RESULTS
Mar 4th, 2009 10:27 AM UTC
By Field
We went to the RESULTS event in St. Paul, MN last Saturday which was held in a church basement. Looking around the room and hearing the energy in people’s voices, we realized that we had never seen so many activists and “do-gooders” in one place before!
We got to learn about RESULTS and hear one of their volunteer’s amazing story. Having lived in Africa and seen social, political and moral injustices first hand, she decided that she wanted to learn more about how she could make a difference and take a step forward towards doing what is right. It was inspiring.
The best part of the event however was hearing the keynote speaker, Congresswoman Betty McCollum, passionately talk about the issues of poverty. We were sitting towards the front of the room and upon seeing our ONE t-shirts she recognized us, saying that she often works with ONE in Washington. She came up to me, put her hand on my shoulder and said “Thanks for being here, I know you guys will help with the maternal health bill that I’m working on in Washington”. Congresswoman McCollum spoke about poverty and how important it was that volunteers are standing up for the voiceless and faceless victims of it all around the world. Betty McCollum talked about some of the successes in the fight against poverty and noted the importance of helping our “neighbors, not just across the street or across the river, but across the ocean”.
We gave Rep. Betty McCollum a ONE wristband and thanked her for her continued support. She thanked us for ONE’s work and said that it was always nice to see ONE volunteers coming out and showing fresh energy in the fight against extreme poverty.
We left the event reassured that our elected leaders care and that with their support we can truly make a difference.
-Tzviatko Chiderov and Reena Dhake, ONE Twin Cities Members
Oct 8th, 2008 12:58 PM UTC
By Field
“Imagine: there are 300,000 houses of worship. Imagine if they all got involved in ONE Sabbath, if 300,000 houses of worship with 140 million members all pool their attention, their resources to really make a difference in poverty. What an impact that can have!”- Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
Your congregation, your faith community, your place of worship can make a huge difference in the mission to end extreme global poverty and eliminate global diseases. Of course, you know this already. That’s why you are reading this post.
You also know that the coming months are a crucial time to make a difference. We’ll be electing a president and new members of Congress. After the election, priorities and policies will be set from among all the campaign commitments that have been made. ONE Sabbath helps your congregation engage effectively in the coming months by providing resources for worship services, youth groups, religious ed classes and small group discussions.
The ONE Sabbath effort includes Jewish and Christian congregations and encompasses ONE Sadaqa in the Muslim community and ONE Seva in the Hindu community. Congregations across the U.S. have been creative in incorporating ONE Sabbath into their services and events. We invite you to add your creativity to the cause.
The ONE Sabbath page links it all together. You can sign up, watch the latest faith videos, get the materials, and tell others. Please join in.
Mark
I’m thrilled to let everybody know about an exciting opportunity for activists who want to learn more about how to talk to their elected leaders and local press about ending poverty. From July 12-15, RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund will be hosting our annual International Conference, featuring RESULTS activists from across the U.S. and around the world. Participants will learn how to fine tune their lobbying and communication skills in workshops that are designed both for those just starting out, and those who are on a first-name basis with their elected official’s staff! Split plenary sessions will address global and domestic issues separately, and confirmed speakers include Michel Kazatchkine, executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria; and David Lane, executive director of the ONE Campaign.
Activities won’t be limited to the conference site. The last day of the conference will be devoted to meetings with our activists and their members of Congress, and meetings at the World Bank and IMF for our international partners. At the end of the day, my colleagues and I will host optional walking tours of DC, under-30 socials, and karaoke dance parties to make sure that participants can have some fun during their time in DC. Not that lobbying Congress on poverty alleviation isn’t fun, of course. But it ain’t karaoke either…
RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund provides our partners in the U.S. and around the world with the tools they need to get informed about fighting poverty both in the U.S. and abroad, and how to engage their policymakers and editorial boards. We focus on campaigns pertaining to global health, education, health care for all, microcredit, and ending hunger through nutrition programs. To learn more about us, or to register for our conference, please visit our website. I hope to see you there!
-Robyn Shepherd, RESULTS
It’s gearing up to be an exciting summer for poverty-fighting activists here in the nation’s capital! ONE works closely with several organizations that are hosting national conferences, trainings and advocacy workshops in Washington, DC in May, June and July. Please check them out and spread the word!
May 27-31: Global Health Council: 35th Annual International Conference: “Community Health: Delivering, Serving, Engaging, Leading”
June 11-12: Save the Children: Advocacy Day 2008
June 13-15: Sojourners: Pentecost 2008: “Training for Change”
June 17: Bread for the World: Lobby Day 2008
June 18-19: CARE: 2008 National Conference
July 12-16: RESULTS Educational Fund: International Conference to End Poverty
July 15-16: U.S. Global Leadership Campaign and Center for U.S. Global Engagement: Washington Conference
-Margaret McDonnell, US NGO Partnerships and Faith Relations Team, ONE
