How do we mobilize in rural communities/small cities?: Difference between revisions
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== Online presence == | == Online presence == | ||
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| style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 103px;" | '''Hold hybrid/virtual meetings''' | | style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 103px;" | '''Hold hybrid/virtual meetings''' | ||
| style="width: 80.3024%; height: 103px;" | *<span style="font-size: 14.4px;" >''"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 | | style="width: 80.3024%; height: 103px;" | | ||
*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. [https://mouvementmare.org/rencontres-du-mare/ Mouvement Mare]. -Member of | *<span style="font-size: 14.4px;">''"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</span> | ||
|- style="height: 97px;" | *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. [https://mouvementmare.org/rencontres-du-mare/ Mouvement Mare]. -Member of [https://reseaudemainlequebec.org/ Reseau Demain le QC] | ||
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| style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 97px;" | '''Use online organizing tools''' | | 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. | ''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."'' | *''"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. | *Create a channel for easy sharing of links, and for gathering photos of events. ''-''Sharon Collingwood, [https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub] | ||
2. | 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, [https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub] | ||
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| style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: | | style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: rgb(153, 225, 217); height: 28px;" | '''Keep a shared drive to distribute and access resources''' | ||
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*'''Google workspace''' is a'' "familiar standby for collaborative work."'' It can be linked to slack. ''-''Sharon Collingwood, [https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub] | |||
*A shared drive could include, for example: Flyers to print out, examples of chants, slogans, a list of videos and documentaries, example letters to the editor, media advisories, example petitions, action photos etc. You might also consider using a google form for folks to fill out and compile everyone's available skills and interests, or to use as a contact list. -Member of [https://reseaudemainlequebec.org/ Reseau Demain le QC] | |||
*'''Create a shareable event 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." ''A<span id="_end">fter events, ''"''</span>''<span>don’t forget to take notes for next year - contacts, emails, telephone numbers and reminders of what was needed for the event." </span>''''-''Sharon Collingwood, [https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub] | |||
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| style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 199px;" | '''Use social media''' | |||
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*Social media accounts help with community building,'' "particularly since broadband access is increasing in so many rural communities. Be sure to set up some rules about appropriate content, and find an easy way to share links and other material to your social media group (e.g. slack). Follow like-minded groups and individuals, share their posts, and comment. '''Create online community'''." -''Sharon Collingwood, [https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub] | |||
|- style="height: 199px;" | *<span style="font-size: 14.4px;">''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</span><br> | ||
| style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: #99e1d9; height: 199px;" | ''' | *Instagram, twitter, facebook, a website, a podcast. Use whatever feels most accessible for reaching people in the area. -Member of [https://reseaudemainlequebec.org/ Reseau Demain le QC] | ||
| style="width: 80.3024%; height: 199px;" | | *US data suggests 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.”'' -[https://ruralorganizing.org/ Ruralorganizing.org] <ref>'''https://ruralorganizing.org/blog/resource-progressive-strategies-rural-engagement'''</ref> | ||
*Social media accounts | *Everyone in your group should be ready to '''send in their photos and videos after an action''' as soon as possible.'' -''Sharon Collingwood,[https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub] | ||
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< | | style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: rgb(153, 225, 217); height: 232px;" | '''Create an email list''' | ||
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|- style="height: | *Consider purchasing a domain name for email (around $25 yearly). "''This will allow you more consistent branding of your messaging" ''(contact@yourorganization.ca, name@yourorganization.ca etc.). ''A domain name is also useful in setting up newsletter software." -''Sharon Collingwood, [https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub] | ||
| style="width: 19.6976%; background-color: | *<em>"Mass messaging sent out by email is often caught in spam filters, particularly if links, photos and files are included. This is why mass mailing programs like MailChimp are so popular. Many are free, with some sending limitations. Most programs are easy to learn, and allow people to self-subscribe (a good way to pick up new members). NOTE: These programs will not work well when senders use free email services like Gmail. -Sharon Collingwood, [https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub]</em> | ||
| style="width: 80.3024%; height: | *<em><span>For email newsletters, try to involve readers in what you publish.</span><span> ''"'''Report on local news stories and upcoming events that connect with your issue''', '''and include pictures of local people and landmarks.''' Quote the opinions of locals, even if they don’t always agree with you. Make sure your newsletter is useful to your community." ''</span></em><span><span>-</span></span><span>Sharon Collingwood, [https://perthcountysustainability.ca/ Perth Sustainability Hub]</span> | ||
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Revision as of 23:05, 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 |
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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 |
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Use social media |
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Create an email list |
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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 |
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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