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4. Put it all together. Below are descriptions of various types of spousal groups, and how to organize them.

Informal Group
Description: An Informal Group is comprised of spouses of officers from one or two departments. Someone takes the initiative of calling other spouses and significant others, and arranges a meeting place and time. Once assembled, the group can go in any direction. Maybe it's a pot luck once a month, and the spouses take turns offering their homes as a meeting place. Maybe it's a bowling event every two weeks. There are no fees, no meeting minutes, no outlined plan of discussion. It's an opportunity to get to know the other spouses, make friends, and share stories.

The Auxiliary was responsible for the first National Peace Officers' Memorial Day service in 1982.
Each year the Auxiliary awards a number of Kathryn Milton Scholarships, in honor of its first National President.
The Auxiliary has a Legislative Committee responsible for informing Auxiliary members of upcoming issues and Bills that will have an impact on law enforcement.

Auxiliary members get involved with local law enforcement family needs, by helping those who have suffered a loss, by presenting spouse orientation sessions in police academies, by participating on crisis intervention teams.

How is the FOP Auxiliary organized? The Grand Lodge Auxiliary represents all subordinate and State Auxiliaries. Membership of the State Auxiliaries is comprised of all members of subordinate auxiliaries within that particular State. A subordinate auxiliary is formed with permission from its parent FOP lodge and the minimum of ten eligible people.

How do I start subordinate FOP Auxiliary in my area? First of all, your spouse must be a member of the FOP. Contact your state's FOP Lodge to get information on joining the FOP and starting an Auxiliary. Go to the Directory of Resources by State to find your state Lodge.

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