community DEMOCRACY resource library and river
levers you can pull for change
Already Have an Idea?
Not sure where to start?
Check out our Resource Library to find more information, tools, templates around common community goals.
Start with the “Choose Your Own Adventure” River to find legal, policy, and organizing levers you can pull!
Why a River? Imagine you are standing in front of a river, you want to get across, but there are large rapids in front of you.
You throw a stone in the water in front of you. The rock doesn’t do much to change the rapids. Now walk upriver and throw the same stone in - that stone is going to change the way the river flows forever and could make the rapids downriver less intense so that you can cross.
The same is with community change. When decisions have already been made about the issues you care about - when you are downriver - you are doing a lot of work but it’s really hard to change the situation. But walking upriver - making changes before decisions are made - can lead to long, systemic, and proactive changes that can positively impact your community forever.
Looking for Support?
Tell us how we can help.
