“We get energized and re-energized”: RESULTS advocates build their power at the Texas-Oklahoma Regional Conference
In August 2025, grassroots advocates from Texas and Oklahoma came together in Fort Worth. This was the RESULTS Texas-Oklahoma Regional Conference. It’s an invaluable opportunity for advocates to be in community. All day long, the event space buzzed with the unique energy of this event. Gathering in person serves a critical purpose for advocates. These volunteers were in Fort Worth to invigorate their advocacy and shared values. RESULTS advocate Mark Coats described the setting. He said, “The energy when a group of committed and excited people come together is infectious, and it helps me continue my work.”
Craig Roshaven is one of the Regional Coordinators for RESULTS. He leads the RESULTS Fort Worth group and helps organize many groups in the region. He opened the conference to warm greetings and shared laughter. His opening emphasized the importance of connection during a time of political chaos. These messages gave way to a hum of purposeful conversation among all in the room.
The room contained not just RESULTS advocates but expert speakers and community members. This diverse group built its power and connection through learning. RESULTS Expert on Poverty, Tiffany Tagbo, and Dr. Jared Williams led powerful sessions on U.S. food insecurity. They uplifted the structural inequities and historical barriers that drive food insecurity. Tiffany has personal and professional experience with issues of food access. Her insights added valuable depth. She also shared ways to combat harmful narratives in the media and with Congress.
Attendees also learned about new approaches to advocacy using Artificial Intelligence (AI). Babita Daware presented this session that introduced strategies using the AI tool ChatGPT. ChatGPT can provide time-saving help writing media like op-eds and letters to the editor. There were also sessions about RESULTS’ global poverty work. Dr. Krutika Kuppalli and RESULTS staffer Tenzin Kunor led discussions on global health. Advocates learned about crucial global health investment opportunities that could transform lives worldwide. “It was great spending time with everyone. I loved the content. I love the fact that we get energized and re-energized,” reflected advocate Chuck Sutherland.
Participants took this energy and brought in skill-building. RESULTS staffer Errolyn Gray led a session on recruiting and retaining new volunteers. Everyone thought back to what first called them to advocacy with RESULTS. They discussed how they can bring that passion into the recruitment of new advocates. Attendees all felt urgency and excitement to grow the call for human dignity and meeting basic needs.
“When I think about the Regional Conference, I always want to go,” said advocate Eloise Sutherland. “I get to see people I haven’t seen all year, and I learn a new skill.” Eloise’s thoughts summarize perfectly the special role of these in-person gatherings. Advocates take strength and heart with each other. They spark new ideas and strengthen skills. Learning meets inspiration, and the movement to end poverty builds.
