Mt. Olympus Detachment # 897 By-laws
PREAMBLE
In the name of the benefit God of all, we who have honorably served, or are now honorably
serving our country in the United States Marine Corps, for the common good of this nation,
and all nations and people of our world, and in order that the fundamental rights and freedom
of every person be preserved, to foster interest in the affairs of the United States Marine
Corps, to protect and advance the welfare of wounded, disabled, and distressed Marines and
their dependents, and for the further purposes set forth hereinafter, do solemnly and firmly
associate ourselves together in a nonprofit corporation known as the MT. OLYMPUS
DETACHMENT #897, MARINE CORPS LEAGUE, and ordain and establish these By-laws.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE
GENERAL
SECTION 100 ORGANIZATION - This organization shall be known as the MT. OLYMPUS
DETACHMENT, MARINE CORPS LEAGUE, and is a non-profit organization incorporate
in the State of Washington.
SECTION 110 POLICY
A. The supreme power of the MT. OLYMPUS DETACHMENT, MARINE CORPS LEAGUE,
shall be always vested always in its membership. Executive and administrative
powers only will be delegated to its officers or to individual members of the
Detachment.
B. The MT. OLYMPUS DETACHMENT, MARINE CORPS LEAGUE, shall never take part
in any labor or management dispute or issue, and it shall be ever nonsectarian,
nonpolitical, and nonpartisan, nor shall it be biased on grounds of race, color, creed,
nationality, religion 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.
C. Nothing in the preceding section shall prohibit the MT. OLYMPUS DETACHMENT,
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE, or any subdivision thereof, from participating in political
issues that may affect the prestige and welfare of the United States Marine Corps,
the national security of our Nation, the common good of our community, or any
veteran's claim for justice and/or support arising from service in the Armed Forces of
the United Stated of America. Any endorsements made by this Detachment will be
the result of a simple majority vote of all its members in good standing.
ARTICLE II
DETACHMENT MEETINGS
SECTION 200 AUTHORITY - The supreme legislative and policy making power of the MT.
OLYMPUS DETACHMENT, MARINE CORPS LEAGUE, shall be vested in its properly
elected, registered, and approved officers in good standing.
SECTION 205 MEETINGS
A. The regular meetings of the MT. OLYMPUS DETACHMENT, MARING CORPS LEAGUE,
shall be convened at least once each calendar month, unless previously approved
by the current officers and trustees, and announced one month in advance to the membership.
B. The Commandant may call other meetings at his discretion. Each member shall be notified of
such meetings by whatever means appropriate, preferably at least seven
calendar days in advance.
SECTION 210 MEETING TIME AND LOCATION
A. The regular meeting time and place of the Detachment shall be designated by the Commandant
in consultation with the elective officers.
B. Whenever the scheduled date falls on a holiday or the meeting time or place needs to be changed
for any reason, the Commandant or his representative will notify the membership at least seven
calendar days in advance of the new meeting.
SECTION 215 RULES OF ORDER
A. These Bylaws, and the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised' shall govern
the procedure and conduct of each meeting.
B. In instances where these Bylaws may be in conflict with the current edition of Robert's Rules of
Order Newly Revised' the Bylaws will take precedence.
SECTION 220 CREDENTIALS
A. Members desiring to attend meetings of the Detachment, or vote on Detachment initiatives must
be members in good standing.
B. To be a member in good standing a member must be current on all authorized dues and fees, and
cannot be under Detachment or Marine Corps League suspension.
SECTION 225 VOTING A simple majority of those members present and voting will carry any issue or decide
any issue, except as otherwise provided by these Bylaws.
SECTION 230 ELECTIVE OFFICERS - The officers to be elected by the membership shall be:
A. Commandant
B. Senior Vice-Commandant
C. Junior Vice Commandant
D. Judge Advocate.
SECTION 235 NOMINATIONS
A. Nominations will be held in the month of February.
B. Nominations for elective office shall be made from a duly appointed and authorized Nominating
Committee, as well as those presented at the prescribed business meeting from the floor.
C. The Nominating Committee will be comprised of no less than three members in good standing, who have
volunteered to serve in that capacity during an open regularly scheduled meeting, as well as any past
Detachment Commandant in good standing.
D. Nominees for elective office must be members in good standing of the MT. OLYMPUS DETACHMENT,
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE, and must agree to serve, observing the provisions of these Bylaws, as well
as that of the Washington Department and National organizations.
SECTION 240 ELECTIONS
A. The election of officers shall take place each year during the month of March .
B. The election of Commandant, Senior Vice-Commandant, Junior Vice Commandant, and Judge Advocate
will be voted on in that order, by either roll call vote or by secret ballot of those in attendance at a regularly
scheduled meeting.
C. Balloting for each office immediately follows nominations from the floor for that office. The ballots are
counted for one office and the result of that election is announced after repeated balloting, if necessary
before the next office to be voted on is opened to nominations from the floor. The intent to hold the
election of officers must be announced to the membership at least one month prior to the vote.
D. Before the voting begins the Commandant shall select two members to supervise the voting and tally the
votes cast. One of these members will act as the Teller and the other as the Judge.
E. Once the Commandant has called for the Election of Officers, and has selected the Election Supervisor,
matters not related to the vote shall not be entertained until the vote is completed. Members will remain in
the meeting until the vote is taken unless specifically released by the Commandant.
F. A simple majority of the votes cast is required to elect Detachment Officers.
SECTION 245 TERM OF OFFICE - All officers shall be elected for one year, and may stand for reelection.
SECTION 250 APPOINTMENTS - All other Detachment officer positions and committee chairman shall be appointed
by the Commandant.
SECTION 255 QUORUM - The minimum number required to transact the regular and legal business of the Detachment
shall be five percent of the members in good standing, and must include at least two elected Detachment officers.
SECTION 260 RIGHT TO SPEAK - All members in good standing shall have the right to speak from the floor on any
matter or question before the Detachment. The Detachment Commandant may extend the privilege of the
floor to any member in good standing in the Marine Corps League.
SECTION 265 PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
A. Consumption of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products will be prohibited during meetings.
B. Vulgar language, disruptive behavior, and inappropriate attire will be cause for expulsion from the meeting
by the Sergeant at Arms.
ARTICLE III
DETACHMENT OFFICERS
SECTION 300 COMPOSITION
A. The Detachment Board of Trustees shall be composed of the elected Officers and the Junior Past
Commandant which are as follows:
B. Commandant
C. Senior Vice Commandant
D. Junior Vice Commandant
E. Judge Advocate
F. Junior Past Commandant
SECTION 305 DUTIES - In addition to the specific duties of the individual Detachment officers, as hereinafter
stated, it shall be the duty of each Detachment officer to acquire a working knowledge of the National Bylaws
of the , Marine Corps League. The specific duties of the Detachment officers shall be:
A. The Detachment Commandant shall preside at all meetings of the Detachment. The Commandant
shall have direction and control of the executive and administrative affairs of the Detachment and:
1. In addition, the Detachment Commandant shall with the advice and consent of the
Junior Past Commandant the following Staff Officers:
i. Adjutant/Paymaster (may be divided into two billets: an Adjutant and a Paymaster)
ii. Americanism
iii. Chaplain
iv. Historian
v. Marine Corps Ball Chairman
vi. Public Affairs Officer
vii. Sergeant At Arms
viii. Marine of the Year Committee (All Previous Marines of the Year)
ix. Any others as deemed necessary
2. The Detachment Commandant shall preside at all meetings of the Detachment. The Commandant
shall have direction and control of the executive and administrative affairs of the Detachment and in addition:
i. Observe and enforce the observance of the Congressional Charter, National Bylaws and Rituals
of the Marine Corps League.
ii. Direct to all officers and members such orders as are not in conflict with these Bylaws and are
necessary for the proper conduct of business.
iii. Call such meetings as are required by these Bylaws and are necessary.
iv. With the Detachment Adjutant/Paymaster, have custody of all funds and property of the Detachment
(subject to the supervision of the Detachment officers).
v. With the advice and consent of the membership, appoint such standing committees as are deemed necessary.
vi. Approve or disapprove all requisitions of the Adjutant/Paymaster which are in excess of fifty dollars ($50.00).
vii. Represent the Detachment at all social functions and ceremonies in such a manner as will
enhance the dignity, honor and prestige of this organization.
viii. Perform such other duties as are required to promote the Detachment and its mission.
3. The Senior Vice Commandant shall give every assistance to the Commandant, and during
the absence or illness of the Commandant perform the duties of that office. The Senior
Vice Commandant shall be charged with the initiation and implementation of such dynamic
programs as will enhance and increase the effectiveness of the Detachment.
4. The Junior Vice Commandant shall create and promulgate such membership activities,
incentives and programs as will engender enthusiastic response resulting in continuous
membership growth. In the absence or illness of the Senior Vice Commandant, the Junior
Vice Commandant will perform the duties of that office. The Junior Vice Commandant shall
process all applications for membership and verifying eligibility of the applicant.
5. The Judge Advocate shall act as the legal counsel for the Detachment, provide the official
interpretation of the Detachment's Bylaws, and guide the Commandant in the use of
Roberts's Revised Rules of Order and other directives as applicable.
6. The Junior Past Commandant shall recommend, to the Commandant, the committee Chairmen
for the ensuing year.
SECTION 310 VACANCY
A. In the event of an officer's resignation, death, removal for cause, or unexcused absence at two
consecutive general membership meetings, the next officer in the chain of command will assume
the billet and responsibilities associated with that billet. The Board of Trustees will decide by a
simple majority vote whether or not an officer with two consecutive absences will not be subject
to a higher appeal process within the Detachment.
B. The Commandant may choose to set up an interim election to fill the vacancy, or let the replacement
billet holder carry both billets for the remainder of the term. In the event the vacancy is the junior officer
of the Detachment Staff, and no clear replacement is prescribed, the Commandant, with the concurrence
of the majority of the members present, may appoint a replacement or call for an interim election.
ARTICLE IV
DETACHMENT STAFF
SECTION 400 COMPOSITION The Detachment staff shall be composed of all appointed officers, being identified
collectively as staff officers and individually as a staff officer.
SECTION 405 DUTIES The Detachment staff officers shall acquire a working knowledge of the Bylaws of the
Detachment and shall act as assistants to the Detachment officers with individual specific duties.
A. ADJUTANT/PAYMASTER shall:
1. Keep all proper and necessary books for the recording of all business of the Detachment,
including a correct record of membership accounts.
2. Cause to be kept the minutes of all Detachment meetings and perform such other duties
as are usually assigned to recording secretaries.
3. Read, at each Detachment meeting, the minutes of previous meetings along with other
actions and decisions affecting Detachment Bylaws, policy and administration.
4. Receive all monies, keeping a record of their source and purpose, and shall deposit these
monies in a bank or savings institution designated by the Detachment in the name of
MT. OLYMPUS DETACHMENT, MARINE CORPS LEAGUE.
5. Close the books, for the collection of dues and the determination of voting rights, by
March 1 st of each year.
6. Cause to happen, an audit of Detachment Paid Life Membership (PLM) and submit to the
Department Paymaster no later than 1 December of each year.
7. Maintain adequate inventory of supplies and merchandise, order all material to be used by the
Detachment, certify all invoices for services and material received, and render payment for
such invoices.
8. Keep the Detachment Commandant informed of the progress of all committees.
9. Submit a budget for the new fiscal year subject to the approval of the membership on or before
the fifteenth of May.
10. With the Detachment Commandant, cause an audit to be prepared and transmitted to the membership,
on or before the fifteenth of March of each year, a report of the proceedings and activities of the
Detachment for the proceeding year, including a full and complete statement of receipts and disbursements
during that year. The audit shall be conducted by no less than two members in good standing from the Detachment.
11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Detachment Commandant.
12. Surrender all books, records and other property of the Detachment, with which the office is charged,
to the duly appointed and qualified successor.
13. Keep all books, records and other inventories in such a manner that they are ready for audit at any time.
14. It is his/her responsibility to ensure the annual IRS 990-N and Washington State, Secretary of State
filings are completed in a timely manner and a report given by the Department Adjutant/Paymaster.
15. Establish the fiscal Year for the Detachment for financial accounting purposes from 1 July, to 30 June,
following, and provide such assistance as necessary to the Commandant to ensure that the annual audit
of the Detachment be completed on or before March 15 th of said calendar year.
B. CHAPLAIN shall:
1. Perform such duties of a spiritual nature as are customarily performed by church laypersons and as
required by the Bylaws and Rituals of the Marine Corps League.
C. HISTORIAN shall:
1. Assemble and maintain a record of the Detachment's history and achievements.
D. SERGEANT AT ARMS shall:
1. Preserve order at all meetings and gathering of the Detachment and perform such other duties as
are required by the Rituals of the Marine Corps League and by the Detachment Commandant.
E. SERVICE OFFICER shall:
1. Become acquainted with the interpretation and application of state and federal laws and regulations
of the Veterans Administration affecting active duty, retired and former Marines and their families.
2. Assist Marine veterans and their families secure the benefits provided by such laws and regulations.
3. Be in charge of all Veterans Administration activities of the Detachment.
ARTICLE V
DETACHMENT
Section 500 CHAPTER
A. The Detachment shall be organized, chartered and instituted in accordance with Section 700 of the
Bylaws of the Marine Corps League.
B. The Detachment charter shall be displayed at all business meetings.
SECTION 505 NAME The official name of this organization shall be MT. OLYMPUS DETACHMENT # 897,
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE.
SECTION 510 AUTHORITY The Detachment shall be governed by its officers subordinate tothe Department of
Washington and National Constitution and Bylaws and Administrative procedures.
SECTION 520 OFFICERS
A. Officers, both elected and appointed, will be selected (or confirmed), by the members in good standing
of the Detachment.
B. The Detachment Commandant retains the authority to appoint specific billet officers as needed by the
Detachment, and with its concurrence.
C. The Detachment must elect a Commandant, Senior vice Commandant, Junior Vice Commandant,
and a Judge Advocate.
D. The Detachment members will confirm, by a simple majority of those present at a regular business
meeting, the Commandant's appointment of a Detachment Chaplain, Adjutant, Paymaster, Sergeant At Arms,
and such other officers as deemed necessary
SECTION 530 TRUSTEES The Detachment's Board of Trustees will be comprised of the elected Detachment officers,
and any and all Past Commandants of the MT. OLYMPUS DETACHMENT.
SECTION 535 DUES
A. The annual dues of the Detachment shall be decided on by a vote of the membership each year
at the regular March meeting.
B. Annual dues are to include Department and National per capita dues and fees.
C. Dues shall be payable on or before the members anniversary date.
D. Department and National per capita dues shall be forwarded with a standard transmittal within
one week after dues are collected.
E. In cases of hardship or distress, an existing member's dues may be waived by a majority of the
members present at the regular business meeting where the issue is presented. The Detachment
will provide for the required Department and National Headquarters portion of the dues.
F. Lifetime membership will be available to Detachment members after the first anniversary of the
member's initiation. A Detachment surcharge may be added to the lifetime fee structure set by
National Headquarters.
SECTION 540 ELECTIONS AND INSTALLATIONS
A. Each member in good standing, present and voting shall be allotted one vote for each office being elected.
B. The newly elected officers will be installed at the regular March meeting.
SECTION 545 MEMBERS The Detachment be the sole judge of its membership in accordance with National Bylaws.
SECTION 550 BONDING
A. All Detachment officers, who in the course of their assigned duties handle Detachment funds or
membership monies, or Detachment financial records, shall be bonded.
B. The Detachment Commandant and the Adjutant/Paymaster are covered under a blanket bond held
and paid for by National Headquarters.
C. The bonding of additional Detachment officers, when necessary to comply with this section,
will arrange for and paid by the Detachment.
ARTICLE VI
MEMBERS
SECTION 600 MEMBERSHIP Detachment membership must comply with National Bylaws Article Six.
ARTICLE VII
GRIEVANCE AND DISCLIPLINE
SECTION 700 GRIEVANCES If an individual member considers there is a wrongdoing within the Detachment,
or that he/she has grievance himself/herself, the following procedure shall be followed:
A. The aggrieved person (petitioner) shall present his complaint in writing to the Detachment Judge
Advocate, with a copy to the Detachment Commandant.
B. The Detachment Judge Advocate shall review the grievance and if appropriate, will attempt to act
as a mediator in the dispute. If his/her efforts fail, he/she shall report to the Detachment Commandant.
C. The Detachment Commandant shall appoint a hearing board comprised of himself/herself as chairman,
the Detachment Judge Advocate and two other members not involved in the grievance.
D. The hearing board is empowered to convene a hearing at a time and place of its convenience.
The hearing shall take place within thirty days after the Detachment Judge Advocate has concluded
that mediation of the grievance is unsuccessful. The hearing board may call witnesses, hear testimony,
and may also conduct its own independent investigation.
E. Any decision shall be in writing, and must be affirmed by the majority of the hearing board, and forwarded
within fifteen days to the petitioner, with copies to all interested parties.
F. If four impartial members cannot be chosen for the hearing board, or if the aggrieved member (petitioner)
believes that the Detachment's hearing board's decision is unjustified, he/she may appeal the decision in
accordance with National Administrative Procedures Chapter Nine.
SECTION 705 DISCLIPINE MEMBER When a Detachment member commits an act contrary to the Bylaws and
Administrative Procedures of the Detachment and Marine Corps , League, or deemed not in the best interests of
the Detachment or the Marine Corps League, said individual member may be charged as follows:
A. A charge, in writing, shall be served upon the offender (respondent), with copies to the Detachment
Commandant and Detachment Judge Advocate.
B. The Detachment Commandant and Detachment Judge Advocate may, at their discretion, proceed
in accordance with these Bylaws.
SECTION 710 SUSPENSION PENDING HEARING In all proceedings brought under SECTIONS 700 and 702 herein,
the designated judicial officer shall possess the discretionary authority to temporarily suspend the respondent from
membership, office or function, pending final resolution of the charge.
SECTION 715 PUNISHMENT Following conformance with the procedures outlined in SECTIONS 700 and 705 herein,
if the respondent is adjudged guilty of committing any act which would tend to bring the Detachment and/or the Marine
Corps League into public disrepute, and if he/she has violated any of the applicable provisions of the National,
Department or Detachment Bylaws, said respondent may be punished by reprimand, suspension for a specific period, or expelled.
SECTION 720 CRIMINAL ACTS Should any member of the Detachment violate any of the Criminal laws of the
United Stated, or any states having jurisdiction, then complaint should be made directly to the proper federal or
state authority and not to the Marine Corps League or this Detachment.
ARTICLE VII
AMMENDENT OF BYLAWS
SECTION 800- - AMMENDMENTS
A. These Bylaws may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of those in attendance at a regular
scheduled meeting of the Detachment, provided that the amendment or amendments have been
submitted to all members by any means, in writing or electronically at least 30 days prior to the
next consecutive meeting of the Detachment.
B. No change or amendment to these Bylaws shall be considered if the change or amendment
conflicts with Department or National Bylaws or Administrative Procedures.
C. Copy of the changes or amendments must be submitted to the Department Judge Advocate.
D. Any changes/amendments to these Bylaws will take effect immediate following the vote of acceptance.
Submitted this date_ 25 October 2011 Approved this date__ 22 November 2011
Thomas W. Flanik Mark C. Schildknecht
Detachment Judge Advocate Detachment Commandant