Trainings

Understanding and Overcoming the Rural Urban Divide

In our most comprehensive workshop, we examine the five underlying causes of the rural urban divide over the past 40 years, and outline what progressive groups, candidates, and parties can do about it.

The objective is to defuse hostility and contempt, find mutual understanding and common ground, and build multi-racial working and middle-class solidarity between rural, suburban, and urban dwellers.

Our practical solutions are based on research by our own and other scholars as well as the personal experiences of rural progressive organizers.

2024 Election: What Happened, Where We Went Wrong, What to Do Now

Drawing upon a wide range of high quality surveys, research and analysis, this workshop illuminates both how and why a broad range of people, including but not limited to rural folks, continued to leave the Democratic Party, either voting Republican or choosing not to vote at all. 

Additionally, we discuss potential strategies for the next four years that go beyond “resistance” to a stronger and wider effort to broaden the base through policy, action and language.

Rekindling Community Engagement, Rebuilding Trust, Broadening Our Base

This workshop focused on RUBI’s Community Works Initiative and how it has successfully re-energized local Democrats, broadened the base of volunteers, and begun rebuilding trust with neighbors. 

Participants will learn how to start CWorks in their county, what the requirements are for it to succeed, and how to become part of the larger network of rural Democrats using concrete local action to rebuild local communities and overcome mistrust.

Talk Like a Neighbor: How to Listen, Respect and Communicate Across the Divide

Based on both considerable first-hand experience and extensive research into what works and what does not, this session lays out the basic “do’s” and “don’t’s” of communication in the countryside, from direct communication to messaging, platforms, social media and more.  The training usually involves participants in sharing, practicing and critiquing different messages.

The Rural New Deal: A Bottom-up Platform and Strategy for Rural Prosperity

Co-authored by RUBI and Progressive Democrats of America, the Rural New Deal provides a positive vision and roadmap for rural renewal, revitalization and resilience.  It was written by rural people, primarily those with extensive first-hand experience in rural development and community-based solutions to housing, health care and other challenges. 

The RND has been endorsed by Representative Ro Khanna, was included in two state party platforms in 2024, and is being utilized by a variety of candidates and campaigns.

What Works in Rural? Examples of Rural Innovations, Success Stories and the Policies that Support Them

Many people are unaware of the breadth of “bottom-up” initiatives in rural communities and small towns that have revitalized local economies, created new opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs or effectively addressed problems with housing, health care, addiction and more. 

This session spotlights a range of these success stories, their common elements, and what sorts of state and federal policies are needed to support and expand them.  We also discuss the importance of work and self-reliance in rural communities.

What Participants Have Said About Our Trainings

  • “The great value and many strengths of the RUBI training rest on two pillars. First, is a clear-eyed self-appraisal—constructive criticism—of shortcomings in how Democrats think about and communicate with rural voters. And second is a series of concrete, actionable steps for rural Dems to up their game.”

    – Skip Halpern, Chair of Page County (VA) Democrats

  • “Long overdue among progressives.”

    —Workshop Participant

  • “[RUBI’s] seminars are always enriching and accessible. [They do] a great job of explaining the Rural Urban Divide … and give the best advice for moving forward with a new deeper understanding, straight talk about race and class, and action on the ground.”

    —Stair Calhoun, Founder and Coordinator of Network NOVA

  • “An indispensable map to provide aid in navigating the urban-rural divide for both beginners and those more familiar with the territory.”

    — Kel BasAvraham, Appalachian Peace Education Center Board Member

  • "The RUBI training served as the motivational spark to get the county committees that were dormant and starving for direction active again. Because of RUBI the 13 committees in the district have had two follow up meetings to talk more about participating in activities in their communities, messaging, and data research. "

    – June Krise, Democratic chair in 9th Congressional District in Georgia

  • "Anthony gave our group of rural progressive activists an in-depth analysis of why rural voters abandoned the Democratic party. With that context, he then helped us center our messaging on our values that resonate in our communities, particularly on the importance of work and economic opportunity. It was very well received and we continue to look at RUBI as our guide for building back our electoral power in rural West Virginia. "

    – Diane Browning, founder of Blue Skies Ahead

  • "The training encouraged us to reflect on the common ground that we suburbanites share with more rural folk, in particular the many worries and aspirations for our families. I appreciated the reminder that people in farm communities also have serious concerns about the environment, though they are often expressed in different terms. "

    – Rebecca Craven Wills, PA Indivisible

  • "[The training] was incredible. It was relevant. It was powerful. It was just what we needed. And it was effective…you made all of us think, and commit to working differently."

    – Judy Carbone, Maryland Rural Communities Council

Visit Our Youtube Channel For Examples of RUBI’s Past Trainings

Please contact us at info@ruralurbanbridge.org if you would like to learn more or schedule a training.