UNCLASSIFIED// ROUTINE R 272016Z NOV 18 FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC SECNAV WASHINGTON DC CMC WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 284/18 PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//DNS// INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//DNS// MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N00/NOV// SUBJ/2019 ACTIVE DUTY FUND DRIVE IN SUPPORT OF THE NAVY-MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY// REF/A/DOC/SECNAVINST 5340.7A/01MAY2018// REF/B/DOC/DOD WASHINGTON DC/17NOV2011// REF/C/DOC/FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES/01JAN2011// AMPN/REF A IS SECNAVINST 5340.7A, ACTIVE DUTY FUND DRIVE IN SUPPORT OF THE NAVY-MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY. REF B IS DOD 5500.07-R, JOINT ETHICS REGULATION. REF C IS STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT FOR EMPLOYEES OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES (5 C.F.R. 2635.808)// RMKS/1. Per reference (a), all U.S. Navy commands and activities with Navy and Marine Corps personnel will conduct an active duty fund drive in support of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS). This is your opportunity to provide much needed funds for the direct benefit and support of our shipmates and fellow Marines. 2. NMCRS does not receive government funding and depends upon the support of active duty and retired Sailors and Marines to help those in need at home and around the globe. Your contributions support interest-free loans and grants for shipmates facing financial challenges, including those who have been displaced by natural disasters and those who are dealing with family emergencies. To date in 2018, NMCRS used in excess of $1.6M of your donations to support those impacted by Hurricane FLORENCE and the ongoing devastating effects of the wildfires in California. Often the financial assistance provided by NMCRS is the lifeline that makes the difference for Navy and Marine families and keeps our Sailors and Marines focused on the mission when an unforeseen financial crisis exceeds their ability to make ends meet. 3. Today, our Navy and Marine families are better prepared to address the financial responsibility of marriage, the arrival of new family members, and car and home ownership because of the budget counseling and financial education provided by NMCRS volunteers. 4. For over a century, our society has kept faith with Sailors and Marines. The annual March fund drive is your opportunity to help your brothers and sisters in arms. The campaign theme, "By our own - for our own" embodies our shared commitment to take care of our shipmates and fellow Marines. I am grateful for those who have given generously in the past and confident that working together we can achieve even more in 2019. 5. As addressed in further detail below, Sailors and Marines are authorized to endorse, support, and participate in membership drives and fundraising events as long as commands and organizations uphold the Department of the Navy's policy of truly voluntary giving during the NMCRS fundraising campaign. a. Commands and organizations are reminded to review the regulations governing fundraising for NMCRS to properly determine which activities are permissible during the fund drive. Per reference (a), authorized NMCRS fundraising activities include, but are not limited to command-sponsored raffles, lotteries, bake sales, car washes, gently used baby clothing sales, or bowling tournaments. Fundraising events must be conducted on Department of Defense owned or leased property; otherwise the event loses its "By our own - for our own" designation and cannot be command-endorsed. Commands and organizations are also strongly encouraged to communicate the benefits of NMCRS and its programs through achieving 100 percent meaningful contact through speeches, meetings, and videos. Limited appropriated fund support is permissible for kick-off events, award ceremonies, and other non-solicitation events to build support. b. References (a) through (c) prohibit any coercive activities counter to the policy of truly voluntary giving, such as setting unit-level dollar goals or participation goals. Any actions that do not allow, or create the appearance that Service Members do not have, a free choice to give or not to give; or any actions that do not allow, or create the appearance, that service nembers do not have, a free choice to publicize their gifts or keep them confidential are also prohibited. The following fundraising activities are also prohibited: selling civilian clothes privileges or special liberty, raffling government parking spaces, sponsoring casino-like games of chance, soliciting civilian or contractor personnel, or soliciting outside of the federal workplace. c. Unit coordinators for the NMCRS fund drive should consult their JAG/ethics counselor for further guidance with regard to specific questions. 6. The roadmap to success is assigning motivated fund drive coordinators and key people to ensure 100 percent of our Sailors and Marines are afforded the opportunity to learn about the NMCRS mission and the critically important programs and services they provide to our Sailors, Marines, and their families. Best Practices and Lessons Learned from the 2018 NMCRS may be viewed at http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donaa/pages/campaigns.aspx. 7. Our leaders, both Officer and Enlisted, are the best in the world, and I am confident that with their active support and engagement, NMCRS will remain positioned to continue the important work of helping our Sailors, Marines, and their families. I encourage all who are able to consider making a contribution through payroll allotment, online credit card or cash to help our brothers and sisters in need - we need to take full advantage of this annual opportunity to help our shipmates and fellow Marines through the 2019 ADFD campaign. 8. Released by Mrs. Steffanie B. Easter, Director, Navy Staff.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//