DEPARTMENT OF ALABAMA
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
DEPARTMENT MEETING
9 APRIL 2011
The Department of Alabama Marine Corps League Third Quarterly meeting was called to order by Commandant Cal Walters at (9:30 hours on 9 April 2011 at Marion Military Institution in Marion, Alabama.
Numerous guest, ladies particularly, were introduced to the meeting.
Commandant Cal Walters introduced Col. David J. Mollahan, USMC (Ret.) President of Marion Institute, who welcomed all of us to the college and thanked us whole heartedly for our support of Marion Military Institute Marine Corps PLC Program.
The meeting was opened with Allegiance to the flag by Sgt. @ Arms Charles Malone and prayer by Chaplain Tom Drew.
Commandant Walters installed Jack Hopping as Sr Vice Commandant to fill the position vacated because of resignation of Joe Fell from the position. The Commandant also announced that the office of Junior Vice Commandant would remain vacant until elections at the State Convention in Oxford during June of this year.
Roll Call of Officers was made with all officers present or accounted for.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read (22 Jan 2011) and approved as read.
Paymaster report was presented and approved with an ending balance of $10,243.22 which included $1,100.00 contribution from Detachments and MODD and $500.00 special contribution from Seventh Place for the MMI Scholarship Program.
During Sick Call John Helmer, Mr. Keys, and Jack Sims were added to the sick list. Thurman Roland who had knee surgery was responding well but now had an ingrown toe nail.
Detachment Commandant quarterly reports were made orally and written copies were received from Brandon-Welbourn, Howlin Mad Smith, McLaughlin, Wiregrass, P L Wilson, Mike Spann, and Allan Ray Chaffin. It is to be noted that it is important that written reports need to be given to the Adjutant so they may be included in these minutes.
Officer’s reports were called for with Jack Hopping, Sr. Vice Commandant commenting on additional Detachments in North Alabama and Daphne. Johnny Baker, Judge Advocate called Detachments attention to chapter Nine of National By Laws of they have any problems regarding disciplinary action. All Detachments have replied to the call for By Laws except Brandon-Welbourn, Townsend and Gulf Shores. Adjutant Billy Crabtree requested all Detachments to send to the Adjutant their Officer Installation report ASAP after installation. The adjutant needs to forward copies to National and to the South East Division Commandant.
The Commandant has no report on the Grits Bowl as yet as the March rosters have not yet been mailed from National. The new Detachment in Daphne will probably start with approximately 30 members when the
Chapter Application is submitted this Tuesday.
Bills HB143 and HB92 are being revised and are being requested to add the Marine Corps League to these Bills along with MOAA. The Commandant also mentioned that efforts were being made to get a Wounded Warriors Bill and MCL tax exempt bill introduced and passed.
The Department Newsletter did not go out basically because no information was received from the Detachments to be included in the Newsletter. Commandant Walters requested information from all Detachments to include in the newsletter and the next issue would go out in early May.
Johnny Baker, State Convention Chairman gave a report on the Convention to be held in Oxford, Al on 10-12 June 2011. He made special note of the numerous unique raffle items that would be available to the attendees.
Commandant Walters reported on the recent Southeast Division Conference in Lake Buena Vista, FL. He mentioned that National Executive Director Mike Blum stressed the importance of properly securing any M-1 Rifles of which a Detachment has possession.
Commandant Walters thanked the Detachments for their contributions to the MMI Scholarship Program and asked any Detachments that have not contributed to make sure to get their checks for $100 in to the Department Paymaster.
The current version of the Department Bylaws was discussed, as no certified and signed copy of the voted on 2008 Bylaws was available or produced. Commandant Walters noted numerous areas of the Bylaws that needed to be revised and asked for volunteers to Chair a Bylaws Committee to oversee the revisions. Richard McClain (Townsend Det) volunteered and was appointed Chair of the Committee by Commandant Walters.
The Commandant presented a plan to the members present relative to the Alabama Strategic Growth Plan. A letter detailing the plan and a map designating cities (localities) where there are presently detachments and where detachments are most possible, was given out at this meeting. A motion and second was made to accept the plan, with an amendment from PDC Walt Williams, after much discussion over the definition of the word ‘proposed’ to remove the fact that the plan had been presented to the Tag Committee, passed.
A budget, copy attached, for one-half year was presented, motioned, voted on and approved. The dollar amount for Commandant’s expenses shown on presentation was to be divided in half for one-half year.
In accordance with the Department Bylaws, the Commandant appointed Johnny Baker to serve as chairman of the Nominating Committee (as the Jr Vice position is currently vacant) for Department officers to be voted on at the State Convention. Nominations will also be taken from the floor at the Convention.
Commandant Walters mentioned that he would be emailing information to the Detachment Commandants on the Department awards available for Department members at the Convention. He also mentioned that he would be looking into having a podium made for the use of the Department at its meetings.
The next meeting of the Department of Alabama Marine Corps League will be held at the Department Convention in Oxford Al 10-12 June 2011.
Lunch will be served following this meeting and a parade by MMI Students will be held. Presentation of the MCL Scholarship check will be made at this time.
With all business completed and the announcement that no Devil Dog Growl will be held, Commandant Cal Walters directed the Sgt @ Arms to close the meeting.
Department Adjutant
Billy Crabtree