1. CONTACTING YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS Jim Lokovic/1 September 2014

2. THE NEED TO CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO TO CONTACT WHEN TO CONTACT THEM METHODS OF CONTACT VISITS PHONE CALLS LETTERS E-MAILS

3. THE NEED TO CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS MAKE CRITICAL DECISIONS THAT AFFECT YOUR LIFE. VERY FEW OF THEM (LESS THAN 20 PERCENT) SERVED IN THE MILITARY. YOU NEED TO: T ELL THEM HOW TO BEHAVE (AS YOUR EMPLOYEES) EDUCATE THEM ON YOUR NEEDS HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE NOTE: AS A CITIZEN, YOU HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. YOU CAN’T SPEAK FOR THE AIR FORCE, BUT YOU CAN SPEAK AS A CITIZEN WHO IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE AIR FORCE. AS SUCH, YOU CAN INSTRUCT THEM ON YOUR DESIRES ON KEY LEGISLATION, ISSUES, AND QUALITY-OF-LIFE MATTERS. FOR GUIDANCE ON POLITICAL MATTERS, REFER TO DOD DIRECTIVE 1344.10.

4. WHO TO CONTACT? UNLESS YOU ARE FROM A TERRITORY, YOU HAVE TWO SENA- TORS AND ONE REPRESENTATIVE WHO ARE YOUR EMPLOYEES. TO DETERMINE WHO THEY ARE, GO ONLINE TO WWW.THOMAS. GOV. THAT IS THE CONGRESSIONAL HOMEPAGE. A GOOD ALTERNATE WEBSITE (WHERE YOU ENTER YOUR VOTING AD- DRESS WITH ZIP CODE) IS WWW.CONTACTINGTHECONGRESS.ORG/ THROUGH ONE OF THESE METHODS, YOU CAN DETERMINE YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. ARMED WITH THAT DATA, LET THEM KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU WANT.

5. WHEN TO CONTACT THEM? CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR TO REMIND THEM THAT YOU APPRECIATE THEIR SUPPORT AS YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS—AND THAT YOU ARE A VOTER. ALSO CONTACT THEM IF THERE IS A SPECIFIC COURSE YOU WANT THEM TO PURSUE, ESPECIALLY ON CRITICAL ISSUES. USING THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY AFSA HEADQUARTERS, CONTACT YOUR OFFICIALS BEFORE KEY VOTES TO INSTRUCT THEM ON YOUR DESIRES.

6. METHODS OF CONTACT VISITS PHONE CALLS E-MAILS LETTERS

7. VISITS RESEARCH YOUR ELECTED OFFICIAL TO KNOW HIS/HER BACKGROUND AND PAST VOTING RECORD. DO YOUR HOMEWORK/HAVE YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT. KNOW THE BACKGROUND, REASONS, AND DETAILS OF THE ISSUE YOU WANT TO DISCUSS. HAVE FACTSHEETS/TALKING PAPERS READY TO PROVIDE TO YOUR ELECTED OFFICIAL STATING THE ISSUE, THE BACKGROUND, AND THE ACTION YOU DESIRE. MAKE SURE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION IS ON EACH SHEET. ARRIVE A FEW MINUTES EARLY FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT AND IDENTIFY YOURSELF TO THE RECEPTIONIST. PLAN AHEAD ON HOW YOU ARE GOING TO COMMUNICATE YOUR POINT(S) WITH CLARITY AND BREVITY. AFTER THE GREETINGS, GET TO THE POINT. BE PROFESSIONAL AND POLITE. TELL THE TRUTH, DON’T GUESS, AND DON’T EXAGGERATE. KEEP IN MIND YOU CANNOT SPEAK FOR THE ASSOCIATION; YOU CAN, HOWEVER, ADDRESS ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE TO THOSE WHOM THE ASSOCIATION REPRESENTS. DON’T DRAG THE MEETING OUT; COMMUNICATE YOU RESPECT THE OFFICIAL’S TIME. FOLLOW UP THE MEETING WITH A “THANK YOU” NOTE.

8. PHONE CALLS WHEN YOU CALL A CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE ON A MILITARY-RELATED ISSUE, ASK THE RECEPTIONIST FOR THE MILITARY LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT (MLA). RECORD THE MLA’S NAME. ALWAYS TAKE NOTES FOR YOUR FUTURE REFERENCE. STATE YOUR POSITION CLEARLY, AND ASK FOR ACTION. NOTE: THIS METHOD IS NOT AS EFFECTIVE AS WRITING. OFTEN YOUR AND THEIR EFFORTS END WHEN THE PHONES ARE HUNG UP. TO FIND THE PHONE NUMBERS OF YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, GO TO: WWW.THOMAS.ORG OR WWW.CONTACTINGTHECONGRESS.ORG/ OR CALL THE U.S. CAPITOL SWITCHBOARD AT (202) 224-3121 * * NOTE: BE CAREFUL ABOUT USING 1-800 NUMBERS YOU MAY FIND ON THE INTERNET, AS THEY ARE PAID FOR BY SOMEONE--USUALLY WITH AN AGENDA YOU MAY OR MAY NOT AGREE WITH. THERE IS NO GOVERNMENT-PAID, TOLL-FREE PHONE NUMBER FOR THE CAPITOL HILL SWITCHBOARD.

9. LETTERS BESIDES PERSONAL VISITS, LETTERS REMAIN THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO COMMUNICATE WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. THEY SHOW THAT YOU ARE A THOUGHTFUL CONSTITUENT WHO HAS TAKEN THE TIME TO CLEARLY EXPRESS YOUR DESIRES. LETTERS HAVE SIX BASIC ELEMENTS:  ADDRESS  SALUTATION  “WHAT” PARAGRAPH  “WHY” PARAGRAPH  “RESTATEMENT AND REPLY REQUEST” PARAGRAPH  SIGNATURE ELEMENT AND CONTACT INFORMATION

10. ADDRESS THE FIRST LINE OF THE ADDRESS SHOULD READ “THE HONORABLE” AND THE FULL NAME OF THE SENATOR OR REPRESENTATIVE. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN WRITING TO SENATOR ED SHOCKLEY, YOU WOULD TYPE “THE HONORABLE ED SHOCKLEY.” FOR CONGRESSMAN JOSH KREBS, YOU WOULD TYPE “THE HONORABLE JOSH KREBS.” THE SECOND LINE SHOULD READ “UNITED STATES SENATE” OR “HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.” THE THIRD LINE SHOULD READ WASHINGTON, D.C. WITH A ZIP CODE OF 20510 FOR MEMBERS OF THE SENATE OR 20515 FOR MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

11. SALUTATION FOR A SENATOR, THE SALUTATION WOULD READ “DEAR SENATOR (LAST NAME),” E.G. “DEAR SENATOR SHOCKLEY,” FOR A REPRESENTATIVE, YOUR SALUTATION MAY READ, “DEAR REPRESENTATIVE (LAST NAME),” “DEAR CONGRESSMAN (LAST NAME),” OR “DEAR CONGRESSWOMAN (LAST NAME).” FOR CLARITY, CONSISTENCY, AND SIMPLICITY, AFSA HEADQUARTERS MOST OFTEN USES, “DEAR REPRESENTATIVE (LAST NAME),” E.G., “DEAR REPRESENTATIVE KREBS,” FOR A COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, YOU WOULD TYPE “DEAR CHAIRMAN (LAST NAME),” “DEAR CHAIRWOMAN (LAST NAME),” OR “DEAR CHAIRPERSON (LAST NAME),”.

12. THE “WHAT” PARAGRAPH THIS IS WHERE YOU TELL YOUR ELECTED OFFICIAL WHAT YOU WANT HIM/HER TO DO, PROVIDING CONCISE INFORMATION TO ENSURE THEIR UNDERSTANDING. EXAMPLE: “I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT H.R. 879, THE “MILITARY RETIREES HEALTHCARE PROTECTION ACT.” THIS BILL WOULD ESTABLISH THE PRINCIPLE THAT IT IS CONGRESS’ RESPONSIBILITY--NOT THE PENTAGON’S--TO ESTABLISH WHEN AND BY HOW MUCH MILITARY HEALTH CARE FEES WILL BE INCREASED.”

13. THE “WHY” PARAGRAPH THIS IS WHERE YOU EXPLAIN WHY YOUR ELECTED OFFICIAL SHOULD SUPPORT YOUR POINT OF VIEW. HERE YOU CAN EXPLAIN THE CURRENT PROBLEM AND WHY THE LEGISLATION IS NEEDED. WHENEVER POSSIBLE, INCLUDE REAL-LIFE, PERSONAL EXAMPLES OF WHY THE CURRENT LAW IS NOT WORKING. EXAMPLE: “IN RECENT YEARS, DOD HAS REPEATEDLY SOUGHT TO SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE FEES FOR TRICARE IN ORDER TO REDUCE ITS EXPENDITURES. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY WOULD DO SO AT THE EXPENSE OF PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO HAVE SERVED FULL MILITARY CAREERS, FOUGHT IN WARS, FACED LONG-TERM SEPARATIONS FROM MY FAMILY, AND LIVED EXTRA- ORDINARILY CHALLENGING LIVES. CONGRESS NEEDS TO STOP DOD’S PLANS AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE AND NATIONAL GRATITUDE—RATHER THAN VIEWING WE MILITARY RETIREES AS A BUDGETARY BURDEN. FRANKLY, I WAS PROMISED THIS BENEFIT, I EARNED IT, AND DOD’S PLANS WOULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT NEGATIVE IMPACT ON MY FAMILY’S FINANCES. I NEED YOUR HELP TO STOP DOD’S PLANS.”

14. THE “RESTATEMENT AND REPLY REQUEST” PARAGRAPH THIS IS WHERE YOU RESTATE WHAT YOU WANT DONE, AND YOU REQUEST A RESPONSE. IF YOU DON’T REQUEST A RESPONSE YOU USUALLY WON’T GET ONE. IF YOU DO REQUEST A REPLY, IN MOST CASES YOU WILL RECEIVE ONE IN THE MAIL. EXAMPLE: “IN SHORT, SENATOR (OR “REPRESENTATIVE”) (LAST NAME), AS A VOTER I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT H.R. 579 NOW. I ANXIOUSLY AWAIT YOUR RESPONSE TO THIS LETTER SO I KNOW WHERE YOU STAND ON THIS CRITICAL ISSUE.”

15. SIGNATURE ELEMENT AND CONTACT INFORMATION YOUR SIGNATURE BLOCK WILL GENERALLY BEGIN WITH “RESPECTFULLY, OR “SINCERELY,” SIGN YOUR LETTER ABOVE YOUR SIGNATURE BLOCK. BELOW YOUR SIGNATURE BLOCK, INCLUDE CONTACT INFORMA- TION. YOU SHOULD ALWAYS INCLUDE A MAILING ADDRESS. WE SUGGEST YOU ALSO INCLUDE A PHONE NUMBER AND/OR AN E- MAIL ADDRESS IN CASE THE ELECTED OFFICIAL WANTS TO CONTACT YOU FOR MORE INFORMATION TO CLARIFY YOUR REQUEST.

16. THE FINISHED LETTER (Date) The Honorable (First and Last name) United States Senate (or House of Representatives) Washington, D.C. 20510 (or 20515 for the House) Dear Senator (or Representative) (Last name), I urge you to support H.R. 879, the “Military Retirees Healthcare Protection Act.” This bill would establish the principle that it is Congress’ responsibility, not the Pentagon’s to establish when and by how much mili- tary health care fees will be increased. In recent years, DoD has repeatedly sought to significantly increase fees for TRICARE in order to reduce its expenditures. Unfortunately, they would do so at the expense of people like me who have served full military careers, fought in wars, faced long-term separations from my family, and lived extraordinarily challenging lives. Congress needs to stop DoD’s plans as a matter principle and national gratitude—rather than viewing we military retirees as a budgetary burden. Frankly, I was promised this benefit, I earned it, and DoD’s plans would have a significant negative impact on my family’s finances. I need your help to stop DoD’s plans. In short, Senator (or “Representative”) (Last name), as a voter I urge you to support H.R. 579 now. I anxiously await your response to this letter so I know where you stand on this critical issue. Respectfully, (signature) (name and contact information)

17. E-MAILS WHEN YOU SEND AN E-MAIL TO A CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE, STATE YOUR POSITION CLEARLY, AND ASK FOR A RESPONSE. – BASICALLY, FOLLOW THE SAME RULES AS PROVIDED FOR WRITING LETTERS. SOME STAFFERS ARE STILL UNCOMFORTABLE WITH E-MAILS SINCE THEY GET SO MANY, AND E-MAIL WRITERS MAY OR MAY NOT BE EASILY IDENTIFIABLE AS A CONSTITUENT. SOME OFFICES WON’T ANSWER AN E-MAIL UNLESS THEY ARE CERTAIN THE WRITER IS A POTENTIAL VOTER FROM THEIR STATE OR DISTRICT. HOWEVER—IF YOU USE THE AFSA-SPONSORED CAPWIZ PROGRAM, YOU CAN COMMUNICATE BY E-MAIL IN AN EFFECTIVE, TRUSTED WAY (SEE NEXT SLIDE).

18. CAPWIZ CAPWIZ IS A TRUSTED, E-MAIL BASED WAY TO EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. ON THE AFSA WEBSITE (HQAFSA.ORG), ENTER ZIP CODE IN THE “WRITE CONGRESS TODAY” WINDOW. – ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE, SELECT AN ISSUE FROM THE “ACTION ALERT” SECTION TO SEND A PRE-WRITTEN LETTER (DRAFTED BY THE AFSA STAFF), OR – TO WRITE YOUR OWN LETTER ON A SUBJECT OF YOUR CHOOSING, IN THE SENTENCE JUST ABOVE THE PHOTOS OF YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, THAT READS, “Write to ALL of your representatives with one click or just go to the individual pages linked below,” CLICK ON “with one click” THEN WRITE YOUR LETTER, FILL IN YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION, THEN HIT THE “SEND MESSAGE” BUTTON NOTE: IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE WRITING YOUR LETTER, CONTACT YOUR CHAPTER OR DIVISION LEGISLATIVE TRUSTEE, OR CONTACT THE MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS DIRECTORATE AT AFSA HEADQUARTERS AT 1-800-638-0594 OR STAFF@AFSAHQ.ORG

19. THE NEED TO CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO TO CONTACT WHEN TO CONTACT THEM METHODS OF CONTACT VISITS PHONE CALLS LETTERS E-MAILS SUMMARY

20. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT AFSA HEADQUARTERS BY: PHONE AT 1-800-638-0594, OR E-MAIL AT STAFF@HQAFSA.ORG, OR LETTER AT: AFSA HEADQUARTERS 5211 AUTH ROAD SUITLAND, MD 20746 MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE AFSA WEBSITE AT WWW.HQAFSA.ORG Jim Lokovic/1 September 2014