VFW Legislative and Political Activism
NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS 2013
Our Guiding Principles:
• All Politics is Local
• Your Influence Counts
– Use It
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Work with National Legislative Service/Action Corps on
legislative campaigns and alerts
• Establish and maintain working relationships with congressional
members/staff in their district offices and in Washington
• Inform and update VFW/Auxiliary members regarding key
legislative issues, and educate the general public on VFW’s
legislative agenda
• Submit Monthly Reports to NLS regarding your activities
• Submit periodic “Field Reports” to NLS for consideration on the
VFW Capitol Hill blog
Action Corps/ Washington Weekly/
Action Alerts
• Action Corps
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VFW platform for grassroots advocacy
Sign up for and promote Action Corps
• Washington Weekly
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Communicates NLS weekly activities
• Action Alerts
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It allows NLS to communicate to the Troops on
specific bills
Our strength in numbers on issues
Get to know your Elected Officials and
their Staff
• Members of Congress
– You are the local face of the VFW
• Be known, attend town hall meetings, get other VFW
members and veterans involved in the process
• Congressional Staff
– They are the brains of the operation
• Earn their trust and respect and you are in
• In D.C. and the District
– Both are key
• District = advisory committees, round tables, town halls
• DC = policy
Inform and Update
• You are the conduit between NLS and
membership
– This is more than forwarding the Weekly
• Be an advocate, get members and non-members to sign
up for Action Corps
• Non-members and General Public
– Explain our agenda and why its important to our
veterans and the Nation
– They can join Action Corps
Build a network of advocates
• You cannot do it all by yourself
– Find others who are interested but don’t know
what to do
• As you advocate, ask them to work with you
– Try to find a member who can assist with “getting
to know” Members and staff.
– Join or know who is on advisory committees
– Build a network of subject matter experts
• Health Care, Employment, DVOP/LVER, Vet Centers,
SVA
MONTHLY REPORTS
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Your monthly legislative
reports help demonstrate the
power of the VFW to
influence veterans’ policy.
You will receive a reminder
Ann Markel will send a blank
copy of the form every month
If you need one contact:
amarkel@vfw.org
Fill out an email to Ann
following the format on the
form.
Send email reports EVERY
MONTH
“FIELD REPORTS” for the Blog
NLS maintains a blog,
www.thevfw.blogspot.com, which reaches
more than 10,000 readers every month,
highlighting VFW advocacy work. We want to
share your stories!
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When you host or attend an event, take
pictures and take notes (who, what, when,
where, why).
After the event, fill out our online form here:
http://www.vfw.org/Forms/Capitol-Hill-BlogSubmissions/
Don’t worry about space. You can write as
much as you need to in each field.
When you click “Submit,” your info will go to
NLS.
To send pictures, attach digital photos to an
email and send it to vfwac@vfw.org. (You can
also send your stories and notes here, if you
think it’s easier)
Don’t worry about writing style. We’ll take care
of formatting for the blog.
VFW Members…
• Must play a Key Role on
State and Federal Policy
for Veterans and the
Military
• Be Visible and Ask the
Informed Questions
• We must Be Involved in
the Political Process
We CAN Make a Difference
• Congress and staff are
looking for informed
constituents
• We are protecting 22
million Veterans and
their families
Nationwide
• Representing the 2
million VFW Members,
and our Auxiliaries
Talking Points
• Use the Trifold for general issues
– Lets them know what issues are important and where
we stand
• Talking Points Booklet for more specific issues
– There are five, choose the ones that you are the most
passionate about
– Let multiple people speak. Different perspectives are
good
• Women/ OIF/ OEF
• Stay away from political powder kegs
– Gun Control, Gay rights, women in combat arms
• Forward those to NLS
Action Plan
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National Legislative Service
Continue to educate VFW & Auxiliary Members,
Supporters, and the Public on Military and Veterans
Issues
Help you to build Coalitions of Supporters in Your
State and Communities
• VFW grassroots
• Other VSOs
• Community Leaders
You Must open VFW Posts for Town Hall Meetings
Know your members’ staff both in their district
offices and in Washington
Stay Visible
www.thevfw.blogspot.com
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We will follow the 2013 Legislative Conference on the VFW
Hill blog and social media. We want to share your stories!
As you conduct your visits, ask for photos with your
representatives and compile a quick After Action Report.
Submit your digital photos and your AAR to vfwac@vfw.org
or through the online form. We take care of the rest!
Additional opportunities:
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If you would like to speak with military media about your visits,
speak with VFW Washington Office staff.
Keep up the work when you get home! We are always
looking to highlight your work on the blog. Just follow the
same steps for your local events.
Twitter Users: Live Tweet with the hashtag #VFWHill2013
Goals
Inform Congress of our priorities and
advocate to have them enacted into law
Build a strong and active grassroots program
within our membership
Broaden VFW exposure in the Community
Ultimate Goal
• Veterans and the
Military Must be
a Priority in the
113th Congress
Remember…
• All Politics is Local
• Your Influence Counts—Use It!
Thank You For Your Continued Support