RESULTS Weekly Update July 5, 2023

Quote of the Week

“RESULTS strongly condemns recent SCOTUS rulings that outlaw or undercut race-conscious admissions, enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, and the value of higher education for all Americans. With each ruling that undermines equity, democracy, and economic justice, the call to fight systems of poverty and oppression grows stronger.”

– RESULTS Executive Director Joanne Carter

Table of Contents

• July National Webinar: The work for justice, equity, and inclusion continues
• Take these important actions this week
• Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty
• Announcements
• Upcoming Events
• Grassroots Resources

National Webinar: The work for justice, equity, and inclusion continues

It has been a rough week. The rash of U.S. Supreme Court decisions last week striking down laws protecting marginalized groups from racism and discrimination, as well as those thrust into poverty from crippling debt, left many of us reeling.

But the beauty of our constitutional system is that no answer is ever the final answer. Our system thrives on setbacks. When injustices happen, people have the opportunity to make things right. All that’s required is to show up and take part. Being angry at unfair decisions and policies is normal and sometimes healthy, but it serves no good when it is not followed by action.

Yesterday was Independence Day. The day we celebrate the founding of our country and our democracy. RESULTS was founded on the idea that when you participate in democracy, you reclaim it.

If you are feeling upset by last week’s events or motivated to engage (or both), let RESULTS help you take the next step forward. Start by attending our National Webinar this Saturday, July 8 at 1:00 pm ET. This webinar will focus on one of the core actions of RESULTS – and a necessity for a health democracy – talking directly with elected officials. Members of Congress will be on recess all of August, making it an ideal time to talk with them and their staff about practical solutions to poverty and oppression. To help us, we are thrilled to welcome Neesha Suarez, Deputy Chief of Staff for Rep. Seth Moulton (MA-06), as our guest speaker on the webinar. She will share insights and expert tips on how to have effective and meaningful in-district lobby meetings during the August recess. RESULTS staff will also provide tools to help you schedule, plan, and make the most of these important meetings.

For 40 years, RESULTS volunteers have proven that the antidote to injustice and cynicism is action. Last week was a hard week. This week, we start the work to make it better.

TAKE ACTION: Get reinspired for the important work ahead by joining the National Webinar this Saturday, July 8, 1:00-2:30 pm ET. If you have not registered the National Webinar in 2023, register today (you only need register once per year). You will receive your registration confirmation and Zoom login information later this week via e-mail (please check your junk or spam folders if you have not received anything by Friday afternoon). For July, we will not have separate U.S. and global poverty speakers, so please join at 1:00 pm ET and stay on for the duration of the webinar. The webinar slides and recording will be available on our National Webinars page.

Take these important actions this week

In addition to joining this weekend’s National Webinar, here are two important actions you can take this week.

First, take action on tuberculosis. We got news late last week that the deadline to sign the bipartisan House United Nations High-Level Meeting (UNHLM) letter to the Administration has been extended to Monday, July 10. This letter urges the Biden Administration asking for bold leadership at the September 22 UNHLM on tuberculosis. The meeting is a critical moment for the U.S. and the world to show real leadership in how we can mitigate the scourge of TB. This letter is co-led by Representatives Bera (D-CA-6), Salazar (R-FL-27), McCaul (R-TX-10), and Meeks (D-NY-5). We’re up to 73 signers but we need a lot more for maximum influence. Please use our handy online action alert to send a personalized message requesting your representative sign the letter today. And please plan to follow up with them this week to make sure they sign on.

Second, take action on the Child Tax Credit. With Congress gearing up for possible tax legislation later this year, it is imperative we send a strong message that any tax legislation that does not expand the Child Tax Credit or Earned Income Tax Credit is unacceptable. With millions still struggling to make ends meet, we do not need to keep giving tax cuts to the rich. Use our tax credit media alert to send a letter to the editor telling your member of Congress to oppose any tax legislation that does not expand the CTC and EITC.

Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty

Media hooks for the week. Use the hook ideas below to submit a letter to the editor this week. If you need a template, use our online media actions to edit and submit your letter today.

• U.S. Poverty: The U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down the Biden Administration’s loan forgiveness program will make it harder for families to break the cycle of generational poverty. But expanding the Child Tax Credit to families with low incomes would help.
• Global Poverty: Tuberculosis is a massive driver of poverty globally, and we experience it in the U.S. as well. Read a sobering NBC Health news piece on the rise of U.S. cases and connect the dots. Write about the need for the End Tuberculosis Act to be co-sponsored and passed for TB alleviation the world over. TB anywhere is TB everywhere, and everyone around the world deserves safety from this terrible poverty-aggravating disease.

Announcements

Request lobby meetings for the August recess. With Congress on recess the entire month of August, don’t waste an opportunity to meet with them to talk about our U.S. and global poverty priorities. Don’t wait to request face-to-face meetings – do it now before their schedules get filled up. The RESULTS website has meeting requests and other resources to help you. If you need help, please contact RESULTS staff. And be sure to join our National Webinar on July 8 for helpful tips to prepare you for lobby meetings in August (see above).

Congratulations on Media 150! We are thrilled to let you know that RESULTS volunteers not only met our goal of 150 media pieces between April 1 and June 30, you blew past it. As of this morning, volunteers have gotten 170 media pieces in that time. Thank you to everyone who submitted letters and op-eds the last few months. Your media has kept our issues front and center and helped move our agenda forward. Tune into Saturday’s National Webinar with more details on Media 150. And keep it up – media is vital to our advocacy work so submit your next letter to the editor today!

Upcoming Events

Congressional schedule: July 3-9. The House and Senate are on recess this week.

Typically, registration ends one hour prior to the start of all webinars and trainings.

Saturday, July 8: National Webinar, 1:00 pm ET (adjusted date). Register today.

Thursday, July 13: Event Planning and Outreach Office Hour, 1:00 pm ET. Drop in via https://results.zoom.us/j/98524229370 or call (312) 626-6799, meeting ID 985 2422 9370.

Thursday, July 13: Global Allies Program with RESULTS, 8:30 pm ET. Learn more here.

Tuesday, July 18: U.S. Poverty Free Agents, 1:00 pm and 9:00 pm ET. Contact Jos Linn for more information.

Tuesday, July 18: Together Women Rise/RESULTS Advocacy Chapter, 8:30 pm ET. Learn more.

Wednesday, July 19: Action Network Managers webinar, 12:30 pm and 8:00 pm ET. (Choose your time.) Join the 12:30 pm ET session at https://results.zoom.us/j/93288388695. Join the 8:00 pm ET session at https://results.zoom.us/j/91531456676. No registration required.

Wednesday, July 19: Media Office Hour, 2:00 pm ET. Join via Zoom at https://results.zoom.us/j/93668005494 or (312) 626-6799, meeting ID 936 6800 5494. No registration required.

Thursday, July 20: Event Planning and Outreach Office Hour, 1:00 pm ET. Drop in via https://results.zoom.us/j/98524229370 or call (312) 626-6799, meeting ID 985 2422 9370.

Thursday, July 20: U.S. Poverty Policy Forum, 8:00 pm ET. Register today.

Thursday, July 20: Global Poverty Policy Forum, 9:00 pm ET. Register today.

Monday, July 24: Global Poverty Free Agents, 7:00 pm ET. Contact Lisa Marchal for more information.

Thursday, July 27: Event Planning and Outreach Office Hour, 1:00 pm ET. Drop in via https://results.zoom.us/j/98524229370 or call (312) 626-6799, meeting ID 985 2422 9370.

Friday, July 28: Anti-oppression Learning Community Meeting, 12:00 pm ET. Learn more about this 90-minute gathering and register.

Grassroots Resources

Learn about the RESULTS Experts on Poverty.

Find actions and volunteer resources on our Volunteers Hub, including our anti-oppression resources. To join the RESULTS listserv for more RESULTS conversation, send an email to [email protected].

Remember to please report your recent advocacy successes in lobby meetings, media, and outreach activities. Also, use our Volunteer Information Form to add or edit volunteer info and to sign up for updates and alerts.

If you have a question, comment, or suggestion for the RESULTS/REF Board, please e-mail Lindsay Saunders at [email protected]. View Board minutes and Annual Reports.

RESULTS Staff directory and job postings.