BROOKSVILLE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE, INC.
DETACHMENT # 466
BYLAWS
PASSED SEPTEMBER 29, 2014
APPROVED BY DEPARTMENTOctober xx, 2014
DETACHMENT CHARTERED JULY 29, 2014
Amended 23 May 2016
ARTICLE I
Section 100
NAME
THE OFFICIAL NAME OF THIS DETACHMENT IS: BROOKSVILLE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE, INC., DETACHMENT # 466,Hereafter referenced as “the Detachment”
ARTICLE II
Section 100
AUTHORITY
This Detachment is established under the National Marine Corps League, Inc., and the Department of Florida Marine Corps League, Inc.
ARTICLE III Section 100 ALLEGIANCE
The Detachment recognizes and affirms allegiance and subordination to the National Marine Corps League, Inc., and the Department of Florida Marine Corps League, Inc.
ARTICLE IV
Section 100
PURPOSE
Thepurposeofthe DetachmentistopreservethehistoryandtraditionsoftheMarineCorps;topromotethe interestsoftheMarineCorps;bandtogetherinfellowship withactivedutyMarines,andqualifyingFMFCorpsmen,andthosewhohaveservedhonorablyintheMarineCorps;providecharitableassistancewithinourcommunity;topromotetheidealsofAmericanfreedomanddemocracy;toaffirmtrueallegiancetothe Americaninstitutionand tocommemoratethosecherishedhappeningsthatweholdinrespect.
Our commitment is toprovide assistance toarea homeless veterans and their familiesthrough job training, meals, housing, health needs, clothing, financial assistance, and giving them a true sense of self worth. We will involve local residents and businessesin our efforts towards victory in our venture. We see a need that gives us a cause and a mission. It becomes our purpose.
ARTICLE V
Section 100
POLICIES
TheguidingauthorityoftheDetachmentshallalwaysbevestedin the membershipingoodstanding.ExecutiveandadministrativepowerwillbedelegatedtothedulyelectedofficersastrusteesintheexecutionoftheirdutiesasthestaffofthisDetachment
Section 101 INDEPENDENCE
TheDetachmentshallbenon-sectarian,non-political, non-partisan,andshallnotdiscriminateonanybasis.
Section 102
POLITICAL ACTIVITY
TheMarineCorpsLeagueshallnevertakepartinany laborormanagementdisputeorissue,anditshallbeevernon-sectarian,non-politicalandnon-partisan;norshall itbeusedasamedium of politicalambitionorpreferment;norshallanyformerorpresentmilitaryrankorformerorpresentcivilianpositionbeusedasabasisforspecialconsiderationorpreferment.
However,nothingintheprecedingsub-sectionshall prohibittheDetachmentfrom participatinginpoliticalissuesaffectingthewelfareoftheMarineCorps,theMarineCorpsLeague,thenationalsecurityofournation,oranyveteran'sclaimfor justice arisingfromserviceinthearmedforcesoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica.
Section 103
FISCAL YEAR
ThefiscalyearoftheDetachmentshallbeJuly1stto June 30th.Thebudgetandanyrevisionsthereto,asapprovedbytheBoard of Trustees,PaymasterandelectedOfficers·willbevotedonbythemembersingoodstandingattheDecembermeeting.
Section 104
AUDIT
The Detachmentfinancialrecordswillbeaudited once a year by an outside licensed Accounting Firm hired by the Board of Trustees. Resultsoftheauditwillbemadeavailabletotheofficersandmembers attheJulyregularmeeting.Thestaffshallusesaidresultsforany reportsrequiredbyanyfederalorstateagencies, NationalHeadquartersMarineCorpsLeague,Inc.,andtheDepartmentofFlorida.
ARTICLE VI
Section 100
MEMBERSHIP
AllpersonseligibleformembershipintheMarineCorpsLeague,Inc.,mayinitiateanapplicationformembershipbysubmittingthestandardapplicationformpublishedbytheNationalHeadquarters,MarineCorpLeague,Inc. Thesponsorwillhavetheobligationtoprocure acopyofthelastissuedapplicant’s DD-214and/orotherappropriatedocumentation. Theacceptanceoftheapplicant'smembershipisthesoleprovinceoftheDetachment.
NopersonshallbeacceptedforMembershipuntilpassedbyamajorityvoteataregularmeetingofthedetachment. Membershipduesandfeesshallbepaidinthe amountdeterminedbyNational,Department,andtheDetachmentrequirements.Paymentof theyearlymembershipduesandfeesshallbeby 31st of August of every year for members who are not Life Members.[1]
Section 101 REGULAR MEMBERSHIP
Membership and eligibility for membership will be as defined in National Bylaws, ARTICLE SIX.
Section 102
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP
Membership and eligibility for membership will be as defined in National Bylaws, ARTICLE SIX. Associate Members, upon acceptance, will pay dues in the same amount as prescribed for Regular Members, including initiation fees. An Associate Member shall be entitled to the rights, privileges, and benefits of a Regular Member, however, such member shall not hold an elected office within the Detachment. An associate member in the Detachment may hold appointed positions, and may vote on the internal affairs of the Detachment or on matters not affecting Marine Corps League policy beyond the Detachment.
ARTICLEVII Section100 OFFICER NOMINATION,ELECTION,and INSTALLATION
Allregularmembersingood standingshallbeeligibleforelectedstaff. TherewillbeaNominatingCommitteeofthree(3)membersappointedbytheCommandantattheSeptembermeeting.Thiscommitteewillseekoutqualifiedmemberstofilleachoftheelectiveoffices that arewillingandabletoacceptsuchnomination. Nominationsforanyelectiveofficemayalsobemadefreelyfromthefloorwithoutconcurrenceof theNominatingCommittee during the September and October meetings. Nominations will close at the Octobermeeting. The nomineeswillbesubmittedforvote atthe Novembermeetingof thisDetachmenteach yearwith installationofelectedofficersatthemeeting in November.[2]
Section 101
ELECTED OFFICERS
TheDetachmentmustelectaCommandant,SeniorViceCommandant,JuniorViceCommandant,JudgeAdvocate, and Oversight Chairperson.Eachofficerwillserveatermofoneyear and may be elected for a subsequent term.
Section 102
APPOINTED OFFICERS
The newlyelectedCommandantshallappoint,withmajority Board approval,aChaplin,Adjutant,Paymaster,SergeantAtArms, Past Commandant, Quartermaster, and two or more oversight committee members.Suchofficers will serveatthepleasureoftheCommandant. The position of Past Commandant shall be filled with a member who has served as Detachment Commandant, Department Commandant, or National Commandant.
Section 103
COMMANDANT
TobeelectedCommandantofthedetachment,acandidatemustbearegularmemberingoodstanding, musthavepreviouslyheld an electiveofficeinthisdetachment.[3]
Section 104 HOLDING MULTIPLEOFFICES WITHINTHE DETACHMENT
Qualifiedmembersmayholdoneelectiveofficeandanysuchadditionalappointedofficeas maybeassigned.A majority of the Board mustapproveeachinstance whereanelectiveofficerisextendedresponsibilityforanadditionaloffice.TheCommandantmaynotholdmorethanoneposition other than that of an ex-officio member of all committees.
Section 105
VACANCIES
Intheeventofresignation,continuedillness,death,morethantwo(2)non-excusedabsencesfromtheDetachmentorBoardMeetings,orremovalfromofficeforcauseofanyelectedofficer,thepositionwillbefilledasfollows:
TheofficeofCommandantshallbefilledbytheSenior ViceCommandantfortheremainingterm, theJuniorViceCommandantshall filltheofficeoftheSeniorViceCommandant, and the Oversight Committee Chairperson will fill the office of the Junior Vice Commandant.The CommandantshallappointasuccessortofilltheremainingtermoftheOversight Chairperson.ShouldavacancyexistforJudgeAdvocate,theCommandantshallappointasuccessortofillthevacantpositionuntilelectionatthenextDetachmentmeeting.
Shouldtherebeavacancyforanycauseinanappointedofficeoranycommitteechairman,thatvacancyshallbefilledimmediatelybyamemberappointedbytheCommandant, with majority approval of the Board.
ARTICLE VIII
Section 100
DUTIES OF ELECTED OFFICERS
COMMANDANT: TheCommandant'sdutiesshallbeinconformitywiththeNational Bylaws andAdministrationProcedures.AstheseniorexecutiveofficeroftheDetachmentandtheBoardofTrustees,he/shemaytemporarilydelegate theSeniorViceCommandanttosubstituteforhim/heras needed.The Commandant,withtheadviceandconsentofa majority of theBoardofTrustees,shallappointthoseasspecifiedinArticleVII.TheCommandantisinchargeofmeetings. ThesuccessoftheDetachmentdependsontheCommandant. He/Shemustensurethatmeetingstakeplaceontheappointeddateandthattheystartontime. He/Shemustconductthemeetingatapacesoasnottoconfuseordisinterestthemembers. He/Sheisalsoresponsiblefordisseminating pertinentinformationtothemembership.He/She mustkeeporder, explainmatters,andseethatmembers haveparticipationinthe proceedings.TheCommandantshallbetheex-officiomemberofallcommittees andshalldirectandsupervisetheactivitiesofelected,and appointedcommittee officers andchairpersons.The CommandantshallapproveallordersonthepaymasterfordisbursementsoffundsandsuchotherdutiesasthegoodoftheDetachment mayrequire.TheCommandant,oramemberappointedbyhim,shallrepresenttheDetachmentatallcivic,memorialandcommunityfunctionswhereitiscustomarythatveteran’sorganizationsbepresent.TheCommandantwillbetheofficialspokespersononallmattersofpublicinterestconcerningdetachmentactivities.
SENIORVICECOMMANDANT: His/herdutiesshall betoassisttheDetachment Commandantinevery·way to learn the position of Commandant.He/Shewillpresideatmeetingsintheabsenceofthe Commandant.Inaddition,thisofficerwillinitiatesocial,ceremonial,entertainmentandpublicprogramsaswill increasetheprestige,character,andinfluenceoftheDetachment. He/Shewillperformanyother dutiesassignedbytheCommandant or Board of Trustees.
JUNIORVICECOMMANDANT:His/herdutiesshallbetocreateandpromotemembershipprograms,andencourageenthusiastic growthinmembership.He/she will perform the duties of SeniorVice Commandant, andthoseofCommandantincaseofabsenceorillness of both.He/Shewillberesponsibleforrecruitingnewmembers.He/Shewillperformanyother dutiesassignedbytheCommandant or Board of Trustees.
JUDGEADVOCATE:ShallinterprettheBylawsoftheDetachment,Department,and NationalMarineCorpsLeague.ThisofficerwillattendtoalllegalmatterspertainingtotheDetachment. Provide opinions on legality of the Detachment’s actions and decisions insofar as affect the good of the Marine Corps League. Such opinions and rulings are made subject to acceptance by the Detachment Commandant whoseruling will be sufficient to proceed but subject to review and reconsideration in the event that the department and/or national review is contrary to the agreed upon interpretation.He/Shewillperformanyother dutiesassignedbytheCommandant or Board of Trustees.
OVERSIGHT CHAIRPERSON: The Chairperson and Committee are responsible for reviewing the financial records and funds of the detachment monthly. They will review records and the physical location of all accountable property. They will advise the membership of any discrepancies, and their findings at the next detachment meeting. They will monitor all fund raising activities and receipts of money from them.Theywillperformanyother dutiesassignedbytheCommandant or Board of Trustees.
Section 101 APPOINTED OFFICERS
CHAPLAIN:TheChaplainshallperformsuchdutiesatmeetingsandceremoniesasprescribed in the Marine Corps League ritual. This officer shall inform the membership of any member who is ill or in distress, and personally visit if possible. The Chaplain will report the death of any member to the Detachment, Department, and National on the proper form. He/Shewillperformanyother dutiesassignedbytheCommandant or Board of Trustees.
ADJUTANT: The Adjutant shallkeepacompleterecordofallmeetingsinaledgerorlog.The AdjutantshallberesponsibleforallcorporatefilingsandanyandallcorrespondenceasdirectedbytheCommandant.He/Shewillperformanyother dutiesassignedbytheCommandant or Board of Trustees.
PAYMASTER:ThePaymasterservesasthetreasurerand keepsallrecordsofreceiptsanddisbursementsmadeby the Detachment.ThePaymasterpaysallapprovedbillschargedtotheDetachment.Billsarepaid bycheck andsignedbytheCommandantandthePaymaster.TheSeniorViceCommandantmaysignchecksintheabsenceoftheCommandant.ThePaymastershallsubmitafinancialreportattheregularmeeting. ThePaymastershallissueareceiptforallmoniesreceived.Thesereceipts willcorrespondto eachbankdepositandkeptinapermanentfilewithotherbankingrecords. The PaymastershallgenerateapayvoucherforallrequestsforbillpaymentandsubmititandsupportingdocumentationtotheCommandantforhis/hersignature. Thesevouchersandsupportingdocumentationaretobekeptinapermanentfilewithotherbankingrecords. He/Shewillperformanyother dutiesassignedbytheCommandant or Board of Trustees.
SERGEANTATARMS: The Sergeant At Arms is in charge of setting up the meeting room, and clean up following the meeting. The Sergeant At Arms’ duty is to verify that all persons attending a Detachment meeting are members in good standing and to sign everyone in. The Sergeant At Arms keeps order at Detachment meetings, assists during all votes by the Detachment, is the custodian of the Detachment colors, color guard equipment, and in charge of the color guard detail. He/she also does suchdutiesrequiredbytheCommandantandprescribedbytheMarineCorpsRitual.He/Shewillperformanyother dutiesassignedbytheCommandant or Board of Trustees.
QUARTERMASTER:Shallberesponsible forthesafe keeping,maintenanceandinventoryoftheNationalEmblem,DetachmentStandard,parade Equipmentandotherpropertiesdesignated bytheCommandant.Shall procure equipment, uniforms, and supplies for the members of the detachment so that they may perform their assigned duties with the proper paraphernalia.He/Shewillperformanyother dutiesassignedbytheCommandant or Board of Trustees.
PAST COMMANDANT: Offer assistance and training; event planning assistance; counsel regarding questions of tradition and history. He/Shewillperformanyother dutiesassignedbytheCommandant or Board of Trustees.
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEMBERS: The Commandant along with the Chairperson and the Board of Trustees will appoint two (2) or more members of this committee whose duties are explained in ARTICLE VIII, Section 100, OVERSIGHT CHAIRPERSON.
ARTICLE IX
Section 100
THE BOARD of TRUSTEES
TheBoard of Trusteesvoting members shallconsistoftheCommandant, Senior Vice Commandant, Junior Vice Commandant, Judge Advocate, andthePast Commandant. Any member in good standing may attend a Board of Trustees meeting.
Section 101
URGENT EXPENDITURES
In the event of the need of an urgent expenditure of Detachment fundsnottoexceed$500.00, all members of the Detachment will receive notice by electronic device (email) the details of the urgent expenditure. The membership will be given three (3) days to respondto the address in the email with their vote on the matter. The Board of Trustees will count the votes, and react to the vote total. All votes will be retained for inspection by any and all members at the next meeting of the Detachment. A report will be given at the next meeting of the Detachment.
Section 102 EMERGENCY EXPENDITURES
In the event of the need of an emergency expenditure to assist any member of the Detachment, the Detachment will maintain an Emergency Fund that is funded entirely by voluntary contributions. This money is not to be mingled with any other Detachment Funds. It is to be called The Emergency Fund. It is to be reported on monthly, as to income and disbursements. Names of volunteer donators are not to be named. Disbursements will be fully explained. A committee to handle these funds will be appointed by the Commandant and the Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE X
Section 100
SCHEDULED MEETINGS
Theregular meetingoftheDetachmentwillbeonthelast Mondayofeachmonth.NationalHolidayswillmovethemeetingtothe3rdWednesdayonthemonth.SpecialMeetingswillbeheldatthecalloftheCommandant withaminimum 72hournotice.
Section 101
QUORUM
In order to conduct business, the Detachment must have at least three (3) elected officers and at least seven (7) of its regular members to make a quorum.
Section 102
GOVERNING MEETING RULES
The order of business for regular meetings of the Detachment will normally follow the Marine Corps League Ritual. A variance in the order of business must be approved by the members. RobertsRulesofOrderRevisedshallgoverntheconductofallmeetingswheretheseBylaws, theDepartmentBylaws, theNationalBylaws, andtheadministrativedirectivesatalllevels oftheMarineCorpsLeaguearesilent.
ARTICLE XI
Section 100
GRIEVANCE AND DISCIPLINE
Any grievance or discipline will first seek settlement internal to the Detachment. Such settlement may involve an external mediator with Board of Trustee approval if such meditation is believed to lead to settlement. Should internal settlement fail then National Marine Corps League Administrative Procedures (Chapter 9) will be followed.
ARTICLEXII
Section 100
AMENDMENT
These By-laws may be amended at any duly called meeting of the membership. The notice of the meeting shall contain a full statement and the rational of the proposed amendment. Afavorablevoteoftwo-thirds(2/3)ofthememberspresentatthestatedmeetingmustberequiredtoapprovesuchchanges. Typographical corrections may be made as needed without membership approval. Such typographical corrections may not alter the meaning or intent of any bylaw.
Approvedcorrectionsand/orchangestotheseBy-lawswillbepublishedtothemembers bysuchmeansasareavailabletoinsurethatallmembersareprovidedameanstoupdatetheirindividualcopiesoftheBylaws.
These By-laws are adopted following approval of the membership of the Brooksville Marine Corps League, Inc., Detachment #466 on September 29, 2014
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[1] Article Vi, Section 100, Revised per National Bylaws 21 March 2017
[2] Article VII, Section 100, Revised and Approved 5 May 2016
[3] Article VII. Revised and Approved 16 December 2017