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Fall Meeting - August 16, 2003:

From: Col J. Walt Davis, USMC (Ret)
Subj: NMCC Minutes – August 16, 2003

On August 16, 2003, the National Marine Corps Council special board meeting was held at the Marine Corps Association, 715 Broadway, Quantico, VA 22134. A list of attendees is provided at enclosure (1).

At 0830, LtGen Maloney, the NMCC Chairman, opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. After welcoming all hands and thanking MajGen Les Palm, MCA, for the use of the facility, LtGen Maloney provided an update on his May briefing with the 33d Commandant, Gen Michael Hagee. He said that Gen Hagee understands the purposes of the NMCC and its history, and that he had read the briefing that was provided prior to the meeting. As a result, the meeting took on the form of a discussion about how the NMCC might be able to help the Commandant, consistent with the purposes for which the council was established. LtGen Maloney then gave the Council a brief overview of the discussion and responded to several questions from Council representatives. He also responded to a question from the representative of the Engineer Association who explained that he had briefed his membership after the last meeting but was not able to provide them with the additional information that they wanted because the minutes of that meeting were still in draft form.

At 0855, BGen Margaret Brewer began her presentation of the Proposed By-Laws. A copy is provided at enclosure (2). She explained that this project has been ongoing for a year and was fueled by input from the membership via the survey of last fall and met the criteria of “Roberts Rules of Order, the modern edition.” She also mentioned that recommended changes would be accepted up until 15 Sept 2003. At 0920 a break was provided. The meeting resumed at 9:30 with LtGen Maloney requesting approval of the May 2003 board minutes so that the Engineers could distribute to their membership. Herb Newman, representing the 4th Marine Division of WWII, made the motion for approval and it was unanimously passed.

At approximately 0935, Col Warren Wiedhahn of the Korean 2000 Foundation provided a briefing regarding a meeting that he had recently with Gen Davis regarding the Korean Memorial, noting that the NMCC was formed when Gen Davis was the ACMC. On a different topic, he stated that 2004 will be a big year; the 60th anniversary of many battles and the year for dedicating the WWII Memorial on May 29, 2004. Gen Davis had related to him that he would like to organize divisions of WWII. General P.X. Kelly is in charge of organizing and if you attend as a representative of an organization, you are more likely to obtain preferred seating, hotel accommodations, etc. He talked about creating a sea service group similar to the Gator Navy. According to Col Wiedhahn, the 4th, 3rd, 2nd Divisions and the MCAA are now meeting and he was asking the consensus of the NMCC. Several members present replied they thought it would be a good idea and Col Weidhahn said it would be the “Last Hurrah” for many.

At approximately 0945, BGen Brewer again spoke to the Council asking if there needed to be clarification or elaboration on any of the Articles and opening up for discussion of the proposed By-Laws. She indicated that the next big project would be the development of the Standing Rules.

The 1st Marine Division representative asked for clarification on the term of Council officers in Article 4. BGen Brewer said that would be answered in the Standing Rules. There was also confusion regarding the titles and responsibilities of the officers: Chairman, Vice Chairman and Executive Chairman, vice Director. The Mustang Association representative said that the Chairman in his association is also the Executive Manager. BGen Brewer indicated that she would review with the Executive Committee.

A representative asked whether the By Laws addresses what the Council would be doing for the associations. The answer was that information will be passed to the associations in order to provide them better situational awareness and to help the NMCC, therefore, provide more assistance to the Commandant. Col Davis, MCA, reminded the Council that the focus was on communication as that was the major theme of the surveys – better communication. Mike Kessler, of the Young Marines, added that one of the purposes of the Council should be to promote and preserve the historical (contribution) of the member associations. BGen Brewer indicated that the purposes as written were the original ones.

Col Mutter, Mustang Association had a comment on Section VII regarding the Roberts Rules of Order prevailing only after the By-Laws and Standing Rules where 30 days’ noticed is specified. Herb Newman commented that 30 days’ notice worked well for him because he does not have access to email. BGen Brewer added that it also helps members who have to travel long distances for meetings.

BGen Brewer asked if there was any more discussion. There were several “thank you” comments directed to her for the well-done job in writing the By-Laws. She reminded them to notify the Council by 15 September with any changes and that we would vote on them in October.

Brooks Corley requested whether he could have a word document of the By-Laws sent to his email address. He reminded the attendees about LtGen Maloney’s comments regarding his discussion with the Commandant and said that the Council would need continuing current information about Marine Corps issues and policies in order to ensure that whatever the Council does is supportive of the Corps and not counterproductive. He then suggested that I&L, HQMC send a representative to the fall meeting and provide Council members with a short, concise paper about selected topics for the purpose of keeping the member organizations and their membership better informed. This is one way the Council can help the associations. This is the mechanism: CMC à HQMC à NMCC (Organization Reps) à Membership. He also mentioned the Air Force Memorial and how, through communication and networking, the situation was resolved.

Herb Newman asked if he could get a draft of the minutes without waiting for the Executive Committee to approve. LtGen Maloney asked MCA if that would be possible. The answer was “ Yes,” after the Executive Committee has had an opportunity to approve the draft.

At 1025 LtGen Maloney recapped the Fall Agenda with 1) Encroachment Paper from I & L, and 2) Deputy Commandant for Aviation, paper on TAC Air Integration. The Chairman then asked if there was any old business, any new business. With there being no old business or new business and, stating that the focus of this special meeting was for the Proposed By-Laws and that task being accomplished, he asked for a motion to adjourn. Brooks Corley, MCL, moved to adjourn and the motion was carried at 10:30.




Col J. Walt Davis, USMC (Ret)
Marine Corps Association
Vice President, COO

Enclosures: (1) List of Attendees
(2) Draft of Proposed By-Laws (sent on 8.16.03)