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State Legislation Is This A Key To EANGUS Success?. Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States. by: Roger A. Hagan, Chairman, Area VI EANGUS Legislative Workshop and Reception 6 - 8 March 2006. State Legislative Program.
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State Legislation Is This A Key To EANGUS Success? Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States by: Roger A. Hagan, Chairman, Area VI EANGUS Legislative Workshop and Reception 6 - 8 March 2006
State Legislative Program • Why should your state association pursue a State Legislative Program? • How can your state association start a State Legislative Program? • What will a successful State Legislative Program do for your state association? • More importantly, what will a successful State Legislative Program do for your soldiers and airmen? • Resources for Legislative Research and Action.
State Legislative ProgramWhy should your state association pursue a State Legislative Program? • Value Added reason for being a member • Developing/Improving relationship with TAG • Developing/Improving relationship with other Professional Military Organizations & Veteran Groups • Increased awareness of the National Guard throughout your state • Benefits from your state are a good thing
State Legislative ProgramHow can your state association start a State Legislative Program? • All State level actions should be driven by your State Resolutions Process • Coordinate approved resolutions with State NGAUS, TAG, and other PMO’s and Veteran’s Groups • Search for legislative contacts – don’t reinvent the wheel • Visit your State Capital early and often – pick up the handouts • Use the Internet Site for your State Legislature/Assembly
State Legislative ProgramHow can your state association start a State Legislative Program? (continued) • All State level actions should be driven by your State Resolutions Process • Review your state By-Laws • Solicit input from your membership early (12-18 months out) • Coordinate approved resolutions with State NGAUS, TAG, and other Professional Military Organizations and Veteran’s Groups • Working together avoids duplication, conflict or embarrassment • Many hands make light work – everyone has particular strengths/weaknesses • Search for legislative contacts – don’t reinvent the wheel • Do you have National Guard members in your legislature/assembly? • Are other organizational already engaged with this process - piggyback?
State Legislative ProgramHow can your state association start a State Legislative Program? (continued) • Visit your State Capital early and often – pick up the handouts • Don’t wait for the session to begin • Legislative Libraries have excellent resources • Ask them for help – training is offered by most • Know your way around the building • Watch the process as an observer – have someone take you • Use the Internet Site for your State Legislature/Assembly • Most every state has an excellent website • Get to know how to navigate that site before you start
State Legislative ProgramWhat will a successful State Legislative Program do for your state association? • It’s all about membership and why they want to belong – “all politics are local” • Everybody loves a winning team • More tangible at the local level • Ownership of the process – resolutions submitted by any member of your state association • Easier to “make a difference” in your state capital • Expand “sphere of influence” – TAG/NGAUS/Others
State Legislative ProgramMore importantly, what will a successful State Legislative Program do for your soldiers and airmen? • You can make a difference at the state level • Every state has things that need to be improved • Kent State in the 1970’s • State Active Duty Today vs Days Gone By • Your soldiers and airmen have needs • Your families have needs • Your employers have needs
State Legislative ProgramResources for Legislative Research and Action • http://post_119_gulfport_ms.tripod.com/rao1.html “Retiree Assistance Office” • http://www.militaryalmanac.com • http://www.nga.org “National Governors Association” • http://www.firstgov.gov/Agencies/State_and_Territories.shtml “First Gov Site For All State Home Pages” • http://www.ncsl.org/public/leglinks.cfm “National Conference of State Legislatures” • Handout of suggested state legislation – CD
State Legislation Is This A Key To EANGUS Success? QUESTIONS? by: Roger A. Hagan, Chairman, Area VI EANGUS Legislative Workshop and Reception 6 - 8 March 2006