Global Weekly Update March 10, 2014
Top Action This Week: Appropriations Requests. The Clock is Ticking!
President Obama has released his FY15 budget (read all about it on our blog) and congressional offices are already starting to set quickly approaching deadlines for receiving appropriations requests in advance of the decision-making that Congress will be doing. So if you've been waiting to ask your member(s) of Congress to weigh in on appropriations, don't wait any longer!
Remember that the appropriations process allows us to make a bold statement about the level of funding for our key campaigns (education, economic opportunity, health) we think will make the best difference in the world . . . and to articulate the reasons behind our requests.
Appropriations is a key chance for you to have face-to-face meetings with your members of Congress. We have a 2014 goal of meeting with all House members and 1/3 of the senators we cover as activists. Meet with those who represent you and make the kind of asks that will show them how serious you are about ending poverty!
- Pick the top two requests you would like the member to make to the Foreign Operations Subcommittee of Appropriations.
- Contact your foreign policy aides in D.C., for both the Senate and the House, and, using our most recent laser talk, ask if there is a form you must fill out to make your request. Also, ask what the request deadline is.
- If you can, make your appropriations requests on the phone at that moment. No matter what, follow up with our one-page fact sheet-request pages via e-mail.
- Stay in touch with aide and let him/her know you would like to hear back what action your legislator has taken.
- Don't hesitate to get started and follow up regularly until you get a clear response.
- Interested in recruiting others to advocate for smarter, more powerful foreign aid? Share our online action alert so friends can write their own letters to their legislators.
Remember that face-to-face meetings are pivotal for our powerful advocacy strategy at RESULTS. To help you in this work, we have an appropriations Action Sheet and corresponding backgrounders (scroll to the bottom of the webpage) that offer details on each appropriations request we're making. The appropriations process makes a critical difference, and not many citizens would take the time to get involved at this level. It's a special opportunity. Act today!
Next: March 19 Issues Call on Appropriations. Join Senior Policy Associate Crickett Nicovich at 9 pm ET on Wednesday, March 19 for a call dissecting and summarizing the president's budget, our appropriations requests, and our strategy for making sure the FY15 budget reflects an intention to seriously address extreme poverty. Dial (712) 432-3100, passcode 761262 to join.
Next Action: Global Partnership for Education Media
Twenty-five letters to the editor, 30 op-eds, and 150 letters to the editor? No problem! That's the amount of media we want to generate nationwide to make a real impact on the run-up to the Global Partnership for Education pledging conference in Brussels in June and to move the needles on what the U.S. will pledge. With 57 million primary school-aged children still out of school and 250 million children failing to learn even basic reading, writing, and numeracy skills, we are off-track to achieving quality education for all. Your media will change the game.
Here is some support for your critical advocacy:
Editorial Packet with Sample Meeting Request and Top Tips to Help You Pitch
Here is our current editorial packet that you can use, alongside our top tips on securing a meeting with your editorial board and a sample meeting request you can customize. Your editor(s) will likely be grateful to receive encouragement and solid background information now so they can prepare to write a piece for this important day. This is an ideal time for you to begin a relationship with that new editor or to cultivate existing relationships with writers and editors you already know.
Find a downloadable version of the editorial packet online, and read a wonderful blog entry by advocate Bill Baker of Connecticut on how to even have success publishing your own op-ed if you are inspired to write an op-ed or letter to the editor of your own.
March Action Sheet: Letter to the Editor
The March action sheet, empowering you to write a letter to the editor promoting global education. Take action and share the action sheet with others who read different newspapers.
The Local Case for Investing in Global Education
This hot-off-the-press tip sheet will help you make the case with your editor as to why the issue of global education is of local importance. Relevant local hooks will increase your chances of having your paper write an editorial and could also help you write a more potent op-ed or letter to the editor.
Webinar Series, Breaking Down the Issue and Strategy, Continuing March 12
Check out the online recording of our first webinar held last month which offered a great overview of our Education for All/GPE campaign, and then join us at 9 pm ET on March 12 for a more in-depth Education for All/GPE webinar focusing on our campaign strategy and efforts to advocate for strong funding for the GPE replenishment conference in June. To join the upcoming webinar, to go meeting URL http://fuze.me/23484551. To join the audio portion, dial (201) 479-4595. The meeting number is 23484551.
Monthly Media Support Call to be a Webinar This Month
On Tuesday, March 18, the monthly media support call available to all advocates as a webinar for even more interactivity. Top tips, brainstorming, connection with fellow advocates . . . it's all there for you. Join at 8 pm ET, using URL http://fuze.me/23656947. For audio, call (201) 479-4595. The meeting number for the webinar session is 23656947.
Don't Let April 6 Slip By You or You'll Miss a Great Deal
Join us for the International Conference!
1. Earlybird Registration Rate. International Conference registration is open, and the earlybird rate ends April 6! Register now for the 2014 event of the year, to be held June 21-24 in Washington, D.C.
2. It's Getting Better All the Time. We're at work each week to make the conference the best it can be. Check out the emerging agenda on our website.
3. REAL Change Deadline Coming Up Soon. Calling for emerging advocates ages 18-28 to apply for the REAL Change Fellowship, an enhanced International Conference scholarship opportunity that includes a year-round advocacy training experience. Applications are due by 5 pm ET on March 21, so inquire within!
4. Fire Up Twitter! Our official International Conference hashtag is #RESULTS2014. It's never too early to start the chatter and invite people to be with us in Washington!
Order a "Fundraiser to Go!"
We are finalizing a resource for you called the "Fundraiser to Go," making it easy for you to host a fundraiser with an outreach twist. This kit of resources will be mailed to you on a flash drive with great tools for you to bring an "Everyday Heroes" theme to your event. This sort of fundraiser is ideal for making connections in your community and inviting new activists into your group. The flash drive will contain all the goodies you need for a great party, including:
- Sample fundraising shares from partners
- The RESULTS “Everyday Heroes” video and other video shares from Muhammad Yunus and Senator Bennett
- A slideshow of RESULTS partners in superhero costumes
- “Everyday Hero” invitation templates
- Sample e-mails for invitations and follow-up
- Your donation reporting documents
- Even ideas for appetizers!
Contact your fundraising coaches Cindy Levin or Jen DeFranco to receive a “Fundraiser to Go” kit to throw your own celebration of Everyday Heroes. Get on the list to receive one when they become available (soon!).
"[Education is] 'core to everything else.'"
— Alice Albright, CEO of the Global Partnership for Education
(For a complete calendar, see our website.)
1. Next House and Senate Recesses of 2014: St. Patrick's Day Week. Schedule face-to-face meetings.
2. March 12, 9 pm ET. In-depth Education for All and GPE (Global Partnership for Education) webinar to strategize on 2014 campaign efforts to secure funding for the GPE replenishment conference in June. To join the webinar, to go meeting URL http://fuze.me/23484551. To join the audio portion, dial (201) 479-4595. The meeting number is 23484551.
3. March 17, 8 pm ET. RESULTS Free Agents Call for Global Poverty Advocates. Dial (218) 486-1611, passcode 7378587 (RESULTS). Are you a RESULTS activist with our global poverty campaigns, living in a town with no RESULTS group? You are alone no more! Contact Lisa Marchal, Senior Global Grassroots Associate, for more information on this monthly group call.
4. UPDATED INFORMATION. March 18, 8 pm ET. Monthly Media Support Call. This month, join a webinar for vital support, best practices, and connection with your fellow advocates. Go to URL http://fuze.me/23656947. For audio, call (201) 479-4595. The meeting number for the webinar session is 23656947.
5. March 19, 9 pm ET. Appropriations Issue Call. Dial (712) 432-3100, passcode 761262 to join. Gather with fellow activists and Senior Policy Associate Crickett Nicovich a for a conversation dissecting and summarizing the president's budget, our appropriations requests, and our strategy for making sure the FY15 budget reflects an intention to seriously address extreme poverty.
6. March 21, 5 pm ET. REAL Change Fellowship Applications Due.
7. March 25. PBS' Frontline program broadcasts documentary TB Silent Killer focusing on MDR-TB. Check local listings!
8. March 28, 1 pm ET. RESULTS Introductory Call. Heard of RESULTS and want to know more? Join us for this 30-minute introductory call. Contact us with any questions and RSVP for the call. Dial (712) 432-3100, passcode 761262 to join.
9. April 9, 9 pm ET. RESULTS Introductory Call. Heard of RESULTS and want to know more? Join us for this 30-minute introductory call. Contact us with any questions and RSVP for the call. Dial (712) 432-3100, passcode 761262 to join.
10. April 12, 2 pm ET. RESULTS National Grassroots Conference Call for Global Campaigns. Join the call at (888) 409-6709.
11. June 21-24. 2014 RESULTS International Conference in Washington, D.C. Earlybird registration ends April 6!