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

This document establishes the purpose, Constitution, and Bylaws of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Brotherhood Association (EGABA), a private, nonprofit association dedicated to promoting fellowship, mutual support, and lifelong camaraderie among Active Duty, Reserve, Retired, and Veteran United States Marines, as well as approved Honorary Members.

The Constitution and Bylaws set forth the governing principles, organizational structure, policies, procedures, and operating guidelines of the Association. They are intended to provide a clear framework for effective leadership, responsible governance, consistent decision-making, and the orderly administration of EGABA's affairs.

These governing documents are designed to preserve the mission, vision, values, and traditions of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Brotherhood Association while promoting accountability, transparency, integrity, and unity throughout the organization.

The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Brotherhood Association is organized and operated as a private, nonprofit association established by United States Marines. EGABA shall conduct its affairs in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing nonprofit organizations and private associations.

This Constitution and Bylaws shall serve as the official governing authority of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Brotherhood Association and shall guide the organization in fulfilling its mission of strengthening the lifelong bonds of Marine Corps brotherhood through fellowship, service, leadership, and mutual support.

Semper Fidelis

"Once a Marine, Always a Marine. No Marine Left Behind."

All EGABA members shall:

• Uphold the Marine Corps values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment.
• Demonstrate loyalty, integrity, initiative, selflessness, accountability, and respect in all interactions.
• Conduct themselves with dignity, professionalism, and courtesy during all EGABA meetings, events, activities, and communications.
• Treat fellow members, honorary members, guests, and members of the public with fairness, respect, and without discrimination or harassment.
• Support the mission, Constitution, Bylaws, policies, and decisions of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Brotherhood Association.
• Protect the reputation, property, financial resources, and good name of EGABA.
• Promote unity, fellowship, and positive member engagement while avoiding conduct that creates unnecessary conflict or division within the Association.
• Exercise sound judgment both in person and when representing EGABA through electronic communications or social media.

Members shall not engage in conduct that is inconsistent with the mission or values of EGABA, including but not limited to:

• Harassment, discrimination, bullying, or intimidation.
• Threats, violence, or abusive behavior.
• Dishonesty, fraud, theft, or misuse of Association funds or property.
• Conduct that damages the reputation or integrity of EGABA.
• Repeated disruption of meetings or official Association activities.
• Failure to comply with the Constitution, Bylaws, or lawful directives of the Executive Board of Trustees.

The Executive Board of Trustees (EBOT) is responsible for enforcing this Code of Conduct and maintaining the integrity of the Association.

The Executive Board of Trustees reserves the authority to investigate alleged violations and, when appropriate, impose disciplinary action, including:

• Verbal or written warning.
• Probation.
• Temporary suspension of membership privileges.
• Removal from appointed positions or committees.
• Termination of membership for serious or repeated violations.

Whenever practical, members shall be given an opportunity to respond to allegations before disciplinary action is taken. The Executive Board of Trustees shall act fairly, impartially, and in the best interests of the Association.

By accepting membership in the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Brotherhood Association, every member agrees to uphold this Code of Conduct and to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects credit upon the Association, the Marine Corps, and the Brotherhood.

"The strength of EGABA is measured not only by the Marines who belong to it, but by the character, integrity, and respect with which they serve one another."

Semper Fidelis

The Constitution and Bylaws of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Brotherhood Association (EGABA) are intended to provide a stable framework for the governance of the Association while allowing for thoughtful modifications as the organization grows and evolves.

Any Marine member of EGABA who is in Good Standing may submit a proposed amendment to the Constitution or Bylaws. Proposed amendments shall be submitted in writing to the President or Administrator and shall clearly identify the section to be amended along with the proposed language and the reason for the amendment.

Upon receipt, the proposed amendment shall be reviewed by the Executive Board of Trustees (EBOT). The Board may discuss, revise, or recommend the proposal before it is presented for a vote.

Adoption of any amendment shall require the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Executive Board of Trustees.

Once approved, the amendment shall become part of the official Constitution and Bylaws of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Brotherhood Association and shall take effect immediately unless a different effective date is specified by the Executive Board of Trustees.

The Administrator shall be responsible for updating the official Constitution and Bylaws to reflect all approved amendments and for ensuring that the current version is made available to the membership.

The ability to amend these governing documents ensures that EGABA remains responsive to the needs of its members while preserving the mission, values, and traditions upon which the Association was founded.

The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Brotherhood Association (EGABA) is committed to ensuring that all voting is conducted fairly, impartially, and in a manner that protects the integrity of the decision-making process.

Unless otherwise specified within these Bylaws, all matters requiring a vote shall be conducted in accordance with the following procedures.

• The President shall serve as the presiding officer during all votes and shall not vote on matters before the Association.
• The Vice President shall not vote during the initial ballot and shall vote only in the event of a tie, thereby casting the deciding vote.
• All other eligible voting members of the Executive Board of Trustees may cast one vote on each matter presented for consideration.
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Unless otherwise determined by the President, all votes shall be conducted by secret ballot (silent voting) to ensure confidentiality, fairness, and impartiality.

The Master-at-Arms shall:

• Distribute and collect all ballots.
• Count the ballots in an impartial manner.
• Verify the accuracy of the vote count.
• Report the final results to the President for official announcement.

The President shall announce only the final results of the vote unless the Executive Board of Trustees directs otherwise.

When the President determines that confidentiality is not necessary, the President may authorize an open vote by voice vote, show of hands, electronic vote, or other approved voting method.

Open voting may be used for routine administrative matters or when there is unanimous agreement that a secret ballot is unnecessary.

Every member participating in a vote is expected to exercise sound judgment and vote honestly, impartially, and in the best interests of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Brotherhood Association.

The Master-at-Arms and all officers involved in the voting process shall maintain the integrity and confidentiality of the vote at all times.

The voting process exists to ensure that every decision made by EGABA reflects fairness, accountability, and the collective judgment of its leadership while preserving the trust and unity of the Brotherhood.

The Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Brotherhood Association (EGABA) recognizes that unforeseen personal, family, or financial hardships may temporarily affect a member's ability to meet their financial obligations. Consistent with the Brotherhood's commitment to supporting one another, EGABA provides a Hardship Membership program for members experiencing significant life challenges.

The purpose of Hardship Membership is to allow eligible members to remain active participants in the Association during periods of financial difficulty while preserving their connection to the Brotherhood.

A hardship shall be determined solely by the Executive Board of Trustees (EBOT) based upon the facts and circumstances of each individual case.

Examples of qualifying hardships may include, but are not limited to:

• Serious personal illness or injury.
• Serious illness or death of an immediate family member.
• Loss of employment or significant reduction in income.
• Natural disasters or catastrophic property loss.
• Military deployment or other extraordinary circumstances.
• Any other traumatic family or life event that creates a substantial financial hardship.

The existence of a hardship does not automatically qualify a member for Hardship Membership. Each request shall be reviewed individually by the Executive Board of Trustees.

A member experiencing financial hardship should notify the President or Vice President as soon as reasonably possible and request consideration for Hardship Membership.

The President or Vice President shall present the request to the Executive Board of Trustees for review and recommendation.

Approval of Hardship Membership shall require a majority vote of the Executive Board of Trustees.

Hardship Membership may be granted for a period not to exceed twelve (12) consecutive months.

The Executive Board of Trustees may establish a shorter period based upon the member's individual circumstances.

Members approved for Hardship Membership shall:

• Remain in communication with the President or Vice President regarding their circumstances.
• Provide a status update at least once every three (3) months while receiving Hardship Membership.
• Notify the Executive Board of Trustees when their financial circumstances improve.

The Executive Board of Trustees may review the member's hardship status at any time.

Members approved for Hardship Membership shall remain Members in Good Standing during the approved hardship period.

While on Hardship Membership, members shall continue to enjoy all regular membership privileges, including:

• Attendance at All-Hands Meetings.
• Participation in Association activities and annual fellowship events.
• Access to member communications and organizational information.
• Participation in programs and services available to members.

Hardship Membership is intended to ensure that financial hardship does not prevent a member from remaining connected to the Brotherhood during difficult times.

Upon expiration of the approved hardship period, the member shall return to Regular Membership status and resume payment of annual dues in accordance with the Association's Membership Dues Policy.

If the member is unable to resume Regular Membership after the hardship period has expired, the Executive Board of Trustees may determine that the member will be placed on Inactive Membership Status.

Members classified as Inactive shall be suspended from membership privileges until all outstanding dues or other financial obligations have been resolved or until another membership status is approved by the Executive Board of Trustees.

The Hardship Membership program reflects the core values of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Brotherhood Association. Marines take care of Marines. During times of personal hardship, the Brotherhood stands beside its members with understanding, compassion, and support while preserving the financial integrity of the Association.

"A Marine should never lose the support of the Brotherhood because life became difficult. Hardship Membership exists to ensure that, during life's toughest battles, no Marine stands alone."

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. 

To ensure experienced and dedicated leadership, all elected Executive Officer positions within the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Brotherhood Association (EGABA) shall be held by Lifetime Members in good standing.

The Executive Officers of the Association are:

• President
• Vice President
• Treasurer
• Administrator
• Master-at-Arms
• Event Planner
• Chaplain
• Historian

These officers serve as members of the Executive Board of Trustees (EBOT) and are responsible for carrying out the mission, policies, and strategic objectives of the Association.

The President shall preside over all Executive Board of Trustees meetings and All-Hands Meetings. The President serves as the official spokesperson of EGABA, represents the Association within the community, and serves as the primary liaison to veterans' organizations, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and community partners.

The Vice President shall assist the President in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the office and shall perform all duties assigned by the President. In the absence or inability of the President to serve, the Vice President shall assume the duties and authority of the President.

The Treasurer shall receive, safeguard, account for, and manage all Association funds. The Treasurer shall maintain accurate financial records and provide regular financial reports to the Executive Board of Trustees and the membership to support responsible financial planning and organizational transparency.

The Administrator shall coordinate and organize Executive Board and All-Hands Meetings, maintain official records, prepare meeting minutes, and distribute notices, agendas, reports, and other official communications by email, text message, or other approved communication platforms.

Meeting minutes and official records shall be submitted to the President and Executive Board of Trustees for review and approval within ten (10) days following each meeting before distribution to the membership.

The Historian shall preserve and maintain the official historical record of EGABA by documenting significant events, leadership, annual fellowship activities, organizational milestones, photographs, publications, and other historical materials that reflect the accomplishments and legacy of the Association.

The Master-at-Arms shall assist the President in maintaining order, discipline, and proper protocol during all meetings and official Association events. The Master-at-Arms shall ensure compliance with EGABA policies and procedures while helping preserve the dignity, professionalism, and Esprit de Corps of the Brotherhood.

The Event Planner shall organize, coordinate, and supervise all official EGABA meetings, ceremonies, annual fellowship events, and special activities while working closely with the President, Treasurer, and Executive Board of Trustees to ensure successful planning and execution.

The Chaplain shall provide spiritual guidance, pastoral care, and emotional support to members and their families while promoting unity, compassion, ethical leadership, and the overall well-being of the Association.

The President and Vice President shall each serve a three (3) year term.

By the end of September of each election year, the Executive Board of Trustees shall appoint a Nominating Committee to identify and present qualified candidates for the offices of President and Vice President.

The Nominating Committee shall present its recommended slate of candidates to the membership before the election.

Any Executive Officer may resign from office at any time by submitting written notice to the President or, if the President is resigning, to the Executive Board of Trustees.

The Executive Board of Trustees may remove an elected officer from office whenever such action is determined to be in the best interests of the Association.

Removal of an officer shall require a majority vote of the Executive Board of Trustees.

All Executive Officers are eligible for re-election, provided they continue to meet the qualifications for office.

Only Marine Members in Good Standing shall be entitled to vote in elections and other matters requiring membership approval.

Honorary Members shall not possess voting privileges.

Admission, acceptance, retention, suspension, and termination of membership shall be governed by the Mission Statement, Constitution, Bylaws, and policies of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Brotherhood Association.

Membership in EGABA is a privilege and shall be extended only to individuals who support the mission, values, and objectives of the Association.

Marine Membership is available to individuals who:

• Have successfully graduated from United States Marine Corps Recruit Training (Boot Camp), Marine Corps Officer Candidates School (OCS), or are Marine graduates of the United States Naval Academy.
• Demonstrate an interest in promoting fellowship, education, health and wellness, civic engagement, and support of fellow United States Marines.
• Are willing to actively participate in EGABA programs and activities.
• Accept the financial responsibilities associated with membership.
• Possess skills, experience, leadership, or talents that contribute to the continued success of the Association.
• Demonstrate the ability to work cooperatively with fellow members while supporting the mission and values of EGABA.

Honorary Membership shall be governed by the Honorary Membership provisions contained elsewhere in these Bylaws.

Membership in EGABA is by sponsorship invitation only.

Each applicant must be recommended and sponsored by a current Marine Member in Good Standing.

The sponsoring member shall accompany the prospective member to an official EGABA All-Hands Meeting and assist the applicant in completing the official EGABA Membership Application.

The Administrator shall review each application for completeness and ensure that all required information has been provided.

The prospective member shall be formally introduced to the membership during an All-Hands Meeting.

Before membership is approved, the applicant shall acknowledge that they have read and agree to comply with the EGABA Constitution, Bylaws, Code of Conduct, membership policies, and financial obligations.

Applicants must acknowledge that all dues, fees, and assessments are non-refundable.

Upon approval and payment of all required dues and fees, the applicant shall become a Marine Member in Good Standing and enjoy all rights and privileges granted under the Constitution and Bylaws of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Brotherhood Association.

Semper Fidelis

"Leadership, Fellowship, and Service—United by the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor."