Thank you for taking a leadership role in RESULTS

Hello, and welcome to your role as a Group Leader in RESULTS! 

My name is Joanne Carter, Executive Director of RESULTS. I know I speak for our staff, board, and volunteer network when I say how grateful we are that you’re taking on this key role. You are a leader in our network and in the movement to end poverty. 

Many people who start their journey with RESULTS wonder if they can make a difference. As an incoming Group Leader, you have seen the power of one voice. You’ve probably also seen the even greater power of our collective voices. You’ve likely met with congressional aides, and you may have published a letter to the editor (or a few)!  Perhaps you have helped build relationships with advocates in your community. We know that relationship is at the center of impact. This is why your role as a Group Leader is so critical. You foster the connections that make it possible for advocates to take action. You’ll help your group coalesce, bridging their differences and growing their collective activism. 

I realized the impact I could have as a Group Leader very early in my time with RESULTS.  

When I joined RESULTS as a volunteer in 1988, I had never talked to a member of Congress. Over the course of about two months, my fellow volunteers and staff trained and supported me. I learned some of the basics about lobbying and media. Even more importantly, I connected with my RESULTS community. Within two months, I was asked to be the Group Leader for my local group just outside of New York City. To say I was nervous would be an understatement. But the passion of the network and my group propelled me. I took on the role of liaison to our congressional offices. The very first time I asked for a meeting with my member of Congress — I got it! While this is not always the case, I realized I’d never even tried. My connections with lawmakers grew, as did my relationships with local media. The growth opportunities and community within RESULTS helped shape me into the leader I wanted to be.  

Your Group Leader path will maybe look different from mine. But all of us share in the transformational experience of building community with a group of passionate advocates. Thank you for your commitment and courage in taking on this critical role. We look forward to the gifts and talents you bring as a leader in the fight to end poverty.