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Why It is Important to Increase Our Membership Rolls?

8/22/2015

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On Capitol Hill, numbers are significant, from the number of cosponsors for a particular piece of legislation; to the cost of a proposal; to the number of letters, emails, and calls received on a specific subject.  Congress also responds to numbers when it comes to the number of votes needed to be re-elected, and to the magnitude of the excitement in their states and districts on an issue that has come to the fore.  In fact, members of Congress often ask our AFSA Headquarters legislative team how many members we represent.  Why?

Without question, those associations/organizations with larger membership bases get more attention.  They have greater access and influence, more readily get appointments to speak to key officials, receive more testimony opportunities, and are more sought out by Senators and Representatives to clarify important issues.  Perhaps this is because members of Congress feel the larger associations more fully reflect the sentiment of the voters.  Maybe it is because greater membership indicates that more people think the way they do.  It could be that elected officials gauge that the larger associations more accurately mirror the needs of the military and veteran communities.  Whatever the reason, without question, the larger an association, the more impact it will have.

AFSA currently has a little over 100,000 members.  Considering who can be an AFSA member, we have only tapped about one-tenth of the pool of possible members.  We need the help of every AFSA member to help us grow, to have greater influence, and to be better able to persuade Congress to support those matters that translate into a better quality of life for our members, their families, and their survivors.  Please make a personal commitment to help us get that done. 

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • AFSA MEMBER LOGIN
    • Board of Directors >
      • Retired Veterans Affairs
      • Family Matters
    • Past Presidents
    • Past Auxiliary Presidents
    • Executive Directors/CEOs
    • Chapters/Divisions
    • Headquarters Staff
    • Uniformed Services Foundation
    • Scholarships - Apply Support
    • AFSA Donors & Mission Partners
    • DONATE to AFSA
    • AFSA Store
    • AMB Benefactor Tree
    • Advertise & Sponsor AFSA
    • Employment & Volunteer Opportunities
    • Contact Us >
      • General Inquiries
      • Technical Issues
      • Website Content
  • Join AFSA
  • NEWS
    • Veteran Affairs News
    • TRICARE Information
    • Subscribe to AFSA Magazine
    • AFSA Magazine >
      • AFSA Winter 2023 Magazine
      • AFSA Fall 2022 Magazine
      • AFSA Summer 2022 Magazine
      • AFSA Spring 2022 Magazine
      • AFSA Magazine Winter 21-2022
      • AFSA Magazine Fall 2021
      • AFSA Magazine Summer 2021
      • AFSA Magazine Spring 2021
      • AFSA Magazine Winter 2021
      • AFSA Magazine Fall 2020
      • AFSA Magazine Summer 2020
      • AFSA Magazine Spring 2020
      • AFSA Winter Magazine 2020
      • AFSA Fall Magazine 2019
      • AFSA Summer Magazine 2019
      • AFSA Spring Magazine 2019
      • AFSA Winter Magazine 2019
      • AFSA Magazine Fall 2018
      • AFSA Magazine Spring 2018
      • AFSA Magazine Summer 2018
    • AFSA PUBLICATIONS >
      • AFSAGivesBack
    • PODCAST
    • Videos
  • LEGISLATION
    • Legislative Platform
    • Key Issues
    • Key Accomplishments
    • Action Center
    • Resources >
      • FY22 NDAA Summary
    • LAW 2022 >
      • LAW 2021
      • vLAW 2020
  • Member Benefits
    • AFSA Insurance
    • USAA - Auto and Banking
    • Vietnam Veterans Commemoration
    • Homes for Heroes
    • Membership Information
    • Shop AFSA
    • Apply for Scholarships >
      • 2020 Scholarship Recipients
      • 2019 Scholarship Recipients
      • 2018 Scholarship Recipients
      • 2017 Scholarship Recipients
      • 2016 Scholarship Recipients
    • EdConnect >
      • EDCONNECT AFRC
      • EDCONNECT Guard Reserve
    • Preferred Learning Partners >
      • Columbia Southern Education Group
      • Waldorf University
    • JROTC and CAP Awards
    • Clear2Connect
    • Military Family Resources
    • Suicide Prevention
    • Disabled Vet Student Loan Help
    • Transition Support and Services >
      • eMentor Programs
      • National Labor Exchange
      • Veterans Job Support
      • Colorado Technical University
      • Oklahoma State University Entrepreneur Programs
    • Debt Destroyer Program
    • Financial Literacy
    • K9s for Warriors
  • Chapter Corner
    • Professional Development
    • AFSA Spirit Gear
    • Important Dates
    • Set It Forever AutoPay Membership
    • CAMPAIGNS >
      • Deployed
      • Family Matters
    • Communications & Marketing Materials
    • Chapter Education Resources
  • AFSA SUMMIT 23
    • USF Charity Golf 2023
    • CONVENTION 22
    • AFSAPEDS21 >
      • AFSAPEDS21 Schedule
    • AFSAPAC2020
    • AFSAPAC19
    • 2018 Professional Development Conference >
      • PAC18 Membership Contest
    • 2017 AFSA Convention >
      • 2017 PAC Award Winners
    • 2016 AFSA Convention >
      • 2016 PAC Award Winners
    • 2015 PAC Award Winners
  • Members LogIn