How do we mobilize in rural communities/small cities?

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

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 For example, a coalition of citizens, politicians and community groups formed a coalition for Quebec to intervene in the management of the Lac Barrière dam.  For more on forming coalitions, see this guide by Blueprints for Change.
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!	Mothers at the Rouyn-Noranda front and their allies organized a train blockade, and Wellington Water Watchers organized a blockade at a local Nestle water plant. Marches and petitions are also effective in smaller cities/rural areas. e.g. check out this march that took place in Guelph, ON targeting a local Nestle plant.
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: Flyers to print out Examples of chants, slogans A list of videos and documentaries Example letters to the editor, media advisories etc. Example petitions 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	E.g. Vire Au Vert made a video for distribution (which could be done in local facebook groups, for example) including the viewpoints on key issues from community members who have some local recognition. You might also include their quotes in written materials (E.g. flyers), or ask for support in holding more impactful actions (E.g. are their local artists who could provide music at your event?)
Get online!	Instagram, twitter, facebook, a website, a podcast. Use whatever feels most accessible for reaching people in the area.  Holding meetings online can be particularly accessible for rural organizing where people are spread out, and it can be difficult to come together in-person often. E.g. Mouvement Mare.
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.

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 For example, a coalition of citizens, politicians and community groups formed a coalition for Quebec to intervene in the management of the Lac Barrière dam.  For more on forming coalitions, see this guide by Blueprints for Change.
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!	Mothers at the Rouyn-Noranda front and their allies organized a train blockade, and Wellington Water Watchers organized a blockade at a local Nestle water plant. Marches and petitions are also effective in smaller cities/rural areas. e.g. check out this march that took place in Guelph, ON targeting a local Nestle plant.
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: Flyers to print out Examples of chants, slogans A list of videos and documentaries Example letters to the editor, media advisories etc. Example petitions 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	E.g. Vire Au Vert made a video for distribution (which could be done in local facebook groups, for example) including the viewpoints on key issues from community members who have some local recognition. You might also include their quotes in written materials (E.g. flyers), or ask for support in holding more impactful actions (E.g. are their local artists who could provide music at your event?)
Get online!	Instagram, twitter, facebook, a website, a podcast. Use whatever feels most accessible for reaching people in the area.  Holding meetings online can be particularly accessible for rural organizing where people are spread out, and it can be difficult to come together in-person often. E.g. Mouvement Mare.
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	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. 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! “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.” 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. Most rural citizens are not farmers; they work in sectors such as education, healthcare, industry etc.
Use community care values-based framing	Rural voters believe rural communities look out for each other (particularly friends and family). This value, community care, should be central to campaigning efforts and messaging. (E.g. instead of critiquing what’s wrong in rural areas, point to what is right!)
Include rural values and concerns in your demands	Top issues for rural Americans include ; Wages increases  Prioritizing small, local businesses Incentivizing local construction, manufacturing and agriculture Investment in rural jobs Decreasing daily expenses such as the cost of health, child and elderly care Expanding access to affordable housing Increasing investment in transportation and connectivity (internet) Promoting safe rural communities Investing in rural education and arts Promoting outdoor recreation and the protection of the environment
Embrace local businesses and oppose corporate corruption	Rural people are looking for authentic leaders who understand their needs, which they feel aren’t being met by politicians. Leverage this! “Rural respondents demonstrated significant support for candidates who expressed anti-corporation and pro-small business sentiment.” (E.g. against monopolies of food system, tax incentives for corporations).
Use facebook and local news to amplify your campaigns	Use facebook to mobilize and share information. In the US, many rural citizens (and also many urban citizens) use Facebook as their primary news source because “users tend to read and share news from friends and family; those on the inside that they already trust.” Local media sources are more trustworthy to this group than national news. Facebook and local news stations are the top platforms to seek news for people in rural communities. Utilize this; reach out to your local news outlets to feature your actions and demands. Invest time in making local news connections.
Use yard/lawn signs	Asking supporters to add a sign to their lawn helps to create excitement and a sense of viability.  In communities where driving is necessary to get everywhere, signs can help to identify your supporters to engage them in future organizing opportunities.
Platform the right messengers	In rural America, the people most trusted include doctors and nurses, farmers and ranchers, local business people and teachers and educators.

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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