August Is for NARFE Advocacy

To many, the month of August is the most important time on the NARFE calendar. Originally designated as “NARFE Lobby Month” and during election years “Meet Your Candidates Month,” this is the time we can expect to see our members of Congress without traveling to their Capitol Hill offices in Washington.

Many representatives and senators use the August congressional recess to return to their local “grassroots” offices. As such, NARFE designates August as Grassroots Advocacy Month. Many lawmakers will conduct town-hall-style meetings all over their districts or states. These events provide the best chance for constituents to let their elected representatives know what is important to them, and they provide you with the opportunity to make certain that elected officials know about and understand NARFE’s concerns. The most important thing is to tell them how the issues affect you specifically.

Many of you have already had virtual contact with your members of Congress or their staff by participating in LEGcon23, our legislative training conference. At LEGcon, you received training over two days that can also be beneficial to prepare you for face-to-face meetings with lawmakers during the August recess.

NARFE chapters are always looking for a good program for the chapter meeting. Although some of our chapters take the summer off, hosting a “Meet Your Representative” event could prove extremely valuable. Members of Congress are always looking for opportunities to greet constituents, so be sure to invite them to meetings in August. A chapter could invite all the NARFE members in the congressional district, or several nearby chapters, and also open it up to the public. And don’t forget to notify local media about the upcoming meeting. Not only would members get to hear the views of those who represent them, but NARFE could also garner some positive publicity for putting on the program.

There’s never been a more critical time to speak out. I urge you during NARFE’s Grassroots Advocacy Month to continue to use the vast resources on NARFE’s advocacy webpage, and be sure to articulate how issues affect you personally. Regardless of the meeting method, the same general principles apply—have a concise, effective message; keep it simple; tell your story; and have a clear “ask.” Don’t forget to keep your conversation local, with state- and district-specific information. After the meeting, send a thank you note and include any necessary follow-up information.

We are building on the progress from the last Congress to rally even more congressional support for repeal or reform of WEP and GPO. As of June 22, there were 284 House cosponsors of the repeal bill, H.R. 82. We’re going to keep the pressure on Congress to act. We’re incrementally gaining support for the Equal COLA Act, H.R. 866, to provide FERS retirees with a full COLA when inflation is high. And NARFE continues to push for improvements to OPM customer service, relief from federal long-term care premium increases, ensuring FEHB plans benefit from prescription drug cost savings. Please visit our website’s advocacy section to learn more.

I encourage you to continue contacting your representatives through NARFE’s Legislative Action Center. As leaders, I also hope you will engage in regular grasstops advocacy throughout the year by responding to calls to action in NARFE Voices. As they listen to the issues affecting constituents, it’s important that they hear your voice, and NARFE’s voice. Silence is not golden but consent!

Thank you,

WILLIAM SHACKELFORD NARFE NATIONAL PRESIDENT