U.S. Poverty Weekly Update February 6, 2018

U.S. Poverty Campaigns

Weekly Update | February 6, 2018

“We need to make it clear to Congress that we won’t stand for any attempt to unravel anti-poverty and anti-hunger programs that place Idahoans, children and Americans at risk.”

– RESULTS Boise volunteer and Expert on Poverty Dawn Pierce January 26 letter to the editor in the Idaho Statesman

Quick Action: Tell Congress to Reject Cuts to Anti-Poverty Programs

Got Ten Minutes? Join the U.S. Poverty National Webinar Tonight at 8 pm ET and Make Your #LettersGetLOUD

Join us for the RESULTS U.S. Poverty National Webinar this evening, February 6 at 8:00 pm ET. This month, we are kicking off our exciting #LettersGetLOUD campaign, which aims to engage friends and allies in taking action to protect anti-poverty programs. With Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs facing threats, lifting up new voices is going to be critical to our success. To help us better understand the current threats, we are pleased to have Ana Hicks, State Strategies Manager at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, joining us on tonight’s webinar. She’ll overview the latest from Congress and provide ideas for how to best speak to lawmakers about protecting these vital programs. The rest of the webinar will focus on the #LettersGetLOUD campaign and how you can use it to make a difference on our issues. Please plan to join us.

TAKE ACTION: Take two minutes to confirm details to participate in the RESULTS U.S. Poverty National Grassroots Webinar call this evening, February 6 at 8:00 pm ET. Coordinate with your group where you will meet for the call. To join the webinar online, login at http://fuze.me/32255914 or dial in by phone at (201) 479-4595, Meeting ID: 32255914#. Plan to log in or call in no later than 7:55 pm ET. Tonight’s webinar slides will be available later today on our National Webinars page.

Got Ten Minutes? Read the February Action and Make Your #LettersGetLOUD

It seems that it is getting harder and harder to stay focused on what’s important these days. The media, politicians, not to mention the daily necessities of life, are constantly demanding our attention. It leaves many of us scattered, frustrated, and tired. But deep down, we know that things are not right and want to do something about it. As RESULTS volunteers, we know what to do. But there are many people out there – people we know – who don’t. Enter #LettersGetLOUD.

#LettersGetLOUD is our newest advocacy and organizing campaign to help focus attention on what matters – ending poverty. We’re getting back to basics by using the simplicity of letter-writing to motivate, organize, and empower our communities into action. RESULTS groups across the country will spend the next few months writing letters about protecting critical anti-poverty investments, reading those letters out loud in the meetings and sharing that experience on social media, and then hand-delivering the letters to members of Congress (please read below about getting lobby meetings this month). Each component of this campaign has been carefully thought-out and planned to maximize its impact. Our goal is to engage as many people as possible in an easy and effective action that will have impact on our issues while also exposing new people to advocacy. Get started now!

TAKE ACTION: Take ten minutes to get started on the #LettersGetLOUD campaign by reading the February Action. The Action provides a brief overview of the campaign and tips for how to get started and make it successful. In the coming days and weeks, we will have additional resources on the RESULTS website to help you. You’ll have everything you need to be successful. In addition, if you need personal coaching on how to make the most of #LettersGetLOUD with your group, please contact Jos Linn. We’ll have much more about #LettersGetLOUD on tonight’s U.S. Poverty National Webinar (see above).

Got Twenty Minutes? Schedule Local Lobby Meetings for the February Recess (February Action)

It’s a busy time in Washington. Right now, leaders in Congress is busy trying to avoid another government shutdown at the end of this week. Next week, President Trump will release his FY2019 budget proposal. Then House and Senate leaders will begin work on their priorities for the year. House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI-1) wants to push for cuts to anti-poverty programs under the guise of “workforce development.” In addition, House Agriculture leaders may unveil their new Farm Bill proposal this month, which could have changes to SNAP (formerly food stamps). Not to mention that if President Trump proposes a similar budget to his FY2018 proposal, nothing will be safe.

This is why our new #LettersGetLOUD campaign is so important. We need to send the message loud and clear that cutting anti-poverty programs to finance the new tax law passed in December, or for any other reason, is unacceptable. Setting up face-to-face meetings with members of Congress and then hand-delivering all the letters you gather is the best way to send that message. Make your meeting requests now!

TAKE ACTION: Take twenty minutes to request face-to-face meetings with your members of Congress. The January Action has a sample meeting request and a guide for requesting meetings. Both representatives and senators will be on recess the week of February 19 and then again March 26 – April 6. Set up meetings to talk to them about protecting critical anti-poverty programs and to deliver your first batch of #LettersGetLOUD letters. If you need help with requests, please contact Jos Linn.

Quick News

Please Submit Your 2018 Group Plans. If you have not submitted your 2018 Group Plan Summary, please e-mail it to Jos Linn ASAP. We only have about 30 percent of plans in so far. Help us help you be successful in 2018 – send in your plans today!

Check Out the New RESULTS Conference Video. Not sure if you should join us at the RESULTS International Conference in Washington, DC this July? Watch our new 2018 Conference video and in less than a minute, you’ll know why you should be there. Register today! Then share the video with your friends on Facebook and urge them to come with you!

REAL Change Application is Now Open. If you know someone 18-30 years old who wants to be a top-notch advocate for the end of poverty, urge them to apply for the REAL Change Fellowship. This year-long fellowship provides young advocates training and experience in all forms of advocacy, starting with an eventful kickoff at the 2018 RESULTS International Conference. Slots are limited so apply today.

Join the Trump Budget Webinar on February 14. Celebrate Valentine’s Day by learning the details of President Trump’s FY2019 budget proposal and its impact on programs and services that lift and keep people out of poverty. The webinar is Wednesday, February 14 at 12:30 pm ET; it is sponsored by the CHN, CBPP, CAP, and FRAC. Go to the CHN website to register today.

Read the 2018 Prosperity Now Scorecard. The 2018 scorecard from Prosperity Now is now available. The scorecard is “a comprehensive resource for data on household financial health and policy recommendations to help put everyone in our country on a path to prosperity.” It includes state data. Use this valuable information in your letter-writing and lobby meetings this month.

Self-Care Tip for the Week. Take an hour to relax this week by reading a book or article that puts a smile on your face (try to avoid screens).

Upcoming Events

Go to the RESULTS Events Calendar to see a full list of RESULTS events. Also, find a list of the RESULTS U.S. Poverty staff with contact information on the RESULTS website.

RESULTS U.S. Poverty National Webinar, Tuesday, February 6 at 8:00 pm ET. Participate at http://fuze.me/32255914 or (201) 479-4595, Meeting ID: 32255914#.

Pennsylvania “Join the Fight Against Poverty” Training, Saturday, February 17 at 10:00am ET. Featuring RESULTS Expert on Poverty Asia Bijan Thompson. Al Beech/Wood Side Food Pantry, 190 S Sprague Ave, Kingston, PA. For more information contact [email protected].

House and Senate Recess, February 19-23. After any lobby meeting, please complete the RESULTS Lobby Report Form to let us know how it went.

West Virginia Outreach Event, February 22. Morgantown, WV. More details to come. Contact Kristy Martino for more information.

U.S. Poverty Free Agents Calls, Tuesday, February 20 at 1:00pm and 8:00pm ET. Login at http://fuze.me/32256018 or dial in by phone at (201) 479-4595, Meeting ID: 32256018#.

House and Senate Recess, March 26 – April 6. After any lobby meeting, please complete the RESULTS Lobby Report Form to let us know how it went.

2018 RESULTS International Conference, July 14-17, 2018, Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington, D.C. Registration is now open – register today. Watch our new 2018 Conference video and share it (along with our flyer) with others you know!

If you have a question, comment or suggestion for the RESULTS/RESULTS Educational Fund Board, please e-mail them to RESULTS Grassroots Board Member Steven McGee at [email protected]. You can view the most recently published minutes from Board meetings on the RESULTS website, as well as download RESULTS’ most recent Annual Report.