Although not all inclusive, we have answered the most common questions asked of us in the area below. Please do not hesitate to email us if you have a question that we can help you with.
What is AFSA?
Why join?
How does AFSA represent members?
When does the chapter meet?
Where does the chapter meet?
What do you do within the community?
How can I join?
Who can join AFSA?
Who can join the Auxiliary?
Are donations tax deductible?
Where do my donations go?
What is AFSA? The Air Force Sergeants Association is a non-profit 501(c)(19) organization representing the professional and personal interests of 135,000 active duty and retired enlisted members of the U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command.
Why Join? As an AFSA member you are combining your voice with the voices of more than 135,000 members. This strengthens the impact Air Force enlisted members have to influence the daily decisions our government makes that affect active and retired personnel.
Analogy - AFSA is like a union representative that works to protect the rights and benefits of its members.
How do you represent members? AFSA maintains a daily presence on Capitol Hill. There are two full-time professional lobbyists constantly working for member interests. AFSA representatives are face-to-face with your elected leaders.
When does the chapter meet? Chapter meetings are scheduled around the current activities members are involved in. Generally, we have a meeting each month. Meetings alternate month to month from an informal social gathering at a local restaurant to a formal general membership meeting. Informal (luncheon) meetings are usually held on the second Tuesday of each month. Formal meetings are usually held bi-monthly on the third Saturday. You can find the next meeting date on the HOME or CALENDAR page of this site in addition to our chapter newsletter.
The current chapter newsletter contains the times and locations of the next chapter meeting.
Where specifically does the chapter meet? The chapter does not own a facility. For several years the American Legion Post 1 has been providing the use of their facility for our Saturday meetings in Portland contingent on room availability. Beginning the end of 2010 we have been meeting in a facility at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas. This provides us better opportunity to schedule speakers in advance with greater assurance the room will be available. A link on the HOME page will provide directions to the location.
The current chapter newsletter contains the times and locations of the next chapter meeting.
What do you do within the community? Chapter members are active in other organizations and nonprofit groups. Some of our community activities include volunteer hours and/or donations to Portland Rescue Mission, Shepherd's Door, Oregon Food Bank, and Toy's for Tot's.
Additionally, members support Guard and Reserve functions, Veterans Home, Veterans Hospital, memorial maintenance, parades and ceremonies.
The chapter also supports military members and their family overseas by donations and coupon clipping.
How do I join? The best way is to contact a chapter member who will assist you in filling out the application and collecting the dues. You can use the contact tab at top of this page to find the e-mail address or phone number of a chapter officer. Joining or renewing through the chapter results in a $1 rebate that goes towards community events.
ACTIVE AFSA: Any enlisted person on active duty with, or retired from, the USAF, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard or their predecessor services; the United States Army Air Corps or the Unites States Army Air Force.
Former enlisted personnel of the USAF, Air Force Reserve, Air plain National Guard or their predecessor services; the United States Army Air Corps or the United States Army Air Force, who were honorably discharged and who neither retired nor were commissioned in any component of any of the United States Armed Forces.
ASSOCIATE: (Not Eligible to Vote or Hold Office) Associate membership may be granted to an individual not eligible for Active AFSA or Auxiliary membership, who is not an active or retired member of the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy or Coast Guard, upon application and approval of the International Executive Council or its designee.
If not otherwise eligible for Active membership, Department of the Air Force civilian employees and members of the Civil Air Patrol may be granted Associate membership.
Former enlisted members of the USAF, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard or their predecessor services; the United States Army Air Corps or the United States Army Air Force, who were honorably discharged and commissioned in any component of the U.S. Armed Services. Members holding Active membership who are subsequently commissioned will be reclassified as Associate members.
Who can be an Auxiliary member?
ACTIVE AUXILIARY: Any spouse, father, mother, brother, sister, son and/or daughter, not less than 16 years of age, of members of AFSA, and widowers, widows, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons and/or daughters, not less than sixteen (16) years of age, of persons who were eligible for membership in AFSA at the time of their death, shall be considered eligible for Active membership. Former widowers and widows of Active members who remarry shall be considered eligible for Active membership. Any husband or wife divorced from a spouse eligible for Active membership in AFSA at the time of divorce shall be considered eligible for Active membership.
AFFILIATE: ( Not Eligible to Vote or Hold Office)
Any spouse, father, mother, brother, sister, son and/or daughter, not less than sixteen (16) years of age, of Associate members of AFSA, and widowers, widows, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons and/or daughters, not less than sixteen (16) years of age, of persons who were eligible for Associate membership in AFSA at the time of their death, shall be considered eligible for Affiliate membership. Former widowers and widows of Associate members who remarry shall be considered eligible for Affiliate membership. Any husband or wife divorced from a spouse eligible for Associate membership in AFSA at the time of divorce shall be considered eligible for Affiliate membership. Persons not otherwise eligible for membership, having objectives in consonance with those of AFSA, and who have demonstrated dedication to these objectives, shall be considered eligible for Affiliate membership.
Are donations tax deductible? Yes. AFSA and Portland Chapter 1451 are nonprofit 501(c)(19) organizations and are tax deductible depending on your filing status. Portland Chapter 1451 Tax ID is 91-510252067.
Where do my donations go? There are no paid positions within the AFSA chapter. All donations go directly to member and community programs. Our primary donation program is the chapter newsletter. Less than one quarter of our members have computers and e-mail addresses. The newsletter keep members appraised of veteran news, benefits and programs, chapter meetings and events and community activities for veterans.