RESULTS Weekly Update October 3, 2023

Quote of the Week

“The most recent U.S. Census data sounded an alarm that we all need to hear.”

– RESULTS Greenville, SC volunteer Mary Lash in a October 1 letter to the editor in the Greenville News

Table of Contents

• Build the Buy-in: Shutdown averted (for now), but work is far from over
• Register for October National Webinar to learn about punitive “work” policies
• Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty
• Announcements
• Upcoming Events
• Grassroots Resources

Build the Buy-in: Shutdown averted (for now), but work is far from over

On Saturday, Congress came within hours of a government shutdown. Fortunately, those who recognized the dangerous practical and political consequences of a shutdown helped pass a 45-day continuing resolution with strong bipartisan support. This averted another manufactured and unnecessary crisis, but only temporarily. If the House and Senate cannot come to agreement on a budget, we could back her again in mid-November .

While the tumult in Washington can be both engrossing and frustrating, it must not distract from the important work you are doing. In fact, it makes it all that more important. When the news is enraptured with the political infighting, real issues that affect real people go unresolved.

Your advocacy, in particular your media work right now, can change that. Since we launched the Build the Buy-in campaign just 33 days ago, you have gotten 58 media pieces published in 23 states! Congratulations and thank you! That’s what we need, and more of it. To get an expansion of the Child Tax Credit, to pass the End TB Now Act, and to pass the READ Reauthorization Act this year will take advocates like you taking action.

TAKE ACTION: Continue the success of our Build the Buy-in campaign by getting letters to the editor on the topics below.

Child Tax Credit. The averted government shutdown is a strong reminder that we need to invest more in programs such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Tax provisions are not subject to these annual budget fights and are typically more stable. Families can count on them, which in turn helps build better financial stability. The dramatic reduction and the rise of child poverty in 2021 and 2022 demonstrates what happens when that stability is absent. Use the Census poverty data, which is still a powerful media hook, for letters to the editor urging your members of Congress to expand the CTC in any tax legislation this year.

United Nations High-Level Meeting and the End TB Now Act. Use the success of the UNHLM (read more here and here) for your next letter to the editor urging members of Congress to co-sponsor and pass the End Tuberculosis (TB) Now Act. The bill has successfully moved through committee in both chambers of Congress. But we need more co-sponsorships and action from leadership to get it over the finish line. Use our online TB media alert to urge Congress to end tuberculosis now.

UNESCO report and the READ Act. Have you heard of “learning poverty”? When children are not given the chance to learn how to read basic texts by age 10, that’s “learning poverty.” According to a recent report, “The State of Global Learning Poverty: 2022 Update,” an estimated 70 percent of 10-year-olds in the most poverty-affected countries experienced learning poverty last year. It reminds us that the READ Act reauthorization is more important than ever. Use these reports for helpful hooks for your next letter to the editor on the READ Act.

Once you get published, please let us know. If you have questions or want help with your letters this week, please contact RESULTS staff for assistance.

October National Webinar takes a deep dive on oppressive “work” policies

Just a reminder – there is no RESULTS National Webinar this weekend. Due to the Indigenous Peoples holiday on October 9, we moved the webinar to October 14. In that delay, we have prepared a special extended webinar for you. We’ll take a deep dive at how “work requirements” in U.S. poverty programs, such as $2,500 income requirement in the current Child Tax Credit, have been weaponized over the years to restrict access to resources and keep people in poverty. Hear from experts Peggy Bailey (CBPP), Elisa Minoff (CSSP) and RESULTS Grassroots Board member Aaron Carrillo during a panel discussion on the impact of work requirements, moderated by RESULTS’ Michael Santos. After that, RESULTS Indiana volunteer Kazmyn Ramos will lead an advocacy training on how to effectively challenge the conventional wisdom when talking about this issue. This will be an informative and inspiring webinar, and well worth your time. Join us!

TAKE ACTION: Register for the special extended October RESULTS National Webinar on Saturday, October 14 from 12:00 to 3:00 pm ET. Register today!

Quick News on U.S. and Global Poverty

SCOTUS declines to hear rent stabilization case. The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to take up a case challenging New York City’s rent stabilization laws. This is a temporary victory for many advocates pushing for rent control and regulation. It leaves protected the ability of states and local governments to pass, enforce, and implement rent regulations across the country. It also ensures that housing units remain accessible to those who are unable to afford them. However, there are other similar cases still pending and may be taken up by the Court.

Announcements

RESULTS Experts on Poverty program is recruiting new Experts. The Experts on Poverty program gathers a diverse cohort of advocates with firsthand experiences of poverty to push for more effective government policies to combat poverty. Experts receive training, support, and inspiration to become stronger leaders in the anti-poverty movement and help shape our U.S. poverty policy strategies and priorities. We are currently seeking new EOPs to join the cohort. See the Experts on Poverty webpage for more information about the program and how to apply. Applications are due November 30. Also, learn about the program and the impact it’s made on the lives of our EOPs by joining our October 24 Expert on Poverty Information Session. For questions, please email Keisha McVey at [email protected].

Join Thursday’s webinar about the UNHLM on TB. Join us this Thursday, October 5 at 1:00 pm ET for our webinar “Making an impact on the global stage: Behind the scenes at the United Nations General Assembly.” See footage from the September 22 UN High Level Meeting on tuberculosis, and hear from RESULTS Executive Director Joanne Carter and Director of Global Poverty Campaigns Colin Puzo Smith on how RESULTS advocates contributed to global commitments to end TB. Join this recognition and celebration of your important work. Register today.

Nominate a fellow volunteer or ally for RESULTS awards. RESULTS believes in celebrating excellence in grassroots advocacy. The Bob Dickerson Leadership Award is awarded to a grassroots volunteer who shows extraordinary leadership and commitment to the mission of RESULTS. The Cameron Duncan Media Award is given to a journalist, editor, or grassroots volunteer for outstanding work on issues related to poverty in the media. If you know a volunteer, journalist, or editor who demonstrated these qualities in 2023, please complete this form. You may nominate as many people as you like. However, please make a separate submission for each person or award. Nominations are due by October 31. Nominees and winners will be announced in December. Contact Jos Linn if you have questions.

Virtual Group Leader training open for registration. Are you a current (or even aspiring) RESULTS Group Leader? You are welcome to this four-part learning series to be held on four successive weeks starting October 18. These interactive sessions will get you in touch with fellow Group Leaders, give you practical tools for leading a RESULTS group, and provide some fun along the way. Each session will last two hours. Register today! Questions? Contact Lisa Marchal.

Apply for the RESULTS Fellowship. 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. The application is open through October 31. For more information, e-mail us at [email protected].

Keep reporting your advocacy! Lobby meetings, media, and outreach. We’re in a new month, so make sure you’re up to date on your reporting! Use our quick and easy online forms.

Upcoming Events

Congressional schedule: The House and Senate are in session this week.

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

Wednesday, October 4: New Advocate Orientation, 12:00 pm ET. Register today.

Wednesday, October 11: Global Allies (Returned Peace Corps Volunteers) Monthly Webinar, 8:30 pm ET. Learn more and register.

Thursday, October 12: Event Planning and Outreach Office Hour, 2:00 pm ET. Join via https://results.zoom.us/j/98524229370 or call (312) 626-6799, Meeting ID: 985 2422 9370.

Friday, October 13: Anti-oppression 201 – Structural Racism, 12:00-1:30 pm ET. Learn more about the recommended prerequisite for this webinar and register.

Saturday, October 14: Special National Webinar, 12:00-3:00 pm ET. Register today!

Tuesday, October 17: U.S. Poverty Free Agents, 1:00 pm and 8:00 pm ET. Contact Jos Linn for more information.

Tuesday, October 17: Together Women Rise/RESULTS Advocacy Chapter, 8:30 pm ET. Learn more.  

Tuesday, October 17: New Advocate Orientation, 8:30 pm ET. Register today.

Wednesday, October 18: 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.

Wednesday, October 18: 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.

Wednesday, October 18: Group Leader Training Series, 8:00 pm ET. Register today for this special 4-week series. Each session is two hours.

Thursday, October 19: U.S. Poverty Policy Forum, 8:00 pm ET. Register today.  

Thursday, October 19: Global Poverty Policy Forum, 9:00 pm ET. Register today.

Friday, October 20: Anti-oppression Learning Community Meeting, 12:00 pm ET. Register today for this 90-minute conversation.

Monday, October 23: Global Poverty Free Agents, 7:00 pm ET. Contact Lisa Marchal for more information.

Tuesday, October 24: Experts on Poverty Information Session, 12:00 pm ET. Registration is open.

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 story about advocacy you feel could inspire others, use our new online form to tell us your story. Also, if you want to celebrate the actions of a new volunteer, sharing about the experience today.

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.