Chapter COVID-19 Luncheon Policy (Updated 23 May 2023)

COVID-19 Policy:

The Gabriel Chapter of the AFA values your continued engagement with us and remains fully committed to making everyone's safety and well-being a priority. Gabriel Chapter continues to monitor COVID-19 closely and will take all necessary precautions to support the well-being of our attendees. In this respect, we follow these protocols and the recommendations and guidelines of public health officials for federal, state and local jurisdictions at the time of the event.

Currently, the Federal government ended the pandemic emergency, and masks are no longer required; however, it is a personal option if someone would care to wear one. 

"People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask." 

We ask that if anyone has a fever, feels sick, or has been exposed to COVID-19 within 5 days of the event that they do not attend for the safety of others.

We will not ask attendees for information regarding vaccination or testing status. However, the guidelines, protocols and notices below apply to all event attendees, regardless of vaccination status.

Safety measures

AFA Gabriel Chapter put in place protocols to help reduce exposure and transmission of the coronavirus as we re-introduced in-person events. By registering for this event, you agree to abide by the following Safety measures. If you are registering on another's behalf, ensure that they agree to abide by these terms; you assume full responsibility for their acceptance of these terms.

I agree to adhere to and comply with all safety protocols outlined by AFA Gabriel Chapter and understand that I may be asked to leave the event if I do not comply. These protocols currently include the following, but may be updated or adjusted. Any changes will be communicated to attendees in advance of the event and/or upon attendees’ arrival at the event.

• I will not attend if I have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 5 days.
• I understand that failure to comply with these regulations may be cause for removal from the event.
• Masks are optional.

NOTICE OF RISK

By registering for this event, you affirm that you understand the following Notice of Risk. If you are registering on another’s behalf, ensure that the terms are acknowledged by attendee; you assume full responsibility for their acceptance of this notice.

An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. AFA Gabriel Chapter cannot prevent you from becoming exposed to, contracting, or spreading COVID-19 while attending its events and/or entering onto premises where AFA Gabriel Chapter events are held. It is not possible to prevent against the presence of the disease. Therefore, if you choose to attend an event organized by AFA Gabriel Chapter and enter onto premises where its events are held, you may be exposing yourself to and/or increasing your risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19. By attending you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19.

Help keep each other healthy.

 

Chapter Newsletters

 

Access to AFA Field Leaders Portal / Email / Training (AFA Elected Officers Only)

 

Articles about STEM Organizations

 

AFA Publications & News

 

 

The Constitution And Bylaws

(the Bylaws are being rewritten to include the US Space Force)

ARTICLE I (Name)

The official name of this Chapter shall be the General Charles A. Gabriel Chapter of the Virginia State Air Force Association. It may also be referred to as the Gabriel Chapter.

ARTICLE (Objectives)

The Air Force Association provides an organization through which we, as free people, may unite to address the defense responsibilities of our nation imposed by the many advances in aerospace technology that have been, and will continue to be made; to educate the members and the public at large as to what that technology can contribute to the security of free people and the betterment of mankind; and to advocate and support military preparedness of the United States and it's allies adequate to maintain the security of the United States and the free world.

ARTICLE III (Limits)

The Chapter shall be civilian and shall not be used for the dissemination of partisan principles, or for the promotion of candidacy of any person seeking office or preferment, or for any other personal or commercial gain.

The Chapter shall operate exclusively for the purposes specified in AFA's Articles of Incorporation, and shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Upon dissolution of the Chapter assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

ARTICLE IV (Membership)

Section 1. Eligibility. A member of the Association shall be deemed to be a member of the Chapter if they shall either have filed application for such membership with this Chapter, or shall have been assigned to this Chapter through automatic affiliation, or shall have paid their AFA dues through, or credited the same to, this Chapter. Members in good standing may transfer their affiliation to any Chapter of the Association. No member of this Chapter may be a member of any other Chapter as the same time. No person may joint the Chapter without first being a member of the Air Force Association.

Section 2. Community Partners. A company or business that wishes to support the aims of the Air Force Association for greater community understanding of the need for aerospace power in the defense of the nation may apply for affiliation with the Air Force Association and the Steele Chapter as an AFA Community Partner.

Section 3. Vacancies. In case of vacancy in any elected office, it shall be filled by appointment of the President for the remainder of the unexpired term and thereafter until a successor is elected, except that in the case of vacancy occurring in the office of the President, the office shall be assumed by the elected Vice President.

ARTICLE V (Finance)

Section 1. Dues. Annual dues are paid to the Air Force Association as required by the Association. No other dues are required.

Section 2. Fiscal and Operating Years. The Fiscal Year of the Chapter shall be January 1 through December 31. The Operating Year shall be October 1 through September 30.

ARTICLE VI (Chapter Meetings)

Section 1. The Chapter shall meet at least quarterly. The election of officers shall occur once every two years in the third quarter of the second Operating Year. Special meetings may be called by the President, by majority vote of the Chapter Council, or upon written request of not less than ten (10) of its members.

Section 2. Quorum. A quorum shall consist of ten (10) members present.

Section 3. Notice of Meetings. Members will be notified of regular meetings by email or other verified method. Members will be notified of a special meeting, by email or other verified method, no less than fourteen (14) days prior to a special meeting.

Section 4. Voting. Each member in good standing of the Chapter shall be entitled to one vote in all proceedings.

ARTICLE VII (Officers)

Section 1. Elected Officers. The elected officers of the Chapter shall be a President, Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The President may appoint additional officers. The officers shall be elected by ballot either at the bi-annual elections or by email to chapter members in good standing. Elected officers shall normally serve for a period of two years, beginning on October 1 and concluding 24 months later on September 30, or thereafter until their successors are elected.

Section 2. Appointed Officers. The President may appoint additional officers with the majority approval of the Chapter Council. Appointed officers may be removed from office by the President or by majority vote of the Council.

Section 3. Vacancies. In case of vacancy in any elected office, it shall be filled by appointment of the President for the remainder of the unexpired term and thereafter until a successor if elected, except that in the case of vacancy occurring in the office of President, the office shall be assumed by the elected Vice President.

ARTICLE VIII (Chapter Council)

Section 1. Membership. The Chapter officers (elected and appointed) shall be members of the Chapter Council. A Gabriel Chapter member in good standing who wishes to participate on a regular basis may be a member of the Chapter Council. In the Gabriel Chapter, the Council is also referred to as the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Duties. Between meetings, the administrative power of the Chapter shall be vested in the Chapter Council. In addition to such powers as are specifically conferred upon it by the Constitution and Bylaws, the Chapter Council shall be responsible for the general management of the affairs of the Chapter and may take such regulations as it deems advisable, not inconsistent with it's governing documents. It shall keep a written report of it's proceedings and shall make a written report of it's activities.