MOAA NEEDS FULL LEGISLATIVE RESPONSE PARTICIPATION

National MOAA is asking every California member to forward completed mailback cards to Senator Carl Levin, Representative Ike Skelton, Representative Duncan Hunter, and Senator John McCain, and do it without any more delay.

The mailback cards are an important part of a comprehensive strategy to establish the kinds of relationships that will result in positive influence. Taking a few minutes to mail the cards will make a significant difference.

The cards have been included in the February 2007 issue of Military Officer magazine.

It is an easy way for the membership to make a huge impact, making real the “One Powerful Voice” concept.

When LtCol Chuck Latimer, Member, MOAA Board of Directors, made a presentation before Silicon Valley Chapter February 22nd and asked for a show of hands, only a few members said they sent in the cards. We need to do better than that.

Col Latimer said there was a time last year when more than 400,000 cards flooded Congress, supporting a key issue. At the appropriate time, the cards were placed before Armed Forces Committee members and witnesses and there were so many of them many of the witnesses couldn’t even been seen.

Did the pile of cards send a strong message? “You bet!” exclained Latimer.

We need to communicate with our legislators in as personal a way as we can. Frankly, if we can visit them, and their staff personnel, in their offices and have a conversation it would be very useful. It is the personal relationship that makes a big difference.

E-mails, according to Col Latimer, have real value, again providing a personal touch. And sometimes they can represent a best approach because results are easy to tally.

It’s important to personalize the mailback cards as much as we can. MOAA recommends writing a personal statement in your own handwriting.

Mailing in the cards is urgent. We need to act now. This is one way all members can participate in the process of passing the kind of legislation we want to see.

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