How do we mobilize in rural communities/small cities?: Difference between revisions
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== Advice from Sharon Collingwood, an organizer with the [https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub] == | == Advice from Sharon Collingwood, an organizer with the [https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub] == | ||
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''' | '''Listen carefully and develop a strong, clear narrative''' | ||
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*''"Find out what rural residents are concerned about before coming in with your message." ''Your narrative should resonate with rural residents. | |||
*''"When you are confident you understand your audience, communicate a sense of purpose by setting out the main points of what you want to do. Save the details for later."'' | |||
|- style="height: 23px;" | *''"Think about a simple slogan that is easy to recognize and remember.'' | ||
*''"Take a picture, or ''[https://creativecommons.org/ find a representative image]'' you could use as a brand. Develop a logo"'' (see the [https://looka.com/logo-maker/ following logo making tool]). | |||
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''' | <div class="page" title="Page 1"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p>'''Seek Indigenous Perspectives'''</p></div></div></div></div> | ||
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|- style="height: 97px;" | *Learn about the language and culture of the people of your area. | ||
| style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: | *Study your common history, and find out what treaties apply. | ||
*''"Discuss a land acknowledgement for your meetings and events. Learn to pronounce names properly."''
*"''Promote Indigenous events."'' | |||
*<em>"Reach out to Native friendship centres, who may be able to suggest a speaker to help inform your own events. Learn about the appropriate protocol for inviting Indigenous speakers. Remember that the people you will meet are usually busy volunteers; be respectful of their time.
"</em> | |||
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| style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 97px;" | '''Use online organizing tools''' | |||
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'''''1. "Slack''' allows you to easily post files, calendars, pictures, links and videos. Posts are kept for 3 months''" on the free version. | |||
*''"The program works on desktops and other devices, and allows for fast and effective communication."'' | |||
*Create a channel for easy sharing of links, and for gathering photos of events. | |||
2. '''Google workspace''' is a'' "familiar standby for collaborative work."'' It can be linked to slack. | |||
3. '''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. | |||
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|- style="height: | | style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 10px;" | '''Leverage and build connections''' | ||
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| style="width: 80.3024%; height: | *Your personal address book is useful for organizing. "''Don't be afraid to ask friends and relatives for help. Your contacts have contacts; you will be amazed at how far your request will go!" '' | ||
*<p>Identify: "<em>who has influence in your community? Do they have ideas or suggestions for you? Will they help spread your message?
"</em></p> | |||
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*<p>Work on creating a sense of community and shared purpose. "<em>Create a network of support by working with local organizations - churches, school clubs, your [https://gardenontario.org/about/ local horticultural society], [https://www.ontariotrails.on.ca/cycling-clubs bicycling clubs], [https://fwio.on.ca/ women’s institutes], [https://www.ontariofieldnaturalists.ca/Links/Field_Naturalists_Clubs.html field naturalist societies], rod and gun clubs. Participate in their actions and events. How do you complement each other? How are you different?
"</em></p> | |||
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*<p>''"Contact local businesses. Could they support an event or participate in an action? Would they donate to your organization? (You could reciprocate with an acknowledgement on your webpage or leaflet). Could you put a poster or a basket of informational cards or leaflets in their reception area?"''</p> | |||
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*<p><em>"Look for local branches of national and provincial organizations, and network with local people involved in these groups. Many of these groups may also be a good resource for speakers at events.
"</em></p> | |||
For example...<div class="page" title="Page 2"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p>''[https://ofa.on.ca/ The Ontario Federation of Agriculture
]<br>[https://www.nfu.ca/ National Farmers Union
]<br>[https://www.christianfarmers.org/ Christian Farmers Association
]<br>[https://conservationontario.ca/conservation-authorities/find-a-conservation-authority Your regional Conservation Authority
]<br>[https://futuregroundnetwork.org/ Future Ground Network] (The Suzuki Foundation)
''</p> | |||
'' | |||
''[https://canadians.org/ The Council of Canadians
]''<p>''[https://www.liveableontario.ca/ Alliance for a Liveable Ontario
]''</p><div class="page" title="Page 3"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"> | |||
*<p>''Subscribe to farm magazines, and learn a little about farm concerns." ''You might even be able to find articles written by people in your area who may be interested in your issue.</p> | |||
For example...<div class="page" title="Page 3"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p>[https://farmtario.com/ Farmtario
]<br>[https://www.country-guide.ca/ Country Guide
]<br>[https://www.lebulletin.com/ Bulletin des Agriculteurs]</p><div class="page" title="Page 3"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"> | |||
*<p>''"Look for organizations that can help you understand the complexities of the issues you face." ''Keep in contact, and ask if they have any local connections. "''Your organization is a part of a larger movement."''</p> | |||
<p>''''</p><div class="page" title="Page 3"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p>''[https://cela.ca/ Canadian Environmental Law Association
] ''</p> | |||
* | |||
''[https://yourstoprotect.ca/ Ontario Yours to Protect
]<br>[https://ontarionature.org/ Ontario Nature
]<br>[https://ecojustice.ca/ Ecojustice
]<br>[https://environmentaldefence.ca/ Environmental Defence
]''''<span id="_end" ><span id="_end" ><span id="_end" > | |||
*Get to know your local politicians. Many may be "sympathetic to what you are doing. Develop a relationship with your MP and MPP, and particularly with councillors and other local representatives. Be friendly and receptive, but be persistent. Letters and calls are important; personal meetings are even better." Congratulate them when they do something good.
'''' | |||
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*<p><em>Use 'wolf nudges'! "When wolves move as a pack, they are constantly bumping into each other. That’s intentional; it’s just a little signal of solidarity to the other wolves, a reminder that their group is made up of individuals. Your “wolf nudges” could be directed to others in your organization, people you consider allies, or those you’d like to develop a stronger relationship with.
</em></p><p><em>
<br>A wolf nudge can be as simple as copying a notification of an event to someone who may not know about it, or sharing your notes from that event. You might send a copy of a picture taken at a rally with someone who was there. You could send a short note of thanks to someone who helped out. A wolf nudge is usually something that doesn't need to be acknowledged, but it strengthens your whole community."</em></p> | |||
</div></div></div></div></span></span></span>''</div></div></div></div><div class="page" title="Page 3"><span id="_end" ><span id="_end" ><p><span id="mce_85_end" style="overflow: hidden; line-height: 0px;" ></span></p></span></span><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><div class="page" title="Page 3"><div class="section"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div> | |||
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| style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 23px;" | '''Take action!''' | |||
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Revision as of 15:59, 28 February 2023
Rural or small city organizing presents challenges 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. The following responds to a request asking for tips on organizing outside larger urban environments, using information compiled from organizers in rural America, and input from experienced organizers here in so-called Canada.
Advice from Sharon Collingwood, an organizer with the Perth Sustainability Hub
Listen carefully and develop a strong, clear narrative |
|
Seek Indigenous Perspectives |
|
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. Google workspace is a "familiar standby for collaborative work." It can be linked to slack. 3. 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. |
Leverage and build connections |
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Alliance for a Liveable Ontario
Farmtario
' Canadian Environmental Law Association Ontario Yours to Protect
|
Take action! |
Advice from Pierre Avignon
Advice from organizers with Reseau Demain le QC in so-called Canada
Prioritize relationships and build coalitions |
"I would say that trying to partner with other types of committed groups (community gardens, parent groups, women's groups, workplaces, etc.) and collaborate could be a good strategy, as mobilizing people from scratch can take a lot of energy in areas with less density and diversity. Create links and partnerships with the people in charge of gathering places, like the library, cafés, the city (for the organization of events in parks), schools, local businesses, youth centres, community and/or cultural centres etc." -Member of Reseau Demain le QC |
Organize citizen assemblies or town halls to talk about local issues |
Groups such as Mères au front - Saguenay use this format to bring folks together. |
Organize electoral debates on key issues / Ask questions at municipal assemblies |
Alma en Transition uses a google form to compile responses in municipal assemblies. |
Use similar tactics; they don't need to result in the same turnout as cities for success! |
|
Distribute materials at your actions |
e.g. flyers with places to learn more, keep a sign up sheet on hand etc. |
Participate in Nation-wide campaigns how you can |
e.g. Banking on a Better Future, Decolonial solidarity, Réseau demain le Québec, Vire au vert |
Involve local media |
e.g. tell local newspapers, magazines, and news stations about your actions and call outs to join your group! |
Keep a shared google drive for folks in the area to distribute and access resources | E.g. a shared drive could help promote groups active in the area, our the issue. Documents could include:
You might also consider using a google form for folks to fill out and compile everyone's available skills and interests, to use as a contact list. |
Survey people on their needs and concerns | E.g. Alma en Transition used a google form to compile results on top issues. This information could be used for campaigning. |
Leverage key community members/people who are trusted | |
Get online! | |
Having booths at local events | Tabling could include educating local residents, petitions for folks to sign, sign up sheets to join an email list etc. |
Offering public shows of support | E.g. hand out stickers or make yard signs for people to show their support for a local issue or your campaigning group! Note that this will require a small amount of funding |
Sharing posters for upcoming events or notice of your group with local businesses | Some are more than willing to post your poster on a bulletin or on their shop window if they support your cause! |
Create subcommittees | You don't all have to be on the same page; create subcommittees that can compliment one another if you have enough people to organize around different focuses and/or approaches to taking action |
Promote positive changes you see in the community | E.g. share a post about a community member who re-wilded their garden, or about a community member who repurposed an old item for continued use! |
Balance the activities you partake in as a group | Don't do mobilizing alone; include social events to keep your spirits high and form deeper bonds. Organize both around what needs to be replaced, and what our systems will be replaced with! E.g. see Mouvement Mare's agenda. |
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.
Advice from rural organizers in the so-called United States
Address stereotypes and tailor messaging |
|
Use community care values-based framing [5] |
|
Include rural values and concerns in your demands | Top issues for rural Americans include [7] ;
|
Embrace local businesses and oppose corporate corruption |
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Use facebook and local news to amplify your campaigns |
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Use yard/lawn signs [11] |
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Platform the right messengers |
|
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/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
- ↑ 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/organizer-toolkit-leveraging-yard-signs-rural-communities
- ↑ https://actionnetwork.org/forms/running-campaigns-in-small-towns-and-rural-communities