[Use of Appropriated Funds To Pay Membership Fees in Private Organization]

The Commander of a Naval station requested an advance decision on the propriety of using appropriated funds to pay for membership dues in a local private organization. The Naval station, located in a densely populated township, is the Navy's primary laboratory facility for the research, development, testing, and evaluation of Naval aircraft systems. Due to the nature of the facility's mission and its central location, the Commander stated that its success can only be assured with the understanding and active support of the township's civic and business leaders. Recently, however, tension has increased between the town and the Naval station due to such factors as industrial and community development. To assure the continued success of the facility, the Commander seeks to improve contact and communication between the base and the community by joining the local Rotary Club. The Rotary Club's weekly meetings provide the only available common forum for civic and military officials to discuss and resolve problems. Therefore, the Commander wanted to use $100 in appropriated funds to purchase a Rotary Club membership in the name of the facility. GAO concluded that the use of appropriated funds to pay membership fees in a private organization is not prohibited by Federal regulations so long as the membership is to be purchased in the agency's name. In addition, the proposed membership must primarily benefit the agency involved, not its individual employees.