'Home is your corner of the world'. ♥ (Ilse Crawford) The biggest job of a military spouse is creating your corner of the world, that refuge, that safe haven for the military member to return to. Said Charles Dickens, "Home is a name, a word, it is a strong one; stronger than magician ever spoke, or spirit ever answered to, in the strongest conjuration." It is a big task to undertake--in our current world it's nearly a war in and of itself--to create such a magical sanctuary, to keep the home-fire burning bright while our spouses go out into the world to make the world safer, to make it better. The 48th SFSG recognizes the troubles you face and our hope is to bear you up, to give you a respite (if only once a month) and to give you support in any way we can, so that you in turn can provide that respite and support for your families. We are here to help you win your battles and to be triumphant in your endeavors to create a safe haven within whatever walls you may reside.

48th SF SG Constitution



CONSTITUTION
for
The 48th Security Forces Spouses’ Group


ARTICLE I
NAME, AUTHORITY, & PURPOSE

Section 1.  The name of this organization will be the 48th Security Forces Spouses’ Group and is established pursuant to the provisions of AFI 34-223, and in accordance with all applicable civil and military laws and regulations.

Section 2.  The purpose of this organization shall be to: First, provide support for all spouses, regardless of gender, of active duty 48th Security Forces Squadron, secondly provide support to families of active duty 48th Security Forces Squadron and lastly to provide support to the 48th Security Forces Squadron.  Support to each entity will be provided by means of programs and activities planned and designed specifically for this purpose.  Namely, fundraisers, monthly socials, support for families with deployed members via meals and/or group dinners and activities, meals for new mothers and families experiencing an emergency or crisis and welcome packets for new 48th SF families and couples to include food and information and by working in partnership with the 48th SF Squadron in regards to fundraisers, in Squadron functions and parties and assistance to the spouses and families of the squadron as requested by the squadron Commander.

ARTICLE II
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1.  This organization is operated on RAF Lakenheath only with the written authorization of the Commander, 48th Mission Support Group (authority having been delegated by the Commander, 48th Fighter Wing).  Operation is contingent on compliance with the requirements and conditions of all applicable Air Force instructions.  The Commander, 48th Mission Support Group, may withdraw authorization if this organization prejudices or discredits the United States Government, conflicts with government activities, or for any other reasonable or just cause.

Section 2.  This organization will conduct itself in a manner which is free of discrimination and provide equal opportunity and treatment for all members and prospective members regardless of their age, race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic group, gender or disability.

Section 3.  In conducting its operations, this organization will comply with all applicable federal, state, local, and foreign laws governing like civilian activities.

ARTICLE III
OFFICERS & GOVERNING BODY

Section 1.  Administration shall be conducted by a board, constituted as follows:  President- Miranda Marrott; Vice President- Kelli Buck; Secretary A- Ashley Parish; Secretary B- Rebecca Deen

Section 2.  Term of office is one year from May to May.  Current officers are serving from May 2011 to May 2012.

Section 3.  Nomination and election of officers will be held April each year.  Next nominations to be held April 1-15, 2012 and next election to be held the last Thursday of April, 2012.  If in the event that the President is unable to fulfill duties and will not be able to reassume duties within a two week period, the Vice President will be Acting President and fulfill the President’s duties until such a time a new President can be elected, not to extend more than 30 days from the last day of duty of the leaving President.  For other officers of the board: in the event the officer is unable to fulfill duties and will not be able to reassume duties after a two week period, a replacement officer must be elected within 30 days of the last duty day of the leaving officer.

Section 4.  Duties and powers of the board shall be as follows:
           
President: Shall be the Point of Contact for this group.  Shall meet when necessary with the 48th Security Forces Squadron Commander and First Sergeant.  Will attend all the 48th Security Forces’ Defender Council’s meetings.  Shall also work with the squadron’s key spouses to help coordinate efforts in supporting the spouses and families of the 48th Security Forces Squadron. Will preside over all meetings of this group.  Shall be responsible for the logistics of all functions and meetings of the group.  Is responsible for keeping all legal documents up-to-date for the group and re-establishing the group with Private Organization office on a yearly basis.  Will keep a record of the groups activities in a binder and shall, at the end of the board’s term, hand over all documents and records for the group to the new incoming President.  Shall oversee all programs and activities of this group and will ensure that all programs and activities of this group will be in accordance to the Private Organization AFI 34-223 and the OI 34-400.

            Vice President:  Shall be the second Point of Contact for this group.  Shall accompany President in meetings with the 48th Security Forces Squadron Commander and/or Defender Council when requested.  If circumstances arise where the President is unable to fulfill the duties of that office, then the Vice President will be the Acting President until the President is able to again fulfill duties or another President is elected. Shall be responsible for the accounting of the group’s assets.  The books of the treasurer will be reviewed at least two (2) weeks prior to termination of office.  The results of this review will reflect the new treasurer’s acceptance of said books.  A copy of the new Treasurer’s Acceptance Statement will be forwarded to 48 FSS/FSR within ten (10) days of transfer to office.  Calendar year financial statements (1 January to 31 December of the previous year) will be forwarded to 48 FSS/FSR by COB 15 February each year.  Cost of all financial reviews/audits is the responsibility of the organization. In addition to these duties, the treasurer will use budgets and financial statements as financial management tools as detailed in para. 10, AFI 34-223.

             Secretary A: Shall write up minutes of every board meeting and those minutes shall be made available for review by any member.  Furthermore, a courtesy copy of all meeting minutes will be forwarded to 48 FSS/FSR.  The Secretary shall also notify the group of programs and activities via emails, regular post or any other advertisement methods decided upon by the board.  Secretary A is in charge of the program Meals for Moms and Meals for Family Crisis and will delegate as needed to members of the group to ensure these programs run smoothly. In addition to these duties, the Secretary is to support and sustain the President in carrying out the programs and activities of the group.

Secretary B: Shall help the Vice President in keeping an inventory of the groups assets and buying supplies for the group when needed for programs or activities.  Shall be responsible for the program Welcome Packets for new families arriving into the 48th SF Squadron.  As such, Secretary B is the POC between the group and the 48th SFS sponsor and shall keep a list of incoming families. Shall be responsible for putting together and delivering food baskets and welcome folders to these families. Secretary is to support and sustain the President in carrying out the programs and activities of the group.

ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP

All 48th Security Forces Squadron spouses, both male and female, regardless of rank, are eligible for membership in the 48th Security Forces Spouses’ Group.  Membership is defined as active involvement (participating in at least one meeting or social per quarter). 

All members of this organization shall be jointly and severally liable for any and all debts which may accrue during the time they are associated with the organization.  Further, the organization will ensure all persons are aware of their obligations upon becoming members.



ARTICLE V
METHOD OF FINANCING

                       
Section 1.  Dues will be paid by the members of this organization.

Section 2.  The dues shall be $12 once a year—each year running May to May—being paid in cash at the members 2nd meeting attended.

Section 3.  Other income will be obtained from fund-raising events and other activities such as in-house/in-group fundraisers or donations, monetary or otherwise, as approved by the general membership and the Commander, 48th Mission Support Group.  This organization will not conduct more than two (2) fund-raising events per calendar quarter.  This organization will not solicit gifts or donations on base.  If making off-base solicitations, this organization will clearly indicate that the solicitation is for a private organization and not for RAF Lakenheath, the 48th Fighter Wing, or any official part of the Air Force.

Section 4.  Money collected will be used for operation of the 48th Security Forces Spouses’ Group.

Section 5.  Income will not accrue to individual members of the 48th Security Forces Spouses’ Group.


ARTICLE VI
MEETINGS & QUORUMS

Section 1.  General membership meetings will be held the first Thursday of each month.  Notification for meetings will be given via fliers posted in the 48th Security Forces Squadron buildings, emails and notices posted on the groups website or social networking page.

Section 2.  Board meetings will be held the first Tuesday of each month, and if needed the third Tuesday of each month as well.  The President, Vice President, Secretary A and Secretary B are required to attend every board meeting unless circumstances such as health, family emergencies or pre-notified travel/leave of absence do not allow it.


ARTICLE VII
DISSOLUTION

Section 1.  In case of dissolution of the organization, funds in the treasury at the time will be used to satisfy any outstanding debts, liabilities, or obligations.  The balance of assets will be disposed of as determined by the membership.  Each member may be held jointly and severally liable for just debts in the event the organization’s assets are insufficient to discharge liabilities.  If liabilities exceed assets upon dissolution, then the excess of liabilities over assets shall be paid by the membership on a pro rata basis.  For the purpose of this article, a member is defined as one whose name is carried on the roll of the active and associate members as of the date of notification; members are clearly identified in Article IV of this constitution.  The membership is liable under the laws of the United Kingdom for organizational debts in the event the organization’s assets are insufficient to discharge liabilities.

Section 2.  Distribution of residual funds and other assets will not accrue to the benefit of any individual member of the membership as a whole.

Section 3.  In the event that a Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI) fills the need for which this private organization is established, this organization will be dissolved.  Under such circumstances, all financial transactions of dissolution will be concluded separately and apart from the operation of any activity established as a NAFI.

Section 4.  Upon determination to dissolve, written notice by this organization’s officers will be provided to the Commander, 48th Force Support Squadron.  In this written notice, this organization’s officers will state their intent to dissolve and provide a time-phased action plan to do so.

Section 5.  The Commander, 48th Mission Support Group, has the authority to dissolve this organization if there are no members present, or if it’s in the best interests of the United States Air Force.


ARTICLE VIII
INSURANCE

The 48th Security Forces Spouses’ Group will maintain liability and property damage insurance coverage commensurate with risk to protect against any claims or lawsuits that might arise from the commission or omission of acts by its members when acting in any capacity for, or in participating in any activities of, the organization.  Such coverage, if required, will expressly provide that the United States Government and any Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentality (NAFI) will not be liable for any claims or judgments against this organization or its members.  An insurance policy copy and all renewal policies will be forwarded to 48 FSS/FSR.  If insurance is deemed not necessary, a letter, “Request for Waiver of Insurance”, will be submitted to 48 FSS/FSR for approval by the Commander, 48th Mission Support Group.

 



ARTICLE IX
ADOPTION & AMENDMENTS


Section 1.  These articles may be amended on the approval of 75% of the board, or in other words, three-fourths of the boards’ membership.

Section 2.  If amended, the constitution will be submitted immediately to 48 FSS/FSR, reviewed by 48 FW/JA, and approved by the Commander, 48th Mission Support Group.  Failure to submit, in a timely manner, a constitution that has been amended will result in the withdrawal of authority to operate on RAF Lakenheath by the Commander, 48th Mission Support Group.

Section 3.  Conflicts of any provision of this constitution or bylaws with existing military regulations or directives will be changed administratively in accordance with the regulations or directives, subject to final review by the Commander, 48th Mission Support Group.

Section 4.  This constitution was approved by a majority vote of the general membership on (enter the date) and is submitted for approval by the Commander, 48th Mission Support Group, RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom.
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