U.S. Poverty Weekly Update April 3, 2018

U.S. Poverty Campaigns

Weekly Update | April 3, 2018

“Congress adopted a spending plan late last year targeting the safety net for trillions in cuts over the next 10 years.  There is no mistaking the goal: Kick people off assistance while making the rich richer.”

– RESULTS South Central Pennsylvania volunteer Bruce Kessler in a March 22 op-ed in Chambersburg Public Opinion

Quick Action: Submit a Letter to the Editor about Protecting SNAP

Got Two Minutes? Confirm Your Plans for Tonight’s National Webinar about Anti-Oppression

The RESULTS U.S. Poverty National Webinar this evening, April 3 at 8:00 pm ET. This month’s webinar will focus on the issue of systemic oppression and why and how RESULTS is working to address it. RESULTS wants to play an active role in calling out and dismantling systemic forms of oppression and on the webinar, you will have the opportunity to learn to recognize when oppression is occurring, understand the experiences of those affected, and think about the role you want to take to undo the structures that perpetuate it. The webinar will include a section where you can to share your thoughts concerning the following questions. We ask that you and your groups think about them ahead of time share your comments tonight.

1. When you think about your RESULTS work, what circumstances in your life have allowed you to the opportunity to do this work?
2. Think about your group – does everyone look the same or come from similar financial backgrounds?
3. Do you feel that your local RESULTS meetings are welcoming of people who come from different racial or ethnic backgrounds, different cultures or countries, people with different sexual orientations and gender identities, persons with disabilities, people from a different socio-economic status or different family structure?
4. How is power expressed in your group? Who speaks in meetings, and who doesn’t? Where and when do you meet? How would someone from a non-dominant group experience this?
5. Is there anything that RESULTS has provided you that has helped you reframe your language or how you speak about your work? Is there anything you would like to see?

TAKE ACTION: Take two minutes to confirm details to participate in the RESULTS U.S. Poverty National Grassroots Webinar call this evening, April 3 at 8:00 pm ET. Coordinate with your group where you will meet for the webinar. If your group is not meeting together for it, urge your group members to join on their own. To join the webinar online, login at http://fuze.me/32255914 or dial in by phone at (201) 479-4595, Meeting ID: 32255914#. Plan to log in or call in no later than 7:55 pm ET. Tonight’s webinar slides will be available on our National Webinars page later today.

Got Ten Minutes? Try for that Last-Minute Meeting or Town Hall this Week (March Action)

Congress is on recess for the rest of this week. That means one more week to let them know that cutting, restricting, or restricting SNAP (formerly food stamps) has no place in this year’s Farm Bill. It is also the chance for you to include new people who have helped you write letters this year through our #LettersGetLOUD campaign. Finally, this is an election year so elected officials are looking for input from their constituents. Look to engage lawmakers before they head back to Washington and make your mark on issues that affect millions of low-income Americans.

TAKE ACTION: Take ten minutes to request a last-minute lobby meeting or attend a town hall this week to talk about protecting SNAP. The March Action has a template for making requests (you can also use our online template). Also, go to www.townhallproject.com and look for an event in your area (also call offices to ask about town halls as some are added at the last minute). Gather your #LettersGetLOUD letters to hand-deliver in these meetings and invite new people who wrote letters to join you. If you get a meeting or find an event, please contact Meredith Dodson ASAP for coaching and materials and please fill out the RESULTS Lobby Report form afterward to let us know what happened.

Got Twenty Minutes? Write Letters to Protect SNAP (April Action)

When Congress returns to Washington next week, House and Senate Agriculture Committee members will resume work on a new Farm Bill. We expect that the House will move first, possibly releasing its Farm Bill draft next week. There is speculation that the House will try to impose new cuts and restrictions on SNAP in this legislation. This could include stricter time limits for how long persons looking for work can get SNAP, restricting state flexibility in determining who qualifies for SNAP, and imposing harsher work requirements on childless works, workers with children, and older workers (for more details, see the March 27 Weekly Update). If these changes are included, they could lead to up to $20 billion in SNAP cuts over the next decade affecting millions of low-income Americans.

As RESULTS spends this month focusing on the issue of anti-oppression, it is important to remember that SNAP plays a key role remedying some of the effects of systemic oppression in the U.S. SNAP lifts millions of African Americans and Hispanics out of deep poverty each year, and plays a critical role in helping Native populations as well. These traditionally marginalized groups would thus feel the negative impacts of any proposed cuts or changes to SNAP. It is important for lawmakers to know that increasing poverty for marginalized groups only serves to perpetuate the impact of America’s sad history of oppression.

TAKE ACTION: Take twenty minutes to plan your next meeting to write letters about the intersection of poverty and oppression in America. At these meetings, write letters about protecting SNAP from cuts and changes which would disproportionately hurt communities of color. The April Action has background information and talking points for your letters. Continue to use the RESULTS #LettersGetLOUD campaign to inspire and engage others to write letters with you. And be sure to check out our new #LettersGetLOUD video showing volunteers from around the country reading their letters to Congress. Share the video with your Action Networks and friends on social media and urge them to join in. If you have questions about the Action, please contact Jos Linn for assistance.

Quick News

New Election Track at This Year’s Conference. This year, we’re taking the RESULTS Conference experience to a whole new level. The upcoming midterm elections are poised to dominate media coverage and the national conversation. What if you could build relationships with candidates early, learn how to make poverty a campaign issue, and master new skills to use at campaign events? What if you are even considering running for office yourself and want to learn the ropes? Now you can. The International Conference will feature a new Election Track. Read about it on the RESULTS Blog and then register for the Conference today (remember – the Early Bird discounted registration ends May 15!) to take advantage of this election-year opportunity. Need help attending the Conference? Apply for scholarship assistance.

Consider the REAL Change Fellowship. The REAL Change Organizing and Advocacy Fellowship to Fight Poverty is taking applications now. This learning opportunity designed for emerging leaders aged 18-30 may be ideal for you or someone you know.

Please Fill Out the Lobby Report Form. After any lobby meeting, whether it is a face-to-face meeting or one with an aide, please fill out the RESULTS Lobby Report Form to let us know how it went. And note that if you have a meeting where both U.S. and global poverty issues are discussed, please fill it out twice; one for U.S and one for global.

Upcoming Events

Go to the RESULTS Events Calendar to see a full list of RESULTS events. Also, find a list of the RESULTS U.S. Poverty staff with contact information on the RESULTS website.

Upcoming U.S. Poverty staff time out of the office: Meredith Dodson, April 20.

House and Senate Recess, March 26 – April 6. After any lobby meeting, please complete the RESULTS Lobby Report Form to let us know how it went.

RESULTS U.S. Poverty National Webinar, Tuesday, April 3 at 8:00 pm ET. Participate at http://fuze.me/32255914 or (201) 479-4595, Meeting ID: 32255914#.

RESULTS Introductory Call, Wednesday, April 4 at 8:30 pm ET. To participate, call (712) 775-8972, passcode: 761262. Register here.

U.S. Poverty Free Agents Calls, Tuesday, April 17 at 1:00pm and 8:00 pm ET. Login at http://fuze.me/32256018 or dial in by phone at (201) 479-4595, Meeting ID: 32256018#.

RESULTS Anti-Oppression Training Webinar, Tuesday, April 17 at 9:00p m ET. We will discuss the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh (please read beforehand). Login at http://fuze.me/33986526 or dial (201) 479-4595 Meeting ID: 33986526#.

RESULTS Introductory Call, Friday, April 20 at 1:00 pm ET. To participate, call (712) 775-8972, passcode: 761262. Register here.

House and Senate Recess, April 30 – May 4. After any lobby meeting, please complete the RESULTS Lobby Report Form to let us know how it went.

RESULTS Anti-Oppression Training Webinar, Tuesday, May 15 at 9:00p m ET. We will do "cultural sketches" understand how our identities influence our values, decisions, behaviors, and opportunities. Login at http://fuze.me/33986526 or dial (201) 479-4595 Meeting ID: 33986526#.

2018 RESULTS International Conference, July 14-17, 2018, Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. Registration is now open – register today. Watch our new 2018 Conference video and share it (along with our flyer) with others you know!

Other Resources

Get Your RESULTS Promo Materials. If you need banners, pens, stickers, or business cards for your local RESULTS work, fill out our Materials Order Form and we’ll send them to you.

Got a Question for the RESULTS Board? If you have a question, comment, or suggestion for the RESULTS/RESULTS Educational Fund Board, please e-mail them to RESULTS Grassroots Board Member Steven McGee at [email protected]. View the most recently published Board minutes on the RESULTS website, as well as RESULTS’ most recent Annual Report.