Private organization basics

  • Published
  • By 341st Missile Wing legal office
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Private organizations are a great way to meet people, get involved with civic activities, and become an integral part of the base. That being said, there are a few rules that all POs and their members should be aware of.

POs are governed by Air Force Instruction 34-223, "Private Organization (PO) Program." In addition, POs should be aware of AFI 36-3101, "Fundraising within the Air Force." This article will define when a group must become a PO. It will also discuss operation of and fundraising within a PO.

According to AFI 34-223, para 1, private organizations are "self-sustaining special interest groups, set up by people acting exclusively outside the scope of any official capacity." A group must become a PO when their average monthly assets (to include "cash, inventories, receivables, and investments") is more than $1,000 for three months. For example, if a group has $900 of assets in month one, then $1,000 of assets in month two, and $1,100 of assets in month three, that group must become a private organization. Refer to AFI 34-223, para 2.2. 

If your group does not average $1,000 worth of assets monthly, it can still become a private organization. The wing commander approves POs when the PO "will make a positive contribution to the quality of life of base personnel," by virtue of AFI 34-223, para 6.1. The wing commander may delegate this authority to the mission support group commander through AFI 34-223, para 6.4.

Operating a PO is governed by AFI 34-223, para 10. POs cannot use "seal, logos, or insignia of the Department of Defense or any DOD Component, DOD organizations unit, or DOD installation," as stated in AFI 34-223, para 10.1.1. In other words, POs cannot use DOD seals, logos, or insignia because this makes it appear that the organization is acting on behalf of, or as part of, the DOD.  POs operating on base, however, may include Malmstrom or 341 MW in their name as permitted by AFI 34-223, para 10.1.2. In order to do so however, the wing commander must approve and it must be clear that the PO is not sanctioned or supported by the DoD, in compliance with AFI 34-223, para 10.1.2-10.1.2.1.  Lastly, POs must be self-sustaining.  A PO can earn money through dues, contributions and fees, according to AFI 34-223, para 10.5.

Private organizations typically use fundraising as a way to raise funds.  There are several fundraising rules to be aware of.  First, POs cannot have more than two fundraisers per quarter; this is stated in AFI 34-223, para 10.9.1-2.  Further, fundraisers must occur outside the workplace. The wing commander determines which areas are outside of the workplace (ie, public entrances, community support facilities, personal quarters) following DoD 550.7R, "Joint Ethics Regulation" para 3-300.a(2). POs typically cannot operate "games of chance" (aka gambling), according to AFI 34-223, para 10.9. The installation commander, however, may authorize raffles for POs composed mainly of DOD personnel and family members, complying with AFI 34-223, para 10.16. These raffles must comply with state laws and must be for the benefit of DOD personnel or family members of DoD personnel; see AFI 34-223, para 10.16.1-10.16.2.