1. AFSA Chapter Officer Training
Module 7
Legislative Program
Capstone: One the primary focuses of the Air Force Sergeants Association is on improving the quality of the lives of current and past total force enlisted Airmen and their families.  We primarily do this through our legislative advocacy program.  The directorate of Military and Government Relations (M&GR), led by AFSA’s Chief Executive Officer, works hard in Washington to influence Congress and the Administration to amend Public Law--to create, maintain, and protect quality-of-life programs.
- Championed Initiatives: The list improvements and victories for our personnel are innumerous they include; implementation of the post 9/11 education benefit act; successfully guarded against any Tricare fee increases; expanded access to veterans healthcare; pay increases and many, many more
Inherent Responsibility: We at AFSA have the innate duty of keeping our membership informed and involved in the legislative process. The chapter is the proletariat of AFSA! Without the chapters and their involvement AFSA would not exist. Therefore, they must take active role in the process. This starts with the appointment of the legislative chair.
Legislative Chair: The focal point for chapters and divisions legislative process. Coordination with members, chapter/division executive councils, and international legislative chair and committee is extremely important to the program.
Duties & Responsibilities: Six Primary Functions; 1). Monitors state and national legislation affecting military members and their families. 2). Keeps members informed regarding legislative development 3). Provide input into AFSA Legislative Platform 4). Cooperate with Division/International Legislative Chair 5). Encourage and assists in letter writing campaigns, especially grassroots initiatives and calls for action from headquarters. 6). Maintain liaison with other organizations .

2. Legislative Information
AFSA Manual (AFSAM) 100-2, Polices & Procedures of the AFSA
Capstone: One the primary focuses of the Air Force Sergeants Association is on improving the quality of the lives of current and past total force enlisted Airmen and their families.  We primarily do this through our legislative advocacy program.  The directorate of Military and Government Relations (M&GR), led by AFSA’s Chief Executive Officer, works hard in Washington to influence Congress and the Administration to amend Public Law--to create, maintain, and protect quality-of-life programs.
- Championed Initiatives: The list improvements and victories for our personnel are innumerous they include; implementation of the post 9/11 education benefit act; successfully guarded against any Tricare fee increases; expanded access to veterans healthcare; pay increases and many, many more
Inherent Responsibility: We at AFSA have the innate duty of keeping our membership informed and involved in the legislative process. The chapter is the proletariat of AFSA! Without the chapters and their involvement AFSA would not exist. Therefore, they must take active role in the process. This starts with the appointment of the legislative chair.
Legislative Chair: The focal point for chapters and divisions legislative process. Coordination with members, chapter/division executive councils, and international legislative chair and committee is extremely important to the program.
Duties & Responsibilities: Six Primary Functions; 1). Monitors state and national legislation affecting military members and their families. 2). Keeps members informed regarding legislative development 3). Provide input into AFSA Legislative Platform 4). Cooperate with Division/International Legislative Chair 5). Encourage and assists in letter writing campaigns, especially grassroots initiatives and calls for action from headquarters. 6). Maintain liaison with other organizations .
NOTE: Current manuals are available to download from the HQs website

3. Overview Legislative Program Background Importance
Website Resources featuring AFSA Legislative Action Center
Capstone: One the primary focuses of the Air Force Sergeants Association is on improving the quality of the lives of current and past total force enlisted Airmen and their families.  We primarily do this through our legislative advocacy program.  The directorate of Military and Government Relations (M&GR), led by AFSA’s Chief Executive Officer, works hard in Washington to influence Congress and the Administration to amend Public Law--to create, maintain, and protect quality-of-life programs.
- Championed Initiatives: The list improvements and victories for our personnel are innumerous they include; implementation of the post 9/11 education benefit act; successfully guarded against any Tricare fee increases; expanded access to veterans healthcare; pay increases and many, many more
Inherent Responsibility: We at AFSA have the innate duty of keeping our membership informed and involved in the legislative process. The chapter is the proletariat of AFSA! Without the chapters and their involvement AFSA would not exist. Therefore, they must take active role in the process. This starts with the appointment of the legislative chair.
Legislative Chair: The focal point for chapters and divisions legislative process. Coordination with members, chapter/division executive councils, and international legislative chair and committee is extremely important to the program.
Duties & Responsibilities: Six Primary Functions; 1). Monitors state and national legislation affecting military members and their families. 2). Keeps members informed regarding legislative development 3). Provide input into AFSA Legislative Platform 4). Cooperate with Division/International Legislative Chair 5). Encourage and assists in letter writing campaigns, especially grassroots initiatives and calls for action from headquarters. 6). Maintain liaison with other organizations .

4. Legislative Program Background
AFSA was founded to promote welfare of and quality of life for AF enlisted members & their families
HQs works “our” issues on Capitol Hill and with State Legislatures & educates all of our elected officials
AFSA membership’s true value is Legislative Program!
Capstone: One the primary focuses of the Air Force Sergeants Association is on improving the quality of the lives of current and past total force enlisted Airmen and their families.  We primarily do this through our legislative advocacy program.  The directorate of Military and Government Relations (M&GR), led by AFSA’s Chief Executive Officer, works hard in Washington to influence Congress and the Administration to amend Public Law--to create, maintain, and protect quality-of-life programs.
- Championed Initiatives: The list improvements and victories for our personnel are innumerous they include; implementation of the post 9/11 education benefit act; successfully guarded against any Tricare fee increases; expanded access to veterans healthcare; pay increases and many, many more
Inherent Responsibility: We at AFSA have the innate duty of keeping our membership informed and involved in the legislative process. The chapter is the proletariat of AFSA! Without the chapters and their involvement AFSA would not exist. Therefore, they must take active role in the process. This starts with the appointment of the legislative chair.
Legislative Chair: The focal point for chapters and divisions legislative process. Coordination with members, chapter/division executive councils, and international legislative chair and committee is extremely important to the program.
Duties & Responsibilities: Six Primary Functions; 1). Monitors state and national legislation affecting military members and their families. 2). Keeps members informed regarding legislative development 3). Provide input into AFSA Legislative Platform 4). Cooperate with Division/International Legislative Chair 5). Encourage and assists in letter writing campaigns, especially grassroots initiatives and calls for action from headquarters. 6). Maintain liaison with other organizations .

5. Legislative Platform Development
Intl Legislative Committee Chair calls for Legislative Platform items every fall—grassroots effort gets the membership involved—inputs staffed to Chapter President, then the Division President
All Div inputs evaluated by Committee & HQs Military & Government Staff
Platform built and approved by Intl Executive Council
Intl Convention Delegates have final platform approval say!
Capstone: One the primary focuses of the Air Force Sergeants Association is on improving the quality of the lives of current and past total force enlisted Airmen and their families.  We primarily do this through our legislative advocacy program.  The directorate of Military and Government Relations (M&GR), led by AFSA’s Chief Executive Officer, works hard in Washington to influence Congress and the Administration to amend Public Law--to create, maintain, and protect quality-of-life programs.
- Championed Initiatives: The list improvements and victories for our personnel are innumerous they include; implementation of the post 9/11 education benefit act; successfully guarded against any Tricare fee increases; expanded access to veterans healthcare; pay increases and many, many more
Inherent Responsibility: We at AFSA have the innate duty of keeping our membership informed and involved in the legislative process. The chapter is the proletariat of AFSA! Without the chapters and their involvement AFSA would not exist. Therefore, they must take active role in the process. This starts with the appointment of the legislative chair.
Legislative Chair: The focal point for chapters and divisions legislative process. Coordination with members, chapter/division executive councils, and international legislative chair and committee is extremely important to the program.
Duties & Responsibilities: Six Primary Functions; 1). Monitors state and national legislation affecting military members and their families. 2). Keeps members informed regarding legislative development 3). Provide input into AFSA Legislative Platform 4). Cooperate with Division/International Legislative Chair 5). Encourage and assists in letter writing campaigns, especially grassroots initiatives and calls for action from headquarters. 6). Maintain liaison with other organizations .

6. Important Program Legislative Program is vital to the Association
Legislative Platform is membership having their say
Platform becomes our membership “To Do” List
HQs Military & Government Staff work for you!
Many legislative victories/QoL improvements over the years—thanks
to ideas from the membership!
Capstone: One the primary focuses of the Air Force Sergeants Association is on improving the quality of the lives of current and past total force enlisted Airmen and their families.  We primarily do this through our legislative advocacy program.  The directorate of Military and Government Relations (M&GR), led by AFSA’s Chief Executive Officer, works hard in Washington to influence Congress and the Administration to amend Public Law--to create, maintain, and protect quality-of-life programs.
- Championed Initiatives: The list improvements and victories for our personnel are innumerous they include; implementation of the post 9/11 education benefit act; successfully guarded against any Tricare fee increases; expanded access to veterans healthcare; pay increases and many, many more
Inherent Responsibility: We at AFSA have the innate duty of keeping our membership informed and involved in the legislative process. The chapter is the proletariat of AFSA! Without the chapters and their involvement AFSA would not exist. Therefore, they must take active role in the process. This starts with the appointment of the legislative chair.
Legislative Chair: The focal point for chapters and divisions legislative process. Coordination with members, chapter/division executive councils, and international legislative chair and committee is extremely important to the program.
Duties & Responsibilities: Six Primary Functions; 1). Monitors state and national legislation affecting military members and their families. 2). Keeps members informed regarding legislative development 3). Provide input into AFSA Legislative Platform 4). Cooperate with Division/International Legislative Chair 5). Encourage and assists in letter writing campaigns, especially grassroots initiatives and calls for action from headquarters. 6). Maintain liaison with other organizations .

7. The next slides will show AFSA Website Legislative Program resources
Capstone: One the primary focuses of the Air Force Sergeants Association is on improving the quality of the lives of current and past total force enlisted Airmen and their families.  We primarily do this through our legislative advocacy program.  The directorate of Military and Government Relations (M&GR), led by AFSA’s Chief Executive Officer, works hard in Washington to influence Congress and the Administration to amend Public Law--to create, maintain, and protect quality-of-life programs.
- Championed Initiatives: The list improvements and victories for our personnel are innumerous they include; implementation of the post 9/11 education benefit act; successfully guarded against any Tricare fee increases; expanded access to veterans healthcare; pay increases and many, many more
Inherent Responsibility: We at AFSA have the innate duty of keeping our membership informed and involved in the legislative process. The chapter is the proletariat of AFSA! Without the chapters and their involvement AFSA would not exist. Therefore, they must take active role in the process. This starts with the appointment of the legislative chair.
Legislative Chair: The focal point for chapters and divisions legislative process. Coordination with members, chapter/division executive councils, and international legislative chair and committee is extremely important to the program.
Duties & Responsibilities: Six Primary Functions; 1). Monitors state and national legislation affecting military members and their families. 2). Keeps members informed regarding legislative development 3). Provide input into AFSA Legislative Platform 4). Cooperate with Division/International Legislative Chair 5). Encourage and assists in letter writing campaigns, especially grassroots initiatives and calls for action from headquarters. 6). Maintain liaison with other organizations .

8. Legislative Action Center (LAC)
Also referred to as “Voter Voice”

9. Voter Voice has it all! Elected Officials Issues Election Media
House Schedule
Senate Schedule
Committee Hearings
Capitol Hill Basics

10. Voter Voice (cont.)
Additional information available without logging in under the Legislative tab of the website.
NOTE: The downloadable material you can share with Chapter members and possible recruits!

11. Special Yearly Focus Programs
POW/MIA Week each September
Legislative Awareness Week each October
NOTE: Chapters should support these special events at your locations

12. Summary
Legislative Program Background—plenty of resources to support Chapter Programs
Legislative Platform is the membership's chance to be heard
AFSA champions many initiatives for Total Enlisted force
Inherent Responsibility of every member to be involved!
Capstone: One the primary focuses of the Air Force Sergeants Association is on improving the quality of the lives of current and past total force enlisted Airmen and their families.  We primarily do this through our legislative advocacy program.  The directorate of Military and Government Relations (M&GR), led by AFSA’s Chief Executive Officer, works hard in Washington to influence Congress and the Administration to amend Public Law--to create, maintain, and protect quality-of-life programs.
- Championed Initiatives: The list improvements and victories for our personnel are innumerous they include; implementation of the post 9/11 education benefit act; successfully guarded against any Tricare fee increases; expanded access to veterans healthcare; pay increases and many, many more
Inherent Responsibility: We at AFSA have the innate duty of keeping our membership informed and involved in the legislative process. The chapter is the proletariat of AFSA! Without the chapters and their involvement AFSA would not exist. Therefore, they must take active role in the process. This starts with the appointment of the legislative chair.
Legislative Chair: The focal point for chapters and divisions legislative process. Coordination with members, chapter/division executive councils, and international legislative chair and committee is extremely important to the program.
Duties & Responsibilities: Six Primary Functions; 1). Monitors state and national legislation affecting military members and their families. 2). Keeps members informed regarding legislative development 3). Provide input into AFSA Legislative Platform 4). Cooperate with Division/International Legislative Chair 5). Encourage and assists in letter writing campaigns, especially grassroots initiatives and calls for action from headquarters. 6). Maintain liaison with other organizations .