(b) Detachment Delegates and Alternates to the Department Convention shall be determined on the basis of said Detachment's membership strength on record at the Department Headquarters, immediately preceding the Department Convention. The delegate voting strength of each Detachment shall be as follows: for the first fifteen (15) Regular members, one (1) Delegate and one (1) Alternate; for each additional full block of fifteen (15) Regular members, one (1) Delegate and one (1) Alternate; for a partial number of fifteen (15) Regular members, one (1) Delegate and one Alternate. However, no Delegate strength of a Detachment shall be computed by including Associate or Honorary members in such Detachment's total membership.

(c) Should a Detachment be in default of payments of funds from any source due the Department Headquarters as of 31 May, prior to the Department Convention, such fact shall be reported by the Department Adjutant/Paymaster, to the affected Detachment, and to the Department Convention Credentials Committee. The credentials of that Detachment's Delegates and Alternates shall not be approved unless settlement is made by the Detachment's Delegates at the convention site in cash, unless previously resolved.

(d) A Detachment which, immediately prior to the current Department Convention, fails to report on standard transmittal forms to Department Adjutant/Paymaster that it has fifteen (15) or more members, the Department Adjutant/Paymaster shall report such fact to the Department Convention Credentials Committee which shall not approve that Detachment's Delegates or Alternates.

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 105(d) above, no paid member in good standing may be deprived of his individual right to vote at a Department Convention.

(f) Delegate/Alternate cards of a Detachment may only be claimed by a registered member of that Detachment.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, a fifty (50%) percent plus one (1) vote by the delegates voting shall carry any measure and decide any issue.

(b) Each Delegate complying with Section 105 is entitled to cast a vote for fifteen (15) members, providing that the total vote of the Detachment's delegates does not exceed the Detachment's membership strength. Such Delegate, or Alternate in the absence of a Delegate present at the time of voting may, on behalf of registered and approved absent Delegates, cast the vote of the Detachment's full voting strength.

(c) A Roll Call vote may be required and recorded upon the request of any ten (10) registered and approved Delegates, except as provided for in (e) below.

(d) A Department Commandant, being a registered and approved Delegate, or his registered and approved designee, in the Department Commandant's absence, may cast the full voting strength of the Department, subject to the will of, and in the manner specified by the registered and approved Delegates present from the Department.

(e) In the event of a challenge by a registered Delegate to the stated vote of his Department, the roll call vote of each Detachment of said Department shall be called. Upon the calling of each Detachment so registered, a Delegate of each Detachment shall rise, if not restricted by physical impairment, and identify himself as a registered Delegate, authorized to cast the vote on behalf of that Detachment.

(b) Districts shall caucus prior to the time of nominations and select a nominee, presenting the name of that nominee when the District Vice Commandant nominations are called for. Such nominee must be on the floor at the time of the nomination and must be a member in good standing in the Marine Corps League.

(c) When Judges and Tellers have informed the Chair that they are ready and prepared to supervise the election, the Chair shall then call for the "Election of Officers". Upon such announcement, the Chair shall not accept or entertain any issue, question or subject which is not strictly related to the roll call vote being conducted. Without explicit permission of the Chair, a voting member shall not be allowed to enter or leave the Convention floor until the roll call vote in progress is concluded.

(b) To approve or disapprove the minutes of the Department Convention at the next regularly scheduled Staff Meeting of the Department of Louisiana Marine Corps League, following the Convention, only to the degree of correcting errors or omissions.

(a) DEPARTMENT COMMANDANT shall preside at all sessions of the Department Convention and at all meetings of the Department Board of Trustees. The Department Commandant together with the Department Board of Trustees shall have direction and control of the executive and administrative affairs of the Department between Department Conventions. In addition, the Department Commandant shall:

(a) Adjutant/Paymaster

(b) Chaplain

(c) Sergeant-at-Arms

(d) Veterans' Service Officer

(e) VAVS Chairman

(f) Such other Staff Officers as may be necessary.

(b) DEPARTMENT SENIOR VICE COMMANDANT shall give every assistance to the Department Commandant, and during the absence or illness of the Department Commandant, perform the duties of that office. He/she shall preside over all Detachment Commandants' Council Meetings and, with their assistance, initiate and implement such dynamic programs as will increase the effectiveness of the Marine Corps League and the Department. Assist Department Commandant with Awards. (See Enclosure 9)

(c) DEPARTMENT JUNIOR VICE COMMANDANT shall create and promulgate such membership incentives and programs as will produce enthusiastic response resulting in continuous membership growth. In the absence or illness of the Department Commandant and the Department Senior Vice Commandant, he shall perform the duties of that office. See Administrative Section 300 (a) for dates required to submit letters to Detachment Commandants requesting their letters of recommendation for Marine of the Year, Associate Marine of the Year and Recruiter of the Year.

(d) DEPARTMENT JUDGE ADVOCATE shall interpret the Department Bylaws and Administrative Procedures. He/she shall advise, construe, counsel, and render opinions on questions of Law and Procedure to the Department Commandant, Department Board of Trustees, Department Staff, and Detachments when so required in the manner outlined hereafter:

(a) All Officers serving in elected offices must be Regular Members of the Detachment in which they are elected to serve. At the will of the Detachment, Associate Members may serve in appointive offices only, in accordance with Article Six, Section 600 (b).

(b) Detachments shall have the sole right to establish term limits on its officers, both elective and appointive. Detachments wishing to exercise this option must do so by inserting clear provisions into their Bylaws.

(a) Installation must be conducted no later than the last day of the month subsequent to the election.

(b) Report of Officers and Installation must be forwarded to National Headquarters, the Division Vice Commandant, through the Department Adjutant within fifteen (15) days of the installation.

(c) Notwithstanding the above, report of Officers and Installation must be received at by Department Adjutant/Paymaster no later than 31 May each year and forwarded to National Headquarters before 30 June. (Administrative Procedures, Chapter 6, Section 620 applies to this section).

(a) Each Detachment shall be the sole judge of its membership, providing said person meets the requirements of Article Six, Section 600. No Detachment, however, may accept as a member any person whose name has been stricken from the rolls of the Marine Corps League.

(b) Once accepted as a member in good standing by the Detachment membership, that member may not be removed from the Detachment's roll except for cause (Chapter 9, Administrative Procedures) or by that member requesting transfer (Section 710, Administrative Procedures).

(b) The suspension or revocation of charters may be consummated by a Department Board of Trustees and/or the National Board of Trustees and shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of the National Bylaws and Administrative Procedures in a manner considerate of the well being and good name of all concerned.

When a Detachment Charter is suspended or revoked, the Board of Trustees of the jurisdictional Department, or where a Department is non-existent, the jurisdictional National Division Vice Commandant shall upon written authorization of the National Commandant, certified by the National Adjutant/Paymaster, assume custody of such Detachment's assets and liabilities. The Board of Trustees of the jurisdictional Department shall, within the limits of such assets, satisfy the liabilities of the Detachment in question. However, if a jurisdictional Department is nonexistent, the responsibility for satisfying the outstanding liabilities shall devolve to the National Board of Trustees upon receiving, from the jurisdictional National Division Vice Commandant, such assets and liabilities which are in his custody.

(1) Call a Special Meeting of the detachment by giving written notice of such special meeting to all members of the detachment at least fourteen (14) days prior to such Special Meeting. If the regular meeting date of the detachment is to be used for the Special Meeting, the aforesaid written notice must still be given to all detachment members at least fourteen (14) days before the regular meeting date.

(2) Upon consideration of the voluntary surrender of the detachment charter by the detachment, if it shall be determined that the detachment charter shall be voluntarily surrendered and there are not a minimum of fifteen (15) members of the detachment who remain ready, willing, and able to carry on the detachment, then:

(b) Upon acceptance of the surrender of the Detachment charter by the jurisdictional Department, or where such Department is non-existent, by the jurisdictional National Division Vice Commandant, such jurisdictional Department or jurisdictional National Division Vice Commandant shall upon written authorization of the National Commandant, certified by the National Adjutant/Paymaster, assume custody of such Detachment’s assets and liabilities. The Board of Trustees of the jurisdictional Department shall, within the limits of any assets of the Detachment, satisfy any remaining liabilities. However, if a jurisdictional Department is non-existent, the responsibility for satisfying the outstanding liabilities shall devolve to the National Board of Trustees, within the limits of any assets received from the jurisdictional National Division Vice Commandant of said Detachment.

(c) After satisfying the legitimate liabilities of the surrendering Detachment, any Detachment properties and assets will be held by the jurisdictional Department for a period of one (1) year or until a new Detachment is formed during that period. Should a new Detachment be formed during that period, and the new Detachment retains the old Detachment’s name, all properties and assets will be returned to the Detachment upon the written authorization of the National Commandant, certified by the National Adjutant/Paymaster, approving the reactivation of the surrendered charter. After the one (1) year period, the properties and assets will revert to the jurisdictional Department and will then become the property of the jurisdictional Department. The jurisdictional department shall return the surrendered Detachment charter to National Headquarters which charter shall then be placed in the archives. However, if a jurisdictional department is non-existent, the National Board of Trustees shall hold any detachment properties and assets subject to the same terms and conditions as set forth above for a jurisdictional department except that at the end of the one (1) year period, the detachment properties and assets shall revert to National Headquarters and will then become the property of Department.

(1) MEMBER-AT-LARGE (See Section 640).

(2) LIFE MEMBERS (See Section 645).

(3) DUAL MEMBERSHIPS (See Section 650).

Ch 7-01 (b) ASSOCIATE MEMBER - Those individuals Ch 6/08 who are now serving or who have served in other branches of the armed forces of the United States not qualified for regular membership in the Marine Corps League who espouse the principles and purposes of the Marine Corps League as contained in its Congressional Charter may upon application to a Detachment, or to the National Headquarters, be accepted for associate membership in the Marine Corps League. Associate members, upon acceptance, will pay dues in the same amounts as prescribed for regular members, including initiation fees. A membership pin and membership card, indicating "Associate Member" will be issued by National and lettering will be designed by the National Uniform Committee. An associate member shall be entitled to the rights, privileges, and benefits of a regular member, however, such member shall not vote on a membership application, an election of officers, or hold an elective office. A Detachment, or a Department may by provisions in the By-Laws and/or Administrative Procedures allow an associate member to vote on its internal affairs provided such vote does not affect a policy of the Marine Corps League. Ch 6-08 Membership shall be limited to (10%) ten percent of the regular membership in  Detachment where application is submitted. If Detachment Associate membership exceeds (10%) ten percent of paid regular membership prior to date of this bylaw change, no new associate members will be accepted until percentage to regular members reduces to (10%) or lower.

(3) Member-At-Large (See Article Six, Section 640)

(4) Life Members (See Article Six, Section 645)

(1) Corporate member will receive a handsome Corporate Membership Plaque.

(2) Corporate Members' names will appear in the authoritative Marine Corps League Publication.

(3) Complimentary Subscription to the Marine Corps League Publication.

(5) The corporate membership program will be operated in full compliance with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations in regards to the Marine Corps League non-profit status and rules governing fund raising. Corporate Membership will be restricted in states where such transactions/solicitations are inconsistent with local statutes (Reference National Bylaws and Administrative Procedures, Chapter 10, Section 1000(d)).

(6) All funds from the Corporate Membership Program will be deposited into the Marine Corps League General Fund. A double entry system will be comprised with the operating funds used for the payment of all expenses from the legitimate percentage lesser side of funds deposited. All payments of expenses shall be monitored by the National Comptroller, in accordance with National Bylaws, Section 310, paragraph (c), items (1), (2), and (3).

(7) The distribution of the larger percentage side of the funds derived from the Corporate Membership Program will be determined by the League members present at the National Convention.

(a) The standard application form published by the National Headquarters shall include the requirement for completion of identifying information, date, administrative data as may be considered appropriate, a signature, and the following printed certification: "I hereby certify that I have served on active duty as a Marine, or as a Reserve Marine having earned a minimum of ninety (90) Reserve credit points, that the character of my service has been honorable, and if discharged, I am in receipt of an honorable discharge or DD 214. By signature on this application, I hereby agree to provide proof of honorable discharge/service upon request." General Discharge under Honorable Conditions is acceptable.

(b) The standard application form received by a member sponsor shall be turned in to the Detachment official designated to receive such applications, along with all dues and fees, as soon as practicable, but not later that the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Sponsor's Detachment.

(c) The Detachment Adjutant shall read and record the application at the proper time, stating all pertinent data including name of sponsor, and clearly state that the required dues and fees have been verified and are in the possession of the Detachment staff. (No applicant shall be present for that portion of the meeting in which the application is being considered.)

(d) The acceptance of applicants to membership in a Detachment is the sole province of the Detachment as set forth in Article 5, Section 540 of the National By-Laws, except as therein provided.

(a) The National annual per capita dues and fees shall be recommended by the Budget and Finance Committee at the Mid-Winter National Staff Meeting and require approval by the delegates at the National Conventions, provided that the general membership has been advised, in writing, of the proposed dues amount not less than sixty (60) days prior to the convening of the convention. An announcement in the Marine Corps League Magazine, Summer issue, will suffice as written notification.

(b) An initiation fee shall be recommended by the Budget and Finance Committee. The initiation fee shall be as is approved by the delegates at the Department Convention. The fee shall be collected for each new member in addition to the annual Department dues. Each new member shall be provided an official membership lapel button which shall be provided by National Headquarters.

(c) All of the National membership dues and fees which are due National Headquarters are in addition to the dues of a Detachment and a Department which are authorized under the provisions of the Administrative Procedures, Chapter Five, Section 520 and Chapter Six, Section 615.

(d) The Membership year and the annual dues shall expire on the last day of the anniversary month of such member's original dues having been received at National Headquarters.

(a) If there is reason to believe a member of the Marine Corps League does not meet the membership qualifications to be a regular member of the Marine Corps League, this (these) reason(s) must be submitted in writing, to the Detachment Commandant who will require the Detachment Judge Advocate to make a careful investigation into the charge as presented. If after a careful investigation has been made and it is determined that the member charged does not have the necessary qualifications, said member will be dropped from the rolls immediately. Proper notice of such action and the reasons therefore shall be expedited to the jurisdictional Department and National Headquarters. A copy of this notice will mailed to the person removed from the rolls by Certified Mail, return receipt requested.

(d) When a participating LIFE MEMBER dies, the "unused" portion of the member's original investment in Life Membership shall remain in the blocked fund. NO REFUND shall be made to survivors, nor to his Department or Detachment.

(e) A Department or Detachment which awards a Life ship and wishes for the Awardee to become a Department LIFE Member MEMBER, it is necessary for the Detachment or Department to pay to National Headquarters the participating fee stated herein and the LIFE MEMBER and the Detachment or Department would be participants.

(f) National Headquarters shall keep, in a separate nonparticipating file, all those present LIFE MEMBERS who have received such Life Membership as an Award as well as all future Department Awardees.

(g) All Past National Commandants, all Past National Adjutant/Paymasters and all Medal of Honor recipients who are members of the Marine Corps League, shall be carried on the rolls on the Department, Department, and Detachment as paid up LIFE MEMBERS of the Marine Corps League (nonparticipating).

(a) Article Seven applies to Chapter Eight, Administrative Procedures, Sections 810, 820, 830, 840, 850, 860, and 870.