I am pleased to report that the new database has been built and is now in the testing and refinement stage in our offices. Everyone at National Headquarters is spending time using their piece of the program and making suggested changes or signing off on their portion as "ready-for-prime-time". The work that is currently being done on the Ship's Store (now known as The Semper Fi Store [1]) portion of the website is related to this also. The company that built the system for us has had their trainer in our office each week to work with our staff and teach as well as take our suggested refinements and needs back to them for action.

Once we are comfortable that we have ALL the wrinkles ironed out, we will begin to use the new database internally in tandem with the old one for a short period of time just to be sure we haven’t missed anything.  As I have explained several times, our requirements are VERY complicated to understand from an outsider’s point of view and the relationships required in our database can be confusing to them.  We are going to error on the side of perfection and therefore will likely sacrifice the calendar before we shake hands and tell them we are satisfied.
We will then continue to work with the new database, set the old one aside and develop a training program that we can phase in, in steps, for the "on-line" "real-time" piece of this very sensitive operation.  We are confident that as we roll this out everyone will be happy with the finished product.

House Bill H.24, the initiative to re-name the Department of the Navy to the Department of the Navy and Marine Corps, has been voted on and passed with the largest number of co-sponsors in Congressional history.  Now the companion bill, S.504 is in the Senate and before the Armed Services Committee for action.  At this writing, we already have 47 co-sponsors in the Senate.  Since there are only 100 Senators, we are cautiously optimistic that, with your help and phone calls to your Senators, we will have a majority of them supporting this effort. For more information, please go to: http://www.marinecause.com [2] - (while you are there, please click on "donate" at the top of the page and do what you can to support this effort and help defray some of the cost.) Many thanks for your help and support. BE A PART OF THIS HISTORY MAKING INITIATIVE!
As you read this issue of "Semper Fi", elections for National Officers and several Division Vice Commandants is right around the corner. As you know, those elections can only take place at the National Convention.  While the National Bylaws and Administrative Procedures are available on our website and can be purchased in "hard copy" from the "Semper Fi" Store, many members do not have a working knowledge of the job description for your League’s leadership.  While not "all inclusive", let me highlight some of the key portions for you:

DUTIES - BOARD MEMBERS.  In addition to the specific duties of the individual Board Members, as hereinafter stated, it shall be the duty of each member of the Board to acquire a working knowledge of the National Bylaws and Administrative Procedures of the Marine Corps League.  The specific duties of the Members of the National Board of Trustees shall be:
NATIONAL COMMANDANT shall be the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Marine Corps League and shall preside at all sessions of the National Convention and at all meetings of the National Board of Trustees.  The National Commandant together with the National Board of Trustees shall have direction and control of the executive and administrative affairs of the Marine Corps League between National Conventions. In addition, the National Commandant shall: Observe and enforce the observance of the Congressional Charter and the National Bylaws and Administrative Procedures of the Marine Corps League. Direct to all Officers and Members such orders as are not in conflict with the National Bylaws and Administrative Procedures which are necessary for the proper conduct of business. Call such meetings of the National Board of Trustees as are required by the National Bylaws and Administrative Procedures. Seek the advice of the National Board of Trustees and Staff. With the National Adjutant/Paymaster and the National Comptroller, have custody of all funds and property of the Marine Corps League, subject to the supervision of the National Board of Trustees.  With the advice and consent of the National Board of Trustees, appoint the National Staff officers: With the advice and consent of the National Board of Trustees, appoint such standing committees as are deemed necessary. Represent the Marine Corps League at all social functions and ceremonies in such a manner as will enhance the dignity, honor, and prestige of this organization.  Perform such other duties as are directed from time to time. Invite speaker for the National Convention Banquet. The Commandant of the Marine Corps shall BE FIRST CHOICE. In the event the Commandant cannot accept, the National Commandant will discuss with the National Director of Conventions alternate speakers. Final choice is the prerogative of the National Commandant.
NATIONAL SENIOR VICE COMMANDANT shall give every assistance to the National Commandant, and during the absence or illness of the National Commandant, perform the duties of that office.  He shall preside over all Department Commandants' Council Conferences and, with their assistance, initiate and implement such dynamic programs as will increase the effectiveness of the Marine Corps League.
NATIONAL 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 National Commandant and the National Senior Vice Commandant, he shall perform the duties of that office.
NATIONAL JUDGE ADVOCATE shall interpret the National Bylaws and Administrative Procedures.  He shall advise, construe, counsel, and render opinions on questions of Law and Procedure to the National Commandant, National Board of Trustees, National Staff, Departments, and Detachments when so required in the manner outlined hereafter:  At the National Conventions, upon the request of an approved Delegate, through the Chair, the National Judge Advocate shall render an opinion on Law and Procedure to the Chair, whereupon the Chair will rule on the opinion and the question, which ruling shall be final unless appealed by an approved Delegate, whereupon the National Judge Advocate will put the Question, "Shall the ruling of the Chair be sustained?" A standing vote of approved Delegates will be called, and two-thirds (2/3rds) of the total vote will be required to reverse the ruling of the Chair. At National Board meetings, the same procedure shall apply, and two-thirds (2/3rds) of the National Board of Trustees present and voting will be required to reverse the ruling of the Chair. On all questions of Law and Procedure pertaining to the Marine Corps League or any of its subsidiaries referred to this officer through channels, the National Judge Advocate shall rule in writing, mailing copies of the ruling to the parties concerned and to the National Commandant, and such ruling shall be binding unless and until reversed by the National Board of Trustees or the National Convention.
NATIONAL VICE COMMANDANTS OF DIVISIONS shall: Be held accountable to the National Board of Trustees for the care and proper administration of their Division.  Arrange for, convene, and supervise not less than one (1) Division Conference each year for the purpose of discussing Division problems, planning and executing means and methods of strengthening and increasing the effectiveness of the Division. Arrange for detailed schools of instruction.  Make every continuing effort to establish new detachments and departments within their Division.   Appoint a Division Adjutant/Paymaster and a Division Sergeant-At-Arms, and a Division Aide-de-Camp in each department within their respective divisions, when in the opinion of this officer, such action is necessary to assist in the constructive growth and enhancement of the Division.
The National Assistant Division Vice Commandant will represent his Division in the absence of the National Division Vice Commandant.  Perform additional duties as directed by the National Division Vice Commandant.
JUNIOR PAST NATIONAL COMMANDANT shall be a full voting member of the National Board of Trustees, contributing generously and impartially from past experience to the best interest of the Marine Corps League.  The Junior Past National Commandant shall preside at all Past National Commandant Council Conferences, seeking therein to build membership strength.
NATIONAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR shall: Be employed by the National Board of Trustees and shall be directly responsible to that body.  He/she shall be the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Marine Corps League with the responsibility for the management and direction of all programs, activities, and affairs of the Marine Corps League, providing assistance to all committee and staff officers as requested. Be responsible for the employment and the termination of employment and the determination of compensation of National Headquarters Staff Members and supporting personnel as determined by the National Board of Trustees within approved budget guidelines, with the exception of the National Staff Officers appointed by the National Commandant, whose termination must be approved by the National Board of Trustees. Perform all of the ordinary and necessary business of the Marine Corps League, including the approval of purchase orders for materials and services, attend to normal business operations within the bounds of budgetary limitations and guidance as provided by the National Board of Trustees. Supervise the League's National Headquarters. Be responsible for the editing, printing, publication, and distribution of the Marine Corps League's national publication. Serve as Secretary of the Corporation, and in that capacity, shall be directly responsible to the National Board of Trustees. Receive and review all National Committee reports and correspondence, and, where appropriate, forward copies to the National Board of Trustees for information, consideration, or concurrence. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the National Commandant and/or the National Board of Trustees.

It is my hope that this brief synopsis will provide each of our members with a better working knowledge of what we do and who is responsible for what.  We are ALL responsible to you, the members of the Marine Corps League and we never forget that.
Please don’t forget America’s military, our men and women in harm’s way today.  God Bless our Veterans, the United States Marine Corps and our Marine Corps League.

Semper Fidelis -
Mike Blum
National Executive Director
Marine Corps League - National Headquarters