Charter of USCJ Committee on Social Action and Public Policy

Adopted December 4, 2005

This Charter defines the scope of activity and process for the Committee on Social Action and Public Policy.

I. Composition of Committee

The International President and the committee chair(s) will make every effort to reflect geographic and political diversity in the composition of this committee so that it is all-inclusive in its design and representation.

II. Scope of Activity and Responsibility

There are two distinct but related areas of activity.

A. Social Action

1. The objective of the social action program of the USCJ is to assist member congregations in mobilizing their congregants to advance the causes of social justice.
   • The Committee shall seek to collect and disburse information on innovative and successful congregational social action activities to member congregations.
   • The Committee may develop programs for gemilut hasadim and provide materials for such programs to member congregations.
2. A secondary objective of the social action program is to mobilize the USCJ itself as an organ of gemilut hasadim, as, for example, in the case of collecting and disbursing funds or organizing specific resource distribution.

B. Public Policy

1. The objective of the public policy program of the USCJ is to create a visible national presence in North American countries to advocate policy choices consistent with the values of Conservative Judaism. To accomplish this the Committee shall develop positions on matters of public debate. The Committee shall be non-partisan and guided by halacha which binds our conduct and continues to evolve. The issues the Committee addresses will lend themselves to the unique and distinguishable voice of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
2. A secondary objective of the committee is the development of resolutions stating positions on issues of importance, which may be adopted at the USCJ Biennial Convention or, in the period between conventions, by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee. In the period leading up to the Biennial Convention, the Committee shall solicit topics from member congregations as well as draw upon its own awareness of matters of policy debate that are current or are expected to be of importance.

III. Procedures

1. The President and the Executive Vice President are the official spokespersons for the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
2. Upon deciding that an issue warrants consideration by the Committee, the Committee shall:
   1. ensure that the position it recommends to the President is consistent with any adopted resolution of the USCJ addressing the issue.
   2. create an issue paper explaining the issue and the position that the USCJ should espouse. Whenever a new issue paper is created, it shall be posted on the website of the USCJ and electronic notice of the posting shall be provided to the Board of Directors.
3. If a position the Committee desires to recommend is not within policy that has been adopted by the Executive Committee, Board, or Convention, the Committee shall seek its adoption by drafting a resolution for consideration at the next meeting of the Board of Directors or Convention.
4. Where time is of the essence, the Committee shall recommend the adoption of the position to the President who shall obtain the concurrence of the USCJ Cabinet. In such event the position shall be posted on the USCJ website, electronic notice of the posting shall be provided to the Board of Directors, and documentation shall be contained in materials provided to the Executive Committee and the Board at their next meetings.
5. The USCJ will not routinely state positions on nominations of individuals to non-elective office. Where the Committee believes circumstances warrant, it will recommend a position to the President who, if the Executive Committee concurs by a 2/3 majority, is authorized along with the Executive Vice President to state the position publicly.
6. Prior to the issuance of a formal statement of a position of the USCJ on a matter of public policy interest, notice (including a copy of such statement) shall be provided to the Board of Directors. Where appropriate and feasible, the President should transmit same to the other affiliates of the Conservative movement.
7. This Charter shall be reviewed annually by the Board of Directors of United Synagogue.