Build numbers – if you have to!

You don’t have to involve everyone in every issue all the time. But for some issues, building a critical mass and getting as many people engaged as possible is essential.

Run events or campaigns where every member of the community can be involved and be seen to be involved. The Planning for Real exercise held in Tullyally in the 1990s (see case study) used a 3D model of the village, with a red dot used to mark each household which had participated. Because everyone could see who had voted and who had not, turnout reached 95%!