Live captioning by Ai-Media 
 
JOANNE CARTER: 
So welcome everyone. For those who don't know me, I'm Joanne Carter, Executive Director of RESULTS, and as always I am energized to see many faces I know, and also brand-new faces. 
 
So thanks so much for joining us. 
 
So thanks so much for joining us for our National Webinar, and I hope everyone had a fantastic and safe holiday weekend, and you know with Labor Day, as a reminder of the right of everyone to save non-exploitative working conditions, fair wages and benefits, and the right to organize. 
 
So today, I really want to reflect on your amazing work and immense acknowledgment over this eventful month of August. 
 
So first, just yesterday, Senate leaders sent a letter to the president calling on the item administration to take decisive, bold action against tuberculosis at this month's United Nations meeting. And thanks to your advocacy, 33 senators from both parties, one third of the Senate, signed on. And that was adding their support to 108 members of the house that you helped convince to -- health version of the letter earlier. 
 
And it was so inspiring to see the fruits of your persistence and see those coming in right down to the wire. We saw them a listserv but also tracking as staff. 
 
Really in this challenging moment in Congress, he rose above the partisan rancor and the political infighting to unite bipartisan, really a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in the fight against TB. That was tremendous work, and it matters so much. 
 
Because again, post-COVID, TB is the biggest infectious killer in the world. It drives millions of families into poverty every year despite being curable. 
 
You know, we have new tools that can diagnose and treat TB faster and better. And the question really is who gets them, because TB is a disease of inequity, and we need a renewed, bold global commitment and the resources to change that, and really reach everyone with quality care and the support they need. 
 
I will be at the UN meeting later this month in New York along with many partners from around the world. We are very delivery going to bring a staff -- stack of copies of those congressional letters, because this remarkable show of U.S. Senate and how support is pushing the White House now, but we will also use the letters to employ other countries to be bolder and more as well. 
 
You know, I've personally seen how powerful an instrument (Indiscernible) and senior civil servants, community leaders and members of Parliament other countries to actually see separate letters with also signature showing direct US support. 
 
I also want to say we have been building up to the words -- towards the high-level meeting for good reason, but the high-level meeting in New York is a key moment, but it is also the start of the next stage of this. It's not the end of the process for driving bold action. 
 
Sawyer work in building legal support to reach everyone with quality TB treatment, prevention and care will have impacts now, but also way beyond this September. 
 
In fact you will hear more in a few minute about the latest on the TB legislation that we helped initiate and drive, the End TB Now Act, which is really in their huge opportunity to cement equity and impact in our country's response to TB. To do that, even in this moment and bipartisan way. 
 
As you are aware, August was a reset month for cognitive lawmakers back in the states and districts, and so many of you (Indiscernible) to meet with congressional staff and members themselves. 
 
You know Sarah Miller and a fellow volunteer in Missouri met face-to-face with aides from the senator's office. The senator hadn't yet offered up a real stance on extending more of the benefit of the child tax credit alone can families, and they were able to bring up the senator's past support for the Child Tax Credit on much older legislation. The couple that with key data and also stories that provided the senator and staff are critical perspective from his constituents, and they had a pile of local media published on the issue in the last eight months. 
 
The staff says this was all new information to them, and they took careful notes to share with her boss. 
 
You know, the North Carolina folks (Indiscernible) office and the Senator himself joint meeting, that was thanks to the persistence and especially from Lindsay Saunders. It was also great to have two new advocates at that meeting who were recruited from the Lord leads list provided by our extension team. 
 
In that group had an important and encouraging conversation on the CTC, with Senator Tillis optimistic about action on the CTC, the Child Tax Credit this year. 
 
I want to say you will hear more about it in a moment, but on the Child Tax Credit, I really want you all to know that the work you are doing, including during this August Recess, that you are playing a central role to pave the way for a potential powerful bipartisan deal on the CTC. One that could extend support to millions more families with the lowest incomes. And we are hearing from allies here in Washington DC, just how important RESULTS work is and the grassroots work, and how you are helping to lead the way. 
 
So really kudos on the critical conversation you're having with Republicans and Democrats. 
 
You know, there were lots more August Recess examples, I saw (unknown name) popped in the chat, still more coming in. Including offices making powerful commitments. People using public events. So very exciting. 
 
I was a lottery lobby meeting and then immediate commitment, but meetings held on these issues that spotlight constituent experience, build relationships, and also demonstrate constituent support, but also accountability, these really build the momentum for real change. 
 
Is the particular great to see new advocates engaged and be part of those meetings, because to have that direct experience of using the political system to drive change is really transformational. 
 
I know it's true for me, there was a RESULTS volunteer ticket to go, it's part of what helped me. I think it's really important and exciting. 
 
So congratulations to everyone who got in front of lawmakers, that signed letters, the generated media, but also congratulations and thank you to everyone who keeps persisting. Because those of you who are still working on securing those meetings, keep going and keep including folks. 
 
These next months will be so critical in determining if we extend full CDC benefits to millions more low income families, if we pass legislation to increase equity and impact in tuberculosis, basic education efforts globally, all that. 
 
I guess I want to end by saying it was also great to see during the last two months that two results regions also came together for in-person grassroots gatherings to strengthen the bond that unites us as a community to strategize and consolidate together. This included in August coming together across Southern California, and over 50 advocates from Texas-Oklahoma. 
 
You will hear more about these events in a bit, but again it's also encouraging and exciting to see there are more regional and state events planned for the fall, and we want to support even more as we come together in person. 
 
You know, this advocacy work, being the front line in driving democratic action we do is really powerful, but it is also sometimes hard. And it's our community that helps sustain us and gives us new ideas of energy, and really the peer to peer learning and creativity we get from each other is so powerful and important. She really excited to see what comes out of this fall as well. 
 
So I will stop here and just say thank you again all of you for your courage, amazing work, courage and inspiration and persistence. I will now headed over to my colleague Michael Santos, the associate director for US poverty to say more about where we are, and what is coming up next on the US poverty side. Thank you. 
 
MICHAEL SANTOS: 
Thanks so much Joanne, can you hear me OK? 
 
JOANNE CARTER: 
We can Michael. 
 
MICHAEL SANTOS: 
Great. Thank you. 
 
Good morning, good afternoon everyone. For those who haven't had a chance to meet me at, Michael Santos, associate director of U.S. Poverty Policy Associate's and I based in Washington DC. I have a few updates for all of you, so thank you for joining our webinar today. 
 
First thing to know is that Congress, as Joanne said, back on their August Recess. For those of you who haven't been tracking what Congress is up to or has been up to these past few weeks, let me fill you in real quick. 
 
Congress went on their long August Recess, with a lot of things to do on their plate. This includes completing the annual funding process for federal government, also known as appropriations. Also they must pass bills Congress must consider before the end of September, including the (Indiscernible) bill which contains the poverty (Indiscernible) to ensure access to food for people living in poverty. 
 
I am not going into the details of what this month looks like for Congress, suffice to say they will be busy with lots of things. And you will hear more about all those things in the news. But there are still a lot of things that need to be done after coming back from recess, that is the key take away here. 
 
So we are continuing to hear, as Joanne mentioned earlier, a possible tax package in Congress. We don't have specific timing just yet, it is Congress after all it is hard to predict when they will kick this off given the tall order of things then he took office before the end of September. 
 
All we know is that this is being considered as something they can do before the end of this year. 
 
Now some of you have done some advocacy drawings August Recess and (Indiscernible) policy priorities, just echoing what Joanne said earlier. Thank you so much for doing all that work and now that work will make ? makes a difference, will make a difference. But the work does not actually stop there. 
 
Remember we still have to balance -- the balance of 2023 to think about, what this means is there is still an opportunity to ensure our priorities in the tax code are included on any possible tax package on the horizon. So even if you are seeing a difference now, as Joanne mentioned earlier, it can and will make a difference down the line before the end of 2023, or even as we had to 2024. After all, our position here is to really educate and create the political will for our lawmakers to achieve economic justice in the tax code. 
 
So what does it mean for us knowing that may be a tax package before the year end? 
 
As a reminder, our focus ? our work is focused on achieving economic justice in the tax code, and the one way we can accomplish that is pushing ? is through our push for the expansion of the Child Tax Credit, so that it is available and accessible to as many families as possible, including those with low incomes. 
 
The problem that we are seeing now with the current law is that even if you are working, it does not necessarily mean that you are receiving the full credit, and that is just plainly unfair. 
 
We have a slide later that will show you the ask. The ask we want lawmakers to be pushing the Ways and Means Committee in the House of Representatives, and the finance committee and the Senate to extend the Child Tax Credit so that to as many low income families, as possible. 
 
So a quick recap (Laughs), and listen for those of you who are new. Who just joined us. Why these committees? We talked about the house of Ways and Means and the Senate finance. 
 
These committees are charged with dealing with taxes, including the Child Tax Credit. So if these committees do not prioritize the Child Tax Credit, then it will not go to the house and Senate floors, and will be likely to be included in any tax package that they will be considering before the end of this year. 
 
So our work on economic justice continues. And there are a bunch of things you should know about this month. 
 
The US Census Bureau will release poverty data on September 12 and 14th, so expect a lot of talk and chatter on social media, or newsletters from us and other partners on this issue. 
 
Our September policy form on the 21st will also be focused on this, so please sign up if you are interested and have not done so. We will be welcoming our friend, and many of you are familiar with her, Meredith Dodson from Coalition of Human Needs to talk through the data, how to access it, what it means for our advocacy, how we can use it to make the case for an extended Child Tax Credit in your lobby meetings. 
 
So please come with questions at the policy forum later this month. 
 
And just as a preview, talking about the poverty data, we know that unfortunately the data will likely show a significant increase in child poverty due to the expiration of the pandemic aid, particularly the expanded and the improvements to the Child Tax Credit that took place at the height of the pandemic. And this really highlights the economic hardships that only families with children continue to face. And you can use this data to address the systemic barriers and hardship felt by millions of children from low income families, and build on past investments to advance economic (Indiscernible). 
 
So skipping over to the month of October, our October National Webinar will zoom out on one of our core issues that gets discussed with Child Tax Credit and other antipoverty programs that we care about, and that is the work and income requirements. 
 
Now if this sounds foreign to you are not familiar, don't fret. I think the October National Webinar helpful in teeing up this issue, and really getting a deep dive but what -- on what this miss you (?) -- what this issue means to advocacy. 
 
I hope he controls for the special webinar program in October as we take a deeper look at our domestic public -- to Mr. poverty campaigns, particular how work and income requirements have been Weapon Iced as tools of oppression that prevent us from advancing our mission of ending poverty. We hope that you can gain a foundational underselling of help pervasive organ income requirements are harmful from a historical perspective, and their impact on current issues results advocates. In addition to this? About the harmful nature of these policies and advocacy. 
 
Without perpetuating stereotypes of people living in poverty. So, part of the National Webinar, will be delving into how we can effectively change the narrative without pandering to stereotypes that can be harmful to our own advocacy. 
 
Next slide, please. Thank you. Again, this is just a slide reminding you of our main asks to lawmakers as they return to the hill from recess. Our ask is urging colleagues, to urge their colleagues, if you are lobbying with House of Representatives, Congress, then urge your colleagues on that House Ways and Means Committee to have the full benefit of the CDC to as many families as possible, prioritizing those with low income. 
 
Now, if you are lobbying a senator, then we will be asking you to urge colleagues and the Senate finance committee to extend the full benefit of the Child Tax Credit. Now, I note before I headed over to my colleague, we have not been talking about housing, but this support priority for the rest of 2023 and for 2024 for RESULTS. 
 
I will work on the Child Tax Credit -- our work on the Child Tax Credit serves as a barometer, as a measure, of how open Congress can be to making the tax code more equitable and accessible to those living in poverty. 
 
And we want to benefit for bringing households, similar to the Child Tax Credit. Especially for those who do not have kids, do not qualify for the Child Tax Credit, and those who are unable to tap into existing housing and homelessness assistant programs. Right? 
 
So, there are plans to reintroduce bills later this year on Renter Tax Credit's that will be separate from the tax package. Nonetheless, right? We will do some advocacy on this later this year. So, please stay tuned. With that, I will turn it over to my colleague McCann. To talk about our global poverty work -- Ken. As a note, one of our staff members, David Plasterer, is monitoring the chat, so if you have any specific lessons related to the Child Tax Credit or the Renter Tax Credit or be available to talk via chapel to be will also leave our email addresses via chat should you want to talk off-line. 
 
With that, we will turn it over to Ken. Ken? 
 
KEN PATTERSON: 
, Michael. I appreciate it. Happy Saturday, everyone. I am Ken Patterson, and the Director of Grassroots Impact, with RESULTS, in case you do not know me. I am filling in for our global policy team to give you some updates and take a look ahead into the fall like Michael did. 
 
I want to start by acknowledging the great work that you all did in getting congressional meetings during the August recess, as Joanne did. I know that some of us have meetings coming up next week as well. 
 
So, we are not done yet. I also heard from a lot of you that it has been challenging to get offices to respond. It seems like a lot of the offices closed up or a lot of people were out of the office during the recess. I know that can be frustrating, but we know that persistence usually pays off. If you did not get the meetings you wanted during August and during the recess, you can keep asking for those meetings. 
 
I really encourage you to do that for so that said, you scored over 50 meetings with offices during the recess both up it is just amazing work that you have done! 
 
Also, you know, the Senate TB letter that Jen -- Joanne mentioned, we have 33 signers on the letter. The 33 centers represents one third of the Senate. It does create a real critical mass and stands as strong message to the administration. So, congratulations to all of you who moved your Senators to sign on. 
 
But also, to all of you who worked really hard on this letter. I know that a lot of you never heard back offices or that you got no's in spite of multiple calls and emails and even meetings. I have to remind you that this is all a process. Bringing their staff along is a process and every contact that you made on the - this issue, put tuberculosis in their minds. 
 
And you condone on that, taking that forward. I will talk to a little bit in a couple of minutes here about the additional TB actions that you can take. 
 
But before I get into the action taking part, I want to give you a little bit of a preview on what is coming up this fall on our global campaigns. 
 
So, the fall is going to focus on what we are calling equity and impact. The equity and impact campaign. 
 
And we are seeking equity and impact in the world's response to global poverty. And you spentnd? Equity and impact campaign is already underway and that is the work you have done to push for bold legislation, to require equity and impact in the US programming for global tuberculosis. And global education. 
 
We will soon add a second stream to this advocacy, pushing Congress to use its influence on the World Bank to do the same. 
 
So, equity and impact. What do we mean by that? Well, it brings together a lot of really specific things in terms of targeting, who benefits from resources, and how those resources are used. 
 
You can really think of it in terms of some questions. So, here's some key questions we want to think about as we are working on equity and impact: one, does it prioritize the lowest income communities and groups that have been marginalized? 
 
Is it an approach through partnership and not paternalism? You know, are we working with people directly affected by the issues, communities, and countries. How is that funding delivered? You know, what is the money spent on, quite literally. What are we buying and where are we buying it from? 
 
And does our approach and duty interventions follow the evidence? Are we using the latest science and following local leadership on how we are intervening? So, those questions are key. 
 
So, we will continue pushing Congress to shape the right answers to these questions via the legislation that we are asking them to support. And then, how they are also holding the implementers accountable for this. Because the answers to these questions are what decides between really transformational impact or a lot of missed opportunity and poorly used resources. 
 
Broadly, we have two main pieces to this campaign. The first is, how the US spends its money that is channeled through USAID, our main global antipoverty agency. 
 
You all have been working on two landmark pieces of legislation to do this. Tuberculosis and education. And the bills do not focus on more money, that we always welcome more money. But they do focus on the questions that we just talked about and making sure we are getting those right. 
 
The second stream of work is the World Bank work. The World Bank is the single biggest source of funding in the world to fight global poverty. 
 
And the World Bank wields enormous influence and money, but way too many times in history, the influence has not been used in the best possible way. We need to make sure that is not the case going forward. We want a lot of the same things out of the World Bank as we do out of USAID. If it is the biggest source of funding, we want to make sure that funding is put to the best possible use. 
 
I will come back to you soon with some World Bank actions, hopefully in the coming weeks. Hopefully, we will have some Congressional sign-on letters. But in the meantime, we will continue to focus on the End TB Now Act and the read act and sort of pick up the World Bank staff coming up. 
 
So, last fall, RESULTS volunteers led the way on three bold pieces of legislation, all focus on equity and impact. Grassroots advocacy helped bring groups together? And to pass the bills through the key committees last year. They actually made it quite far last year, though. 
 
Not all of them got fully passed. We helped get the first bill, the global Malnutrition Prevention & Treatment Act, that first box there. Signed into law. If you wondered what happens after a bill gets passed into law, I mean, USAID really pays attention to those things. They just issued, I will put this in the chat as well. 
 
They just issued an 11 page plan which lays out exactly how they will implement that new law to improve the legislation. You can take a look at that document later to see what their plans are for implementing the global Malnutrition Prevention & Treatment Act. 
 
And so, now we are look -- working to get the TB and education bills over the finish line, again, they share the same building blocks as the ones - as the one focus on nutrition. 
 
Priority for lowest income communities and marginalized groups. Partnership with directly affected communities and countries and following the evidence and other key strategies to increase their equity and impact. 
 
So, where are we on the bills? The End TB Now Act has been taken up and passed by the key committees in the house and the Senate. Again, really good progress was of that just happened this summer. But now, we need to put pressure on Congress and push them to prioritize getting be End TB Now Act to the President's desk in this release -- challenging political environment. Here are some things you can do on the End TB Now Act. Ask your representatives and senators to cosponsor the End TB Now Act and speak to house and Senate leadership about passing those ASAP. 
 
Here's a tip for you. Leverage the work that you just did on the house and Senate TB letters. Sure the final letters with the numbers of sign-on to them. Thank them for that. Then ask them to cosponsor the End TB Now Act and speak to leadership in the house and the Senate. 
 
And then even if they did not sign, go ahead and try that letter with them and let them know that they can still make a difference on TB by cosponsoring the End TB Now Act as soon as possible. 
 
Then on the READ Act, this is also an ideal time to push the READ Act, many of you helped get the first version of this bill passed back in 2018. But it expires at the end of this month. At the end of September. 
 
So, we really want to get this authorized by Congress before then if that is at all possible. Here are the things you can do on the READ Act: in the house, the READ Act is still stuck in the foreign affairs committee of the house. 
 
So, you can ask your representative to cosponsor the READ Act and speak to the chairs of the foreign affairs committee, Mike McCall, and I think it is Jeffrey Meeks, representative Meeks about moving the bill through the committee as soon as possible. 
 
The Senate has grown a bit further, the bill has already passed through the Foreign Relations Committee, so ask your senators to cosponsor the READ Act, and speak to Senate leadership about passing that bill ASAP to Senator (Unknown Name). And finally, you can bring some attention and focus to the READ Act by an upcoming opportunity to speak. 
 
You can invite your representatives and senators and their staff to international literacy day event that is happening on Wednesday, September 13, RESULTS is a cosponsor of this event. And the idea for the event is, to acknowledge international literacy day, but also to engage Members of Congress more deeply on the READ Act. 
 
There is even maybe a hot breakfast for those folks. So, you can tell them that. There will be a sample for you that comes in the message after this webinar from Lisa Marchal. Along with also the links to the recording for today and the slides. 
 
So, look for that, and please do send it off your Members of Congress. We are really excited about the great advocacy and have some really big goals for the fall. So, let's stay focused and persistent to carry on more of this work and go over the finish line by the end of the year. 
 
So, I will hand this on over to Jos Linn for the grassroots Caf? section, and thank you so much, everyone. 
 
JOS LINN: 
hi, folks. This is Jos Linn, associate director at RESULTS, good to talk to everyone. As we mentioned earlier in the call, this fall we are mentioned -- starting our Build the Buy-in Campaign. As a network, you have dedicated time and effort to grow relationships with lawmakers and with each other. 
 
Many of you have actually met with members themselves. You have set the agenda for them at the beginning of the year and you also connected with them and each other through in-person meetings and recruitment campaigns. 
 
With all of this groundwork, it is time to Build the Buy-in for RESULTS priorities across our network. A new, strong connections. During this campaign, lawmakers want a clear, unified message, from us about the most effective ways? 
 
This campaign is about building the Brian over the long-term. -- Buy-in? And communities so that -- at the start of 2024, we have strong momentum that we can go off. That you have already created. 
 
Now, the new Build the Buy-in webpage, seen here, right here, I am sorry. This one, the yellow one, has refreshed resources that will streamline our messaging and pave the way for you to share your own stories. 
 
We will keep us updated throughout the campaign. Now, to find that page, simply go to our issues page, the issues menu on our website, and choose Build the Buy-in, as you can see in this slide.  
 
A large part of the campaign will be a major media push. You all did a great job during our MediaOne 50 campaign in the spring where you got more than 150+ pieces published. We are upping the stakes. We have three media goals for the campaign. 
 
First we want to get 250 media pieces published by the end of the year. That September 1 through the end of September. We want at least one media piece published in all 50 states. As we like to see every active RESULTS group and free-agent get at least one media piece published. 
 
And we are going to help you, we have media templates on the result website we will update frequently. Our multimedia office hours. I will be online writing a new letter to the editor each month. Please join me and we can brainstorm together and we will provide other trainings and resources and use the weekly update, the RESULTS list serve and RESULTS volunteer Facebook page to send you updates on our progress. 
 
And, we also have on the build the buy in page a new-media map. At what we want you to do is visit this map frequently to see our progress in reaching our goal, also where we need to fill in the gaps. Because let's fill up this map over the next few months. 
 
So why this campaign and the school? Well as we have heard so far in the webinar, because we needed. This is going to be a chaotic and unpredictable fall, at least for the initial next three weeks in Washington, and the news will be covering everything but US and global poverty. 
 
To keep our issues fresh and lawmakers nines -- mines we need to build public pressure for them to pay attention. Your media does that. If your letter to the op-ed asks members of Congress to take action on poverty, they will see it. The more they see it they will be more likely to address it. 
 
If we want an exposure of the tall -- Child Tax Credit to my family struggling, if we want to take minimal action to M. Tuberculosis or expand access to global education, your media is essential. Getting 250 media pieces from all over the country will keep these issues front and center for Congress. 
 
But, there's more to it than just advancing our (Indiscernible). As you know, RESULTS sees efficacy as a transformational experience. It should not be a simple transactional exchange like this for that, but an experience that changes you. 
 
Think of the first have you got published or attended a lobby meeting. It was more than just something new to do. He felt different. He saw yourself in a new light, and in that moment we went from mere spectator to change agent. 
 
So if we want to see a world free of poverty, we need more change agents. Every time an injustice is present, we need people who are willing to use their personal and political power to respond. And most of the time, every day people becoming powerful advocates starts smaller, with something simple. They getting a letter to the editor published. At our guest today is just one of those people. 
 
So, let me introduce our guest grassroots share, and it is a special one for me. If you'll notice, this guest is a similar last name is me that is no coincidence. Our guest is Stella Linn, my daughter. Stella was nine months old when I started working here, so you could say she has literally grown up with results. 
 
She is currently a freshman at Georgetown University and Washington DC. She's been active in our local RESULTS chapter since she was in middle school. But, her advocacy actually started much earlier than that, and today we will hear about her first action as an advocate, which was a letter to the editor, and how that changed her. 
So Stella, good afternoon and welcome. 
 
STELLA LINN: 
Hello! 
 
JOS LINN: 
Hope you are doing well today. 
 
 
So Stella, as I just mentioned, we're launching this big media campaign this month to try to influence Congress on our issues. So how old were you when you got your first letter to the editor published? 
 
STELLA LINN: 
I was seven years old. 
 
JOS LINN: 
and how did that letter come about? 
 
STELLA LINN: 
Well it was around the time of the 2012 presidential election, and one night I saw you reading something on your computer, and asked what it was. It was right after the first presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, and you told me during that debate Mitt Romney had mentioned something about cutting government funding for PBS, and that was what the article you were reading was about. 
 
And I got all summer, and you asked me what was wrong? I told you that I like PBS, I watch PBS kids shows religiously, my favorite TV shows in the world were Cipro and dinosaur train, and I didn't want to see that go away. 
 
JOS LINN: 
so what happened after that? 
 
STELLA LINN: 
You told me if I was upset, why did I not write a letter to the editor about it? So that is what I did. 
 
JOS LINN: 
So let's be clear, did I help you write this letter? 
 
STELLA LINN: 
You did not. You helped me submit it to the Des Moines Register on our fax machine in the basement that you definitely still have to help me use, but I wrote the letter myself. 
 
JOS LINN: 
just to paint a little bit of a picture for folks, all this happened within a very few days, a small number of days. So this was a Saturday night I was reading this article and Stella came up and got upset about it. She wrote the letter Saturday night, I went down to my resource mac office in the basement and faxed off the letter to the Des Moines Register on Saturday evening. 
 
Because of my result training, previously I had gotten to know one of the editorial writers at the Des Moines Register. So on Monday morning, I emailed her and just said, "Hey, I want to give you a heads up, this letter is legit. It's not a joke. Stella actually wrote this letter, I don't know if you publish letters from kids or whatever but I just wanted to let you know she did actually write it." 
 
So I get another factor saying, "We got it, will take a look." And then that was the last heard. 
 
Well, lo and behold, that was Monday morning. On Tuesday morning, we opened up the newspaper. This is what we saw. The letter. 
 
As you can see, they did not simply reprint Stella's letter, they reprinted their -- her handwritten letter in the middle of the editorial page that day. 
 
So Stella, would you mind reading the letter in case folks can see the writing? 
 
STELLA LINN: 
Dear editor, Mitt Romney wants to cut PBS Kid's but I won't stand for it. He probably things because little kids watch it they won't care, but PBS helped me learn to read. I do better in school because of PBS Kid's, PBS is not just TV to me. From Stella K Linn, age 7. 
 
JOS LINN: 
When you first saw this letter what happened? 
 
STELLA LINN: 
I screamed. I vividly remember I was laid in bed and you woke me up by handing me the newspaper with the letter in front, and I screamed (Laughs). 
 
JOS LINN: 
So after you saw the letter, you screamed and celebrate this great victory for the seven-year-old Stella, was that the end of the story with regards to the letter? 
 
STELLA LINN: 
It was not. Evidently Mitt Romney was in Iowa and the same date the letter got published yet she went to the Des Moines Register to do an interview, 
and they showed him the letter and asked for comment. 
 
JOS LINN: 
OK, and what did he say about it? 
 
STELLA LINN: 
He said we have bigger problems than big bird I believe. 
 
JOS LINN: 
And let me tell you, I was so proud as a father to see Stella do this, but I was also little bit jealous, because I had been working and results mac for six years at that point it had not gotten anywhere near close to a presidential candidate, and my daughter did in three days. So very impressive. 
 
So Stella, when we think about this, looking back on it, what did the six periods mean to you? 
 
STELLA LINN: 
It meant a lot to me. It made me feel really good to open the newspaper and see my letter there. 
 
Obviously being... This was an introduction to politics for me, but being seven I didn't really know what that meant or what effect that would have on me later. But, I knew I really liked that feeling of having my voice heard and having my letter published. So I knew I wanted that feeling again. So it inspired me to go and do things that would help me get that feeling again. 
 
So when I got a little bit older, I started going to RESULTS meetings, I started writing more letters to the editor, and then the summer I was going into sixth grade I went to my first international conference, that was a super informative expense for me. I loved it. 
 
The night before lobby day, everyone was preparing for the lobby meetings, and I was watching everyone prepare. I decided that I wanted to take the lead on SNAP in the meeting because I knew people at school that were benefited previously -- positively from SNAP, it was something I was passionate about and wanted to talk about it and have the same feeling I had when I was seven reading my letter in the newspaper. 
 
JOS LINN: 
As you can see there is still in the middle talking to Doctor Ashley (?) about SNAP, and other meetings you been in since then. 
 
So Stella, tell me what have you been doing since your first ? your conference ex-- experience. 
 
STELLA LINN: 
I've been an active member in a RESULTS group, I think I have been to for international conferences in person and to on zoom. And I have gotten more letters to the editor published, DeMore lobbying, then I moved -- did more lobbying, then moved to DC to study politics in Georgetown. Actually wrote my college essay about this first letter to the editor. About not letting anyone diminish my big bird. 
 
So yes, from a letter when I was 7 to now studying in Washington to go to public service. 
 
JOS LINN: 
All the skin from that letter to the editor? 
 
STELLA LINN: 
It did. 
 
JOS LINN: 
Thank you Stella, this was an inspiring story, I never get tired of hearing it, never get tired of telling it. I love you, and (Unknown Term). 
 
Thanks for being here today. 
 
Alright folks, this is the kind of experience we can have ourselves as well as bring to others, and it is one of the reasons we are not just satisfied with getting this overall goal of 250 media pieces by the end of the year. 
 
First, many existing RESULTS volunteers have never been published before. As someone who has been published frequently, I get excited every time it happens, and I want others to feel that way too. I want you to feel like how Stella felt. 
 
That's fine we want each member to get a letter published. Remember, it takes numerous attempts before you see your name in print. So if everyone in your group submit at least one media piece each month during this campaign, especially those volunteers who have yet to be published, you will dramatically increase your standards -- your chances of success. 
 
Also, our goal of getting in all 50 states will not be easy. It will require some thinking and some effort. 
 
Now, we don't have RESULTS groups in all 50 states yet, but we certainly welcome volunteers who are already submitting their own media pieces in other states, some are very good at it, and we definitely want you to continue to do that. 
 
But, that doesn't always work. Some papers will only publish residence other state or city. So we need people in those communities to submit media. 
 
So who do you know in another state that might be willing to submit a letter to the editor on our issues? Reach out to them, tell them what is at stake. If they are hesitant or an experienced offer to help them. Perhaps you can offer to ghostwrite the first letter and they submitted in their name, or offer to teach them how to write their own. 
 
Be a mentor and a cheerleader for their success. 
 
And yes, this will require a little bit more time, but this is how you show people the power you have to be change agents. It is also how you find the next Stella. 
 
So with that, let me transition to my colleague Sarah Leone will talk about another aspect of our campaign about storytelling will Sarah. 
 
SARAH LEONE: 
Thanks, can everyone hear me OK? Perfect, thank you. 
 
Good afternoon, my name is Sarah Leone, hyperons are she/her and Anna Senior Associate on the results Grassroots impacting. 
 
So since the pandemic began in 2020, the opportunities for us to be in person and to hear from one another face-to-face has been scarce. We know this, we have been expensing this. 
 
Those interpersonal connections and storytelling sharing that we all express, and pass international competence, regional conferences, events were staff would come, have been missing anyway. We haven't been able to connect as much as I feel like we would all like to. Of course we have our lobby reports that we perceive from you all. 
 
We hear about experiences from your group leaders that they venture to the Regional Coordinator's and then he gets shared with staff. But we thought as if we were missing hearing from you all about all of your experiences, big and small. 
 
We began the storytelling project. So, from the work of myself, Lakeisha McVey, Ken Patterson, and Laura (Unknown Name), over the past year and 1/2, we created a project that we hope will reach all advocates across all 50 states. 
 
So, we can hear but all stories, big and small, like I said. From the recent LTE being submitted for manure advocate all the way to getting your first face-to-face meeting with your member of Congress. 
 
Next slide, please. So, here it resolves me know that sharing your story -- here at RESULTS. We know it is the most important form of advocacy? Taking advocacy action, we take -- build the momentum of our movement. So, this survey, the share your advocacy story survey is a place for you to share your why for taking action on issues that dismantle poverty and oppression integer about how that action looks. You might write a brief account about what it felt like to draft letter to the editor about tuberculosis. 
 
You may create a short video describing work to create affordable housing in your community, you might even say about how the Child Tax Credit changed your life. 
 
Depending on the permissions that you provide, these stories can be shared on our website, on our social media, and lobby meetings with lawmakers, or amongst other advocates, or we will keep it private depending on what options you pick within the survey form yourself. 
 
So, I am really excited to share this video ever advocate, Lynn (Unknown Name), was a veteran. She has been around for a long time. She graciously decided that she would do a video for us, that we will share with you all. It is about two minutes. 
 
It is really inspiring. So, I will go ahead and pull that up. And you all should be able to hear. 
 
(Video plays) 
 
SPEAKER: 
Hi, I have been obsessed with economic injustice and I had a burning, burning desire to end poverty since I was a little child. My best friend died when I was five. Shortly after that, another little boy that I had played with also died. 
 
In the slums of Cleveland, Ohio, where I grew up. So, I was always concerned and I was always sure that I would grow up to do something to make a difference. 
 
After college, I hope to make a difference, but I have no idea how to support myself. And I struggled to find housing and food and often went without one or both of those. 
 
It was not until I got my own life settled that I discovered RESULTS as a way that I could do this work that I had always wanted to do. When we started in the 1980s, we had a lot of hope. 
 
We kind of lived on hope, that we could speak up to Congress and the newspapers and we could write letters. And that we would have - and the impact on Congress. That would change and policies and eventually have impact in the real world. 
 
And the work that we did was frustrating. And sometimes boring. And very challenging. And often, embarrassing. Because people thought we were kind of crazy. 
 
In the 1990s, I think it was Lynn McMullen who was executive director at the time. Who likens the RESULTS work to gardening. Third work, dirt work, dirt work, miracle. -- Dirt work. I have been able to see a lot of those miracles over the years. I think that is what keeps me stuck to RESULTS so tenaciously since 1985 when I started. 
 
SARAH LEONE: 
Alright, so that is just an example of what you can submit or what it looks like to submit your story. And an example of a story. And if we can go ahead and have our slides pulled back up, that would be great. 
 
Thank you, Jos. Alright, and like I said, it does not have to be like Lynn's story. It can be your own. Tell us what makes you want to end poverty, why do you care about ending poverty, again, on the flip side of things, it could be about your experience in your first letter to the editor in the media. 
 
Or it could be how you felt when you first reached out to RESULTS. All of these stories matter. So, if you go to Results.org/share your story, there will be - it will be dropped in the chat and it is on the screen. We want to hear from you all. There is not a limit to how many stories you can submit. We have already received a few since we did our hard lunch this past week. -- Launch. 
 
Thank you to those who already submitted. If you have any issues, you can reject the communication@results.org. I am sure my lovely colleagues are putting that collet -- information in the chat as we speak. But lastly, this is just an offhand reminder to please submit your lobby report forms. And meetings of members of Congress over the past few weeks. 
 
Additionally, please report your media that has been published, as well as if you have attended or hosted any of our events, reach out to your group leaders or myself if you have any questions, thank you for sharing your stories with us. 
 
Our experiences truly are our strengths. With that, I will pass the microphone over to my love -- lovely colleague, Melissa. 
 
SPEAKER: 
Hello, folks. I am at Melissa Strobel? Joining you today from Virginia. I want to use a couple of minutes today to talk to about philanthropy and how I see that fitting into the work each of us do as volunteers and advocates with results met. 
 
As you know, for more than 40 years, philanthropy has helped to expand this movement and our victories in the work to eliminate hunger and poverty. The word full entropy comes to us from Greek and translates to -- philanthropy. And translates to a love of humanity. What we are doing today at RESULTS everyday and semi-different ways, is just that full set showing our love for humanity and will thing a better world. 
 
I see fundraising is another one of the powerful tools and the RESULTS tool box was -- tool box. Here are five things we accomplish with philanthropy, large and small so we support training, education, and resources for your advocacy. 
 
We can expand our efforts to build RESULTS groups in more congressional districts. We elevate leaders in our network with lived experiences with poverty including experts on the poverty program full sub leverage grants and other funding and prevent -- flexibility for us to innovate as the situations arise. 
 
This fall, we are celebrating the power of philanthropy with the friends and family fundraising campaign. While we have often held these campaigns in November, this year, we are encouraging participation earlier in the year to return fundraising goals for RESULTS fiscal year, which ends soon, on September 30. Just a couple of weeks. 
 
With this campaign, we are asking you, inviting you, to extend your love for humanity to your own community. Perhaps, together with your love for a volunteer group and invite your friends and family to join our movement in a way that is meaningful to them. 
 
The people that you know see you working hard for RESULTS. Contacting your representatives, publishing letters to the editor, traveling to DC, advocating for the policies we know will make a difference. Beth Wilson taught me this. I love buying this. You are doing the hard work. 
 
Your friends, giving them the opportunity to fund raise, I speak so eloquently about this. That is, for some people, the easier part full capturing opportunity to support RESULTS give your friends and families an opportunity to join you in this work. Show their support of your advocacy. 
 
And invest in RESULTS and our mission. Many of our volunteers are first introduced to RESULTS in this way. 
 
You will find all of the resources you need to get started on our fundraising page. Add Results.org/fun race, including a guide and a link to create your own online fundraiser and personalized given page. With the online tool, you will be able to see a list of your donors. 
 
While the tracking thermometer will let you watch progress towards your goal. Setting a fundraising page is easy, I hope, although I am always happy to help folks and can be done in a few minutes. You can use the template language provided for personalized with your own text and photos. Some of our friends choose to fund raise individually, while others prefer to work with her volunteer group. 
 
Insight! The site supports both of these options will set you will hear from a volunteer in just a moment -- minute about how her and her group have found excess and online fundraisers. 
 
Here I have two quotes from recent blog posts about online fundraising tool. And where you can read about how we are doing the fundraiser and some tips and tricks from some of our season fundraisers. I will put the logs in the chat now. 
 
I hope you will check those out if you can. 
 
OK, so to close, I want to remind everyone that one of the reason I give to results is so powerful, is because it has so much leverage. For so many years, he said one dollar helps to leverage $100 in federal funding for programs that bring health, education, and opportunity to people in the US and around the world. 
 
Our impact has been so transformative over the past few years that number is no longer accurate. The policies you have advocated for over the last few years have delivered some very big wins in the fight to reduce and eliminate poverty. 
 
We have updated the calculations, which show our advocacy has helped to leverage more than $200 billion. When we compare that to the amount of donor dollars we have received, it turns out that for every one dollar donated, we have been able to leverage roughly $2000 worth of impact. 
 
One dollar to $2000. That is withheld. We are not taking all the credit for that. There's a lot of folks advocating for this. -- With help. There is no denying your impact that it has on the world full so when you ask people to support RESULTS, giving them to do more with their money than is possible with most other charitable (Indiscernible). 
 
That is enough from evils that I would love you to hear from a volunteer who has a lot of success with both in person and online fundraisers since joining RESULTS in 2017. 
 
(Unknown Name) is a number of our Dallas volunteer group and will sure about her experience fundraising for RESULTS. I was lucky to see her in the incredible Dallas group in action last fall with their fundraiser. And they are planning an online campaign this year. OK -- (Unknown Name) come over to you. 
 
SPEAKER: 
Thank you, Melissa. Good afternoon. I wanted to take a moment to speak to you about fundraising and I hope to provide you with some encouragement and inspiration. Firstly, I want to acknowledge the amazing success are RESULTS Dallas group has achieved in the past when it comes to fundraising. 
 
We have managed to organize both in person and online fundraisers that have surpassed our expectations. And I believe that we can continue to build upon the success. 
 
One crucial aspect that has contributed to our successful fundraisers, is our ability to personalize our fundraising efforts. 
 
By sharing our personal stories, that relate to the agenda of results, we are able to make more significant impact on potential donors. These personal stories create a sense of connection. And empathy, allowing people to truly understand the importance of supporting our course. 
 
As you can see up on the screen, is my personal fundraising page. And I just wanted to share that setting up an online fundraising page using RESULTS was incredibly easy and user-friendly. 
 
The intuitive platform allows you to input my information and within minutes, it generated a visually appealing and compelling page without any hassle. 
 
So, another element that has played a crucial role in our fundraising success is the personal accountability each remember takes on. -- Group member. We understand the weight of our responsibility and ensuring the success of our fundraising efforts. This drive makes a significant difference. 
 
Everyone's goal is different from one another. Regardless of the amount your goal is, by holding ourselves accountable and consistently working towards our goals, we are able to achieve remarkable results. 
 
Now, it is important to remember that while a few people we meet may fully -- may be fully vested in supporting RESULTS as organize trees -- as an organization, our friends and family will always be open to supporting us and the things that we care about. 
 
Their belief in us and their willingness to stand by our side can make a substantial impact on our fundraising efforts. I encourage you to continue sharing your personal stories, your why, and to rally your group members to embrace personal accountability. Together, we can make a real difference in fundraising for RESULTS and continue to achieve success. 
 
Remember, the work we do is essential and the funding we secure allows us to further our advocacy efforts. And create positive change in the world. Thank you for your dedication and for being a part of this incredible journey. Let's continue our efforts, build on our past successes, and make a lasting impact to our fundraising endeavors. 
 
Keep up the fantastic work, and together, we can achieve great things. I will hit it back to you, Melissa. MELISSA STROBEL: 
Thank you, I appreciate you sharing, over to Joanna. 
 
JOANNA DISTEFANO: 
Thank you Melissa, hello everyone, my name is Joanna Distefano and I'm a senior associate on the grassroots impact team joining you today from West Virginia. 
 
It's a great day to be the 71. Throughout the country. 
 
As you know early this year we made a strong effort to support grassroots in-person events, and this summer we celebrated two special regional gatherings. The first took place in San Bernardino, CA on August 12, current advocates met with new friends and prospective volunteers throughout South of -- Southern California (Indiscernible) that included learning about... And what is bidding laser talks in this mission of a recessed meeting with Representative Smith Pete (unknown name) later in the month. This was the first in person meeting in San Bernardino County since the pandemic lockdown in 2020. Organizer put a lot of energy into outreach efforts in building strategic community partnerships. Plans are in the works to follow up with another gathering sometime in spring 2024. 
 
Nearly 50 advocates gathered in Austin, TX on the following weekend for the Texas-Oklahoma Regional Conference. This event featured a media training with St. Louis advocate and author Cindy Levin, an estimate of 20 letters -- letters to the editor habits emitted with public Asians and counting those top you can read more by checking out the link in the chat. 
 
Now, in person gatherings are about more than outcomes, a resource of connection and community. Here today to share with us what participation in this regional conference meant to her, please welcome again, sub Dallas global volunteer, Buke Dube. 
 
Go ahead. 
 
BUKEKILE DUBE: 
Yes, thank you. Attending the Texas-Oklahoma RESULTS regional conference was a transformative experience for me. 
 
I had been feeling discouraged and disheartened by working with the representative who opposes foreign aid initiatives. However, the conference provided the support and the inspiration that I needed to continue my advocacy work. 
 
The training sessions led by Susan -- seasons results mac volunteers as well as your volunteers were invaluable. 
 
Not only did they equip me with practical tools and strategies to approach my representative, but they also lifted my spirits reminded me of the importance of the work we do. I realize that the lives of the many impacted by our advocacy efforts are from an -- are far more important than my personal disagreements with the representatives political views. 
 
So during the conference I took the opportunity to write and submit a letter to the editor about the End TB Now Act. Further edifying our message. 
 
I returned home I was motivated to secure a meeting with a Representative Smith local office, and it went exceptionally well. This positive outcome was largely due to my more optimistic and proactive attitude, which was influenced by the conference. 
 
I am now determined to push for an in-person meeting for our group with my representative. As I believe face-to-face interactions can be highly impactful. 
 
Overall, my experience at the conference was a reminder of the strength and power of collective action, and I highly encourage others who haven't attended their regional conference or engaged with their advocacy group in person to do so. Together we can make a difference in the lives of those in need. Thank you, Joanna, back to you. 
 
JOANNA DISTEFANO: 
Thank you so much Buke, thank you for the wonderful share. This is a reminder of the aspersion we draw from one another, I'm sure there are a lot of folks in the grassroots work would like to be part of something soon, and luckily we have more than a few options throughout the country. 
 
There are number of gatherings coming up this fall. Indiana will host a statewide conference in Indianapolis on September 30. 
 
Later in October, three regional gatherings will take place on the 21st. Midwest and Central states in St. Louis, capital region in Winchester Virginia and Western North Carolina and Hickory. 
 
Lastly leaders in north Carolina are making plans for their in person gathering and National Webinar watch party in Oakland on December 2. 
 
If you would like to attend any of these events or perhaps you know someone who might, please find the contact for each event listed in the slide. 
 
If you've been thinking about hosting an in-person event but haven't quite taken the plunge, let us know how we can support you. You could drop by an event planning outreach office hours which are moving to a once a month offering beginning this Thursday, September 14 at 2 PM Eastern time. 
 
Other dates this fall include October 12, November 9, and December 14. As always, there is no need to register for this drop in session. I'm also happy to schedule a one-on-one meeting with you we are group to discuss your plans, just send me an email at (email on-site). 
 
I will pass it over to Lisa Marchal. 
 
LISA MARCHAL: 
Hi everyone, Hope you're doing well. I am Lisa Marchal, a manager of grassroots impact located here in Indianapolis where the sun is finally coming out. 
 
So we've got some great things coming up, and one of the top things we wanted to highlight for you is happening on October 14. This is going to be our normal October National Webinar. We have moved it an observation of indigenous People's Day. He moved it later in the month. But, there's nothing ordinary about this particular webinar. It's going to be fantastic. 
 
You have heard us talk about it before. It is a special extended National Webinar. The title is Who deserves to be poor? Work and income requirements as tools of oppression. It will be a three hour program, but we will take a deeper look at our domestic poverty campaigns, particularly the Child Tax Credit and how work and income requirements get organized as tools of oppression that ultimately key people living in poverty. 
 
At this webinar you will gain an understanding of work and income requirements, and how they have historically created harm and impact current RESULTS issues. 
 
We will also share more effective ways to educate decision-makers about the harmful nature of these policies through advocacy without perpetuating the stereotypes of people who are living in poverty. 
 
And as mentioned, featured panel speakers will be Michael Santos, Peggy Bailey for the center of -- Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, Aaron Carrillo, RESULTS Grassroots Board. Ali someone off, Center for the Study of Social Policy, and Kazmyn Ramos will be bringing EPIC Laser Talk training on the Child Tax Credit so you have something you can take away and utilize right away. 
 
So, I believe that my colleagues are going to put ? they just have, Lakeisha just put a link so you can learn more, you can bookmark this in your mind and in your schedule. It is going to be a powerful afternoon. 
 
Will ask my colleagues to forward the slides, we have a few things we don't want you to miss out on. 
 
Diversity inclusion 101, a lot of you have been taking advantage of this very essential learning about implicit bias, microaggressions, and learning about systemic racialism and oppression. You have another opportunity to do this, set number 29 is a 90 minute session. You will find more about this on the events page or on the weekly update. 
 
There is something special for group leaders coming down the lane. It is a group leader training series, and we hope all group leaders and prospective group leaders will consider taking advantage of the series, take advantage of the Diversity & Inclusion 101 before you sign up for the series if you have not already. 
 
If you are a current or aspiring group leader, starting October 18 from 8 to 10 PM Eastern time, a series of four sessions to help you be interactive with fellow group leaders. It is going to offer encouraging information about leadership and practical Takeaway tools. So you can sign up for that as well. You will see that in the weekly update. 
 
Are Global Allies Program with the returned Peace Corps volunteers, and Together Women Rise partnership webinar continued this month. 
 
Our policy forms are going to be really cool this coming month. 
 
September 21, U.S. Policy Forum as mentioned. We will have our friend Meredith Dodson who is now with Coalition of Human Needs talking about 2022 census poverty data. 
 
Then our global policy forum, of course lands on the eve of the UN High-Level Meeting on tuberculosis. So we are going to get some hot off the press information. So you will want to join for that. 
 
Our free agents continue to meet some time or 19th for U.S. Poverty Free Agents, September 25 for global. Then the event planning and outreach office hours that was mentioned will be September 14, action network managers continue to meet this month as well. 
 
The finer things we will mention is the media office hour to support that huge goal of 250 media pieces. Wednesday 6/20. And then our new advocate orientations have restarted, the next one will be September 14. 
 
With that we want to go back to our Paul, who is joining you in the room today? We want to get a sense of who has been gathering and who is here today, so go ahead and fill out the poll. 
 
I see the responses coming in fast and furious. So folks are gathering together. 
 
This is great. Thank you, we're just so delighted you have been able to be here today. 
 
The last thing we want to mention before we go... 
 
Is the rumor on the street, a thicket of school. Your members of Congress and staff won't want to miss it. 
 
So is there anything anyone else wants to say about our poll were initially left out? 
 
Hearing nothing, we are going to open the microphones for everyone. You can wish each other a great fall. Thank you so much for joining today. 
 
(Multiple speakers) 
 
Live captioning by Ai-Media