BYLAWS AND CONSTITUTION

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EAGLE, GLOBE, AND ANCHOR BROTHERHOOD ASSOCIATION (EGABA) PURPOSE AND BYLAWS/CONSTITUTION 

This document contains the purpose and bylaws/constitution of the Eagle, Globe and Anchor Brotherhood Association (EGABA); a mutual support group for Retired, Active, and U.S. Marines Corps Veterans.  The following comprised bylaws/constitution are intended to serve as working rules to maintain order and an effective guidelines for this organizational structure.  The EGABA is a non-profitable private association formed by U.S. Marines and will abide by the requirements of the United States federal and state laws.

PURPOSE:

EGABA MISSION STATEMENT: 

To promote fellowship among Marines and honorary members. To help and support fellow United States Marine worldwide.  All sponsored Marines, and nominated honorary members will be considered for membership to advance fellowship, support, and camaraderie of the Eagle, Anchor, and Globe  Brotherhood Association. 

Fellow Marines can help Marines members struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and depression by actively listening without judgement, offering encouragement, reminding them that seeking help is not a sign of weakness, and directing them to available military mental health resources.  To provide a positive and stress free environment where seeking help is normalized and stigma is reduced.  

Fellow Marines can relate to a Marine and that is the cord power of our organization.  Our primary mission is to be there for one another during times of mental, physical and emotional difficulties. 

A Marine’s superpower is that he or she can relate to the situation because the Marine have been there or because they have been in the arena and witness and experienced similar situations.  

A Marine that has been in a fighting hole can relate and talk to a Marine who is having a hard time dealing with being in or coming out of the fight hole. 

EGABA GOALS:

Short term goal: 

EGABA short term goal is the hold an annual event for all members of EGABA for the purpose of fellowship and camaraderie.  To establish the true meaning of Esprit De Corps among EGABA members.  To establish the feeling of pride, fellowship and common loyalty shared by all members of the Eagle, Globe and Anchor Brotherhood Association.  This short term goal is to express and share the common spirit existing in our association and inspiring enthusiasm, devotion and strong regards.  

Long term goal:

For the EGABA to build a Headquarters establishment.  To build an Eagle, Globe and Anchor Lodge, or Ranch where EGABA members can come and relax to breathe easy. A place where our members can take the weight of the world of their shoulders for an extended period of time.  To provide EGABA members who are struggling from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Major Depression Disorder a place to unwind, recharge and reorganize so they can continue to battle their demons. To hopefully inspire and empower them to continue to fight life difficulties and struggles in a positive way.   A place where we can provide a positive and stress free environment to all EGABA members.  A place to promote positive mental and physical good health.  

STRUCTURE:

To ensure that the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Brotherhood Association (EGABA) maintains an ongoing commitment to our social growth and development, the EGABA has formed a governing body called the Executive Board of Trustees (EBOT). The EBOT consisting of a President, Vice President, Administrator, Historian, Treasurer, Master of Arms, Chaplain and Lifetime members. This body's main objective is to ensure the continuity of EGABA. The EBOT will be empowered to act in all areas and on all issues deemed appropriate by the EGABA to oversee all of phases of operations. 

Code of Conduct 

• EGABA members shall uphold the values of honor, courage, loyalty,      initiative, unselfishness, integrity and commitment.
• EGABA members are expected to conduct themselves with respect,      dignity and professionalism during all EGABA activities. 
• EGABA Executive Board of Trustees reserve the right to suspend or      terminate membership for violations of the Code of Conduct 
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Amendments

• Amendments to the bylaws may be proposed by any EGABA Marine member      in good standing.
• Amendments must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the      EGABA Executive Board of Trustees. 
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Meetings

Meetings: All meetings are based on the EGABA President Discretion.  All scheduled and cancellation of meetings shall be at the discretion of the EGABA President. 

Executive Board of Trustees Meetings  

• There shall be 12 Executive Board of Trustees meetings annually. 
• The EBOT shall hold a meeting once a month for the purpose of  governing the EGABA. 
• The EBOT should be prepared to discuss any and all ideas, activities, issues,      concerns, rules and regulations that governed the EGABA and progress to the general membership at all hands meetings for the purposes of discussion, resolution and follow up activities. 

Emergency EBOT meeting:

The EGABA President has the power to call a emergency Executive Board of Trustees meetings at his discretion.    

An EBOT Emergency meeting must consist of at least half of the EBOT Board members.

Attendance: 

All Executive Board of Trustees members are required to attend all EBOT meetings.  If a Trustee of the EGABA is absent for four (4) EBOT meetings the Administrator shall notify the President.  Prior to the next meeting the President shall contact the trustee to ascertain the reason(s) for the absences and his interest in continuing as a trustee.  At the next EBOT meeting, the President shall report on the reasons for the Trustee’s absences and his continuing interest in serving as a trustee in EGABA. Summaries of EBOT meetings, including any newly formed committee meeting attendees and resolutions, shall be prepared and transmitted to the EGABA Administrator. 

The EGABA Executive Board of Trustees reserves the right to remove, replace and/or reassign as necessary EGABA Trustee Members. The determination of an Executive Board of Trustees member will be voted on by the Board.  

Voting Process

• The President will not vote. 
• The Vice President will not vote unless there is a tie.  All vote will be held privately and counted by the Master of Arms. 
• A silent voting process.  (EGABA President in some cases can determine that a silent voting process is not necessary)       

EGABA All Hands Meetings:  

• There shall be 11 all hands meetings annually. 
• The EGABA shall hold all hands meetings once a month (except June of every year) for the purposes of fellowship and resolution of ideas  through proper business discussions and dissemination of information from the Executive Board of Trustees meetings. 
• Each member should put forth an effort to contribute to the discussions of Eagle, Anchor, and Globe Brotherhood Association. Contribution of new ideas, thoughts, topics, issues and concerns are encouraged. The meeting shall be conducted in an orderly fashion. The forum shall be casual and open so that any and all members may express their ideals, recommendations, issues and concerns. 
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Attendance:

· All members are encouraged to attend all hands meetings.  

· During election year all members are required to vote.  Next election year is 2026 and every 3 year thereafter. 

MEMBERSHIP: Marine and Honorary 

Requirements: 

The main requirement to join the Eagle Globe and Anchor Brotherhood Association (EGABA) is that you have graduated from Marine Corps Boot Camp or from Marine Corps Officer Candidate School and sponsored by an EGABA member in good standings.

Marine Membership

• Potential Marine member may visit one (1) all hands meeting.  If the      Marine is a prospective member, he may attend a total of two (2) all hands meetings to determine their interest in joining the EGABA and will be acknowledged during the meeting by the EGABA  Marine member extending the invitation. Following the 2nd all hands meeting attended by the prospective Marine member, the Marine must decide whether or not to join.  If the Marine decide to join, they will be assessed applicable fees and dues to bring that member annual dues to good standings for the year. 
• It is required that each member be equipped with, or have access to Texts and Emails.  Texts and Emails are the primary methods of communication within EGABA.  Gmail is the email system of choice for EGABA.    egabrotherhood@gmail.com
• Each member is encouraged to participate as a member in all meetings and functions: 

Participation can include: 

• Attending the EGABA meetings and events 
• Donating to the event (Volunteering, introduction of key individuals, Vehicles, Event spaces, etc.) 
• Donating your time planning and implementing the event Assessment fees, Initiation fees (deposits), and/or others Dues: 
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Honorary Members

Honorary membership is available for non-Marine Corps individuals who demonstrate support for the Eagle, Globe and Anchor Brotherhood Association.

An honorary member is any member who has not graduated from United States Marine Corps Boot Camp or from Marine Corps Officers Candidate School. 

All honorary member will have to be sponsored by an EGABA Marine member in good standings.  

Potential honorary members may visit one (1) all hands meeting.  If the honorary member is a prospective member, he or she may attend a total of two (2) all hands meetings to determine their interest in joining the EGABA and will be acknowledged during the meeting by the EGABA Marine member extending the invitation.  Following the 2nd all hands meeting attended by the prospective honorary member, he or she must decide whether or not to join.  If he or she decide to join, they will be assessed applicable fees and dues to bring their annual dues to good standing for the year. 

• All honorary member is the responsibility of the sponsored Marine EGABA member.  
• Honorary member will be treated with respect and dignity. 
• Honorary members can voice their concerns, issues and      recommendations through their sponsored EGABA Marine member.
• Honorary members can volunteer support and assist in all areas of the EGABA
• Honorary members are encouraged to attend EGABA all hands meetings      and participate in all EGABA events. 
• Honorary members cannot become lifetime members or hold key positions within the EGABA. 
• Honorary members cannot be part of the Executive Board of Trustees and cannot attend EBOT meetings. 
• Honorary members cannot vote on issues or concerns governing the operations of the EGABA.   

DUES and FEES (all dues and fees are non- refundable)

All Dues and Fees are collected to support EGABA long and short term goals and vision.  All Dues will be made electronically, for the purpose to maintain a record of payment/payments and accountability.

Dues will cover all expenses for EGABA annual fellowship events for all members in good standings.  Dues will not cover member’s transportation to and from any EGABA events. Please contact EGABA Event Planner to verify what expenses EGABA will cover and not cover. 

Annual dues shall be determined by the Executive Board of Trustees every November. 

Marines and Honorary members

• Annual dues are $300 a year payable by December 31st of each year. 
• All members are required to pay 25 dollars a month but can set up a      different payment plan with the EGABA Treasurer. 
• All members are required to set up their payment/payments with the      EGABA Treasurer. 
• All previous year dues are required to be paid in full to be invited to the following year EGABA annual fellowship event. 
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If a member fails to pay their full dues ($300) by December 31st the treasurer will notify the EGABA President. The member will be declared a member not in good standing. The EGABA President or Vice President will attempt to contact the member and discuss their situation.  Each member will be granted an hardship extension to March 31 of the fallowing year to bring their previous year dues to good standing.  Once the member’s dues are in good standing that member will be placed on payment probation and is required to pay 25 dollars a month for a year.  If a members fails to pay their previous year dues in full by the end on the hardship extension that member will be consider inactive. All inactive members will be suspended until all dues are brought up to date.

Suspended member cannot be involved with any part of the EGABA. 

HARDSHIP MEMBERSHIP

What constitutes as a hardship will be terminated by the Executive Board of Trustees.  A traumatic family or life event that cause financial hardship. 

If a situation of hardship develops within the family of a member that impacts his ability to pay dues according to the established schedule, they may inform the EGABA President and Vice President months thereafter to request a hardship membership.  At that time the President or Vice President will discuss granting the member a hardship membership with the Executive Board of Trustees.  The EBOT can grant the member a hardship membership for a maximum of and not to exceed 1 year. The member must contact either the EGABA President, Vice President, every three months on the status of their hardship and why the need to continue the hardship membership status. The member will remain fully active in EGABA, including participation in functions and signature events while they are on Hardship membership status.  After their hardship status the member must return to regular membership.  If the member cannot return to regular membership status that member will be consider inactive.  All inactive members will suspended until dues are brought to date.  

LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP

The Executive Board of Trustees shall make an annual assessment of the Lifetime membership dues. The EBOT will determined the amount of the Lifetime membership every November of the year.  

• Any Marine can become a Lifetime EGABA member.
• Lifetime membership due is $1500 payable by December 31st of the      calendar year.  
• A lifetime member is required to pay $125 a month for the year or can set up a different payment plan with the EGABA Treasurer.  
• Once a lifetime member has paid their dues of $1500 within the calendar year that member is not required to make any other payments to EGABA for life. 
• If a lifetime member fails to pay their lifetime membership ($1500) by December 31st the Treasurer will notify the EGABA President. The EGABA      President or Vice President will attempt to contact the Lifetime member      and discuss their situation.  Each lifetime member will be granted an extension to March 31st of the fallowing year to complete the  lifetime membership.  If their lifetime membership is not paid by the end of the extension that member will be transferred to being just a member. All payments paid up to that point will be spread over the years of payment.  Example if a life time member was able to pay $900 at the end of the extension the member will have a total of 3 years paid dues and will not have to make any payments for 3 years.  After the end of the 3 years the member will continue to make regular member’s dues at that time. The member cannot apply for lifetime membership again. 

Non- members Event Fees: (fees are subject to change due to the event cost)

Any guess who attend an EGABA event will have to pay a fee of $50 per event. (Lodging not included)

Any guess who attend an EGABA event and include lodging will have to pay a fee of $200.

Any spouse who attend an EGABA event, lodging included will have to pay a fee of $150. $75 without lodging.

A Marine can only be a guess to one EGABA fellowship event. Afterward the Marine will have to become a member. 

The EGABA will not tolerate having repeated Marine every year to the EGABA annual fellowship event.  

All EGABA events are by invitation only.  All EGABA members are required to notify the Event Planner of all visitors and guess prior to the event. Event Planner will inform all members of the cut of date for visitor and guess for the EGABA event.  For planning purposes there should be no surprise guess or visitor the day of the event.  All members are required to adhere to this regulation so that the organization can fellow the 6 P’s rule.  Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. 

EGABA will commit a percentage of its general account holdings to charitable and/or as outlined in our grant request process.  The Executive Board of Trustees will select the beneficiaries with input from the EGABA members

All donations to the EGABA events/ fund risers will be deposited in the EGABA’s bank account.  

All non-specified donations, EGABA Headquarters building fund will be deposited into EGABA’s bank account. 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

All executive positions held within the EGABA must be held by a lifetime member. 

Executive Positions

President 

Vice President 

Treasurer

Administrator

Master of Arms

Event Planner

Chaplain 

Historian

Executive Committee:

President: To conduct monthly EGABA and all members meetings.  To act as spokesperson for EGABA  in the community and liaison to other Organizations.  

Vice President: To share the duties and responsibilities of the President as required. 

Treasurer: To collect and manage all moneys of the EGABA and report to the members of the EGABA  the status of budgets for operational planning. 

Administrator: To support the President for the organization of meetings and dissemination of all information to the members via text and Email, to record information discussed in all members meetings and EGABA meetings. To forward all information to the President and Trustee Board for approval within ten (10) days for dissemination to the EGABA membership.

Historian: To maintains a chronological record of significant EGABA events. To aid in the documentation of the Association accomplishments as it strives to accomplish its mission. 

Master of Arms: To support the President for the organization of meetings and dissemination of all information to the members. To maintain order within the EGABA organization at all times. 

ELECTIONS

The President and the Vice President shall serve in the office for three years.  The EGABA shall select a nominating committee by the end of September of the election year for the purpose of developing and presenting a slate of candidates for President and Vice President.   

Any executive position can resign and relinquish all responsibilities of the position being held at anytime.

The Eagle, Globe and Anchor Board of Trustees (EBOT) have the power to remove the officer from their elected position at anytime.  The officer can only removed with the majority vote from the EBOT. 

All officers can be re-elected.  There is no set term of office. 

All Marine members of the EGABA had the right to vote. (Honorary member cannot vote)

EGABA  MEMBERSHIP

Application, acceptance and retention of Members in EGABA shall remain consistent with EGABA’s established Mission Statement and Bylaws 

Membership Process

Membership into the EGABA is by sponsorship invitation only.  Individuals invited to membership should have the following qualifications: 

• Graduate of the United States Marine Corps Bootcamp or Officer Candidate School (OCS)
• Interest in educational, civic, health/wellness and cultural activities of fellow U.S. Marines; 
• Ability to serve actively in support of the programs of EGABA  
• Willingness to assume the financial responsibilities of the EGABA
• Skills and talents that will contribute to the vitality of the Association; and      demonstrated ability to work with others. 
• Honorary member have to be sponsored by an EGABA Marine member in good standing. 
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APPLICATION PROCEDURES

• Candidates for membership must be recommended by an existing EGABA Marine member and invited to attend one (1) EGABA Monthly Meeting
• Before a candidate can be considered for membership, the sponsoring EGABA member shall be with the candidate and have them complete the EGABA New Member Application. 
• The Administrator will ensure that the application is complete.  Affirmation of each candidate’s membership will be submitted and delivered during monthly all hands meetings.
• Candidate must understand and agree to pay all dues associated with      EGABA.  Must agree and understand that all payments are final and non-refundable