Building community power to protect your land, water, and health.
Local grassroots groups have always been at the heart of environmental and social change in coalfield communities. When neighbors come together to document impacts, speak up at hearings, or hold regulators accountable, real progress becomes possible. This guide will walk you step-by-step through creating a strong, sustainable local group that can make a real difference.
1. Start with a Shared Concern
Every advocacy group begins with a problem the community wants to solve- contaminated water, mine subsidence, air pollution, blasting impacts, a proposed mining permit, or a pattern of regulatory failures.
Ask your neighbors:
- What issues are affecting us right now?
- Who is being harmed?
- What do we want to change?
A single, clearly defined concern makes it easier to build momentum and attract people who care.
2. Bring Together a Core Team
You don’t need a big group to start. A committed core team of 3–6 people is enough to get things moving.
Try to include people with different strengths, such as:
- A communicator (good with outreach, social media, writing)
- A researcher (comfortable reading reports, permits, data)
- A coordinator (good at organizing meetings and keeping records)
- A community connector (well-known and trusted locally)
This small team will set goals, share responsibilities, and help the group grow.
3. Define Your Mission and Goals
Your mission should be clear, simple, and focused on what your community needs.
A mission statement might look like:
“To protect our community’s water and land by ensuring transparency, accountability, and responsible mining oversight.”
Then set specific, realistic goals, such as:
- Getting residents to submit comments on a proposed permit
- Documenting environmental or health impacts
- Pushing regulators to enforce reclamation requirements
- Educating neighbors about their rights under SMCRA
Goals help keep your group organized and motivated.
4. Hold Your First Community Meeting
Choose a location where people feel comfortable- a library, community center, church, fire hall, or even someone’s yard.
Meeting tips:
- Keep it to 60–90 minutes.
- Begin with a clear description of the issue.
- Give people space to share experiences.
- Offer simple next steps to get involved.
- Collect contact information.
A strong first meeting creates a sense of shared purpose and helps you understand community priorities.
5. Establish Communication Channels
People will stay involved when communication is consistent and easy.
Consider:
- A group email list
- A Facebook group or page
- A text alert list
- A monthly or quarterly newsletter
- A shared Google Drive for documents
Choose platforms that suit your community’s comfort level- don’t assume everyone uses social media.
6. Build Knowledge and Skills
An effective advocacy group understands the landscape- environmental impacts, legal rights, permitting processes, and the responsibilities of regulators.
You can:
- Invite guest speakers
- Use CCC’s resource guides
- Attend agency hearings or public meetings
- Offer trainings on documentation, commenting, or filing complaints
- Partner with regional organizations for technical support
Knowledge grows confidence- and confidence grows participation.
7. Organize Around Clear Actions
People join advocacy groups because they want to do something. Provide structured, meaningful actions, such as:
- Submitting public comments
- Attending hearings
- Collecting water or air observations
- Reporting violations
- Canvassing neighbors
- Meeting with local officials
- Sharing community stories with the media
Small wins help build momentum and credibility.
8. Build Strategic Alliances
You don’t have to do everything alone.
Consider partnerships with:
- Other local community groups
- Statewide environmental or public health organizations
- Legal advocacy groups
- University researchers
- National networks (e.g., Citizens Coal Council partners)
Allies can provide expertise, amplify your voice, and open doors to new resources.
9. Stay Organized and Sustainable
To keep the group healthy over the long term:
- Rotate responsibilities to prevent burnout.
- Create simple meeting agendas and notes.
- Celebrate successes, even small ones.
- Recruit new volunteers regularly.
- Plan for leadership transitions.
- Keep transparency high- people stay involved when they are informed.
A sustainable group is one that can weather conflict, frustration, or slow progress.
10. Know Your Rights and Use Them
Your group has the right to:
- Participate in public hearings
- Submit comments
- File complaints under SMCRA
- Request public records
- Document and report environmental damage
- Engage with regulators and demand accountability
Empowered communities shape stronger, safer coalfields.
11. Remember: Change Takes Time – but It Comes from Community Power
Every major environmental victory in coal country began with a handful of determined residents who refused to stay silent. When your neighbors stand together, you become a force that no agency or corporation can ignore.