Domestic Call November 20

Douglas, Tom and I discussed the November action, which is to talk to members of Congress about the economic stimulus package. Douglas noted that Congress decided not to bail out the American automobile manufacturers after the three CEOs flew in private jets to DC, at a cost of $20,000. A first-class ticket would have been $800. Douglas mentioned that you don't wear a fur coat to beg for a loan.

We talked about fundraising and I reported that Cedar Rapids is looking at $700 profit on November herb bread. That's over the goal we had set of $600, so RESULTS will be pleased. We've collected about $500 so far. I'm still waiting for funds from Peoples Church and about 10 customers from Christ Church to pick up their bread and pay.

A sailor and a pirate go into a bar and start drinking and talking. The sailor notices that the pirate has a peg leg, a hook on one arm and an eye patch. The sailor asks, "How did you wind up with a peg leg?" The pirate answers, "I fell overboard into a pool of sharks. As my shipmates were pulling me back onboard, a shark bit off my leg at the knee." "Wow," said the sailor. "And how about that hook? What happened there?" "We were boarding an enemy ship and fighting with swords and one of the enemy took his sword and cut my hand clean off." "Wow," said the sailor. "And how about the eye patch?" "One day," said the pirate, "a seagull pooped in my eye." "And you lost your eye to bird poop?" asked the sailor. "Well," said the pirate, "it was my first day with the hook."

Have a wonderful thanksgiving!

Global Call November 19

There is only one legislative push right now: the Senate World Bank letter. It is worth it to keep working on World Bank letters this week as long as able to reach someone in the office. Next week is a lost cause because people are on break. We sent letters to both Senate offices Monday night. I will call Friday to follow up on the letters.

We talked at length about fundraisers. Allison agreed that I need to get some help on bread buttering. Joyce Conley has volunteered, as has Vikki Waller. Kate Rose has volunteered to put the labels on the ID tag for the outside of the bags. I have sent the task list to Leslee Sandberg and am thinking about what tasks for December can be delegated. One thing that will help is that we have the kitchen on Monday, December 8 at 4 p.m. through Tuesday night. That will make butter preparation easier! Working with frozen butter is very difficult and time-consuming.

Preparing herb bread with the proceeds going to fight hunger and poverty is a very meaningful activity!

A New Project

I got an email today from Marna at the Muslim American Society. She is a flood victim and is looking for some guidance on getting federal flood relief funds out of the Appropriations Committee and onto the Senate floor for debate. I'm going to meet with her Friday at 2, after prayers. I may go to prayers. Haven't been since summer before last. The quiet is very refreshing.

The flood relief effort is not a RESULTS campaign, but I got clearance from Douglas Lichtermann to work on it with Marna. I don't know how much help I'm going to be, but I'll do my best.

Domestic Call November 6

Paul from Minneapolis talked about the recount in the Senate race in Minnesota. He said it may take a month. Less than 500 votes separate the incumbent Coleman (R) and challenger Al Franken (D). I'm so glad there was no disputing the presidential race. My brother in Texas was concerned about the violence that might erupt in Grant Park had the results not been what they were. I must be really naive -- that thought never occurred to me.

The conference call this week, Saturday at 11:30 a.m., is going to be about the new Congress coming in January.

The Senate is coming back on the 17th and will be in session for three days. We'll be sending our Senate microcredit letters at exactly the right time, as we will meet on the evening of Monday, November 17, and I'll fax our letters that night.

Global Call November 5

Allison started the calling asking what our feelings were about the outcome of the elections yesterday, especially related to our RESULTS work. I realized how new I am to RESULTS in that it has finally become clear to me that poverty and hunger can be ended in my lifetime. I imagine you already feel that and that I'm coming late to the party. But I'm finally here.

The Enzi-Brown World Bank microcredit letter in the Senate has four signers right now -- one Democrat and three Republicans. Allison seemed surprised when I said we were going to work on not only Senator Harkin, but Senator Grassley as well. Pleasantly surprised.

John and Polly Ely were the RESULTS group in Cedar Rapids for years. And I feel like this is our opportunity to honor them, since they were such fans of microcredit, to work on getting our Members of Congress to sign on to the World Bank letters. We've finally made inroads with Congressman Loebsack; his signature on the House letter was the first time he's responded to global poverty requests from us. And now it's time for us to move on to the Senate letter.

The conference call this Saturday will be about the outcome of the elections and how it affects our work as RESULTS volunteers; it will also be about the World Bank letters in the House and Senate. And it will be about fundraising. The global call is at 1 p.m. this Saturday at Christ Church.