Use Facebook and Twitter to Build Momentum to End Poverty


March 1, 2012
by Meredith Dodson, Director of U.S. Poverty Campaigns

RESULTS volunteers know that actions like meeting face-to-face with members of Congress can make a huge impact, but sometimes you just have a few minutes and are looking to make a difference. Amplify your advocacy with Congress using social media. RESULTS and other members of the SAVE for All campaign participated a social media day of action to protect vulnerable Americans in deficit reduction talks and another social media push to protect the Child Tax Credit and Unemployment Insurance in early 2012, and are using social media to support their inspiring fundraising work. As we push forward on our campaigns to Use Tax Policy to Break the Cycle of Poverty with innovative Asset Building strategies including the Saver’s Bonus, and expanded access to Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit or supporting Early Childhood Development: Smart Investments in the Early Years by pushing for more resources for Head Start, Early Head Start, and Child Care, we can use social media to put additional pressure on Congress.

Here’s how you can get involved:

On handy online directory) and click the ‘Like’ button at the top. Then post a message like this to his or her wall:

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) are a financial lifeline for people working in low-wage jobs. Please work with House and Senate leadership as well House Ways and Means/Senate Finance Committee members to protect the EITC and CTC, and ensure that the 2009 improvements to the EITC and CTC are made permanent before they expire at the end of this year.

Building savings and assets is an integral part of ending poverty. Please work with Senate Finance Committee/House Ways and Means Committee members to include the Saver’s Bonus and other progressive asset-building policies in any major tax reform legislation Congress takes up.

Head Start and child care programs are smart investments for America’s future and should be strengthened, not cut. Please urge Labor-HHS Subcommittee leaders to Increase funding for Head Start and Early Head Start by $325 million and Increase funding for the Child Care Development Block Grant by $825 million in FY 2013. 

Remember you can tailor the message – the more personal the story, the better! Visit the RESULTS Facebook page to let us know you took action.

On Twitter, find your representative and senators’ Twitter handles (also in this online directory) and send a message like this:

.@SenatorReid, will you fight hard to protect (and expand) #EITC and the Child Tax Credit? Working families in #poverty are counting on you.

Dear @SpeakerBoehner, please make #EarlyChildhood a priority in Congress. Support funding for #HeadStart and #ChildCare.

I also post Tweets to Congressional leaders as @DodsonAdvocate if you want to “retweet” my messages. Not sure how to Tweet? Wondering more about a “Twitter handle”? You can learn more about Twitter strategies and tips from our partners at Half in Ten through this introductory guide. For more experienced Twitter users looking for additional tips, download this advanced guide. In the coming months, we’ll provide more training on how to use social media effectively as we build the movement to end poverty here in the US and around the world. And please, let us know if you have questions or need help.

And, make sure you “like” RESULTS on @RESULTS_Tweets. For more information about RESULTS and how you can make a difference, including our work in communities across the country to create the political will to end poverty, please join the next RESULTS Introductory Call . RSVP at http://tinyurl.com/RESULTSMeetandGreet.

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