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Unite Program

The UNITE Initiative aims to give squadron leaders the flexibility to create and implement tailored programs that enhance unit cohesion. This initiative allows you to customize events to better meet the specific needs and interests of your unit, ensuring maximum engagement and participation.

UNITE is a key element of CSAF Focus Area #1: “Revitalizing Squadrons.”

Eligibility: Active Duty, Reserves, and Civilians at RAF Lakenheath, including LNDH, GS, MOD, and GSU personnel.

Program

Why Unite?

We are the 48 FSS Unite program. Our goals are to support SQ leaders, maximize the use of FSS facilities, measure impact, and provide maximum flexibility to SQ commanders. You use this program for any of the following reasons:

  • Develop a new skill or competency
  • Improve physical fitness
  • Increase esprit de corps, comradery, or moral
  • Promote interaction between unit members
  • Provide an opportunity for fun or relaxation
  • Reinforce peer, squadron, or AF corps values
  • Work on team-building exercise

Unite Program Office

Email: 48fss.unite.program@us.af.mil

DSN: 226.5931

What We Can Support

UNITE is here to provide squadron leaders with the maximum flexibility to deliver programs that build cohesion for personnel within their unit. This includes assigned Active Duty, and both APF and NAF Civilians.

We can help you with funding for your UNITE events. Events must be recreational and will be subsidized up to $13.50 per person. Currently, we can pay for food and beverages up to $5 per person attending. *Beverages do not include alcohol. Our support can only go towards unit cohesion events.

What you get with Unite Programs

  • Squadrons will build unit cohesion
  • Develop new skills or competency
  • Improve physical fitness
  • Increase esprit de corps, comradery, or morale
  • Promote interaction between unit members
  • Provide an opportunity for fun or relaxation
  • Reinforce peer, squadron, or AF corps values
  • Work on a team-building exercise

“Overarching feedback is that members want more events! The Unite funding continues to significantly offset costs for morale events. It has proven especially vital during the pandemic and periods of lock down with noted impacts to our member’s morale. Having the Unite funding has enabled us to build resilience as a unit and it also gives leadership a tangible way to thank the men and women for all their hard work, dedication and sacrifice.” – CMSgt Brown MXG

Rules of Engagement

Planning an Event

  1. Unit POC contacts C3 (Community Cohesion Coordinator) to notify Unit interest in executing an event
  2. C3 provides Catalog of ‘Ready-to-Éxecute’ (RTE) Programs as well as Partnerships from the community. Units can either choose a RTE program, select from established partnerships, or create their own
  3. Unit POC meets with their respective Squadron Commander / Civilian Leader with proposed event idea for approval
  4. An event request is created by the unit POC with the help of the C3 and signed by the Squadron Commander / Civilian Leader

Requesting an Event

  1. Unit POC fills out request form for desired event
  2. C3 sends request to AFSVA (approval process takes 10 business days)
  3. Events is either approved or modifications are requested

Funding an Event

  1. Upon approval, units are allocated a specific budget for activities, food, and non-alcoholic beverages
  2. Funds are executed by the C3 and must have approval (do NOT use any other methods to èxecute funds)

Executing an Event

  1. Unit POC is responsible for event coordination and execution
  2. C3 assists as needed; provides overview and guidance for policies and procedures

Sharing Metrics from an Event

  1. Unit POC must complete AAR w/in 3 business days after the event and email to C3
  2. POC must provide all DOD ID numbers for participants along with the AAR. Participants are required to complete a survey when the event concludes (survey is sent via us.af.mil email)
  3. Unit POC encourages participants in completing survey

Event Categories

Unite events are classified into three different categories:

Ready to Éxecute (RTE):
FSS related events should be considered first as they are pre-approved, easy to implement and keep funds on the installation.

Unit Developed Events (UDE):
Squadron leaders are given the discretion to create UDPs that capitalize on opportunities available in the local area. UDPs require prior approval through the Air Force Services Activity (AFSVA) and may take up to 30 days.

Volunteer:
Charitable work provides a cost-effective team building activity that allows co-workers to see each other in a new light and can make a significant impact in your community. Free events do not need approval, but we still need to capture the information.

Considerations

Know Before You Call

  • Family members are welcome to participate, but they must pay any associated fees.
  • Funds cannot be used to augment holiday parties on or off the installation.
  • Meals must be used in conjunction with an approved Unite event.
  • One beverage limit per meal.
  • Funds cannot be used for alcohol or prizes.
  • Unite funds cannot be combined with unit enhancement funds or SM&W funds.
  • Private org funds may be used to supplement funding.
  • Unit driven events require Commander’s signature and approval from the AF Services Activity (may take up to 30 days).

What We Cannot Support

  • Unite funds cannot be used to purchase December holiday parties, end of year events, balls, banquets, dining/out, combat dining in/out, squadron training/meetings, change of commands, eating events, promotion/retirements, or base-wide special events. (December holiday, Christmas, Hanukkah, End of Year celebrations are typically subsidized by squadron booster club funding.)
  • Unite funds cannot be used to purchase alcoholic beverages
  • Unite funds cannot be used to purchase equipment, including electronics. However, funds are authorized to rent recreational equipment in support of a unit cohesive event. Unauthorized rentals include but are not limited to portable toilets, trash services, cleaning fees, cleaning supplies or cleaning companies and lodging. Contact AFSVC if the cost of renting equipment exceeds the cost of procuring the equipment.
  • Unite funds are not authorized to purchase items for volunteer events, such as gloves, tools, paint, or supplies.
  • Unite funds cannot be used to purchase cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, gloves, masks, face shields, thermometers, or medical equipment as these are considered Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Food service gloves are authorized.
  • Unite funds cannot be used to cover the cost of damages, late fees, or insurance.
  • Unite funds cannot be used to purchase prizes, gift cards, giveaways, or promotional items (examples: trophies, medals, plaques, banners, marketing/advertisements, apparel, cups, personalization of objects, murals, shirts, hats, and jerseys).
  • Unite funds cannot be used to purchase equipment to donate to charities (examples: Build-A-Bed and Build-A-Bike).
  • Unite funds cannot be used for gambling or to purchase gambling products, including traditional bingo games, where funds are accumulated and paid to a winner. Such an arrangement is a prohibited practice that conveys a personal benefit to a winner.
  • Decorations for Unite events should not exceed more than 10% of the event’s total cost. (Example: squadron teambuilding event cost $1000, then the cost of decorations should not exceed $100).
  • AFSVC will not provide reimbursement to events that have not been approved. If a squadron executes an event without approval, all expenses will be the responsibility of the squadron.
  • Commanders should make every effort to ensure all authorized members of a unit have an opportunity to participate in Unite events; inclusive to all Airmen and Guardians in a unit and cannot be divided based on age, race, gender, or religion. A Unite event cannot be held for dependents only.

Allocations

Know Before You Call

NAF Dollars
$5/Person
Food & Beverage – Must be used in support of Unite recreational cohesive programs.

APF (MOA) Dollars
$13.50/Person
Funding for team building activities; including, but not limited to equipment rentals, program supplies, and decorations.

Paying for Unite

Know Before You Call

Your installation C3 will make Unite payments on your behalf via a purchasing card, though you must ensure budget limits are maintained at all times.

 

Final attendance count is due at least 72 hours prior to your ON-BASE event and will be used to invoice meals planned at FSS facilities. If the actual number is greater than what was planned, you’ll be invoiced for the greater number. Off-base attendance requirements may differ.

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