BYLAWS of the COMMISKEY-WHEAT
DETACHMENT
Section 500 of the National Bylaws.
Under Section 500 of the National Bylaws of the MARINE CORPS LEAGUE,
the following Detachment Bylaws are set forth.
ARTICLE I - Name
The name of this Corporation shall be known as the Commiskey-Wheat
Detachment, Marine Corps League, Inc., hereinafter referred to as
"Detachment".
ARTICLE II -
Purpose
Section 1. To
preserve the traditions and to promote the
interests of the United States Marine Corps, to band those who have
been honorably discharged, retired from that service, or are presently
on active duty in fellowship that may effectively promote the ideals of
American freedom and democracy; to fit its members for the duties as
citizens, as they have served the Nation under arms; to hold sacred the
history and memory of the men who have given their lives to the Nation;
to foster love for the principles which they have supported by blood
and valor since the founding of the Republic; to maintain true
allegiance to American institutions; to create a bond of comradeship
between those in service and those who have returned to civilian
life; to aid voluntarily to render assistance to all Marines and to
former Marines, as well as to their widows and orphans; to perpetuate
the history of the U. S. Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe
the anniversaries of historical occasions of peculiar interest to
Marines.
Section 2. This
Detachment is no formed for profit, but is formed for
promoting the ideals and purposes enumerated above. The net
earnings shall be devoted exclusively to charitable, educational,
operational, and recreational purposes as defined by state and local
statues, and also as set forth in the National Bylaws of the Marine
Corps League.
Section 3. Net earnings
are defined as monies in excess of that
required in the service and discharge on any and all financial
obligations.
ARTICLE III -
Meetings
Section 1. Regular
monthly meetings shall be held on the first
Thursday of each month, unless a majority of the membership present at
a regular meeting decides otherwise. Any notice of special
meetings or change of regular meeting dates shall be given to the
membership by the Adjutant by mail/telephone at least five (5) days in
advance of said meeting. If the regular monthly meeting falls on
a holiday, or for some other reason cannot be held on the regular date,
the Board of Trustees, by majority vote, may select some other day in
that month or delete the meeting for just cause.
Section 2. Meetings
of this Detachment shall be conducted with
the order and precedence of the National Marine Corps League Bylaws and
Roberts Revised Rules of Order.
Section 3. The
Detachment Commandant or a majority of the Board
of Trustees shall have the power to call a special meeting of the
Detachment at any time, meeting the same requirements of advance notice
be given the membership as specified in Section 1 above.
Section 4. A
minimum of ten (10) members of the Detachment must
be present, including a majority of the elected officers, to constitute
a quorum at a monthly meeting.
Section 5. The
Board of Trustees shall meet at the call of the
Commandant, at least once each quarter, and as often as said Commandant
may deem necessary. The Commandant shall call a meeting of the
Detachment Board of Trustees upon the joint written request of three
(3) or more members of said Board. Six (6) members of the Board
shall constitute a quorum thereof.
Section 6. The
Detachment Charter, or a copy thereof, the
National and Marine Corps Colors and a Bible shall be displayed at all
regular business meetings.
ARTICLE IV -
Officers
Section 1. The
government and management of the Detachment is
entrusted to a Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall
develop a Standard Operating Procedure for the management and
expenditure of funds for the guidance of the Budget and Fundraising
Committee.
Section 2. The
Board of Trustees for this Detachment shall
consist of the following elected and appointed officers:
Commandant; Senior Vice-Commandant; Junior Vice-Commandant; Judge
Advocate; Adjutant; Paymaster; Chaplain; Service Officer; and Sergeant
at Arms. The Commandant, upon completion of his/her office will
also become an ex officio member of the Board of Trustees as Junior
Past Commandant.
Section 3. All
elections of Officers shall be by ballot and the
candidate receiving a majority of votes of those present and voting
shall become elected.
Section 4. The
Commandant shall appoint a nominating committee
biannually in January of each even numbered year. The nominating
committee shall prepare a recommended slate of Officers for
presentation during the February meeting. Additional nominations
may be made from the floor at this meeting. Election of Officers
shall be held annually during the March meeting. Newly elected
Officers are to be installed during the April meeting.
Section 5. Duties of the Commandant
a. To preside at all meetings of the Detachment and Board of
Trustees, as set forth in these Bylaws.
b. Direct the affairs of the Detachment as prescribed by the
Board of Trustees.
c. Shall appoint committee members as required, including
standing committees.
d. Shall appoint additional committees as deemed necessary,
subject to approval of the Board of Trustees.
e. Serve as a member of all committees, ex officio.
f. Shall make the final ruling on questions of order, subject to
an approval by the membership of the Detachment.
Section 6. Duties of the Senior Vice-Commandant
a. Shall, in the absence or incapacity of the Commandant, perform
the duties of the Commandant.
b. Shall also perform the duties delegated by the Commandant
and/or the Board of Trustees.
c. Shall be responsible for entertainment and social events of
the Detachment.
d. Shall serve as chairperson of the Budget and Fundraising
Committee.
Section 7. Duties of the Junior Vice-Commandant
a. Shall assist the Commandant in the discharge of his official
duties.
b. Shall assume the duties of the Commandant in the absence or
disability of both the Commandant and the Senior Vice-Commandant.
c. Serve as Chairperson of the Membership Committee.
d. Shall also perform the duties delegated by the Commandant
and/or the Board of Trustees.
Section 8. Duties of the Judge Advocate
a. The Judge Advocate shall be in charge of the administration of
all legal matters of the Detachment.
b. Shall interpret and advise on any matter or questions
concerning the Constitution and Bylaws of the Marine Corps League and
of this Detachment.
c. Shall be available to all Detachment Officers and Committees
for legal advice pertaining to their duties and responsibilities.
d. Shall serve as the Chairperson of Detachment Bylaws Committee.
Section 9. Duties of the Adjutant
a. Shall have charge of and keep a full and correct record of all
proceedings of all meetings, keeping such records as Department and
National organizations may require.
b. Render reports of membership annually or when called upon at a
meeting.
c. Keep current lists of names, addresses, and telephone numbers
of all current and previous members.
d. Under direction of the Commandant, read and handle all
communications and correspondence of the Detachment.
e. Perform any additional duties assigned by the Commandant
and/or the Board of Trustees.
f. Shall read all communications, documents, and applications for
membership.
g. Shall record and maintain for posterity, a full and complete
account of all Detachment business meeting.
h. Shall serve as the Chairperson of the Birthday Ball Committee.
Section 10. Duties of the
Paymaster
a. Shall have charge of all finances and see that they are safely
deposited in a local bank or banks, as designated by the Board of
Trustees.
b. Shall prepare a monthly report for the Board of Trustees,
reflecting the condition of the finances of the Detachment, with such
recommendations as he/she may deem expedient or necessary for raising
funds with which to carry on the activities of the Detachment.
c. Shall sign all checks disbursing the monies of the Detachment.
d. Be responsible for ensuring that all checks written on the
Detachment account, other than those payable to National and State
offices of the Marine Corps League, be signed by a minimum of two (2)
Officers. The Paymaster and at least two other designated
Detachment Officers, either the Commandant, Senior Vice or Junior Vice
or Adjutant, should be legally qualified to sign checks by bank records.
e. Retain and produce, upon request, all financial records ,
vouchers and papers required for the proper maintenance of the
Detachment account and/or for the required annual audit.
Section 11. Duties of the
Chaplain
a. Shall be charged with the spiritual welfare of all members and
will offer divine but non-sectarian services in the event of
dedications, funerals, public functions, meetings, etc.
b. Adhere to such ceremonial rituals as are recommended by
Department or National, from time to time.
c. Perform any additional duties assigned by the Commandant or
the Board of Trustees.
Section 12. Duties of the
Sergeant at Arms
a. Assist the Detachment Commandant in keeping order at all
meetings.
b. Assure that only paid-up members of the Marine Corps League
and authorized guests are admitted at meetings of the Detachment.
c. Be responsible for the proper arrangement of the meeting area,
to include, but not limited to, the placement of both colors and be
responsible for the conduct of balloting during elections.
d. Perform any additional duties assigned by the Commandant or
the Board of Trustees.
Section 13. Duties of the
Service Officer
a. Shall be responsible for bringing to the attention of all
members and their dependents, the rights and benefits granted to them
by law.
b. Will also serve as Chairperson of the Veterans Affairs and
Rehabilitation or Service Committee, and perform other duties as
assigned by the Commandant.
Section 14. Duties of the
Junior Past Commandant
a. The immediate Past Commandant shall assume this office
automatically, without further election as the new Commandant is
installed and takes office.
b. Shall be the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee and
supervises the election of officers.
c. Serve as Assistant Chairperson of the Membership Committee.
d. Perform any additional duties assigned by the Commandant or
the Board of Trustees.
Section 15. Vacancies of
Elected Officers
a. Resignation, death or unexcused absence of three (3)
consecutive meetings by any elected officer shall constitute a vacancy
of said office.
b. The Board of Trustees shall hold a special election to replace
said vacancy for the remaining term of office at the next regular
meeting of the membership.
ARTICLE V -
Membership Eligibility
Section 1. Regular
Membership
a. Persons who are serving or have served honorably in the U. S.
Marine Corps for not less than ninety (90) days and persons who are
serving or have served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and have earned
no less than ninety (90) Reserve Retirement credit points, shall be
eligible for regular membership in the Marine Corps League.
b. All regular members shall be entitled to vote, but to be
eligible to vote, a member must have a current membership card,
indicating all dues have been paid.
c. Applications for membership shall be accepted and processed in
accordance with the provisions as set forth in the National Bylaws (MCL
app form, verified proof of service, signed by a sponsor, including
cash or check for the full amount required).
Section 2. Associate
Membership
a. Those individuals not qualified for regular membership in the
Marine Corps League who espouse
the principles and purposes of the Marine Corps League as contained in
its Congressional Charter, may, upon acceptance, will pay dues in the
same amount as prescribed for regular members, including initiation
fees. A membership pin, similar to the design and style of the
approved regular membership pin, indicating "Associate Member" will be
issued by National Headquarters upon acceptance.
b. An Associate Member shall be entitled to all rights,
privileges, and benefits of a regular member, except such member may
not vote, or hold an elective office. They may however, be
appointed to committees by the Commandant, subject to approval of the
membership.
Section 3. Honorary
Membership
a. The Detachment may issue Honorary Membership with discretion,
as prescribed in the National Bylaws.
Section 4. Membership Dues
and Fees
a. The payment of annual National Membership Dues entitles all
members in good standing an automatic subscription to the Marine Corps
League publication and enrollment privileges in any National Group
Insurance Program that may be in effect.
b. The Detachment Board of Trustees shall present its suggested
dues rate to the Detachment membership following the National
Convention or no later than the October regular meeting.
c. The membership year and the annual dues shall expire on the
last day of the anniversary month of each member's original dues having
been received at National Headquarters.
Section 5. Non-Payment of
Dues
a. Any member shall be dropped from the membership list when
required dues are not paid and transmitted on or before the membership
expiration date shown on the membership card.
b. A delinquent member must pay all dues current and in arrears
to be reinstated.
Section 6. Life Membership
a. Any member of the Marine Corps League who is in good standing
may become a Life Member, upon proper payment of fees, as required
herein.
b. A Life Member shall be subject to the payment of NO further
dues to a Detachment or Department and/or National Headquarters.
c. Such members shall have all the privileges, rights and
benefits enjoyed as a member, so long as that Life Member shall live.
d. The current Life Membership fee established by National
Headquarters is:
Up to 40 years $250
41 to 50 years $200
51 ot 60 years $150
61 years and over $ 75
e. The full Life Membership fee shall be paid to National
Headquarters (through the Paymaster) with no discounts, no rebates, and
no installment plan, whether such fee is paid by the individual or
awarded by a Detachment.
f. All Medal of Honor recipients who are members of the Marine
Corps League shall be carried on the rolls as paid up Life Members.
ARTICLE VI -
Subsidiaries and Subordinate Groups
National Bylaws, Article seven (7) shall be applied as needed by this
Detachment.
ARTICLE VII -
Grievance and Discipline
National Administrative Procedures, Chapter nine (9) shall be applied
as needed.
ARTICLE VIII
- Amendments
Section 1. These
Bylaws may be amended or altered in whole or in part at any regular or
special meeting of the Detachment by two-thirds vote of the members
present and voting, provided such action has been announced a minimum
of fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting. Such adopted
amendments shall not become effective until the next regular or special
meeting of the Detachment.
Section 2. These
Bylaws shall become effective upon approval of two-thirds of those
members present and voting, a quorum of the Detachment being present,
subject to approval by the Detachment Judge Advocate.
Adopted by the Commiskey-Wheat Detachment membership on the
day of
, 2001.
Commandant
Senior
Vice-Commandant
Adjutant
Judge
Advocate
Junior Vice-Commandant
|
