LEGISLATIVE

Brittany Coke

12247 Princeton Road

Cerulean, Kentucky 42215

(270) 839-9073

Brittany.coke74@gmail.com

Brenda Bryant – From Our Roots to Our Branches Extending Service To Our Veterans

Bobby Waddle – Climbing High For Our Veterans

            Greetings Kentucky!  I am proud to be the program chairman for Legislative this year, and cannot wait to see how all of our auxiliaries come together to support our Veterans and their families.  This year our National Ambassador has asked that we understand the importance of the Legislative Program and put forth our best efforts to advocate for our Veterans so our voices will be heard!

It All Starts Locally

            Just as it is imperative that we monitor pending litigation in Congress, it is even more imperative that we monitor and contact our local government. Being a voice for our Veterans starts locally. By establishing strong connections with our local government, we can demonstrate our commitment to the legislative process.

            Start with your VFW Post by supporting legislative initiatives. Work with and communicate on programs as both VFW and Auxiliary have similar projects that could be more effective if we work together. This would be a great opportunity for you and your VFW to collaborate in writing to lawmakers. Reach out to your local government and seek opportunities to advocate for our Veterans. The best way to look at this is you are the teacher and the lawmakers are your students. The more they learn about the VFW Priority Goals and Veterans’ issues, the stronger our voices become. Invite them to your VFW and Auxiliary events, it will open the door to better communication and strengthen advocacy efforts.

Advocates in Action

Deedee has expressed that we need to know the importance of the Legislative Program and educate our local lawmakers. It is important to be able to "speak the language” and be able to navigate through the legislative process. There are several ways to be a better advocate, and I will touch on those in the months to come!

Always remember that one of the main objectives of the Legislative Program is to improve the lives of our Veterans, service members, and their families through our advocacy!

DEPARTMENT AWARDS                                                                                                                                             

1.      A plaque to the Auxiliary in each Category that had the most members who promoted, participated and/or hosted or co-hosted activities regarding the VFW Priority Goals with or without our VFW Post.

2.      A citation to the Auxiliary in each Category with the most members that contacted their legislators on Veterans’ issues by any means (example: Emails, letters, postcards, phone calls, etc.).

3.      A citation to the Auxiliary in each Category with the most members who attend events where they could interact with the legislators (example: Legislative conferences, town halls, meet-and-greets, etc.)

4.      A citation to every District President who is 100% reported.

NATIONAL AWARDS

Awards for Auxiliaries

1.      Most outstanding activity and/or event collaborating with the VFW Post connecting members with local lawmakers.

a.      Citation and $25 to one VFW Auxiliary in each of the 10 Program Divisions with most outstanding activity and/or event that collaborated with the VFW Post connecting members with local lawmakers.

Entry form required and available in MALTA Member Resources. VFW Auxiliaries must send the required entry form to the Department Legislative Chairman by March 31, 2025 for judging.

The Department Legislative Chairman must sign and send a copy of the completed Department-winning entry form to the National Legislative Ambassador by April 30, 2025 for judging.

Citations will be mailed directly to winning VFW Auxiliaries from National Headquarters and money will be deposited into winning VFW Auxiliary account after the 2025 VFW Auxiliary National Convention.