Oh, what a wonderful three days I had in Washington!
Leadership Day on Saturday afternoon was focused on diversity outreach. The presenter had a great model for diversity training. I gave my copy away to someone who didn't get to DC in time for the session. But I'm going to ask Michael Richardson (a Hunger Fellow who organized the event) to send me a copy so I can share it with all of you at our July meeting.
On Sunday afternoon there was a workshop I was asked to present at -- Sexy, Savvy and Effective Grassroots Innovation -- for two of the things we're doing in Cedar Rapids -- tv production and diversity outreach. (I decided to think of myself as savvy and effective...) I had 12 minutes to do diversity outreach and had my presentation written out, but spoke from the heart instead. It went very well. Several people asked me for my email address after the session.
Monday morning was the Faith in Action breakfast which featured a speaker from the UMC, a speaker from the ELCA, and three speakers from Islamic Relief. I would like us to talk some time about doing UMC and ELCA outreach. Jos also asked me to share the story of our success reaching out to the Muslim American Society.
Monday morning's workshops first focused on Education, and the policy guru for the Global Fund for Education was there to explain how it's possible to take the existing Education for All Fast Track Initiative and add more transparency, more competency reporting and have it run as successfully as the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria. The goal with the GFE is to have members of the G8 commit to it when they meet next month.
Then Monday afternoon Jos and I went to Congressman Loebsack's office for a meeting with Meagan Linn, his global aide. The Congressman was back in Iowa Monday, but I was very happy to meet with Meagan as we met with her last year, and she is the one who recommended to the Congressman that he sign on to two microcredit letters.
I started out, of course, thanking Meagan for her help in getting signatures on those letters. I also asked her to thank the Congressman for his work on flood relief. Then I started my requests with the letters you all had written on the appropriations requests. I barely got the words out of my mouth and Meagan came back saying the Congressman was happy with the way the committee had marked up the bill. So I moved on.
Next think I did was talk about the Global Fund for Education and how we'd like the Congressman to contact the Administration urging the President to commit to the GFE at the G8 next month. She took an info sheet, but I clearly wasn't making any progress.
So I said there's one more thing. And this is something that won't cost the taxpayers a penny. And I asked her about the Congressman cosponsoring the bill to aware a Congressional Gold Medal to Muhammed Yunus. She wasn't aware of it. I put the info sheet in front of her and told her how Dr. Yunus started microcredit by lending a total of $27 to 43 women in Bangladesh and how they became financially stable as a result and how the Grameen Bank, a microcredit lending institution, started as a result of this. Then I said, "A reporter once asked Dr. Yunus what was the first thing a woman does with the proceeds of her microcredit loan, thinking she feeds her kids or sends them to school. Dr. Yunus said, no. The first thing she does is buy her children back." At that point I had Meagan's attention. She was now looking into my eyes as I told her the rest of the story. "When a child gets to be five or six years old and she can no longer afford to keep the child fed, she's forced to sell her child into indentured servitude in return for a handful of rice. So the first thing she does with the proceeds of her microcredit loan in to buy her children back and bring her family home."
You could see the wheels turning now. Jos said later that she was probably going to go and google Muhammed Yunus to check this out. I would like us in July to work on this some more -- I would like Meagan to see that all of us in Cedar Rapids RESULTS are in support of this.
Thank you for your financial support, for your encouragement, for your believing in me, and for your prayers. I can't wait until July to see you all!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Update on RESULTS at Linn Co. Jail
I met this evening with Maridee Dugger, the Volunteer Coordinator for the Linn Co. Jail. She has a very high opinion of RESULTS and first explained to me that we couldn't do any education, and we couldn't do anything political. Those are the rules.
Then she said, "So let's figure a way around this."
The plan she came up with is to have us send cards each month to be made available to all inmates. One side of the card will explain RESULTS and the importance of writing to Members of Congress on legislation that will help end poverty in our lifetime. The other side of the card will explain the current legislation and give a sample letter.
During the month the inmates can write their letters and turn them in to the Jail Chaplain who will mail us the letters in the envelope we provide when we send the cards. We, then, fax the letters and make suggestions on how letters can be improved. The next month the process starts again.
Maridee said it will probably start slowly, but that eventually these folks, who have lots of time on their hands, will look forward to writing the letters.
So our next step is Maridee's. She is going to take this plan to the Jail Chaplain for his blessing, and to the Jail Administrator for his permission. We should know if we've been approved next week sometime.
Then she said, "So let's figure a way around this."
The plan she came up with is to have us send cards each month to be made available to all inmates. One side of the card will explain RESULTS and the importance of writing to Members of Congress on legislation that will help end poverty in our lifetime. The other side of the card will explain the current legislation and give a sample letter.
During the month the inmates can write their letters and turn them in to the Jail Chaplain who will mail us the letters in the envelope we provide when we send the cards. We, then, fax the letters and make suggestions on how letters can be improved. The next month the process starts again.
Maridee said it will probably start slowly, but that eventually these folks, who have lots of time on their hands, will look forward to writing the letters.
So our next step is Maridee's. She is going to take this plan to the Jail Chaplain for his blessing, and to the Jail Administrator for his permission. We should know if we've been approved next week sometime.
Monday, June 15, 2009
RESULTS Monthly Meeting 6/15
We had four people in attendance to write letters to Congressman Loebsack on foreign ops appropriations requests. One person who couldn't be there stopped by to pick up the information and will get the letter written this week. I'm going to meet with Meagan Linn, the Congressman's global aide on Monday and will give her the letters then. If you'd like to write a letter, go to the RESULTS website at www.results.org and click on the Activist Info link to find the June Global Action Sheet. There is a sample letter there you can use as a reference. I will be at Christ Church Friday morning to stuff bulletins, so if you can get your letter to the church office by then I can take it with me to DC. I leave Friday afternoon.
Paula was inspiring and inspired. She plans to do outreach this fall at Coe College and start a RESULTS group among interested students there. She'll use the same materials we use and when a time is chosen, we are invited to attend. This is a great opportunity.
Leland volunteered to team with me on starting a RESULTS group at the County Jail. When I talked to the Volunteer Director, Maridee, on Sunday, she told me we would need at least two people to do this monthly meeting. I'm meeting with her Wednesday evening so we can iron out details. What we will gain is more letters to fax to Washington. What the incarcerated will gain is improved literacy skills, an opportunity to do some meaningful work on poverty issues resulting in improved self-esteem, better empowerment knowing they are working on shaping anti-poverty policy for the U.S. and for the world community, as well as another link to the community that can help them build a better life once they're released.
Paula was inspiring and inspired. She plans to do outreach this fall at Coe College and start a RESULTS group among interested students there. She'll use the same materials we use and when a time is chosen, we are invited to attend. This is a great opportunity.
Leland volunteered to team with me on starting a RESULTS group at the County Jail. When I talked to the Volunteer Director, Maridee, on Sunday, she told me we would need at least two people to do this monthly meeting. I'm meeting with her Wednesday evening so we can iron out details. What we will gain is more letters to fax to Washington. What the incarcerated will gain is improved literacy skills, an opportunity to do some meaningful work on poverty issues resulting in improved self-esteem, better empowerment knowing they are working on shaping anti-poverty policy for the U.S. and for the world community, as well as another link to the community that can help them build a better life once they're released.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Global Call April 29
I had the opportunity to talk with Yvonne from Detroit and we worked out the plan to send her 7 copies of the RESULTS and the MDGs program for public access tv outlets in and around her area.
I also reported to Allison that we have one person to do on-screen talent for our May public access tv program on the Education for All Campaign. We need one more person for on-screen talent. Got the itch?
I also reported to Allison that we have one person to do on-screen talent for our May public access tv program on the Education for All Campaign. We need one more person for on-screen talent. Got the itch?
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Domestic Call April 23
It was just Douglas and I on the call. He was quite pleased at my report of our public forum and the letter-writing. I think next time we get a media sponsor so we get more public there!
Two Antarcticans were walking in the woods and saw some tracks. The first Antarctican said they looked like deer tracks. The second Antarctican disagreed -- they looked like moose tracks. The two were still arguing when they were hit by the train.
Two Antarcticans were walking in the woods and saw some tracks. The first Antarctican said they looked like deer tracks. The second Antarctican disagreed -- they looked like moose tracks. The two were still arguing when they were hit by the train.
Global Call April 22
Allison was quite pleased to hear I would be at the International Conference for two days.
We talked about appropriations. Congressman Loebsack did sign on to the letter asking for $500 million for microcredit. The RESULTS Washington office is working on the appropriations requests now for Senator Harkin's office. They are so helpful! Senator Grassley took the requests over email about six weeks ago.
Education is the new focus for global work. President Obama campaigned on a Global Fund for Education, and I committed to working on a public access tv program on Education for All. Is anyone interested in learning about the campaign and doing the tv production?
We talked about appropriations. Congressman Loebsack did sign on to the letter asking for $500 million for microcredit. The RESULTS Washington office is working on the appropriations requests now for Senator Harkin's office. They are so helpful! Senator Grassley took the requests over email about six weeks ago.
Education is the new focus for global work. President Obama campaigned on a Global Fund for Education, and I committed to working on a public access tv program on Education for All. Is anyone interested in learning about the campaign and doing the tv production?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Domestic Call March 26
I reported to the group on our group start in Waterloo -- we had five people show up for the meeting March 22. Jos encouraged the two pastors there to bring more people to the table, and encouraged me to do more work with the African-American churches before the next meeting on Tuesday, April 28. I got a call Monday morning from an African-American FM radio station. They want me to come up and do a live interview. I'm looking forward to that.
Our health care reform public forum is all set. We are just waiting for confirmation on the name of the Mercy Medical Center administrator who is going to be a panelist and then we can start publicity. We could use more ushers. Anyone interested in helping out Aisha and Leland?
There will be an opportunity for letter-writing at the forum. That will be our monthly letter, so be sure and make time to write your letter!
Our health care reform public forum is all set. We are just waiting for confirmation on the name of the Mercy Medical Center administrator who is going to be a panelist and then we can start publicity. We could use more ushers. Anyone interested in helping out Aisha and Leland?
There will be an opportunity for letter-writing at the forum. That will be our monthly letter, so be sure and make time to write your letter!
Global Call March 24
Allison and I were on the phone together, just the two of us, for almost an hour. I hadn't checked on the progress of our appropriations requests making it off Congressman Loebsack's desk and on to Congressman Lowey's office. Allison told me about a microcredit sign-on letter to Cong. Lowey. I just sent that letter to Meagan Linn, the Congressman's aide who handles foreign affairs, asking her to forward the letter to the Congressman and then get back to me with her thoughts.
We also talked about the video program for RESULTS and the MDGs. I went to Iowa City Tuesday afternoon and put in two hours of editing and an hour of burning DVDs. All told, we put in an hour in the studio and five hours in the edit booth. I have to burn VHS copies from DVDs yet before I'm done.
We also talked about the video program for RESULTS and the MDGs. I went to Iowa City Tuesday afternoon and put in two hours of editing and an hour of burning DVDs. All told, we put in an hour in the studio and five hours in the edit booth. I have to burn VHS copies from DVDs yet before I'm done.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Domestic Call March 12
It was just Douglas and I on the call today, so we had a great conversation.
We talked about progress on the Health Care Reform public forum -- try saying reform forum three times fast! Rockwell isn't able to send anyone to be the business representative on the panel, but I have a friend who works at AEGON who talked to a manager in HR who is going to do the panel for us. All we need now is the publicity. I'm going to be delegating writing of the press release Monday night.
Douglas warned me, and Allison has warned me as well, that I'm dangerously close to having GroupLeaderItis, where the group leader does too much of the work and doesn't delegate any of it. It's not healthy for me, nor is it healthy for you. So I'm going to make a conscious effort to do more delegating.
We're caught up on our domestic issues, unless someone wants to write an op-ed on health care reform? We'll talk about that on Monday.
We talked about progress on the Health Care Reform public forum -- try saying reform forum three times fast! Rockwell isn't able to send anyone to be the business representative on the panel, but I have a friend who works at AEGON who talked to a manager in HR who is going to do the panel for us. All we need now is the publicity. I'm going to be delegating writing of the press release Monday night.
Douglas warned me, and Allison has warned me as well, that I'm dangerously close to having GroupLeaderItis, where the group leader does too much of the work and doesn't delegate any of it. It's not healthy for me, nor is it healthy for you. So I'm going to make a conscious effort to do more delegating.
We're caught up on our domestic issues, unless someone wants to write an op-ed on health care reform? We'll talk about that on Monday.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Global Call March 11
The global conference call this Saturday promises to be great:
March 14 conference call: Winstone Zulu and Asia Russell are our guests! Join us to learn about the powerful impact the Global Fund is having on diseases of poverty like AIDS and TB. Winstone is a globally-renowned TB-HIV activist from Zambia (listen to his story), and Asia is a civil society delegate to the Global Fund Board. Listen and be inspired to take action! Call (800) 474-8920 .
The call starts at 1 p.m. I won't be available this Saturday for RESULTS Conference calls, but the Library at Christ Episcopal Church is reserved, so feel free to gather.
I reported tonight that I can use my brother's TB story as a lead-in for an op-ed on the Global Fund. RESULTS has put together two pages of great information to use for the article, and with a local angle like my brother, we should be in good shape to get published this time. I'm disappointed that the Gazette never published Kathy's op-ed on microcredit. So I've put together three letters to the editor on microcredit. Aisha has already sent hers in. I also sent a letter to Kathy and to Mona. I will check with them Monday night at the meeting what the progress is with their letters.
I am not going to be going to the International Conference this year. This afternoon I got an email from Jos saying that we had an appointment to see Senator Grassley on the 23rd. It hit me -- that's my parents' anniversary. This will be Mom's first anniversary without Dad and I just can't leave her alone at that period in her grieving. The fundraiser is planned for May 31 and should net about $600, with another $100 coming from GEMS. The total cost to attend the conference is about $1700, if you're rooming with one other person.
March 14 conference call: Winstone Zulu and Asia Russell are our guests! Join us to learn about the powerful impact the Global Fund is having on diseases of poverty like AIDS and TB. Winstone is a globally-renowned TB-HIV activist from Zambia (listen to his story), and Asia is a civil society delegate to the Global Fund Board. Listen and be inspired to take action! Call (800) 474-8920 .
The call starts at 1 p.m. I won't be available this Saturday for RESULTS Conference calls, but the Library at Christ Episcopal Church is reserved, so feel free to gather.
I reported tonight that I can use my brother's TB story as a lead-in for an op-ed on the Global Fund. RESULTS has put together two pages of great information to use for the article, and with a local angle like my brother, we should be in good shape to get published this time. I'm disappointed that the Gazette never published Kathy's op-ed on microcredit. So I've put together three letters to the editor on microcredit. Aisha has already sent hers in. I also sent a letter to Kathy and to Mona. I will check with them Monday night at the meeting what the progress is with their letters.
I am not going to be going to the International Conference this year. This afternoon I got an email from Jos saying that we had an appointment to see Senator Grassley on the 23rd. It hit me -- that's my parents' anniversary. This will be Mom's first anniversary without Dad and I just can't leave her alone at that period in her grieving. The fundraiser is planned for May 31 and should net about $600, with another $100 coming from GEMS. The total cost to attend the conference is about $1700, if you're rooming with one other person.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Domestic call March 5
We've already completed the most recent action, which is to request $100 million be put in the budget for health care reform. RESULTS was quite disappointed that the White House Summit on Health Care Reform today didn't invite anyone supporting single payer. I wasn't surprised, though. That meeting I went to last summer with Janelle Krishnamoorthy, aide from Senator Harkin's office, pretty much said the same thing. The Senator had been holding hearings with health care providers, insurance companies, patients, all the stakeholders in health care reform. Janelle told us that single payer wasn't going to fly.
I heard back from Clay Jones' office saying neither he nor his Senior Vice President for Human Resources would be able to be a panelist at our public forum April 20. Rockwell has a Board meeting that night. So I'm going to call John Bloomhall from Diamond V Mills to see if he can be there.
I heard back from Clay Jones' office saying neither he nor his Senior Vice President for Human Resources would be able to be a panelist at our public forum April 20. Rockwell has a Board meeting that night. So I'm going to call John Bloomhall from Diamond V Mills to see if he can be there.
Global Call March 4
Had a chance to talk with Yvonne in Northern Detroit about our tv production. She's interested in copies. Four public access stations in the Detroit area can show the programs. Yvonne is trying to work with her local paper on global issues but they only want local news. So they're going to try tv as a way to educate the public.
The DC RESULTS office helped tremendously with the forms for Congressman Loebsack's office on appropriations requests. I don't know how much good it will do, but the forms are in one day before the deadline. I've emailed the requests to aides in the Senators' offices. They don't have their forms ready yet. BTW, if you look on the RESULTS website at the appropriations requests, don't be fooled by the $500 for microcredit. It's a typo. Supposed to be $500 million.
I got tired of waiting for the Gazette to print our op-ed on microcredit, so I wrote three letters to the editor. Aisha has already sent one in. I also asked Mona and Kathy to send in a letter.
The DC RESULTS office helped tremendously with the forms for Congressman Loebsack's office on appropriations requests. I don't know how much good it will do, but the forms are in one day before the deadline. I've emailed the requests to aides in the Senators' offices. They don't have their forms ready yet. BTW, if you look on the RESULTS website at the appropriations requests, don't be fooled by the $500 for microcredit. It's a typo. Supposed to be $500 million.
I got tired of waiting for the Gazette to print our op-ed on microcredit, so I wrote three letters to the editor. Aisha has already sent one in. I also asked Mona and Kathy to send in a letter.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Domestic call Feb. 19
I reported on our public forum and Douglas said, "Awesome." Yes, it is awesome. Things are coming together very well. I'll be coming to you with requests for help in March, so be prepared!
RESULTS is giving up on HR 676, Single Payer Health Care. Doesn't look like this Congress is going to debate it. Instead they're backing President Obama's plan, and asking for money in the budget for a public health care option. That's why we wrote letters Monday night asking for $100 million in the new budget for health care. We done good. Yet again.
RESULTS is giving up on HR 676, Single Payer Health Care. Doesn't look like this Congress is going to debate it. Instead they're backing President Obama's plan, and asking for money in the budget for a public health care option. That's why we wrote letters Monday night asking for $100 million in the new budget for health care. We done good. Yet again.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Health Care Reform Public Forum
I spent Monday on the phone getting things lined up. We are confirmed for Monday, April 20 at 7 p.m. at Christ Church in the sanctuary. Doug Anderson is on board to run the projection system. Mohammed is going to videotape the program. Beth confirmed on Saturday that she would speak on mental health parity. I got confirmation from Clay Jones' office that he would select someone to represent Rockwell and speak from a business perspective. I got confirmation that Darlene Schmidt of Community Health Free Clinic would be on the panel. Yesterday I got confirmation that Tim Charles of Mercy Medical Center, or a member of his team, would speak from the perspective of a privately-owned not-for-profit health care provider. And today I heard from Kirsten in Dave Loebsack's office that she would be available for our forum to read a statement from the Congressman. Also on Monday or maybe it was Tuesday, I got confirmation from Leslee that she would be moderator. So I think we're set. I have a press release to write, but that won't be until after the group start in Waterloo. If I seemed tired Monday night, it was because I was on the phone all day working on the First District start up and the public forum in April.
Group Start in Iowa's First District
The date is Sunday, March 22, 2 to 4 p.m. I am going to Trinity Episcopal in Waterloo on March 15 for the 8 and 10:30 services to do an announcement about RESULTS and to sign people up for the workshop after services. I am waiting to hear from St. Luke's in Cedar Falls if I can be with them on the 8th to do the same thing.
Who wants to go with Jos and I to Waterloo on the 22nd? And who wants to go with me to Waterloo on the 15th?
Who wants to go with Jos and I to Waterloo on the 22nd? And who wants to go with me to Waterloo on the 15th?
Global call Feb. 18
Allison and I were the only ones on the call tonight. We talked about the appropriations requests. I'm going to work on those tomorrow afternoon. You can find them on the RESULTS website (results.org) under Activist Information. I have the forms from Loebsack's office and the emails for Harkin's and Grassley's offices so they can send me the proper forms. This is the first year everyone has been asked to submit appropriations requests.
We also talked about the possibility of me doing a workshop at the International Conference on use of public access tv in getting the word out about our campaigns.
We also talked about the possibility of me doing a workshop at the International Conference on use of public access tv in getting the word out about our campaigns.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
National Health Plan Option Public Forum
Oh, how quickly things happen!
Beth and I were on the domestic call today and heard RESULTS' case for advocating for President Obama's National Health Care Option, which right now looks to be an alternative for the uninsured and underinsured to be covered in much the same way as if they were on Medicare. It seems right now anyway, that the single-payer options of HR 676 -- public financing of privately-delivered health care -- would become an option for every American.
By the time we got to the global call, Barbara had joined us and after Jeffrey Sachs was done speaking, we talked about my desire to do a public forum on foreign aid reform. But together we decided we would do better having a public forum on the President's health care reform plan.
We have a date and venue planned -- Monday, April 20 (yes, our RESULTS night) at Christ Church in the sanctuary so we can make the projection system available to our panelists. On Monday I will call and confirm the date with the office as well as talk to Linda and Susan about some publicity ideas I have.
We've also talked about speakers -- Beth, of course, being a psychologist, would speak from the perspective of the need for mental health parity in the national health care option. Tim Charles, being President and CEO of Mercy Medical Center could speak from the perspective of privately-owned not-for-profit health care providers. Clay Jones, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Collins could speak or appoint someone to speak from the business perspective. Darlene Schmidt of the Community Health Free Clinic could speak from the perspective of the uninsured and underinsured. And we would like an aide from Congressman Loebsack's office to speak about the plan itself. Dave Loebsack is a champion for national health care. The first bill he co-sponsored upon getting to Congress two years ago was HR 676. Oh, and I would do a short piece on RESULTS to start and end the forum.
We will ask Leslee to be moderator and use the format that panelists will provide an opening statement and forum attendees will get cards to write their questions on and hand in and the moderator will ask the questions of the panel. Specific questions we came up with include: 1) What are the problems your sector experiences under the current health care system in the U.S.? 2) What should be the top priorities, or what essentials need to be included, in national health care legislation? 3) An explanation of the proposed legislation. 4) How would the proposed legislation impact your sector?
Of course, not everyone is going to speak to every question. We would also want closing statements from each panelist. And we would have a two-minute letter experience so people could easily put together a hand-written letter to their member of Congress. I saw this done quite effectively at Cornell College when I did the Stand Up! presentation on the MDGs. We would collect the letters and fax them. I think our members of Congress would miss getting letters from us on the Tuesday after the third Monday of the month if we didn't fax them something!
The date is timed for after Easter and after the State of the Union, in which we expect the President will speak to a national health care option.
When attendees come in, we would give them their question card, along with information on RESULTS. If they can attend on the third Monday of April, maybe they can also attend RESULTS meetings on other third Mondays! I would like to put together a letter and poster and mail it to all of the communities of faith in Linn County. I would also be able to check out a camera from the Iowa City public access tv station and we can videotape the program and edit it for broadcast in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. Since I will be busy with the program, I'll need someone to volunteer to run the camera. Mohammed? Can you be free that night?
I have a meeting set up with Ellen Fisher from Bread for the World. We had originally talked about working together on a foreign aid reform forum, but I will see at the meeting is Bread is also working on health care reform and if she would like to help us out at all. I will be sending you some information on upcoming presentations about foreign aid reform that Bread is sponsoring.
Back to the forum. When we finish with our meeting Monday night, we'll have a chance to write a two-minute letter to Dave Loebsack to see how it feels for seasoned professionals like yourselves! Hope to see you Monday!
Beth and I were on the domestic call today and heard RESULTS' case for advocating for President Obama's National Health Care Option, which right now looks to be an alternative for the uninsured and underinsured to be covered in much the same way as if they were on Medicare. It seems right now anyway, that the single-payer options of HR 676 -- public financing of privately-delivered health care -- would become an option for every American.
By the time we got to the global call, Barbara had joined us and after Jeffrey Sachs was done speaking, we talked about my desire to do a public forum on foreign aid reform. But together we decided we would do better having a public forum on the President's health care reform plan.
We have a date and venue planned -- Monday, April 20 (yes, our RESULTS night) at Christ Church in the sanctuary so we can make the projection system available to our panelists. On Monday I will call and confirm the date with the office as well as talk to Linda and Susan about some publicity ideas I have.
We've also talked about speakers -- Beth, of course, being a psychologist, would speak from the perspective of the need for mental health parity in the national health care option. Tim Charles, being President and CEO of Mercy Medical Center could speak from the perspective of privately-owned not-for-profit health care providers. Clay Jones, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Collins could speak or appoint someone to speak from the business perspective. Darlene Schmidt of the Community Health Free Clinic could speak from the perspective of the uninsured and underinsured. And we would like an aide from Congressman Loebsack's office to speak about the plan itself. Dave Loebsack is a champion for national health care. The first bill he co-sponsored upon getting to Congress two years ago was HR 676. Oh, and I would do a short piece on RESULTS to start and end the forum.
We will ask Leslee to be moderator and use the format that panelists will provide an opening statement and forum attendees will get cards to write their questions on and hand in and the moderator will ask the questions of the panel. Specific questions we came up with include: 1) What are the problems your sector experiences under the current health care system in the U.S.? 2) What should be the top priorities, or what essentials need to be included, in national health care legislation? 3) An explanation of the proposed legislation. 4) How would the proposed legislation impact your sector?
Of course, not everyone is going to speak to every question. We would also want closing statements from each panelist. And we would have a two-minute letter experience so people could easily put together a hand-written letter to their member of Congress. I saw this done quite effectively at Cornell College when I did the Stand Up! presentation on the MDGs. We would collect the letters and fax them. I think our members of Congress would miss getting letters from us on the Tuesday after the third Monday of the month if we didn't fax them something!
The date is timed for after Easter and after the State of the Union, in which we expect the President will speak to a national health care option.
When attendees come in, we would give them their question card, along with information on RESULTS. If they can attend on the third Monday of April, maybe they can also attend RESULTS meetings on other third Mondays! I would like to put together a letter and poster and mail it to all of the communities of faith in Linn County. I would also be able to check out a camera from the Iowa City public access tv station and we can videotape the program and edit it for broadcast in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids. Since I will be busy with the program, I'll need someone to volunteer to run the camera. Mohammed? Can you be free that night?
I have a meeting set up with Ellen Fisher from Bread for the World. We had originally talked about working together on a foreign aid reform forum, but I will see at the meeting is Bread is also working on health care reform and if she would like to help us out at all. I will be sending you some information on upcoming presentations about foreign aid reform that Bread is sponsoring.
Back to the forum. When we finish with our meeting Monday night, we'll have a chance to write a two-minute letter to Dave Loebsack to see how it feels for seasoned professionals like yourselves! Hope to see you Monday!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Global Call Feb. 12
We talked tonight about our foci in our local groups. I reported on two -- that I had contacted Cong. Loebsack's office and Sen. Harkin's office to ask their procedures on foreign aid appropriations requests. I didn't call Sen. Grassley's office because I was still upset with him on his no vote on SCHIP. I've since mellowed and have decided to call his office tomorrow.
I also talked about our tv production efforts. Everyone is quite excited about it. Yvonne in Northern Detroit is doing research with her public access stations to see what it will take to put our programs on their station.
Richard in Chicago reported he is working with the Chicago Bread for the World advocate on a public forum on foreign aid reform. Sounded like a fascinating idea. What do you think? Shall we talk to Ellen Fisher about doing something like that here?
I also talked about our tv production efforts. Everyone is quite excited about it. Yvonne in Northern Detroit is doing research with her public access stations to see what it will take to put our programs on their station.
Richard in Chicago reported he is working with the Chicago Bread for the World advocate on a public forum on foreign aid reform. Sounded like a fascinating idea. What do you think? Shall we talk to Ellen Fisher about doing something like that here?
Domestic Call Feb. 12
The stimulus package is being voted on in the Senate today and in the House on Friday. I called both Senators' offices, and Cong. Loebsack's office to urge them to vote yes on the bill, HR 1. It doesn't have everything RESULTS wanted, and it has some things in it RESULTS didn't want, but overall it's a good bill. Eighty percent of the American public supports the bill. Senator Grassley's office seemed inundated with calls. Congressman Loebsack's office took my address information.
The conference call on Saturday at 11:30 is going to be on health care. I am looking forward to hearing the discussion.
The conference call on Saturday at 11:30 is going to be on health care. I am looking forward to hearing the discussion.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Waterloo/Cedar Falls Group Start
Plans are underway to hold a RESULTS workshop at Trinity Episcopal Church in Waterloo. Jos is going to do the workshop, similar to the one he gave at Christ Church in Cedar Rapids two years ago. I'm helping to get people to the workshop.
I've had a phone conversation with Mitch Smith, Rector of Trinity. He offered the building for our workshop and offered to help with publicizing the event. Tomorrow I hope to talk with Christine to get details worked out, things like which Sunday afternoon to hold it -- the 22nd or the 29th; what time to hold it -- 1:30 to 3:30 or 2 to 4 p.m; to see if Trinity can provide some simple and inexpensive refreshments; and whether they have the equipment to play a DVD of "Everyday Heroes."
My vision is to go to Waterloo on the Sunday morning a week prior to the workshop to get people signed up, and to go to St. Luke's in Cedar Falls two weeks prior. Jos will contact leaders in the UMC community in Waterloo and Cedar Falls, as well as the writer of an op-ed that appeared in the Register that Jos really liked. And I've asked some of our MAS volunteers for names of contacts in the Muslim community. Our goal is to have 30 people at the workshop.
And the point of all this? A RESULTS group in Iowa's First Congressional District who will lobby Congressman Braley as we lobby Dave Loebsack. I saw Bruce Braley's acceptance speech the night of November 4 and thought, this man could be a RESULTS champion!
Please think about how you can participate in this endeavor.
I've had a phone conversation with Mitch Smith, Rector of Trinity. He offered the building for our workshop and offered to help with publicizing the event. Tomorrow I hope to talk with Christine to get details worked out, things like which Sunday afternoon to hold it -- the 22nd or the 29th; what time to hold it -- 1:30 to 3:30 or 2 to 4 p.m; to see if Trinity can provide some simple and inexpensive refreshments; and whether they have the equipment to play a DVD of "Everyday Heroes."
My vision is to go to Waterloo on the Sunday morning a week prior to the workshop to get people signed up, and to go to St. Luke's in Cedar Falls two weeks prior. Jos will contact leaders in the UMC community in Waterloo and Cedar Falls, as well as the writer of an op-ed that appeared in the Register that Jos really liked. And I've asked some of our MAS volunteers for names of contacts in the Muslim community. Our goal is to have 30 people at the workshop.
And the point of all this? A RESULTS group in Iowa's First Congressional District who will lobby Congressman Braley as we lobby Dave Loebsack. I saw Bruce Braley's acceptance speech the night of November 4 and thought, this man could be a RESULTS champion!
Please think about how you can participate in this endeavor.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Domestic Call Feb. 5
The group leaders from the new Ames group were both on the call today. Caroline was an aide in Sen. Grassley's office, so she's been on the other side of our phone calls. She said he is very interested in calls that come in, along with letters. It's just a shame he voted against SCHIP this time. Didn't like it being made permanent, and didn't like waiving the five-year waiting period for legal immigrants.
I reported on our progress on tv production. We'll tape a 30-minute show on the MDGs on Mon., Mar. 16 at 2 p.m. then run it through post production and put it on the air in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.
There was a letter to the editor in Tuesday's paper on single payer health care. Tonight I'll write a response letter and email it to everyone, seeing who wants to be the signer.
Tomorrow Jos Linn is going to call and we're going to begin work on starting a group in Iowa's First District -- Congressman Braley. When I find out more of what Jos has in mind, I'll let you know and anyone who's interested can join in this group start effort.
I reported on our progress on tv production. We'll tape a 30-minute show on the MDGs on Mon., Mar. 16 at 2 p.m. then run it through post production and put it on the air in Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.
There was a letter to the editor in Tuesday's paper on single payer health care. Tonight I'll write a response letter and email it to everyone, seeing who wants to be the signer.
Tomorrow Jos Linn is going to call and we're going to begin work on starting a group in Iowa's First District -- Congressman Braley. When I find out more of what Jos has in mind, I'll let you know and anyone who's interested can join in this group start effort.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Global Call Feb . 4
I reported today on Kate's letter to the editor on foreign aid reform being published. I was beginning to think the Gazette wasn't going to publish it. I'm not used to waiting 10 days. Guess I need more patience.
We talked about the domestic success of SCHIP being signed into law. What a joy it was to see President Obama sign the bill after the disappointment of two years ago the legislation being twice vetoed. I hope as RESULTS activists, we can all take a moment to reach our right hands over our left shoulders, to borrow a phrase from Meredith Dodson, and pat ourselves on the back.
There is tremendous interest in tv production in the Detroit area. We may need to think about producing a second version of our programs that are generic or oriented to the Detroit area. It would be easy to do in post production. Just would take 45 minutes to produce. What are your thoughts?
Our task for this week is to find out how our members of Congress want to get appropriations requests -- by email, by letter, with one of their forms. I will call the three offices on Friday to find out.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
RESULTS this week: January 28-29
We are still waiting for The Gazette to publish Kathy's op-ed on microcredit and Kate's LTE on foreign aid reform. I keep checking the paper every morning. One of these mornings I'm going to be oh, so excited to see us in print.
The House has passed SCHIP and the Senate is voting on it today. Of critical importance is the provision to cover children of legal immigrants who have not been in the U.S. for five years, as well as women immigrants who are pregnant and have not been here five years.
The Senate is currently debating the economic stimulus package that President Obama (doesn't it feel good to say that?) submitted. Chances are the Senate will pass a higher dollar amount than the House and it will go into conference committee for a final bill for each house to pass. I was quite pleased to see a story on ABC News in which they had three economists grade the various portions of the package. The increase in food stamps and unemployment benefits got an A from each of them. They realize that money given to the poor gets spent and into the economy quickly.
I am looking forward to March and doing some tv production in Iowa City. Jos said he would do a program on the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Credit. I would also like to do a program on microcredit, health care for all (one domestic program and one global program) and a program on the MDGs, as well as Education for All (a global campaign). I will take some more training in February so I'm "qualified" to run the equipment in the studio and edit booth. Mohammed is already trained so if he's free I'd like to use his expertise.
The House has passed SCHIP and the Senate is voting on it today. Of critical importance is the provision to cover children of legal immigrants who have not been in the U.S. for five years, as well as women immigrants who are pregnant and have not been here five years.
The Senate is currently debating the economic stimulus package that President Obama (doesn't it feel good to say that?) submitted. Chances are the Senate will pass a higher dollar amount than the House and it will go into conference committee for a final bill for each house to pass. I was quite pleased to see a story on ABC News in which they had three economists grade the various portions of the package. The increase in food stamps and unemployment benefits got an A from each of them. They realize that money given to the poor gets spent and into the economy quickly.
I am looking forward to March and doing some tv production in Iowa City. Jos said he would do a program on the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Credit. I would also like to do a program on microcredit, health care for all (one domestic program and one global program) and a program on the MDGs, as well as Education for All (a global campaign). I will take some more training in February so I'm "qualified" to run the equipment in the studio and edit booth. Mohammed is already trained so if he's free I'd like to use his expertise.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
RESULTS this week
I talked to our global regional coordinator on Tuesday night. The news (embargoed until next Monday) of microcredit reaching one hundred million people worldwide by 2007 is phenomenal! Kathy Hall agreed to attach her name to an op-ed on this news for The Gazette. I'm going to write a press release tonight to go to tv and radio stations. This could be the beginning of the end of poverty. Blows my mind!
Today I talked to our domestic regional coordinator. SCHIP has passed the House and is out of the Senate Finance Committee and ready for debate on the Senate floor. Monday night after our meeting I faxed 12 letters -- 7 to Senator Grassley and 5 to Senator Harkin, thanking them for their support of SCHIP.
Wednesday I put together information for the remaining pages of our website and sent it off to Mohamed Soliman. Soon we'll be able to reference our website in our letters, op-eds, press releases, the list goes on. We'll put the microcredit news on the website Monday.
If you haven't already done so, please go to the RESULTS website, www.results.org, and click on Donation Center. You'll be able to make your annual contribution of $35 to RESULTS there rather than writing a check and giving it to me.
Today I talked to our domestic regional coordinator. SCHIP has passed the House and is out of the Senate Finance Committee and ready for debate on the Senate floor. Monday night after our meeting I faxed 12 letters -- 7 to Senator Grassley and 5 to Senator Harkin, thanking them for their support of SCHIP.
Wednesday I put together information for the remaining pages of our website and sent it off to Mohamed Soliman. Soon we'll be able to reference our website in our letters, op-eds, press releases, the list goes on. We'll put the microcredit news on the website Monday.
If you haven't already done so, please go to the RESULTS website, www.results.org, and click on Donation Center. You'll be able to make your annual contribution of $35 to RESULTS there rather than writing a check and giving it to me.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
What's Going On in RESULTS This Week
There was no global call this week -- nothing legislatively going on for global issues. However, Sen. Clinton did a great job talking with the Senate committee which will approve her for Secretary of State in talking about revamping foreign aid to target poverty.
On the domestic call today we talked about group planning, which our group has already done. I just have to fill out the paperwork and get it to our Regional Coordinators.
On the media front, there was a fine letter in Sunday's Gazette about domestic poverty and a call to action to do something about it. So I submitted a letter Sunday night and it was published today, asking for people to call our Members of Congress on SCHIP reauthorization, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (known in Iowa as Hawk-I). This legislation was vetoed twice by President Bush and Senator Grassley was one of the prime movers on this bill. So now it's being voted on this week by Congress and we'll probably have two different versions coming out of the House and Senate, so we'll be making more calls when it goes to conference prior to going to President Obama's desk for a signature.
I also have an editorial packet on Microcredit that I think we should use to build an op-ed for the Gazette. I'll have that ready for you to read Monday night to see who wants to lend their name and photo to the piece.
Since Dad died, I haven't had much time to work on RESULTS. Been driving Mom to various appointments and doing various errands. She doesn't drive in bad weather -- and it's been nothing but bad weather since Dad died! No, I take that back. There was one day she took her car out and did an errand on her own. So I haven't done much work on Mohamed's website. The Diversity Task Force is going to help me in that, though. This weekend I'll have some time to get some things started. And once Spring gets here, we'll start television production in Iowa City.
I am so looking forward to our meeting Monday night at 7. I am always energized by being with you!
On the domestic call today we talked about group planning, which our group has already done. I just have to fill out the paperwork and get it to our Regional Coordinators.
On the media front, there was a fine letter in Sunday's Gazette about domestic poverty and a call to action to do something about it. So I submitted a letter Sunday night and it was published today, asking for people to call our Members of Congress on SCHIP reauthorization, the State Children's Health Insurance Program (known in Iowa as Hawk-I). This legislation was vetoed twice by President Bush and Senator Grassley was one of the prime movers on this bill. So now it's being voted on this week by Congress and we'll probably have two different versions coming out of the House and Senate, so we'll be making more calls when it goes to conference prior to going to President Obama's desk for a signature.
I also have an editorial packet on Microcredit that I think we should use to build an op-ed for the Gazette. I'll have that ready for you to read Monday night to see who wants to lend their name and photo to the piece.
Since Dad died, I haven't had much time to work on RESULTS. Been driving Mom to various appointments and doing various errands. She doesn't drive in bad weather -- and it's been nothing but bad weather since Dad died! No, I take that back. There was one day she took her car out and did an errand on her own. So I haven't done much work on Mohamed's website. The Diversity Task Force is going to help me in that, though. This weekend I'll have some time to get some things started. And once Spring gets here, we'll start television production in Iowa City.
I am so looking forward to our meeting Monday night at 7. I am always energized by being with you!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
RESULTS Conference Call this Saturday
The domestic conference call will be at 11:30 a.m. at Christ Church. The global call will be at 1 p.m. at Christ Church. We will meet in the library. The global call will focus on foreign aid reform, which is aimed at providing foreign aid based on human need rather than based on politics.
Since we have already done our group planning (in December) we will be ready to look over our plan at the January meeting and submit it to RESULTS.
Since we have already done our group planning (in December) we will be ready to look over our plan at the January meeting and submit it to RESULTS.
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