Interested in running for or filling a vacant Leadership Position in the AFSA?

Chapter 371 Chapter Officer Elections are conducted at the November (nominations) and December (nominations and election) meetings. Anyone interested in running for a position should attend these meetings. If you can’t be there, make sure someone attends that knows you’re interested and is authorized to accept in your absence. TO BE ELIGIBLE - to hold office.  You must be a current AFSA member. Below are the primary positions at the chapter level...

PRESIDENT: handles Quarterly How Goes It Reports, Monthly General Membership Meetings, Monthly Executive Council Meetings, chapter’s chief elected officer, chapter’s chief delegate at Division and International Conventions.  Will bring information/opportunities to the chapter or executive council that will further the chapter goals and keep the vice-president informed on all issues.  Works with Division 3 Executive Council and International Headquarters. (elected position)

VICE PRESIDENT: must be prepared to occupy and perform the duties of the next higher office, executive council member and should be the chairman of one of the standing committees. (elected position)

SECRETARY: responsible for recording the events of the chapters meetings and distributing to the chapter members. Keep a file of all documents, sign all certified copies of acts, send out notice of membership meetings, furnish delegates with credentials (conventions). (appointed position)

TREASURER: is the chapter’s Budget and Finance officer. Handles the bank statements, keeps records of how and when our money is earned and spent. Tracks trends and advises the chapter on financial matters. (appointed position)

TRUSTEE (1) - LEGISLATIVE: researches current legislation activities constantly so as to provide membership with up-to-date information that affects every fraction of the enlisted Air Force and their dependents.  Distributes all bi-weekly Capitol Hill Updates and Legislative bulletins to chapter members.  Develops newsletter and web page inputs, heads any chapter letter writing campaigns and voting registration booths, and writes letters which members sign and send to their representatives.  (elected/appointed position)  Areas where you can assist: research, writing, and development of legislative awareness projects (i.e. Legislative Awareness Week)

TRUSTEE (2) - MEMBERSHIP: heads the recruiting committee to set goals for new recruits, as well as retaining current and trial members.  Tracks membership, encourages new membership, and maintains current membership.  Manages several programs that support the position, but mostly they revolve around public speaking (FTAC, ALS, PDS, and CC Call Briefings).  Also manages the Unit Representative Program. The purpose of this program is to provide support to the listed organizations, get involved in their activities, and get them involved in ours.  Sets up membership booths and works with Communication Trustee to publish membership-building events. (elected/appointed position)  Areas where you can assist: looking for those with the flair and desire to speak before the above listed groups about AFSA and thus recruit, and we run periodic membership booths and always need people to work these. If you can sell AFSA, we need you.

TRUSTEE (3) - PROGRAMS: develops revenue producing projects for the chapter. Leads committee to direct and organize chapter events and develops revenue producing projects for the chapter. These events include trips, ceremonies, volunteers for events, local programs to increase chapter awareness, and fund-raising opportunities. These take the form of car washes, gas pumping events, Community Appreciation Day, 5K Fun Run/Walk and other special events.  Also develops or assists other chairs in development of special projects like POW/MIA Recognition.  Works with Communication Trustee to ensure Programs are advertised in the community.  Bottom-line, this person is our belly button for development of the chapters programs. (elected/appointed position)  Areas where you can assist: We always need people to work on special projects (manpower) like our spaghetti lunch, car washes and bowling tournament. Also, for those interested in more in-depth involvement can take on events as a chairperson (i.e. we are looking at the possibility of a golf tournament and some type of holiday party before the end of the year). There is always ways to become more involved in Programs.

TRUSTEE (4) - COMMUNICATION: handles areas to keep the chapter visible.  Handles advertisement and information support for the chapter.  Overall in charge of a chapter newsletter and web page and ensures the chapters past and present events are publicized as much as possible.  Works with all other committees to ensure chapter events are advertised or published in the community and in AFSA circles (Division and International). Includes TV, newspaper, bulletins, magazines, etc. (elected/appointed position)  Areas where you can assist: We need three specifics areas of support; newsletter (need someone who can develop it and always need preparation support) and advertising areas.

TRUSTEE (5) - AWARDS: responsible for handling the annual Division 3 Patriotism Essay Contest and awards for the winners. Setting up local chapter awards for recruiting, volunteering, and other chapter accomplishments. Heads committee to submit the annual chapter awards to be forwarded to Division 3 Awards Trustee. (elected/appointed position)

TRUSTEE (6) - FIELD OPERATIONS: manages participation and interfacing with the VFW, American Legion, Top-3, Diamond Council, Chiefs' Group, Scouting, Junior ROTC, Civil Air Patrol and the Chapter's Auxiliary.  Also ensures our organization activities don't collide in the planning progress. (elected/appointed position)

SENIOR ADVISOR: normally the past president and advises the newly elected chapter president to keep continuity and lessens the learning curve for the chapter. (appointed position)

AIRMAN ACTIVITY COORDINATOR: leads the Chapter Airmen Activities Program. Works closely with the chapter president, the installation Command CMSgt, the Division 3 MC, and AFSA International MC. Provides opportunities for the base airmen to volunteer, lead, and direct programs that enhance the goals of AFSA and mentor our newest airmen. Primary function is to represent airmen interests and concerns, further develop career airmen, increase legislative participation and strengthen membership.  Must be in grade of El - E5. (appointed position)

Other positions

Historian: Basically gathers and files all the history of the chapter from inception to current. Information of concern like activations and inactivations, major changes, name changes, awards, events, etc… This information can be used to create annual plans, advertise on our web site and newsletter, and generally keep the tradition of the chapter and AFSA alive through future councils. Truthfully—this is a work cut for you job! Our chapter has been without a Historian for quite some time, so you'll be building the program as you go. We really need this type of support before the whole history of the chapter disappears.

Chaplain: This person provides a religious guidance to the chapter. Basically you are responsible for invocations at meetings and events. You might also be asked to support programs for invocations and setting them up (i.e. invocation for a POW/MIA Ceremony or developing a POW/MIA Prayer Breakfast).

Sergeant at Arms: This is the Roberts Rules monitor and door guard. This individual generally performs the majority of duties at the request of the President during meetings. (i.e. keeping order, ensuring the itinerary is followed, keeping people out during elections, and the like).