After my first lobby meeting, I know everyone can have a role in anti-poverty advocacy
This month, I joined my first lobby meeting as a RESULTS advocate in Ohio. After this experience, I can see how direct meetings with our congressional representatives are an important part of advocacy to end poverty. If you are wondering whether lobby meetings are something you can be a part of, the answer is ‘yes.’
Meeting with our brand new senator’s office created an important relationship
This thirty-minute zoom meeting was scheduled by a member of my local group as part of the RESULTS Action and Allies campaign. It was an important first chance to connect with our new Republican Senator Bernie Moreno. I was both nervous and appreciative of the opportunity to contribute a personal story during the meeting with Sen. Moreno’s aide. I hoped that Sen. Moreno would be open to calling for an end to the foreign aid freeze and oppose cuts to SNAP and Medicaid.
The aide listened well and took down our concerns to communicate to the senator. The meeting was an important opportunity for them to hear directly from their constituents about the issues that matter the most in our community. I shared how important Medicaid was as a safety net for my family when I became a small business owner. Even though the office is new, it surprised me that the aide did not say more about the senator’s policy stances. Instead, he indicated that the senator approved of the foreign aid freeze and viewed their role as supporting the administration. No matter what our member of Congress’ public stance is, we need to continue advocating. It is the slow and less glamorous work of democracy to continue to keep our leaders accountable.
Our senator’s office listened and seemed to integrate our opinions into public statements
The next day, the senator issued a public statement that he would not support cuts to Medicaid. This moment was a reminder that our advocacy may be making a difference even if the aides we meet with don’t offer support or promises in lobby meetings. The work we do builds momentum.
I am new to my local RESULTS group, and it appealed to me because of their nonpartisan focus on issues. RESULTS takes a strategic approach to influence our government to end poverty.
The RESULTS model prepared me well for this opportunity, and my community grew
Participating in a lobby meeting right away was very informative. Because the local group meets as a team, we are able to share different roles. One person scheduled the meeting, another facilitated the call and talked about specific issues, and a few of us shared personal stories. We met ahead of time and decided who would talk and who would be present to show support. This structure made it easy to step in, learn, and build confidence.
The idea of a lobbying meeting can seem daunting, but the RESULTS staff and trainings informed and prepared us ahead of time.
It was encouraging to see and meet the awesome RESULTS advocates that have already been doing this work. I saw how they use the same tools and skills practiced in RESULTS to engage in a variety of other ways in their communities. I can tell that the skills learned through RESULTS help equip people for advocacy beyond the lobby meeting.
For anyone who is thinking about getting involved, I would definitely encourage them to do so. Your voice is powerful. And with grassroots advocacy, you are not alone in the work.
If you have a passion for fighting to end poverty, there is training and a role for you with RESULTS. In the 45 years that RESULTS has been doing this work, they have seen progress across political lines. Every conversation, every meeting is a step forward. RESULTS advocates are in this for the long haul, shaping a future for a world without poverty.
