RESULTS Weekly Update August 8, 2023

 Quote of the Week

“The bipartisan, bicameral End Tuberculosis Now Act (H.R.1776/S. 288) would not only get us back on track and help save lives but also provide the frontline support needed to address future pandemics.

– RESULTS St. Louis volunteer Raj Jaladi in a July 19 letter to the editor in the Joplin Globe

Table of Contents

• Last days for signatures on Senate TB letter to the Administration
• Prioritize lobby meetings in August before a chaotic fall
• Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty
• Announcements
• Upcoming Events
• Grassroots Resources

Last days for signatures on Senate TB letter to the Administration

We have just a few more days! August 11 is the extended deadline for signatures on a bipartisan Senate letter to the Biden Administration which, as the similar House letter did recently, urges bold leadership at the September 22 United Nations High Level Meeting on tuberculosis. This letter is co-led by Senators Brown (D-OH) and Young (R-IN) and needs our support as we seek to reach 51 signatures on this letter by Friday. You did incredible work on a similar House letter to the Administration, and we can do it again.

TB is disproportionately affecting low-income and otherwise marginalized communities, with 98% of TB cases and deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The way the world rallied to combat COVID-19? We can do the same for tuberculosis now. That’s why it’s so critical that we keep the advocacy momentum going with a strong showing on this Senate letter. Now is the moment.

TAKE ACTION: Ask your senators today to sign this important letter to the Administration asking for ambitious leadership at the fall United Nations High Level Meeting on tuberculosis. The letter itself has full instructions on how to sign on. August 11 is the extended deadline for signatures.

Prioritize lobby meetings in August before a chaotic fall

As discussed on last weekend’s RESULTS National Webinar, lobby meetings during the current August recess are critically important to enacting real change.

The issues we focus on – ending child poverty, reducing housing insecurity, promoting global health, expanding global education – are rarely discussed in the media or general public. Thus, without you bringing these issues to your members of Congress, they may go completely unnoticed. We are vying for attention in an environment where scandal and fame demand the spotlight. If we are to make any progress in the fight against poverty, we need you to tell lawmakers what to focus on.

Another reason August recess meetings are important is timing. The fall is setting up to be a chaotic time in Washington. With the political intransigence in the House, many believe Congress will miss their September 30 budget deadline, resulting in a government shutdown. Whether that happens or not, starting a conversation with lawmakers about our issues amidst that turmoil will be difficult. Meeting with them now – the calm before the storm – will allow you to plant the seeds before the ground gets oversaturated.

Finally, lobby meetings are the antidote to creeping cynicism. With the constant barrage of bad news, it’s easy to get discouraged. But any RESULTS volunteer knows that the cure to frustration and apathy is action. Action is motivating and lobby meetings are like advocacy jet fuel.

TAKE ACTION: Use the August recess to meet with members of Congress and their staff about child poverty, global health, and global education. Our Working with Congress page has all the resources to request and prepare for powerful lobby meetings. Here are a few tips to increase your chances of securing meetings this month:

• Follow up. Once you’ve requested your meeting, follow up every few days until you get an answer. Be sure to forward your original e-mail as your follow-up to remind them of your request. Change the subject line each time to “Request #2”, etc.
• Don’t stop with a no. If you cannot get a meeting with your members of Congress, ask to meet with local staff or a policy aide in DC. The goal is a meeting.
• Ask about public events. When speaking with the office, also ask if your representative or senators are doing public events you can attend to ask them a question. Even talking about your issue for 1 minute in a rope line can make a difference. See this training from RESULTS’ Ken Patterson for tips on lobbying at public events.

If you are having difficulty getting a meeting, talk with RESULTS staff during one of our Lobby Prep Office Hours (Tuesdays in August at 8:00 pm ET; see Announcements below for details) or contact RESULTS staff directly.

Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty

Use CPSP data for lobby meetings and media. Did you enjoy the Child Tax Credit presentation Sophie Collyer of the Center on Poverty and Social Policy provided on this month’s National Webinar? Are you looking for strong arguments in favor of the CTC for conservative offices? Check out CPSP’s new research showing how families spent their benefit and increased household spending in local economies. Use it in your August lobby meetings this month and your letters to the editor urging Congress to expand the CTC.

ABA adopts resolution supporting tax credits. Friends and colleagues at the American Bar Association, the largest voluntary association of lawyers in the world, adopted a resolution (with help and leadership of RESULTS Associate Director of US Policy, Michael Santos) in support of RESULTS’ policy priorities – namely the Child Tax Credit, a federal Renter Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. This recent policy development increased RESULTS’ allies and paved the pathway for more scholarship, programming, and advocacy in the push to prioritize renters in the tax code. Watch the video to hear statements made in support of the resolution.

The End Tuberculosis Now Act and READ Act need co-sponsorships. Ask your members of Congress to co-sponsor the End Tuberculosis Now Act in both the House (H.R.1776) and the Senate (S.288) as well as the READ Act (H.R.681, S.41), also in both chambers. We need momentum on co-sponsorships, and these pieces of legislation are perfect asks for your August recess meetings. As school years start up around the country, education and health are top of mind. We must act. The RESULTS website has resources to help you book August meetings, including a sample meeting request letter, a new congressional recess checklist, and more.

Media hooks for the week. Use the hook ideas below to submit a letter to the editor this week. If you need a template, use our online media actions to edit and submit your letter today.

• U.S. Poverty: With Congress’ failure to keep the expanded CTC, some states are picking up the slack by enacting or expanding state child tax credits on a bipartisan basis. Submit a letter to the editor urging Congress to follow their lead and expand the CTC so all children can benefit.
• Global Poverty: Read this inspiring blog about one of our advocates, Emily Escobar of California. In it she details her powerful and personal reasons for advocating for the end of tuberculosis. What’s your “why”? Your “why” would make a powerful hook for a letter to the editor.

Announcements

Join tonight’s Lobby Prep Office Hour for lobby meeting help. RESULTS staff is holding Lobby Prep Office Hours each Tuesday in August. Join to get coaching on any question you have about August recess lobby meetings. The office hours are 8:00-9:00 pm ET on August 8, 15, 22, and 29. Join at: https://results.zoom.us/j/98582131855 or dial (301) 715-8592, meeting ID: 985 8213 1855 (no registration required). If you prefer more personalized coaching, please contact RESULTS staff to schedule a lobby prep call with your group.

Join Grassroots Board Town Hall on Thursday. Our newly elected Grassroots Board Members Aaron Carrillo (RESULTS Expert on Poverty) and Allison Gallaher (RESULTS Cleveland) will be featured on the next Grassroots Board Member Town Hall, Thursday, August 10 at 8:30 pm ET. Meet the candidates and learn more about the Grassroots Directors Committee of the RESULTS Board and how they can be a resource to you. All are welcome! To join the meeting, login at this Zoom link, meeting ID: 950 0654 6243, passcode: Grassroots.

Join RESULTS Fellowship info webinar tomorrow. If you know someone aged 20-35 who wants to harness their political power, sharpen skills, and take action on important issues, invite them to apply for the RESULTS Fellowship.  RESULTS Fellows advocate at the intersections of poverty and anti-oppression and learn how to work with the media, their communities, and policymakers to create change. Applications are now being accepted through October 31. If they want more information, urge them to register for our Fellowship information session tomorrow, August 9 at 5:00 pm ET. Any questions, please email [email protected].

Join the fall Friends & Family fundraising campaign. Inspire your network to support our mission and help RESULTS meet our fundraising goals for our fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. Check out our fundraising toolkit and create an online fundraising page.

Read new Grassroots Spotlight about Emily Escobar. Read the new RESULTS grassroots advocacy story highlighting California RESULTS volunteer Emily Escobar and how our work in ending tuberculosis is personal to her.

Interested in being a Regional Coordinator? The Regional Coordinator (RC) is a key player in the RESULTS community. RCs are the brilliant network of people who provide training, cheerleading, and support for our network of groups. RCs work directly with RESULTS staff members, receive leadership coaching, coaching on powerful speaking, legislative updates and attend a yearly retreat for skills development. Ideal candidates for this volunteer role have experience in a RESULTS Group Leader role, but we welcome all inquiries. Want to learn more about this unique volunteer opportunity? Contact Lisa Marchal. Let’s chat!

No policy forums this month and adjusted date for September National Webinar. To keep focus on lobby meetings this month, there are no U.S. or global policy poverty forums in August. They will resume in September. And due to the Labor Day holiday, the September National Webinar will be Saturday, September 9.

Upcoming Events

Congressional schedule: July 31-September 4. The House and Senate are on recess.

Typically, registration ends one hour prior to the start of all webinars and trainings.

Tuesday, August 8: Lobby Prep Office Hour, 8:00 pm ET. Bring questions for RESULTS Staff about your August recess lobby meetings. Join at: https://results.zoom.us/j/98582131855 or dial (301) 715-8592, meeting ID: 985 8213 1855.

Wednesday, August 9: RESULTS Fellowship Information Session, 5:00 pm ET. Register today.

Wednesday, August 9: Motivational Interviewing 101 – August Recess Edition, 8:00 pm ET. Read more about this unique learning opportunity and how this primer can help you with your August recess meetings. Register today.

Thursday, August 10: Event Planning and Outreach Office Hour, 2:00 pm ET. Drop in via https://results.zoom.us/j/98524229370 or call (312) 626-6799, meeting ID 985 2422 9370.

Thursday, August 10: Grassroots Board Member Town Hall, 8:30 pm ET. Join at:
https://results.zoom.us/j/95006546243?pwd=QkpWc01uV1RWQkIyRmV6dm5LOFdUQT09, meeting ID: 950 0654 6243, passcode: Grassroots.

Thursday, August 10: Global Allies Program, 8:30 pm ET. Read more about this program with the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers.

Tuesday, August 15: Lobby Prep Office Hour, 8:00 pm ET. Bring questions for RESULTS Staff about your August recess lobby meetings. Join at: https://results.zoom.us/j/98582131855 or dial (301) 715-8592, meeting ID: 985 8213 1855.

Tuesday, August 15: Together Women Rise/RESULTS Advocacy Chapter, 8:30 pm ET. Learn more.

Wednesday, August 16: Action Network Managers webinar, 12:30 pm and 8:00 pm ET. (Choose your time.) Join the 12:30 pm ET session at https://results.zoom.us/j/93288388695. Join the 8:00 pm ET session at https://results.zoom.us/j/91531456676. No registration required.

Thursday, August 17: Event Planning and Outreach Office Hour, 2:00 pm ET. Drop in via https://results.zoom.us/j/98524229370 or call (312) 626-6799, meeting ID 985 2422 9370.

Tuesday, August 22: Lobby Prep Office Hour, 8:00 pm ET. Bring questions for RESULTS Staff about your August recess lobby meetings. Join at: https://results.zoom.us/j/98582131855 or dial (301) 715-8592, meeting ID: 985 8213 1855.

Tuesday, August 22: U.S. Poverty Free Agents, 1:00 pm and 8:00 pm ET (note the new evening time). Contact Jos Linn for more information.

Wednesday, August 23: Media Office Hour, 2:00 pm ET. Join via Zoom at https://results.zoom.us/j/93668005494 or (312) 626-6799, meeting ID 936 6800 5494. No registration required.

Thursday, August 24: Event Planning and Outreach Office Hour, 2:00 pm ET. Drop in via https://results.zoom.us/j/98524229370 or call (312) 626-6799, meeting ID 985 2422 9370.

Thursday, August 24: New Advocate Mentor Connection Call – August Recess Edition, 8:00 pm ET. Read more about this sharing and socializing opportunity. Register today.

Friday, August 25: Diversity and Inclusion 101, 12:00 pm ET. Read more about this important 90-minute learning opportunity.

Monday, August 28: Global Poverty Free Agents, 7:00 pm ET. Contact Lisa Marchal for more information.

Tuesday, August 29: Lobby Prep Office Hour, 8:00 pm ET. Bring questions for RESULTS Staff about your August recess lobby meetings. Join at: https://results.zoom.us/j/98582131855 or dial (301) 715-8592, meeting ID: 985 8213 1855.

Thursday, August 31: Event Planning and Outreach Office Hour, 2:00 pm ET. Drop in via https://results.zoom.us/j/98524229370 or call (312) 626-6799, meeting ID 985 2422 9370.

Saturday, September 9: National Webinar, 1:00 pm ET. Note the adjusted date. Register today.

Grassroots Resources

Learn about the RESULTS Experts on Poverty.

Find actions and volunteer resources on our Volunteers Hub, including our anti-oppression resources. To join the RESULTS listserv for more RESULTS conversation, send an email to [email protected].

Remember to please report your recent advocacy successes in lobby meetings, media, and outreach activities. Also, use our Volunteer Information Form to add or edit volunteer info and to sign up for updates and alerts.

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

RESULTS Staff directory and job postings.