How do we mobilize in rural communities/small cities?: Difference between revisions
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'''Address stereotypes and tailor messaging''' | '''Address stereotypes and tailor messaging''' | ||
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*A high majority of rural voters believe “the government mostly reflects the will of the rich and influential.” ; 87% from polling data in the US. 69% agree our economic system is rigged for the wealthy and powerful. <ref>'''https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement'''</ref> | *A high majority of rural voters believe “the government mostly reflects the will of the rich and influential.” ; 87% from polling data in the US. 69% agree our economic system is rigged for the wealthy and powerful. <ref>'''https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement'''</ref> | ||
*Rural voters support key progressive policies. For example, US polling data shows 36% of rural voters strongly agree the government has a responsibility to combat climate change, and 25% somewhat agree. That’s a majority! <ref>'''https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement'''</ref> | *Rural voters support key progressive policies. For example, US polling data shows 36% of rural voters strongly agree the government has a responsibility to combat climate change, and 25% somewhat agree. That’s a majority! <ref>'''https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement'''</ref> | ||
*“While rural voters do lean right when it comes to political identity, the breakdown is not nearly as dramatic as often portrayed in the media.” That is, there is a comparable difference. Rural US data suggests there’s only about an 8% difference between the presence of “strong Democrats” and “strong Republicans” when comparing voters in cities to rural areas. <ref>'''https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement'''</ref> | *“While rural voters do lean right when it comes to political identity, the breakdown is not nearly as dramatic as often portrayed in the media.” That is, there is a comparable difference. Rural US data suggests there’s only about an 8% difference between the presence of “strong Democrats” and “strong Republicans” when comparing voters in cities to rural areas. <ref>'''https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement'''</ref> | ||
*Most rural citizens are not farmers; they work in sectors such as education, healthcare, industry etc. <ref>'''https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement'''</ref> | *Most rural citizens are not farmers; they work in sectors such as education, healthcare, industry etc. <ref>'''https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement'''</ref> | ||
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'''Use community care values-based framing <ref>https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement</ref> ''' | '''Use community care values-based framing <ref>https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement</ref> ''' | ||
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*Rural voters believe rural communities look out for each other (particularly friends and family).''' <ref>https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement</ref> ''' | *Rural voters believe rural communities look out for each other (particularly friends and family).''' <ref>https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement</ref> ''' | ||
*This value, community care, should be central to campaigning efforts and messaging. (I.e. instead of critiquing what’s wrong in rural areas, point to what is right!) | *This value, community care, should be central to campaigning efforts and messaging. (I.e. instead of critiquing what’s wrong in rural areas, point to what is right!) | ||
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| style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: rgb(153, 225, 217); height: 97px;" | '''Include rural values and concerns in your demands ''' | | style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: rgb(153, 225, 217); height: 97px;" | '''Include rural values and concerns in your demands ''' | ||
| style="width: 80.3024%; height: 97px;" | <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Top issues for rural Americans include''' <ref>https://actionnetwork.org/forms/running-campaigns-in-small-towns-and-rural-communities</ref> ''';</span></p> | | style="width: 80.3024%; height: 97px;" | <p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Top issues for rural Americans include''' <ref>https://actionnetwork.org/forms/running-campaigns-in-small-towns-and-rural-communities</ref> ''';</span></p> | ||
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*<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Wages increases </span> | *<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Wages increases </span> | ||
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| style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: rgb(153, 225, 217); height: 28px;" | '''Embrace local businesses and oppose corporate corruption ''' | | style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: rgb(153, 225, 217); height: 28px;" | '''Embrace local businesses and oppose corporate corruption ''' | ||
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*A very high percentage of rural voters don’t support conservative, liberal or more progressive parties because they don’t see their interests being addressed.''' <ref>https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement</ref> ''' | *A very high percentage of rural voters don’t support conservative, liberal or more progressive parties because they don’t see their interests being addressed.''' <ref>https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement</ref> ''' This is a campaigning opportunity! | ||
*There’s no party distinction in anti-lobbyist messaging. Rural people are looking for authentic leaders who understand their needs, which they feel aren’t being met by politicians. Leverage this! | *There’s no party distinction in anti-lobbyist messaging. Rural people are looking for authentic leaders who understand their needs, which they feel aren’t being met by politicians. Leverage this! | ||
*<p>“Rural respondents demonstrated significant support for candidates who expressed anti-corporation and pro-small business sentiment.” (i.e. against monopolies of food system, tax incentives for corporations).''' <ref>https://actionnetwork.org/forms/running-campaigns-in-small-towns-and-rural-communities</ref> '''</p> | *<p>“Rural respondents demonstrated significant support for candidates who expressed anti-corporation and pro-small business sentiment.” (i.e. against monopolies of food system, tax incentives for corporations).''' <ref>https://actionnetwork.org/forms/running-campaigns-in-small-towns-and-rural-communities</ref> '''</p> | ||
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| style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: rgb(153, 225, 217);" | '''Platform the right messengers ''' | | style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: rgb(153, 225, 217);" | '''Platform the right messengers ''' | ||
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*In rural America, the people most trusted include doctors and nurses, farmers and ranchers, local business people and teachers and educators.''' <ref>https://actionnetwork.org/forms/running-campaigns-in-small-towns-and-rural-communities</ref> ''' | *In rural America, the people most trusted include doctors and nurses, farmers and ranchers, local business people and teachers and educators.''' <ref>https://actionnetwork.org/forms/running-campaigns-in-small-towns-and-rural-communities</ref> ''' | ||
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Revision as of 20:16, 11 November 2022
Rural or small town/city organizing presents challenges that are unique from urban or larger city environments. Many organizers may feel discourages by limited turnout to their events when comparing 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 rural organizers in the US
Address stereotypes and tailor messaging |
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Use community care values-based framing [5] |
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Include rural values and concerns in your demands | Top issues for rural Americans include [7] ;
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Embrace local businesses and oppose corporate corruption |
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Use facebook and local news to amplify your campaigns |
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Platform the right messengers |
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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://actionnetwork.org/forms/running-campaigns-in-small-towns-and-rural-communities