Make a New Year's Resolution That Makes a Difference

By Bread for the World's organizers

The New Year—for many it is a time to flip the page and start a new chapter, a time to begin anew.  We resolve to lose weight, to exercise more and eat better, to be kinder.  This year, add an advocacy resolution to your list—something that is outward focused and in tune with God’s vision of a world where everyone has enough. Make a resolution that makes a difference. 

Here are a few ideas.  Pick one (or more than one!) and if you have a suggestion for something not listed here, let us know in the comments.

Once you've picked out your advocacy resolution, print out this page, circle your resolution, and then put it on your fridge or bulletin board as a way to remind yourself of your commitment throughout the year.

For 2013, my advocacy resolution is to:

• Organize an Offering of Letters at my church.
• Call my members of Congress on each Bread action alert and encourage three more friends to join me.
• Organize a meeting with my member of Congress this year about an important issue that affects hungry people.
• Develop a relationship with the local and D.C.-based staff of my members of Congress.
• Organize a local Bread team.
• Attend a town hall (PDF) and ask a question about a program that helps hungry and poor people.
• Write an op-ed, letter-to-the-editor, or blog post that educates on hunger issues in my area or around the world or the biblical basis for advocacy.  Encourage others to get involved.
• Create an educational event around hunger issues and invite my member of Congress.
• Join a local anti-hunger coalition and represent Bread for the World.
• Host a house meeting (PDF) on a pressing issue around hunger.
• Host a viewing of “The Line” in my church or community and have the evening end with an Offering of Letters.
• Invite three friends or family members, and two other churches, to join Bread to enhance our advocacy impact.
• Come to Bread’s National Gathering and Lobby Day June 8-11 in Washington, DC.
• Attend a viewing of a “Place at the Table” feature film in March and get involved in Bread’s 2013 Offering of Letters campaign.
• Use social media to spread the word about Bread’s issues.

And the great thing about Bread advocacy resolutions is they come with trainers!  If you need help getting started or have questions, just give your regional organizer a call.

Get started today and Make it Happen!