Chapter toolkit

Find your elected officials, reach the right staff, host the conversation, and keep the relationship going after Legislative Awareness Week ends.

Personal capacity. You take part as a private citizen and AFSA member: out of uniform, on personal time, from your personal email. Introduce yourself as a constituent and AFSA member, not as a representative of your unit, the Air Force, or the Department of War.

Legislative Awareness Week

One week, every chapter, one message: the quality of life of the enlisted force and their families.

LAW 2026 -- October 18 - 24

Before the week

Look up your members and note the district or state office phone number, not the Washington, D.C. office.
Check Congress.gov for AFSA-supported bills the Member sponsors or cosponsors, so you can open with a thank-you.
If you want a proclamation, submit the request 45–60 days ahead.
Personalize your scripts and templates below.
Pick the top priorities that fit your district and copy their talking points.

During the week

Meet the Member or district staff, in person or by phone, and walk them through this year’s top priorities.
Host a fireside chat, or invite the Member to bring remarks to a chapter meeting.
Share personal experiences that illustrate impacts to readiness and quality of life.
Leave a one-pager with concise, district-level perspectives.

It’s never too late to start. Legislative Awareness Week is a starting point, not a deadline. You can reach out to your district office any time of year. Some AFSA chapters have long-standing relationships with their elected officials, built one call and one visit at a time. The goal of this week is to make that true for every chapter.

Who to write to

Official House and Senate lookups. Results open in a new tab.

Address book

Your Senators

Browse all Senators on Senate.gov

Prefer one search by full address? Use Congress.gov Find Your Member, open the Member’s site, and find the office closest to your chapter.

Scheduler

Controls the Member’s calendar and confirms availability. Your first stop for locking in a date.

District director

Leads district events and local engagement. Your partner for anything happening back home.

Scripts and templates

Copy, paste, and adjust. Start with a thank-you for a bill the Member supports.

Phone script

Ask for a meeting

Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m calling as your constituent and a member of the Air Force Sergeants Association. We are looking to set up a time for members of our local chapter to meet with the Congressman or staff regarding key policy issues impacting enlisted servicemembers, their families, and our veterans. Could you please provide the best contact information for the appropriate staff member so we can follow up to request a meeting? Thank you very much. We appreciate your time and support for our military community.

Phone script

Invite the Member to speak

Hi [Staff Name], this is [Your Name] with AFSA Chapter [#] in [City]. I just emailed an invitation for [Rep./Sen.] [Last Name] to offer brief remarks at our chapter meeting on [Date/Time], focused on military Quality of Life: pay, housing, health care, and family readiness. We’re flexible on timing and format and can host staff if the Member is unavailable. Could I confirm the best point of contact for scheduling and any lead times you recommend? I’m happy to send the run-of-show and access information right away.

Email to staff

Set up a meeting

Hi [Staff Name], My name is [Your Name], and I am [briefly introduce yourself, e.g. a constituent, a veteran, a member of the Air Force Sergeants Association]. I first wish to extend a thank-you for the [Representative’s / Senator’s] support on [Bill]. I am reaching out to request a meeting with [Representative / Senator] [Last Name], or a member of your staff, to discuss key issues affecting our military and veteran communities. The purpose of this meeting would be to share insights and discuss potential solutions related to [briefly list topics, e.g. access to VA health care, transition support, toxic exposure], and to explore opportunities for collaboration or legislative support. Members of our local chapter are looking to schedule meetings the week of [Date/Time] and would be happy to accommodate your schedule. Thank you for your time and continued support of service members, veterans, and their families. I look forward to the opportunity to connect. Warm regards, [Your Name]

Invitation

Host a fireside chat

Hi [Staff Name], My name is [Your Name], and I am a constituent and member of the Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) Chapter [#] in [City]. Thank you to [Representative / Senator] [Last Name] for [brief appreciation, e.g. supporting [Bill], meeting with military families, visiting the base]. During AFSA’s Legislative Awareness Week, our chapter is hosting a small, informal fireside chat on Quality of Life for the military, and we would be honored to have [Representative / Senator] [Last Name] join us as our guest. Rather than a speech, the format is a moderated conversation: a few questions from our chapter moderator, followed by open dialogue with Airmen, Guard and Reserve members, veterans, and families about what they are experiencing in the district. Date / Time: [Date/Time] (flexible per your availability) Location: [Venue name and address / installation and access details] Audience: [Estimated attendance; who’s in the room] Format: [20–30 minutes] moderated conversation and open Q&A (format is flexible) Themes: Pay and housing stability, health care access, spouse employment, Guard/Reserve support Press: [No press / open to press / local media invited] On-site POC: [Your Name], [Phone] We can share the moderator’s questions in advance, and if the Member is unavailable we would welcome a senior staff representative to take part. An alternative window is [Alternate dates / times]. Thank you for your continued support of our service members, veterans, and their families. I’m glad to coordinate details at your convenience. Warm regards, [Your Name] [Title / Role], AFSA Chapter [#] [Phone] | [Email]

Invitation

Host the Member at a chapter meeting

Hi [Staff Name], My name is [Your Name], and I am a constituent and member of the Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) Chapter [#] in [City]. Thank you to [Representative / Senator] [Last Name] for [brief appreciation, e.g. supporting [Bill], meeting with military families, visiting the base]. On behalf of AFSA Chapter [#], I’m writing to invite [Representative / Senator] [Last Name] (or a member of your team) to offer brief remarks at our upcoming chapter meeting focused on Quality of Life for the military. Event: AFSA Chapter [#] Meeting / Town Hall on Military Quality of Life Date / Time: [Date/Time] (flexible per your availability) Location: [Venue name and address / installation and access details] Audience: [Estimated attendance; who’s in the room] Role requested: [5–10 minutes of remarks] and [5–10 minutes Q&A] (format is flexible) Topics: Pay and housing stability, health care access, spouse employment, Guard/Reserve support Press: [No press / open to press / local media invited] On-site POC: [Your Name], [Phone] Run of show: [Attach one-page agenda] Base / installation access: [Lead time, visitor-list process, parking] Accessibility: [Any accommodations or instructions] Materials: We can provide a one-pager in advance with concise district-level perspectives. We’re happy to adjust the agenda to fit the Member’s schedule. If the Member is unavailable, we’d welcome a senior staff representative to bring greetings and engage in Q&A. Warm regards, [Your Name] [Title / Role], AFSA Chapter [#] [Phone] | [Email]

Request

Ask for a proclamation

Subject: Request for Official Proclamation, [Occasion, e.g. National POW/MIA Recognition Day] Dear [Scheduler / Constituent Services], On behalf of the Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) Chapter [#], we respectfully request that [Official’s Name] issue an official proclamation recognizing [Occasion] in conjunction with our upcoming ceremony. Attached are a draft proclamation and event overview for your consideration. We would also be honored to welcome [Official’s Name], or a designated representative, to present the proclamation during the ceremony. Thank you for your continued support of our military members, veterans, and their families. We look forward to working with your office. Respectfully, [Your Name] AFSA Chapter [#] [Phone] [Email]

Proclamations and recognition

Proclamations raise community awareness and strengthen relationships with public officials.

How to request one

Submit 45–60 days ahead
Early requests are the easiest for a busy office to say yes to.
Contact the local office
Reach the district, constituent services, or scheduling office, not Washington, D.C., when applicable.
Send the full package
A draft proclamation, event details, and an AFSA point of contact.
Follow up within a week
A polite phone call keeps the request moving.

The request package

Cover email or letter
Draft proclamation
One-page event summary
AFSA organizational overview
Invitation to attend and present the proclamation

Who can issue recognitions

Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Mayor
County Judge or Commission
State Senator or Representative
U.S. Representative or Senator

Occasions worth recognizing

National POW/MIA Recognition Day
Veterans Day
Memorial Day
Military Appreciation Month
Air Force Birthday
Chapter anniversaries
Gold Star Family events
Community outreach events

Proclamation

Recognizing National POW/MIA Recognition Day

WHEREAS, the freedoms enjoyed by the citizens of the United States have been preserved through the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, thousands of American service members were captured as Prisoners of War or remain Missing in Action, and their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to duty deserve our Nation’s enduring gratitude; and

WHEREAS, we honor not only those who endured captivity or whose fate remains unknown, but also the families who continue to carry the burden of uncertainty and remembrance; and

WHEREAS, the National League of Families’ POW/MIA Flag reminds us that America will never forget those who have not yet returned home; and

WHEREAS, the Air Force Sergeants Association joins communities across the Nation in honoring these heroes and reaffirming our commitment to achieving the fullest possible accounting of every missing service member;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, , do hereby proclaim as National POW/MIA Recognition Day within and encourage all citizens to remember the sacrifices of our Prisoners of War, those still Missing in Action, and their families.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ____ day of __________, 20____.

Keep the relationship going

One meeting starts a relationship. These keep it going until the next one.

After the meeting

Follow-up checklist

Send a thank-you to the office and the staff who made it happen

Recognize the official publicly at your event and in AFSA communications

Capture photos and share them with local media and on social media

Tell AFSA HQ how it went at milgov3@hqafsa.org

Engaging in your personal capacity

As a private citizen and AFSA member, you can

Meet with Members of Congress and staff, or host them at a chapter event
Share personal experiences that illustrate impacts to readiness and quality of life
Explain what pending legislation would do and support AFSA’s legislative priorities
Write personal letters to elected officials
Build professional relationships through education and dialogue

Every time, make sure you are

Out of uniform and on personal time
Using your personal email, never a government account
Introducing yourself as a constituent and AFSA member, without a duty title
Keeping AFSA’s priorities clearly separate from any official Department of War position

This is AFSA best-practice guidance, not legal advice. Consult your servicing Staff Judge Advocate or Ethics Counselor when questions arise.

DoDD 1344.10, Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces
DoD 5500.07-R, Joint Ethics Regulation
DAFI 51-508, Political Activities, Free Speech and Freedom of Assembly
AFI 1-1, Air Force Standards

Talk about this year’s top priorities

The goal of every meeting is to walk the office through these priorities. Pick the ones that fit your district, copy the talking points, and add a personal experience that shows the impact. These are the bills AFSA carried to Capitol Hill at its March 2026 Hill Day; figures are as of that month.

For those currently serving

Pay Our Troops Act

Pay Our Troops Act, H.R. 5401; Senate counterpart, the Pay Our Military Act, S. 3002

Government shutdowns can delay pay for service members and their families.
Keeps military pay and allowances flowing during a lapse in appropriations, including for Department of War civilians and essential contractors who support military operations.
Pay disruptions affect quality of life, readiness, retention, and family financial stability.
AFSA’s first priority is full-year defense appropriations on time; this bill is a backstop.

IVF for Military Families Act

H.R. 2557 / S. 1231

Service-connected injuries and deployments can affect a service member’s ability to start a family.
Ensures TRICARE covers IVF treatment.
Closes the gap with federal civilian workforce health care in access, affordability, and quality.
Supporting family planning supports retention and readiness.

Military Family GI Bill Promise Act

H.R. 4540

Transferable education benefits give recruits a family-focused reason to serve.
Lets members who have earned the benefit pass it to their families, including after separation.
Members who have children later in life or after separation can still transfer their benefits.

Also targeted for advancement

Duty Status Reform Act, H.R. 6976
Military CARE Act, H.R. 6796
Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act, S. 2448 / H.R. 4768
Improving Access to Prenatal Care for Military Families Act, S. 2239, and its House companion, H.R. 4381

For veterans

Veteran mental health and suicide prevention

Written Informed Consent Act, S. 3314 / H.R. 4837; NOPAIN for Veterans Act, S. 3209 / H.R. 4509

An average of 17.6 veterans die by suicide each day.
61% of VHA facilities face severe psychologist shortages, which lengthens wait times.
Require written informed consent before black box psychiatric medications are prescribed, so veterans understand the risks.
Expand the mental health workforce through competitive pay, loan forgiveness, and streamlined VA hiring.
Expand telehealth as a complement to in-person mental health care, not a replacement.

If you or a veteran you know is in crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988, then press 1.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy access

HBOT Access Act of 2025, S. 862

Traditional treatments show limited success for many veterans with PTSD and TBI.
Clinical studies show HBOT reduces PTSD symptoms and improves cognitive function in veterans with brain injuries.
Establish VA pilot programs to evaluate HBOT as a covered treatment option.
Increase research funding to validate HBOT as a standard, evidence-based VA treatment.

Major Richard Star Act

H.R. 2102 / S. 1032

More than 52,000 combat-injured veterans see their earned retirement pay reduced dollar for dollar by their VA disability compensation.
The bill allows concurrent receipt of retirement pay and VA disability compensation.
Retirement pay and disability compensation are different payments for different purposes.
315 House and 77 Senate cosponsors, about three-quarters of Congress, as of March 2026.