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DSO-LP  - DSO-LP Deputy -

WHAT WE DO

The District Legal Office serves as counsel to the Commodore and provides legal services in selected matters to the Chain of Leadership and Management. Review and approval of unit standing rules, review and approval of contracts and memoranda of understanding proposed by units, interpretation of Coast Guard and Auxiliary regulations, assistance with disciplinary proceedings and advice on parliamentary procedure are examples of the services provided by the Legal Office.

STANDING RULES

Each unit is required to have standing rules which conform to Auxiliary requirements. The rules provide the framework for the operation of the unit. There are published sample Division and Flotilla standing rules, which include suggested and mandatory provisions. However, you can download specific National Sample Flotilla Standing Rules and National Sample Division Standing Rules and use them as a starting point for revising your rules in whole or for individual sections.  The best practices approach is to prepare your proposed standing rules or revisions in draft and forward them to Legal for review prior to adoption. This will save unnecessary revisions--even the published mandatory provisions contain errors. Mr. Walker has lead responsibility for review and approval of standing rules.

 
CONTRACTS AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

One of the mandatory provisions of the standing rules requires that all licenses and agreements for use of real property and contracts involving the expenditure of unit funds must by approved by Legal. While units have a great deal of latitude, the Auxiliary has firm requirements in several areas, such as insurance and indemnity. The best practices approach is to send proposed agreements to Legal well before they need to be signed. You may find that the Sample MOU/MOA Form and the MOU/MOA Guide to its use provide helpful information and a good starting point. Ms. Nevesny has lead responsibility for review and approval of contracts and agreements.

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

The unit standing rules and the Auxiliary Manual provide a great deal of guidance on how unit meetings should be conducted. Roberts Rules of Order, as last revised, is the guide for all parliamentary questions not addressed by your standing rules or the Manual. Questions remaining after consulting these sources can be addressed to Legal. As always, the further in advance of needing an answer that a question can be posed, the better. The National Auxiliary DEPARTMENT OF TRAINING has published a good guide to meeting rules:
 

 A SIMPLIFIED GUIDE TO PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
ADOPTED FOR USE BY THE AUXILIARY.