Helping Family Readiness Groups gain more financial resources – while enabling FRG members to focus on their mission of meeting the needs of Army Families – is what the Family Support Working Group 2 is all about as it convenes at the Army Family Action Plan Conference this week.
Over the five-day conference, the group will examine two key FRG-related issues and make recommendations that – if approved by Army leadership – would allow large donations to be received by Army Reserve FRGs and also authorize FRGs to fundraise in public places away from Reserve Centers, National Guard Armories and military installations.
Sue Carter, a former Army spouse who is now a civilian employee with the First Army Division East at Fort Meade, Md., facilitates the Family Support Working Group 2. She is guiding the work of Army Spouses, Wounded Warriors and Soldiers from the Active, Reserve and National Guard Components. She’s been involved in AFAP “for more years than I care to count,” and she believes strongly in the process, which draws on Army Family members to help the Army identify and prioritize quality-of-life issues and improve its standard of living.
“The Army has done a good job of telling the AFAP story and showing that the process works,” Carter explained. “Working group volunteers have seen AFAP make a difference at their installations, and being selected to participate in the national conference enables them to make an impact Army-wide.”
Carter said that Family Support Working Group 2 chose to address the two FRG funding issues–and present their recommendations to Army leadership–because group members are united on the need to work on overarching issues that can positively affect a large share of Army Families. “FRGs are so important to assuring Family readiness before, during and after deployments,” Carter observed. “The social activities that FRGs need funding to conduct help bring the Army Family together, build relationships, disseminate vital information across units and strengthen unit cohesiveness. In effect, FRGs give Army Families the support and networks they need before they need them.”
Carter praised the spirit and enthusiasm of the Family Support Working Group she is leading. “These members of the Army Family have a passion for others in the Army Family, and passion is something that can’t be taught,” she said. “It’s no small effort for these volunteers to take time away from the jobs and families and travel to this Conference. This group goes beyond accepting the work they’re doing–they sincerely believe they can make a difference through the Army Family Action Plan.”
Family Support Working Group 2 is one of eight groups that will present 16 Family-related issues and recommendations to the Army when the AFAP Conference concludes January 15. The 16 issues will be added to the Army Family Action Plan for attention, and the “Top 5” issues will be “fast-tracked” to senior Army leaders for immediate consideration.
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