Unit Affiliated Unofficial Activities (UA) Rules,

Commander/Civilian Leader’s Responsibility Commanders are the approval and oversight authority for UAs within their unit.
Approve/Disapprove
All internal "For Us, By Us" fundraisers. Consult FSS or ABW/JA with questions/concerns.
External fundraisers require FSS/CC approval submitted to 75FSS.Private.Orgs@us.af.mil.
Financial Oversight (IAW DAFI 34-106):
Ensure a minimum two-person cash accountability system is used.
Receive and review a financial report from the UA at least annually.
Ensure the UA's average monthly assets do not exceed $1,000 over a three-month period.
Best Practice (IAW DAFI 34-106): Commanders should determine if a UA should become a PO and "consider whether UAs should be required to follow the financial and liability requirements applicable to POs."<br>

What is a Unit Affiliated Activity (UA)? Definition (IAW DAFI 34-106): "UAs are small groups of DoD personnel (including military members, and DoD civilians, and NAFIs when acting in their official capacity), that are not officially established as a PO under this DAFI or required to be so established."
Common Names: These groups are often called Booster Clubs, Morale Committees, Party Funds, Slush Funds, or Sunshine Funds, Snacko/SnackBar.
Core Principle: "For Us, By Us"
Activities are for the benefit of the unit members themselves.
Participation and contributions must be entirely voluntary.
Organizational Scope:
Group-Level UAs: A UA may be established at the Group level, to include members from all subordinate squadrons. It reports to the Group Commander, who should ensure funds are managed and used equitably across the organization.
Multi-Unit Groups: A group composed of members from different, unrelated organizations (e.g., a base-wide volleyball team) must become a Private Organization (PO).<br>

When a UA Must Become a Private Org (PO) A UA must formalize as a PO when its scope or assets grow beyond established limits. This is a formal process requiring coordination with the FSS.
Key Triggers for Becoming a PO (IAW DAFI 34-106):
Financial Threshold: Exceeding average monthly assets of $1,000 over a three-month period.
External Fundraising: Desiring to solicit donations or conduct sales to an audience broader than the UA's own members.
JA Recommendation: 75 ABW/JA recommends that any group intending to fundraise outside its own unit should formally establish as a PO.<br>

UA vs. PO: Key Differences<br>

The "For Us, By Us" Rule The Golden Rule: UA fundraising is authorized only from the personnel of the organization or unit for its own support (AFI 36-3101).
Examples of Permissible Internal Fundraisers:
Bake sales, chili cook-offs, or potlucks within the unit.
Selling unit morale items (t-shirts, patches) to unit members.
Collecting voluntary donations for a unit party or event. (Note: Desk-to-desk solicitation is generally discouraged to avoid perceptions of pressure).
Clarification on Snack Bars/Collective Purchasing:
A common UA activity is running a "snack bar." This is permissible but must follow rules.
Option 1: Collective Buying (Not Fundraising): Members pool money to buy items in bulk for convenience. The items are then provided at cost. (You buy a box of pop tarts for $2.00, 4 per box, $0.50 each, you charge $0.50 each and do not generate a profit.)
Option 2: Snack Sales (As a Fundraiser): The UA sells snacks with a small markup. This is an acceptable fundraiser provided:
Sales are only to unit members.
It does not become a continuous business that competes with FSS/AAFES. (Limit to 3 per quarter)
Operating a snack bar as a fundraiser counts as one of your three permitted fundraisers per quarter.
All profits contribute to the UA's $1,000 average monthly asset limit.<br>

Fundraising: Workplace, Frequency & Limits Workplace Fundraising (IAW AFI 36-3101): Limited fundraising is permitted in the workplace but it must not disrupt official duties. It should be conducted in a manner that allows members to choose to participate without feeling coerced (e.g., in a breakroom during personal time such as breaks/lunchtime).
Fundraising Frequency (IAW AFI 36-3101): All fundraisers opened to those outside of your unit or “base wide” fundraising on the installation must be "occasional." This is defined as "no more than three fundraising events per calendar quarter" for any group. This limit applies to both UAs and POs.
Financial Limit (IAW DAFI 34-106): Internal fundraising must not cause the UA to exceed the $1,000 average monthly asset limit.<br>

Prohibited Activities: Gambling & Raffles Guidance: Regulations require adherence to Federal, State, and local laws.
Joint Ethics Regulation (JER): Prohibits "gambling on-duty or on Federal premises."
Utah State Law: Considers raffles a form of illegal gambling. Therefore, raffles are strictly prohibited.
The Legal Alternative: Free Giveaway/Drawing
To be legal, a drawing must be a true giveaway, not a lottery.
Entry must be 100% free. No purchase, donation, or "consideration" can be required to get a ticket.
Everyone must be given the same number of entries (e.g., one per person).<br>

Auctions While raffles are a prohibited game of chance, the regulations provide a clear and approved alternative for offering items of value: Auctions.
DAFI 34-106, Paragraph 5.10.1. “Auctions (including silent auctions) are not considered game of chance. If a portion of the auction proceeds go to the Private Organization, then the auction will count towards the organizational limit of not more than three fundraising events per calendar quarter per paragraph 5.8.2."
How This Applies to You:
An auction is a legal alternative to a raffle because it is based on the highest bid, not random chance. It is considered a fundraiser and counts as one of your three permitted events per quarter.
The required approval depends on the audience:
Internal Auction (UA "For Us, By Us"): Approved by the Unit Commander/Civilian Leader.
External Auction (PO or UA open to the base): Approved by the 75 FSS/CC. A fundraiser request must be submitted to the 75 FSS workflow email for approval.<br>

Holiday Parties Holiday parties are the most common UA activity and must follow all the rules we've discussed.
Funding:
Appropriated Funds (O&M) are not permitted under any circumstances to support holiday parties.
Funds to support holiday parties must either come from: ticket price, fundraising (FUBU/PO).
Asking Venues for Discounts:
You may always ask venues if you can hold a party. You may NOT ask for discounts or for any other special considerations. You MAY accept a discounted price if the discount is part if the venue usually provides discounts for military. It needs to be offered; you cannot ask for it.
Raffles vs. Door Prizes:
Raffling is a form of gambling and is strictly prohibited. Giveaway prizes in which participants paid a fee as part of their ticket price is also considered a raffle and is also strictly prohibited. The alternative is not to charge any fee and to equally distribute prizes.
Alcohol Policy:
FSS is the source for selling and serving alcohol. Alcoholic beverages may be consumed and shared among members of a legal age...in a potluck fashion at a PO social event. This must be during off-duty hours, and the Commander must have a safety plan in place. (AFI 34-219, Alcoholic Beverage Program.)<br>

Special Rule: Food Fundraisers The rules for food depend entirely on the target audience.
Internal (UA "For Us, By Us" only):
Treated as a private event (like an office potluck). Home-prepared foods are generally allowed.
You do not need a Public Health permit, but safe food handling is always recommended.
External (Base-Wide or Open to Public):
This is a public food sale requiring a permit.
MUST get FSS/CC approval for the fundraiser.
MUST complete the "Temporary Food Booth Application" and receive approval from Public Health Flight.
Strict rules apply, including the prohibition of home-prepared foods.<br>

Public Health: Key Requirements For any food fundraiser open to the public, the following rules from the Temporary Food Booth Guidelines are mandatory:
Food Source: "All foods must be approved by Public Health. Home canned and home prepared foods, ice made at home, unpasteurized (raw) milk/cheese products, ruminant meats, or storage of foods at private homes are not allowed."
Temperatures: Hot foods ≥ 135°F; Cold foods ≤ 41°F.
Personal Hygiene: "Workers shall NOT WORK if they have one or more of the following: diarrhea, fever, vomiting, jaundice, or has pustule lesions, boils or infected wounds on the hands, wrists, or exposed portions of the arms."<br>

Miscellaneous & Related Topics $1,000 Limit Waiver (DAFI 34-106): The Installation Commander (delegated to FSS/CC) may grant a temporary waiver (up to 6 months) for a UA to exceed the $1,000 asset limit for a specific purpose, such as saving for a large holiday party.
Prohibited Use of Funds: UA funds are for the collective benefit of the unit. They must not be used for items that should be paid for with official funds (e.g., office supplies, equipment) or for the personal enrichment of individual members.
Dissolution of a UA: If a UA disbands, any remaining funds must be spent or transferred to another morale-enhancing activity or organization (e.g., another UA, a PO). Funds cannot be distributed to individual members.
$10 Gift Rule vs. Fundraising (AFI 36-3101): The rule limiting solicitations to $10 applies to personal gifts (e.g., for a farewell). It does not apply to voluntary contributions to a UA fund.
UNITE Program: This is an official program where FSS provides appropriated funds directly to units for morale and cohesion events. This is separate from UA funds and is a great resource for unit activities. UNITE Events CANNOT be combined with a holiday party. For more information, contact the UNITE Program POC at johanne.bercher.1@us.af.mil.
Retirements/Memorials: Special Morale & Welfare (SMW) funds or other official funds are the proper source for items like flowers for memorials for deceased employees or light refreshments for retirement events. To request SMW funds, submit requests to 75FSS.SMW.Requests@us.af.mil.<br>

Summary & Key Takeaways Keep it "For Us, By Us." This is the foundational principle of a UA.
Mind the Cap. Do not exceed the $1,000 average monthly asset limit (DAFI 34-106).
No Raffles. They are illegal gambling in Utah. Use 100% free giveaways as the only legal alternative.
Fundraising is Occasional. All groups are limited to 3 fundraisers per quarter (AFI 36-3101).
Food Rules Change with Audience. Internal potlucks are different from external food sales, which require a Public Health permit and have strict rules.
Commanders Approve and Oversee. Leadership is key to compliance.<br>

References Governing Regulations:
DAFI 34-106, Air Force Private Organizations Program
AFI 36-3101, Fundraising
DoD 5500.07-R, Joint Ethics Regulation (JER)
AFI 34-219, Alcoholic Beverage Program. (Related to Alcohol at Holiday Parties)
Local Guidance & Forms:
Temporary Food Booth Guidelines & Application
Public Health Food Handlers Training
Primary Point of Contact:
For questions or to submit fundraiser requests for events outside your unit, contact the 75 FSS Private Orgs team via 75FSS.Private.Orgs@us.af.mil.<br>

QUESTIONS?<br>