A New Constitution in MHR

November 6, 2024
Sydney Shankman

New York, New York, United States

Class of 2025

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Fostering inclusivity is paramount in youth organizations. To enhance the sense of belonging within the Manhattan region, I proposed new legislation allowing BBG and AZA one unified constitution. This initiative addresses Manhattan’s smaller region size, allowing everyone to come together to make decisions for the region as a whole. In addition, Manhattan’s two separate constitutions had not been touched for the past three years, so it was necessary to create a new slate for the future of board meetings. 

The journey began with recognizing the limitations of separate meetings, which inadvertently alienated members seeking a more integrated experience. I drafted the legislation emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and collaboration. Within the legislation, there is a separate BBG and AZA ritual section to ensure the traditions remain and our election processes are separated. However, this unified document provides a much easier and compact way to deal with new legislation. 

The amendment passed with a two-thirds majority. Since then, our entire board has been working on creating the b-laws to our constitution that will be presented at our Fall Convention in November. 

This new approach paves the way for future MHR leaders and members, creating a culture where diversity is celebrated. By allowing BBG and AZA to collaborate, we set a precedent for unity, encouraging members to embrace their identities. Ultimately, this legislation strengthens our community,  making sure that every member feels comfortable and we can engage in democratic board meetings.

Sydney is a BBG living in New York City in Manhattan Region who loves listening to music.

All views expressed on content written for The Shofar represent the opinions and thoughts of the individual authors. The author biography represents the author at the time in which they were in BBYO.

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