By Lesly Williams, VP Publicity/Public Relations
 
The power of well-structured and meaningful “Stories!”
They serve both to “dispossess and to malign” as well as “to empower, and to humanize.”
“Stories can break the dignity of a people. But Stories can also repair that broken dignity.”
 
At the AFSCME Retiree Council, 43rd Annual Meeting, the above concept served as an example to demonstrate an effective approach to express our views and convey our messages. The 43rd annual meeting was held in September 2023 and attended by representatives of AFSCME retires from many parts of the country, including myself representing DC 37 Retirees Association of New York.
 
Personnel from AFSCME’s Washington office, including International Pres. Lee Saunders and the Dir. of AFSCME Retirees Ann Widger, addressed and welcomed attendees. 
 
Over the course of the conference, AFSCME Team Members offered suggestions/ recommendations to enhance and maintain a strong Retiree Chapter.  S.M.A.R.T. (Goals and Objectives) were introduced to achieve established goals. The definition of the S.M.A.R.T. notion is as follows: Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Realistic, Time Based. That spirit entails the notions (to name a few) that:

• AFSCME Retiree leaders, activists and members may have left public service, but they haven’t stopped leading the fight to protect and expand public service retirees’ and all Americans’ retirement security; and
• While we have won major organizing, legislative and political victories since the program started in 2015, we cannot rest. Our work is not done; and
• Organizing retired public service workers must continue to be our number one priority.

 
Attendees were also encouraged to use the “AFSCME Digital Toolbox,” which consists of the following:

• Union Hall, a secure and user-friendly webpage builder that AFSCME develops directly with the AFL-CIO.
• Email, a “mass emailing program through Action Network, a robust digital tool that creates branded, professional looking emails and can send to thousands with a click of a button.”

 It’s important to note that the DC 37 Retirees Association extensively utilizes these helpful tools to communicate with our members. During the question-and-answer part of the presentation, I thanked the Action Network Team for their continued support, training, and advice.
 
Our last assignment/ activity at the conference was to participate in AFSCME Retiree Lobby Day 2023 on Capitol Hill (right during the Federal budget extension and threat of Government shutdown). This entailed meeting with staff members of both House and Senate/elected officials from attendees’ home states to discuss issues of concern and request their support. Specifically: Social Security Fairness Act, Federal Budget Priorities, and Impact of Government Shutdowns.
 
Additionally, I brought to the attention of the elected officials’ staff members and New York Congressman Joseph D. Morelle (D-Rochester) the issue of Congressman Richie Torres’ (D-Bronx) “Right to Medicare Act” legislation, which is “aimed at protecting the rights of seniors to access traditional Medicare coverage,” and requested their support.
 
…and “Stories” were utilized in each instance to convey our messages/ concerns. 

Below are photos of VP Publicity/Public Relations Lesly Williams lobbying at Sen. Gillibrand's office and the summary of AFSCME Retiree Priorities for 2024.