GET INVOLVED

AFSA and AFSA Auxiliary members are kept up-to-date with SERGEANTS magazine. This top-rated publication provides substantive articles and features about Air Force enlisted issues. The annual Enlisted Almanac edition has been praised as the definitive reference of Air Force and DOD statistics and projections. Additionally, members have access to a toll-free Capitol Hill Update recording and weekly AFSA Bulletin with the latest information on proposals and legislation on matters affecting military people, retirees and their families.

AFSA and AFSA Auxiliary members have access to members-only benefits and services, including a variety of affordable health and auto insurance plans, VISA and MasterCard availability, many other money-saving services tailored to enlisted life and needs.

Another major benefit is the AFSA Scholarship Program. This valuable program provides members an opportunity to help finance their childrens' educations. In addition, the AFSA Auxiliary offers scholarships and education grants to AFSA family members.

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MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

In its role of helping to improve the quality of life for the Total Air Force enlisted corps and family members, AFSA seeks member service/affinity providers and “value-added” programs to save members money and add quality-of-life-improving programs tailored to enlisted members’ needs. AFSA can negotiate good deals with these providers based on its membership strength and the prospective amount of business these providers will do with members. The better the participation rate, the better deals AFSA can strike.

Currently, the association informs members about these programs through various means such as SERGEANTS Magazine, our Web site, UPDATE Newsletter, the weekly AFSA electronic newsletter, brochures, and many other means. Still, it is vitally important that our association’s elected leaders at all levels get the word about these services and programs.

Why should you personally support these programs and encourage others to do so?

1. Money Savings. Most times if members participate in just one of the programs, their savings will more than pay for their $25 annual membership fee. For instance, in many cases, GEICO auto insurance can save members hundreds of dollars over the competition in many states. Members can save $50 off a cell phone by participating in the Verizon program. Members can save an average of $18 off the price of Apple iPODs and 17 percent off other computer devices. Between these, there’s the potential of saving more 10 times the price of membership.
2. Tailored Services. Air Force enlisted members and their families have special needs in many cases; AFSA knows that because the AFSA’s leaders have been there. As AFSA grows we have extra negotiating power to help ensure we can tailor and even create programs just for enlisted people. For instance, AFSA worked to create an on-line Banking Center so members can manage bank accounts and financial services from anywhere. There’s also the Orion International “Job Board” through which retiring or separating from service enlisted members can look for jobs that utilize their special skills and training. Of course there are the TRICARE Supplements offered through AFSA’s insurance program. Plus, AFSA and the Airmen Memorial Foundation both have scholarship programs tailored to the needs of enlisted families.  In addition, the Auxiliary has its Educational Grants to help its members meet professional requirements of a career enhancement or change.
3. The Bottomline. Participation in these services and programs not only helps members’ financial bottom line, but your association bottom line. And, why shouldn’t it? Some of our program agreements designate that some royalties are paid to the association based on participation in the program. This just further strengthens your association and helps keep dues as low as possible. And, be assured, some of these royalties find their way into our Four Worthy Charities. Plus, these providers are proud to support the enlisted force. Rest assured, AFSA doesn’t create or find providers to make money, they work to find  providers that will provide services and programs our members have requested or that provides an exceptional benefit to our members.

Encouraging members to check out these services and programs is important to them and our, your, association. Therefore, it’s important for you as one of our leaders to spread the word any way you can about the benefits of AFSA membership. The easiest way is enroll in and talk about the valuable AFSA services and programs. Information can be put in division and chapter newsletters and should especially be used in recruiting and retention efforts. Think of how many Airmen would be interested in the savings on iPODs and cellular phones. Those savings alone are well worth the expense of an AFSA dues.