Columbia Koach Constitution
Preliminary Notes
- This packet contains KOACH Policy as of Spring 2005. Any updates should include the date instituted. All past and present policy should be kept so as to give help to future Vaads and to maintain a sense of continuity.
- The packet has 3 sections, KOACH Mission Statement, Vaad Responsibilities, and Religious policies.
- All policies are open to change. Due to the ever-changing nature of the KOACH community, these policies should be reviewed on a regular basis to assure that they still represent the desires of the current KOACH community.
- The purpose of maintaining KOACH policy is to give a sense of community through structure, sustain a level of comfort for KOACH constituents, and for the overall maintenance of the greater KOACH organization.
KOACH Mission Statement
The purpose of KOACH is to provide Conservative services and a comfortable, inviting community where people can attend social, educational, and religious programming.
Back to top.Vaad Responsibilities
Note: All KOACH positions serve yearlong terms. When a position is held by two people, the term is staggered.
Co-Chair (2 People)
Responsibilities- Regular attendance at all KOACH functions
- KOACH liaison to the Hillel G-Board and to the Religious Life Vaad
- Running and organizing KOACH Vaad Meetings
- Overseeing and helping other KOACH Vaad Members with programming and responsibilities
- Send out weekly Shabbat announcements to the greater KOACH community
- Attend KOACH Vaad Meetings
- Pre-approve all actions regarding the budget
- Elected by entire community
- Is preferable if applicants have served on KOACH Vaad prior to running for position so as to be familiar with general KOACH administrative practices and have a comfort level with the greater Vaad system
Gabbai (2 People or More)
Responsibilities- Frequent attendance of KOACH functions
- Regular attendance at religious services
- Attendance of KOACH Vaad meetings
- Maintain smoothly running service
- Setup of the service area and rolling of the Torah to correct parsha prior to service start time
- Runs all services - aware of changes to regular service structure
- Lets respective service coordinator know of any changes to the regular service structure
- Hands out aliyot
- Calls out page numbers
- Must be fluent in the structure of all services
- Elected by the Vaad
- Voting on basis of applicant submitted statement of interest and qualifications
Education Coordinator (1 Person)
Responsibilities- Frequent attendance of KOACH functions
- Regular attendance of educational events
- Planning 2-3 educational programs per semester
- Attendance of KOACH Vaad meetings
- Helping to either teach or find a teacher for any constituent interested in increasing his or her knowledge in leading KOACH services or reading Torah
- Elected by the Vaad
- Voting on basis of applicant submitted statement of interest and qualifications
Social Coordinator (2 People)
Responsibilities- Frequent attendance of KOACH functions
- Regular attendance of social events
- Planning 2-3 strictly social programs for the greater KOACH community
- Programs should be of a non-religious nature so as to attract members of KOACH community regardless of religious observance
- Head of Social Committee (if applicable)
- Attendance of KOACH Vaad Meetings
- Elected by the Vaad
- Voting on basis of applicant submitted statement of interest and qualifications
Rosh Hodesh/Festival Coordinator (1 Person)
Responsibilities- Frequent attendance of KOACH functions
- Regular attendance at services, especially those which they are coordinating
- Coordinate Rosh Hodesh and Festival services by finding Torah readers and service leaders in advance of services (ideally begin 2 weeks in advance)
- On Rosh Hodesh responsible for arranging for breakfast (usually bagels and doughnuts) at the conclusion of services
- Responsible for reserving rooms for services
- Regular attendance of Rosh Hodesh and Festival services
- Attendance of KOACH Vaad Meetings
- Elected by the Vaad
- Voting on basis of applicant submitted statement of interest and qualifications
Saturday Morning Coordinator (2 People)
Responsibilities- Frequent attendance of KOACH functions
- Regular attendance at services, especially those which they are coordinating
- Coordinate all Saturday services (Saturday morning and Minha) by finding torah readers and service leaders
- Torah readers and service leaders should be found in advance so as to leave proper preparation time (ideally 2 weeks in advance)
- Regular attendance of Saturday services
- Attendance of KOACH Vaad Meetings
- Elected by the Vaad
- Voting on basis of applicant submitted statement of interest and qualifications
Friday Night Coordinator (1 Person)
Responsibilities- Frequent attendance of KOACH functions
- Regular attendance at services, especially those which they are coordinating
- Coordinate all Friday night services by finding service leaders (Minha, Kabbalat Shabbat, Maariv) and Dvar Torah speaker (ideally 2 weeks in advance)
- Service leaders and Dvar Torah speaker should be found in advance so as to allow for preparation time
- Regular attendance of Friday night services
- Attendance of KOACH Vaad Meetings
- Elected by the Vaad
- Voting on basis of applicant submitted statement of interest and qualifications
Friday Night Dinner Coordinator (2 People or More)
Responsibilities- Frequent attendance of KOACH functions
- Regular attendance at dinners
- Plan 2-3 KOACH-sponsored Shabbat dinners per semester
- Must reserve location, pick menu, advertise event, collect money, and turn in money and receipts to Hillel
- Attendance of KOACH Vaad Meetings before dinners
- Elected by the Vaad
- Voting on basis of applicant submitted statement of interest and qualifications
Webmaster/Webmistress (1 person)
Responsibilities- Semi-regular attendance of KOACH functions
- Management and upkeep of the KOACH website
- Uploading of weekly and special announcements
- Attendance of 1-2 KOACH Vaad Meetings per semester
- Elected by the Vaad
- Voting on basis of applicant submitted statement of interest and qualifications
Religious Policies
General Statements
- KOACH is an egalitarian minyan. This means that both men and women are counted towards a minyan and are encouraged to participate religiously through Torah reading and Service Leading.
- KOACH holds services for all Shabbat, Rosh Hodesh, and holiday services throughout the school year. This excludes the High Holidays and services for the first two nights of Pesah.
Gabbai Up/Gabbai Down
- At all services including Torah reading, KOACH uses a system of Gabbai Up/Gabbai Down.
- This means that one Gabbai will be acting as Gabbai on the Bimah, while the second Gabbai remains in his or her seat so as to ensure that services run smoothly.
- These responsibilities include reminding a person of their aliyah, offering a tallis or kippah to a person prior to their aliyah
- Making sure all Torah readers are present, and handling any possible problems that should arise
- Gabbai Down calls pages
- Gabbai Up, in addition to serving as Gabbai Rishon during the Torah Service is also in charge of handing out honors and reciting the Mourners' Kaddish and Kaddish D'Rabbanan
- In addition, if there is nobody selected to lead a service it is up to the Gabbais to select a leader
- At least two Gabbais should be present at services, with the exception of any service without a Torah reading (including Friday nights) when only one Gabbai need be present (though it is nice to have two, it is unnecessary, and even if all Gabbaim are present at the service it is easy for one person to do all of the responsibilities of the Gabbai at that service)
Amidah
- With regards to the Service Leader's repetition of the Amidah, the Leader is given the option of reciting the Avot version found in Siddur Sim Shalom or an Imahot version found on a separate sheet outside of the prayer book
- Though in general, KOACH uses a repetition of the Amidah, if a service leader is uncomfortable with leading a repetition or due to time constraints, a hecha kedusha can be implemented
Tallit and Kippah
- Tallit and Kippah and Tefillin (where applicable) are required of all males receiving honors to the Torah or leading a service
- Though not required, Tallit and Kippah and Tefillin (where applicable) are strongly recommended for all women receiving an honor or leading a service.
- Prior to an aliyah, the Gabbaim will make such a request. As an egalitarian minyan, ideally, we strive for the same religious rules to apply to all participating members equally regardless of gender.
Friday Night Services
- The start of Friday Night Services corresponds to the candle lighting time for the week
- A kiddush is supplied at the conclusion of the service
Saturday Morning Services
- Saturday Morning Services begin at 10:00
- If no one present is saying Kaddish, services begin at 10:00 regardless of if a minyan in present. If someone present needs to say Kaddish, we will wait no later than 10:10 for a minyan, and then begin regardless of if there is a minyan.
- The expected conclusion of services is roughly 12:00. If the service is running long, service changes are enacted, i.e. no repetition of the Amidah, no Anim Zmirot, etc.
Saturday Mincha Services
- Saturday Mincha services begin 30 minutes before the preceding evening's Friday Night service.
- If the Friday evening service began at 8:00 then the Saturday Minha service begins at 7:30
Rosh Hodesh Services
- Rosh Hodesh services at 7:30 on weekdays. This is done so as to allow people to attend services and still make either an 8:35 or 9:10 class
- On weekends or non-school days, services begin at 9
- Following services breakfast is served