Enlisted Association of the National Guard

of the United States

State LegislationIs This A Key To

EANGUS Success?

by: Roger A. Hagan, Chairman, Area VIEANGUS 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

QUESTIONS?

State LegislationIs This A Key To

EANGUS Success?

by: Roger A. Hagan, Chairman, Area VIEANGUS Legislative Workshop and Reception

6 - 8 March 2006