Restrictions apply to soliciting in base housing Published Sept. 28, 2012 By Micah Garbarino Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Fall, the smells of Girl Scout cookies and Boy Scout popcorn are in the air. Residents in Tinker's housing areas should be aware of the guidelines for soliciting on base before they troop door-to-door, boxes of goodies in hand. According to the Balfour-Beatty Communities Resident Guide, which residents receive when they sign their lease (also available on the Tinker Housing website), door-to-door solicitation of any kind is prohibited. But, there are some other options. This door-to-door solicitation restriction is not directed solely at the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts. "Balfour Beatty makes no distinction," said Patti Osburn, Balfour Beatty community manager at Tinker. While door-to-door solicitation is "expressly prohibited," Balfour Beatty tries to support their resident families' activities, through the LifeWorks program. Residents are often able to set up stands in common areas and corners with the prior approval of Balfour Beatty community management, Ms. Osburn said. Another caveat exists for "friend-to-friend" solicitations for direct-sales home businesses. Residents who wish to host an in-home gathering to sell beauty products, kitchenware, candles, etc., can submit an application to the community manager, Ms. Osburn said. So what's a girl (scout) to do? There are some other options for those who wish to raise funds on base. Each installation may allow private organizations a limited number of fundraisers every quarter. Air Force and Department of Defense regulations are very strict when it comes to what type of activities are permitted. There is an office within the 72nd Force Support Squadron that coordinates all fundraising requests to make sure the proper guidelines are met. Both the Exchange and commissary allow fundraisers outside their facilities as long as the products are not in direct-competition with their offerings, and they have been approved by the installation, said both facility managers. For instance, if a private organization wanted to set up a fundraising activity near the BX or commissary, organizers would need to contact the 72nd Force Support Squadron, submit an application, gain approval from the installation, and coordinate their request with the facility managers at The Exchange or commissary. For more information on private organization fundraising on base, visit: http://tinkerliving.com/Private_Orgs/private.php or call the 72nd FSS at 734-5128 For more information on LifeWorks and resident fundraising within family housing, call Balfour Beatty at 610-3637.