2. Senior-Vice Presidents’ Conference
VFW Washington Office
January 23, 2018
Senior-Vice Presidents’ Conference

3. VFW Washington Office Bob Wallace
Assistant Adjutant General, Executive Director
(202)
Joe Davis
Director of Public Affairs, Communications & Publications
(202)
Sarah Maples
National Security & Foreign Affairs
(202)
Ryan Gallucci
National Veterans Service
(202)
Carlos Fuentes
National Legislative Service
(202)
Bob Jackson
Director of Administration & Operations
(202)

4. Senior-Vice Presidents’ Conference
NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE SERVICE
January 23, 2018
“Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes”

5. Objectives:
Advocacy
Recent Victories
Activism
Goals

6. The Importance of Legislative Advocacy
Veterans Benefits don’t just happen
Where we got our start
WWI War Bonuses
Along the way
Every version of the GI Bill, veterans preference, Agent Orange compensation, caregiver benefits for post-9/11 veterans
Bad policy stopped
Elimination of IU, Tax on Troops, TRICARE copayment increases

7. 2016/2017 Legislative Victories
Permanent Expansion of Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance
Prevented Larger Copayment Increases for TRICARE
Declassifying Toxic Exposure Documents
Forever GI Bill
Streamlined appeals process
Accountability and whistleblower protections
Global War on Terrorism memorial
VA workforce improvements
Choice Program improvements and expansion
The Toxic Exposure Research Act
Fertility treatment and adoption reimbursement for severely disabled veterans

8. Why Legislative Activism Works
All politics are local!
You are the employer
They will listen to you
You bring an expertise
You know what effects veterans
Your perspective is important
Your Influence Counts…
USE IT!

9. Take Action Respond to Action Alerts
Host Elected Officials and Candidates
Latest alert (Oppose dismantling of VA care)
Open your Post to ALL political parities
299k received, 78k opened, 11k took action, 11k messages
Invite them to speak at meetings/events
Most successful (IU)
291k received, 84k opened, 8k took action, 28k messages
Work with your Legislative Ambassadors
Vote
Attend Congressional Town Halls – Ask Questions
Veterans, Service Members, Families – VFW Priorities

10. 2017/2018 VFW Legislative Priorities
Budget
Compensation and Benefits
End Sequestration
Toxic exposure
Fully fund VA and DOD
Concurrent receipt
Workforce and Accountability
Increase burial allowances to account for inflation and include spouses’ information on all headstones.
Hire more doctors
Provide quality training to VA employees and managers
Education and Employment
Strong employment and training services
Quickly investigate and discipline wrongdoers
Homeless reintegration and prevention programs
Health Care
DOD civil workforce reform
Improve VA and Community Care
Veterans treatment courts
Expand gender-specific programs and competencies
National Defense and Foreign Affairs
Construction
Protect and improve on-base quality of life programs
Expand caregivers program
POW/MIA

11. Where to Find Resources
Contact the VFW National Legislative Service
me:
Call (202)
Talking Points & Priority Goals
Congressional Testimony
Action Corps
Fact-finding mission reports
VA health care watch

12. Senior-Vice Presidents’ Conference
NATIONAL VETERANS SERVICE
January 23, 2018
“Unwavering Support for Uncommon Heroes”

13. Objectives: Mission & Responsibilities Misconceptions Exercise
Outreach
Success Stories
Questions?

14. Mission: Benefits Assistance
Director:
Deputy Director I:
Deputy Director II:
Ryan Gallucci
Dawn Jirak
Mike Figlioli

15. Responsibilities: Help veterans access earned benefits:
Accredit and train VFW’s global network of service officers
Provide direct assistance to separating service members and VFW client appeals
Provide referral and casework services
Work with federal agencies to ensure proper administration of veterans’ benefit programs
Manage VFW’s national network of volunteers at VA hospitals (VAVS)

16. Misconceptions: Volunteers I can do it on my own Untrained Pay-to-Play
I’m taking benefits away from other vets
Members Only
“Are you VA?”
We Only Do Claims
I’m not disabled

17. Service Officer: What VA thinks I do What veterans think I do
What civilians think I do
What I think I do
What clients think I do
What I actually do

18. NVS “Hip Pocket” Training

19. VFW Service Officers are…
…the best PROFESSIONAL, Trained, Accredited Advocates in the nation.
IG: Veterans represented by VSOs receive more VA compensation.
Board of Veterans Appeals more likely to grant for VFW-represented veterans.

20. Outreach Concepts:
Goal: Identify NEW veterans who need VFW’s assistance
VFW & Auxiliary audiences are not always the best audience (many are already clients)
Identify community events, places where veterans frequent:
VA hospitals, VetCenters
Military installations, Guard/Reserve units
College campuses
Gun shows, outdoor shows, bike/car shows, etc.
Faith-based, community organizations

21. “VFW Accredited Service Officers lead the way”
Outreach – Your Role:
“VFW Accredited Service Officers lead the way”
As leaders, tell veterans and their families to:
Never file a VA claim without accredited representation.
VFW’s Accredited Service Officers are the “go-to” people for all veterans’ benefits to include VA claims and VA health care issues.
All Service Officers should be your best recruiters.
Refer Folks to VFW DSOs for VA Assistance!

22. Success Stories: “Why Choose VFW?”
Nearly $7.7 billion in benefits in FY2017*
1,900 advocates accredited worldwide
110,000 new awards in CY2016
80 hours of training for service officers every year
More likely to WIN appeals at BVA
FREE services for ALL clients
*Figures reported by VA for FY2017

23. Success Stories: 1 Student Veteran: www.vfw.org/1StudentVeteran
Waived $70,000 Debt for retiree dependent
Reinstated full benefits for reserve officer
Corrected VA manual on “Administrative Error”
VA Voluntary Service:
More than 5,000 regularly-scheduled volunteers at more than 150 facilities
Contributed 701,876 volunteer hours
Raised more than $1.7 million in donations
VA Health Care Casework:
Intervened on behalf of more than 2,000 veterans
Conducted multiple surveys to publish 5 reports on the current state and future of VA care

24. Key NVS Links: Benefits Assistance: www.vfw.org/NVS
Health Care Advocacy:
VA Voluntary Service:
1 Student Veteran:
Tactical Assessment Center:
NVS “Hip Pocket” Training

25. QUESTIONS?