How do we mobilize in rural communities/small cities?: Difference between revisions
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*Trying to model the good practices in the guide and running an action plan workshop for the group based on them. Goal is to come up with plan, timeline and bottom-liners to implement some of the ideas in the guide | *Trying to model the good practices in the guide and running an action plan workshop for the group based on them. Goal is to come up with plan, timeline and bottom-liners to implement some of the ideas in the guide | ||
*Checking back in after a couple months’ worth of testing the ideas in the guide in real life and doing a rundown of what worked well and what didn’t as a group | *Checking back in after a couple months’ worth of testing the ideas in the guide in real life and doing a rundown of what worked well and what didn’t as a group | ||
*Allow group members | *Allow group members, using some of the scenarios in the guide, to speak to resonance and hear what new ideas and considerations are shared | ||
'''Suggested follow-up:'''Facilitated check-in after a couple months of testing the ideas in the guide in real life; discuss what worked well and what didn’t as a group. | '''Suggested follow-up:'''Facilitated check-in after a couple months of testing the ideas in the guide in real life; discuss what worked well and what didn’t as a group. |
Revision as of 16:03, 18 September 2023
Purpose: Rural or small city organizing presents challenges and opportunities that are unique from urban or larger city environments. Many organizers may feel discouraged by limited turnout to their events compared to more populated areas. There are several considerations for organizing in rural areas/small towns, and also several things that can be leveraged to build successful campaigns. This guide aims to raise some of these considerations.
Learning objectives:
- Equip grassroots groups with suggestions for mobilizing more effectively in rural communities/small cities.
- Learn from the lived experiences of people living in rural communities/small cities.
- (Bonus) Discuss new ideas to add to the roundup of practices currently listed in the guide
Why did we make this? This guide was created to respond to a request asking for tips on organizing outside larger urban environments.
Where does the knowledge come from? Knowledge included in this guide comes from experienced organizers here in so-called Canada, direct insight following a learning circle with activists in rural areas/small cities and research findings from organizers in rural America. Highlighted text throughout this guide is knowledge shared during our Learning Circle on this topic.
This guide includes: barriers to organizing in rural communities/small cities, plus several leverage points related to building connections and outreach, narrative and messaging, online presence and tactics and strategy.
Accompanying activity suggestions:
- Individual or group read-through using our 'apply your understanding' questions below. Go through them as a team.
- Trying to model the good practices in the guide and running an action plan workshop for the group based on them. Goal is to come up with plan, timeline and bottom-liners to implement some of the ideas in the guide
- Checking back in after a couple months’ worth of testing the ideas in the guide in real life and doing a rundown of what worked well and what didn’t as a group
- Allow group members, using some of the scenarios in the guide, to speak to resonance and hear what new ideas and considerations are shared
Suggested follow-up:Facilitated check-in after a couple months of testing the ideas in the guide in real life; discuss what worked well and what didn’t as a group.
Introductory thoughts
"Community organizing has been going on for as long as there have been people living together facing challenges. Many people work together in small and rural communities all the time to address contemporary challenges, this is the basis of community organizing." -Montana Burgess, Neighbours United
"On the one hand, sometimes all it takes is a spark plug to get people who are sensitive to the causes you are defending to join you. On the other hand, it is necessary to deconstruct somewhat the idea that organizing a mobilization in urban areas is much easier and very different from rural areas. While it is true that the often younger, university-educated population of cities has a large number of committed people, this must be put into perspective. For example, a demonstration of 1,000 people in Montreal, which has 2 million inhabitants, is the equivalent (proportionately) of a march of 50 people in an entire region like the Gaspé, which has less than 100,000 inhabitants. It is therefore necessary to begin by readjusting the mobilization objectives according to the population density in presence." (Translated from French) -Pierre Avignon, Comité citoyen Vers un val vert
Key takeaways from this guide
DO: |
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DON'T |
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Read on for more details about all of these recommendations!
Barriers to mobilizing in rural areas/small cities
Differences in values, interests, concerns |
Statistically less progressive people who may place stronger value on individualism / self-reliance
E.g. fishing towns caring about open net pens + salmon farming |
Being geographically dispersed |
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Lack of / limited access to internet + media |
Low internet literacy Not everyone has broadband access
Hard for rural voices + issues to be covered |
Low population density |
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Lack of inclusivity leads to people not wanting to join group |
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Leverage points for small city/rural communities
Building connections and outreach
1. Meet people where they're at |
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2. Talk to family, friends and neighbours |
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3. Build a media list |
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4. Build networks and coalitions with other groups |
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5. Seek Indigenous Perspectives
Above: Protest, Western University, December 2022. Credit: S. Collingwood |
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6. Contact local businesses |
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7. Connect with local politicians |
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8. Turn to National organizations for support |
Canadian Environmental Law Association Ontario Yours to Protect
Ontario Nature Ecojustice Environmental Defence -Sharon Collingwood, Perth Sustainability Hub
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9. Consider event and meeting access |
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10. Offer public shows of support |
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11. Encourage those involved! |
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12. Try door knocking |
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13. Host booths at local events |
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14. Create bulletin and leaflet networks
Above: "Mailbox" by REM Photo Off & On is licensed under CC BY 2.0. |
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15. Socialize and get to know others! |
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16. Try dating apps! |
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Narrative and messaging
1. Listen to and learn from locals |
Farmtario
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2. Craft a narrative and image that suits the needs of locals/your target audience |
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3. Leverage key community members/people who are trusted |
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4. Avoid stereotypes in your messaging |
The following insight comes from ruralorganizing.org based in the so-called US:
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5. Use community care values-based framing [8] |
The following insight comes from ruralorganizing.org based in the so-called US:
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6. Embrace local businesses and oppose corporate corruption |
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7. Use experience with nature in your framing |
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Online presence
1. Hold hybrid/virtual meetings |
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2. Use online organizing tools |
1. "Slack allows you to easily post files, calendars, pictures, links and videos. Posts are kept for 3 months" on the free version.
2. Zoom allows you to create recurring meetings, and you can post the link in a google doc/share widely. It's easy to bookmark and reuse. -Sharon Collingwood, Perth Sustainability Hub |
3. Keep a shared drive to distribute and access resources |
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4. Use social media |
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5. Create an email list |
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Tactics and strategy
1. Make events fun and engaging to draw people in!Above: Chalktivist event, Stratford Ontario. Credit: S. Collingwood |
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2. Hold marches, rallies and blockades |
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3. Get involved in local politics |
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4. Promote positive changes you see in the community |
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5. Create subcommittees |
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6. Plan events that are easy to engage in for new volunteers |
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Unsure of what to campaign around in your small city/rural area? Check out this list of ideas from Tool Complices Pour Notre Communaute. You might also draw ideas from Mouvement Mare's campaigns, which range in focus from local community-specific to National issues.
Further resources
Neighbours United's Deep Canvassing Playbook (having vulnerable, emotional, and nonjudgmental conversations with someone who feels differently about an issue to engage them)
If you have any suggested revisions or additional resources to share related to the above content, please email them to kenzie@lehub.ca.
- ↑ https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement
- ↑ https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/organizer-toolkit-leveraging-yard-signs-rural-communities
- ↑ https://actionnetwork.org/forms/running-campaigns-in-small-towns-and-rural-communities
- ↑ https://actionnetwork.org/forms/running-campaigns-in-small-towns-and-rural-communities
- ↑ https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement
- ↑ https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement
- ↑ https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement
- ↑ https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement
- ↑ https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement
- ↑ https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement
- ↑ https://actionnetwork.org/forms/running-campaigns-in-small-towns-and-rural-communities
- ↑ https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement