Fundraisers and squadron holiday parties

  • Published
  • By 509th Bomb Wing Legal Office
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Many squadrons are now getting ready for holiday parties. This is a great time for military members and their families to foster esprit de corps while celebrating the holiday season.

Often, a squadron's private organization or unofficial activity will assist their unit by raising money to help foot the bill. It is important that these organizations recognize that there are federal and state laws, as well as Department of Defense and Air Force Instructions that must be followed before conducting any type of fundraiser.

Air Force Instructions 36-3101, Fundraising Within the Air Force, and 34-223, Private Organizations Program, provides guidance to Air Force personnel with regard to raising money or contributing to an agency's health-and-welfare event and instructions pertaining to the operation of private organizations, as well as unofficial activities.

Only Morale, Welfare and Readiness can enter into commercial sponsorships with businesses off-base, and the installation commander is the only approval authority for local internal fundraisers.

Raffles are prohibited for social or recreational purposes. Missouri law restricts these activities even further. Chapter 572 of the Missouri Revised Statues prohibits most gambling activities not licensed by the state of Missouri. Any game of chance is considered gambling.

This doesn't mean people can get around this by having a blackjack or poker fundraising tournament. Games of skill are considered gambling activities as well. The maximum sentence for violating Missouri's gambling laws is four years in prison; fines may be assessed as well. There is a provision in the Missouri Constitution that does permit certain types of games of chance if certain criteria are met.

If private organizations desire to hold a fundraiser for the holiday season, or any time in the future, the request begins with 509th Force Support Squadron Resource Management office. The 509th Legal Office reviews the request for legal sufficiency and provides a recommendation to the approval authority.

For questions regarding fundraisers contact the legal office at 687-6809.