6 FAM 500
EMPLOYEE ASSOCIATIONS
LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY AND APPLICABILITY
(CT:GS-261; 06-11-2025)
(Office of Origin: A/GO/PST/CR)
6 FAM 511 LEGISLATION
(CT:GS-261; 06-11-2025)
(Uniform State/DoD/Agriculture)
Section 31(a) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act as amended by Public Law 96-465 (the Foreign Service Act of 1980), invests in the Secretary of State the authority to “authorize and assist in the establishment, maintenance and operation by civilian officers and employees of the U.S. Government of nongovernment-operated services and facilities at posts abroad, including the furnishing of space, utilities, and properties owned or leased by the U.S. Government for use by its diplomatic, consular, and other missions and posts abroad. The Secretary may use provisions of the Foreign Service Buildings Act, 1926 (22 U.S.C. 292 - 300) and Section 2684 of this title in providing such assistance.”
6 FAM 512 CHARTER
(CT:GS-261; 06-11-2025)
(Uniform State/DoD/Agriculture)
Employee associations (EAs) shall operate under a charter approved by the Assistant Secretary for Administration of the Department of State. (See 6 FAM 551.)
6 FAM 513 APPLICABILITY OF REGULATIONS
(CT:GS-261; 06-11-2025)
(Uniform State/DoD/Agriculture)
These regulations are applicable to the operation of nongovernment-operated EAs abroad. They do not apply to emergency commissary and mess services authorized under Section 31(b) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act, as amended.
6 FAM 514 DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY
(CT:GS-261; 06-11-2025)
(Uniform State/DoD/Agriculture)
a. The authority vested in the Secretary of State under Section 31(a) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act, as amended, is hereby delegated to the Assistant Secretary of State for Administration for overall administration and oversight of EAs.
b. The Office of Commissary and Recreation Affairs, under the guidance of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Global Operations, Post Support and Travel Directorate will provide overall policy, operational guidance, and oversight to EAs abroad. The board of directors of the Central Commissary and Recreation Fund shall act as an advisory body to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Global Operations in discharging these responsibilities.
c. The principal officer at each post or designee thereof (who must be a direct hire U.S. Government employee) is responsible for monitoring the activities of the EA to ensure compliance with Departmental directives and to protect the interests of the U.S. Government.
6 FAM 515 CENTRAL COMMISSARY AND RECREATION FUND
(CT:GS-261; 06-11-2025)
(Uniform State/DoD/Agriculture)
a. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 31(a) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act, as amended, the Department has established a Central Commissary and Recreation Fund to assist in establishing, maintaining and operating nongovernment-operated post EAs abroad. The Central Commissary and Recreation Fund is capitalized by direct assessments on EAs under conditions and procedures as determined by the Board of Directors of the Central Commissary and Recreation Fund. The purpose of the Central Commissary and Recreation Fund is to provide financial assistance, primarily to fund the operations of the Office of Commissary and Recreation Affairs (A/GO/PST/CR), including loans and grants to EAs; the monitoring of EA activities to ensure compliance with the charters the Department has approved; standardized support systems (i.e., reporting formats, operating procedures, and internal controls); TDY on-site assistance and periodic internal audits; regional training; insurance and bonding firms; and EA training.
b. A Board of Directors administers the Central Commissary and Recreation Fund. The board consists of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Global Operations (Chairperson), the executive directors of the regional executive offices in the Department of State, and one representative each from the Department of Agriculture (Foreign Agricultural Service), and Defense (DoD).
c. The Chair or designee of the Board of Directors of the Central Commissary and Recreation Fund must engage an independent public accountant or an independent public accounting firm to conduct an audit each year.
6 FAM 516 THROUGH 519 UNASSIGNED