RESULTS Weekly Update October 10, 2023

Quote of the Week

“Federal legislators have incredible power to change the course of poverty in the United States. Some simply choose not to use it.”

– RESULTS West Virginia volunteer (and RESULTS staff person) Joanna Distefano in a  in a October 3 letter to the editor in the Washington Post

Table of Contents

• Join Saturday’s special National Webinar
• Build the Buy-in: The answer to DC dysfunction is you
• Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty
• Announcements
• Upcoming Events
• Grassroots Resources

Join Saturday’s special National Webinar

It’s here! After months of advertising, we are excited that our special extended October National Webinar is this weekend. With some in Congress pushing to expand work and income requirements for anti-poverty programs, join us as we look deeper at how work requirements are used to restrict access and eligibility to services and contribute to deeper poverty. Hear from experts Peggy Bailey (CBPP), Elisa Minoff (CSSP) and RESULTS Grassroots Board member Aaron Carrillo during a panel discussion on the impact of work requirements, moderated by RESULTS’ Michael Santos. After that, RESULTS Indiana volunteer Kazmyn Ramos will lead an advocacy training on how to effectively challenge the conventional wisdom when talking about this issue. This will be an informative and inspiring webinar, and well worth your time. Join us!

TAKE ACTION: Register for the special extended October RESULTS National Webinar on Saturday, October 14 from 12:00 to 3:00 pm ET. Register today!

Build the Buy-in: The answer to DC dysfunction is you

It’s been a consequential few weeks. A government shutdown narrowly avoided (and another potential one fast approaching), the first removal of a House Speaker in U.S. history, and now the horrible events happening in the Middle East. It feels overwhelming.

Indeed, the chaos in Washington makes our work all the more challenging. And all the more important. Despite the dysfunction, we are still in a good position to pass meaningful legislation on our issues this year. But it’s going to take a lot of grassroots noise to make it happen. Fortunately, through the Build the Buy-in campaign, you are already doing it.

You’ve gotten 68 media pieces published in 25 states since September 1. Congratulations! This is what we need if we want Congress to focus on expand the Child Tax Credit, pass the End TB Now Act, and pass the READ Reauthorization Act this year.

TAKE ACTION: Continue your excellent media advocacy by getting more letters to the editor this week. Here are some helpful hooks you can use.

Child Tax Credit. The House will (hopefully) vote on a new Speaker this week. Otherwise, the House cannot do any legislative business. Use the Speaker election as a hook for letters to the editor. Tell Congress ditch the drama and work together on the things that matter. With child poverty way up, it’s time to stop the political theater and help children and families by expanding the CTC now. Use our CTC media alert to send your letter today.

End TB Now Act. Over one third of the Senate and over 100 members of the House signed onto letters to the Biden Administration asking for bold leadership at the recent United Nations High-Level Meeting on tuberculosis. Use this congressional support as a hook for your next letter to the editor urging them to take the next step by passing the End Tuberculosis (TB) Now Act. The bill has successfully moved through committee in both chambers of Congress. Use our online TB media alert to urge Congress to get it over the finish line.

The READ Act. Be inspired by a fellow advocate to take the leap and write a letter to the editor on the READ Act and global education. According to a recent report, “The State of Global Learning Poverty: 2022 Update,” an estimated 70 percent of 10-year-olds in the most poverty-affected countries could not read basic texts. In the face of this, we can feel defeated. But advocate Kyle Talkington reminds us we can find allies everywhere: “I was reminded to always ask the member of Congress or staff what they think of the issue. They might already be on your side!” Use this inspiration as a helpful hook for your next letter to the editor on the READ Act.

Once you get media published, please let us know. If you have questions or want help with your letters this week, please contact RESULTS staff for assistance.

Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty

New video on our work to end the scourge of TB. Watch this wonderful new video featuring Rhea Lobo, tuberculosis survivor and advocate, as she tells her story. Her recent advocacy in Washington, DC, and her clear call for us to listen to people with lived experience of tuberculosis will be inspiring motivation for your work.

Announcements

Statement regarding a 2024 RESULTS International Conference. From RESULTS Executive Director Joanne Carter: Though we were very much hoping we’d be able to have an in-person International Conference in DC for 2024, we are sadly unable to do so. Instead, we will look for several other interactions and opportunities for engagement during 2024. This was a difficult decision because we know the value of connecting in person and being on Capitol Hill. The good news is that we plan to hold an International Conference in DC in 2025, which will follow a major election when we can set the agenda with the new Congress and Administration. In lieu of an in-person IC for 2024, we want to strategize with you about other powerful ways to bring people together and make the most of our advocacy in an election year. We genuinely welcome your ideas and input and look forward to the number of opportunities for engagement throughout 2024. We appreciate your dedication and commitment to our mission, to each other, and to the work we are all part of driving.

RESULTS Experts on Poverty program is recruiting new Experts. The Experts on Poverty program gathers a diverse cohort of advocates with firsthand experiences of poverty to push for more effective government policies to combat poverty. Experts receive training, support, and inspiration to become stronger leaders in the anti-poverty movement and help shape our U.S. poverty policy strategies and priorities. We are currently seeking new EOPs to join the cohort. See the Experts on Poverty webpage for more information about the program and how to apply. Applications are due November 30. Also, learn about the program and the impact it’s made on the lives of our EOPs by joining our October 24 Expert on Poverty Information Session. For questions, please email Keisha McVey at [email protected].

Nominate a fellow volunteer or ally for RESULTS awards. RESULTS believes in celebrating excellence in grassroots advocacy. The Bob Dickerson Leadership Award is awarded to a grassroots volunteer who shows extraordinary leadership and commitment to the mission of RESULTS. The Cameron Duncan Media Award is given to a journalist, editor, or grassroots volunteer for outstanding work on issues related to poverty in the media. If you know a volunteer, journalist, or editor who demonstrated these qualities in 2023, please complete this form. Nominations are due by October 31. Nominees and winners will be announced in December.

Register for October policy forums. Join us next Thursday, October 19 for our monthly policy forums. On the U.S. Policy Forum, we’ll focus on strategic actions volunteers in specific congressional districts (our “Tax Justice League”) can take to help get a CTC expansion across the finish line. The webinar will be particularly important to our Tax Justice League members but it will open and helpful to all volunteers. On the Global Policy Forum, RESULTS staff will provide an update on the global poverty bills we are working on and key actions to move things forward. Register for the U.S. Forum at 8:00 pm ET and the Global Forum at 9:00 pm ET today.

Attend an October 21 Regional Conference. On October 21, RESULTS volunteers on the East Coast and the Midwest will be meeting for Regional Conferences. These events allow volunteers from various states to meet, get to know each other, and get trained. The October conference will take place in St. Louis, MO, Winchester, VA, and Hickory, NC. If you live near any of these cities, plan to attend. All are welcomed. See the Events calendar below for details and registration links.

Virtual Group Leader training open for registration. Are you a current (or even aspiring) RESULTS Group Leader? You are welcome to this four-part learning series to be held on four successive weeks starting October 18. These interactive sessions will get you in touch with fellow Group Leaders, give you practical tools for leading a RESULTS group, and provide some fun along the way. Each session will last two hours. Register today! Questions? Contact Lisa Marchal.

Apply for the RESULTS Fellowship. If you know someone aged 20-35 who wants to harness their political power, sharpen skills, and take action on important issues, invite them to apply for the RESULTS Fellowship.  RESULTS Fellows advocate at the intersections of poverty and anti-oppression and learn how to work with the media, their communities, and policymakers to create change. The application is open through October 31. For more information, e-mail us at [email protected].

Upcoming Events

Congressional schedule: The House is in session this week to elect a new Speaker. The Senate is on recess this week.

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

Wednesday, October 11: Global Allies (Returned Peace Corps Volunteers) Monthly Webinar, 8:30 pm ET. Learn more and register.

Thursday, October 12: Event Planning and Outreach Office Hour, 2:00 pm ET. Join via https://results.zoom.us/j/98524229370 or call (312) 626-6799, Meeting ID: 985 2422 9370.

Friday, October 13: Anti-oppression 201 – Structural Racism, 12:00-1:30 pm ET. Learn more and register.

Saturday, October 14: Special National Webinar, 12:00-3:00 pm ET. Register today!

Tuesday, October 17: U.S. Poverty Free Agents, 1:00 pm and 8:00 pm ET. Contact Jos Linn for more information.

Tuesday, October 17: Together Women Rise/RESULTS Advocacy Chapter, 8:30 pm ET. Learn more.  

Tuesday, October 17: New Advocate Orientation, 8:30 pm ET. Register today.

Wednesday, October 18: 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, October 18: 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.

Wednesday, October 18: Group Leader Training Series, 8:00 pm ET. Register today for this special 4-week series. Each session is two hours.

Thursday, October 19: U.S. Poverty Policy Forum, 8:00 pm ET. Register today.  

Thursday, October 19: Global Poverty Policy Forum, 9:00 pm ET. Register today.  

Friday, October 20: Anti-oppression Learning Community Meeting, 12:00 pm ET. Register today for this 90-minute conversation.

Saturday, October 21: RESULTS Midwest Regional Conference, 10:00am-4:00 pm CT. Parkway United Church of Christ, 2841 N. Ballas Road, St. Louis MO. Register online by October 15 to confirm your attendance.

Saturday, October 21: RESULTS Capital Region Conference, 10:00am-4:00pm ET. Rotunda of the Health and Life Sciences Building at Shenandoah University 720 Wade Miller Dr., Winchester, VA. Register online to confirm your attendance: https://bit.ly/CapRegionConference.

Saturday, October 21: RESULTS Western and Central NC Fall Advocacy Social, 12:00 – 2:00 pm ET. Patrick Beaver Memorial Library, 375 3rd St NE, Second Floor, Hickory, NC. Register here.

Monday, October 23: Global Poverty Free Agents, 7:00 pm ET. Contact Lisa Marchal for more information.

Tuesday, October 24: Experts on Poverty Information Session, 12:00 pm ET. Registration is open.

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 story about advocacy you feel could inspire others, use our new online form to tell us your story. Also, if you want to celebrate the actions of a new volunteer, sharing about the experience today.

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

RESULTS Staff directory and job postings.