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Please Help Us

The Association lost many records in the fiasco of the Virginia Beach office. Several recipients of the Non Sibi, Sed Patriae award have expressed an interest on forming a Non Sibi, Sed Patriae Society as a part of the Association. Unfortunately we no longer have the records of who has received the award. We ask the membership to help us out in this matter.


The e-WORD
February 2009
LEGISLATIVE NEWS FROM THE NEW CONGRESS

 More legislation of interest to the membership has been introduced in the new Congressional Session. The following bills will be posted on the Legislative News page with links for members to track the progress of these bills through the legislative process.

H.R. 1052 was introduced 12 February 2009 by Rep Ellen Taucher (D-CA) to mandate minimum periods of rest and recuperation for units and members of the regular and reserve components of the Armed Forces between deployments for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Latest Major Action: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

H.R. 816 was introduced 3 February 2009 by Rep Chet Edwards (D-TX) to amend title 10, United States Code, to prohibit certain increases in fees for military health care.
Latest Major Action: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
Background: This bill was introduced as a result of recommendations by the Congressional Budget Office and a document released in January by the Department of Defense outlining plans to increase fees for Tricare coverage and to begin to charge fees for Tricare for Life beneficiaries. The complete DOD document is available by clicking on the DOD Tricare Proposals in the REPORTS section of the menu on the left side of this Web page. You are strongly encouraged to write to your Congressional Representative to sign on as a co-sponsor of this bill.

H.R. 309 was introduced 8 January by Rep Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow certain current and former service members to receive a refundable tax credit for the purchase of a principal residence.
Latest Major Action: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.


NEWS FROM CENTRAL ASIA

 The last issue of the e-WORD reported that General Petraeus met with Kyrgyz officials on 19 January and they denied that the country had any plans to close the Manas Air Base. Following the 19 January meeting, Kyrgyz President Bakiyev travelled to Moscow for a 4 February Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) summit of the presidents of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. During his visit to Moscow President Bakiyev announced the closure of the Manas Air Base.

Following this announcement I asked a friend from Kyrgyzstan why the sudden turn around. The response was not a surprise to me. According to my friend it all has to do with the rampant corruption that exists in so much of the world. The announcement in Moscow coincided with a promise of economic loans from Moscow and the forgiveness of previous debt in exchange for partial ownership in a Kyrgyz corporation. For those not familiar with financial transactions in many parts of the world, it is customary to pay a person or persons involved in making an agreement. In the days of severe shortages in the former Soviet Union, one might find it necessary to pay a bribe to a sales clerk to buy a particularly desirable article of clothing. A few years ago a Ukrainian friend of mine was required to pay the equivalent of $100.00 to each person working in a passport office in order to obtain an international passport. That was in addition to the fee for the passport. Did President Bakiyev personally receive something for the Manas Air Base deal with Moscow? Clearly Russia really dislikes having American bases in areas of the former Soviet Union and put pressure on President Bakiyev. The underlying truth of the deal probably will never be known but if speculation is true, it would be in keeping with the way things are done in that part of the world.

Meanwhile the U.S. must patch things up with Uzbekistan about its role in the fight against terrorism. Recall that the Uzbek government provided a base for the U.S. to launch the attack against the Taliban and Al Qaida in Afganistan. It is not out of the question that the U.S. might negotiate an agreement to return to Uzbekistan. Islamic militants have been a thorn in the side of the Uzbek government following the breakup of the Soviet Union. The militants made an attempt to assassinate the Uzbek president in the late 90's, so there is a strong interest in the fight against terrorism. U.S. relations with Uzbekistan have not been good since a terrorist incident in the Fergana Valley in 2005. Our sharp critism of the Uzbek government over the handling of the Fergana matter led the Uzbek government to kick the U.S. out of the country. In our favor is the fact that Uzbekistan is one country not in full agreement with the provisions of the CSTO. The Uzbek government has always been somewhat distant toward any relationship with the Russian Federation.

Meanwhile it appears that Russia is open to the plan to send non-lethal military supplies through Russia, Kazakstan, Uzbekistan and on into Afganistan so that we will not be so dependent on the Pakistan route. Russia's foreign minister has been seen on Russian television saying that "the transit of goods will take place literally within days."

LPM



MCRA’s 2009 Annual Meeting

 Included in the business of the Annual Meeting is a vote on proposed amendments to the bylaws of the Association. Listed below is a copy of the current bylaws with proposed amendments marked in red. These proposed amendments were put together by a committee appointed by the Association President, including our Judge Advocate General. Members are asked to read through the bylaws with the proposed amendments and send any comments, suggestions, or otherwise to hqs@usmcra.org.
Marine Corps Reserve Association (MCRA) Bylaws
 Approved: May 15, 2004

Table of Contents

BACKGROUND   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

ARTICLE I NAME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

ARTICLE II OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

ARTICLE IV ORGANIZATION  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

ARTICLE V BOARD OF DIRECTORS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

ARTICLE VI BOARD OF DIRECTORS—COMPOSITION AND TERMS OF OFFICE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

ARTICLE VII NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS, VOTING, PROXIES AND INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

ARTICLE VIII OFFICERS, ADVISORS AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR—RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES . . . . .10

ARTICLE IX: DISTRICT VICE-PRESIDENTS AND COUNCILORS-AT-LARGE—RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES . . . .13

ARTICLE X REMOVAL AND EXPULSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .13

ARTICLE XI VACANCIES IN OFFICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

ARTICLE XII ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

ARTICLE XIII DUES  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..  . . . . . . . . .15

ARTICLE XIV SEAL AND INSIGNIA  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . .  . . . . . . . . .15

ARTICLE XV NATIONAL EMERGENCY  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

ARTICLE XVI BYLAWS AND RESOLUTIONS  . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

ARTICLE XVII RULES OF PROCEDURE  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17





Marine Corps Reserve Association (MCRA) Bylaws
 Approved: May 15, 2004

BACKGROUND

 The Marine Corps Reserve Officers’ Association (MCROA) was originally established in 1926 by Marine Reserve officers to further the interests of our country and to preserve our national security through the most effective United States Marine Corps possible. Because the bylaws were amended to include reserve enlisted Marines as members, the organization currently operates under the name of The Marine Corps Reserve Association (MCRA). The organization presently is incorporated as a Virginia non-stock corporation under the name of The Marine Corps Reserve Association Foundation, Inc. doing business as The Marine Corps Reserve Association. In 1993, MCROA was incorporated as a Virginia non-stock corporation. In 2003 the organization’s name was changed to The Marine Corps Reserve Association (MCRA) and remains incorporated as a Virginia non-stock corporation and is governed in accordance with the following by-laws:

ARTICLE I
NAME

 The name of this organization as provided for in its Articles of Incorporation is The Marine Corps Reserve Association Foundation, Inc. which does business as The Marine Corps Reserve Association, and is hereby referred to as the Association. The name of this organization as provided for in the Articles of Incorporation shall be the Marine Corps Reserve Association, Inc. hereafter referred to as the "Association."

 ARTICLE II
OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSES

 The objectives and purposes of the Association as stated in the Articles of Incorporation are: to foster the advancement of the professional knowledge of members of the United States Marine Corps Reserve; to promote the interest of the members of the Marine Corps Reserve in the Marine Corps and the interest of the Marine Corps in its Reserve; to represent and assist individual members; and, at all times, to promote the interests of the United States Marine Corps in the broadest and most liberal manner to the end that it may best advance the welfare of and serve to preserve the security of the United States.

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1
CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP

 The Association shall have five classes of membership, to wit: active, life, associate, business associate and corporate.

SECTION 2
QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP

 The following shall be eligible for membership in the association.

a) Active Membership: Any member of the Marine Corps Reserve on active duty, inactive duty, retired, or who served honorably and received an honorable discharge; or any regular officer or enlisted member of the United States Marine Corps in a retired status; shall be eligible for active membership upon payment of dues for this class of membership as set by the Board of Directors. Active membership, once established, will not be changed if the member's status changes from reserve to regular

b) Life Membership: Any member of the Marine Corps Reserve on active duty, inactive duty, retired or who served honorably and received an honorable discharge; or any regular officer or enlisted member of the United States Marine Corps in a retired status, shall be eligible for active membership upon payment of dues for this class of membership as set by the Board of Directors

c) Associate Membership: Any regular officer or enlisted now in the United States Marine Corps; any individual who has served honorably in the United States Marine Corps; any officer or enlisted of any other service of the United States who at one time was attached to a unit of the United States Marine Corps or its reserve; any Naval ROTC midshipman who has elected a Marine option; and any member of the United States Marine Corps platoon leaders class who has completed his training for commission is eligible for associate membership

d) Business Associate Membership: A corporate or business leader shall be eligible for Business Associate Membership under criteria established by the Board of Directors. Business associate members shall have rights and privileges as established by the Board of Directors, except that they shall not be eligible to hold office or to vote for officers or delegates to a conference.

e) Corporate Membership: A corporation or business shall be eligible for Corporate Membership under criteria established by the Board of Directors. Corporate membership members shall have rights and privileges as established to by the Board of Directors, except that they shall not be eligible to hold office or to vote for officers or delegates to a conference.

SECTION 3
ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP

 a) An applicant for active or associate membership shall, upon payment of one year's dues as set by the Board of Directors, become a member of the Association and be eligible for membership in the chapter of his/her choice. All active members shall may hold membership in one chapter.

b) An applicant for life membership shall, upon payment of appropriate dues for this class of membership, as set by the Board of Directors, become a life member of the Association and be eligible for membership in the chapter of his/her choice. All life members shall may hold membership in one chapter.

c) If no choice of chapter is expressed, the applicant shall become a member of the chapter closest to his/her residence. Chapter membership can be changed/ transferred at any time.

d) The records of the national headquarters shall constitute the official membership roll of the Association and shall be the final authority in all questions pertaining to the computation of membership

SECTION 4
VOTING RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES

 a) Active and Life members shall have all the rights and privileges of membership including but not limited to, the right to hold office and to vote for officers, bylaws changes, resolutions and other business as may properly be brought before the Association.

b) Associate, business associate and corporate members shall have all the rights and privileges of an active member except that they shall not be eligible to hold office or vote.

SECTION 5
EXPULSION AND DISCIPLINE

 a) Each chapter shall be the judge of its own membership, subject to the restrictions of the Association's Articles of Incorporation and bylaws. A member may be suspended or expelled from the Association for conduct detrimental to the Association, or for non-payment of dues.

b) All charges which could lead to suspension or expulsion must be made under oath in writing by the complainant. No member in good standing shall lose his/her membership until given a full hearing. Any member suspended or expelled after a full and fair hearing by his/her chapter shall have the right to appeal to the Board of Directors.

SECTION 6
NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF MEMBERSHIP

 Membership shall not be transferred from one individual to another.

ARTICLE IV
ORGANIZATION

SECTION 1
CHAPTERS

 The membership of the Association shall be organized into chapters. Fifteen (15) or more members may apply for a charter for a local chapter. The Board of Directors may waive this requirement and designate a lesser number where circumstances warrant it.

SECTION 2
NAMES

 Each chapter shall bear such name as the members may designate, not to be in conflict with the name of an existing chapter. All chapter names are subject to approval of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3
CHAPTER CHARTERS

 The national president shall issue a charter to the new chapter upon approval by the Board of Directors and:

a) Receipt of a petition signed by at least fifteen (15) members or persons eligible for active or life membership, (or such lesser number as may be designated by the Board of Directors), accompanied by required applications for membership and appropriate dues, and

b) Approval of proposed chapter bylaws by the national Judge Advocate General.

SECTION 4
ELECTION OF CHAPTER OFFICERS

 Each chapter in the Association shall hold an annual election of chapter officers.

SECTION 5
BYLAWS

 Each chapter shall adopt a set of bylaws, not in conflict with the Association's Articles of Incorporation and bylaws.

SECTION 6
AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER CHARTERS AND BYLAWS

 Amendments to or revisions of chapters' charters and bylaws shall be submitted to the national headquarters for review by the judge advocate general and approval by the Board of Directors. In the event that any portion of the local charter and bylaws, as amended or revised, shall be determined by the judge advocate general and the Board of Directors to be in conflict with, or not conforming to, the provisions of the Association's Articles of Incorporation and bylaws, such portion shall become invalid without affecting the validity of the remaining portions of such charter and bylaws.

SECTION 7
SUSPENSION AND REVOCATION OF LOCAL CHARTER

 a) Chapter charters may be suspended or revoked by the Board of Directors for violation of the Articles of Incorporation or bylaws of the Association. However, before the suspension or revocation of any charter, notice in writing, setting forth the alleged violation or violations, shall be sent to the president and secretary of the chapter in question at least thirty (30) days prior to the proposed suspension or revocation. Such notice shall provide an opportunity for the chapter to be heard by the Board of Directors.

b) A chapter whose charter has been suspended or revoked may be reinstated by the Board of Directors when the cause for such suspension or revocation has been removed. A chapter shall have the right to appeal to the Board of Directors, but in case no appeal is filed within thirty (30) days of the date of suspension or revocation, the matter will be referred automatically to the next Board of Directors meeting, and the Board shall have the power to revoke or reinstate the charter. A chapter whose charter has been revoked shall immediately surrender its books, records and funds to the Board of Directors.

c) Any chapter seeking to merge with another chapter, or for other good cause, may request to the Board of Directors to have their chapter dissolved.

SECTION 8
DEBTS OF LOCAL CHAPTERS

 The Marine Corps Reserve Association Foundation, Inc. will not assume liability for debts incurred by local chapters.

SECTION 9
MEMBERSHIP

 Members of the Association shall join their local chapter, or a chapter of their choice, within one year of becoming a member of the Association. Only members of the Association may be members of a chapter.

ARTICLE V
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 The governing body of the Association shall be the Board of Directors, comprised of ten (10) elected Officers of the Association, six (6) elected District Vice-Presidents and not more than three (3) elected Councilors-at-Large.

SECTION 2
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS

 The Officers of the Association shall be a president, four vice- presidents, a secretary, a treasurer, a judge advocate general, a chaplain and a medical officer. Neither the chaplain nor the medical officer shall be voting members of the Association or the Board of Directors.

 SECTION 3
DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENTS

 The six district vice-presidents shall be members of a chapter, or reside, in the districts that they represent. All shall be voting members of the Board.

SECTION 4
COUNCILORS-AT-LARGE

 Councilors-at large will be members of the Board without residence restrictions. All shall be voting members of the Board.

SECTION 5
CHAIRMAN, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND ADVISOR TO THE BOARD

 The Board of Directors shall be advised by a chairman, vice-chairman and one advisor. The Chairman shall be the senior a Marine general of the Marine Corps Reserve or retired Reserve willing to serve. The vice-chairman shall be the immediate past-president. The advisor shall be elected from the membership at large. The chairman, vice-chairman and advisor shall serve as ex-officio members with full rights of participation, but shall not have voting privileges.

SECTION 6
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY

 All executive authority shall be vested in the Board of Directors. The Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Association; shall cause the bylaws of the Association to be properly executed and administered; shall exercise all executive authority, either directly or through its committees; shall have full control and management of all matters as to disputes, discipline, funds or property of the Association, other than funds or property of the chapters, except when otherwise provided by these bylaws; and shall have full power and authority to interpret the bylaws of the Association. The determination of the Board after hearing an appeal as provided in these bylaws shall be final, except as provided in Article IV, Section 7, sub-section (b).

The Board shall approve each and every place of deposit of the funds of the Association and fix the maximum amount that may be deposited in each depository. The Board shall examine all reports of chapters and officers, and take such action thereon as may be necessary from time to time and consistent with these bylaws.

The Board shall have the right to determine and define the limits of any jurisdiction without reference to geographic division. The Board shall have the right, in its sole and exclusive discretion, to change or merge existing jurisdictions whenever the good of the Association so requires. A three-fourths vote shall be required and such action shall be subject to review by the membership at the next National Conference.

 SECTION 7
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at such time and place as the president Chairman shall determine. Seven members of the Board of Directors, either present in person or by proxy, and eligible to vote, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of Association business.

SECTION 8
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

 The Board shall form an executive committee comprised of the president, a vice president, secretary, treasurer, staff judge advocate and the chairman. The executive committee shall meet, as required, to act on urgent matters between regular board meetings. All decisions of the executive committee shall be subject to the approval of the Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting.

ARTICLE VI
BOARD OF DIRECTORS—COMPOSITION AND TERMS OF OFFICE

SECTION 1
COMPOSITION

 The Association's Board of Directors shall be comprised of its officers, District Vice-Presidents and councilors-at-large. All members of the board, with the exception of the medical officer and the chaplain, must be eligible to hold office and vote as provided for in Article III, above.

Association Officers: The Association's officers shall be a president, secretary, treasurer, judge advocate general, chaplain, medical officer, and four vice presidents. At its first meeting, the board shall elect the first vice president from the group of four vice presidents. The first vice president shall serve in this office for a period of one year, unless re-elected. The first vice president shall act for the president in the president's absence. Officers shall be elected by vote of the Association membership.

District Vice-Presidents: There shall be six district vice-presidents, one from each district. District vice-presidents shall be elected by vote of the Association membership.

Councilors-at-Large: Three councilors-at-large shall serve as full voting members of the Board and shall discharge such duties as the president may assign. They shall be elected by vote of the Association membership.

SECTION 2
STAGGERED TERMS

 The Association shall stagger the terms of its voting officers, district vice-presidents and councilors-at-large to ensure continuity and to maintain a cadre of experienced individuals. All members of the Board of Directors, with the exception of the president, shall serve for terms of three (3) years, or until their successors are elected. The president shall serve for two (2) years, or until his/her successor is elected. Terms shall be as outlined below:

Category 1: Two (2) vice presidents, two (2) district vice-presidents (1st and 4th Marine Corps Districts), and the secretary and the treasurer. The first re-election of the incumbents will be for the 2002 to 2005 election for these positions will be for the 2009 - 2012 term.

Category 2: One (1) vice president, two (2) district vice-presidents (6th and 8th Marine Corps Districts), and two (2) councilors-at-large. The first re-election of the incumbents will be for the 2004 to 2007 election for these positions will be for the 2010 - 2013 term.

Category 3: One (1) vice president, two (2) district vice-presidents (9th and 12th Marine Corps Districts), one (1) councilor-at-large, the judge advocate general, the chaplain and the medical officer. The first re-election of the incumbents will be for the 2003 to 2006 election for these positions will be for the 2011 - 2014 term.

SECTION 3
ADVISORS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

a) Chairman of the Board: The incumbent Chairman of the Board and the president shall nominate the next chairman. The new chairman shall be elected by vote of the membership of the Association and must be eligible to hold office and vote as provided for Article III, above. His/her term of office shall be one (1) year.

b) Vice Chairman of the Board: The incumbent vice-chairman shall nominate the outgoing President of the Board as his successor. The vice-chairman will be elected by vote of the membership of the Association and must be eligible to hold office and vote as provided for Article III, above. His/her term off office shall be two (2) years.

c) Advisor to the Board of Directors: The Advisor to the Board of Directors shall be nominated by the chairman and the president during the final six months of their terms of office. The new advisor shall be elected by vote of the membership of the Association and must be eligible to hold office and vote as outlined in Article III, above. His/her term of office shall be one year.

ARTICLE VII
NOMINATIONS, ELECTIONS, VOTING, PROXIES AND INSTALLATION

SECTION 1
NOMINATIONS

 Any associationAssociation member eligible to hold office and vote as provided for in Article III, above, may nominate any like qualified member for election to national office. Any association Association member eligible to hold office and vote as provided for in Article III, above, may be nominated for election to national office.

A call for nominations shall be either listed on the Association’s Website, or published in either The Word or a special e-mail communication to the voting membership not later than five (5) months prior to the national conference.

A nominations committee comprised of at least three Association members eligible to hold office and vote as provided for in Article III, above, shall be appointed by the national president. All nominations shall be forwarded to this committee in writing. The committee shall screen all nominees for eligibility and forward the list of all eligible nominees to the national president for his review. The list shall then be forwarded to the national headquarters for inclusion on the ballot.

SECTION 2
ELECTIONS

 The names and brief biographies of the nominees shall be either listed on the Association’s Website or published in either The Word or a special communications to the voting membership not later than forty (40) days prior to the national conference. A ballot shall be sent communicated to all eligible voting members, by which the voting membership can vote for the nominees recommended by the nominating committee, or for any other Association member of their choice who is eligible to hold office and vote, as provided for in Article III, above.

SECTION 3
VOTING

 Voting shall be by those members eligible to vote and hold office as provided for in Article III, above. Completed ballots must be received at the national headquarters not later than 10 days prior to the convening of the national conference. Ballots received less that 10 days prior to the convening of the national conference shall be considered invalid and shall not be counted. All ballots shall be counted by the credentials committee prior to the conduct of association Association business at the national conference. Nominees shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast, and the results of all voting shall be announced at the annual meeting of the membership at the national conference.

SECTION 4
PROXIES

 All Association members who are unable to attend the national conference in person shall be provided the opportunity to designate a proxy to vote and to conduct other business on their behalf.

A proxy form shall be either listed on the Association’s Website or published in either The Word or a special communication to the voting membership not later than 40 days prior to the national conference. Completed proxy forms must be received at the national headquarters not later than 10 days prior to the convening of the national conference. Proxies received less that 10 days prior to the convening of the national conference shall be considered invalid and will not be validated. All proxies shall be validated by the credentials committee prior to the conduct of association Association business at the national conference. To have his/her proxy validated, the submitting individual must be eligible to hold office and vote as provided for in Article III, above, and must be a member in good standing at the time and date the proxy will be exercised.

The Board of Directors shall determine the proxy form.

SECTION 5
INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS, DISTRICT VICE-PRESIDENTS AND COUNCILORS-AT-LARGE

 Newly elected officers, District Vice-Presidents and councilors-at-large shall be announced and installed at the national conference.

ARTICLE VIII
OFFICERS, ADVISORS AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR—RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

SECTION 1
PRESIDENT

 The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Association and represent the Association in all matters pertaining to its affairs. The president or first vice president shall preside at the meetings of the Board. He/she shall perform such other duties as are consistent with his/her office and the laws of the Association.

SECTION 2
VICE PRESIDENTS

 The duties of the four (4) vice presidents shall be as assigned by the president and/or the Board. One each of those VP’s shall be assigned the responsibility for professional development and legislative affairs. The duties of the two remaining VP’s may include, inter alia, the following functions: membership, national programs, retired affairs, junior officer/enlisted affairs and long-range planning.

SECTION 3
SECRETARY

 The secretary, or in his absence his designee, shall keep a true and faithful record of the proceedings of the national conference and Board of Director’s meetings.

The secretary shall pay over to the treasurer all monies received belonging to the Association; report at the national conference the general condition of the Association; and perform such other duties as are imposed or consistent with the laws of the Association and as may be determined and required by the Board.

SECTION 4
TREASURER

 The treasurer shall supervise the administration of all funds of the Association. He/she shall coordinate all matters of finance between the executive directorExecutive Director and the Board and shall periodically report the fiscal condition of the Association to the presidentPresident and the Board. He/she shall perform such advisory functions as are incidental to the office. He/she shall submit to the Board at the September meeting an Annual Budget and such financial projections as may be required. The treasurer shall share equal responsibility with the executive directorExecutive Director as custodian of all bonds, notes, mortgages, deeds, contracts, insurance policies and other papers of the Association.

The treasurer shall report at the national conference and at the regular meetings of the Board, or more often if required by the Board, the amount of receipts and disbursements, in such form as shall be approved by the Board.

At the expiration of his/her term of office or in case of resignation or removal, the treasurer shall pay and deliver to his/her successor in office all monies, books and property in his possession belonging to the Association. He /she shall perform such other duties as may be directed by the Board.

SECTION 5
THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL

 The judge advocate general is the legal advisor to the Board of Directors and the president of the Association in all legal matters pertaining to the Association. The judge advocate general shall also act on such other matters of a legal nature referred by individual members or chapters as affect the Association and perform such other duties as shall be assigned to him from time to time by the Board or the president.

SECTION 6
THE CHAPLAIN

 The chaplain shall perform divine and non-sectarian services at all meetings of the Association and shall conduct such ceremonies as may be required.

SECTION 7
THE MEDICAL OFFICER

 The medical officer is the medical advisor to the Board of Directors and the president of the Association on all medical matters that are relevant to the Marine Corps.

SECTION 8
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

 The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Board and solely in an advisory capacity. He shall attend meetings of the Board, the Executive Committee and the national conference and in cooperation with the president shall assume duties assigned by the president and the Board.>BR>
SECTION 9
VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

 The vice-chairman of the Board of Directors shall serve in place and stead of the chairman in the chairman’s absence, and perform other such duties as may be assigned in cooperation with the president and the Board.

SECTION 10
ADVISOR TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 The advisor to the Board of Directors shall act as an advisor to the Board and shall perform such duties as may be assigned in cooperation with the president and the Board.

SECTION 11
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

 a) The executive directorExecutive Director shall be the chief administrative officer of the Association.

b) The executive directorExecutive Director shall be responsible for the management and supervision of the national headquarters and the fiscal and secretarial matters thereof. The executive directorExecutive Director shall be charged with the administration of the policies and mandates established by the Board and the Association. The executive director shall keep a record of all proceedings and of all matters essential to the administration of the national headquarters and perform such other duties as are incidental to his office, or as may be directed by the Board or the president.

c) The executive directorExecutive Director shall account to the treasurer for all monies received by him or her belonging to the Association, and shall be the custodian of all bonds, notes, mortgages, deeds, contracts, insurance policies and other papers of the Association, for which custody is not otherwise provided for. d) The executive directorExecutive Director shall be engaged and hired by the Board of Directors. He/she shall be under contract and said contract shall be subject to renewal on an annual basis.

ARTICLE IX:
DISTRICT VICE-PRESIDENTS AND COUNCILORS-AT-LARGE—RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

SECTION 1
DISTRICT VICE-PRESIDENTS

 The primary duties of District Vice-Presidents shall be to function as an interface between the Board of Directors and the chapters in their respective districts; to represent those chapters to the Board of Directors; and to support them in their fulfillment of the goals and objectives of the associationAssociation, to include, but not be limited to: membership enhancement, professional military education, community outreach programs and liaison with other Marine Corps and Marine Corps affiliated organizations.

District vice-presidents shall report to the president of the association in the performance of their primary duties. When assigned additional responsibilities by the president; working with other association officers or a designated committee, the district vice-presidents shall report to that officer or committee chairman for the specific additional responsibilities assigned.

Each district vice-president may appoint, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, a state councilor for each state within his/her district and the District of Columbia. The District of Columbia shall be considered a state for these purposes. Each district vice-president may appoint, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, as many area councilors as are necessary to assist him/her in discharging the business of the association. State and area councilors must be eligible to vote and hold office as provided for in Article III, above.

SECTION 2
COUNCILORS-AT-LARGE

 The duties and responsibilities of the councilors-at-large shall be as prescribed by the national president.

ARTICLE X
REMOVAL AND EXPULSION

SECTION 1
REMOVAL OF ELECTED OFFICIALS

 Any elected or appointed officer or member of the Board of Directors may be removed from office for failure to perform or for conduct detrimental to the Association. Removal shall require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board members present and voting. Any elected or appointed officer or member who is subject to removal from office shall be given (30) day's notice and an opportunity for a hearing before the board.

SECTION 2
EXPULSION OF MEMBERS

 a) A member may be dropped from membership for nonpayment of dues. Members whose dues are 60 days or more in arrears will be considered lapsed members and will lose all privileges of membership. Members whose dues are one year in arrears will be removed from the membership rolls and will be required to reapply for membership.

b) A member may be dropped from the membership by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board for conduct detrimental to the Association. Any member who is subject to loss of membership for conduct detrimental to the Association shall be given thirty (30) days' notice and an opportunity for a hearing before the Board.

ARTICLE XI
VACANCIES IN OFFICE

 Vacancies among elected members of the Board of Directors shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by appointment by the national president with the approval of the boardBoard. In the case of a vacancy arising in the office of the president, the order of succession shall be the first vice president followed by any vice president elected by a majority of the board members present and eligible to vote. A vice president so elevated or elected shall serve as president for the remainder of the unexpired term.

ARTICLE XII
ANNUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE

SECTION 1
MEETINGS

 A general meeting of the membership of the Association shall be held annually at a place and time to be designated by the Board of Directors.

A quorum of an assembled annual meeting shall be constituted by a majority of those members present in person or by proxy and eligible to vote.

Any active or life member shall be entitled to vote at the National Conference in person or by proxy.

Special meetings of the Association may be called by the president upon a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2
ORDER OF BUSINESS

 The order of business of the National Conference shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3
CONFERENCE COMMITTEES

 There shall be the following standing Conference Committees:

The president may appoint conference committees. The president, with the approval of the Board of Directors, shall appoint all conference committee chairmen. The chairman of each conference committee shall appoint the members of his/her respective committee. Committee business shall be conducted at the direction of the committee chairman and in accordance with the Rules of Procedure as set forth in Article XVII of the bylaws, but subject to such procedures as may be promulgated from time to time by the Board of Directors. Such appointment shall be made not later than three (3) months prior to the date of the national conference.

SECTION 4
CREDENTIALS

 The credentials committee shall validate the membership of those persons desiring to vote on issues raised at the national conference.

ARTICLE XIII
DUES

 a) National Dues: The annual national dues of each member of the association shall be set by the Board of Directors.

b) Local Dues: Chapters may levy and collect dues from their members.

ARTICLE XIV
SEAL AND INSIGNIA

 The Board of Directors may adopt a seal and a distinctive insignia.

ARTICLE XV
NATIONAL EMERGENCY

 In the event of war or national emergency requiring the general mobilization of the reserve Reserve that renders the officers and Board of Directors unable to perform their Association duties, the Association shall vest its entire affairs, with complete powers, in the hands of one or more members to be designated by the Board of Directors and to be known as Trustee(s). The Trustee(s) shall maintain the Association in an appropriate status with authority to suspend any or all activities during the period of the emergency. The Trustee(s) shall be responsible for reactivating the Association upon termination of the war or emergency, or when at least one-third of the reserve officers have been demobilized. The reactivation shall be accomplished in such manner as the Trustee(s) may deem appropriate, but in any event not later than one year after at least one-third of the reserve officers have been demobilized. Upon the declaration by the Trustee(s) that the officers and board members who were in office at the time the Association was suspended are available, they shall resume the positions held by them until successors have been elected and installed. All vacancies created by said national emergency shall be filled by temporary appointment by the Trustee(s), and the Trustee (or senior ranking Trustee if there be more than one Trustee) shall serve as acting president if the president immediately preceding the suspension of the Association is not available. The acting president and the acting Board of Directors shall make such rules as are necessary for the interim government and management of the association's affairs until replaced by the procedures outlined in this paragraph above.

ARTICLE XVI
BYLAWS AND RESOLUTIONS

SECTION 1
AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS

 Any eligible voting member may submit a proposed amendment of the Bylaws to the BODBoard of Directors.

All proposed amendments shall be submitted to the national headquarters in writing to arrive not later than three (3) months prior to the national conference. Upon receipt of a proposed amendment(s) to the bylaws, the national president shall appoint a bylaws committee of at least three Association members to review the proposed amendment(s) and put it/them in form for consideration by the Board of Directors.

All proposed amendments to the bylaws shall be published in either The Word or a special communication to the voting membership with a Board of Directors recommended position not later than 40 days prior to the national conference.

A ballot shall be included in the above method of publication, by which the voting membership shall vote for or against the proposed amendment(s). Such proposed amendments shall be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members eligible to vote and voting.

Ballots must be received at the national headquarters at least 10 days prior to the convening of the national conference. Ballots received less than 10 days prior to the convening of the national conference shall be considered invalid and will not be counted. The results of the balloting shall be validated by the credentials committee and announced at the national conference.

SECTION 2
RESOLUTIONS

 Prior to consideration of any proposed resolutions by the Association members, any such resolutions shall be submitted to, and processed by, the resolutions committee in a manner prescribed by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XVII
RULES OF PROCEDURE

 The proceedings and deliberations of the Association, including the National Conference and the Board of Directors, shall be in accordance with rules adopted and amended from time to time to govern these proceedings and deliberations. All matters not governed by such rules shall be governed by the parliamentary practices established by Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised.



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LPM