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
Listen carefully and develop a strong, clear narrative |
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Seek Indigenous Perspectives |
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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. Google workspace is a "familiar standby for collaborative work." It can be linked to slack. 3. 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. |
Leverage and build connections | Your personal address book is useful for organizing. "Don't be afraid to ask friends and relatives for help. Your contacts have contacts; you will be amazed at how far your request will go!"
For example... The Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Alliance for a Liveable Ontario
For example... Farmtario
For example... Canadian Environmental Law Association Ontario Yours to Protect
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Create bulletin and leaflet networks |
Design your announcements so that they do not require too much printer ink. Consider that some members of your network will only have a black-and-white printer. These members should colour in a few elements of the poster to call attention to your message. Libraries will often take multiple copies of an announcement, sending them out to be posted at the smaller branches. They may also partner in an event." '
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Start an events calendar |
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Use elections to gather support |
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Build a media list |
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Build an online presence |
"Try to involve your newsletter readers in what you publish. 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." '
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Advice from Pierre Avignon
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 |
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! |
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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:
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 | |
Get online! | |
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 |
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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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Use yard/lawn signs [11] |
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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://ruralorganizing.org/blog/organizer-toolkit-leveraging-yard-signs-rural-communities
- ↑ https://actionnetwork.org/forms/running-campaigns-in-small-towns-and-rural-communities