What private orgs need to know Published Aug. 1, 2012 By Amy Lenahan U.S. Air Forces in Europe Marketing and Entertainment RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- If you part of an on-base organization that engages in fund raising activities, it is likely your group is a Private Organization. Private organizations are self-sustaining, special interest groups set up by people acting exclusively outside the scope of any official capacity as officers, employees, or agents of the federal government. Any group whose average monthly assets exceed $1,000 over a 3-month period must take the steps to become a private organization and operate on Air Force bases only with the written consent of the base commander. Common examples of these organizations include booster clubs, spouses clubs and thrift stores. Once approved to operate on base, private organizations can use fund raising to put money back into their squadrons and communities, but certain rules and regulations must be followed. They may not have more than two fundraising events per calendar quarter, whether the fundraisers are conducted on- or off-base. The group must receive prior approval for all fundraising events, and these events may not compete with AAFES or force support squadron activities. Continuous resale activities are not permitted, except when installation commanders authorize continuous thrift shop sales operations. Private organizations are not authorized to sell alcoholic beverages or resale Commissary items, and can only conduct raffles in limited situations. If a private organization would like to use giveaways for an event, they can receive gifts and donations, but must not solicit for these donations on base. It must also be clear that the Air Force is not endorsing or giving any special treatment to the donors. Private organizations may not obtain or solicit any commercial sponsorship, nor partner with FSS for the purpose of obtaining sponsorship, contributions, donations, gifts or advertising. Volunteer donations are gifts made to a charity or public institution without compensation or solicitation of any kind. Commercial sponsorship is limited to only FSS activities, events or programs defined as morale welfare and recreation, and may only be obtained by the FSS commercial sponsorship program representative. To have an organization recognized as an established private organization, a member must submit the group's constitution, bylaws, proof of insurance or an appropriate insurance waiver, and a request to establish a private organization to your base's private organization monitor. In addition, private organizations are required to submit quarterly and annual financial statements, along with meeting minutes and a current list of officers and points of contact. For more information on private organizations, contact the installation force support squadron.