FRG-Family Readiness Group

[peymo21]

I recently had the task of being the FRG President fall in my lap, and have no idea what I am doing. We have to get a charter and the others in the unit are willing to 'help'. However getting in touch with them is my problem.

Also, I don't know how to do a newsletter, get togethers, anything...I am stumped and the commander is MIA, for lack of a better word, in helping me now. He wanted someone to step up and I did, now noone else is there to help.

What are some of the things I should be doing? Any help will be great! TIA

[guest002]

Do you have something along the lines of Family Support on your base/post. Every branch calls it something else. In the Army it used to be called ACS.

They usually have stuff to help with those sort of things.

Could you contact another FRG group for advice?

I've never been involved with one. I wish you luck.

[leezza]

I can tell you what the ombudsman did when my hubby was
in the Navy. Our command had someone who took care of all
the enlisted folks and the Officers had someone for them and
they both worked together and helped each out.

*You may want to see if there are a few people that you can
trust to help you, (I know our gal had 4-5 wives that she would
call then we would all pass the word).

*Deployment Brief: before leaving for any extended deployment
(anything 3 months or over) The command would arrange to have
a meeting with the whole crew including families, to explain what
to expect, including a nice talk from the base chaplain about
what married couples could expect along the way. These meetings
really helped and gave a lot of information.

*Packets: (these consist of any and all information for
Deployment, ei: any on base help, financial, chaplain,
PX, commissary, relocation information, ect…)

*Contact lists: all members of the command list person or
Family member that they would like to be kept up to date on
What’s happening with their command. (this list should have
phone, address, email)

*You should meet with the upper level members of your spouses
command to ask them what they would like for you to do.

*Get togethers: We would meet about every 30 days or so and do
stuff like make video’s to send to the guys, bake huge amounts of
cookies to send to the guys, decorate the squadron for the return of
our folks, had a Christmas party for the kids…..

*Adult Sitting: I know the gal that did this job spent a lot of time
helping the new wifes adjust to their guy being away, lots of phone
calls and people wanting information even if you didn’t have any-
thing new.

*Welcome: you want to make everyone feel like a big extended family.

This is a full time JOB that you will be greatly appreciated for.

Leezza

PS. You can PM me any time if you have questions.

PPS. Microsoft word has really good outlines for newsletters.

[leezza]

Hi again,

*Care Packages: you might want to put together a list of care package items that can be sent to service members. (new wives and families always want to know).

*Mailing Instructions: how long it will take mail to get to your loved one??? depends on where your command is going.

*Post Office: get a list from the USPS site on how early items must be mailed for holidays.

*Packaging: let folks know about those free priority/flat rate boxes from USPS.

*Letter/Cards: let all the wives and families know that sending your service member a lot mail is one of the most positive things they can do.....Mail call is a really big deal and you want to make sure that your loved ones is getting lots of love from home : )

leezza