Meetings Page 9
Section 7.1 Annual Meeting
Section 7.2 Special Meetings
Section 7.3 Quorum
Section 7.4 Executive Council
Section 7.5 Voting

Article VIII- Standing Committees Page 10

Article IX - Regions Page 12
Section 9.1 Establishment
Section 9.2 Policies
Section 9.3 Publications

Article X - Nominations and Elections Page 13

Article XI - Parliamentary Authority Page 13

Article XII - Indemnification Page 13

Article XIII - Amendments Page 13

Bylaws of the Cantors Assembly, Inc.

I. Name
The name of this organization shall be the Cantors Assembly, Inc. Hereinafter referred to as the Cantors Assembly. The Hebrew name shall be K'nesset Hahazzanim.

II. Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be to promote and advance the traditions of Jewish religious worship; to maintain the highest standards among Hazzanim as clergy and to provide for their commissioning as Hazzan-Minister; to preserve and enlarge the liturgical and sacred musical heritage of the Jewish people; to advance the cause of Jewish learning and Jewish music; to promote the welfare of the members; to foster collegiality and cooperation among all engaged in the sacred calling of Hazzanut; and to act in concert with the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, the Rabbinical Assembly, the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and other arms of the Conservative movement.

III. Eligibility for Membership

3.1 Requirements for Membership
The following shall be eligible for membership and commissioning as a Hazzan-Minister:

3.1.1 Any graduate of the H.L. Miller Cantorial School (formerly known as the Cantors Institute of the Jewish Theological Seminary) of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America who shall receive the diploma of Hazzan within five (5) years of his or her graduation.

3.1.2 A graduate of Hebrew Union College, School of Sacred Music-Jewish Institute of Religion or similar level of cantorial school approved by the Executive Council who shall receive the appropriate degree or diploma and passes an abbreviated examination and personal interview within two (2) years of his or her graduation.

3.1.3 A graduate of any other recognized school of Hazzanut who shall receive the appropriate degree or diploma and passes the full formal written and oral examinations and personal interview in effect at the time of the application for membership as prescribed by the Membership Committee. Such applicant must have served as a Hazzan in a duly constituted and functioning congregation for two (2) consecutive years. This experience may be acquired simultaneously while enrolled in cantorial school. Determination as to which schools shall be so recognized will be made by an accreditation committee and approved by the Executive Council.

3.1.4 Any cantorial intern or cantorial soloist over twenty-five (25) years of age, with appropriate training, who before applying for membership shall have served five (5) consecutive years as a full-time cantorial intern or cantorial soloist in a duly constituted and functioning congregation, and who passes the full formal written and oral examinations and personal interview in effect at the time of the application for membership as prescribed by the Membership Committee.

3.1.5 Candidates may apply to participate in the Cantorial Intern of the Cantors Assembly program (CICA); if they are graduates of a recognized college or university who meet age, skills and Jewish observance standards as set forth by the Membership Committee including at least two (2) hears pulpit experience. They will receive mentorship and up to six (6) years to pass the required written and oral examinations towards full membership. CICA participants will be subject to dues and other assessments as determined by the Executive Council. They must follow the religious and ethical protocols of the Cantors Assembly.

3.1.6 Cantorial school students who attend a recognized cantorial school may apply to participate in the Cantorial Intern of the Cantors Assembly program (CICA) before completing the two (2) year pulpit experience requirement. They will receive mentorship and up to six (6) years to pass the required written and oral examinations. CICA participants will be subject to dues and other assessments as determined by the Executive Council. They must follow the religious and ethical protocols of the Cantors Assembly.

3.2 Application for Membership

3.2.1 All candidates for membership shall apply in writing on a membership application form provided by the Cantors Assembly.

3.2.2 A cantorial student of the H.L. Miller Cantorial School of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, or any other accredited school of Hazzanut recognized by the Executive Council, may apply for membership during the six months preceding such student's scheduled date of graduation. Receipt of a written application and satisfactory completion of a personal interview with the Membership Committee shall entitle such student to admission to membership as of the date of graduation.

3.2.3 Candidates for membership other than those meeting the standards of Article 3.2.2, shall be required to be interviewed by the Membership Committee and to pass a standardized oral and written examination to be administered by the members of the Membership Committee.

3.2.4 The Membership Committee shall review applications submitted under Section 3.1 to ensure compliance with these bylaws prior to submission to the Executive Council for approval.

3.3 Recommendation for Membership
The Membership Committee shall forward recommendations of candidates for membership to the Executive Council for its approval by vote of a majority of the Executive Council membership. Such votes may be made at Executive Council meetings or by votes taken at tele-conference calls or polling of members via e-mail and/or U.S. Postal Service, Federal Express or equivalent delivery services. Notification to the membership at large, seeking their approval as well, shall be distributed to colleagues through minutes of the Executive Council or other means, at the discretion of the President.

Members shall have 30 days from the date of publication of these names to submit in writing to the President any objection to the election of the candidate. If no objections are received at the end of the 30 day period, the candidate will be elected as of that date. If objections are received, the application will be reconsidered at the next meeting of the Executive Council whose decision by majority vote of those present and voting shall be binding.

3.4 International Membership
Any candidate for membership residing outside the United States, Canada or Mexico may apply for membership as a non-resident member under such procedures and standards as adopted by the Executive Council from time to time. A non-resident may apply for regular membership, pursuant to the other provisions of Article III, at such time as non-resident member becomes a resident of the United States, Canada or Mexico.

3.4.1 International members will be assessed an annual fee, set by the Executive Council, to fulfill their dues requirement. This fee must be paid in U.S. currency.

3.4.2 An international member relocating to the United States or Canada must apply for full membership and be accepted in order to retain affiliation with the Cantors Assembly. Placement, as a member, will not be provided until that status is changed and he/she has consulted with a member of the Placement Commission.

3.5 Formulation of Additional Standards for Membership
The Executive Council shall have the right to formulate additional or otherwise modify standards for membership, subject to ratification by majority vote of the general membership.

IV Termination of Membership

4.1 Continual Compliance to Standards
A member once elected must continue to meet enunciated standards for membership and comply with such standards of ethical, moral and professional conduct promulgated by the Executive Council.

4.2 Violations of Ethical, Moral and/or Professional Standards
When a member is accused of having violated standards of ethical, moral and/or professional conduct, such violation will be investigated by the Ethics Committee which will report its findings to the Executive Council.

4.2.1 All Charges involving ethical, moral and/or professional misconduct must be made in writing to the President of the Cantors Assembly.

4.2.2 Members accused of having violated standards of ethical, moral and/or professional conduct shall have the opportunity to defend themselves before the Ethics Committee and shall have the right to representation by legal or other counsel.

4.2.3 If disciplinary actions are deemed necessary, the Ethics Committee will make a recommendation to the Executive Council. If, in the judgment of the Executive Council, the charges have been substantiated, the Council, upon two-thirds vote, shall impose appropriate discipline or penalty, including "suspension" or "expulsion" from membership.

4.2.3 (1) "Suspension without prejudice" may be recommended by the Ethics Committee. A member suspended without prejudice may be reaccepted upon meeting the requirements for membership once again, and must apply for readmission by addressing a letter to the President stating the reasons for such request. The President will report to the Executive Council for approval or rejection of the request for readmission. A member who has been suspended without prejudice for longer than two years may be required to submit to the examination by the Membership Committee. Outstanding debts to the Cantors Assembly must be paid at the time of application for readmission to membership.

4.2.3 (2) The term "expulsion" shall apply to a member who has failed to comply with the standards of the calling of the Hazzan. A member who is "expelled" may apply for readmission not earlier than one year from the date of expulsion. Such a member shall follow the procedures for application for membership as set forth in Article III of these bylaws. In addition, such member shall address a letter to the President stating the reasons for such a request. A member who has been "expelled" for two years or less may be readmitted without examination. A member who has been "expelled" for longer than two years may be required to submit to examination by the Membership Committee. Outstanding debts to the Cantors Assembly must be paid at the time of application for readmission to membership.

4.2.3 (3) A member who wishes to temporarily leave the Assembly to pursue another career may ask for a "leave of absence." This member may be reaccepted upon meeting the requirements for membership once again, and must apply for readmission by addressing a letter to the President stating the reasons for such request. The President will report to the Executive Council for approval or rejection of the request for readmission. A member who has been "on leave" for longer than two years may be required to submit to examination by the Membership Committee. Outstanding debts to the Cantors Assembly must be paid at the time of application for readmission to membership.

4.2.4 Any member who has failed to pay dues for a period of twelve (12) months may be suspended from membership by the Executive Council until satisfactory settlement is made.

V Dues and Assessments

5.1 Annual Dues
Annual membership dues shall be payable as of January 1st of each year and be paid no later than March 31st of that year. As of April 1st, if dues remain unpaid such member shall be considered in arrears and therefore no longer a member in good standing.

5.2 The schedule of dues shall be recommended by the Executive Council and ratified by a majority vote of the general membership taken at the Annual Meeting of the Cantors Assembly.

5.3 The Executive Council may cancel or suspend any dues which are due from any member.

5.4 Assessments
The Executive Council may, by majority vote, make such assessments upon the membership as it deems necessary for the financial well-being of the Cantors Assembly. Such assessments shall be approved by a majority vote of the membership at the Annual Meeting.

VI Officers

6.1 Elective Officers and Term of Office
The Elective officers shall be President, Senior Vice President, two additional Vice Presidents with portfolios to be determined by the President, Treasurer and Secretary. They shall be elected at the Annual Meeting and shall hold office for a term of one year or until their successors shall have been elected. All elective officers shall serve for no more than two consecutive one-year terms in their respective office. Each of the three vice presidential positions is considered a separate office.

6.2 Appointive Officers
The appointive officers shall be an Executive Vice President and an Executive Administrator.

6.2.1 The Executive Vice President shall be responsible for the administration of the affairs of the Cantors Assembly in consultation with the elected officers. The Executive Administrator shall act as an assistant to the Executive Vice President and perform such other duties as may be designated by the Executive Council.

6.2.2 Upon a vacancy occurring in the office of Executive Vice President or Executive Administrator, a Search Committee consisting of three Past Presidents, two members of the Executive Council and two members at large will be appointed by the President. The President shall designate the Chair of the Committee from any of the three Past Presidents. The Committee shall establish its own rules and procedures which shall include preparation of a job description, interviewing process and terms of employment. The Committee shall make its recommendation to the Executive Council within sixty days of its appointment for action on such recommendation at the next regularly scheduled or specially called meeting of the Executive Council. The recommended candidate shall then be submitted to the general membership for ratification at the next Annual Meeting. The Executive Council may appoint an acting Executive Vice President and/or Executive Administrator in case of emergency.

6.2.3 Compensation for all personnel shall be fixed by the officers with approval of the Executive Council. All elective officers shall serve without compensation.

6.2.4 The Executive Council has the authority to hire additional personnel including office staff, Placement Directors and other professional staff as needed.

6.3 Composition and Powers of the Executive Council

6.3.1 The Executive Council shall consist of the officers discussed in Sections 6.1 and 6.2 plus 21 members who shall be elected for terms of three (3) years. Nominees must be members in good standing for a minimum of three (3) years. No member who has served on the Executive Council shall be eligible for re-election until one (1) year shall have elapsed after concluding their term. No more than seven (7) new (three year) Executive Council nominations will be made in any one year. Presidents, upon the expiration of their term of office, shall automatically serve as ex-officio members of the Executive Council. Ex-officio members of the Executive Council and those who have been or may in the future be designated by the Executive Council as ex-officio members thereof shall be members of the Executive Council with full voting powers.

6.3.2 The Executive Council shall determine and approve the amount for reimbursement of expenses incurred by the officers and members of the Executive Council.

6.3.3 The Executive Council by a majority vote shall have the authority to transact the business of the Cantors Assembly between Annual Meetings and such other authority granted to it under these bylaws.

6.4 Vacancies in Executive Council
Vacancies in the Executive Council shall be filled by members who have been in good standing for a minimum of three (3) years. They shall be appointed by the President to fulfill the outstanding terms and approved by the Executive Council.

6.5 Authority of Officers
The Officers shall have the authority to transact the administrative business of the Cantors Assembly between the meetings of the Executive Council.

VII Meetings

7.1 Annual Meeting
The supreme authority of the Cantors Assembly shall be vested in the membership at the Annual Meeting which shall meet at such time and place as the Executive Council may designate subject to the provisions of these bylaws.

7.2 Special Meetings
Special meetings of the general membership may be called by the Executive Council. The Executive Council shall be required to call such a meeting upon the written petition of fifty members in good standing.

7.3 Quorum
Thirty members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business at the Annual Meeting and at special general membership meetings.

7.4 Executive Council
The Executive Council shall meet no fewer than two times each year. Special meetings of the Executive Council may be called by the President or upon the written request of ten members of the Executive Council directed to the President. Notice of all meetings shall be sent in advance to all members thereof.

7.4.1 Eleven members of the Executive Council shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the said Council.

7.4.2 Members of the Executive Council who shall fail to attend two consecutive meetings without valid reason may, upon a majority vote of the Executive Council, be suspended from office.

7.4.3 The Executive Council may establish guidelines that Executive Council members must fulfill in order to retain their seats on this body.

7.5 Voting
In all cases of voting, either on amendments to these bylaws or on motions or resolutions, or on any other matter, whether at the Annual Meetings, meetings of the Executive Council, or by mail, wherever the words "two-thirds" or "majority" are used, the words "of those in good standing and voting" are understood to follow.

VIII Standing Committees

8.1 Appointments by the President
The President, with the approval of the Executive Council shall appoint chair people for the following committees and such other committees as the President may deem necessary during his or her term of office. The President and the Executive Vice-President shall be ex-officio members of all committees.

8.1.1 Membership Committee
To be responsible for the formulation and maintenance of standards for membership and for the Cantorial Intern program. It shall recommend candidates for membership. The Membership Committee will also recommend participants of the CICA program for placement to the Placement Committee in accordance with Article III.

8.1.2 Finance Committee
To be responsible for the preparation and submission of an annual budget prior to the beginning of each fiscal year for approval by the Executive Council. The Treasurer shall chair the committee.

8.1.3 Publications
To recommend to the Executive Council musical and scholarly works for publication by the Cantors Assembly.

8.1.4 Editorial Board, Journal of Synagogue Music
To be responsible for editing and publishing the "Journal of Synagogue Music"

8.1.5 Endowment Committee
To be in charge of all fund raising activities of the Cantors Assembly.

8.1.6 Convention Planning Committee
To be charged with the responsibility of arranging for the annual convention and its programs.

8.1.7 Convention Management Committee
To be charged with the responsibility of carrying out the logistical details of the Annual Convention.

8.1.8 Ethics Committee
To carry out its function in accordance with Article IV, Section 4.2. Members and CICA participants are bound by the terms put forth in the "Cantors Assembly Code of Professional Conduct."

8.1.9 Education Committee
To be responsible for creating educational materials and programming for youth and adults to further Jewish music and Tefillah (prayer). The committee may also prepare materials and programming for professional development of the member Hazzanim.

8.1.10 Recruitment Committee
To be responsible for searching out people who may be interested in the Cantorate as a career and recruiting members for the Cantors Assembly or prospective students for the Miller Cantorial School from among practicing Hazzanim, Cantorial Interns and soloists.

8.1.11 Ambassador Committee
To arrange for hazzanim to spend time in communities that have not been exposed to the expertise of a professional Hazzan.

8.1.12 Dor L'Dor Committee
To be responsible for pairing H.L. Miller Cantorial School students with experienced Hazzan-mentors in the field.

8.1.13 Israel Affairs Committee
To maintain spiritual and cultural ties with the State of Israel through prayer, social action and periodic convocations.

8.1.14 CIMCA Committee (Cantors Institute, Miller Cantorial Alumni)
To foster a close relationship between alumni of the Cantors Institute, the H. L. Miller Cantorial School and both the school and the Cantors Assembly. This committee will recommend to the Nominations Committee one representative as a voting member of the Executive Council.

8.1.15 Retirees Committee
To protect the interests of our retired members, plan conferences as desired and help younger members prepare for retirement.

8.1.16 Placement Committee
8.1.16 (1) The Placement Committee shall be comprised of members appointed by the President, up to two observers representing the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism and may include one student observer from the H.L. Miller Cantorial School of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America who will be invited to participate in all meetings. One of the appointive officers of the Cantors Assembly shall serve on the Committee ex-officio.

8.1.16 (2) Members and CICA participants must comply with all terms and policies found in the "Cantors Assembly Placement Practices Code." A copy of such code shall be distributed to each new member and to the membership at large at such times as the code is amended.

8.1.16 (3) Non-members seeking placement, should the Cantors Assembly choose to provide this service, must also comply with the placement code promulgated from time to time by the Executive Council. A copy of such code shall be distributed to each non-member at the time of application for placement. A fee for placement of non-members shall be set by the Executive Council.

IX Regions

9.1 Establishment
Members of the Cantors Assembly may, with the approval of the Executive Council, establish local regions of the Cantors Assembly. The geographical area to be included in any region shall be approved and shall be subject to review by the Executive Council. A region may be dissolved or added only by action of the membership at the Annual Meeting.

9.2 Policies
Every region of the Cantors Assembly shall support and implement the objectives and policies of the Cantors Assembly. Each region shall be autonomous in the pursuit of its program, provided that its actions shall be in consonance with the national policies of the Cantors Assembly and meet with the approval of the Executive Council.

9.3 The regions of the Cantors Assembly shall forward to the national office copies of all of its minutes, public statements, programs, publications and a written report for presentation at the Annual Meeting.

X. Nominations and Elections
The President shall appoint a Nominating Committee on or about January 1st of each election year, whose duty shall be to select nominees for the representative elective offices. The Nominating Committee shall submit its slate to the membership in writing at least six weeks prior to the Annual Meeting. Additional nominations may be made by delivering to the President a nominating petition signed by thirty-five (35) members in good standing no later than sixteen days before the Annual Meeting. Election shall be by a majority vote of the members present and voting. No other nominations may be made from the floor.


XI. Parliamentary Authority

11.1 The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised (1990 Edition) shall govern the Cantors Assembly in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws.

11.2 A member appointed by the President and approved by the Executive Council shall serve as Parliamentarian of the Cantors Assembly.

XII. Indemnification
Any person made a party to any action, suit, or proceeding by reason of being an officer, member of the Executive Council or member of any committee of the Cantors Assembly, shall be indemnified by the Cantors Assembly against any and all liabilities and all reasonable expenses, including attorneys fees, actually and necessarily incurred in connection with the defense of such action, suit or proceeding, or in connection with any appeal therefrom, except in relation to matters as to which it shall be adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding that such officer, member of the Executive Council or Committee member is liable for fraud, illegal or unethical activities, willful dereliction of duty or gross misconduct in the performance of any delegated responsibility or designated duty. If a settlement is reached in the action, suit or proceeding with the consent of the Executive Council, full indemnification shall be provided.

XIII. Amendments
Amendments to these Bylaws must be submitted in writing to the Executive Council. If approved by a two-thirds vote of the Executive Council, the amendment shall be submitted in writing to the members of the Cantors Assembly at least thirty (30) days before the Annual meeting. If approved by a two-thirds vote at the Annual meeting, it shall be declared adopted. The Executive Council may, at its discretion, submit the amendment to the members of the Cantors Assembly by mail, requesting a vote by mail within thirty (30) days after the proposed amendment has been submitted to the members. Upon approval by a two-thirds vote by mail, the amendment shall be declared and adopted.