VFW National Legislative Conference
March 2-5, 2014
WELCOME TO WASHINGTON
• Your visit to Capitol Hill should be productive,
memorable, and enjoyable.
• You are a very powerful and important part of the
VFW Legislative Process.
National Legislative Service Staff
Policy Issues
Director – Ray Kelley
Deputy Director – Ryan Gallucci
Senior Legislative Associate – Aleks Morosky
Senior Legislative Associate – Brendon Gehrke
Action Corps
Manager – Teresa Morris
Office and Action Corps Assistant – Ann Markel
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
• All politics is local!
• Your influence counts –
use it!
• Your voice as a
constituent is what
makes a difference.
• You are the employer.
NLS UPDATE
• What have we been doing?
–
–
–
–
Testified 24 times on nearly 100 bills
Generated 40 letters of support
Advised on Legislative Language
Participated in dozens of policy
panels and press conferences
– Conducted regular of media
interviews on veterans’ policy
• Multiple Bills and
Amendments signed into law
• Legislation still moving
forward
National Legislative Director Ray
Kelley participates in a press
conference calling for full advance
appropriations last week.
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVISM
Not just one week a year!
Become a full time
advocate for veterans
• What to do this week
• Tools to use every day
What To Do This Week
• Visit Your Members of
Congress.
• Educate them on the VFW
2014 Legislative Priority
Goals and the 2014 “WE
ARE STILL AT WAR” booklet.
• Leave a copy of the VFW’s
2014 “WE ARE STILL AT WAR”
booklet and Priority Goals
with staff.
Plan your meetings
• You will have 15 to 30 minutes
– Choose the topics that are most
relevant
– Know what you want to say
– Let multiple people talk
• Stop by even if you don’t have
an appointment
– Drop off talking points booklet
– Get a business card
– Send a message
This Week
• Thank your Legislators for
supporting:
– Veterans
– Military Personnel
– Their Families
• Educate your Legislators on
what it means to be a
Veteran and Why we have
Unique Programs!
• Ask them to sign up for VFW
Action Corps updates.
(Con’t)
Talking Points
• 2014 Priority Goals brochure outlines general issues
– Lets them know what issues are important to VFW
• “OUR NATION IS STILL AT WAR” Booklet discusses VFW’s
specific objectives
– There are five, choose the ones that you are the most
passionate about
– Go in a group
• Allow different people to talk from different points of view
• One-Page Flyers highlight items that need IMMEDIATE
ACTION
• Stay away from political powder kegs
– Gun Control, Gay rights, women in combat arms
• Forward those inquiries to NLS
2014 Priority Goals
• Outlines issues VFW
membership has directed
the organization to
address in 2014
• Offers general information
for those unfamiliar with
VFW
“OUR NATION IS STILL AT WAR”
Booklet
• Outlines VFW’s Objectives
and Solutions in Five
Categories:
1. Veterans Affairs Funding
2. Benefits Delivery System
3. Military Personnel and
Retirees
4. Veterans Health Care
5. Success After Service
• Leave a copy behind!
One-Page Flyers
• Three items demanding
IMMEDIATE ACTION:
– END BUDGET
SEQUESTRATION
– FULL ADVANCE
APPROPRIATIONS FOR VA
– IN-STATE TUITION FOR
VETERANS
• Leave Copies Behind!
Enhance Your Visibility
www.thevfw.blogspot.com
• WE WANT TO SHARE
YOUR STORIES!
•
•
•
•
Ask for photos with your
Legislators
Post photos to Social
Media via #VFWHill2014
Compile AARs from visits
Submit your photos and
AAR to vfwac@vfw.org
or fill out the online
form.
• WE TAKE CARE OF THE
REST!
Twitter Activation
1: Do you have a personal Twitter account?
2: Do you have a smartphone with a Twitter app? (It’s Free)
3: Tweet your photos and comments from meetings LIVE!
Click here to
create a new
Tweet
When typing in your 140
characters, type in the
#VFWHill2014 hashtag
Tweets/photos will automatically
appear on the VFW Hill blog,
www.thevfw.blogspot.com
To add a
photo, click
the camera
icon
To join Twitter, visit www.twitter.com, follow the prompts, download the app, and start Tweeting. Any questions? NLS staff can help.
Enhance Your Visibility (Part 2)
• Follow the conference on
the blog or on Twitter via
@VFWHQ or #VFWHill2014
• To speak with reporters
about your visits, speak
with Teresa Morris or Ryan
Gallucci
• KEEP UP THE WORK WHEN
YOU GET HOME!
•
Follow the same steps to
highlight your local events.
SUMMARY
• Thank your Legislators for supporting
issues affecting our Nation’s Veterans, Service
Members, and their families.
• Educate your Legislators on VFW Priority
Goals.
• Submit your After Action Reports with photos
and stories to publish on the blog.
• Enjoy your visit!
TOOLS TO USE AT HOME
• Build your relationships
– Talk to your VFW Legislative
Committee member
– Talk to your Congressional district
staff
• Meet new advocates
– Seek out events in your community
– Plan your own VFW events
– Sign up new Action Corps members
• Keep in touch with NLS
– We’re here to help
– Let us share your stories
REMEMBER
• All Politics is Local.
• Your Influence Counts –
Use It!
• There is nothing more
powerful than a
constituent voicing
concern about an issue.
COMMANDER’S TESIMONY
Wednesday, May 5, 2014
Dirksen Senate Office Building
Room G-50
10:00 a.m.
ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED
Transportation Provided By Bus
In Front of the Hotel at 7:30 a.m.
LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION
Wednesday, May 5, 2014
Hart Senate Office Building
Room 902
5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
ALL ARE INVITED!
Invite your members of Congress
EVERYDAY IS VETERANS DAY!
QUESTIONS?
Useful Links
•
•
•
•
•
Web site: www.vfw.org/VFW-in-DC
Blog: www.thevfw.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/VFWFans
Twitter: www.twitter.com/vfwhq
YouTube: www.youtube.com/vfwvids