Chapter Operations Handbook

A guide to organize for excellence...

Revised April 1996


Introduction

Chapter One - Ends Lead to Means
Objectives of AFA | Chapter Planning Ideas

Chapter Two - Chapter Organization
Philosophy | Elected Officers | Appointed Officers | Executive Committee | Sources of Leaders/Volunteers

Chapter Three - Air Force Base/Unit Relations
Chapters Not near an Air Force Base | Chapters near an Air Force Base, or Guard or Reserve Unit | Ideas to Consider | Active Duty Advisory Council

Chapter Four - Programs
The Primary Tool of the Chapter | Attendance | Financing Programs | Program Timing | Program Location | Awards Presentation During Programs | Program Protocol | Program Ideas | Chapter Program Outline | Allowable Gratuities for Speakers | Hints to Frost the Cake | Function Checklist

Chapter Five - Legislative Line
Individual Contact with Congress | Present an AFA Membership | Congressional Breakfasts

Chapter Six - Aerospace Education
The Aerospace Education Foundation | Air Force Association State and Chapter Involvement | AFA Region Vice Presidents | Aerospace Education Vice Presidents | The Foundation's Programs | Scholarship Programs | Foundation Publications | Educator Recognition | AEF Support: Local Education Programs | Foundation Contribution Programs

Chapter Seven - Chapter Communications/Public Affairs
Getting Started | Put Someone -- or Two -- in Charge | Chapter Communications Vice Presidents | Newsletter Editor/Writer | Public Relations/Media Outreach | Community Relations | Internal Communications | Members | Your Tool: The Chapter Newsletter | Content | Distribution | Finances | Production | Should you publish | Taking Advantage of Video to Communicate | External Communications | Media | Marketing the Mission | Products | Speeches | News Releases | The Rules of the Game | AFA Story Ideas | Communications Tips | Why Newsletters | Producing a Newsletter | How to Cut Newsletter Costs | AFA National Newsletters | Crossfeed Guidelines | Air Force Magazine Guidelines | Media Tips | Getting into Print | Responding to the Media

Chapter Eight - Membership
Community Drive | Community Partner Drive | Military Community Drive (On-Base Drive) | General Membership Drive Guidelines

Chapter Nine - Awards
Local Awards | State/Region Awards | National Awards

Chapter Ten - But What About?
Industry Relations Committee/Council | Community Relations Committee/Council | Past Presidents Council

Chapter Eleven - Exploring a Myth or Two
Myth #1 -- AFA is a Lobby Organization | Myth #2 -- AFA is an "Officers' Organization" | Myth #3 -- "AFA is a Subsidiary (affiliate, branch etc.) Of the Air Force" | Myth #4 -- "AFA Chapters are Forbidden to Make/Raise Money"

Chapter Twelve - The Tickler Calendar
FIRST QUARTER | SECOND QUARTER | THIRD QUARTER | FOURTH QUARTER


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