Local AFSA chapter holds membership drive Published March 1, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Jason Wiese 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs F. E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. -- Members of the local Air Force Sergeants Association chapter, Chapter 1178, the "Cowboy" Chapter, held a membership drive and a hot dog cookout at the Airman's Attic Feb. 23 to increase membership. The AFSA's main task is to represent active-duty Airmen, veterans, retirees and dependents to Congress and lobby for benefits and other Air Force-related legislation, said Tech. Sgt. Jonathon Parker, 90th Munitions Squadron weapons support NCO-in-charge and local AFSA chapter president. To be heard in Congress, the AFSA must have at least 100,000 members. Currently, its membership is at approximately 110,000, teetering dangerously close to not being heard by Congress, he said. The Cowboy Chapter also has its own membership goal -- to become an officially designated large chapter, Parker explained. "Here at F. E. Warren, we have 475 members, so we need 25 more to become a large chapter," he said. Cowboy Chapter members include Airmen from both F. E. Warren and the Wyoming Air National Guard. Since Master Sgt. Faith McNelley, 30th Airlift Squadron first sergeant, was stationed at Warren 14 years ago, she has been a member of the AFSA. The main difference between the AFSA then and now is the amount of participation by Airmen, she said. Examples of legislation passed as a direct result of AFSA lobbying include pay raises, paternity leave, overseas cost of living allowances and numerous retirement benefits, McNelley added. "If you're not a member, it tells Congress you don't care," she said. "If you care about your pay raises, if you care about your healthcare for you and your children, you need to join." In addition to lobbying Congress, local chapters help the enlisted corps in other ways. The Cowboy Chapter runs the Airman's Attic and the Loan Locker. The AFSA took over running the Loan Locker from the Airman and Family Readiness Center, McNelley mentioned. For more information about the AFSA, visit www.hqafsa.org or contact Parker at 773-2143.