1. From concern to action: the founding of the Wellington Water Watchers and the battle against water bottling in Ontario, Canada.
- Author
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Case, Robert A. and Connor, Leah
- Subjects
CANADIAN history ,WATER bottles ,INTERPERSONAL relations ,SOCIAL action ,PRESSURE groups - Abstract
In this article, we present an oral history of the founding of community-based water advocacy group in Wellington County, Ontario, to illustrate and share insights about the origins stage of community organisations and their campaigns. In 2007, a group of friends and acquaintances gathered around a kitchen table in Guelph, Ontario, to make plans for opposing for-profit water bottling in their area. Fifteen years later, the "Water Watchers" and its campaigns continue to grow from these foundations. We share a fine-grained history of the founding of this organisation and based on this story, we highlight the importance of direct inter-personal relationships, a familiarity with the local political context, and accessible, low-risk opportunities for participation to establishing momentum and an enduring collective identity around a fledgling organisation and campaign. This article will be of interest to anyone interested in the theoretical or practical dimensions of the start-up of community-based social action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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