BY-LAWS of PUGET SOUND DETACHMENT MARINE CORPS LEAGUE,INC ARTICLE ONE NAME Section 1 - The name of this Detachment shall be "Puget Sound Detachment" Marine Corps League. ARTICLE TWO PURPOSES Section 1 - The purpose of this Detachment shall be to: (A) Promote the principles and policies set forth in the National and Department Constitutions of the League. (B) In particular, attention to the care and welfare of the inactive Marine. Section 2 - Any by-laws created by this Detachment shall not be in conflict with the National and Department By-Laws and Constitution but shall pertain to the particular needs of this Detachment. ARTICLE THREE NATURE Section 1 - This Detachment is a civilian organization. Membership does not affect nor increase liability for military service. Rank or rate do not exist in this Detachment and no member should be addressed by his/her military title in any meeting of the Detachment. Section 2 - This Detachment shall be absolutely non-political and shall not be used for the dissemination of partisan principles. Section 3 - This Detachment is and shall remain a non-profit organization. Its funds or other property shall never be distributed in toto to its members but shall be used only for the purposes stated in the Articles of Incorporation and for charitable purposes. Section 4 - Nothing in the preceding subsections shall prohibit this Detachment from participating in political issues affecting the welfare of the United States Marine Corps, the national security of our Nation, or any veterans' claims for justice arising from service in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. ARTICLE FOUR MEMBERSHIP AND DUES Section 1 - REGULAR MEMBERSHIP - Only persons who are serving or who have served honorably in the United States Marine Corps for not less than ninety (90) days and persons who are serving or who have served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and have earned no less than ninety (90) Reserve Retirement Credit Points shall be eligible for regular membership in this Marine Corps League Detachment. -2- Section 2 - ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP - Those individuals not qualified for regular membership and who meet the. requirements of National By-Laws, Section 800, paragraph (b), may upon application, be accepted for Associate membership in this Detachment. Section 3 - HONORARY MEMBERSHIP - This Detachment, at the discretion of its respective Commandant, may issue Honorary Memberships to. those persons who, have been of extraordinary service to the Nation, to the community, to the United States Marine Corps, or to the Marine Corps League. Honorary members shall have the rights, privileges and benefits of a regular member as outlined in the National By-Laws, Section 800, paragraph (c). Section 4 - SPECIAL CONSIDERATION OR PREFERMENT - This Detachment shall be ever non-sectarian, nonpolitical, and non-partisan; nor shall it be biased on the grounds of race, color, creed, nationality, or sex; nor shall it be used as a medium of political ambition or preferment; nor shall former or present military rank or former or present civilian position be used as the basis for special consideration or preferment. Section 5 - MEMBERSHIP YEAR AND ANNUAL DUES - Shall expire annually on the last day of the anniversary month of such member's original dues receipt at National Headquarters. Section 6 - MEMBERSHIP TRANSFER - Any member in good standing may transfer from another detachment to this detachment, without payment of additional dues or transfer fees, upon application to and approval of this Detachment. Section 7 - LIFE MEMBERS - Any member in good standing may become a LIFE MEMBER, upon proper payment of the required fee as indicated in Section 860 of the National By-Laws. Section 8 - ANNUAL DUES - New members and reinstating members shall be charged $45 (dues and instatement). Renewing annual members dues shall be $40.00. Active Duty personnel will be charged 30.00 (new and renewals). ARTICLE FIVE APPLICATION FOR AND ELECTION TO MEMBERSHIP Section 1 - Any person eligible for membership in the Puget Sound Detachment under the provisions of these ByLaws, may initiate application for membership by completing a standard application for membership form, to include the signature, and presenting the application to a sponsoring member of the Detachment with all required dues and fees. As an alternative, the applicant may mail a completed and signed application form to the Detachment Adjutant or Paymaster with all required dues and fees. Section 2 - The Sr. Vice-Commandant, as Chairman of the Membership Committee, or a designated member of the Membership Committee, shall inspect the applicant's credentials and verify the accuracy of the pertinent data supplied and shall read the application at the next regular Detachment meeting. The Detachment Adjutant shall record the application data upon the completion of the application reading and clearly state whether the required dues have been verified and are in the possession of the Detachment staff. (No applicant shall be present for that portion of the meeting in which the application is being considered.) -3- Section 3 - A member of another detachment may transfer to this Detachment provided the dues to the other detachment are up to date. Section 4 - All applications for membership, including transfers, shall be referred to the Membership Committee for investigation and report. Section 5 - The Puget Sound Detachment shall be the sole judge of its membership. No person whose name has been stricken from the rolls of the Marine Corps League by a Department of the National Organization, may be accepted for membership. Section 6 - An affirmative vote of a majority of the members present at a meeting shall be required to elect an applicant to membership. ARTICLE SIX OFFICERS Section 1 - The Executive officers of this Detachment shall be the Commandant, Senior Vice-Commandant, Junior Vice-Commandant, and Judge Advocate. The Staff Officers of this Detachment shall be Adjutant/Paymaster or Adjutant, Paymaster, Chaplain, and Sergeant-at-Arms. Section 2 - A nominating committee shall consist of three members, to be appointed by the Commandant prior to the regular meeting in September. The Junior Past Commandant shall be chairman of the nominating committee. The committee at the regular meeting in September will present a slate of officers for election at the October meeting. Nominations for office may also come from the members present at both the September and October meetings. Section 3 - A majority vote shall be necessary to elect each Executive officer. In case a majority is not secured on the first ballot, the two candidates receiving the highest vote for each office respectively shall be the only candidates upon the second ballot. Delegates to conventions shall be those members receiving the highest number of votes and the alternates shall be the one ones receiving the next highest number of votes. Section 4 - The installation of new officers shall take place within (45) days of election and shall be performed by any past Detachment commandant, any Department officer or any member of the National staff. ARTICLE SEVEN BOARD OF TRUSTEES Section 1 - The Detachment Board of Trustees shall be composed of the following: (A) Detachment Commandant (B) Detachment Senior Vice-Commandant (C) Detachment Junior Vice-Commandant (D) Detachment Judge Advocate (E) Junior Past Detachment Commandant (F) Three (3) additional may be elected, Initially, of this group of three, one shall be elected for a period of three (3) years, one shall be elected for a period of two (2) years, and one shall be elected for a period of one (1) year. Thereafter, as their term expires, each new member elected to fill this capacity shall be elected for a period of three (3) years. - 4 - Section 2 - In addition to the specific duties of the individual Board Members, as hereinafter stated, it shall be the duty of each member of the Board to acquire a working knowledge of these By-Laws of the Puget Sound Detachment. The specific duties of the members of the Detachment Board of Trustees shall be: (A) DETACHMENT COMMANDANT - Shall direct Marine Corps League activities of his community, preside at all detachment meetings, serve as advisor to all committees of his detachment and is in direct charge of all functions of his detachment. In addition, the Commandant shall: (1) Administer the oath of membership to all new members. (2) Observe and enforce the observance of the National and Department By-Laws of the Marine Corps League. (3) Direct to all officers and members such orders as are not in conflict with these By-Laws and are necessary for the proper conduct of business. (4) Seek the advice of the Detachment Board of Trustees and staff. (5) With the advice and consent of the Board of Trustees appoint the following Staff Officers: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) Sergeant-at-Arms Adjutant Paymaster Chaplain Service Officer Any other Staff Officers as deemed necessary (6) With the Paymaster have custody of all funds and property of the Detachment, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees. (7) Appoint such special committees as are deemed necessary. (8) Approve or disapprove all requisitions of the Paymaster which are in excess of fifty (50) dollars. (9) Represent the Marine Corps League at all social functions within his community in such a manner as will enhance the dignity, honor and prestige of this organization. (10) Prepare and distribute a monthly news letter to all Detachment members in good standing. These shall be prepared and mailed out at least one week prior to the next scheduled meeting. (11) Perform such other duties as are directed from time to time. (B) DETACHMENT SENIOR VICE-COMMANDANT - Shall give every assistance to the Detachment Commandant, and during the absence or illness of the Detachment Commandant, perform the duties of that office; shall preside as Chairman of the Detachment Membership Committee and perform such duties as outlined in the Marine Corps League Ritual and as recommended by the Detachment Commandant. -5- (C) DETACHMENT JUNIOR VICE-COMMANDANT - Shall serve on entertainment or social activities committees and perform such duties as outlined in the Marine Corps League Ritual and as recommended by the Detachment Commandant. In the absence or illness of the Detachment Commandant and Senior Vice-Commandant, he shall perform the duties of that office. (D) DETACHMENT JUDGE ADVOCATE - Shall interpret the By-Laws, shall advise, construe, counsel and render opinions on questions of Law and Procedure to the Detachment Commandant and Board of Trustees when requested to do so in the manner outlined in the National By-Laws. (E) ADJUTANT - It shall be the duty of the Adjutant to keep proper and necessary books for the recording of all business of the Detachment and to keep a correct record of all Detachment property, and current membership list. He shall keep the minutes of all regular and special meetings and other Detachment records as assigned in a bound ledger or on detachment computer, and at least annually rendered to CD or other common permanent electronic storage media retrievable by detachment property and perform such duties as usually assigned to recording and corresponding secretaries. He shall surrender all records, storage media, and other properties to his duly appointed successor. (F) PAYMASTER - Shall hold all securities; monies. He shall keep a current record of all the Detachment financial transactions in ink. He shall deposit all monies of the Detachment entrusted to him in a reputable bank, in the name of the Puget Sound Detachment, Marine Corps League. He shall pay all indebtedness charged to the Detachment, after approval by the membership. All bills will be paid by check, as designated by resolution. He will submit a financial report to the Detachment each month at its regular meeting. He shall submit his books and accounts to the Audit Committee at regular intervals, but at least once a year at period of transfer. He and the Commandant are bonded as required by National Headquarters of the Marine Corps League Inc. He shall notify State and National Paymasters of members dropped from the Detachment rolls for non-payment of dues. He shall have prepared (upon approval) or prepare a financial report for Internal Revenue Service as required. He shall: (1) Receive dues; (2) Prepare transmittals; (3) maintain a record of the war-veteran status of all detachment members in accordance with, and to demonstrate compliance with, Internal Revenue Code (IRC) 170(c)(3) as it relates to charitable contribution deductibility. The Paymaster shall notify the Detachment Commandant if at any time the Detachment Membership and the Detachment’s associated organizations do not meet the charitable contribution deductibility requirements of IRC 170(c)3. (G) CHAPLAIN - Shall perform such duties as may be assigned to him by the Commandant for the welfare of the Detachment and he shall perform such duties of a spiritual nature as the activities of the Detachment may require. He shall be responsible for the Bible and Altar Cloth. In case of the death of a Detachment member or an active Marine in the area of responsibility of this Detachment, monies for flowers, sympathy cards, etc., will be voted and collected at regular Detachment meeting and turned over to Chaplain for disbursement. He shall be chairman of the Welfare Committee. (H) SERGEANT-AT-ARMS - It shall be the duty of the Sergeant-at-Arms to preserve order at meetings and perform such other duties that may be assigned him by the Commandant and such duties outlined in the National Ritual. -6- ARTICLE EIGHT VACANCIES AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS Section 1 - All vacancies in elective offices shall be filled at a regular meeting not later than the second regular meeting after the vacancy occurs. Notices of such special election shall be mailed by the Adjutant to all members - or by notice in the Newsletter at least seven (7) days prior to the date of such election, or by notice on the Detachment Website at least fifteen (15) days prior to the date of such election. ARTICLE NINE ABSENCES Section 1 - An elective officer may not be absent for more than three (3) consecutive meetings. Upon failure to comply, replacement of the officer is mandatory, unless absent with good and sufficient cause. ARTICLE TEN COMMITTEES Section 1 - The Detachment Commandant is empowered to appoint Special Committees and the chairman of each, for specific purposes. Section 2 - Committee chairmen may be replaced by the Detachment Commandant with the approval of the Board of Trustees, or by a 2/3 majority of votes cast by the membership at either a regular or special meeting. ARTICLE ELEVEN PROCEDURE Section 1 - Meetings shall be conducted as prescribed by the National Ritual of the Marine Corps League. Section 2 - Robert Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of all meetings of this Detachment except as may be otherwise provided in these By-Laws. Section 3 - Regular meetings of the Detachment shall be held on the first Thursday of the month unless otherwise ordered by the Detachment. Section 4 - A quorum at all meetings of the Detachment shall consist of six (6) paid-up members in good standing. ARTICLE TWELVE DETACHMENT AND FISCAL YEARS Section 1 - The Detachment year shall begin with the Installation Meeting and end with the next Installation Meeting. Section 2 - The Fiscal Year shall coincide with the Calendar Year - (Jan. 1 thru Dec. 31.) The proposed annual budget shall be presented by the incoming Detachment Commandant for approval at the December meeting. -7- ARTICLE THIRTEEN AMENDMENTS Section 1 - These By-Laws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Detachment by a majority vote of the members present, provided notice of the amendment shall have been announced in the Newsletter prior to the meeting election, or by notice on the Detachment Website at least twenty-one (21) days prior to the date of such election. ARTICLE FOURTEEN INITIATION Section 1 - All approved applicants for membership in the Marine Corps League shall be properly initiated as prescribed by the National Ritual of the Marine Corps League. ARTICLE FIFTEEN DEMISE OF MEMBERS Section 1 - Upon notification of the death of any member of the Detachment, the Chaplain shall immediately contact the family of the deceased member for the purpose of offering assistance and expressions of condolences. The Detachment Chaplain shall without delay report the death of the member to the National Chaplain with a copy furnished to the National Director of Administration and Services. It shall be the duty of all members of the Detachment not prevented by distance or unavoidable cause to be at the funeral services of the deceased member. ARTICLE SIXTEEN SUBSIDIARIES Section 1 - MARINE CORPS LEAGUE AUXILIARY - The Puget Sound Detachment recognizes and adopts the Marine Corps League Auxiliary as the official Women's Auxiliary of the Marine Corps League, and declares that the Puget Sound Unit, Marine Corps League Auxiliary shall ever be subject to the control and supervision of the Marine Corps League. Section 2 - MILITARY ORDER OF DEVIL DOGS - The Puget Sound Detachment recognizes Geoduck Pound Number 118 of the Military Order of Devil Dogs as an official subsidiary organization which shall ever be subject to the authority, supervision, direction, control and discipline of the Marine Corps League. Membership of the Military Order of Devil Dogs, Geoduck Pound Number 118, shall be limited to members of the Department of Washington exclusively. Section 3 - MILITARY ORDER OF DEVIL DOG FLEAS - The Puget Sound Detachment recognizes the Military Order of Devil Dog Fleas as an official subsidiary organization of the Marine Corps League. Membership shall be limited to members of the Marine Corps League Auxiliary. -8- ARTICLE SEVENTEEN FUND RAISING Section 1 - Fund raising activities may be entered into by this Detachment or any of its subsidiary organizations: (A) Provided all funds raised shall be for the sole benefit of such organization less such incidental expenses as the organization may incur. (B) Provided such Marine Corps League organization shall receive and disburse all funds received and paid out. (C) Provided such fund raising activity does not violate any Federal, State or Municipal law or ordinance or reflect discredit upon the Marine Corps League. (D) Provided such fund raising project shall not be conducted in any municipality or territory other than its own territory without first securing the approval of such other Detachment or Unit. Section 2 - The Detachment shall establish a separate and distinct bank account for each separate charitable operation for the purpose of reposing and distributing cash and other financial instruments of value in furtherance of our charitable operations defined in the following sections. Section 3 - The Detachment Paymaster shall establish and maintain the “Marines Support Fund” to provide for local emergency housing, medical, food, utility, and transportation assistance to current and Veteran Marine and FMF (Fleet-Marine-Force) Navy Corpsmen and their families. (A) The Detachment Commandant, and the Service Officer (or Chaplin if no Service Officer position exists) shall each be authorized to distribute up to $200 (Two Hundred Dollars) to any single beneficiary qualifying under the provisions outlined in Section 3. (B) The Paymaster shall be authorized qualifying distribution from the Marines Support Fund only by majority vote of the membership at a Regular Business or Special Business meeting. Section 4 - The Detachment Paymaster shall establish and maintain the “Toys For Tots Fund” to receive contributions in support of the Marine Corps Reserve Annual Toys For Tots program. Such funds shall only be authorized for purchase of toys, storage and/or transportation of toys as directed by the th Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Area Coordinator for the King County region (currently 4 Landing Support Battalion based at Joint Base Lewis McCord). (A) The Detachment Commandant and the Toys for Tots Committee Chairman shall each be authorized to expend up to $150 for the purposes stipulated in Section 4. (B) The Paymaster shall be authorized qualifying distribution from the Toys For Tots fund only by majority vote of the membership at a Regular Business or Special Business meeting. Section 5 - The Detachment Paymaster shall establish and maintain the “Honor Guard Fund” to receive contributions in support or honorarium of the Detachment’s “Leatherneck” Honor Guard providing Memorial Services, Parade Representation, Hospital Visits to Veterans at the VA Hospital and other related civic operations. (A) The Honor Guard Committee Chair shall be authorized to expend funds as necessary in support of the purposes stipulated in Section 5 (including uniform maintenance, transportation, lodging and meals as necessary), and for the purposes stipulated in Sections 3 and/or 4, as his discretion. (B) The Paymaster shall be authorized qualifying distribution from the Honor Guard Fund only by majority vote of the membership at a Regular Business or Special Business meeting. Section 6 - The Detachment Paymaster shall establish and maintain the “General Fund” to receive dues and receipts from all other Detachment operations for the purposes of supporting all other Detachment operations. All receipts to the general fund, other than member dues, shall be considered charitable contributions as long as the Detachment operations comply with the provisions of both the National 501(c)4 charter and with IRC 170(c)3 eligibility. (A) The Commandant and Sr. Vice Commandant shall each be authorized to expend up to $100 for a single purpose as stipulated in Section 6. (B) The Paymaster shall be authorized qualifying distribution from the General Fund in the normal and customary conduct of Detachment operations or by majority vote of the membership at a Regular Business or Special Business meeting. Section 7 - No donations to the Detachment shall be accepted for a conditional distribution within the stipulations of their sections unless they are received in accordance with a Non-Discretionary (targeted) fund raiser. (Contributors may not specify a specific purpose within a fund’s stated purpose nor direct their contribution to a particular beneficiary). Section 8 - Not withstanding any other provision herein, the Paymaster shall be authorized to make distribution from any fund as necessary to protect the Fund, or terminate a Fund when directed by a majority vote of the Detachment at any Regular Business or Special Business meeting. (A) A terminating distribution from the Toys For Tots Fund shall only be made to the Marine Corps Reserve Annual Toys For Tots program or to an interim trust or set-aside fund pending such final distribution. (B) A terminating distribution from the Marines Support Fund shall only be made to a charity supporting emergency housing, medical, food, utility, and/or transportation assistance to current and Veteran Marine and FMF (Fleet-Marine-Force) Navy Corpsmen and their families. (C) A terminating distribution from the Honor Guard Fund shall only be made to one of the Detachment funds. (D) In accordance with the Detachment Articles of Incorporation Section 5, a terminating distribution from the General Fund shall only be made to the Marine Corps League Department of Washington (E) For the purposes of fund protection the Paymaster may transfer a fund’s assets to an interim trust or set-aside account (fund savings account, for example) to temporarily protect such funds from unauthorized distribution by check or other demand, until the resolution and conclusion of such a fund-protection action. Section 9 – Authorized disbursing officers may combine their authorizations to a single benefactor qualified under the provisions of the disbursing fund(s). Section 10 –All distributions from any fund by an officer shall be reported to the Paymaster within 48 hours (or as soon thereafter as possible), except that the Honor Guard Chairman shall be required to report his expenditures at the next Regular Business meeting. It is the responsibility of any fund’s authorized disbursement officer to verify suitable fund balance prior to distributing funds. CERTIFICATION OF BY-LAWS THIS IS TO CERTIFY: That at a regular meeting of Puget Sound Detachment, Marine Corps League, Department of Washington, held on the 7th day of June, 1984, a quorum being present, the foregoing ByLaws were regularly adopted by a vote of more than two-thirds of the membership present and voting. Dated at Sandpoint Naval Support Facility, in the City of Seattle, State of Washington, this 7th day of June, 1984. Clifford Cool Commandant Attest: Earl Houchen Adjutant Approved: Dated: Department Officer AMENDMENTS to BY-LAWS of PUGET SOUND DETACHMENT MARINE CORPS LEAGUE, INC Note: Underlined text in this document reflects bylaw changes adopted by the Detachment 13 April 2011 AMENDMENT 1 DISSEMINATION OF DETACHMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION Section 1 - All detachment financial reports shall only be made at regular meetings. No financial information shall be disseminated in either the monthly detachment newsletter nor the detachment website. Approved: 8 March 2005 - effective immediately, Commandant: Adjutant: Rajendra Patel Gregory McCarrel AMENDMENT 2 Deleted – 13 April 2011 (see Amendment 4) AMENDMENT 3 Recent Past Detachment Commandant Section 1 - After the completion of two consecutive one year terms of office as Detachment Commandant, an honorarium shall be paid for on behalf of the new “Recent Past Detachment Commandant”, in the form of a LIFE MEMBERSHIP in the Marine Corps League. Approved: 08 February 2006 - effective immediately, but not retroactively Commandant: Adjutant: Rajendra Patel Gregory McCarrel AMENDMENT 4 DETACHMENT MEETINGS Section 1 - The Detachment shall hold at least 10 Regular Business Meetings a year (with the month of July and the month coinciding with the Department Convention optional). Section 2 - The Detachment Regular Business Meetings shall be held at 19:00 on the second Wednesday of each scheduled month at the Redmond VFW. There shall be only one (1) Regular Business Meeting in any calendar month. Section 3 - The Detachment Regular Business Meeting time and/or locations may be permanently changed by an amendment to these bylaws in accordance with Bylaw Article 13. Section 4 - The Detachment Regular Business Meetings may be intermittently rescheduled or relocated by the Commandant with fifteen (15) days notice by: mail or newsletter to all members or; posting on the Detachment website. Section 5 - The Detachment Commandant may call for a special formal meeting with fifteen (15) days notice by: mail or newsletter to all members or; posting on the Detachment website. Such special meeting, if a quorum of executive and staff officers is present, may conduct only the business stated in the meeting agenda provided in the notice. Section 6 - The Detachment Commandant may call for an informal meeting with seven (7) days notice by: mail or newsletter to all members or; posting on the Detachment website. Such informal meetings, if a quorum of executive and staff officers is present, may discuss business. All decisions (if any) made at such meetings shall be recorded, read, approved and adopted or rejected at a Regular Business Meeting, or Special Business Meeting called for such purpose, in accordance with Section 5. } CERTIFICATION OF AMENDMENTS THIS IS TO CERTIFY: That at a regular meeting of Puget Sound Detachment, Marine Corps League, Department of Washington, held on the 13th day of April, 2011, a quorum being present, the underlined ByLaw text in this document comprise Amendments regularly adopted by a vote of more than two-thirds of the membership present and voting. __________________________________ Commandant: Steve Turley __________________________________ Sr. Vice Commandant: James Beatty __________________________________ Judge Advocate: Dan Nelson ______________________ Date CERTIFICATION OF AMENDMENTS THIS IS TO CERTIFY: That at a regular meeting of Puget Sound Detachment, Marine Corps League, Department of Washington, held on the 8th day of January, 2014, a quorum being present, the underlined By-Law text (dues change) in this document comprise Amendments regularly adopted by a vote of more than two-thirds of the membership present and voting. __________________________________ Commandant: James Beatty __________________________________ Sr. Vice Commandant: Tom Grigsby __________________________________ Judge Advocate: Dan Nelson ______________________ Date
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