Marine Corps League - Indian River Detachment #058

2025 INDIAN RIVER DETACHMENT# 058 BYLAWS

 

 

 

INDIAN RIVER DETACHMENT #058

BYLAWS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DATE: March 27, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ii

INDIAN RIVER DETACHMENT# 058 DEPARTMENT OF FLORIDA, MARINE CORPS LEAGUE

 

Date 27 March 2025

From: Marine Corps League Indian River Detachment #058 To:            Distribution List

Subj: MCL INDIAN RIVER DETACHMENT# 058 BYLAWS

 

Ref: (a) Current Edition of the National Bylaws (NBL)

  • Current Edition of the National Administrative Procedures (NAP)
  • Current Edition of the Department of Florida Bylaws and Administrative Procedures

 

  1. These bylaws provide guidance concerning the function and organization of the Indian River Detachment# 058. The primary goal of these bylaws is to ensure that Indian River Detachment# 058 is operated in accordance with the Marine Corps League’s structure and to follow all local, state, and national laws. The 23 October 1997 edition of Indian River Detachment # 058 Bylaws are hereby cancelled this date.

 

  1. The National Bylaws state the responsibilities incumbent upon all Marine Corps League members and state the requirements that will ultimately facilitate the mission of this Detachment.

 

  1. The goal of the Marine Corps League Detachment Bylaws is to provide the detachment leadership effective resources and guidance to ensure that this Detachment is successful and relevant to the membership. These Detachment Bylaws and the Marine Corps League’s Administrative Procedures set the specific guidelines and requirements for all Marine Corps League members to follow.
  2. These detachment bylaws were presented to all members at the Indian River Detachment# 058 general meeting on 27 March 2025. There was a motion and a second by qualified members to accept and approve the detachment bylaws. The discussion phase was opened, and all questions or changes were made. The detachment bylaws were ratified/approved by majority vote of all members present at the detachment’s general meeting on 27 March 2025.
  3. Effective: Date of MCL Indian River Detachment # 058 These Bylaws were effective on 27 March 2025.

6.      Reviewed and Approved.

 

 

Dwight Harris

Indian River Detachment #058

Commandant

 

Joshua Bryant

Indian River Detachment #058

Senior Vice Commandant

 

John Micheal Matthews

Indian River Detachment #058

Judge Advocate

 

Additional officers may be added as desired

 

 

DISTRIBUTION:

MCL Department of Florida, Board of Trustees MCL Department of Florida Adjutant

Indian River Detachment# 058 Board of Trustees

2025 INDIAN RIVER DETACHMENT# 058 BYLAWS

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE Detachment Cover Letter………………………………………………………………………………………………… i

Detachment Bylaws Officer Review and Approvals…………………………………………. ii

Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………………………… iii

ARTICLE I: Name, Purpose, and Resolve…………………………………………………… 1

Section 100: Name……………………………………………………………………………. 1

Section 105: Mission Statement………………………………………………………….. 1

Section 110: The Purpose of the  Marine Corps League………………………… 1

Section 115: Not-for-Profit…………………………………………………………………. 2

Section 120: Non-Discrimination………………………………………………………… 2

Section 125: Resolve of the Detachment………………………………………………. 2

ARTICLE II: Membership…………………………………………………………………………. 2

Section 200: Membership……………………………………………………………………. 2

Section 205: Membership Dues and Fees……………………………………………… 2

Section 210: Ineligible Members…………………………………………………………. 3

Section 215: Removal from Detachment Rolls………………………………………. 3

Section 220: Membership Listing………………………………………………………… 4

ARTICLE III: Officers……………………………………………………………………………….. 4

Section 300: Governing Body…………………………………………………………….. 4

Section 305: Detachment Staff……………………………………………………………. 5

ARTICLE IV: Election Procedures, Nominations, Installation and ROI………. 5

Section 400: Election of Officers………………………………………………………… 5

Section 405: Report oflnstallation (ROI)…………………………………………….. 5

Section 410: Nominations………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5

Section 415: Election of officers…………………………………………………………. 6

Section 420: Ballots…………………………………………………………………………… 6

Section 425: Vacancies………………………………………………………………………. 6

ARTICLE V: Meetings……………………………………………………………………………….. 6

Section 500: Meetings………………………………………………………………………… 6

Section 505: General and Special………………………………………………………… 6

Section 510: Board ofTrustees…………………………………………………………….. 6

Section 515: Quorum…………………………………………………………………………. 6

Section 520: Parliamentary Authority………………………………………………….. 6

Section 525: Contracting Authority……………………………………………………… 7

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

ARTICLE VI: Committees…………………………………………………………………………. 7

Section 600: Elected Officers……………………………………………………………… 7

Section 605: Members………………………………………………………………………… 7

Section 610: Standing and Special……………………………………………………….. 7

ARTICLE VII: Fiscal and Financial……………………………………………………………. 7

Section 700: Commandant…………………………………………………………………. 7

Section 705: Elected Officers……………………………………………………………… 7

Section 710: Membership……………………………………………………………………. 7

Section 715: Board of Trustees……………………………………………………………. 7

Section 720: Financial Review……………………………………………………………. 7

Section 730: Fiscal Year…………………………………………………………………….. 7

ARTICLE VII: Uniforms……………………………………………………………………………. 8

Section 800: Uniforms……………………………………………………………………….. 8

ARTICLE IX: Amendments……………………………………………………………………….. 8

Section 900: Detachment Bylaws………………………………………………………… 8

Section 905: National and Department Bylaws……………………………………… 8

Section 910: Di•stribution………………………………………………………………….. 8

Section 915: Clerical Errors………………………………………………………………… 8

ARTICLE X: Detachment Charter Suspension, Revocation, Voluntary Surrender and Dissolution……………………………………………………………………………. 8

Section 1000: Detachment Charter Suspension and Revocation………………. 8

Section 1005: Detachment Charter Voluntary Surrender………………………… 9

Section 1010: Dissolution………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9

SIGNATURE PAGE: Department of Florida, Judge Advocate Approval…….. to

ARTICLE I:

Name, Purpose, and Resolve

Section 100: Name. The name of this detachment shall be the Marine Corps League Indian River Detachment # 058. This detachment is affiliated with and has been chartered by the National organization of the Marine Corps League. The detachment charter was issued on )/J1X{t) jL {

These bylaws are to conform to the bylaws, administrative procedures, regulations, and policies issued by the National and Department organizations.

Section 105: Mission Statement. The mission of the Marine Corps League is to promote the interest and to preserve traditions of the United States Marine Corps; strengthen the fraternity of Marines and their families; serve Marines and FMF Navy Personnel who wear or who have worn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor, and foster the ideals of Americanism and patriotic volunteerism.

Section 110: The purpose. The purposes of the Marine Corps League (MCL) and this detachment shaH be:

  1. To preserve the traditions and to promote the interests of the United States Marine Corps;
  2. To band those who are now setv:ing in the United States Marine Corps and those who have been honorably discharged from that service together in fellowship that they may effectively promote the ideals of American freedom and democracy;
  3. To fit its members for duties of citizenship and to encourage them to serve ably as Citizens as they have served the Nation under arms;
  4. To hold sacred the history and memory of the men and women who have given their lives to the Nation;
  5. To foster love for the principles which they have supported by blood and valor since the founding of the republic;
  6. To maintain true allegiance to American institutions;
  7. To create a bond of comradeship between those in the service and those who have returned to civilian life;
  8. To aid voluntarily and to render assistance to an Marines, honorably discharged Marines and FMF Navy Personnel, as well as to their families, their widows and their orphans;
  9. To perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps, and by fitting acts, to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions that are of particular interest to Marines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Section 115: Not for profit. The MCL is not organized for and shall not be operated for pecuniary gain or profit. No part of the property of the corporation and no part of its net earnings shall inure the benefit of or be distributed to any director, member, or other private individual. The MCL shall never be authorized to engage in a regular business of a kind ordinarily carried on for profit or in any other activity except in furtherance of the purposes for which the MCL was organized.

Section 120. Non-Discrimination. The Marine Corps League:

  1. Shall never take part in any labor or management dispute or issue;
  2. Shall not be sectarian, political, and partisan;
  3. Shall not be based on race, color, creed, nationality, or sex;
  4. Shall not be used as a medium of political ambition or preferment’ and
  5. Shall not use former or present military rank or former or present civilian position as the basis for special consideration and preferment.

Section 125: The resolve of this Detachment shall be:

  1. This detachment is organized as a charity for non-profit purposes. Individual members may not derive profit from any detachment activity or However, this does not prohibit the detachment from hiring a member or other person on a commercial basis to provide services to the detachment when the best interests of the Detachment or its programs will be best served thereby.
  2. The property of the detachment is dedicated to the purposes of this veteran’s organization and no part of the net income or assets of this detachment shall ever inure to the benefit of any director, officer, or member thereof, or to the benefit of any private persons.

 

ARTICLE II

Membership

 

Section 200: Membership. Marine Corps League Indian River Detachment# 058 is the sole judge of its membership, providing said person meets the requirements established in the current National Bylaws.

 

Section 205: Membership Dues and Fees. Membership dues and fees will be as set by National and the Department of Florida and by such additional fees as set by this detachment. All such fees of this detachment shall be subject to vote of the membership at a regular business meeting before taking effect.

  1. All members shall be considered in good standing in the detachment and the Marine Corps League, except when:
    1. Required dues are not paid and transmitted on or before the annual membership expiration date of 31 August.
    2. A member is indebted and in arrears to the detachment, department, or the national

  1. In all cases involving transfer of a member of a detachment, the losing detachment approving of the transfer shall also certify in writing that the transferring member is in good standing.
  2. A member shall be identified as delinquent whenever the member’s dues are not paid and transmitted annually on or before 31 August.
    1. Such member shall be retained in the delinquent status for a maximum of one (1) year, during which time the member may erase this status by making payment of all dues in arrears and all dues current and provided that the member is not indebted to Marine Corps League Indian River Detachment # 058, the Department of Florida, or to National Headquarters.
    2. Should the affected member remain delinquent in excess of one (1) year such a member shall be dropped from the League’s active membership rolls. The good standing status of such a member shall be restored by options noted in Reference (b), Section 7035.
    3. No delinquent member may be
  3. No member shall be deprived of any rights and privileges in the Marine Corps League or Marine Corps League Indian River Detachment # 058 except for non-payment of dues or other indebtedness, unless the member shall first be charged, tried, and found guilty in accordance with the provision of the National Bylaws and Administrative Procedures dealing with offences and penalties.
  4. The right of appeal under the provisions of the National Bylaws and Administrative Procedures shall not be denied.

Section 210: Ineligible Members

A If there is reason to believe a member of the Marine Corps League does not meet the qualifications to be a member, this (these) reason(s) must be submitted in writing to the detachment commandant, who will assign the detachment judge advocate to investigate the charge as presented. Unless and if

  1. The person to be investigated is the detachment commandant, then the request will be given to the detachment senior vice commandant for action, or
  2. The person to be investigated is the detachment judge advocate, then the detachment commandant will appoint a past detachment commandant to conduct the investigation.
  3. If the investigation determines that the member does not have the necessary qualifications to be a member, the officer who is investigating will present a written report of the investigation, with a draft of a disciplinary charge to the members of the detachment board of trustees. The BOT shall file a charge with the Department of Florida Judge Advocate in accordance with National Administrative Procedures, Chapter Nine.

Section 215. Removal from Detachment Rolls

A Once accepted as a member in good standing by the detachment membership, that member may not be removed from the detachment roll except:

  1. By disciplinary action in accordance with National Administrative Procedures;
  2. By that member requesting transfer;
  3. By resignation in writing; or
  4. If a member becomes delinquent as defined in the National Administrative
  5. Upon the Notice of Death being processed by the National

Section 220: Membership Listing. The membership listing of the MCL is proprietary information and under the direct control of the National Office of the League. Applicable portions of the membership listing are periodically provided to departments and detachments exclusively for internal usage in administrating membership of those organizations. The applicable portion of the membership listing provided the detachment (aka quarterly and detachment rosters requested at other times) shall only be distributed to members that have a direct need to use that information.

ARTICLE III

Officers

Section 300: Governing Body
  1. The Board of Trustees {BOT): The elected officers of this detachment shall be the commandant, senior vice commandant, junior vice commandant, and judge The immediate past commandant shall, upon appointment by the detachment commandant and consent and advice of the detachment BOT, be the junior past commandant. These four (4) elected officers, and the appointed junior past commandant, shall comprise the detachment’s board of trustees, also referred to as the BOT of Det # 058. Only regular members may hold these offices and no member shall serve in more than one (1) position on the detachment’s board of trustees. Associate members are not eligible for elected office.
  2. Detachment The Indian River Detachment# 058 shall:
    1. Elect a commandant, a senior vice commandant, a junior vice commandant, and a judge advocate each year; and
    2. The detachment commandant shall appoint an adjutant, paymaster (or adjutant/paymaster), chaplain, and sergeant at arms.
    3. The detachment may have additional elected and appointed officers as required by the needs of the These positions shall be elected or appointed per the provision of these Bylaws, Article IV.
    4. All elected officers shall be regular members of the Marine Corps League and Indian River Detachment# 058 and in good standing.
    5. At the will of the detachment, associate members may serve in appointed offices only and must be associate members of the Marine Corps League and the Indian River Detachment# 058 and in good

Section 305: Detachment Staff
  1. The Detachment Staff: The Indian River Detachment# 058 commandant shall, with the advice or approval of the detachment’s BOT, appoint an adjutant, paymaster, chaplain, sergeant at arms, and other such officers as needed to effectively administer the business of the These officers comprise the detachment staff and are expected to assist the BOT in decisions and administrative activities and attend detachment meetings. Regular members and/or associate members may hold these offices in the detachment.
  2. Term Limits. Each elected officer shall be elected for a term of one year and may be reelected for additional terms as provided by the detachment bylaws. Appointed officers shall serve a term of one year that expires with the installation after the detachment’s annual election. Appointed officers may be appointed to additional terms as provided by the detachment bylaws.

ARTICLE IV

Election Procedures, Nominations, Installation and Report of Installation

Section 400: Election of Officers for the Indian River Detachment# 058 shall be conducted as the last order of business at the regularly scheduled monthly detachment meeting in March of each year. Installation of the newly elected officers will be conducted on no later than the last day of the month after the election.

Section 405: A complete Report of Officer Installation (ROD will be available for the installation official to verify and sign. The ROI must be submitted to the Department Adjutant no later than 5 days after the installation date.

  1. The “Report of Installation” form must be received by the National Headquarters by June 30th of each year to establish credentials for the National Convention. A Detachment is NOT in good standing if this report is not received.
  2. If at any time throughout the year, there is a change in any officer(s) position, that new officer(s) must be sworn in accordance with National Administrative Procedures and a supplemental “Report of Installation” form must be

Section 410: Nominations. Nominations of proposed officers for the Indian River Detachment# 058 shall be made beginning in February as the last order of business of the monthly detachment meeting. A second and third round of nominations will be conducted as necessary at each of the subsequent detachment monthly meetings prior to the election.

Only regular members of the Indian River Detachment# 058 in good standing may be nominated for an elected officer position. Nominees must accept the nomination prior to their names being placed on the ballot.

Section 415: Election of officers shall be by paper ballot or by up or down vote of regular members in good standing present at the detachment’s monthly meeting designated for its annual election in Section 400 of these Bylaws.

Section 420: Ballots. The counting of ballots will be conducted by the sergeant at arms and verified by the judge advocate (unless the election is for the JA position) In the event, that either of these officers is not available, the commandant will select a member(s) of the detachment to perform these functions. In the event of only one nominee for an office position, the presiding

officer will ask the adjutant to cast one unanimous vote for the nominee. The adjutant replies that a single unanimous vote was cast for the nominee (stating their name and the officer position) and records in the detachment minutes.

Section 425: Vacancies. See Reference (a) Section 925 for all matters related to the order of succession and procedures related to vacancies.

ARTICLE V

Meetings

 

Section 500: Meetings. The Indian River Detachment# 058 shall meet the fourth Thursday at 1900, at 1956 4i5t Ave, Vero Beach Florida 32960, unless otherwise published to the membership. The detachment charter or a copy, the National Colors, and a Bible shall be displayed at all business meetings.

Section 505: General and Special. Other general or special meetings may be called by the Board of Trustees as the business of the Detachment requires.

Section 510: Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees meeting should take place at a mutually acceptable time monthly, but in no case not less than at least (4) times per year to plan and administer the business of the Detachment.

Section 515: Quorum: A quorum for purposes of voting at a regular meeting of members shall consist of a minimum of two (2) BOT members and three (3) regular members in good standing.

Section 520: Parliamentary Authority. Each Detachment shall use the current edition of Roberts Rule of Order Newly Revised which shall govern in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not in conflict with the National bylaws and administrative procedures and any special rules of order National may adopt. In the event of a conflict, the ruling authority is the National Bylaws, then the National Administrative Procedures, then Roberts Rule of Order Newly Revised.

Section 525: Contracting Authority. No detachment officer, committee chairperson, or other member of any detachment shall enter or sign any contract or agreement for the purpose of binding the detachment without first submitting such contract or agreement to the detachment board of trustees for approval, amendments, or rejection.

ARTICLE VI

Committees

Section 600: Elected Officers. The detachment commandant, with the BOT approval, may appoint such standing or ad hoc committees and projects from time to time, as they deem appropriate to assist in the performance of the business of the detachment.

Section 605: Members. The members of such committees and projects serve at the pleasure of the detachment commandant.

Section 610: Standing and Special.

ARTICLE VII

Fiscal and Fmancial

Section 700: Commandant. The Commandant may approve the expenditure of up to and fncluding $,f ,/Cfora non-budgeted expense in his good judgment.

Section 705: Elected Officers. The  Commandant and the elected officers may approve the

expencliture of between $\\!$Q t?S}i:and up to and including S,/? ‘l),f? for non-budgeted expense.

Section 710: Membership. Any non-budgeted expenditure more than $0(t$#‘C)requires the favorable vote of the members in good standing present and voting at a regular general membership meeting or special meeting as necessitated by the circumstance before such expenditure can be made.

Section 715: Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall have sole responsibility for negotiating any indebtedness on behalf of the Detachment, only after such proposal for indebtedness has been approved by a majority vote of the members at a general meeting which shall occur following written notification (newsletter or special letter) to every member in good standing.

Section 720: Financial Review. A committee appointed by the detachment commandant and approved by the detachment BOT shall conduct at a minimum an annual review of the detachment’s financial records. The purpose of the review is to verify that appropriate fiscal procedures are being followed to include reviewing accounts, ledgers (handwritten or software applications) indicating income and disbursements and transactions of the Detachment. The detachment judge advocate shall chair this committee, unless the judge advocate is also the paymaster; then the junior vice commandant shall chair the committee. A report shall be made by the chair, signed by all committee members, and presented to the BOT and members of the detachment.

ARTICLE VIII

Uniforms

Section 800: Uniforms. The basic uniform of the MCL is the unique cover that identifies the members of the MCL. Because all other parts of the uniform that are designated in this enclosure are optional, the cover remains as the only consistent identifier for MCL members, which is why the cover is worn indoors at appropriate MCL functions. When MCL members are wearing the appropriate cover, as listed below, they are considered in uniform. NO OTHER TYPE OF COVER MAY BE WORN AT A MARINE CORPS LEAGUE FUNCTION OR MEETING.

ARTICLE IX

Amendments

Section 900: Detachment Bylaws Amendments. These detachment bylaws may be revised, amended, or repealed by a majority vote of the members at a detachment meeting. The proposed revision, amendment, or repeal shall be submitted to the Department of Florida judge advocate once approved by the general membership of this detachment.

Section 905: National and Department Bylaws. In the event any issue arises that is not covered by these bylaws, the detachment shall seek the advice of the department judge advocate. If the

department judge advocate cannot rule on the issue, seek the ruling of the National Judge Advocate.

Section 910: Distribution.

A The current edition of the Indian River Detachment # 058 Bylaws with any published changes shall be posted on the detachment website OR if no website is available, sent by e-mail or USPS for access and review by all members of detachment.

  1. Any member of the Marine Corps League in good standing may request a copy of the Indian River Detachment# 058 bylaws.

Section 915: Clerical Errors. The Board of Trustees shall have the authority to identify, and correct clerical errors in the detachment bylaws where the error is clear, and the correction shall make no material change to the intent, form, or function of the bylaws.

Section 920: Bylaws revision history. Marine Corps League Indian River Detachment # 058 Bylaws will not have revision numbers. Instead, the Revision Date is used to identify the current edition of the Bylaws.

ARTICLEX

Detachment Charter Suspensions, Revocation, Voluntary Surrender and Dissolution

Section 1000: Detachment Charter Suspension and Revocation

A The charter for a detachment may be suspended or revoked for any of the failures or violations noted in NBL Art 9, Section 945. The suspension or revocation of a detachment charter may be initiated by the Department of Florida Board of Trustees and recommended to the Department of Florida commandant to suspend a detachment’s charter. This shall be done in accordance with the provisions of the NBL, NAP and DoF Bylaws/Administrative Procedures in a manner considerate of the well-being and good name of all concerned.

  1. The suspension or subsequent revocation will be governed, and the detachment shall abide by the provisions of the NBL, NAP and Department of Florida Bylaws and Administrative Procedures throughout the process.
  2. Ceremonial rifles must be accounted for in accordance with NAP Chpt 6 Section 6045.

Section 1005: Detachment Voluntary Surrender of Charter.

A The charter of a detachment may be voluntarily surrendered for such reasons as may be determined by the detachment. Upon a determination that it is no longer practical to maintain the detachment, the detachment board of trustees shall immediately notify the department in writing of its intent to dissolve and surrender its charter.

  1. The detachment shall abide by each of the pr )Visions and requirements of the NBL, NAP and Department of Florida Bylaws and Administrative Procedures throughout the process of voluntarily surrendering their charter. Of note in NAP Section 6050, ” … the detachment shall, to the extent assets are available, satisfy all legitimate liabilities of the detachment prior to voluntary surrender but shall not otherwise dissipate any assets of the detachment other than the normal course of business of the detachment”.
  2. Ceremonial rifles must be properly returned in accordance with NAP Chpt 6 Section 6050.

Section 1010: Dissolution. The dissolution of the detachment, whether by revocation or voluntary surrender, will not be accepted or deemed effective until all provisions of the applicable National and Department Bylaws and Administrative Procedures have been met.

  1. The detachment properties and assets will be held by the department for a period of one (1) year or until a new detachment is formed. Should a new detachment be formed during that period, and the new detachment retains the old Indian River Detachment, the properties and assets will be returned.
  2. After one (1) year, the properties and assets will revert to the department. The charter will be returned to National Headquarters and placed in the archives. All assets will then become the property of the Department.

– End of bylaws –

This page