Community as Strategy: 10 Ways to create belonging and power where you live
Download a free zine below
Why this zine, and why free?
I believe organizing together is our best hope for building resilience, resisting fascism, and creating a better world. But working together isn’t always easy.
This zine contains some of the most effective ways I’ve found to help make groups more connected, equitable, and effective, whether you’re just starting out or have worked together for years.
👉 Print it * Share the PDF * Leave copies in your community *
It’s FREE and in the Creative Commons.
Inside the zine
Simple ways to run meetings people actually want to attend
Tools to make sure every voice is heard
Ways to share leadership (without burnout)
Practices that build trust and real connection.
Digital version to download.
Print version to download.
Print version in Black & White to download
Samples from “Community as Strategy”
The RESOURCE SECTION from “Community as Strategy” can be found at this link.
What is the story of this zine?
The ideas for “Community as Strategy” come out of decades of work in activist groups, nonprofits, a cohousing community, a training collective, and media—including co-founding YES! Magazine, which is marking its 30th anniversary this year. You can read my story here.
I’m proud of the work we did together — but I also experienced the struggles that too often set back our work, and cause exhaustion and burn out.
Self-care alone can’t solve burnout. What we need is community care, and this zine has some simple techniques you can use right now.
Questions or thoughts? Leave a comment below, or email me at howwerise@substack.com.
Nice work, Sarah. I appreciate the wager you make about where change really comes from. Your new zine suggests that the deepest work of social transformation happens in how we show up with one another. By sharing these tools you’re extending an invitation: 'try these patterns where you live, with the people you already have, and see what new forms of power and care become possible.' Thank you.
Sarah, as always, your brilliant and generous being shines through these hazy days. Grateful for your contributions to our communities.