How do we mobilize in rural communities/small cities?: Difference between revisions
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== Narrative and messaging == | == Narrative and messaging == | ||
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| style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 23px;" | '''Listen to and learn from locals''' | | style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 23px;" | '''Listen to and learn from locals''' | ||
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*''"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. For example... | |||
*''Subscribe to farm magazines, and learn a little about farm concerns." '' | <div class="page" title="Page 3"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><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] -Sharon Collingwood, [https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub]</p> | ||
You might even be able to find articles written by people in your area who may be interested in your issue. | *''"'''Find out what rural residents are concerned about''' before coming in with your message." ''Your narrative should resonate with rural residents. -Sharon Collingwood, [https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub] | ||
*'''Survey people on their needs and concerns'''. E.g. [https://sites.google.com/view/alma-en-transition/le-d%C3%A9fi-des-citoyens Alma en Transition] used a google form to compile results on top issues. -Member of [https://reseaudemainlequebec.org/ Reseau Demain le QC] | |||
<div class="page" title="Page 3"><div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><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] -Sharon Collingwood | *<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" >'''For example, top issues for rural Americans''' (according to research from [https://ruralorganizing.org/ ruralorganizing.org]) include''' <ref>https://actionnetwork.org/forms/running-campaigns-in-small-towns-and-rural-communities</ref> :'''</span></p> | ||
*''"Find out what rural residents are concerned about before coming in with your message." ''Your narrative should resonate with rural residents. -Sharon Collingwood | |||
*Survey people on their needs and concerns. E.g. [https://sites.google.com/view/alma-en-transition/le-d%C3%A9fi-des-citoyens Alma en Transition] used a google form to compile results on top issues. -Member of [https://reseaudemainlequebec.org/ Reseau Demain le QC] | |||
*<p><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" > | |||
**<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" >Wages increases </span> | **<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" >Wages increases </span> | ||
**<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" >Prioritizing small, local businesses</span> | **<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" >Prioritizing small, local businesses</span> | ||
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| style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 111px;" | '''Craft a narrative and image that suits the needs of locals''' | | style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 111px;" | '''Craft a narrative and image that suits the needs of locals/your target audience''' | ||
| style="width: 80.3024%; height: 111px;" | *''"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." ''-Sharon Collingwood ([https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub]) | | style="width: 80.3024%; height: 111px;" | | ||
*''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]). -Sharon Collingwood ([https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub]) | *''"Using a public narrative that is centred around your desired audience is also very useful for figuratively meeting your audience where they are at. This includes '''telling stories and using language and phrases they connect with'''." ''Using the example of organizing around affordable housing, if research shows that moms are a likely audience to become supporters,'' "sharing a personal story about your connection to needing affordable housing for you and your children or when you were a child, and centring the experience of a mother in the story will make it easier to connect with the audience through shared experience and emotion. Using language the audience of moms use in the small community and connecting the narrative to current community narratives will make you and your experience relatable to this audience." -''Montana Burgess, [https://neighboursunited.org/ Neighbours United]'''' | ||
|- style="height: 78px;" | *''"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." ''-Sharon Collingwood ([https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub]) | ||
*''"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]). -Sharon Collingwood ([https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub])<br> | |||
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| style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 78px;" | '''Leverage key community members/people who are trusted''' | | style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 78px;" | '''Leverage key community members/people who are trusted''' | ||
| style="width: 80.3024%; height: 78px;" | <li>E.g. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNCyR8WlDwo 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) -Member of | | style="width: 80.3024%; height: 78px;" | <li>E.g. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNCyR8WlDwo 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) -Member of [https://reseaudemainlequebec.org/ Reseau Demain le QC]</li> | ||
*According to research by [https://ruralorganizing.org/ Ruralorganizing.org] 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> ''' | *According to research by [https://ruralorganizing.org/ Ruralorganizing.org] 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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'''Address stereotypes and tailor messaging''' | '''Address stereotypes and tailor messaging''' | ||
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The following insight comes from | The following insight comes from [https://ruralorganizing.org/ ruralorganizing.org ] based in the so-called US: | ||
*A high majority of rural voters in the US''' believe “the government mostly reflects the will of the rich and influential.”''' ; 87% from polling data in the US and 69% agree | *A high majority of rural voters in the US''' believe ''“the government mostly reflects the will of the rich and influential.”''''' ; 87% from polling data in the US and 69% agree the current 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.” 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.'''”'' 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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The following insight comes from | The following insight comes from [https://ruralorganizing.org/ ruralorganizing.org ] based in the so-called US: | ||
*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'''. (E.g. 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'''. (E.g. instead of critiquing what’s wrong in rural areas, point to what is right!) | ||
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| style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 28px;" | '''Embrace local businesses and oppose corporate corruption ''' | | style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 28px;" | '''Embrace local businesses and oppose corporate corruption ''' | ||
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*Rural people are looking for authentic leaders who understand their needs, which they feel aren’t being met by politicians. Leverage this! -[https://ruralorganizing.org/ Ruralorganizing.org]''' <ref>https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement</ref> '''''' ''' | *Rural people are looking for authentic leaders who understand their needs, which they feel aren’t being met by politicians. Leverage this! -[https://ruralorganizing.org/ Ruralorganizing.org]''' <ref>https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement</ref> '''''' ''' | ||
**<p>According to surveys conducted by [https://ruralorganizing.org/ ruralorganizing.org]'', ''''“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). | **<p>According to surveys conducted by [https://ruralorganizing.org/ ruralorganizing.org]'', ''''“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). <ref>https://actionnetwork.org/forms/running-campaigns-in-small-towns-and-rural-communities</ref> ''''''</p> | ||
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Revision as of 18:30, 7 March 2023
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. The following responds to a request asking for tips on organizing outside larger urban environments, compiling input 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.
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
Building connections
Meet people where they're at |
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Talk to family, friends and people you know |
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Build a media list |
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Build networks and coalitions with other groups |
Alliance for a Liveable Ontario" -Sharon Collingwood, Perth Sustainability Hub
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Seek Indigenous Perspectives
Above: Protest, Western University, December 2022. Credit: S. Collingwood |
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Contact local businesses |
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Connect with local politicians |
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Turn to National organizations for support |
Canadian Environmental Law Association Ontario Yours to ProtectOntario Nature Ecojustice Environmental Defence -Sharon Collingwood, Perth Sustainability Hub
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Encourage those involved! |
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Try door knocking |
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Socialize and get to know others! |
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Narrative and messaging
Listen to and learn from locals |
Farmtario
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Craft a narrative and image that suits the needs of locals/your target audience |
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Leverage key community members/people who are trusted |
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Address stereotypes and tailor messaging |
The following insight comes from ruralorganizing.org based in the so-called US:
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Use community care values-based framing [8] |
The following insight comes from ruralorganizing.org based in the so-called US:
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Embrace local businesses and oppose corporate corruption |
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Online presence
Hold hybrid/virtual meetings | *"The organization of virtual meetings also helps to promote involvement, especially because public transportation is sometimes non-existent or difficult to access." (Translated from French) -Pierre Avignon (Organizer against pig farming in rural Quebec)
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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) |
Keep a shared drive to distribute and access resources | |
Create an email list |
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Create social media accounts |
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Create an events calendar | *"What will be going on in your area over the next year that you can participate in?" Plan for events in advance, and "be sure that your calendar can be easily accessed by all members of your group. A Google calendar works well for this." After events, "don’t forget to take notes for next year - contacts, emails, telephone numbers and reminders of what was needed for the event. '-Sharon Collingwood (Perth Sustainability Hub) |
Develop affinity groups online to cover large areas | *"The use of digital technology makes it possible to cover sometimes very large geographical areas. As for all mobilizations, the creation of affinity groups on social networks becomes a very useful virtual rallying space that must be maintained and fed regularly." (Translated from French) -Pierre Avignon (Organizer against pig farming in rural Quebec) |
Tactics and strategy
Get creative! Above: Chalktivist event, Stratford Ontario. Credit: S. Collingwood | "Art shows, speeches, parades, dinners, bicycle safaris, picnics, festivals, silent auctions, free concerts." Use your imagination, e.g. "a popup barbershop quartet or rap contest with comic protest songs. A chalktivism event held at the same time as a hopscotch tournament. A puppet making workshop showcasing the use of recycled material, followed by a parade." -Sharon Collingwood (Perth Sustainability Hub)
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Set SMART goals and expectations | "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."''' (Translated from French) '-Pierre Avignon (Organizer against pig farming in rural Quebec)
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Hold marches, rallies and blockades |
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Promote positive changes you see in the community |
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Host booths at local events | |
Get involved in local politics | It is "essential to identify the different places of power, involvement and information dissemination. While municipal politics in the region may not be attractive to many, the public meetings of municipal councils that take place on a fixed date each month are important places to understand and influence local issues. This space is also a place for citizen engagement that should be utilized." (Translated from French) -Pierre Avignon (Organizer against pig farming in rural Quebec)
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Create subcommittees | |
Create bulletin and leaflet networks
Above: "Mailbox" by REM Photo Off & On is licensed under CC BY 2.0. |
"Create a bulletin board network. Are there cafes, businesses, libraries, grocery stores, churches, sporting facilities, long-term care residences, or other locations that would allow you to post on their bulletin board? Make a list of the boards you find, then divide the list up geographically among volunteers, so that no volunteer has too many bulletin boards to cover. Announcements can be sent out by email, printed off, and posted quickly.
"A leaflet network asks volunteers to print off a message from their email and distribute in a defined area. For example, volunteers could drop off a few leaflets on their rural route on the way to the grocery store. The message should be carefully designed in order not to waste paper or ink. For example, you might think of printing announcements two to a page. It’s important not to overwork volunteers." -Sharon Collingwood (Perth Sustainability Hub)
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Plan events that are easy to engage in for new volunteers | *"Help volunteers overcome their shyness with actions that are easy to engage in such as "a 'phone canvass party’ where volunteers get together and make calls over tea & coffee. This should be a pleasant social experience. You could have a script made up in advance, and maybe do a few rehearsals together. There are many tools to help you in this, like this one." -Sharon Collingwood (Perth Sustainability Hub)
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Offer public shows of support |
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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.
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://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://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