Global Weekly Update March 16, 2015


March 16, 2015

 

Global Poverty Campaigns

Weekly Update | March 16, 2015

Take Action to Meet with Congress about Appropriations for FY16
 

Final Week to Take Action: Appropriations

You have two actions you can take as you meet face-to-face with your members of Congress over appropriations:

1. Use the February-March Action Sheet to make your appropriations requests. Individual one-pagers on each of our requests are available as well, and the springtime will bring a few short recess opportunities during which these meetings could happen back in home states and districts. So now's the perfect time to book face-to-face meetings with the legislators. We know that the Appropriations Committee in the House will begin is work on requests on March 25, and the Senate will begin March 30. This means the time to get our requests to our individual members of Congress is right now. And use this laser talk to help you make your requests.

Check out some helpful hints on how to secure that face-to-face meeting you're looking for. Find your legislators through our website, or contact Lisa Marchal, Senior Global Grassroots Associate, if you have questions on how to reach a new incoming legislator.

2. House sign-on letters can be a great second-mile request for your representatives. This is the final week to ask your representatives to sign onto critically important House letters on global maternal/child health, Gavi, and nutrition (closing date March 18); global TB (closing date of March 19); and global basic education (closing date March 24). (Also, we've received word that a sign-on letter supporting the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will be available very soon.) These letters provide a different kind of option should your representative be willing to weigh in on appropriations but uninterested in submitting a funding request during this appropriations season – or in addition to a funding request! Check out our blog to get the text of each letter, some background, and specifics on the process of getting your members of Congress' signatures onto these key letters. (And in case you're wondering, we don't have any similar Senate letters yet. Stay tuned.)

The Narrative Project and the Two Dollar Challenge

1. Applying the Lessons of The Narrative Project on March 17, 9 pm ET. Over the past year, a group of organizations who care about global equity have been working together on The Narrative Project in order to develop more effective messages on global development. By using qualitative and quantitative research and message testing, The Narrative Project has come up with insights and messaging that we can use as advocates to create a broader base of public support for the global issues that we know are so important. But how can you put these lessons and learnings into practice? Join this webinar to find out! To join the online meeting, go to http://fuze.me/28182850. To join by phone, dial (201) 479-4595 and enter meeting ID 28182850 when prompted.

2. RESULTS, Two Dollar Challenge, and Oxfam USA are teaming up for the Two Dollar Challenge the week of April 6-10. The Two Dollar Challenge is an attempt to put us a bit closer in touch with what it feels like to live with seriously restrained resources, as do over 2.2 billion people in the world who live on less than $2 per day. We know that we will never understand completely, but a simulation like this could help us and others bridge the “empathy gap” that Nick Kristof, co-author of A Path Appears, talked about in his recent webinar with us. Check out our comprehensive guide to creating your Two Dollar Challenge.

World TB Day is Approaching

Every year, on March 24, the world marks World TB Day, to mobilize political and social commitment for faster progress towards eliminating TB. Each year there are 9 million new TB cases and TB causes the death of nearly 1.5 million people. Of the 9 million annual cases, 3.3 million people were either not diagnosed, not treated, or officially not registered by national TB programs. Many of those missed will either die, follow some unknown treatment but most will continue to infect others. Major efforts are needed to close this gap! 

There are several terrific World TB Day action and awareness activities you can invite your members of Congress to take part in or that you can take part in yourself.

Friends and Family Incentive Program

This year, you can earn great RESULTS swag by participating in a Friends and Family Campaign (FFC) sometime during the calendar year. That's right! You can earn water bottles, t-shirts, tote bags and fleece pullovers, just for participating in any one of our FFCs in 2015. And to make it even easier to participate, we are offering even more monthly themes to use for your campaigns. Our new themes include World TB Day, Donate Your Tax Refund, Let Freedom Ring, RESULTS 35th Anniversary, Back to School, and many more. Just check out our updated website for details on each monthly campaign and the new incentive program. Then pick the campaign that works best for you, or your group, and let Jen DeFranco of our intrepid fundraising team know how the development team can support your efforts to make your FFC campaign a success. Help us Celebrate 35 years! Our FFC goal for 2015 is $35,000 because it is RESULTS 35th year – 35 for 35!  Will you be part of the celebration by participating in Friends and Family?

Other News

1. Missed the National Grassroots Webinar/Conference Call this Month? Have no fear; the recording, transcript, and slides are here!

2. What Are Your Plans in July? Why not put DC in your calendar? You can register for the 2015 International Conference today – it will just take a few minutes!

3. Apply to Be a REAL Change Fellow. Help us get ready for the REAL Change 2015-2016 class. Please share the application with your contacts. In order to apply you must be between the ages of 18 and 30 by September of 2015, be able to attend the International Conference, be willing to work on advocacy six hours a week, and attend national conference calls with all fellows. Check out the qualifications and expectations of a REAL Change Fellow and consider applying.

4. Bob Dickerson Grassroots Leadership Award. In celebration of our 35th anniversary, RESULTS is very pleased to announce the inaugural Bob Dickerson Grassroots Leadership Award. This is your chance to nominate a RESULTS volunteer who deserves recognition for their leadership, courage, persistence, and commitment. For more than 15 years, Bob Dickerson (Seattle, WA) has been an inspiring RESULTS grassroots volunteer leader – tireless in his advocacy, unstinting in his encouragement of other activists, and a generous financial supporter of RESULTS' work. From forging strong relationships with members of Congress, to generating media, galvanizing local volunteers and calling his community to action, Bob has proven that an individual can exercise their power as an advocate  to create remarkable change in the world. Our volunteers are the bedrock of RESULTS, and Bob epitomizes the very best of what it means to be a grassroots advocate. Two RESULTS volunteers will be honored with this award at our 35th Anniversary RESULTS International Conference July 18-21 in Washington, D.C. and at our special 35th Anniversary Benefit Gala on July 22. To nominate a grassroots volunteer, please email your nomination (no more than one page) to [email protected] by Friday, March 20. Please include how this volunteer has contributed to achieving the mission of RESULTS, why they are a model for powerful citizen engagement, and why they inspire you.

5. Stories for our 35th Anniversary. Did you receive your postcard inviting you to share a RESULTS story for our 35th Anniversary celebration going on this year (and particularly at the International Conference)? Send it in! Don't have a postcard? Submit your story to [email protected]!

6. Interested in the latest on RESULTS-related microfinance work? Our partner organization the Microcredit Summit Campaign, has some great new pieces out on the latest happenings in the world of microfinance promotion and innovation. Check 'em out!

Upcoming Events

Going on Now. Applications being received for the REAL Change 2015-2016 class.

March 17, 9 pm ET. Applying the Lessons of The Narrative Project. Over the past year, a group of organizations who care about global equity have been working together on The Narrative Project in order to develop more effective messages on global development. By using qualitative and quantitative research and message testing, The Narrative Project has come up with insights and messaging that we can use as advocates to create a broader base of public support for the global issues that we know are so important. But how can you put these lessons and learnings into practice? Join this webinar to find out! To join the online meeting, go to http://fuze.me/28182850. To join by phone, dial (201) 479-4595 and enter meeting ID 28182850 when prompted.

March 18, 8 pm ET. Media Training: Using Letters to the Editor and Op-eds to Make a Difference. Join RESULTS for a training and discussion on how you can generate letters to the editor and op-eds to influence Congress and your community on issues of poverty. We’ll discuss best practices for writing your media pieces and how to increase your chances of getting published. Come to learn and share your experiences in using the media to influence lawmakers. To join the meeting, go to http://fuze.me/28074102. To join by phone, dial (201) 479-4595 and enter meeting ID 28074102. For questions, contact Jos Linn.

March 24. World TB Day.

March 24, 9 pm ET. National Conversation on Global Poverty and Development. What does good development look like? What are the key principles and attitudes required to really provide opportunity vs. aid? Lend your opinion and learn more. Join at meeting URL http://fuze.me/28107954, or dial (201) 479-4595, meeting ID 28107954#.

April 1, 9 pm ET. Maternal/Child Health and Nutrition Briefing. To join the meeting, go to http://fuze.me/28221138. To join by phone, dial (201) 479-4595 and enter meeting ID 28221138.

April 8, 9 pm ET. RESULTS Introductory Call. The perfect RESULTS primer. Contact us with any questions and RSVP for the call.

April 11, 2 pm ET. National Grassroots Webinar (Global Campaigns).

April 13, 8 pm ET. National Conversation on the Two Dollar Challenge Experience. What did you learn from the Two Dollar Challenge? How do we use the experience to expand our reach and impact on global poverty? Meeting URL: http://fuze.me/28107954 or dial (201) 479-4595, meeting ID 28107954#.

April 27, 8 pm ET. RESULTS Free Agents Call for Global Poverty Advocates. To join, go to http://fuze.me/27781074 or (201) 479-4595, meeting ID 27781074. 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 gathering.

July 18-21. RESULTS International Conference in Washington, DC. Registration is open, and soon there will be news of support to help you invite and recruit others to attend!

 

Resources at Your Fingertips

Advocacy Resources (Weekly updates, action sheets, online action alerts, and more)

Global Poverty Campaigns Background

Skills Center

Fundraising Tools

Report Your 2015 Advocacy

2015 Global Congressional Scorecard (See global poverty actions your members of Congress have taken over the past few years.)

Contact the RESULTS Board

 

Quote of the Week

"You really can change the world if you care enough." – Marian Wright Edelman
 

Explore Related Articles

Stay in action and up-to-date.
Get our Weekly Updates!

This site uses cookies to help personalize content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. By continuing to use this site, you consent to our cookies.