Retention

In the context of social movement organizing, retention involves strategies to absorb and continue interest in a movement. Retention seeks to transform curiosity and interest into a desire to get involved and actively participate in the movement. Retention is achieved by providing tools and capacity for team members, as well as creating a group culture that is welcoming. The goal is to empower these people so that they can act in the movement on their own with the necessary knowledge and resources to do so. -The HUB


See our page on recruitment and retention suggestions for examples of retention strategies.

Factors that encourage retention

Disposability discourse	Much discussion around the severity of COVID was lessened by expressing how it mainly sickens and kills elderly, chronically ill, and disabled people. This discourse suggests these groups are seen disposable.
Loosened restrictions too early	When governments loosened COVID restrictions in response to business demands, political pressure, and public impatience, rather than scientific evidence, high risk populations (the chronically ill, disabled and elderly) were subsequently told they are disposable yet again.
Working through illness	Regulations around how many sick days should be required when someone falls ill with COVID also demonstrated ableism. In relation to these regulations, and in favour of profit above health, many politicians including US President Joe Biden, praised themselves for working through COVID, instead of encouraging people to rest and recover if they'd fallen ill.
Individualism	Individuals have been encouraged to make 'personal' choices on vaccines (without legitimate health restrictions), masks and gatherings. "There is no individual safety without collective safety and collective safety requires that no one is safe unless everyone is safe." - Mia Mingus

If you have any suggested revisions or additional resources to share related to the above content, please email them to kenzie@lehub.ca.

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