RESULTS Musings

January 2012 Domestic National Conference Call: Bold and Inspiring Plans for 2012

2012-01-18T15:54:00.001-05:00

The RESULTS Domestic January 2012 national conference call focused on our January Action: Group Planning, and featured Indivar Dutta-Gupta from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Indivar provided us a comprehensive overview of what the 2012 congressional agenda will likely play out on anti-poverty issues. RESULTS primary U.S. Poverty campaign in 2012 is Economic Opportunity for All — Using Tax Policy to Break the Cycle of Poverty. This campaign will have both short-term and long-term goals. On this short-term, our focus will be on protecting and expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Both of these credits are essential to helping low-income working families stay out of poverty. We are working to ensure that the recent improvements to the EITC and CTC (passed in 2009) are preserved. On Saturday’s call, Indivar reminded us of some important facts to help us in our advocacy this year:

In 2010 (latest data available), the EITC and CTC helped lift 9.3 million people out of poverty; 1.6 million of these were helped by the 2009 improvements.

The EITC has a wide reach — one-half of all American families with children claim the EITC at least once during an 18-year period.

Large share of those who receive the EITC only do so 1-2 years at a time.

Looking at EITC taxpayers over 18 year period, people end up paying more in federal taxes than they receive in EITC benefits. This is because the EITC moves people up the economic ladder, allowing them to put more into the system than they receive.

Looking ahead to this year, Indivar confirmed that much of the substantive legislative work in 2012 will not take place until after the 2012 November elections, i.e. the “lame duck” session. This includes taking up whether to extend the Bush tax cuts, as well as the 2009 expansions of the EITC and CTC. It will also include finalizing the 2013 budget. However, this does not mean that our work will be delayed as well. Being an election year, there will be a lot of activity and rhetoric about tax policy and spending priorities. As Indivar noted, it is imperative that we push forward in urging Congress to protect low-income working families via the EITC and CTC, and doing so in the context of the larger economy, i.e. touting how these credits help protect and strengthen our economic recovery.

Indivar also noted that advocate will also need to urge members of Congress to oppose “symbolic votes” on bad policy, such as votes to extend tax cuts for the wealthy. These votes will be taken to help candidates for election more than enact policy but could later be used to box legislators in a corner when the actual policy decisions are made.

He also said the primary issue in 2012 will be the economy and the economic recovery. Politicians will look to blame each other and policies for the recovery or lack thereof. We need to be vigilant in reminding people that while the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA, which included the EITC and CTC improvements) may not have been as big as we wanted or needed, it also did more to address poverty in America than any other piece of legislation in a generation. With income inequality likely also being a big campaign issue, this information and the expertise RESULTS volunteers bring to the issue of inequality, the wealth gap, and poverty will be important.

Finally, Indivar provided us some great insight on working with legislative staff in Washington. Indivar worked for the House Ways and Means Committee, which oversees tax policy, before joining the Center on Budget. Based on his experience, he told us that when working with committee staff, understand where staff and their bosses are coming from. If you are meeting with a sympathetic legislator, recognize that they are playing a lot of defense these days and need help. Find ways to work together to move our agenda forward, knowing that it may be slower than we would like. When meeting with those less sympathetic, know that they will be more focused on deficit reduction and plan accordingly. He also reminded us not to expect expertise on our issues with everyone we meet with; they are very busy and are not as focused on our issues as we are. They may need to rely on our analysis of the issues and, more importantly, our grassroots and grasstops mobilization, media work, and representing people in our communities. Finally, he said that we will make more progress when we can find common ground with our members of Congress and their staff.

In addition, the call featured an overview of our 2012 U.S. Poverty Campaigns and a review of Group Planning resources on our Group Resources and Administration page, including:

2012 Group Planning Guide: A step-by-step guide on conducting your group planning meeting

2012 Group Plan Summary Form: Comprehensive form to document your 2012 group plan (please send a copy to your Regional Coordinator once completed)

2012 Individual Planning Form: Brief form to help set your personal advocacy goals for 2012; share this information with your group during your planning meeting

RESULTS volunteer leaders in Houston, Columbus, Broward County and Santa Fe shared about their recent work and plans for 2012, and RESULTS Buffalo volunteer Bruce Davidson helped demonstrate how to Request a Face-to-Face Lobby Visit with a Member of Congress (our January 2012 Domestic Laser Talk). Cindy Changyit Levin, Grassroots Development Associate also reviewed the importance of including fundraising in the group planning meetings. Truth be told, fundraising can even help groups achieve your expansion goals and reach out to your community.

Listen to the January 2012 Domestic National Conference Call: Bold and Inspiring Plans for 2012 for all the details!

2012 January Global Call: Jeffrey Sachs on Ten Years of the Global Fund

2012-01-16T13:21:00.002-05:00

We kicked the year off in style with Jeffrey Sachs, economist, adviser to UN Sec. Ban Ki-Moon, founder of the Earth Institute at Columbia University, and one of the founders of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria. Dr. Sachs talked about a visit ten years ago to a hospital in Ghana where there was abundant talent, but dying patients because the hospital did not possess the resources to address AIDS, TB, and malaria. Ten years later the scene is almost unrecognizable--beautiful hospital, halted transmission of HIV from mother to child, and malaria deaths reduced more than anyone could have imagined.

If you want to know why we support and fund the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria, you must hear this call. Dr. Sachs is ready for this fight working with RESULTS.

Also on the this call were Joanne Carter, RESULTS Executive Director; John Fawcett, RESULTS Global Campaign Director; Ken Patterson, RESULTS Global Grassroots Manager; Cindy Levin, RESULTS Development Associate; Lene Hajeck, Volunteer with the South Kitsap/Gig Harber RESULTS group; David Schubert, Group Leader of the Houston RESULTS chapter; and Lisa Marchal, RESULTS Global Grassroots Associate.

January 2012 Global Conference Call: Jeffrey Sachs on the Global Fund

Find us on iTunes at the RESULTS Musings podcast

2011 December Global Conference Call: We Are Saving Lives with Vaccines!

2011-12-16T18:06:00.003-05:00

Our guest speaker was Seth Berkely, CEO of GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations).

After RESULTS Executive Director Joanne Carter recapped some of our outstanding advocacy accomplishments of 2011, Seth Berkely piled it on with a personal thank you to RESULTS for our amazing advocacy in securing a $450 million, 3-year pledge to GAVI from the U.S. This pledge, combined with pledges from other nations, totaled $4.3 billion and will save an estimated 4 million children's lives by 2015!

Listen to the 2011 RESULTS Global Conference Call: Saving Lives with Vaccines

2011 November Global Conference Call: End of AIDS?

2011-12-16T17:59:00.002-05:00

The November Global Conference call guest was Chris Collins, Director of Public Policy for amfAR (The Foundation for AIDS Research).

We are at critical point in the battle against AIDS--research proves that we can break the cycle of HIV if we start treatment early. In order to move toward the end of AIDS, this means that we must rapidly scale up access to treatment much earlier for millions of people in need. The question is, can we generate the political will necessary to take advantage of the new research?

Listent to the November 2011 Global Conference Call: The End of AIDS?

2011 Oct. Global Conf. Call: GPE a Better Investment

2011-10-21T17:53:00.003-04:00

We are in the final month of a 3-month effort to gather support for the Education for All Act, and ultimately to get the Administration to commit funding to the Global Partnership for Education (formerly FTI) in November.

Joanne Carter, Executive Director, introduced our guest speaker, Editorial Writer Jay Evensen of the Desert News in Salt Lake City. Jay did an excellent job talking about why he writes editorials on our issues, and on how to work with editorial writers. This is a must-listen segment. Joanne also spoke about the death of Winstone Zulu and how he would want us to continue on in strength to combat AIDS and TB.

Jen Maurer, Senior Legislative Associate, highlighted the push to get signers on Rep. Schakowsky's letter to Sec. of State Clinton. As of 11/21 we have 27 signers. The letter stays open until 11/27, so you can still make calls. We are going for 75. The EFA Act currently has 48 cosponsors and we have generated over 35 pieces of media. We need to push hard this week.

Ken Patterson hosted two shares, one from Eloise Sutherland that focused on the need to let editorial writers that their writing matters, and that we are committed to having their work read by decision makers. It was a fantastic story about their recent meeting in Austin. Phyllis Bjorkman then shared about their recent fundraiser in Tacoma. It was a smashing success!

Ken encouraged groups to determine who was reaching out to which office on the schakowsky letter, and determine what the groups would do for World AIDS Day with our excellent resources.

Lisa Marchal, Global Grassroots Associate, lead us in learning a laser talk we can use to make calls on the Schakowsky letter.

1. Call Recording:

October 2011 Global Call Recording: Global Partnership for Education is a Good Investment

2. EFA support materials including FTI and EFA Act fact sheets, outreach resources, etc.

October 2011 Domestic National Conference Call: Protecting Those Living in Poverty in Budget Deal

2011-10-19T16:23:00.004-04:00

The October RESULTS U.S. Poverty national conference call featured guest speaker Debbie Weinstein of the Coalition on Human Needs, talking about the current work of the Super Committee and its impact on federal anti-poverty programs. Debbie did a great job at providing us an overview of the Super Committee, pointing out that the choices they make could either hurt or help people. On the one hand, the committee could work on something constructive like job creation. She pointed out that when people go back to work, they pay taxes. This increases revenue and reduces the deficit. On the other hand, the Super Committee could also do damage by cutting anti-poverty programs like Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP (food stamps), the EITC, the CTC, etc. She noted that "if they don't [protect anti-poverty programs] and emphasize cuts, then we could see proposals like the House FY 2012 budget, which would have block-granted Medicaid." Block granting could result in half of the approximately 60 million people on Medicaid losing coverage. Debbie also noted that the House proposal to block grant SNAP would result in 8 million people losing benefits, or result in a $145 cut in monthly benefits for families on SNAP.
Debbie also discussed the importance of revenue being a part of the Super Committee plan, specifically revenue that equals or exceeds the amount of any proposed cuts (remember that Congress has already agreed to cut $1 trillion over ten years from the budget as part of the Budget Control Act). However, Debbie stressed that the most important message for advocates is that a bad deal is much worse than no deal at all, and that it is not imperative that they reach a deal right now. "We can live to fight another day." Therefore, if the Super Committee comes out with a plan that relies heavily on cuts to important anti-poverty programs but contains little or no new revenue, members of Congress should walk away. We need to make this clear to lawmakers — WALK AWAY FROM A BAD DEAL.

Debbie’s insights and advice are very helpful as we work this month to influence the Super Committee’s negotiations. It is very important that everyday Americans participate in this process, and not just because a deficit reduction deal would have far-reaching implications affecting all Americans. Already lobbyists and special interest groups have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Super Committee members’ campaign chests. Therefore, we need as many voices as possible contacting Congress the next few weeks. For RESULTS, that means urging others in our communities to pick up the phone or pen or keyboard to take action. Many of you already have local "action networks" made up of people who may not be regular members of your group but are willing to take action from time to time. Now is one of those times. If you already have a local action network, reach out to them now and urge them to contact Congress to tell them to pass a plan based on our three principles: a plan that does not increase poverty, is balanced with substantial new revenue, and creates jobs.

The conference call also included an update on recent proposals to increase funding for Head Start and Early Head Start, as well as maintain Child Care services for low-income working families. In addition, RESULTS volunteers in Tacoma, WA, and Columbus, OH, shared recent fundraising successes.

TAKE ACTION: Take the October Action. Make your voice heard by contacting representatives and senators about protecting the poor in deficit reduction talks. Urge them to talk the members of the Super Committee as well as House and Senate leadership urging a balanced approach to deficit reduction that protects America’s most vulnerable. Magnify your voice by activating your local action network and urge them to call (toll free number is (888) 245-0215), write, or e-mail Congress as well. Connect with allies you have cultivated over the years, including friends and family, faith communities, food banks, local anti-poverty organizations, health care advocates, etc. In addition, reach out to new people and groups in your area who may be willing to act. The more people involved in this process, the bigger voice we create. This would include reconnecting with your local Head Start and child care centers you met with last spring. These community allies are ideal advocates on these issues. Contact them and offer to meet to train them on how they can tell Congress to protect low-income Americans in budget negotiations. In addition, if you have not reached out to your contacts from our "To Catch a Dollar" work earlier this year, this is a great opportunity to contact them again and engage them in action.

Listen to the October 2011 Domestic National Conference Call: Protecting Those Living in Poverty in Budget Deal for all the details!

2011 Sept. Global Conf. Call: Education for All!

2011-09-13T08:25:00.005-04:00

We are in month 2 of a 3-month effort to gather support for the Education for All Act, and ultimately to get the Administration to commit funding to the Global Partnership for Education (formerly FTI) in November.

Joanne Carter, Executive Director, introduced our guest speaker, Rep. Adam Smith (WA-D). Rep. Smith complemented RESULTS on being the most effective advocacy group he knows of, and highlighted the importance of our investment in poverty-focused development assistance. He described many practical reasons for investing, but also highlighted that he believes it's the right thing for our nation to do. As one of the lead sponsors of the Education for All Act of 2011, he highlighted the value of investing in global education.

Joanne also announced that we are looking ahead to the 2012 International Conference, July 21-24. Our conference overlaps with the International AIDS Conference, which will make it exciting. We hope to make the 2012 conference the biggest one ever!

John Fawcett, Legislative Director, highlighted the work to be done on getting 100 cosponsors on the Education for All Act (we have 25 now), and Senate appropriations. He also highlighted a particular opportunity we have to get cosigners on a letter that Senator Gillibrand is circulating, calling on appropriators to increase funding for PEPFAR and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria. You can take action on this here.

Blair Hinderliter gave us an update on EFA media produced so far and encouraged activists to write letters to the editor, opeds, and to pitch editorial writers.

Ken Patterson hosted two shares, one from Nancy Curtiss of Olympia, WA where she talked about her promising work with her Tea Party Rep. Beth Wachira of Houston, TX gave a riveting share her work with the Houston editorial staff, but also reflected on her own education journey from Kenya to the US.

Finally, David Schubert of Houston, TX and Allison Gallaher of Grafton, OH did an excellent role play on pitching our Education for All work to an editorial writer. The day following the call, the Houston Chronicle printed an outstanding editorial.

Here are some useful resources for the coming weeks:

1. Laser talk on getting our representatives to cosponsor the Education for All Act

2. Recording: September 2011 Global Conference Call: Rep. Adam Smith on EFA

3. Recording: August 17, 2011 Media Support Call: Generating Media on EFA and FTI

4. EFA support materials including FTI and EFA Act fact sheets, outreach resources, etc.

September 2011 RESULTS Domestic National Conference Call: Follow Up with Senators to Protect Head Start and Child Care

2011-09-12T17:23:00.000-04:00

The September 2011 RESULTS Domestic National Conference Call was a short and focused conference call, designed to end early so that RESULTS groups could take action as a group and plan strategies to deepen your impact over the next few weeks. RESULTS Executive Director Joanne Carter opened the conference call with an exciting announcement about our 2012 International Conference (July 21-24, 2012), planned to be our largest ever. RESULTS staff members Jos Linn and Meredith Dodson reviewed the broader budget situation in DC and specific actions to protect funding for Head Start, Early Head Start, and Child Care services for low-income working families. Time is of the essence. The Senate could take up the Labor-HHS bill the week of September 19. The Senate bill is of particular importance because it is our best chance of securing adequate resources for early childhood programs. Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), the Chair of the Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, is a strong supporter of early childhood programs, as are many other on that subcommittee. But, the Senate still has to find some cuts within the Labor-HHS appropriations bill, due to the recently-passed Budget Control Act. RESULTS estimates they need to cut at least $300 million for 2012.

TAKE ACTION: Take the September Action Sheet. Coordinate one member of your local RESULTS group to talk directly to the aide who handles funding for early childhood development programs in Washington ASAP. For many of you, this is the aide you might have met in Washington at the International Conference in June. In addition, use the talking points in the September Action Sheet to generate additional letters, e-mails (you can also use our online e-mail action alert) and phone calls to Senate offices – this will “strengthen your hand” as you work the “insider game” with the aide. In your calls and letters, ask your senators and representative to tell Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee (Labor-HHS) Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Ranking Member Richard Shelby (R-AL) or House Labor-HHS Chairman Denny Rehberg (R-MT) and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) to protect Head Start and child care services by allocating $8.1 billion total for Head Start/Early Head Start in FY 2012 and a $1.2 billion increase for the Child Care Development Block Grant in FY 2012. To find contact information for congressional offices and the name of the early childhood aide, visit our Elected Officials page (http://capwiz.com/results/dbq/officials/). Make sure to plan to specifically follow up with the aide to verify that the senator (or representative) has indeed communicated support for these funding levels to the subcommittee.

RESULTS volunteer Paul Hoffinger in Minnesota moderated our Shares section, including his own experiences at a town hall meeting earlier this week, as well as great stories from Columbus volunteer Ann Boer and Denver volunteer Marty Karnopp. The call ended with an update on fundraising and other key announcements from Grassroots Development Associate Cindy Levin.

Listen to the September 2011 Domestic National Conference Call: Follow Up with Senators to Protect Head Start and Child Care for all the details!

2011 August Global Conf. Call: Why FTI Deserves Our Support

2011-08-18T13:42:00.010-04:00

Joanne Carter, Executive Director, opened the call and introduce Carol Bellamy, Chair of the Board of the Education for All Fast Track Initiative or FTI. FTI is doing amazing work on education, and will only continue to get kids in school if we get the US to finally contribute. To date the US has not.

Sarah Beardmore, Education Campaign Manager then gave us more details on how FTI functions and our new report, Make it Right: Ending the Crisis in Girls Education. Jen Maurer, Senior Legislative Associate then outlined our Education for All (EFA) campaign goals of getting 100 cosponsors on HR 2705, the Education for All Act of 2011, by October 1, and noted that we are working on finding one or more representatives to lead on a sign on letter to the Administration on FTI funding.

Ken Patterson then highlighted upcoming priorities in getting face to face meetings during the August Recess and attending the media training call for our EFA efforts (which happened on 8/17). He then taught a laser talk on getting our representatives to cosponsor the Education for All Act. See useful resources below:

Recording: August 2011 Global Conference Call: FTI is a Worthy Investment

Recording: August 17, 2011 Media Support Call: Generating Media on EFA and FTI

EFA support materials including FTI and EFA Act fact sheets, outreach resources, etc.

August 2011 RESULTS Domestic National Conference Call: Use the August Recess to Meet with Members of Congress

2011-08-09T22:23:00.001-04:00

The RESULTS August 2011 RESULTS Domestic national conference call with some reflections on the budget deal from RESULTS Executive Director Joanne Carter. Joanne shared this excerpt from historian Howard Zinn's 2004 piece, The Optimism of Uncertainty:

It's clear that the struggle for justice should never be abandoned because of the apparent overwhelming power of those who have the guns and the money and who seem invincible in their determination to hold on to it. That apparent power has, again and again, proved vulnerable to human qualities less measurable than bombs and dollars: moral fervor, determination, unity, organization, sacrifice, wit, ingenuity, courage, patience--whether by blacks in Alabama and South Africa, peasants in El Salvador, Nicaragua and Vietnam, or workers and intellectuals in Poland, Hungary and the Soviet Union itself. No cold calculation of the balance of power need deter people who are persuaded that their cause is just.

I have tried hard to match my friends in their pessimism about the world (is it just my friends?), but I keep encountering people who, in spite of all the evidence of terrible things happening everywhere, give me hope.

An optimist isn't necessarily a blithe, slightly sappy whistler in the dark of our time. To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places--and there are so many--where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don't have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory.”

Guest speaker Melissa Boteach of Half in Ten: The Campaign to Cut Poverty in Half in Ten Years then gave an overview of the debt ceiling deal and reviewed the great resources they've compiled, including their Road to Shared Prosperity storymap. That led to an overview of our August Action: Use the August Recess to Meet with Congress, and the importance of specifically pushing for Head Start and child care investments. We also heard from South Central Pennsylvania RESULTS volunteer Bruce Kessler about his recent opinion piece on how Head Start and other early childhood programs break the cycle of poverty in the Chambersburg Public Opinion, reviewed key parts of the RESULTS website, and briefly discussed how to broaden your advocacy through social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

Listen to the August 2011 RESULTS Domestic National Conference Call: Use the August Recess to Meet with Members of Congress for all the details!

2011 July Global Conf. Call: Microfinance for Reaching Poorest

2011-07-11T18:40:00.002-04:00

Joanne Carter, Executive Director, gave a great account of the International Conference, noting that around 230 meetings were held with members of Congress from 29 states, and $16000 was raised.

The President of Freedom From Hunger, Chris Dunford, joined us as guest speaker on the call. Dunford gave a powerful account of the power of microfinance for reaching the very poor and how critical RESULTS' efforts have been in assuring that those who can benefit most have access. He talked about how the "engineers" of microfinance programs at USAID talk about how "impossible" it is to reach the poorest, yet are the same people who ultimately design the systems to do the impossible. It is the work of RESULTS to push them to design what we all know is challenging, though worth pursuing because it is the right thing to do, and in the end, doable.

Jen Maurer, Senior Legislative Associate, gave an account of or work on the microfinance sign on letter to USAID (61 signers as of 7/11). She challenged us to gather 100 signers by 7/14 to send a strong message to USAID that they must comply with the 2004 microfinance law that requires them to invest 50% of US microfinance dollars in programs that reach the very poor. Call your representative and ask him/her to sign on. Jen also gave us an overview of our legislative calendar for the coming months, which will focus on education and microfinance heavily.

Ken Patterson lead the Grassroots Cafe, calling on 6 activists to share about their experience at the International Conference. The shares were powerful and gave a true sense of what it's like to be in DC changing the world.

July 2011 Global Conference Call: Microfinance Should Focus on Reaching the Poorest

July 2011 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: Generate Media to Protect Head Start and Child Care Services in Budget Negotiations

2011-07-11T11:00:00.001-04:00

The RESULTS July 2011 RESULTS Domestic national conference call started with a recap this year's RESULTS International Conference by RESULTS Executive Director Joanne Carter. As Joanne shared, there were 230 attendees from 29 states and 9 countries, we held over 230 meetings with Congressional offices, and we raised over $16,000 just from the generosity of those at the conference. Joanne recognized the tremendous sacrifice RESULTS activists make to come to DC – the cost, the time away from family and friends, using your limited vacation time to do so, and then gave an update on our strategic planning process -- see Joanne's remarks at this year's conference for details. RESULTS Houston volunteer leader Kathleen Duncan moderated a the Shares section, relaying her own experience of bringing videos of local Head Start families to Washington, and then we heard from Jim Chaput from our RESULTS Denver chapter about the thrill of hearing his senator acknowledge the CO volunteers by name at the lobby kickoff (and then lobbying him after in the hall on deficit reduction). RESULTS Columbus volunteer Cathy Werley shared the thrill of her first RESULTS conference and their two days of lobbying on Capitol Hill.

Jos Linn then gave a thorough update on the budget situation in Washington, urging people to call right after the end of the conference call to influence the weekend negotiations (our June Action). Jos then outlined the key talking points featured in our July 2011 Action: Generate Media to Protect Head Start and Child Care Services, urging volunteers to take action ASAP using our online LTE tool. After summer intern Taryn Peacock led the Roll Call section -- the 62 volunteer activists on the phone in total have generated at least 306 actions to protect low-income Americans in budget negotiations and will submit 100 media pieces to local newspapers, Meredith Dodson closed out the call with a few announcements, including the change in date for our August National Conference Call: Tuesday, August 9, 8-9 pm ET. This will be a special call which will include an update of the budget deal in DC and review of the great resources of the Half in Ten campaign.

Listen to the July 2011 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: Generate Media to Protect Head Start and Child Care Services in Budget Negotiations for all the details!

June 2011 Joint National Conference Call: Creating a Circle of Protection to Protect Programs for the Poor

2011-06-11T04:08:00.000-04:00

RESULTS would like to thank former member of Congress and Ambassador Tony Hall of the Alliance to End Hunger for speaking on the June RESULTS National Conference Call. Ambassador Hall spoke about his 28-day Hunger Fast he undertook to draw attention to severe cuts to human services in the federal budget. Ambassador Hall believes that the Hunger Fast, which had over 40,000 participants, helped stave off many dangerous cuts to vital anti-poverty programs in the FY 2011 budget.

However, as Ambassador Hall stated, our work is far from over. He said addressing poverty was not discussed in recent caucus meetings, which means programs designed to help individuals and families in poverty such as critical foreign aid programs, Head Start, Medicaid, SNAP, and the Earned Income Tax Credit are still very vulnerable. As we know, current FY 2012 budget and deficit reduction proposals disproportionately target low-income programs and unless we strongly respond to these efforts, many of these cuts could come to pass. The June Domestic Action helps us make that forceful response; here are a set of principles we want to you to convey to members of Congress about deficit reduction:

Any deficit reduction agreement must protect low-income Americans and not increase poverty. Programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and Social Security, as well as critical domestic discretionary programs, must be exempt from any automatic triggers and across the board cuts.
Any agreement must reject structural changes to Medicaid and SNAP, such as block grants that would hurt millions of vulnerable Americans.
Any agreement must have a balanced approach, relying at least as much on new revenue as it does on spending cuts.
Congress must reject spending caps and any balanced budget amendment.

Jen Maurer reviewed the amazing work done by RESULTS grassroots network ahead of the GAVI replenishment conference. Congratulations to everyone for your amazing work to get 62 representatives to sign the bipartisan House letter to the president requesting him to make a pledge of $450 million over three years to GAVI, a truly effective, life-saving global vaccine initiative. And many you got your senators to send their own letter — Feinstein, Hagan, Burr, Udall (CO), Bingaman, and Senator Blumenthal — which only happens when you’ve done the hard work to build a relationship and educate them. GAVI has is aware of your work and thanks you for your 21 LTEs, 6 op-eds, 1 editorial, 1 online video story about GAVI.

Listen to the June 2011 Joint National Conference Call: Creating a Circle of Protection to Protect Programs for the Poor for all the details!

2011 May Global Call: Exec. Dir. of UNICEF Speaks on Poorest Quintile

2011-05-16T21:13:00.002-04:00

UNICEF Executive Director, Tony Hall visited RESULTS to talk about UNICEF's efforts to reach the world poorest. Not only is it the right thing to reach out to those who are struggling most, it is actually more cost effective. Listen to Tony's comment and read the research and the piece from the NY Times. Tony also acknowledged RESULTS extraordinary work and praised our partnership.

Joanne Carter, RESULTS Executive Director, who just returned from the Global Fund Board meetings in Geneva, noted for RESULTS activists that, because of their work, a round 11 of funding was possible. Without a US pledge of $4 billion, it is unlikely that this would have happened, meaning that thousands, if not millions, would have been left without prevention, testing and treatment for AIDS, TB, and malaria.

John Fawcett called us to action on GAVI and on appropriations. We have two deadlines on 5/20: one on finding leadership for the GAVI sign on letter, another on appropriations requests on foreign operations funding. John pointed out that members of Congress cannot vote on these issues on the floor, so if they don't weigh now, they won't have a chance to do so. Not weighing in is not an option for us, as constituents.

Beth Wilson of Olalla, WA shared about supporting the Inland Empire group in their fundraising efforts, which netted $2000, and Scott Leckman shared about a powerful meeting he had with Rep. Bishop of UT. His meeting yielded many insights in how to reach conservative members, as pointed out by Ken Patterson.

Lisa Marchal lead us in the laser talk section of the call, which focused on reaching out to members of Congress on GAVI.

May 2011 Global Conference Call: UNICEF Executive Dir. Talks About Poorest Quintile Strategy

2011 May Domestic Conference Call: Strengthen Your Case for Head Start and Early Childhood Services

2011-05-16T19:49:00.002-04:00

The RESULTS May 2011 RESULTS Domestic national conference call focused on our month-long effort to understand the importance of investments in early childhood development programs. Guest speaker and former Head Start parent Susan Stoker shared her perspectives on the impact Head Start had on her children and her role as a parent. We then discussed strategies for our outreach to local Head Start programs, which is the focus of the RESULTS May 2011 U.S. Poverty Action. This month, we want to better inform our advocacy on Head Start, Early Head Start, and Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) by visiting a local Head Start center. Visiting your local Head Start center will give you the opportunity to deepen your knowledge of Head Start and its impact in your community. By meeting with staff and parents, you can get the data and stories necessary to impact members of Congress on this issue. A recent survey of congressional staff showed that when asked what best influences members of Congress on the issues, demonstrating how an issue or policy affects people in their home state or district was at the top of the list. Visiting your local Head Start center will help provide you the details about that impact.

During the conference call we walked through a model conversation of a call to a Head Start program (see our May 2011 Domestic Laser Talk) and set a goal of reaching out to at least 24 programs across the country. We then reviewed the latest about the budget situation in Washington, heard about some of the great outreach in Columbus and Santa Fe built on connections made you during our outreach around the release of the documentary To Catch a Dollar: Muhammad Yunus Banks on America, and Marty Karnopp in Colorado closed the call with some announcements.

Listen to the May 2011 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: Strengthen Your Case for Head Start and Early Childhood for all the details!

2011 April Global Call: Rep. Nita Lowey Talks Education

2011-05-03T14:33:00.003-04:00

Joanne Carter opened the call by introducing the opportunities ahead of us on Education for All. Then, Ranking Member of the Foreign Operations Sub-Committee of Appropriations, Rep. Nita Lowey (NY) talked about the importance of education in the lives of the world's poorest, and the US plan to assure that all kids go to school via the Education for All Act. She spoke very powerfully, particularly about girls and women in education. She also called on RESULTS and other advocates to educate the public and members of Congress about the effectiveness of foreign aid programs giving that so many of the new Reps. are willing to cut them without knowing of their benefits.

Jen Maurer updated us on the budget situation and prepared us for budget and appropriations requests. We heard from Ken Patterson about the need to generate more voices in our communities, building on what Rep. Lowey implored us to do. We heard from grassroots activists Nancy Gardiner of Coastal, CT and David Burns of Central New Jersey. Mary Peterson did and update on expansion.

2011 April Global Call: Executive Director of Global Fund

2011 April Domestic Conference Call: Celebrating Outreach, and Investing in Head Start

2011-04-09T19:54:00.000-04:00

The April 2011 RESULTS Domestic national conference call featured a celebration of RESULTS' role in the screening of “To Catch a Dollar” nationwide. Many groups shared about the successes they had on generating turnout and exposing mew people to RESULTS. Some groups even had new volunteers with them on the call. Congratulations to you all for your efforts!

The call also featured guest speaker Joan Huffer from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and a summary of the FY 2011 budget deal and fights ahead. Listen to the April 2011 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: Celebrating Outreach, and Investing in Head Start for all the details!

2011 March Global Conf. Call: Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, Malaria

2011-03-22T15:59:00.003-04:00

We had a special guest speaker on the March Global Conference call, Michel Kazatchkine, Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria.

Dr. Kazatchkine gave a great run down on the Global Fund's accomplishments, how they are working to reduce the risk of corruption, and how continued investment could bring amazing accomplishments including eliminating Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS and malaria deaths. He also profoundly thanked RESULTS activists for their great work in getting the US to make a first-time, 3-year pledge of $4 billion.

John Fawcett gave us a great update on 2011 funding issues and called us into action on reaching out to our senators and the media on the proposed House budget cuts to foreign aid.

Ken Patterson talked about calling our members of Congress into leadership and activist Beth Wilson of Olalla, WA and Dee Diallo from Seattle shared about actions they've taken to create leadership. Other announcements:

--New 2011 Group Reporting Form. Please report!

--International Conference registration is open. Let's party down in DC.

--New interactive grassroots forum. Check it out!

--World TB Day resources

4. Lisa Marchal taught the March Laser Talk on speaking to editorial writers.

March Global Call: Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria

March 2011 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: Building a Movement for Policies That Help Low-Income Americans Build Assets

2011-03-21T12:20:00.001-04:00

The RESULTS March 2011 RESULTS Domestic national conference call launched our month-long effort to build support for policies to end poverty and specifically help low-income families build savings and assets in America. Guest speaker Ted Richane of Cause & Effect gave an overview of the campaign around the March 31 nationwide release of the documentary To Catch a Dollar: Muhammad Yunus Banks on America. As Ted mentioned on the call, the film will give moviegoers not familiar with the microfinance model an idea about how it works around the world and how that model has been used here in the U.S. It also gives us the opportunity to engage others in the work to end poverty in America. He urged all of us to plan to attend a local screening ourselves and invite as many others as possible to attend. The To Catch a Dollar website has an online list of all the theaters by state. In addition, contact the theaters in your area showing the film and see if your RESULTS group can host a table and/or make a brief statement about our partnership in To Catch a Dollar and our work in ending poverty. As Ted explained, these theaters are looking to get new customers out of these showings and may be eager to work with local groups who can increase turnout.

Ted also described what will happen after the March 31 premier. As the premier is only the beginning of a longer campaign, each week in April will focus on a specific topic around domestic poverty and asset-building strategies. Topics include women in the U.S., the “unbanked” in America, financial literacy in the U.S., and policy solutions. Each week there will be events to help bring attention to these topics, including several hosted by RESULTS during the policy week of April 25.

Our March Action focuses on asset development strategies for ending poverty, which fits right in with the message of To Catch a Dollar. Specifically, we urge you to draft an EPIC Laser Talk that highlights the importance of and our focus of our assets campaign this year, the Saver’s Bonus. The purpose of drafting a laser talk about this issue is to help in your outreach during the To Catch a Dollar campaign, whether you are hosting a table at a theater, making a brief presentation before or after the film, or simply encouraging others to attend a screening. As Domestic Outreach Organizer Jos Linn explained on the call (from the new book Tell to Win), remember to tell a story, adapting our March 2011 laser talk: Urge People to Join RESULTS' Efforts to Enact the Saver's Bonus. Find a way to draw people into a conversation emotionally — where people can identify themselves in your story — so as to better engage them. Also, please see our new To Catch a Dollar resources page for information and materials you can print and use for your events, including a promotional poster and newsletter announcement.

The call also featured shares from RESULTS volunteers in Houston, Bernardsville NJ and Santa Fe. During the call, the 73 participants tallied over 260 actions they've generated to protect Head Start, Early Head Start, and Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funding and pledged to reach out to 1036 people to invite them to a local To Catch a Dollar screening or other local outreach event.

Listen to the March 2011 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: Building a Movement for Policies That Help Low-Income Americans Build Assets for all the details!

2011 February Conference Call: TB Diagnostics & Appropriations

2011-02-14T14:23:00.004-05:00

On the February conference we prepared ourselves for budget battles for the rest of 2011 and the new budget for 2012.

1. Joanne Carter opened the call by acknowledging many of our fears about the current political and budgetary environment. She reminded listeners that many unexpectedly powerful poverty outcomes have been achieved during the least likely of times. We cannot let the situation get the better of us as progress and lives are at stake, particularly when new technological innovations like the Xpert TB Diagnostics and new childhood vaccines hold the promise of saving millions and during the tide.

2. Our guest speaker, Lucica Ditiu, new Executive Director of the Stop TB Partnership told us about priorities of the Stop TB Partnership including advocacy, R & D on new diagnostics and vaccines, finding money to fund the Global Plan to Stop TB, and strengthening partnerships. She also highlighted an exciting new diagnostic for TB that provides more accurate results and identifies drug-resistance in hours instead of weeks. It's an exciting new innovation that will allow for more, better, and faster diagnosis, and in turn, the same for treatment.

2. John Fawcett dissected both 2011 and 2012 foreign aid funding opportunities and challenges. The proposed funding cuts by the House for 2011 will have a crippling effect on the Global Fund, PEPFAR, and other global health efforts. The net effect will be a million or more deaths. 2012 appropriations work will kick off in ernest as the President releases his budget in 2/14. Making sure that life-saving budget priorities are respected is up to us.

3. Ken Patterson called on two activists, Sharon Solstice of Contra Costa, CA and Anne Child of Austin, TX to highlight the power of face-to-face meetings and outreach respectively. Our members of Congress need to know that we "have their backs" if we want to them to take leadership. It's important that we find new activists and develop more partnerships in order to be heard, and to give our decision makers the courage then need. Also announced,

--New 2011 Group Reporting Form

--International Conference early registration of $199.99, that's right, only $199.99!

--New interactive grassroots forum. Check it out!

--World TB Day resources

4. Lisa Marchal taught the February Laser Talk on TB new diagnostics and 2012 appropriations requests.

February Global Call: TB Diagnostics & 2012 Appropriations

February 2011 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: Head Start and Child Care Critical for Kids and Jobs

2011-02-14T12:46:00.001-05:00

Our February Domestic Conference Call focused on the challenges facing the RESULTS activist network as we directly lobby our members of Congress, write letters and call Congressional offices in support of Head Start, Early Head Start and the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG). Mike Gentile, staff member at the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee shared his insights on the appropriations process as well as specific updates on the House's deep proposed cuts to early childhood development programs. Under the proposed House funding levels for the remainder of 2011, 200,000 children lose Head Start services, 50,000 Head Start teachers will lose their jobs, 15,000 classrooms will close, and 150,000 children lose child care services.

TAKE ACTION: Take the February Action. Write letters to your members of Congress in support of Head Start, Early Head Start and the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG). Urge them to sustain the funding levels in FY 2011 and FY 2012 necessary to protect existing services for children and families. You can also use our new Early Childhood Laser Talk (the conference call included a demonstration of a call to a Congressional staff member based on the laser talk) to help draft your letters or in your face-to-face meetings with legislators. We've been in several lobby visits to discuss Head Start and child care with key Senate offices, and the message is clear: these Senate aides need to hear from people back home who support this. Please make sure someone in your group calls each senator and talks directly to the aide who handles these issues. And keep trying to keep requesting those face-to-face meetings with your members of Congress. They need to hear from constituents about the importance of early childhood programs and what they mean for jobs in your community. Both the House and Senate will be on recess the week of February 21.

As discussed on the call, mark your calendars for the March 31 nationwide release of the documentary TO CATCH A DOLLAR: MUHAMMAD YUNUS BANKS ON AMERICA (2009). RESULTS is a national partner in the release of this film – see our blog post for more details. And, registration will open shortly for the 2011 International Conference, June 19-21 in Washington, DC. Register early—for the first time, we have an Early Bird Discount.

Listen to the February 2011 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: Head Start and Child Care Critical for Kids and Jobs for all the details!

January 2011 Global Call: 2011 Campaigns for Saving Lives

2011-01-10T11:26:00.006-05:00

We had a great conference call on January 8.

1. Joanne Carter opened the call and provide some context for working in the new political environment. She gave specific examples of how some of our greatest progress on issues like Child Survival has been made during political times that did not seem favorable.
Our guest speaker was Geoff Adlide, Director of Advocacy and Public Policy at the GAVI Alliance. He informed us about 2 new vaccines and the new opportunity we have to save 4 million lives by 2015. We need $175 million from the US in 2012 for this effort.

2. John Fawcett gave us an overview of 2011 Campaigns in child survival, funding the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria, microfinance, and a major push to pass Education for All legislation.

3. Ken Patterson highlighted the grassroots objectives in the 2011 Campaigns, namely, growing our grassroots base with new chapters, developing more community alliances, and training more activists in the art of coaching so we have the capacity to better support "individuals to have breakthroughs in exercising their personal and political power."

4. Lisa Marchal taught the January Laser Talk on making a request to members of Congress, or their aides, on funding life-saving vaccines in 2012.

January 2011 Global Conference Call: 2011 Campaigns and Child Survival

January 2011 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: 2011 Campaigns Kickoff and Set Up Lobby Meetings

2011-01-08T14:40:00.002-05:00

We started the January 2011 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call with Executive Director Joanne Carter acknowledging the hard work RESULTS activists did to secure extensions of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) for low-income working families, and fundraising work throughout 2010. We then launched our 2011 RESULTS Domestic Campaigns with the help of of two great guest speakers. Justin King from the New America Foundation shared his expertise on why assets and savings matters for those interested in ending poverty and specifics about the Saver’s Bonus. Helen Blank at the National Women's Law Center shared the importance of investments in Early Childhood Development programs, focusing on Head Start/Early Head Start and funding for child care.

This month, our focus is on scheduling face-to-face lobby visits with senators and representatives to discuss our campaign priorities, and specifically to build support early childhood development programs, especially Head Start and child care, for a smarter, healthier and stronger America. Take action now, and be sure to review the great tips in our monthly action sheet: http://www.results.org/take_action/us_poverty_actions_and_news/january_2011_u.s._poverty_action/. RESULTS organizer Jos Linn led a speaking training exercise to help you in securing face-to-face lobby meeting with members of Congress — this is a key moment when members are back home and formulating their agendas for 2011, so it's a great time to get in early and effectively.

Jos also reviewed group planning—this is about how we can have maximum impact with our efforts. Cindy Changyit Levin, RESULTS grassroots leader from Illinois and a new staff member supporting grassroots fundraising efforts around the country, emphasized the importance of including fundraising goals in the planning process. We have group planning materials available on the website, including a sample agenda for your planning meeting and individual planning form and plan summary to complete. Also, staff and regional coordinators are happy to assist you and answer any questions you have about your plans.

January 2011 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: 2011 Campaigns Kickoff and Set Up Lobby Meetings

2010 December Joint Global-US Conference Call

2010-12-11T16:54:00.003-05:00

Our December 2010 National Conference call was a joint call of our Global and US Poverty divisions. Joanne Carter opened the call from Bulgaria, where she is at the Global Fund board meetings. She spoke of the importance of our work with the new Congress and highlighted the contributions of Nick Arena, COO, as he prepares to change jobs.

Scott Leckman, RESULTS Board Chair introduced our guest speaker, Sam Daley Harris, found of RESULTS. Sam shared stories about how, so many times, RESULTS activists made what seemed impossible, possible, by persistently working to reach our members of Congress at a deep, emotional level on the issues. Everyone is a potential ally. He illustrated the point by having Steve Valk from the Atlanta chapter share a story about their work with Rep. Pat Swindall.

Jos Linn and Jen Maurer shared some of our global and US successes for the year and Donna Howard updated us on our goal to raise $50,000 through Fall Fundraising (we raised $59,000).

We hear great grassroots shares from Janet McClenahan of Boise, ID; Cindy Chanyit Levin of Chicago, IL; Dave Goodman of NY, NY; and Bob Dickerson of Seattle, WA. Lisa Marchal lead us in learning the laser talk on having a relationship-building conversation with our members of Congress.

December National Conference Call--Joint US-Global: Why to Set Up Meetings with Members of Congress Now

November 2010 Global Call: Senate EFA Act, NEA as Partner, WAD Editorials

2010-11-17T09:50:00.006-05:00

We called on activists during the November Global Conference Call to gather support for the EFA Act, particularly the Senate Education For All Act (S 3797). Gathering support now will help us gain quick momentum when the bill is reintroduced in early 2011. See our Education Issues page for resources and information on taking action. Use our November Action Sheet to engage others in writing to our senators and representatives.

We heard from our partners at the National Education Association (NEA) and were encouraged by Vice President Lily Eskelsen to reach out to NEA chapters in our communities to work together. Lily spoke passionately about why education for all children, no matter where they are in the world, is important to all NEA members. Other highlights:

Joanne Carter, Executive Director, provided some context on the current political environment and pointed out that, though the climate may be challenging, we have often make much progress under such conditions. It's important to stay focused and passionate for those without a voice.

John Fawcett gave us some great information on the World AIDS Day editorial packet now available for our writers. The packet is a brilliant look at bi-partisan cooperation around global health issues and should be very timely and appealing.

Beth Wilson gave us a primer on making follow up calls to to potential donors.

We heard some great Grassroots shares from Tanya Oemig of Evansville, WI, who started a new group, and Liz Clerkin of Cleveland, who talked about the Heartland Regional Conference.

Ken Patterson pointed out how the conference call makes us more knowledgeable activists, while learning the laser talk makes us better activists. Lisa Marchal taught us the EFA laser talk.

November 2010 Global Call: Senate EFA Act & World AIDS Day Editorials

November 2010 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: Push the Lame Duck Congress to Support EITC, CTC

2010-11-15T21:32:00.000-05:00

We started the November 2010 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call with Executive Director Joanne Carter's perspective on the election and the importance of RESULTS' work. As Joanne has noted before,

"Hope is a decision, not a feeling. Whatever we feel, we can decide to act with hope, I’d argue we need to decide to act with hope, hope about what’s possible, and hope about the bridges we can build on issues that matter for the world."

Our guest speaker was Joan Huffer, the Director of the Federal Budget Initiative at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a project that provides information and technical assistance about federal budget, tax, and low-income policies to state non-profit organizations; before starting at CBPP Joan worked in the U.S. Senate for 27 years in various capacities. Joan shared her insights on pending tax legislation and the critical importance of extending the 2009 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) improvements for low-income working families. She urged RESULTS volunteers to share local or state data from Citizens for Tax Justice, stories, and by illustrating the impact these changes can have on a minimum wage family with two children working full-time: this family currently receives a Child Tax Credit of about $1,750 but will see their CTC drop to $250, a $1,500 loss, a significant blow to their already limited budget.

TAKE ACTION: Join dozens of RESULTS activists who have already sent the Lame Duck Congress handwritten letters urging them to make these vital tax credits for low-income working families a priority. Use the talking points in our November Action sheet and send off letters ASAP. You can find fax numbers for members of Congress on our Elected Officials page of the RESULTS website. Also, to help you brush up on the EITC and CTC after focusing on child nutrition the last few weeks, we have created a new EITC and CTC Fact Sheet to reorient yourself with these tax credits and why the 2009 improvements are so important. We also have an updated Outreach Action Sheet that you can give/send to other urging them to take action too.

We also heard more about recent fundraising events organized by RESULTS volunteers in Columbus and Des Moines, and the next steps to making our Fall Friends and Family Campaign a success. Listen to our November 2010 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: Greet the Lame Duck Congress and Support EITC, CTC for all the details!

October 2010 Global National Call: Currency Transaction Levy

2010-10-11T12:56:00.002-04:00

The October call focused on a new mechanism to fund global health--a currency transaction levy. Representative Stark was not able to joint the call, but John Fawcett and Joanne Carter did an excellent job explaining what the currency transaction levy is, and how it would help us generate additional stable funding for global health. Representative Stark has introduced HR 5783, the Investing in Our Futures Act, to put the levy in place.

Let's work to get our Representatives to cosponsor the bill. Here are some resources to help us understand the bill better:

RESULTS Currency Transaction Levy webpage with bill summary, fact sheet, articles, and notes from a very informative conference call.

We also got an update on what we achieve with our work on the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria. Richard Smiley from the Chicago group also share about their work on HR 2000, the bill to award Dr. Muhammad Yunus a Congressional Gold Medal. The bill passed and was signed into law last week!

October 2010 Global Call: Currency Transaction Levy legislation

October 2010 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: Ending Child Hunger in America a Strong Child Nutrition Bill

2010-10-11T10:18:00.005-04:00

Congress has adjourned until after the November election, but there is still much work to be done. The October 2010 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call focuses on work to pass a strong child nutrition bill that does not take resources from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly the Food Stamp Program). Our guest speaker on the call was Ellen Teller, Director of Government Affairs at the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC). Ellen overviewed the latest developments in Congress' work on child nutrition and discussed actions we can take to advocate for a strong child nutrition bill. RESULTS TX volunteer Kathleen Duncan then helped us put the information to practice by reviewing the October laser talk: Congress Should Pass a Strong Child Nutrition Bill. In addition, RESULTS Development Director Donna Howard offered her expertise on why our grassroots fundraising work matters and the resources in the Friends and Family Letter Writing Toolkit.

TAKE ACTION: Take the October Action. Use this time during the recess to contact members of Congress and urge them to pass the strongest child nutrition bill without cutting SNAP to fund it. Write letters to your representatives and senators using our action sheet, but don’t stop there. Use public appearances and meetings during the recess to put this issue in front of legislators. Congress may think it can simply raid public service programs for money without objection or consequence, but we know better. We cannot stand by and say nothing, otherwise this will just be the first of many attempts to pit anti-poverty advocates against one another all the while undermining our civic responsibility to care for those in need. If you cannot call, be sure to send an e-mail to your members of Congress.

Listen to our October 2010 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: Ending Child Hunger in America with a Strong Child Nutrition Bill for all the details!

2010 RESULTS Basics

2010-09-30T10:55:00.003-04:00

To learn more about RESULTS, list to the RESULTS Basics training, or read the transcripts:

Track 1: Welcome from RESULTS founder, Sam Daley Harris (transcript)

Track 2: Profile of an Activist (transcript)

Track 3: RESULTS Successes (transcript)

Track 4: What RESULTS Volunteers Do (transcript)

Track 5: How RESULTS Influences Congress (transcript)

Track 6: Laser Talks and Powerful Storytelling (transcript)

Track 7: Glad You are Here from Executive Director, Joanne Carter (transcript)

You can also find our recordings on our iTunes podcast.

September 2010 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: “Virtual” Lobbying to Protect Working Families

2010-09-13T10:39:00.001-04:00

The September Domestic National Conference Call was a shorter call without an outside guest speaker to allow groups more time to plan "virtual" lobby meetings after the call ended to push for permanent expansions of the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for low-income working families (our September Action). Specifically, we want to see the $3,000 income threshold for the CTC and the EITC expansion for married couples and larger families permanent fixtures of the tax code from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) included in tax legislation in Congress this month. RESULTS' Executive Director provided context in her opening remarks:

I really want to acknowledge and thank you all for the persistent, creative, dedicated work that you are doing right now to get your representatives and senators to weigh in with the key decision makers, the key leaders in Congress on tax policy to ensure that low-income families are not left out of the major decisions and legislation that will likely be completed in the next month.
I realize what you are doing is not easy — not just sending an email, not just getting someone to cosponsor a bill, but asking your member of Congress to talk to the tax committee leaders. I realize this is a bigger and more complicated request — and that to make it happen takes a lot of persistence.
But these actions make a BIG impact. Before I was Executive Director, I led much of RESULTS Congressional effort for over a decade. And the kind of conversations you are asking your members of Congress (MoCs) to have are what makes the difference — personal conversations, personal expressions of support member to member. And you’re uniquely placed to do this—very few if any other grassroots constituents are able to understand the process and have the relationships (and follow-through) to do this. In my experience another powerful benefit of this action is that asking your MoCs and Senators to speak personally to leadership on this moves them forward to be champions on these issues. Sometimes MoCs sign letters and don’t even know it. But speaking personally — you know you did that and it changes you a bit.
And the strategy of doing a virtual meeting with your group on the phone with your member of Congress is a very powerful strategy to help make this happen quickly. So go for it.

RESULTS activists in San Fernando CA, Columbus OH and Santa Fe NM shared their insights on getting to Congress and making it happen. See the steps outlined in our September Action Sheet for more details.

Also, longtime RESULTS Austin volunteer and part-time fundraising support staff member Mark Coats kicked off our fall Friends and Family Fundraising campaign on this call. He outlined resources from the Friends and Family Letter Writing Toolkit, and outlined three things to do by the October conference call:

Make your list of people to invite

Set individual goals and roll them up into a team goal

Prepare a invitation letter

Listen to our September 2010 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: "Virtual" Lobbying to Protect Working Families for all the details!

September 2010 Global Conference Call: MDG Summit

2010-09-11T17:34:00.005-04:00

The September 2010 Conference Call focused on the upcoming MDG Summit and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria. Guest speaker was: John McArthur of Millennium Promise.

Joanne Carter oped the call and reminded the grassroots of the opportunity we've created for a multi-year pledge for the Global Fund. She said that the grassroots has undertaken some of the finest advocacy work she's ever seen.

John McArthur gave us a rundown on what is needed to achieve the MDGs at the upcoming Summit and during the next 5 years. The Global Fund and GAVI have served as excellent, innovative models for development and lessons should be applied to agriculture, health, and infrastructure.

John Fawcett have us a legislative briefing on our Global Fund work, EFA legislation, and CTL legislation. Blair Hinderliter gave and update of our media accomplishments: 8 editorials, 4 opeds, 20 letters to the editor. He notified the grassroots of a journalist call with Jeffrey Sachs on September 15. Mark Coats kicked off the Fall fundraising campaign. Ken Patterson talked about how our grassroots work inspires hope, and invited two grassroots shares from Suzanne Whang of LA, and Tom Zulauf of the Triangle group of NC. Lisa Marchal lead the laser talk section , which focused on inviting our media to write something on the MDG Summit.

Journalist call with Jeffrey Sachs on September 15 at 12:00 pm ET. Journalists can dial 877-578-0255 or 706-758-7334 and enter conference ID number 10358056. Journalists should RSVP to Blair Hinderliter at bhinderliter@results.org if they plan on joining the call.
There is a training call on navigating the website on September 15 at 9 pm ET. Call 712 432-3100, 761262.

2010 September Global Conference Call: Pushing for Action on the Global Fund at the MDG Summit

August 2010 RESULTS Global Conference Call

2010-08-16T15:32:00.005-04:00

The August 2010 Conference Call focused on the importance of US leadership on funding the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria. Guest speakers were:

Winstone Zulu: AIDS/TB Activists from Zambia
Dan Carucci of the UN Foundation

Winstone was particularly powerful and is worth a second listen. After Winstone, John Fawcett gave us a run down on the incredible accomplishment's we've had in the past 6 weeks since the International Conference: 33 Senators on the letter to the World Bank President on microfinance, 101 Representatives signing on to the Global Fund letter to the President, adding over 40 cosponsors to the Education for All Act, adding over 125 cosponsors to bill to award Muhammad Yunus a Congressional Gold medal. Amazing.

Blair Hinderliter gave us a rundown of the goals for our Global Fund media campaign (15 editorials, 10 opeds, 50 letters to the editor) and the resources to help us with these goals. Include in the resources are the August Action Sheet, and Editorial Packet, a Laser Talk (which Blair taught at the end of the call). Also, there are two training calls, August 17, 18 at 9 pm ET. Call in number: 712 432-3100, 761262. Be there.

Ken Patterson introduced Ken Schatz of Tampa to share about his great work with the editorial staff of the Tampa Tribune. Then he highlighted the important elements of RESULTS groups that allow us to be so powerful.

2010 August Global Conference Call: Next Tactic on the Global Fund: Generate Media

August 2010 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: Being Strategic with Our Messages and Actions to Support Tax Credits for Low-Income Working Families

2010-08-16T12:55:00.005-04:00

The August Domestic national conference call focused on strategic actions during the summer recess as members of Congress are back home to push for critical investments in the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). In September, Congress will make key decisions on tax priorities, and it's critical that the stimulus bill expansions to the EITC and CTC be included in tax legislation. Strategic actions to take:

1. schedule face-to-face meetings with your members of Congress during the summer recess. They will be home for the next four weeks and we have to use this time to our advantage. Schedule those meetings and talk to your members of Congress about these issues. Use the local data and stories from your VITA Outreach in May to back up your policy requests. Also, be strategic in your requests. Focus first on the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees, since they have jurisdiction over tax policy. In addition, engage members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, Congressional Black Caucus, and Congressional Hispanic Caucus because we need them to be a loud voice in support of the EITC and CTC.

2. follow up with tax aides in the House and Senate to talk about the importance of low-income tax credits. Contact them to find out where their bosses are coming down on making the ARRA provisions permanent, and get confirmation that your members of Congress have spoken to key tax committee leadership. For tips on having a good follow-up with members of Congress and their aides, see the July Action Sheet and Activist Milestone: Meeting Face-to-Face with Your Member of Congress.

3. look for public appearances by your members of Congress this month. Election season is coming up and many members will be looking for chances to interact with constituents. In addition to town halls, look for public appearances at events like state fairs and community improvement projects. These are great opportunities to get a few minutes to talk with them. Contact their local offices to find out what events and appearances they will make over the next few weeks. See our Activist Milestone: Ask a Question at a Town Hall Event for tips on how to make the most of that experience.

4. take the August Action. Help build the public support for helping working families by submitting an op-ed or letter to the editor that connects working families with low-income tax credits. Use the August Action sheet for talking points and see our August Laser Talk for an example of a letter.

Our guest speaker was Mike Owen, the assistant director of the nonpartisan Iowa Policy Project, a research organization that focuses on economic opportunity and quality-of-life issues in public policy. The Iowa Policy Project is part of the State Fiscal Analysis Initiative, coordinated by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. To find out if a which states have these affiliates, go to http://www.statefiscal.org/. Mike shared messaging tips for how to talk about our priorities for the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit in the context of working families, using recent studies on how to voice support for government involvement in solving societal problems. Our August Action Sheet's talking points focus on a basic American and human value — support for and by the family and the public policies that help us maintain and strengthen that value.

August 2010 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: Being Strategic with Our Messages and Actions to Support Tax Credits for Low-Income Working Families

July 2010 RESULTS Joint Conference Call: Celebrating Successes . . . at the International Conference and Beyond

2010-07-19T09:52:00.003-04:00

Thank you to all those who were able to join us on our July 2010 RESULTS Joint Conference Call. On this call, we had the unique chance to explore both the Domestic and Global issues that dedicated RESULTS volunteers have taken on. It was an amazing learning opportunity and great motivation to continue our work on ending poverty. If you were not on the call, you can listen to a recording of the call on the RESULTS website.

We heard from RESULTS volunteers in Trumbull CT, Lawrence KS, Des Moines IA, San Jose CA, Detroit MI and South Central PA about their experiences at the RESULTS/RESULTS Educational Fund International Conference, and you can also find resources from the conference on our International Conference page. Please take a few minutes to complete our Online Survey about the RESULTS conferences, even if you did not attend this year's, and be sure to fill out our new Online Lobby Report Form.

Vote for Grassroots Board Positions. As discussed on the July national conference call, we have three persons running for the open seat on the RESULTS/RESULTS Educational Fund Board. The RESULTS/REF Board has four grassroots board positions, which provide RESULTS volunteers a critical voice in the Board’s work in fulfilling RESULTS’ mission and vision. The nominees this year are Lydia Pendley, from the domestic group in Santa Fe, NM; Bruce Preville, from the global group in San Jose, CA; and Lynne Patalano, from the global group in Inland Empire, CA. All current RESULTS volunteers are eligible to vote. Cast your vote by using our online voting ballot on the RESULTS website. The voting period will end on September 1.

And, be sure to stay in action over the summer. Specifically, the July Domestic Action is not complete until we receive confirmations that our Members of Congress (MoCs) have weighed in directly with the representatives and senators who are writing tax legislation, voicing his or her support for the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit for low-income working families.

And, ask your representative to sign a letter to Obama urging him to make a three-year pledge to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) initiated a letter to the president asking him to make a three-year commitment for fiscal years (FY) 2012, 2013, and 2014 of $6 billion to the Global Fund. Our goal is 100 signers! Click here to take action today and share this link with your community.

July 2010 RESULTS Joint Conference Call: Celebrating Successes . . . at the International Conference and Beyond

Training: Researching Your Member of Congress

2010-06-14T16:13:00.002-04:00

In order to relate to our members of Congress, and speak to them in a way that meshes with their view of the world, we need to understand who they are. How do we figure that out? Check out this recording of a training call on Researching Your Member of Congress led by long time RESULTS activist Allison Gallaher, who also happens to be a librarian. It will be hard to find better training on this subject anywhere. Take advantage!

Researching Your Member of Congress

June 2010 Global Conf. Call: Preparing for the International Conference

2010-06-13T18:38:00.003-04:00

The focus of the June call was preparing for the RESULTS International Conference on June 20-22 in DC. Joanne Carter opened the call by explaining how RESULTS is leading, not just participating in, but leading on many of the issues we are working on. Carol Nyirenda, AIDS and TB activist from Zambia highlight the importance of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria and thanked everyone on the call for saving her life. John Fawcett, Legislative Director, gave us an in depth look at the issues we'll be lobbying on in DC. Ken Patterson, Global Grassroots Manager, gave solid, detailed tips for getting ready for the conference including reading the legislative packet, following up on meeting requests, and making preparations for people at home to participate remotely. Lisa Marchal lead us in learning a laser talk on the Education for All Act.

Prepare for the International Conference by visiting this link: RESULTS International Conference, June 20-22

2010 June Global Conference Call: Preparing for the International Conference

June 2010 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: Insights on Speaking Face-to-Face with Congress about Tax Credits from Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy

2010-06-12T15:29:00.003-04:00

The RESULTS June domestic monthly conference call featured Congresswoman Mary Jo Kilroy (D-OH-15). We discussed our Economic Opportunity campaign with Rep. Kilroy, including the current status of preserving the 2009 expansions of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). She shared how we can best influence members of Congress on these issues. This will be invaluable information as we meet with our members of Congress this month, both at the RESULTS International Conference and back home, as part of our June Action. We are sincerely thankful to Congresswoman Kilroy for taking the time to appear on this month’s call.

This month, we are using our grassroots training and experience to maximize our citizen involvement by setting up face-to-face meetings with members of Congress. Meeting face-to-face with members of Congress is key to developing the relationships we need to influence policy. This type of grassroots action is what makes RESULTS unique in its advocacy. No other organization pushes its grassroots to regularly meet with members of Congress like RESULTS. We do this not only because for that moment, your work puts our issues at the top of the legislative agenda. We also urge you to set up these meetings because we know you are the best grassroots advocates out there working on behalf of people living in poverty.

TAKE ACTION: Tax the June Action. Contact your local offices for your representatives and senators to set up a face-to-face meeting to discuss low-income tax credits, at the International Conference and during their next visit back to your home state. Don’t be afraid to be persistent about getting a meeting; sometimes it takes several requests to get a face-to-face meeting at home. Also, our Domestic Legislative Handbook (pdf)/(Word) is created each year for the International Conference, but can be used for meetings in DC or back home. You can download it from our International Conference page.

June 2010 RESULTS Domestic Conference Call: Insights on Speaking Face-to-Face with Congress about Tax Credits from Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy

Lobbying 101: Preparation and Training Call for first-time International Conference attendees

2010-05-21T16:35:00.003-04:00

On May 20, RESULTS staff hosted a special training call for those lobbying at the International Conference for the first time. See our Activist Milestone: Meet Face-to-Face with Your Member of Congress for additional tips on scheduling and planning your meeting.

If you are attending the conference, please make sure to request meetings with your representatives and senators as soon as possible. The best way to secure a face-to-face meeting is to schedule it early. You can also download and edit this sample letter to send to their office or use our online alert to help set up your meetings. Be sure to customize your request to the subjects you plan to cover. Once you get a meeting scheduled, please contact Meredith Dodson (dodson@results.org, for U.S. poverty requests) or Jennifer Maurer (jmaurer@results.org, for global poverty requests) to schedule a time to help you plan your meeting.

Also, when you schedule your Hill meetings for the conference, please let Lisa Marchal know (lmarchal@results.org) the following info: 1) Name of member, and if it is a face-to-face, 2) the name of the staffer that will be attending, 3) date, time, location, and who will be attending (include if this is a global, domestic, or joint meeting), and cell phone for key contact person. This information is to help with tracking all the meetings taking place at the conference. Lisa can also be contacted at (317) 489-9173.

Review our International Conference page for more info on these topics and other ways you can prep for the IC.

Lobbying 101: Preparation and Training Call for first-time International Conference attendees

RESULTS 2010 Basics

2010-05-20T08:27:00.002-04:00

Each year we revise the RESULTS Basics. The Basics is a training program for new activists to get started with RESULTS, and a way for existing activists to brush up on what RESULTS is all about. We created the Basics because many of us have never learned how to deeply engage ourselves in citizen advocacy. The Basics gives us a foothold in learning how to become powerful advocates for the end of poverty. Learn the Basics and get on the path to creating change. You can also find the Basics on iTunes.

Friends of Marianne Williamson New Activist Orientation Series

2010-05-14T17:04:00.003-04:00

The last weekend of February, hundreds of women filled the conference area of Los Angeles’ Sheraton Gateway Hotel to participate in “Sister Giant: Rousing the Sleeping Giant of American Womanhood.” This conference, led by renowned author and RESULTS Educational Fund board member Marianne Williamson, focused on the empowerment of women and helping them (re)discover their voices in the world on behalf of others. On the final morning of the conference, RESULTS staff members Sam Daley-Harris, Meredith Dodson, Sarah Beardmore, and Lisa Marchal — alongside some terrific RESULTS partner-volunteers from LA and beyond — presented the power and possibilities of RESULTS to the conference participants. Letters asking for robust foreign aid funding were written, powerful speaking was practiced, and over 230 women asked to become involved with RESULTS!

To help bring these new women into the fold, we held an organizing call to help acquaint Sister Giant attendees and friends with more on the RESULTS model, and then launched a new activist orientation conference call series for them led by Meredith Dodson, Director of Domestic Campaigns.

Friends of Marianne Williamson New Activist Orientation Series:

Marianne recruited 16 others to join her at the Kenya Microcredit Summit (see 4-25-10 Post Regional Microcredit Summit (Kenya) Call to Action) and at least 8 new-to-RESULTS participants will be coming to Washington DC for the RESULTS/REF International Conference out of this partnership. To help everyone prepare, we are hosting a special May 20 training call: Lobbying 101 Preparation and Training Call for first-time International Conference attendees. 9:00 pm ET. Call (712) 432-3100, passcode 761262 to join.

For more information on the power of the Marianne Williamson-RESULTS partnership, visit for a summary: www.marianne.com and contact Ken Patterson to get involved.

May 2010 Domestic Conference Call: Understanding the Local Impact of the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit

2010-05-11T13:27:00.004-04:00

While advancing our Economic Opportunity for All campaign, we used the May 2010 RESULTS Domestic monthly conference call to support you in reaching out to your local Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Two guest speakers from the state of Nebraska joined our call last Saturday and shared with us the impact that VITA sites have had on their local communities. The first was Hannah Callahan, the Director of the Lincoln EITC Coalition, who said her VITA site generated an impressive $6 million dollars of federal refunds for 5,000 low to moderate income clients. Julie Farwell, the Statewide EITC Coordinator for Nebraska, told us that VITA is responsible for over 13,000 low-income clients throughout Nebraska receiving tax assistance.

Community VITA programs offer free tax help and related financial services to low-income individuals and families. Without these effective resources, 400,000 underserved taxpayers would miss out on the potentially life-changing benefits of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Hannah shared with us an example of a moment when a VITA site was able to change someone’s life:

“I had a lady come in..., maybe in her mid-30s, and she had her daughter with her. And she had just finished up her chemotherapy treatment. She was really in dire straights. She of course had had all these medical bills in the past year that she hadn’t counted on, she was not feeling well, there were just a variety of things going on in her life… [We completed her tax return] and we told her that she was receiving a fairly significant refund, and she just started to cry… She told us that she was going to be able to pay these bills that she was being hounded for… and she was able pay ahead [to avoid eviction from her home] and actually access a few others services that she heard about while she was [at the VITA site]. So those expansion credits helped her tremendously because it really allowed her to get on her feet at a time that she didn’t see that as being an option.”

TAKE ACTION: Take the May Action. Contact a VITA site coordinator in your area and see if you can set up a meeting between him/her and your RESULTS group. Use the National Community Tax Coalition to get connected to a site near you. The action sheet has a link to the NCTC website, where you can click on a “Find a VITA site” button and it will take you to a quick form to fill out. Once NCTC has your information, they will send you an e-mail with a local VITA contact.

Don’t forget to follow up with tax aides regarding the April Action, where we wrote letters urging Congress to preserve improvements to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Have a conversation with them about the importance of these credits and ask what their bosses intend to do to support them in tax legislation this year. You can find out the names of these aides on our Elected Officials page of the RESULTS website.

May 2010 Domestic Conference Call: Understanding the Local Impact of the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit

2010 May Global Conference Call: Jeffrey Sachs & Special Guests

2010-05-10T23:01:00.005-04:00

We had a fantastic main speaker in Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Earth Institutes at Columbia University, advisor to Ban Ki-Moon of the United Nations, and author of the End of Poverty. He spoke powerfully about what is at stake by failing to fund the promises we've made to the global poor.

We also had two special guests in Representative John Conyer of MI, and spiritual leader Marianne Williamson. It was a power-packed call. Items touched upon:

The need to fund the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria
Getting cosponsors for the Education for All Act, HR 5117
RESULTS International Conference, June 20-22

2010 May Global Conference Call: Jeffrey Sachs, Rep. John Conyers, Marianne Williamson

2010 April Global Conference Call: Global Fund for Education

2010-04-26T21:22:00.003-04:00

The April Global call focused on global education. With bi-partisan legislation being introduced by Representatives Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Dave Reichert (R-WA) we have a lot of work to do in getting our Representatives to cosponsor HR 5117. We heard from Joanna Kuebler, Director of the Global Campaign for Education US. We also heard from Adon Adon, a student at Warren Wilson College who shared her personal story about getting to school. We also heard powerful shares from Michelle Friedman of Sitka, AK on their World TB Day activities, and Dave Goodman of NYC who gave us all a great reason to attend the RESULTS International Conference, June 20-22. Listen and be inspired!

2010 April Global Conference Call: Global Education

April 2010 Domestic Conference Call: Help Families in Poverty and the Economy with Low-income Tax Credits

2010-04-26T17:07:00.003-04:00

Thanks to everyone who participated in the April 2010 RESULTS Domestic monthly conference call, including guest speaker Debbie Weinstein of the Coalition on Human Needs. As part of our Economic Opportunity for All campaign, Debbie pointed out that we are raising a “recession generation” where “our whole country will pay the price because poverty exacts such a toll on children.” She reminded us that we don’t want to look back and say that we did nothing. Thus, we can help avoid that fate with low-income tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC), which are so effective in the fight against poverty.

Not only the anti-poverty benefits, Debbie also highlighted the economic benefit these tax credits create. First, because they are targeted toward low-income families, the income these families receive in tax credit refunds is quickly spent (on basics like food, clothing, rent, utilities, and transportation). Since the U.S. economy is driven by consumer spending, getting money into the hands of people who will spend it quickly is a key component of economic recovery.

Second, studies have proven the economic effectiveness of these tax credits. As pointed out in our February 2010 Action, researchers reported in a 2009 study that for every $1 spent by an EITC recipient in Michigan, $1.67 in new earnings were generated for that state ($688 million in total new earnings in 2006 alone). Similarly, a 2004 study showed that an estimated $190 million in spending by EITC recipients in San Antonio, TX would generate $289 million in total economic activity for that city, and help support over 5,100 full and part-time jobs. This not only means more spending and more job creation, but also increased tax revenue to help state and local governments lower budget deficits due to the recession. In other words, low-income tax credits are not only good anti-poverty policy but good economic policy as well.

Unfortunately, we could deal ourselves a heavy blow later this year both in our progress in reducing poverty and recovering our economy. When the EITC and CTC were expanded in 2009 to help more low-income families claim these credits (as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act or ARRA), these improvements were also set to expire at the end of 2010. These sunset provisions were likely included not because of any policy justification, but for political reasons — it lowered the cost of the bill making it easier to pass.

Now we are rapidly nearing the expiration date and the need for these expansions has not waned. As Debbie pointed out on the call, allowing these expansions to expire could result in 600,000 children falling fall back into poverty and another 4 million falling deeper into poverty. Millions of children and families have benefited from these important changes. We cannot let them expire and risk forcing these families into a worse economic position. If Wall Street banks can be deemed “too big to fail”, America’s children are certainly “too important to fail.”

TAKE ACTION: Take the April Action. Write your representatives and senators and urge them to talk to House and Senate leaders to make the ARRA expansions of EITC and CTC permanent so that low-income Americans don’t lose their benefits at the end of this year. The action sheet provides talking points for your letters and background information on the EITC, the CTC, and the ARRA expansions. Be sure to highlight the economic benefits of these tax credits, in addition to their success at reducing poverty. Millions of Americans are counting on them to do the right thing — making tax policy must work for everyone, not just those already on top.

April 2010 Domestic Conference Call: Help Families in Poverty and the Economy with Low-income Tax Credits

Reflecting on the Kenya Microcredit Summit with Marianne Williamson

2010-04-26T15:32:00.003-04:00

The Regional Microcredit Summit in Kenya in April 2010 was a life changing experience for all those attended. Lead by Marianne Williamson, hear about the power of the Summit and how it calls us all to action to change the world by using our voices.

4-25-10 Post Regional Microcredit Summit (Kenya) Call to Action

March 2010 Global Conference Call: Urge Congress to Support Funding To Fight Tuberculosis

2010-03-15T18:18:00.002-04:00

On our call, we had two special guests: Donna Barry, advocacy and policy director at Partners In Health and Rachel Orduno of TB Photovoice. Donna's insightful policy comments paired with Rachel's powerful personal story of dealing with TB will inspire and empower each of us to keep working for even higher appropriations amounts for our TB campaign. You will also hear helpful updates on grassroots activities and finish by learning a pitch for your editorial writer related to an important TB report and media call coming up later in the month.

March 2010 Global Conference Call: Urge Congress to Support Funding To Fight Tuberculosis

March 2010 Domestic Conference Call: Urge Congress to Finish Health Reform!

2010-03-15T16:18:00.002-04:00

Thanks to Linda Walling of Faithful Reform in Health Care for helping inspire us to finish health reform on our March national conference call. She shared great information about the current status of reform and why it is so important to pass it now. We discussed key actions we can take to pass meaningful health reform: Call Congress NOW: Tell the House and Senate to Pass Health Reform and Urge Congress to Pass Health Reform (Media Action). In addition, we continued work to learn how to speak powerfully on low-income tax credits by learning a Child Tax Credit laser talk. RESULTS volunteers Bruce Kessler from PA shared about his February 28 Op-ed in the Chambersburg Public Opinion and Judy Zobel from IA recapped group planning using planning materials from the RESULTS website (specifically, the individual planning form and group plans -- which groups should send to Meredith Dodson).

March 2010 Domestic Conference Call: Urge Congress to Finish Health Reform!

Sister Giant Follow Up Call: You Are Enlightened, Now Engage

2010-03-07T10:29:00.003-05:00

Author and spiritual guide Marianne Williamson, and founder of RESULTS, Sam Daily Harris team up to move participants of the Sister Giant conference held in Los Angeles in late February into action. Women must raise their voices for the most vulnerable children of the world. RESULTS can show you how.

Recording from 3/4/10: Putting Sister Giant enlightenment into action with RESULTS

Feb. Training Call: Engaging Community to Create Political Will: Education

2010-02-17T17:41:00.006-05:00

This training call took place on February 11 and is 56 minutes long.

One of our Global Grassroots goals for 2010 is to reach out to our communities to find people who are interested in our different campaigns. You may find people who don't want to embrace the whole RESULTS mission of ending poverty, but who may be really passionate about education, or microfinance, or global health. This training call provides great ideas for how to identify, engage, and leverage community interest in education for change. Though focused on education, it will also be useful for other campaign areas.

Engaging Community to Create the Political Will for a Global Fund for Education

February 2010 Domestic Conference Call: Health Reform and Low-Income Tax Credits are Key to Economic Recovery

2010-02-17T12:40:00.004-05:00

On our February national conference call, Monica Mills of Bread for the World clearly and effectively laid out the case for protecting and strengthening tax credits for the poor in 2010. She reminded us that President Obama has set a goal of ending childhood hunger by 2015. However, ending hunger will require more than just strengthening nutrition assistance programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps); a broad effort to reduce poverty must be part of it. Families need more income to avoid hunger and poverty and other expenses like housing, utilities and particularly health care take up significant portions of the family budget. Mills noted that if the temporary expansions of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) made in the economic recovery bill last year are allowed to expire this year, 7 million people would lose the EITC and 6 million children would lose the CTC. It is therefore vital that we push all members of Congress to protect and strengthen low-income tax credits, and pass health reform, now rather than later.
TAKE ACTION: Take the February Action. Write a letter to your representatives and senators urging them to pass health reform and expansions to low-income tax credits in 2010. Remind them that these investments will help millions of individuals and families struggling in poverty, help create jobs, and revive our economy.

February 2010 Domestic Conference Call: Health Reform and Low-Income Tax Credits are Key to Economic Recovery

February 2010 Global Call: Effectiveness of Global Fund + Appropriations

2010-02-13T16:00:00.004-05:00

The February 2010 Global Call focused on the power of the Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GFATM), and our need to weigh in on appropriations process on the Global Fund and other effective solutions. The world looks to the US for leadership, so our requests to members of Congress to fund the GFATM are key as the GFATM seeks replenishment. Ernie Loevinsohn, Vice Chair of the Global Fund Board was our guest speaker, and Joanne Carter, Executive Director, opened the call.

Jen Maurer, Senior Global Policy Associate, laid out the appropriations request process, Blair Hinderliter, Communications Director, laid out upcoming media opportunities on education and tuberculosis (March 24 is World TB Day). Ken Patterson, Global Grassroots Manager talked about citizens as supervisors and Heather Stein and Bruce Preville did great grassroots shares. Lisa Marchal lead the laser talk on making our appropriations requests.

February 2010 Global Call on the GFATM and Appropriations

January 2010 Global Conference Call: Rep Nita Lowey on Education

2010-01-11T14:48:00.005-05:00

On our first call for 2010 we had a tremendous guest in Representative Nita Lowey (NY-18). She talked about how assuring that all children around the globe have a basic education is both a moral imperative and critical to US security. She also announced that she will be re-introducing the Education for All Act, but this time with a call to create a Global Fund for Education. She took questions from our activists.

Also on the call, Joanne Carter talked about the opportunities we have in 2010, we got a 2010 campaign overview from Ken Patterson, and Nick Arena gave us an exciting fundraising update. Grassroots activist and Regional Coordinator Kara Stewart told us what she is excited about in 2010 and Teresa Rugg, activist and Regional Coordinator, told us how the Snohomish, WA group creates and leverages broad community support on our global health issues. Activists Linda and Ken Schatz lead the laser talk section with a dialogue on how to make a call to our scheduler.

January 2010 Global Conference Call on Education and 2010 Campaigns

January 2010 Global Conference Call-Representative Lowey's Comments only

January 2010 Domestic Conference Call: Final Health Care Bill Must Increase Access to Health Care

2010-01-11T12:11:00.003-05:00

On our January national conference call, Nick Unger, a veteran trade unionist, educator and Training Director of the AFL-CIO Health Care Campaign, offered his perspectives on the historic nature of this moment in the health reform battle, and why it’s important to stay engaged in the process. RESULTS' grassroots network and our allies are pushing Congress to enact historic improvements in health coverage and access for millions of low-income Americans by strengthening Medicaid and health centers., the focus of our January 2010 Action: Final Health Care Bill Must Increase Access to Health Care. See our Recent Developments on Health Reform page for up-to-date comparisons of the House and Senate bills.

January 2010 Domestic Conference Call: Final Health Care Bill Must Increase Access to Health Care

2009 December Joint Conference Call: Perspectives from Executive Director Joanne Carter

2009-12-15T14:59:00.002-05:00

On our December national conference call, RESULTS/RESULTS Educational Fund Executive Director Joanne Carter offered her thoughts on the centrality of the work of RESULTS and particularly RESULTS' grassroots network after her first full year as ED. Joanne highlighted our focus on the poorest and most disadvantaged and how important that is in the global and national debate, and the importance of maximizing our strengths and the breadth of our impact. Global Legislative Director John Fawcett than offered an update on our Global Poverty Campaigns, followed by an update on health reform (read more about Recent Developments in Health Care Legislation). The call ended with an update on the special 1:1 matching grant for all new donations to the RESULTS Educational Fund before the end of the year and inspiring stories from RESULTS activists in Albuquerque NM, Austin TX, Columbia SC, San Fernando Valley CA.

2009 December Joint Conference Call: Perspectives from Executive Director Joanne Carter

2009 November Global Call: The Right Time for a Global Fund for Education

2009-11-17T12:22:00.002-05:00

David Gartner of the Brookings Institution was our guest speaker. He highlighted why now is the time to push for the creation of a Global Fund for Education: 1) the President talked about a global education fund during his campaign, 2) he promised to have a plan to achieve the MDGs next year, 3) we have learned many lessons about how to achieve MDG #2 on universal basic education from the Fast Track Initiative and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Finally, the world, including FIFA/1Goal, ONE, and RESULTS are mobilized to make this happen.

Now is the time to engage your community. Listen in and find out why.

2009 November Global Conference Call: The Right Time for a Global Fund for Education

2009 November Domestic Conference Call: Mobilizing to Meet the Health Needs of Low-Income Americans

2009-11-16T14:41:00.002-05:00

On our November national conference call, Cathy Hurwit, Chief of Staff for Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) , offered her insider perspective on the House health reform bill and how RESULTS' grassroots network and our allies can impact the debate. Cathy highlighted the improvements to Medicaid and then Jos Linn from Des Moines, IA, and Ted Meyers from San Gabriel Valley, CA, modeled a sample conversation with others in our community to get them involved in advocating for health reform, the focus of our November 2009 Action: Mobilizing to Meet the Health Needs of Low-Income Americans (PDF Version). In addition, RESULTS Grassroots Board Members Scott Leckman and Cindy Changyit Levin (the "reluctant fundraiser") shared exciting news about a special 1:1 matching grant for all new donations to the RESULTS Educational Fund before the end of the year.

2009 November Domestic Conference Call: Mobilizing to Meet the Health Needs of Low-Income Americans

2009 October Domestic Conference Call: Pushing for Health Reform that Meets the Needs of the Most Vulnerable

2009-10-10T13:54:00.003-04:00

On our October national conference call, we heard from Max Finberg, Director of Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at US Department of Agriculture. Before his position in the Administration, Max served as director of the Alliance to End Hunger and as a senior legislative assistant covering domestic hunger and poverty issues for Representative Tony Hall. Max shared his wisdom on how citizen lobbyists can best influence the priorities of our members of Congress, the focus of our October Action: Pushing for Health Reform that Meets the Needs of the Most Vulnerable (PDF Version). We discussed strategies to demonstrate depth and breadth in our efforts to strengthen Medicaid, a key goal of our Health Care for All campaign. In addition, Jos Linn shared early insights into our 2010 campaign plans and how we can participate in the fall fundraising campaign.

2009 October Domestic Conference Call: Pushing for Health Reform that Meets the Needs of the Most Vulnerable

Oct. 17 National Outreach Training: What Will They Find?

2009-10-01T13:05:00.003-04:00

Training Call #4: What Will New Activists Find When They Get There (to your group)?

It will be important to inspire new people on October 17 as they join your outreach event. But demonstrating that you have something to offer as a group will be even more important in meetings following October 17. This training call will help your group prepare to receive new activists. On the call we ask ourselves the question, "When I join a new group, what do I expect to find?" We go even further to answer the question, "What would I be delighted to find in an new group I was joining?" All kinds of great ideas were revealed.

Ultimately, all of our groups have some great attributes that will be attractive to new activists. But it is likely that you will want to change or add some things so that your group will be the welcoming, inspiring, effective, and fun group you want it to be fore new people. This call will give you the opportunity to identify things that are already in place, and things you may want to add before new people show up to join. Get ready to receive new people!

Sept. 30 Outreach Training Call: Forming Your Powerful Agenda

National Outreach--Stand Up Training Call #3: Forming Your Agenda

2009-09-18T11:49:00.003-04:00

As groups prepare to grow their chapters on October 17, we've provided some training and guidance to help all of you put together powerful meetings. On this training call we focused on creating a powerful agenda starting with identifying what you want to achieve with your event. We went on to identify key elements of a successful outreach meeting.

Sept. 17 Outreach Training Call: Forming Your Powerful Agenda

2009 September Global Conference Call: Building the Movement to End Poverty

2009-09-15T21:43:00.004-04:00

We need more voices if we are to create the political will to end poverty. Guest speaker Heather Booth gives us a historical context of movement making and shares insights into what we must do as we prepare for the October 17 National Outreach--Stand Up Event. We need more voices. It is time to extend our hand to those waiting to make a difference. See our September Action on inviting your community to Stand Up against poverty.

September 2009 Conference Call: Building Our Movement to End Poverty

2009 September Domestic Conference Call: Expanding Medicaid as Congress Moves on Health Reform

2009-09-12T15:00:00.004-04:00

As Congress returns to Washington, health care reform remains front and center. On our September call, we heard from Carrie Fitzgerald, Senior Health Policy Associate at the Child and Family Policy Center of Iowa, about the latest developments on health care reform and what we as advocates can do to ensure meaningful health reform is passed this year. TAKE ACTION: Request a telephone meeting with Senate health aides. Coordinate with group members on times that work for the most people. For names and contact information on legislative aides, see RESULTS "Find Your Officials" page: http://capwiz.com/results/dbq/officials/. See the September action sheet for complete speaking points, and our Outreach Action Sheets and Monthly Action Archive for materials for organizing others in your community.

2009 September Domestic Conference Call: Expanding Medicaid as Congress Moves on Health Reform

2009 Global Basics Campaigns

2009-09-03T14:31:00.006-04:00

Some of the recordings of our 2009 RESULTS Basics are available on our website, but others are still being added. You can listen to our Global Campaigns here:

Foreign Aid Reform
Education for All
Economic Opportunity
Appropriations

And other recordings here:

http://www.results.org/skills_center/multimedia_resources/

Oct. 17 National Outreach Training: Setting Inviting Goals

2009-09-03T13:35:00.004-04:00

This call provides background on the October 17 National Outreach/Stand Up Event, and training on forming your inviting team and determining who you should invite. There is also a discussion of some metrics around inviting--how many people would you have to invite if you want to get 10 people in the room? If you want to get 1 new partner?

National Outreach Training Call: Inviting

2009 Global Conf. Call: We Need a Global Fund for Education

2009-08-11T19:49:00.004-04:00

Guest speaker Desmond Bermingham, former head of the World Bank Fast Track Initiative, explains why we need a Global Fund for Education to achieve Education for All. Three grassroots activists, Martine Wisotsky, Ken Schatz, and Vicki Gottlieb give us bold examples of how to go after the media to create the political space needed for this this new education initiative to become a reality.

August 2009 Global Call: Why We Need a Global Fund for Education

2009 August Domestic Conf. Call: Healthcare Reform-Connecting the Dots

2009-08-11T19:44:00.004-04:00

It is time to hold decision makers' feet to the fire on healthcare reform so as not to compromise on reaching the most vulnerable via Medicaid and community health centers.

August 2009 Domestic Call: Healthcare Reform-A Critical Moment to Put Forward a Bold and Humane Vision

2009 July Joint Global/Domestic Conference Call: Celebrating the IC

2009-08-11T19:33:00.007-04:00

The 2009 International Conference was a great success. Activists share the power of being in Washington, and the power from joining the International Conference from home. By the numbers, activists held at least 274 meeting with House and Senate offices, 50 of them face-to-face.

July 2009 Joint Call: Celebrating the International Conference

2009 June Global Conference Call: Fund the Global Fund

2009-08-11T19:23:00.004-04:00

As global activists prepare for the International Conference in June, they take in information to make key requests on foreign aid reform, appropriations, and Global Fund. Guest speaker Dr. Christoph Benn of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria highlighted the success and the needs of the Global Fund. The call also highlighted recent fundraising successes.

June 2009 Global Call: Need to Fund the Global Fudn to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria

2009 June Domestic Conf. Call: Healthcare Reform-Remembering the Poorest

2009-08-11T19:13:00.004-04:00

As domestic activists prepare for the International Conference they gear up to let Congress know that the poor cannot be left out of the healthcare reform equation. Guest speaker is from Families USA.

June 2009 Domestic Call: Healthcare Reform-Making Sure the Poor Aren't Left Out

2009 May Domestic National Conference Call: Expanding and Strengthening Medicaid to Meet the Needs of Low-Income Americans

2009-05-12T10:43:00.005-04:00

On the May Domestic National Conference Call, Allison Orris of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, taking with us about strengthening Medicaid as a part of health reform. On our roll call, we learned that 62 of you were on the call and you will generate 231 calls and letters to Congress on strengthening Medicaid! For a good overview of the opportunities to improve health care access and quality for underserved communities see the Families USA Fact Sheet and the RESULTS Domestic May Action.
In our shares section, we heard from several of you about the great things you are doing around the country and Stacy Carkonen then joined us to share in the fundraising successes in March and April, including raising over $230,000 in two months as part of the Feinstein Challenge. Stacy also reminded everyone that the deadline to sign up for the RESULTS International Conference is THIS FRIDAY MAY 15! Sign up today!

May Domestic National Conference Call: Expanding and Strengthening Medicaid to Meet the Needs of Low-Income Americans

2009 May Global Call: Rep. Nita Lowey of NY Talks Education

2009-05-11T16:32:00.004-04:00

Education is the consider the "social vaccine", yet 75 million primary school-aged children are not in school around the globe. Representative Nita Lowey of NY salutes RESULTS advocates and calls for greater advocacy for a global education fund and development funding in general. Joanne Carter introduced the call and Representative Lowey and facilitated the Q&A. John Fawcett gave us an update on the Initiating Foreign Aid Reform Act of 2009 (HR 2139) and President Obama's budget. Robyn Shepherd laid out our challenge to have every group generate a piece of education media in May and June. Stacy Carkonen gave us a great update on recent fundraising efforts and inspired all of us to attend the International Conference. Ken Patterson lead the Grassroots Cafe with 3 great grassroots shares and a call to media action for all groups. Lisa Marchal taught us how to speak powerfully with a laser talk requesting our local media to publish an oped that we write.

2009 May Global Call: Need for a Global Education Fund

2009 April Global Conf. Call: We Need a Global Education Fund

2009-04-14T11:07:00.007-04:00

Guest speaker Julia Bolz talked about her dual roles as an education promoter in Afghanistan and a RESULTS activist. She gave incredibly moving details about the power of education.

Joanne Carter, John Fawcett, and Sarah Beardmore told of the incredible opportunity we have to promote the creation of a Global Education Fund that will transform development assistance on education. We had incredible grassroots shares from Monica Jolles of Research Triangle, NC and Kara Stewart of Orange County, CA. The laser talk focuses on pitching an editorial on the creation of a Global Fund for Education.

For a link to the April 2009 recording, please contact Ken Patterson at kpatterson@results.org.

2009 April Dom. Conf. Call: Community Health Center Advocacy

2009-04-14T11:00:00.005-04:00

Community Health Centers provide critical health care services to those who might otherwise have no care. Expanding the number of centers is a critical strategy in reaching Healthcare for All.

2009 April Domestic Call: Community Health Centers as a Part of Health Care Reform

2009 March Domestic Call: Seizing the Opportunity for Health Care for All

2009-03-18T13:45:00.003-04:00

On the March Domestic National Conference Call, we discussed why this year offers such a great opportunity to push for Health Care for All by 2010, and strategies we can use to build the will for reform on the ground. Guest speaker Heather Booth has worked on elections and social change organizing for over 40 years starting in the civil rights movement and is now the manager of the Campaign to Rebuild and Renew America Now!, a large coalition working to pass President Obama’s budget priorities, of which RESULTS is a part. RESULTS activists and allies across the country are calling Congress to support quality, affordable Health Care for All. Use our talking points and flyer (Word) (also attached) to call Capitol Hill.

2009 March Domestic Conference Call: Seizing the Opportunity for Health Care for All

2009 March Global Call: Funding the Global Fund

2009-03-18T13:23:00.006-04:00

Guest speakers Winstone Zulu, TB/HIV activist from Zambia, and Asia Russell, board member for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria, made the case for the U.S. to lead on funding the Global Fund. Developing nations have organized themselves to address these diseases of poverty, but we are not keeping our promises to fund these programs.

Scott Leckman, chair of the RESULTS board of directors, encouraged us to donate to RESULTS Educational Fund during this financial crunch. Nick Area, COO, gave an overview of the upcoming IC--Register Today! John Fawcett highlighted actions to take on appropriations and getting face-to-face meetings. Robyn Shepherd highlighted media resources for World TB Day. Ken Patterson took shares from Paul Wilson of Olalla, Washington and Katy Windschill of Minneapolis, MN. Lisa Marchal taught us to speak powerfully on the Global Fund.

March 2009 Recording: The Need to Fund the Global Fund

2009 February Domestic Call: Celebrating Our Victories, and 2009 Health Campaign Overview

2009-02-17T14:50:00.003-05:00

The February Domestic Conference Call included a celebration of the passage of the economic recovery package, which included key investments in Medicaid assistance to the states, Head Start/Early Head Start, the Child Care and Development Block Grant, the Child Tax Credit, the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program). Rather than an outside guest speaker, this month's call featured an overview of our Health Care for All by 2010 campaign, including passage of children's health legislation (SCHIP). See our February Action Sheet for talking points and more background on the prospects for health reform in 2009.
2009 February Domestic Conference Call: Celebrating Our Victories, and 2009 Health Campaign Overview

2009 Feb. Global Call: Jeffrey Sachs Highlights Importance of Foreign Assistance Funding

2009-02-17T13:32:00.008-05:00

Guest speaker Jeffrey Sachs provided an inspiring call to action for as activists and as Americans. We must not leave the world's poorest behind during this time of financial crisis or beyone. If we can provide billions to bailout Wall Street, and they can provide billions of dollars in bonuses, certainly we can provide 1/1000 of that to those living on the edge of existence.

John Fawcett provided instructions on making 2009 appropriations requests. Robyn Shepherd gave us an update on media generated on the Microcredit Summit Campaign success and introduce our new Communications Director, Blair Hinderliter. Ken Patterson introduced shares from North Chicago on a recent face-to-face meeting, Seattle on how a deep relationship with a member of Congress yields results, and his own share on the long road to developing media relationships. Nick Arena briefed us on the exciting 2009 International Conference. Lisa Marchal taught us a laser talk on making our appropriations requests.

February 2009 Recording: Jeffrey Sachs on Aid Reform and Appropriations

Jeffrey Sachs portion of the call only (recording). Transcript.

2009 January Global Call: Microcredit's Lessons for Aid Reform

2009-01-13T15:45:00.005-05:00

Guest speaker Alex Counts, President of the Grameen Foundation, talked about the immense success of the Microcredit Summit Campaign and the lessons we can apply to foreign aid reform: 1) focus development on the poorest, 2) create bold, measurable goals like those of the Summit and the MDGs, 3) diligently measure progress.

John Fawcett outlined 2009 global campaigns, Robyn Shepherd highlighted media opportunities around the release of the Microcredit Summit Campaign report, Ken Patterson outlined 2009 grassroots goals, and Sam Daley Harris and Robyn Shepherd demonstrated a compelling pitch to editorial writers on the microcredit report release. Useful resources include a media advisory for a call with Muhammad Yunus on 1/26, our Foreign Aid Reform page, and a summary of 2009 Global Campaigns.

January 2009 Recording: Microcredit's Lessons for Aid Reform

2009 January Domestic Call: Health Reform and the Media

2009-01-13T15:23:00.003-05:00

On this month's conference call, we were pleased to have Gilbert Cranberg, former editorial page editor for the Des Moines Register, speak to us about generating media on our issues. Here are some of the good insights he shared with us:

To begin a relationship with an editorial writer, find out who writes on your issues and call them up, suggest a lunch to talk about what you want; develop a personal relationship with that person.
Know the positions your paper has taken in the past and build on those when pitching your editorial idea
When persuading an editorial writer with an editorial idea, Op-Ed or LTE, the strongest asset you have is the facts; lay out the facts that support your position (and cite sources), don’t just spout out opinion
See editorial writing as “Reporting Plus” — reporting the facts and then analyzing what they mean

The conference call also discussed the RESULTS Domestic January Action, to generate media on health care reform and economic recovery. Media coverage can get our message out to a much larger audience and the time to do so is now. You can also use our Online LTE Action to send your letters.
2009 January Domestic Conference Call: Health Reform and the Media

2008 December Domestic Call: Economic Crisis

2008-12-17T15:00:00.003-05:00

The Domestic call this month focused on the economic crisis and the outlook for going forward. Dr. Dean Baker, Co-Director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, dicussed the cause of the current crisis and the steps that need to be taken to get us out, including investing more in health care. Joanne Carter Joanne Carter saluted grassroots fundraising efforts and volunteers offer some fundraising shares. Jos Linn also reviewed our 2008 successes and looked ahead at our agenda for 2009.

2008 December Domestic Conference Call: Post-Election Analysis

2008 December Global Call: Foreign Aid Reform

2008-12-17T14:50:00.006-05:00

Guest speaker Mark Lopes, Senior Foreign Policy Advisor for Senator Menendez (D-NJ) presented a cautious perspective on foreign aid reform. His comments provide insight into how much our advocacy for bold foreign aid reform will be needed in the coming year. Joanne Carter took her hat off to groups who have been engaged in fundraising and we had a great fundraising share from Bruce Preville of San Jose, CA. Activists Elaine Wells of Omaha, NE and Roxanne Allen and Louisa Barkalow of Albuquerque gave riveting shares about achieving breakthroughs and remaining persistent. Key legislative request is to request face-to-face meetings with our members of Congress now! The laser talk outlines our request to members of Congress on foreign aid reform.

For access to a recording of this conference call, please contact Global Grassroots Manager Ken Patterson.

11-08 Radio Segment: Ingrid Munro and Microfinance

2008-11-20T10:22:00.003-05:00

RESULTS Global Intern, Bryan Landaas narrates this exciting segment highlighting the power of microfinance using the story of Ingrid Munro, founder of Kenya's Jamii Bora. Jamii Bora started when Ingrid lent money to 50 beggars. Today Jamii Bora is run by its members and serves over 170,000 of Kenya's poorest. The segment is 17 minutes, 54 seconds.

Radio Segment: Ingrid Munro and Microfinance

2008 November Global Conference Call

2008-11-16T10:16:00.005-05:00

Guest speaker David Gartner of Global AIDS Alliance provided a post-election analysis. Nick Arena reviewed the status of the fall fundraising campaign. Sam Daley-Harris explored new ways to get to our members of Congress on the World Bank letters on microfinance and how to develop deeper relationships. Activist Annette Rivezzo of West Los Angeles, CA shared about her group's birddogging experience with Rep. Howard Berman. Ken Patterson talked about powerful actions and powerful groups and lead the laser talk: the story of Grameen Bank.

2008 November Global Conference Call: Post-Election Analysis

2008 November Domestic Conference Call

2008-11-16T09:55:00.002-05:00

Guest speaker, Debbie Weinstein, Executive Director of the Coalition on Human Needs, examines a possible Congressional stimulus package and our opportunities for action. Other topics covered include a post-election analysis and a progress update on our fall fundraising campaign. Use our downloadable packet to help make our fall fundraising campaign a great success.

2008 November Conference Call Recording: A Stimulus Packages to Benefit Americans in Need

2008 October Global Conference Call: Foreign Aid Reform

2008-10-13T20:31:00.005-04:00

Representative Adam Smith (D-WA) spoke about the need to reform foreign assistance. He stated that foreign aid, or development assistance, should be decoupled from the other legs of foreign policy, namely defense and diplomacy, to avoid confusion over the purpose of foreign assistance. He stated that the sole litmus test to know whether we are using foreign aid properly is to ask, "is it reducing global poverty?"

RESULTS/REF also launched its October-November fundraising drive to raise $50,000.

2008 October Global Conference Call: Foreign Aid Reform

2008 October Domestic Conf. Call: Impacting Health Care Reform

2008-10-13T20:20:00.006-04:00

Rachel DeGolia of the Universal Health Care Action Network (UHCAN) shared her insights about how RESULTS/REF can best mobilize for Health Care for All Americans in the coming year. Taking the October Action now will help build the political will on health care reform for next year.

RESULTS/REF also kicked off its October-November fundraising campaign to raise $50,000 — use our downloadable packet to help make our fall fundraising campaign a great success.

2008 October Conference Call Recording: Impacting Health Care Reform

2008 September Global Call: World Bank & Microfinance Opportunity

2008-09-16T16:50:00.006-04:00

Guest speaker, Jeffery Sachs of the Earth Institute, Special Advisor on the UN's Millennium Development Goals, and founder of the Millennium Villages Project speaks articulately about foreign aid reform. Dr. Sachs gives us concrete ideas on actions we can take to create the political will to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. In our grassroots section Eloise Sutherland inspires us to meet with candidates for the upcoming election and our laser talk prepares us to reach our goal of getting 100 Representatives to co-sponsor House Resolution 1268.

August 2008 Global Conference Call: Foreign Aid Reform

2008 September Global Call: World Bank & Microfinance Opportunity

2008-09-16T16:50:00.005-04:00

Ingrid Munro, founder of Jamii Bora, talked about the power of microfinance with Jamii Bora's 200,000 members. Most of Jamii Bora's clients started as beggars and many now run one or more businesses. Listeners were called to action to get 75 representatives to sign on to the Holt-Carter letter to the World Bank President, Robert Zoellick, requesting that the World Bank invest more in microfinance for those living on less than $1 per day.

September 2008 Global Conference Call: World Bank Microcredit Letter

2008 September Domestic Conference Call: Cutting Poverty in Half in the Next Decade

2008-09-15T16:07:00.002-04:00

On September's conference call, we discussed opportunities this fall and beyond to reduce poverty by half with guest speaker Lisa Donner, executive director of Half in Ten: From Poverty to Prosperity, including an expansion of the Child Tax Credit (CTC). We also reviewed how to create our own laser talk for calls or conversations with senators and their staff pushing for improvements in the CTC to be included in any tax bill passed by Congress this year. See our September action sheet and CTC laser talk for more information. The call also featured a great example of building support for Health Care for All Americans by 2010 from RESULTS volunteer Al Sheahen.

September 2008 Domestic Conference Call: Cutting Poverty in Half in the Next Decade

2008 August Global Conference Call: Foreign Aid Reform

2008-08-13T17:30:00.001-04:00

August 2008 Global Conference Call: Foreign Aid Reform

2008 August Domestic Conference Call: Pushing Candidates to Support Health Care for All

2008-08-13T17:19:00.002-04:00

The August Domestic National Conference Call featured Dr. Robert Zarr of Physicians for a National Health Program, as a part of RESULTS 2008 Health Care for All campaign, and Dr. Zarr shared his knowledge and insight about H.R.676, the National Health Insurance Act. Dr. Zarr has also made several resources made available for us. The first is a page on the PNHP website that dispels the myths about single payer health care. You can read it here. He also forwarded this list of publications as resources that touch on the issue of fraud. The call also featured a training led by RESULTS activists Ginnie Vogts (OH) and Kathleen Duncan (TX).

August 2008 Domestic Conference Call: Health Care for All

2008 International Conference Banquet

2008-08-13T17:01:00.003-04:00

RESULTS/RESULTS Educational Fund International Conference brought together RESULTS activists from across the U.S. and around the world. After two days of top-notch plenaries and skills trainings, RESULTS volunteers from over 65 communities across the U.S. journeyed to Capitol Hill to lobby over 300 congressional offices on key anti-poverty campaign issues. The at banquet's keynote speaker was Frances Moore Lappé, a leading expert and advocate on issues of hunger and poverty and author or coauthor of sixteen books, including her three-million-copy bestseller Diet for a Small Planet. National Public Radio correspondent Brenda Wilson and several members of Congress also spoke.

2008 RESULTS/RESULTS Educational Fund International Conference Banquet

And, for more on the conference activities, see the conference agenda and see the materials from the conference posted on our conference information page.

2008 July Dom.-Glob. Joint Conf. Call: Power of the International Conference

2008-08-02T08:53:00.007-04:00

The 2008 RESULTS International Conference was incredible. Listen to the amazing insights and energy of our activists.

2008 July Conference Call: Power of the International Conference

2008 June Global Conference Call: Dr. Paul Farmer

2008-06-17T16:14:00.001-04:00

Global National Conference Call with guest speaker Paul Farmer. Dr. Farmer is a global health — especially TB — champion and has proven that “Boston” style medicine can be delivered in the poorest countries if done correctly. He founded Partners in Health. He is a close friend of RESULTS and will be calling in from Haiti to be on this call! He was recently on 60 minutes and you can watch the interviews and action footage that tell an amazing story of a coordinated attack on disease and poverty in Haiti (or read about it).

June 2008 Global Conference Call: Dr. Paul Farmer

2008 June Domestic Conference Call: Making Taxes Fair

2008-06-17T16:08:00.003-04:00

June's domestic call focused on the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and other tax credits for low-income families with guest Martha Coven of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. See our June action sheet: Tell Congress to Improve the Child Tax Credit, for more details. Also on Saturday’s conference call, marketing executive Steve Anthony discussed a survey of over 1200 RESULTS “targets”. A summarized version of his findings and a thorough slideshow presentation, are available on our website (both are PowerPoint files).

June 2008 Domestic Conference Call: Making Taxes Fair

2008 May Global Call: David Beckmann Addresses the Food Crisis

2008-05-13T20:11:00.004-04:00

Bread for the World President, David Beckmann addresses the current food crisis--its causes and short and long term solutions. Ultimately, foreign aid reform needs an overhaul. Grassroots section focuses on building strong groups and the laser talk focuses on making better use of food aid. See the May Global Action Sheet to write a letter to the editor on foreign aid reform.

2008 May Global Call: Addressing the Food Crisis

2008 May Domestic Conference Call: Talking about Health Care for All, Action on Health Disparities

2008-05-13T13:47:00.003-04:00

The May National Conference Call focused on RESULTS 2008 Health Care for All campaign. We thank Dr. Bob Crittendon, executive director of the Herndon Alliance, who discussed the great research on how to talk about health reform with the public. We also discussed pending legislation to address health disparities (focus of our May action sheet: Tell Congress to Address Root Causes of Health Disparities), including a training on our May Laser Talk: Congress Should Address Root Causes of Health Disparities, and the latest on final negotiations on the Farm Bill.

2008 May Call Recording: Health Care for All

2008 April Global Conference Call: Education for All

2008-04-15T14:10:00.005-04:00

This call features Gene Sperling, Director of the Center for Universal Education at the Council on Foreign Relations. Getting children in school around the world is a key solution in the battle against poverty. We can make that happen with our actions.

2008 April Global Conference Call: Education Month & Education for All

2008 April Domestic Conference Call: Healthcare for All

2008-04-15T14:03:00.003-04:00

Healthcare for all is among the highest needs in our nation. AFL-CIO guest speaker goes into the issue and calls RESULTS chapters and all of us to action.

2008 April Domestic Conference Call: Healthcare for All

2008 March Training Call: Storytelling for Change

2008-04-03T06:43:00.003-04:00

Jim Comer is a communications professional and a consultant, in addition to being a RESULTS volunteer in Austin, TX. In this training he provides us with practical advise and examples of how we can use stories to move hearts and minds. Learn how stories can be a powerful tool in creating the political will to end poverty.

2008 March Training Call: Storytelling for Change

2008 February Training Call: Incredible Meetings with Congress

2008-03-20T20:42:00.006-04:00

Carolyn Prouty, long time RESULTS activist and Regional Coordinator, provides excellent insight into planning and carrying out blockbuster meetings with your member of Congress. Wondering what an effective meeting looks like? Carolyn and other activists answer all of your questions in this session.