Marine Corps League Guidebook for Detachment Officers Updated
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MARINE CORPS LEAGUE GUIDEBOOK FOR DETACHMENT OFFICERS UPDATED NOVEMBER 2007 © Marine Corps League Guidebook Incorporated by act of Congress August 4, 1937 MARINE CORPS LEAGUE Welcome to the Marine Corps League! Forming your new detachment has been the hardest part of this whole process. Now you are ready to participate in the best part. That is to take part in all of the activities and camaraderie of the Marine Corps League. This Guidebook has been prepared to give you an overview of the activities and some of the procedures of the League. The Guidebook should be required reading for all Officers. There are job descriptions for each office that will give an idea of what is expected in fulfilling their duties as a Detachment Officer. It is suggested that your Officers be encouraged to purchase their own copy of the Guidebook from National Marine Corps League Ships Stores. They will find that it contains invaluable information for helping them to become an effective and valuable Officer in the Detachment. The Guidebook is made up of four Sections with each Section having several subsections. As you read the various sections, you will find there is a wealth of information incorporated into the Guidebook that will give you the tools to work with. If there is something that you feel is not covered, don’t hesitate to ask. Follow the Chain of Command and inquire first of your Department Officers and then if you still have a question, contact National Headquarters at l-800-625-1775. Semper Fidelis! SEMPER FIDELIS “Once a Marine, Always a Marine” 1 © Marine Corps League PREFACE The “GUIDEBOOK for DETACHMENT OFFICERS,” developed for Detachments in the Marine Corps League, is a summary of information received over the years from many Detachments, Departments, and National Officers. The following are suggested methods for use of the “GUIDEBOOK”: Attend MCL training sessions so that ideas and comments may be exchanged between Officers from other Detachments Set aside time at general meetings or Officers’ meetings, to discuss ideas and comments, section by section, to determine applicability to your Detachment, or to generate ideas that will apply to your Detachment. Make notes of what works and does not work for your Detachment. And provide feedback to Department Officers, so that the GUIDEBOOK may be expanded, amended and/or modified Be proactive in seeking solutions to specific problems in your Detachment by contacting other Detachments, and/or calling on Department Officers Do not be afraid of trying something NEW or DIFFERENT, and reporting on the results to other Detachments or your Department Keep in mind that there is a family of MARINES in the Detachments and Departments that are willing to support and assist you. The Guidebook is intended to be a “HELP GUIDE” to existing and new Detachments. A continuing effort will be made to update and upgrade this document so it will be more useful. The objective of this guide is to increase the capabilities of all Detachments and Departments within the Marine Corps League by combining it with training programs which address specific issues to include Officer duties and responsibilities, effective meetings and programs, and developing financial stability and leadership. This Guidebook will hopefully provide guidance and encouragement for your Detachment to excel. It is not a manual of explicit rules, but rather a guideline and extraction of ideas for your use in developing and maintaining a dynamic and successful Detachment. Keep in mind that every Detachment differs in the make up of its members and its geographic location. It is important to develop and employ those capabilities and programs that will make your Detachment successful. To that end, we encourage you to ask questions and relate your success stories at Department meetings and with other Detachments. If we work as a team to strengthen our existing Detachments, promote new Detachments in the right direction, and communicate constantly within the Department, we will benefit all Marines and members within the Marine Corps League. The National Officers who have assembled this Guidebook hope you will benefit from the material, and that you will keep us informed as to how to improve the Guidebook and training programs as they are developed. 2 © Marine Corps League TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................. 3 PART I - GENERAL INFORMATION ............................................. 6 1.1 Marine Corps League History...........................................................7 1.2 Congressional Approval for Incorporation .....................................8 1.3 Incorporation for the Marine Corps League....................................9 1.4 Duties of the Corporate Officer ......................................................10 1.5 Purposes of the Marine Corps League..........................................10 1.6 Participation .....................................................................................11 1.7 Why Marines Join the Marine Corps League ................................13 1.8 Excuses for not Joining and the Role of Perseverance ..............13 1.9 Benefits of Joining the Marine Corps League ..............................15 1.10 The Dynamics of the Marine Family.............................................16 PART II – DETACHMENT INFORMATION.................................. 18 2.1 Forming/Reactivating a Detachment .............................................19 2.2 Getting Started .................................................................................20 2.3 Formation/Reorganization Meetings..............................................21 Issues for Future Meetings ............................................................................ 23 2.4 Mission, Objectives, and Planning..................................................24 Objectives and Action Plans.......................................................................... 24 Using Objectives and Action Plans To Solve Problems ............................. 26 Establishing Ground Rules............................................................................ 27 Identifying and Defining Problems................................................................ 28 Defining Problems as Objectives.................................................................. 29 Monitoring and Reporting.............................................................................. 30 Meetings and Promotions.............................................................................. 31 Selling.............................................................................................................. 32 The General Membership Meeting ................................................................ 32 Communications............................................................................................. 33 New Member Information............................................................................... 34 Phone and Verbal Contact ............................................................................. 34 Newsletters and Written Contact................................................................... 34 Promotions, Publicity, and Press Releases ................................................. 35 Letters.............................................................................................................. 35 Brochures and Pamphlets ............................................................................. 36 3 © Marine Corps League Events.............................................................................................................. 36 Programs and Activities................................................................................. 36 The Press ........................................................................................................ 37 News Writer/Photographer Coverage ........................................................... 37 Public Service Announcements .................................................................... 37 Flyers and Posters.......................................................................................... 38 Fund Raising................................................................................................... 38 Internal Funds Generation ............................................................................. 39 Dues................................................................................................................. 39 Drawings ......................................................................................................... 39 Social Events .................................................................................................. 40 External Funds Generation............................................................................ 40 2.5 Requirements for Detachment Functions .....................................44 Election of Officers......................................................................................... 44 Bylaws ............................................................................................................. 45 Article 1 - Name, Purpose, and Resolve ....................................................... 46 Article II – Membership .................................................................................. 46 Article III – Officers......................................................................................... 46