Community Organizing

Key Steps for Conducting Community Outreach

WHO
Build a diverse team that will be a bridge between your cause and the people you are trying to connect with.

• Community outreach is a team effort and requires a wide range of skills and abilities including good people skills, organizational skills, communication skills and more.
• Get input and ideas from everyone on your team.
WHAT
Community outreach means connecting with people.

• Community outreach can take many forms such as door-to-door canvassing, hosting an event, raising awareness about an issue using social media, conducting a phone survey, just chatting with someone over coffee and more.
HOW
• Define your goals – Be clear on what you or your group want to achieve. A focused goal makes your message stronger.
• Know your audience – Identify who you want to reach and the best ways to engage them (e.g., flyers, social media, door-to-door, community meetings). Consider language, past experiences, and levels of trust.
• Respect the community – Connect with local leaders, listen first, and avoid imposing your agenda. Use the process to build relationships.
• Meet people where they are – Show up in the spaces where community members gather and connect in ways that feel natural to them.
• Build allies and partners – Look for shared interests and common goals to strengthen your efforts.
• Execute together – Involve community members directly in outreach, whether as volunteers, paid workers, or partners from local groups and faith organizations.
• Learn and improve – Track what works and what doesn’t. Keep good notes, map neighbourhood dynamics, and maintain contact lists.
• Practice your message – Prepare a clear, tailored “elevator pitch.” Use plain, everyday language when speaking informally.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH DO'S AND DONT'S

DO:
• Listen more and talk less.
• Build trust and rapport.
• Be persistent and stay optimistic. It takes time to engage people.
• Work in a way that makes you feel safe. If you feel threatened or uncomfortable with a situation it’s better to move on. If you meet an angry community member, try to defuse the situation and move on.
DON'T:
• Demand or force community members to listen to you. Not everyone is open to listening and that’s okay.
• Expect to reach your goals in one event or outing.

Community Partners

  • Social Planning Toronto

    Social Planning Toronto is a non-profit, charitable community organization that works to improve equity, social justice and quality of life in Toronto through community capacity building, community education and advocacy, policy research and analysis, and social reporting.

  • Scarborough Environmental Association

    Scarborough Environmental Association (SEA) is a grassroots organization of local residents that engage in neighbourhood advocacy through community service.
    SEA's goal is to make Toronto's largest borough a kinder, greener place.

  • West Rouge Community Association

    Established in 1983, the West Rouge Community Association protects the natural beauty of West Rouge, ensuring responsible growth and development. They support the community, local organizations, events, youth groups, and social causes. They foster partnerships and create opportunities to engage all residents in the diverse West Rouge community.

  • TTC Riders

    TTCriders is a grassroots transit advocacy organization that empowers riders to take collective action for better public transit in Toronto. Their campaigns focus on achieving affordable fares, frequent service, and stable transit funding to ensure equitable, climate-friendly mobility for all.

  • Scarborough United Neighbourhoods

    SUN is a resident-led policy group that advocates for responsive governance in Scarborough. They work to strengthen civic participation by engaging community associations and government stakeholders in meaningful dialogue.

  • Scarborough Community Renewal Organization

    Working collaboratively, through inspired action and learning, SCRO is a multi-stakeholder group of community volunteers seeking to Renew Scarborough by advocating for economic development, better suburban planning, enhanced natural environment, social development and health promotion, arts and culture. We have seven committees working hard for a better Scarborough.

  • BGC East Scarborough

    BGC East Scarborough, has a vision to help children, youth, and families discover their dreams and grow into healthy, engaged, and successful members of society. BGC is a trusted partner in the community, providing safe and supportive spaces where people can access opportunities, overcome barriers, and build strong relationships and life skills. Guided by core values of inclusion, respect, empowerment, collaboration, and advocacy, they work alongside families, volunteers, and partners to create a vibrant, resilient community where every voice is heard and every individual can thrive.

  • Malvern Family Resource Centre

    Malvern Family Resource Centre is an essential and trusted Community Hub. MFRC connects, engages, and take collaborative action in supporting our communities to thrive. MFRC uses public spaces, and deep and authentic connections, to bring people together. Each year, MFRC provides impactful, holistic, and highly accessible programs and services to several thousand children, youth, families, women, newcomers, and seniors.

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Holding a Community Event

WHAT

A community meeting or event is a way to bring people together around a particular topic, interest or goal.
Typically, community events are more celebratory in nature and aren’t as formal.

WHO

Be inclusive and reach out to community leaders, groups and organizations when organizing a meeting or event!

Putting together a community meeting and event is a community-building exercise in itself. Make the organizing process fun, inclusive and work to accommodate the needs of everyone.

HOW

• Start early — plan at least a month ahead for meetings, and several months for larger events.
• Form a team — if possible, create a committee to share responsibilities.
• Set logistics — confirm date, time, and location (with permits/backups if needed).
• Define your goal — be clear about the purpose of the meeting or event.
• Make a plan — draft an agenda for meetings or a program outline for events. Invite speakers and design content that fits your audience.
• Budget wisely — know your resources, seek grants or partners if needed.
• Do outreach — use flyers, social media, and translations to reach your audience.
• Run the event — follow the plan, stay on time, and take photos (with consent) for future sharing.
• Debrief — reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and celebrate your success.

COMMUNITY EVENT DO'S AND DONT'S

DO:
• Plan early and make a checklist of everything that needs to get done.
• Make the meeting or event inclusive and welcoming for all community members.
• Enable community members to interact and be part of the event in an active way (sharing ideas, chatting with other people, etc).
DON'T:
• Stick to your plan too rigidly. For example, if community members get excited about a topic on the agenda, adjust your plans and allot more time for that agenda items.
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