Why Strong Towns Won’t Cave to Election Year Pressures
Nov 15, 2024
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Delve into the challenges faced by nonprofits during election years. Discover how political noise can distract from mission-driven goals, especially during a book tour. Learn about the impact of divisive rhetoric on community engagement and membership growth. This discussion showcases resilience in navigating political pressures while maintaining a nonpartisan approach. It's a thought-provoking exploration of how to stay true to core values amidst a turbulent political landscape.
Election years disrupt membership growth in nonprofits, leading to decreased engagement as partisan activities overshadow broader missions.
Organizations must choose between quick financial gains from divisive rhetoric or long-term sustainability through fostering civil dialogue and community engagement.
Deep dives
Impact of Elections on Membership Growth
Elections significantly affect membership dynamics within nonprofit organizations, particularly during election years. Historical data suggests that membership growth typically experiences a boost of around 20% annually, but this trend shifts dramatically in election years. For example, the year prior showed substantial membership increases until a notable decline occurred in June, coinciding with political debates. This indicates that partisan activities can divert potential supporters' attention away from broader organizational missions, leading to reduced membership engagement during politically charged times.
The Role of Rhetoric in Political and Organizational Strategies
The pervasive use of extreme and violent rhetoric in political discourse has been shown to escalate during election cycles. An analysis revealed that the current levels of divisive language are now higher than during previous election years, creating a challenging environment for organizations striving for unity. This trend is further exacerbated by social media algorithms that promote sensational content, making it more challenging for organizations that avoid divisive language to gain visibility. As a result, organizations face a conscious decision between increasing revenue through engagement in partisan rhetoric or maintaining a commitment to civil dialogue and inclusive conversations.
Long-Term Strategy Over Short-Term Gains
Nonprofits are often faced with the dilemma of prioritizing immediate financial gains or adhering to their foundational mission. Choosing the latter involves fostering long-term partnerships and fostering civil discussions rather than capitulating to the pressures of political polarization. While quick revenue boosts through extreme messaging may seem appealing, the focus instead is on building a sustainable grassroots movement. This commitment to a bottom-up approach embodies a strategy that seeks to effect change over time, demonstrating that real growth comes from engaging communities and enacting positive changes at the local level.
It’s Member Week here at Strong Towns. As a special treat, we’re publishing three new episodes of the Strong Towns Podcast. In this episode,Chuck explains how election years affect a nonpartisan nonprofit like Strong Towns. It’s kind of ugly, but it doesn't change our mission.