Hundreds of communities have fought to protect their community from Wal-Mart and won. There isn't one simple way or easy answer. The key is to use every tactic that will help you win. Remember, this list of tactics is by no means exhaustive, but it will hopefully provide you with a blueprint of actions to take when planning and executing your community fight against Wal-Mart.

Here is a list of tactics that you should consider in your community fight

1. Act Fast & First
2. Reach Out to Allies
3. Expose Wal-Mart’s Allies
4. Lobby Your Local Leaders
5. Understand Your Community

1. ACT FAST & FIRST

When you are dealing with a company like Wal-Mart, the general rule is that you have to act fast and first. It is important to reach out to citizens and civic leaders who would be concerned about the development of a new Wal-Mart in their community even if there isn’t a proposed Wal-Mart yet. Remember, Wal-Mart wants to be in every town and community in America. Building anti-Wal-Mart support, before a Wal-Mart is even proposed, can be a powerful way to mobilize support and deter a Wal-Mart from even considering your community. So here is what you can do:

1. Put together your community group as soon as possible.

   In America’s campaign to change Wal-Mart, change begins with a small group – so don’t worry if you are the first to start the group. Others will join and help you.

2. Start reaching out to diverse groups in your community

   Small business leaders, labor, environmentalists, teachers, community and civic leaders of all political stripes and colors should be contacted. Tell them about the negative impact a Wal-Mart will have on your community. Send them a letter and ask them to join your community group.

   Remember, don’t think of this as a Republican or Democrat battle – it isn’t. This is a fight for your community and Republicans, Democrats, and Independents will join this effort. As we mention below, you will have many allies in your community fight.

3. Use the power of legislation

   The earlier you enter the fray, the better; this is especially true when utilizing legislative tools. If plans are already filed with the appropriate planning office, the effectiveness of legislative tools is diminished, because the timeline is much shorter for you to plan and implement your strategy. If it is much earlier in the evolution of a particular project – when there is simply a rumor that a particular project is planned – then utilizing legislative tools is still a very viable strategy.

   Remember, the best approach is to be proactive when using legislative tools -- instead of waiting on the developer or Wal-Mart to make a move, and simply reacting to a particular development proposal, submit the appropriate law, regulation, or ordinance as soon as possible.

2. REACH OUT TO ALLIES

1. Identify your Allies

   Along with the usual opponents of Wal-Mart – such as anti-sprawl groups, environmentalists and other workers’ rights organizations – it is important to reach out to as many different allies as you can when planning a proactive legislative and community strategy. Again, you will find allies in all corners, from local small businesses to community activists involved in other social or political issues. The simple step is to make a list of prospective allies and start contacting them.

   Here is a list of potential allies to get you started:

   1. Neighborhood associations
   2. Local taxpayers’ coalitions
   3. Environmentalists
   4. Preservationists
   5. Anti-Sprawl organizations
   6. PTOs/PTAs
   7. Labor
   8. Small business groups or associations
   9. Citizen activist groups
   10. Political activists (both Republican and Democrat)
   It is important to remember that there is indeed strength in numbers when undertaking a proactive strategy and every bit of coalition-building you can achieve will improve your chances of success.
   
   
2. Develop a strategy for community outreach

   Begin with a call or letter to your potential allies. Set up a meeting and tell them you would like to sit down and discuss how they help in your community fight. If a Wal-Mart is not even planned for your neighborhood, use the call or letter to tell these potential allies of the need to proactively stop a Wal-Mart from coming into the community.

   When possible, you should highlight the facts that these groups will be most concerned with and interested in. You should also take every opportunity to stress that this is a shared battle that they must become involved in if they are to help save their community from a Wal-Mart. The impact Wal-Mart has on communities is well-documented and well-known throughout the country.

3. Expose Wal-Mart’s Allies

1. Remember, Wal-Mart is usually not the only entity involved in these development projects.

   Typically, a local developer takes the lead in taking a project or projects through the relevant permitting processes, either because they own the land, or because Wal-Mart thinks a local face will smooth the permitting process.

   It is essential to remember what developers are doing in your community. Do some local research and discover the developer’s track record. Just a little bit of research can find out:

   1. What pieces of land are available for Wal-Mart
   2. What developers have worked with Wal-Mart before
   3. What other projects has the developer done,
   4. Whether any of their past projects were controversial,
   5. Whether there were public complaints or litigation.
   Access to this type of background information is an important part of customizing a proactive legislative and public strategy. Bottom line, don’t think Wal-Mart will announce that they are coming to town. Wal-Mart is fully aware that communities are concerned about them and that is why they try to use developers to set up a potential Wal-Mart project. In addition, Wal-Mart will also be setting up private meetings with community officials. Just because you haven't heard of a project doesn't mean Wal-Mart's stealth team isn't working.

4. Lobby your Local Leaders

1. Act proactively and contact your local leaders

   One of the most powerful forces in a community fight are your local city leaders. It is critical that you identify and then contact all of the local community leaders who have a role in making zoning and development decisions. Understandably, local leaders are especially sensitive to the concerns of citizens who are worried about the negative effects of new development, like a Wal-Mart.

   Here are some steps to consider when you plan your lobbying strategy:

   1. Identify the decision-makers you will have to persuade during a proactive campaign.
   2. Do some research and find out a decision-maker’s backgrounds, voting records, attitudes toward development.
   3. Identify whether these leaders are elected or appointed and when there terms end.
   4. Determine who in your group may have the best access to these officals.
   5. Write them a letter about your concerns about Wal-Mart and why a new Wal-Mart will have negative effects on the community.
   6. Ask for a meeting with the elected official. Remember, they serve you -- so be persistent.
2. Understand that many local actors will be involved.

   Depending on the scope of your strategy, the government entities involved can differ widely. In some cases, the permitting authority may be a local, volunteer planning board. In others, there may be a regional, countywide authority with some planning and land use expertise. In still others, your focus could be the state legislature, with a more formal committee process, plenty of resources, and full staff support.

3. Access is Key

   In all cases, access to the decision-makers is the key. Most municipal/county board meetings, as well as state legislative committee hearings, are open to the public. In addition, there is nothing to stop you from arranging your own with your local town council president, for example, and discussing matters of concern.

   Remember, don’t ever be intimidated. Local leaders are appointed or elected to serve the community and you. They will respond to you. If they don’t respond quickly, then feel free to go their office and ask for a meeting. You do have the power to make them listen and you should use it.

5. Understand Your Community

1. At its core, a “community fight” is about you and your fellow citizens fighting for your community.

   This is not a battle against Wal-Mart, it is a “fight for the kind of community and town you want to live in.” It is important to use a good understanding of your community in any potential battle. A better understanding of your community will help you reach out to allies, help you recruit new supporters, and help you tailor a more effective message to win.

   Here are some factors to consider as you think about what makes your community unique and plot your strategy:

   1. What are the demographics of your region, as well as its topography and politics?
   2. Consider the make-up of the population in the area where Wal-Mart development is contemplated. Does it contain low, middle, or high-income families? Is it ethnically diverse? Is it densely populated? Are there more homeowners or more renters? Is it made up of young people buying new homes or does it contain more established neighborhoods with empty-nesters and retirees?
   3. Consider the landscape of your area. Is there a glut of open land or is developable land at a premium? Is the area rural, urban or suburban? The various physical characteristics and layout of your region will play a role in crafting a strategy.
   4. What are the politics of your region? Are there more Republicans than Democrats? Are there more independents? Who are the key political leaders? The answers to these questions can help identify powerful allies in your community fight.
   5. You’ll need to know when it is appropriate to present an initiative before an entire board at a public meeting or when it is better to offer a draft proposal to a local official in a one-on-one meeting. This is critical. Remember, you and your supporters need to act fast and first.

You have the power to win a “community fight” against Wal-Mart, but it will take hard work!