MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
DEPARTMENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA
QUARTERLY MEETING - 21 JANUARY 2012
The meeting was held at The American Legion Post #6 at 200 Pickens Street in Columbia, SC. Commandant Sweet opened the meeting at 1005 hours. Colors were posted. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Acting Chaplain Charles Killian led us in the opening prayer.
INTRODUCTION OF VIPS
1) National Chairman Ron Short, Marines Helping Marines Foundation
2) National Historian Don Marsh
3) National Young Marines of the MCL Liaison Deborah White
4) National Uniform Committee Chairman Butch Raines
5) S. E. Division Vice Chief Devil Dog Chuck Tidwell
ROLL CALL OF DEPARTMENT OFFICERS & DETACHMENTS
Commandant, Sr. Vice, Jr. Vice, Judge Advocate. All Detachments were present except for 1112 and 1219.
MEMBERS IN DISTRESS
1) John Mitchum (Passed away) 7) Clyde Nelson (Passed away)
2) Ray Rock (Passed away) 8) Everette McDonald (Passed away)
3) Troy Wiley (Passed away) 9) Jim Williams ( Son passed away)
4) Walter Laban (Passed away) 10) Bob Krause (Knee replacement)
5) Given Webster (Passed away) 11) Bo Olson (Gall bladder)
6) Henry Glover (Passed away) 12) Fred Romaine (Death in family)
ADJUTANT’S REPORT
A motion was made to accept the minutes for 22 October 2011. Motion was seconded. Passed.
PAYMASTER’S REPORT
The paymaster’s report was reviewed and approved pending final audit.
OFFICERS’ REPORTS
COMMANDANT:
a. Explained the importance of Detachment Reports & information he needs to report at
Mid – Winter Conference.
b. Spoke on Postal Pistol Match & stated interested members should see Marksmanship
Coordinator Harry DeWick for entry form. Additional information is in the Department
Newsletter.
c. Spoke on the importance of keeping Detachment websites up to date.
d. Ensure that emails are forwarded to Detachment members regularly for timely distribution
of information.
e. Commandants should check to ensure that appointed Officers are fulfilling duties &
submitting reports timely. Persons in office should do the job or step aside.
f. Ensure at least two members verify & secure funds raised or collected then deliver to
Paymaster.
g. 990N mail in cards are not affected by the online shutdown.
SR VICE:
a. Spoke on the Professional Development Program & encouraged Detachment use.
b. Announced that award recommendations deadline is 30 days before the Convention
except for Marine of the Year and Associate of the Year which is 7 days before.
c. Suggested placing Semper Fi Magazine with business card attached in car dealerships
after members finish reading them as a recruiting tool.
JR VICE:
a. Ask what Detachments have a Membership Committee and encouraged all to start one.
b. Spoke on importance of mentoring for new members.
c. Suggested handing out chapter of Professional Development Program at a Detachment
Meeting and then discussing that chapter at the next meeting, continuing until completed.
d. Reminded the Detachment Jr. Vice should maintain contact with the Dept. Jr. Vice.
JUDGE ADVOCATE:
a. Reminded that proposed bylaw changes must be on the official form and received 90 days
before Convention.
b. Reminded that nominations for Officers should be submitted as soon as possible and can be
made from the floor. Nominee must be in attendance at the Convention to accept or provide
written medical excuse for absence and written acceptance of nomination.
c. Stated in response to a question that there is no approved medal for Associate of the Year.
SGT at ARMS:
a. Reminded all of the proper procedure for exiting and entering the meeting while in session.
STATE CONVENTION REPORT:
a. Committee members are Commandant Sweet, Paymaster Hardy, Johnny Horton, Lynn Pagota,
John Tharp, Sully Sullivan, John Sigh, & Paul Quartlebaum.
b. Ad forms were distributed & members challenged to sell ads by John Sigh-$100 full, $50 half &
$25 quarter page. Members will be rewarded for ad sales as follows: $500 in ads will receive 2
free banquet tickets; $1000 in ads will receive 2 tickets plus 1 nights lodging; $1500 in ads will
receive 2 tickets plus 2 nights lodging; $2000 in ads will receive 2 tickets plus 3 nights lodging.
c. Paul Quartlebaum announced that the banquet tickets will be $40 each.
d. Free Spouses Tea will be held on Saturday, 9 June 2012.
e. Commandant’s Council will be at 1600 on Thursday, 7 June 2012.
YOUNG MARINES REPORT:
A. Deborah White reported that Young Marines National is working to restore MCL on the Young
Marines patch.
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OLD BUSINESS
1) Bernie Eveler gave an update on Morgan Porter, young daughter of Major & Mrs. Porter of MAG
31, who is on a heart pump awaiting a donor heart in Charleston. Additional updates can be
obtained at www.caringbridge.org by entering Morgan Porter.
2) Paymaster Hardy received $410 to date on rifle raffle. Sell tickets and get money in.
3) Chuck Tidwell reminded all to get registration of $10 in for S. E. Division Conference before 15
February deadline. Golf will be on 2 March with cost of $35 per person.
NEW BUSINESS
1) Motion passed unanimously that all Detachments give $100 to help with the Convention.
2) Motion passed unanimously to increase registration fee for 2012 Convention to $10 advance &
$11 at the Convention.
3) Richard Bagwell gave information on the National Museum of the Marine Corps & encouraged
visiting it. He will assist any Detachment in arranging a trip to the museum. League members can purchase an engraved brick for the walkway at the Chesty Puller statue area for $210.
4) Thomas Crisp, Health & Fitness Coordinator, spoke on goals & solicited assistance.
5) Tim Callahan reported on the Peace House Project in Greenville. More information can be found at www.thepeacehouseproject.org.
6) Discussion was held on the Department sponsoring a named room with a $5000 donation. Motion was made and passed unanimously that Jerry Kiehl contact Camp Lejeune about the return of the $2500 relief check that has not been cashed so those funds can be applied toward a Peace House donation.
7) Commandant Sweet appointed the Nominating Committee of Chairman Charles Hardy, Keith Klaws, Baby Ray Larkin.
8) Adjutant reported one bylaw proposal received to date to add Article Two, Section 207 (copy attached).
GOOD OF THE LEAGUE
1) Commandant polled interest in a Frogmore Stew cookout at Lake Murray on Thursday evening prior to the Convention. More information will follow.
2) S. C. Electric Cooperatives are sponsoring an Honor Flight from Columbia on 11 April 2012. WWII Veterans can register online at http://www.scliving.coop until 1 March 2012.
3) The anniversary of Women Marines will be celebrated 13 February 2012 at Parris Island.
4) The Vietnam Veterans Homecoming Celebration 2012 will be 31 March, hosted by the USO of
N. C. and Charlotte Motor Speedway. Reserve free tickets and get more information at http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets/vietnam_veterans_homecoming_celebration_2012.
5) A 5 day cruise from Charleston to celebrate the birthday of the Corps at sea is being planned for
8 November 2012.
6) Commandant Sweet announced that all current elected Officers will be seeking reelection.
CLOSING CEREMONY
Colors were secured and Acting Chaplain Killian led us in closing prayer. The meeting was adjourned
by Commandant Sweet at 1215 hours.
Next Quarterly meeting: Saturday, 31 March 2012
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