NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Navy League of the United States Energizing Legislative Affairs Participation at the Council Level Don Giles Co-Chairman, Legislative Affairs Committee

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Topics Need for an Energized Grassroots Legislative Affairs Effort Advantages and Risks for Councils Current Organization Council VP Legislative Affairs Duties and Responsibilities Requirements for Council VPLA Council Best Practices for Success Need for more Council-level Volunteers Use of Region A-Team and Alternate Procedures Metrics for Success What this Means to our Maritime Services

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, We Need an Energized Grassroots Effort NLUS Purpose: Educate Citizens, including Members of Congress Fewer Members of Congress have served in the military (84 of 435 in House; 19 of 100 in Senate) Expand involvement of local councils with Legislative Affairs and local MOCs Demonstrate Constituent Interest at grassroots Council member ’ s concern is perceived as an independent view, not the output of a lobbying effort in Washington Major challenges facing our Sea Services today

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Major Sea Services challenges that can be addressed locally include: The size and makeup of our naval forces – --are we configured to win the current war and continue to plan for future potential conflicts? Expansion of the duties of the Coast Guard after 9/11 and the need for adequate resources. The continuing decline in the US-flagged merchant fleet. Encroachment on existing military installations and it’s negative effect on training and readiness. The impact of severe defense department budget cuts on our Sea Services. Budget Control Act, Sequestration, Continuing Resolutions Environmental Restrictions impacting training and operations

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Advantages and Risks for Councils Enables the council member to get to know the representative’s local staff, but Risks: 1. Need for high quality presentation materials 2. Delivered by council members in a confident, professional manner Presenters: 1. Able to answer questions 2. Stay within prescribed boundaries if asked for more information Council member must also follow a protocol for planning a MOC Visit Training is required for each Presentation

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Current Organization National VP for Legislative Affairs 15 Regional Vice Presidents for LA Council VP LA or LA Committee Chair LA Steering Committee; Meets Monthly LA Committee (LA SC and RVPs); Meets Monthly Staff Support: 1. Staff Vice President, Governmental Operations & Administration 2. Senior Director of Mission Focused Programs

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Region Vice President for Legislative Affairs Peer of the Area President Reports directly to the Region President, with a “dotted line” relationship with the National VP, LA for all content The NVP, LA concurs in the selection of the RVP each year Experience requirements include: (1) current or former senior NL officer or (2) a proven legislative affairs expert Is the legislative affairs expert for the region Responsible for gaining commitments to make MOC visits, ensure that those visits occur using approved materials Arranges required MOC visit training for Presenters Attends required monthly meetings of all RVPs and turns in required monthly Region Grassroots Reports Time commitment of 3-4 hours per week

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Council VP Legislative Affairs Duties and Responsibilities Promotes a successful legislative affairs program for that Council. Reports directly to the Council President, with a “heavy dotted line” reporting relationship to the Regional Vice President for Legislative Affairs. This individual will be selected by the Council President, after receiving concurrence by the Regional Vice President for Legislative Affairs to ensure the needed qualifications are met.

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Requirements for Council VPLA Have a clear interest in a strong legislative affairs program Excellent communications skills Basic computer skills Work the needed hours Incur minor expenses Attend the legislative affairs training program Participate in periodic telephone and communications with the Regional VPLA

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Council Best Practices for Success Active involvement by Council President Assignment of a highly regarded leader as the Council VP who is willing and able to spend the needed time each month Clearly assign accountability to Council officers for making the MOC visits Monthly communications with the Region VPLA with those assigned for making visits Ensure that personnel assigned to make visits have had needed Grassroots training Complete Legislative Contact Reports after MOC Visits Keep region leaders apprised of key legislative affairs matters Communicate with Council Members (News Letter, , Calls to Action regarding key issues and legislation

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Using “ A-Teams ” for Visits with Members of Congress A-Team Alternate Procedures are used when: 1. A Grassroots MOC Visit becomes too difficult due to the MOC’s schedule, 2. The local Council is not available to support “Grassroots” MOC Visits, or, 3. The Congressional District is too remote from a participating Navy League Council. A-Team optimally consists of 3 NL members: 1. Manager, 2. Scheduler, and 3. One additional person (ideally, a constituent of the MOC being visited).

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Acceptable Alternate Procedures MOC Briefs 1. Staff Brief and MOC Photo Opportunity 2. Staff Briefing by Video Conference and MOC Photo Op 3. Staff Presentation Only Brief must be made to a qualified staff member: 1. Chief of Staff, or 2. Legislative Director, or 3. Military Affairs Legislative Assistant (MLA), or Local Staff: 1. State Director (Senate), or 2. District Director (House),

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Region A-Team Building and Planning Essentials PSW Region A-Team Building Session – Saturday, June 23 – 1;00 p.m. – Equity Room – Led by Jim Bras, Tim Hunsberger, Jeanie Coffey Representatives from other Regions are invited – Please attend A-Team Training Workshop under development

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Grassroots Legislative Affairs Metrics for Success

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, LA Metrics for Success Support 8 Goals of 2013 LA Strategic Plan Accomplish objectives of LA Action Plan Attend scheduled Orientation and Training Visit MOC every 9-12 months Use LA Presentations (4) as core messages Collect and Report MOC Visit Data Use A-Team Alternate Procedures when needed Achieve LA MOC Visit Goals for 2013

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Our Primary Products: In Line with NLUS Maritime Policy 4 Power Point Presentations for MOCs 1. P1 USN Requirements 2. P2 USCG Requirements 3. P3 USMM Requirements 4. P4 USMC Requirements Q & As to support each presentation Legislative Agenda: Priority Sea Services Programs

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Legislative Affairs Training Monthly 3:00 p.m. (EST) Conference Call Field Leader Orientation - 1 st Thursday RVP Training – 3 rd Thursday Presenter Training: 1. Presentation One – 1 st Tuesday 2. Presentation Two – 2 nd Tuesday 3. Presentation Three – 3 rd Tuesday 4. Presentation Four – 4 th Tuesday Alternate Procedures Workshop – As Needed LA Training at Region & Area Meetings Senior Director of Mission Focused Programs (Bill Waylett) Additional Orientation by LA Committee Co-Chairmen

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Legislative Affairs Strategic Plan for 2013 Supports National NLUS Strategic Plan LA Strategic Goal under Education is: To educate and inform members of Congress on the importance of a strong Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine 8 Legislative Affairs Goals

Navy League of the United States Legislative Affairs Committee 2013 Legislative Affairs Strategic Plan 1 January 2013 GOAL NUMBER ONE Increase the number of LA Presentations at MOC Appointments to 80 during Support our Grassroots Legislative Affairs objective to visit at least 60% of all Members of Congress a minimum of every two years. GOAL NUMBER TWO Complete assignment of all 535 MOCs to NLUS Members who will accept responsibility to actively communicate and seek Grassroots Appointments with the assigned MOCs. GOAL NUMBER THREE Form at least four new Region “A Teams” and target completion of at least 50% of the participating regions’ MOC Visits goals using Alternate Procedures. GOAL NUMBER FOUR Effectively train new Legislative Affairs Team Members and Council Presidents. (Continued in next slide)

Navy League of the United States Legislative Affairs Committee 2013 Legislative Affairs Strategic Plan 1 January 2013 GOAL NUMBER FIVE Focus grassroots attention toward effective support of the NLUS “Call to Action” to stop sequestration detrimental impact on the DOD Budget. GOAL NUMBER SIX Effectively support Sea-Air-Space Exposition by inviting attendance by Members of Congress that are assigned to key Congressional Committees. GOAL NUMBER SEVEN Review and update all four Legislative Affairs Presentations and Questions and Answers and promulgate to Legislative Affairs Region VPs NLT April 30. GOAL NUMBER EIGHT Review content and Automate Legislative Affairs Reports. Note: See Legislative Affairs Action Plan for detailed objectives that support these goals.

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Regions Goal Matrix for 2013

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Data Collection and Reporting Legislator Contact Report Regional Status Reports (P1, P2, P3, P4) Monthly Region VPLA Report Monthly LA Summary Report Chronological MOC Visit Report MOC Voting Record on Key Legislation

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Legislator Contact Form Date_______________ Region VP for Leg Affairs ___________________________ Type of Contact: PHONE LETTER PERSONAL MEETING Council(s) Name____________________________________________________ _____ Area/Region _________________________________________________________ ___ Council Attendees _______________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ ______________ Member of Congress visited ________________________________________________ Issue(s) Addressed_________________________________________________ _______ Please circle the appropriate response Is follow up by NLUS National necessary – YES NO If YES, please explain: _____ ________________________________________________________________ _______ ________________________________________________________________ _______ Date when follow-up is needed if applicable:___________________________________ Who to follow up with (i.e. Member of Congress, Staff, etc.) ______________________ Was Member of Congress supportive of issue(s) - YES NO, comments:_____________ ________________________________________________________________ _______ ________________________________________________________________ _______ ________________________________________________________________ _______ Please or fax this report to your Region Vice President for Legislative Affairs.

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Grassroots Regional Status Report Data 1. MOC Identification a. State & Senator or District Number b. MOC Name c. NLUS Member (Yes/No) 2. Responsibility Assignment a. Council b. Member & Date Assigned c. Presenter (in parens, if not same as Member) 3. Date of First Contact (MM/DD/YY) 4. Additional Contact Dates 5. Presentation to MOC (or Photo Op) Completion Date (Include Date, Presenter, and other attendees) 6. MOC Reaction to Presentation; Comments 7. Annotate if MOC is on a Priority Committee (HASC, SASC, HAC, SAC, HHSC, H-T&I, S-CS&T) 8. Date of any Alternate Procedure Presentation To Staff (Include Name, Title); Misc. Info; Comments

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Grassroots LA National Summary Reports (One for each of four Services Presentations) 1. Region and Region VP’s Name 2. Last Region Report DATE 3. NUMBER OF MOC’S assigned to Region 4. % MOCs Assigned to NLUS Member 5. % First Contact made with MOC 6. % of MOCs given the Presentation 7. New MOC Visits since last report 8. NEW MOC Visits Year to Date

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, What NL LAs Means to our Maritime Services The Maritime Services Chiefs have publicly acknowledged the importance and expressed appreciation for our grassroots support. Members of Congress have directly referenced content in our presentations in public statements. …our message is having a positive impact Our message can advocate for vital resources important to prudent national defense when the Services must work within approved budget submissions.

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Back-up Slides

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Next Step Priorities (Established at last LA Committee Meeting) Fill vacant RVP positions NLT Nov 1 Build Region Legislative Affairs Plans for success in 2013: Initial Workshop today Recruit more council-level volunteers Complete assignment of all Members of Congress to volunteer Navy League members NLT Jan 15 Build new “A-Teams” where RP and RVP need to use “Alternate Procedures” NLT Feb 15

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Other Legislative Affairs Coordination NLUS Maritime Policy Statement is our core message Legislative Affairs Advisory Board: Chairman: Sheila McNeill “Pizza Briefs”: “This series of Navy League supported presentations is the cornerstone of our information dissemination to the majority of Congressional offices. …Grassroots Navy League efforts to spread that message are a crucial element in ensuring your Navy remains at the forefront…” CAPT Andy "Slim" Whitson Director, Navy House Liaison “Given the many demands on the schedules of Congressional staff, the support of the Navy League is vital in ensuring that target audience is present to receive the Navy message.” LT Jonathan G. Wachtel, Navy Liaison Officer, Office of Legislative Affairs, U. S. House of Representatives

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Best Practices for Region Success: Active involvement by each Region President Assignment of a highly regarded leader as the RVP who is willing and able to spend the needed time each week Clearly assign accountability to Area or Council officers for making the MOC visits Use of “A-Teams” and “alternative” guidelines, if Areas or Councils are either unable or unwilling to make the visits Rigorous monthly follow-up by the RVP with those assigned for making visits Ensure that personnel assigned to make visits have had needed Grassroots training Complete needed region grassroots reports monthly; send them to region officers to keep everyone on track Keep region leaders apprised of key legislative affairs matters

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Brief Overview of Program History Initiated in 2004 Prior to this initiative, only 15% of councils were actively involved with legislative affairs Now: 47% of councils have been involved 403 total MOC Visits to date Goal is 60% minimum MOC contact Revisit annually; not less than every 2 years 185 MOCs in 212 Congress visited (35%) 301 NLUS Presentations to MOCs in 212 th Congress

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Grassroots Organization Chart

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Navy League of the United States Any Standing Committee NVP Communication lines Support lines Organization lines 33

NLUS Grassroots Legislative Affairs, Learning Track 3, Don Giles, Navy League of the United States Any Working Committee NVP Communication lines Support lines Organization lines 34