How do we mobilize in rural communities/small cities?: Difference between revisions
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== Tactics and strategy == | == Tactics and strategy == | ||
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| style="width: 18.696%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 28px;" | '''Get creative!'''[[File:43725cce-f5c6-4600-9f94-267f7b6e5ad8.jpeg|200x200px|center|border]]Above: Chalktivist event, Stratford Ontario. Credit: S. Collingwood | | style="width: 18.696%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 28px;" | '''Get creative!'''[[File:43725cce-f5c6-4600-9f94-267f7b6e5ad8.jpeg|200x200px|center|border]]Above: Chalktivist event, Stratford Ontario. Credit: S. Collingwood | ||
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"''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, [https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub] | *"''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, [https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub] | ||
*Ask for support in holding more impactful actions (E.g. are their local artists who could provide music at your event?) -Member of [https://reseaudemainlequebec.org/ Reseau Demain le QC] | *Ask for support in holding more impactful actions (E.g. are their local artists who could provide music at your event?) -Member of [https://reseaudemainlequebec.org/ Reseau Demain le QC] | ||
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| style="width: 18.696%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 87px;" | '''Hold marches, rallies and blockades''' | | style="width: 18.696%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 87px;" | '''Hold marches, rallies and blockades''' | ||
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*[https://www.facebook.com/MeresAuFrontRouynNoranda Mothers at the Rouyn-Noranda front and their allies] organized a train blockade. -Member of [https://reseaudemainlequebec.org/ Reseau Demain le QC] | *[https://www.facebook.com/MeresAuFrontRouynNoranda Mothers at the Rouyn-Noranda front and their allies] organized a train blockade. -Member of [https://reseaudemainlequebec.org/ Reseau Demain le QC] | ||
*Marches and rallies are also effective in smaller cities/rural areas. E.g. check out [https://www.instagram.com/p/CUV5VBApsZz/ this march and blockade that took place in Guelph, ON ] targeting a local Nestle plant. | |||
*Marches and rallies are also effective in smaller cities/rural areas. | |||
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| style="width: 18.696%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 51px;" | '''Get involved in local politics''' | | style="width: 18.696%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 51px;" | '''Get involved in local politics''' | ||
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*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) <span>-Pierre Avignon, Organizer against pig farming in rural Quebec</span> | *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) <span>-Pierre Avignon, Organizer against pig farming in rural Quebec</span> | ||
*"''Each'' ''set of towns is overseen by another institution: the '''regional county municipality '''(RCM), bringing together the mayors and having teams of employees more important than many small villages, it is important to be interested in them.''" (Translated from French) <span style="font-size: 14.4px;" >-Pierre Avignon, Organizer against pig farming in rural Quebec</span><span style="font-size: 14.4px;" ></span> | *"''Each'' ''set of towns is overseen by another institution: the '''regional county municipality '''(RCM), bringing together the mayors and having teams of employees more important than many small villages, it is important to be interested in them.''" (Translated from French) <span style="font-size: 14.4px;" >-Pierre Avignon, Organizer against pig farming in rural Quebec</span><span style="font-size: 14.4px;" ></span> | ||
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*[https://sites.google.com/view/alma-en-transition/formulaire-de-suivi-des-questions-citoyennes-au-conseil-municipal-dalma Alma en Transition] uses a google form to compile responses to questions raised on key issues in municipal assemblies and at electoral debates. -Member of [https://reseaudemainlequebec.org/ Reseau Demain le QC] | *[https://sites.google.com/view/alma-en-transition/formulaire-de-suivi-des-questions-citoyennes-au-conseil-municipal-dalma Alma en Transition] uses a google form to compile responses to questions raised on key issues in municipal assemblies and at electoral debates. -Member of [https://reseaudemainlequebec.org/ Reseau Demain le QC] | ||
*<span id="_end">'''Provide well researched, clearly written information on candidates''' and how to register to vote in a simple format.</span> ''"A 'get out the vote' campaign should be planned well in advance." ''''-''Sharon Collingwood, [https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub] | *<span id="_end">'''Provide well researched, clearly written information on candidates''' and how to register to vote in a simple format.</span> ''"A 'get out the vote' campaign should be planned well in advance." ''''-''Sharon Collingwood, [https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub] | ||
*<div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p>''"Send letters to candidates asking them for their support on a clearly-defined position or issue. Include a card that identifies your organization. If they support you, have the candidate take a picture of themselves holding your poster. You can then publish candidate pictures in your own campaign. Later, you will be able to remind the winning candidate of their promise." ''-Sharon Collingwood, [https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub]</p> | *<div class="section"><div class="layoutArea"><div class="column"><p>''"Send letters to candidates asking them for their support on a clearly-defined position or issue. Include a card that identifies your organization. If they support you, have the candidate take a picture of themselves holding your poster. You can then publish candidate pictures in your own campaign. Later, you will be able to remind the winning candidate of their promise." ''-Sharon Collingwood, [https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub]</p></div></div></div> | ||
*"''In the case of these public institutions, whatever the cause, demands to multiply consultation spaces and transparency practices must be claimed upstream. It is indeed thanks to such practices that citizens will have access to the information necessary for the debate as well as to spaces to present their opinion. We must not forget to call on the local media before such events are held." ''(Translated from French) <span style="font-size: 14.4px;" >-Pierre Avignon, Organizer against pig farming in rural Quebec</span><br> | |||
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| style="width: 18.696%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 111px;" | '''Promote positive changes you see in the community''' | | style="width: 18.696%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 111px;" | '''Promote positive changes you see in the community''' | ||
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*'''Organize both around what needs to be replaced, and what our systems will be replaced with!''' E.g. see [https://mouvementmare.org/rencontres-du-mare/ Mouvement Mare's] agenda. -Member of [https://reseaudemainlequebec.org/ Reseau Demain le QC] | *'''Organize both around what needs to be replaced, and what our systems will be replaced with!''' E.g. see [https://mouvementmare.org/rencontres-du-mare/ Mouvement Mare's] agenda. -Member of [https://reseaudemainlequebec.org/ Reseau Demain le QC] | ||
<li>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! -Member of [https://reseaudemainlequebec.org/ Reseau Demain le QC]<br></li> | <li>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! -Member of [https://reseaudemainlequebec.org/ Reseau Demain le QC]<br></li> | ||
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| style="width: 18.696%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 51px;" | '''Create subcommittees''' | | style="width: 18.696%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 51px;" | '''Create subcommittees''' | ||
| style="width: 81.304%; height: 51px;" | <li>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 -Member of [https://reseaudemainlequebec.org/ Reseau Demain le QC]</li> | | style="width: 81.304%; height: 51px;" | <li>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 -Member of [https://reseaudemainlequebec.org/ Reseau Demain le QC]</li> | ||
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| style="width: 18.696%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 176px;" | '''Plan events that are easy to engage in for new volunteers''' | | style="width: 18.696%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 176px;" | '''Plan events that are easy to engage in for new volunteers''' | ||
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*"''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, ''[https://act.newmode.net/action/wellington-water-watchers/keep-greenbelt-promise-call-your-mpp like this one.]''" | *"''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, ''[https://act.newmode.net/action/wellington-water-watchers/keep-greenbelt-promise-call-your-mpp like this one.]''" -Sharon Collingwood ([https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub])'' | ||
*<span>" | *<span>"<strong style="font-style: italic;">A letter writing party</strong>'' can work in the same way. A hand-written letter to local officials will stand out, but email is also effective. If volunteers bring electronic devices you can get a great deal done in a short time. Have a few model letters prepared in advance, and help each other. You can also send out a mailing with links to letter-writing tools ''[https://davidsuzuki.org/action/stop-highway-413/ like this one]<em>.
" </em></span>''-''Sharon Collingwood, [https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub] | ||
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Unsure of what to campaign around in your small city/rural area? Check out this list of ideas from [https://tous-complices.com/outils/ Tool Complices Pour Notre Communaute]. You might also draw ideas from [https://mouvementmare.org/nos-campagnes-daction/?lang=en Mouvement Mare's campaigns], which range in focus from local community-specific to National issues. | Unsure of what to campaign around in your small city/rural area? Check out this list of ideas from [https://tous-complices.com/outils/ Tool Complices Pour Notre Communaute]. You might also draw ideas from [https://mouvementmare.org/nos-campagnes-daction/?lang=en Mouvement Mare's campaigns], which range in focus from local community-specific to National issues. |
Revision as of 22:49, 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
"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. While it is true that the often younger, university-educated population of cities has a large number of committed people, this must be put into perspective. For example, a demonstration of 1,000 people in Montreal, which has 2 million inhabitants, is the equivalent (proportionately) of a march of 50 people in an entire region like the Gaspé, which has less than 100,000 inhabitants. It is therefore necessary to begin by readjusting the mobilization objectives according to the population density in presence." (Translated from French) -Pierre Avignon, organizer against pig farming in rural Quebec
Building connections and outreach
1. Meet people where they're at |
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2. Talk to family, friends and people you know |
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3. Build a media list |
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4. Build networks and coalitions with other groups |
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5. Seek Indigenous Perspectives
Above: Protest, Western University, December 2022. Credit: S. Collingwood |
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6. Contact local businesses |
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7. Connect with local politicians |
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8. 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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9. Consider event and meeting access |
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10. Offer public shows of support |
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11. Encourage those involved! |
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12. Try door knocking |
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13. Host booths at local events |
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14. Create bulletin and leaflet networks
Above: "Mailbox" by REM Photo Off & On is licensed under CC BY 2.0. |
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15. 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 [9] |
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 |
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Hold marches, rallies and blockades |
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Get involved in local politics |
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Promote positive changes you see in the community |
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Create subcommittees | |
Plan events that are easy to engage in for new volunteers |
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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://ruralorganizing.org/blog/organizer-toolkit-leveraging-yard-signs-rural-communities
- ↑ 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