Board Structure – Hindu Temple and Community Center of Michiana

Hindu Temple and Community Center of Michiana, Inc.
P. O. Box 6763, South Bend, Indiana 46660-6763

General Information

The aim is to somehow (one way or the other) bring the community together. Hindu Temple and Community Center of Michiana, Inc. may be referred to as the Organization from here onward. The Organization structure consists of three bodies:

Board of Trustees
Executive Board
Board of Operations.

A quorum of 50 percent of any one of three Organizational structure body is required for meeting of that body. And, at least 60 percent votes of any Organization body are required to make any policy change for that body. Regardless of reason (s), any member of the Executive Board or Board of Operations not attending at least 67 percent of the regular meetings of that body in a calendar year will be automatically disqualified from the membership of that body. Only the members present in a meeting are allowed to vote on any topic and no proxy vote will be allowed. There will be no monetary compensation to any member of the Organization body. A regularly employed priest will be monetarily compensated and cannot represent any Organization body.

All Executive Board members present in a meeting will have equal voting rights. However, in the case of a tie in number of votes, the President’s vote will be the deciding criteria. Under any circumstances, no Executive Board member (except President and Executive Director) can directly communicate with Board of Operations director or member. The Secretary of the Executive Committee will be directly dealing with the director of technology services. At least two members of the executive board (treasurer, president, and executive director) must sign any payment (check or otherwise). In case of a vacancy on the Executive Board, the President can nominate and fill that position. In case of subsequent vacancies on the Executive Board, the majority of the executive committee (excluding the President) will nominate the new member.

Any proposal from the Executive Committee shall be implemented by the respective Board of Operations. On the other hand any proposal from the Board of Operation needs to be approved by the Executive Committee before implementation.

The general elections will be held once in three years in the month of January.

Descriptions

Board of Trustees

Any individual or family by paying one time contribution of $25,000 (or more) for capital spending from April 1st to March 31st of the consecutive calendar years may nominate one member of the Board of Trustees. Board of Trustees will work with the Executive Board for smooth and successful operation of the Organization. No member of the Board of Trustees can do any business (for profit) with the Organization. The position on Board of Trustees has no monetary value. Any member of the Board of Trustees leaving the Board shall automatically forefeet all his/her rights and cannot appoint any replacement. 75% of The Board of Trustees (with at least 5 members) may fire any and all members of the Executive Board (including President) if the Organization is not working properly.

Executive Board

President
The President can call the Executive Board meetings if and when necessary and presides over the meetings. Board of Operations will also report to him/her. The President with the majority vote of the Executive Board can dismiss member(s) of the Executive Board or member(s) of the Board of Operations from his/her/their duty.

Specific duties:

Conducts and overseas regular meetings of the Executive Board for HTCCM operations,
Understands and complies with applicable laws and bylaws,
Maintains relationship with donors and community members,
Maintains a positive culture in the organization.

Vice-President
The Vice President will take care of the responsibilities of the President in his/her absence.

Specific duties:

Monitors progress to insure that all tasks necessary for successful operation are completed when needed
May help the Secretary of the Executive Board (if needed) for temple newsletters and communication to the Community membership.

Secretary
The Secretary will be the communication person of the organization. The secretary will be responsible for maintaining the membership and non-membership data base up to date,

Specific duties:

Interact with the Director of Technology Services for maintaining and updating website,
Communicating information of all upcoming events (or new information) to all members and prospective members, and
Maintaining and keeping all meetings record of the Executive Board.

Treasurer
The Treasurer will keep track of all bank accounts and maintain all financial aspects of the temple proceeds and actions. He/she will be required to answer all questions (if any) by the Director of Legal and Auditing Services.

Specific duties:

Issue the proper receipts to the donors for tax purposes before December 31st of the respective year,
Collect all the donations from Donation boxes in the temple in presence of another Executive Board member. Under no circumstances, the donation boxes will be opened by a single individual.
Deposit money in banks,
Along with the President, and Executive Director has the signature authority in financial transactions.

Executive Director
The executive Director is in-charge of all temple activities and Board of Operations. The Executive Director is a team member of the Executive Board.

Specific duties:

Conduct and oversee regular meetings of the Director of Operations if and when necessary,
Maintains relationship with donors and community members,
May help fundraising committee for fund raising activities, and
Will work with the Executive Board and Directors of Operations in all temple related activities.

Member-at-large
The Member-at-large is a team member of the Executive Board. He/she will envision and plan the next phase of the temple and will work with the Executive Board to maintain future relationships of the temple in order to help future growth.

Director(s) of Operations

Executive Director
The executive Director is in-charge of all temple activities and Board of Operations. The Executive Director is a team member of the Executive Board.

Director of Charitable Activities
Charitable activities include organization and coordination of all temple-related charitable activities.

Director of Communication and Public Relations
Communication and Public Relations will include maintaining relationships with local government, organizations and ordinances.

Director of Food services
Food services include maintaining a strict vegetarian food in the premises along with maintaining proper sanitation and hygiene, Prasad, and scheduling of all food services into the temple.

Director of Fund Raising
Fund raising activities will include regular fund collection for all current and future temple activities, and coordinating and organizing special events. He/she will have to be extremely active in fund raising through his/her vision and creativity. He/she will be dealing with the Executive Director for fund raising activities.

Director of Legal Affairs and Auditing Services
This position will be responsible for all legal matters of the Organization and regular auditing of the financial statements.

Director of Promotion
Promotional activities include promotion and coordination of regular newsletters, special events, and other temple events.

Director of Technology Services
Technology Services include website, television, public and private announcements. In general, he/she will be directly working with the Secretary (or Executive Director) of the Executive Board.

Director of Temple Affairs
The temple affairs include Murthi Sthapanas, schedule of temple events to be communicated to the Secretary, organization and successful completion of all daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly temple events.

Director of Temple Development and Maintenance
Temple Development and Maintenance include temple construction and modifications, maintenance of premises, lawns, and parking lot.