Do these questions sound familiar? If so, don't feel as if you stand alone. Virtually every chapter leader has asked these and many more throughout the years.
This Chapter Operations Handbook is intended to reach the heart of these issues in a format designed to give you quick, easily understood answers and ideas. The focus of our effort is leadership -- AT THE LOCAL LEVEL!
In terms of the potential effectiveness within the infrastructure of AFA, the local chapter is precisely the level where the Association's goals can best be achieved. It's "grass roots", "front porch", "where the rubber meets the road" -- in many ways, the chapter is AFA! To be effective in this environment, however, the chapter, and more particularly the chapter leadership, must be a representative cross-section of the leadership of the community -- civic, governmental, military, educational, religious, industrial, and commercial. The interrelationships developed by tying these community links together through the AFA chapter can be incredibly dynamic. They help us work toward the good of the Air Force and the good of the country. But, as with any volunteer group, the interrelationships also can be personally rewarding and can generate a great deal of plain old fun!
To be effective, what should a chapter strive to accomplish? Internally, the chapter should be organized to properly operate within the local community. The "proper" organization will vary, as some chapters are large, some small; some near active Air Force installations, some -- many -- are not. Certain activities are part of every chapter operation -- membership drives; quarterly programs; communications; community relations; aerospace education -- along with the administrative requirements such as Quarterly Activity and Financial reports, election of officers and monthly Executive Council meetings. This handbook touches on all areas with helpful suggestions and ideas.
Externally, the chapter should function as a catalyst to effectively bring together the various elements of the community to, ultimately, "educate the public at large." Again, the ideas in the following pages can be very helpful in this regard.
Given the "philosophical" basis for this handbook, how then does it mesh with the AFA Field Operations Guidebook? The Guidebook is just what its title implies - a source of detailed information across the entire AFA operation. It details the "what" of AFA operations. While complementing the Guidebook, the handbook is designed to provide the chapters with ideas and helpful hints - in essence the "why" and "how" of AFA operations. However, it should not be viewed as THE ONLY way to run a chapter. Rather, it is a guide designed to outline many of the key aspects of leading a successful, productive unit. Use your own imagination, experience and local needs to make it work best for you.
What follows, then, is a set of ideas to help make our Association stronger and more effective. After identifying some key concepts with reference to chapter objectives and organizational structure, we then address the important functions that must be done to insure viability in chapter operations. Not every chapter will organize itself as is outlined here, nor will every chapter accomplish all the functional ideas (certainly some chapters will go far beyond the ideas presented). Because of the obvious tie that many of the functions have to organizational positions on the Executive Committee, many chapters have structured their Committees to include Vice Presidents for virtually all of the functions given. Other chapters structure their organizations differently. The choice is yours -- structure your chapter in the most effective way possible to accomplish the ideas that follow.
With all of this in mind, remember, the chapters of the Air Force Association are community-based, civilian organizations. Ask yourself -- does your community know you are there? Does "AFA" mean what it should to community leaders? You should think of the chapter as a community resource - not only a fraternal club. Chapters are comprised of volunteers functioning first and foremost in support of adequate aerospace defense of the nation.
Volunteer and Regional Activities
Air Force Association
April 1996
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