WE NEED YOUR VOTE to ensure that the re-vote on the Proposed Bylaws (for the Special Meeting of Oct. 5) will have enough participation to meet the requirements of our current bylaws.

A Special Meeting of the Congregation has been called to approve the proposed Amended and Restated Bylaws as we did NOT have sufficient ballots cast (paper/fax/email combined) at or before the Annual Meeting to approve the bylaws. Even though those who DID vote were overwhelmingly in favor of the proposed new bylaws, less than 50% of the membership participated in the voting, which means that the proposed bylaws were not adopted. For all the proposed bylaws changes to be adopted, they must be approved by an affirmative vote of a majority of all the members of the Congregation.

All eligible adult voting members will receive a ballot in the mail in early July. If yours did not arrive or if it's lost or misplaced (or if you don't want to await the arrival of the mailing), please follow these instructions. If you have any questions, please call the Executive Director, Irv Duchowny, at 650-813-9094 ext 206.

1. Review an electronic version of the ballot (PDF)

• Note that there is a weblink in the ballot to the information on the website regarding the proposed Bylaws.

2. If you wish to vote by EMAIL:

• Send your email before the deadline of noon, Oct. 2, 2008.
• Your email must include your name.
• Your message should PLEASE make it clear if you are voting FOR or AGAINST the NEW BYLAWS recommended by the Board.
• Send the email to

Note: If your spouse or partner is eligible to vote, s/he must send his/her OWN email that also follows these instructions.

3. If you wish to vote by paper ballot via U.S. POST or by PERSONAL DELIVERY

• Print the ballot PDF—one ballot per eligible adult member.
• After filling out your ballot, place in an envelope and WRITE YOUR NAME CLEARLY in the upper left corner of the envelope. If your spouse or partner is also eligible to vote, s/he may use the same envelope, but WRITE BOTH NAMES CLEARLY in the upper left corner of the envelope.
• Address the envelope to Congregation Etz Chayim, Attn: BALLOT, 4161 Alma Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306.
• Mail it early enough to be received by Etz Chayim by Oct. 2, 2008, or bring it to the office by the deadline of Noon on June 19, 2008.

4. If you wish to vote by paper ballot via FAX:

• Print the ballot PDF—one ballot per eligible adult member.
• After filling out your ballot, create a cover page for your fax that includes YOUR NAME. If your spouse or partner is also eligible to vote, s/he may use the same fax, but YOU SHOULD EACH WRITE YOUR NAMES CLEARLY on the COVER PAGE.
• Fax the cover page and ballot(s) to 650-813-9024 before the deadline of noon, Oct. 2, 2008.