U.S. Poverty Weekly Update February 12, 2019
Quote of the Week
“Congress should pass legislation to increase access to affordable housing.”
– RESULTS NW Montana volunteer Karen Cunningham in a February 7 letter to the editor in the Daily Inter Lake
Got Two Minutes? Back Up Young Leaders on Capitol Hill Today with Calls to Congress
RESULTS volunteers from across the country have been on Capitol Hill today asking Congress to invest more in ending poverty – and they need your support! REAL Change Fellows spent the weekend getting trained on our 2019 housing and global health priorities and are now meeting with congressional offices urging them to implement those priorities. As Congress starts making decisions about how it will fund the fight against poverty, your voice can make a difference, especially when united with the in-person meetings happening today.
TAKE ACTION: Take two minutes to call your representative and both senators urging them to make poverty a priority in budget negotiations. Use our online call-in alert (with a script for what to say). Once you’ve called all three of your member of Congress, forward the alert link to your local action networks and urge them to call too.
Also, if you or someone you know would like to become a REAL Change Fellow, we are now taking applications for the 2019-20 REAL Change class. If you want to gain great life skills, become a powerful advocate, and build powerful new relationships, visit our REAL Change page and fill out online application.
Got Ten Minutes? Get Meetings for Next Week’s Recess
While nothing is guaranteed, it looks as if Democrats and Republicans in Congress have reached a deal to avoid a government shutdown this weekend. Once they complete this work on the FY2019 budget, members of Congress will head home for a week-long recess next week. For most of you, this is your first opportunity to meet with members face-to-face in 2019. Let’s not waste it.
Our Set the Agenda campaign is designed to help you have meaningful meetings with congressional offices and make poverty a priority in their 2019 agenda. For U.S. Poverty issues, that means securing increased funding for the Housing Choice Voucher program, America’s largest low-income housing program. These vouchers help low-income families pay the rent each month (the vouchers are designed to fill the gap between their income and the rent owed). With only one-quarter of eligible households able to access these vouchers, an increase in funding for the program is desperately needed. In addition, we want lawmakers to get behind new tax proposals expected this year which would help boost income for low-income workers and families (through expansions of the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit). Use next week’s recess to send these messages.
Finally, remember that new people are wonderful additions to these meetings. As Elaine Campbell of Dallas, TX shared on last week’s National Webinar, people new to RESULTS are eager to learn and lobby meetings are an inspiring first step for them. Reach out to new people in your area and invite them to attend upcoming lobby meetings with you.
TAKE ACTION: Take ten minutes to request (or follow-up on requests for) face-to-face meetings with your members of Congress for the February recess (February 18-22). Use our updated meeting request (online or Word doc) to request your meeting now. Find all the resources you need for your meetings, including lobby “leave-behind” sheets, on our new Lobbying page. If you cannot get a meeting next week, ask for a meeting at the next earliest time. Once you get a meeting scheduled, please contact Meredith Dodson for coaching.
Got Twenty Minutes? Celebrate Black History Month
February is Black History Month. Considering the tragic revelations coming out of Virginia concerning offensive racial conduct by elected officials, it is more important now than ever to not only remember and address America’s mistreatment of African Americans, but also to celebrate the achievements black Americans have made despite that mistreatment.
Black history is American history. This month, as part of RESULTS on-going anti-oppression work, RESULTS is taking the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of African Americans, raise awareness about the injustices that still exist, and recommit ourselves to our values and work for change.
TAKE ACTION: In honor of Black History Month, please take at least twenty minutes this week to immerse yourself in learning, discussion, and making community connections around Black History Month. In addition to attending BHM activities in your local area, here are some ideas and resources to help you:
- Read our Black History Month resource list – pick out a movie, video, article, or book to use in discussion with your RESULTS group and/or community.
- Join RESULTS Regional Coordinator Rachel Azanleko-Akouete.for a discussion centered on three short videos: What does my headscarf mean to you?, Place Matters, and The danger of a single story on Tuesday, February 26 at 1:00 pm ET. Join via Zoom: https://results.zoom.us/j/398056270or dial either (669) 900-6833 or (929) 436-2866, ID:398 056 270.
- Join RESULTS Director of U.S. Poverty Campaigns Meredith Dodson for a discussion of the book, Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates on Thursday, February 28 at 2 pm ET. Join via Zoom: https://results.zoom.us/j/398056270or dial either (669) 900-6833 or (929) 436-2866, ID:398 056 270.
Quick News
Proposed SNAP Rule is Out. Late last year, the Trump Administration proposed a new rule that would limit SNAP (formerly food stamps) for adults without children in the home. Right now, these “ABAWDs” (able-bodied adults without dependents) must consistently work at least 20 hours per week or have their SNAP benefits limited to three months out of every three years. However, states can request waivers from the work requirement in times of economic distress and high unemployment. The new rule would restrict states’ ability to get those waivers. If implemented, FRAC estimates that 755,000 SNAP recipients could see the benefits cut. The public comment for the rule is now open and runs through April 2. Use FRAC’s online resources to submit your comment today opposing this harsh and unnecessary rule.
Send in the Plans! Please submit your 2019 group plan using our online form. Find all our planning materials on the Outreach and Planning page. If you have questions, please contact Jos Linn for assistance.
Register for the RESULTS Conference! Registration for the RESULTS International Conference (July 13-16 in Washington, DC) is now open. Go to www.resultsconference.org to register today for our biggest event of the year.
Learn How to Be a Better Coach. Join RESULTS Regional Coordinator Misty Novitch for a book club discussion on the coaching techniques explored in David Rock’s book Quiet Leadership. The book club will meet the third Thursday of each month at 9:00 pm ET, starting next Thursday, February 21. The first assignment is to read pages 1-35. To join, login at https://results.zoom.us/j/482992263 or join by phone at either (929) 436-2866 or (669) 900-6833, meeting ID 482 992 263. Questions? Contact Lisa Marchal.
Upcoming Events
Monday, February 18: Presidents’ Day. All RESULTS offices closed.
Monday, February 18-Friday, February 22: February Congressional Recess. Submit your meeting requests today.
Tuesday, February 19, U.S. Poverty Free Agents Calls, 1:00 pm and 8:00 pm ET. Join at: https://results.zoom.us/j/324294681 or dial by phone at (929) 436-2866 or (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 324 294 681.
Thursday, February 21: Quiet Leadership Book Club, 9:00 pm ET. To join, go to https://results.zoom.us/j/482992263. You can also join by phone at (929) 436-2866 or (669) 900-6833, meeting ID 482 992 263.
Tuesday, February 26: Black History Month Discussion, 1:00 pm ET. Join a discussion centered on three short videos: What does my headscarf mean to you?, Place Matters, and The danger of a single story. Join online at: https://results.zoom.us/j/398056270 or dial either (669) 900-6833 or (929) 436-2866, ID:398 056 270.
Thursday, February 28: Black History Month Discussion, 2:00 pm ET. Join a discussion of the book, Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates. Join via online at: https://results.zoom.us/j/398056270 or dial either (669) 900-6833 or (929) 436-2866, ID:398 056 270.
Tuesday, March 5: RESULTS U.S. Poverty National Webinar, 8:00 pm ET. Join at: https://results.zoom.us/j/873308801 or dial (929) 436-2866 or (669) 900-6833, Meeting ID: 873 308 801. Find recordings and slides from previous webinars on the National Webinars page.
Wednesday, March 6: RESULTS Action Network Community of Practice webinar, 8:00pm ET. To join, log in: https://results.zoom.us/j/427674133 or dial in: 669-900-6833, Meeting ID: 427 674 133. You can also join our Facebook and e-mail groups.
Saturday, July 13-Tuesday, July 16, 2019: RESULTS International Conference. Register today at www.resultsconference.org!
Find all events on the RESULTS Events Calendar.
U.S. Poverty Staff time out of the office: Meredith Dodson, February 18-22. Jos Linn, February 15 (afternoon); March 21-22.
Other Resources
Learn more about the RESULTS Experts on Poverty.
If you need materials (banners, pens, stickers, or business cards) for your local RESULTS work, fill out our Materials Order Form and we’ll send them to you.
If you have a question, comment, or suggestion for the RESULTS/REF Board, please e-mail Steven McGee at [email protected]. View Board minutes and Annual Reports.
Please fill out the new RESULTS Lobby Report Form after any lobby meeting. In meetings that cover both U.S. and global poverty issues, please fill it out twice.
RESULTS Staff directory.