U.S. Poverty Weekly Update July 24, 2019

U.S. Poverty Campaigns

Weekly Update | July 24, 2019

Quote of the Week

“As an incoming high school freshman, I am not looking forward to going back to school. However, in Kansas City, there are so many kids who are, because school is the only safe, air-conditioned place they have available. That is because their families lack access to affordable housing.”

–RESULTS Kansas City volunteer Stella Linn in a July 20 letter to the editor in the Kansas City Star

Got Two Minutes? Schedule Meetings for the August Recess

After hundreds of RESULTS volunteers met with members of Congress during the RESULTS International Conference last week, we can build on that momentum during the August congressional recess. That means it’s time to schedule meetings with members of Congress for when they are home next month. RESULTS volunteers had hundreds of meetings with members of Congress and their staff last week at the RESULTS International Conference.

TAKE ACTION: Take two minutes to schedule meetings for the August recess. The House recess from July 27-September 8 while the Senate is on recess August 3-September 8. Contact their schedulers to set up a meeting as soon as possible. Use our online request to send e-mails or make a call to the scheduler. Be sure to ask about town halls they are having during the recesses. Once you get a meeting or town hall in your calendar, please contact Meredith Dodson ASAP to set up a lobby prep call to help get you ready.

Got Ten Minutes? Fill Out the Conference Survey

Many RESULTS volunteers and staff are adjusting back to their normal routines after an inspiring weekend in DC – and many more joined lobby meetings via phone or wrote housing letters that were delivered in person during lobby meetings. We’ve heard some incredible stories that we’ll be sharing soon, including many face-to-face encounters with legislators (including a senator hurrying down a hallway so as not to miss a group of advocates meeting in his office), and these meetings helped build momentum for bold solutions to address the affordable housing crisis and push tax policies for working families. But follow up will be key.

TAKE ACTION: We value your feedback and take your thoughts on board as we seek to improve the conference each year. Take ten minutes to fill out the conference survey.  Survey respondents will be entered in a raffle for two free registrations for the 2020 RESULTS International Conference.

Got Twenty Minutes? Take the Conversation with Congressional Offices to the Next Level

After a wonderfully successful RESULTS International Conference last week, you don’t want to let the momentum dissipate. If you want to make a difference on the issues you care about, you have to follow up. It’s the best (and only) way to hold yourself and others accountable for their promises. It is also a good way to deepen the relationships you have with aides in DC and people in your community.

TAKE ACTION: Take twenty minutes to follow up from the RESULTS International Conference by doing the following:

• Report your meetings. Please take a few minutes to log each of your Hill meetings, as meetings with Congress are a key indicator of our effectiveness.
• Follow up on your meetings. Thank members of Congress and their staff for meeting with you and then reiterate your requests during the meeting. Ask them when you can expect to hear back on the legislator’s decision(s). Look for template language you can adapt for your follow up from Meredith.
• Check out the great conference resources. Our website includes many of the presentations and materials from this year’s conference, including issue materials and slides.
• Share your experience. Post photos on social media, keep populating the #Voices4RESULTS feed on Twitter, and organize outreach to share your experience. Let your passion inspire others.
• Write an op-ed or letter to the editor. Write to tell readers what it’s like to advocate with Congress, to celebrate a leadership efforts demonstrated in one of your meetings, or to call a legislator to action. You can adapt the media resources on our website.
• Get a face–to-face meeting in August. If you weren’t able to meet with your representative or senators, contact the scheduler and ask for a face-to-face meeting in the district or state during the August recess. It is always powerful to meet with your elected officials in person, and that type of action isn’t reserved just for DC!

Quick News

Administration Threatens Food Assistance Again. The latest of several proposals that threaten anti-poverty programs, a new proposed rule from the Trump Administration is projected to take away Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly food stamps) benefits from more than 3 million people, according the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This rule removes the broad-based categorical eligibility, which allows people to qualify for SNAP if they have applied for other anti-poverty programs and allows states to opt-out of asset limits, encouraging work and savings among low-income households. Instead of taking these resources away, especially from people who have disabilities or the seniors, the administration should focus on helping those who need assistance with their basic needs. Additional materials to help you craft your comment are forthcoming, but you can submit early comments via FRAC’s online portal until September 23, 2019.  

Vote for Grassroots Board Member. Go to the RESULTS Blog to learn more about the Grassroots Board, the current candidates, and how to vote. The deadline to vote is Sunday, July 28.

Upcoming Events

August Congressional Recess. House: July 29-September 6; Senate: August 5-September 6. Submit your meeting requests today.

Saturday, August 10: RESULTS Joint U.S./Global Poverty National Webinar, 2:00 pm ET. Join at: https://www.fuzemeeting.com/fuze/f2988286/30204806 or dial (201) 479-4595, meeting ID 30204806.

Find other events on the RESULTS Events Calendar.

U.S. Poverty Staff time out of the office: Meredith Dodson, August 2-18. Jos Linn, July 20-28, August 26-September 2.

Other Resources

Learn more about the RESULTS Experts on Poverty.

Do you have a new person in your RESULTS group or info to update? Use our Volunteer Information Form to add them.

Report your Grassroots Successes:

• When is your next lobby meeting?
• What happened at your last lobby meeting?
• What media have you gotten published?

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

RESULTS Staff directory.