Grassroots Advocacy Month Wraps Up

LEARN MORE about how you can take action to protect your earned pay and benefits by reviewing NARFE grassroots materials at www.narfe.org/advocacy.

Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer as Americans enjoy their last dip in the pool or day at the beach. Those living inside the Washington, DC, beltway also associate Labor Day with legislators’ return to Capitol Hill after spending the most extended recess of the year with constituents in their home districts and states. Labor Day also signals the conclusion of NARFE’s Grassroots Advocacy Month campaign, which coincides with the congressional recess.

NARFE’s Grassroots Advocacy Month is a significant part of its advocacy strategy for many reasons, including ensuring that NARFE’s legislative priorities continue to be discussed with lawmakers during the recess. Essentially, these discussions are transitioned from the Washington, DC, lobbyists’ perspective to a more local view when constituents weigh in with their personal experiences of how policies, like the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), affect their financial well-being. These views are even more powerful when communicated by well-coordinated groups of members wearing NARFE gear at town halls and other community events, demonstrating the size and influence of the federal community in lawmakers’ districts and states.

Campaign activities engaged NARFE members for the four full weeks of the recess, allowing NARFE issues to rise above those expressed by the many other constituents competing for legislators’ attention. There were in-person and virtual meetings as well as robust issue letter-writing and phone campaigns through NARFE’s Legislative Action Center. Members sent letters to the editors (LTEs) of local news media, raising public awareness about the WEP and GPO. New this year was NARFE’s “Why I Became a NARFE Advocate” video campaign designed to encourage peer-to-peer recruitment. Advocates emailed brief videos of themselves talking about why they became advocates and why it’s crucial for all members to consider getting involved in advocacy.

Grassroots Advocacy Month could not have succeeded without the voices of the people NARFE represents. NARFE headquarters, federations and chapters are always welcoming member volunteers to join with other advocates in activities throughout the year. Although no special training is needed to be an advocate, NARFE headquarters provides training on NARFE-related advocacy strategies and education on its legislative priorities so that advocates can be more influential and effective in their efforts. Members of Congress want to consider your perspectives before they make decisions on issues that affect your well-being. Get involved and help us protect your earned pay and benefits.

To get involved or learn more about NARFE’s advocacy activities, email advocacy@ narfe.org.

—BY MARSHA PADILLA-GOAD, GRASSROOTS PROGRAM MANAGER