RiC
Door Knocking
GUIDE
Head out and meet folks where they are — face-to-face chats at the doorstep are a great way to spark real conversations and get to know your community more personally.
Use alongside the Door Knocking Data Tracking Sheet
OUTREACH
MATERIALS NEEDED
Clipboard, Pen, Flyers, Door Knocking Guide, Door Knocking Data Tracking Sheet
PARTICIPANTS
Stewards or volunteers
WHY?
Meeting community members in familiar places can bring awareness of the potential of use of the space for them.
HOW?
Be kind, and approachable. Remember you are not trying to sell anything to the people you speak to.
1. Identify the Goal - what do we want to achieve
2. Identify the Geographic Area - start close, and expand out. (print out a map as needed and divide into sections)
3. Determine Who Will Go - choose an event leader who can be the point of contact for any problems
4. Notify the Community - if possible, put up posters or distribute fliers before door-knocking.
5. Before You Start Out get teams together to check materials and possibly role-play.
Before door knocking
1. Identify the Goal - what do we want to achieve
2. Identify the Geographic Area - start close, and expand out. (print out a map as needed and divide into sections)
3. Determine Who Will Go - choose an event leader who can be the point of contact for any problems
4. Notify the Community - if possible, put up posters or distribute fliers before door-knocking.
5. Before You Start Out get teams together to check materials and possibly role-play.
During door knocking
Case study
Uphams Corner Food Forest
In preparation for the season opener event, the Uphams Corner Food Forest stewardship team aimed to reach community members in their homes. While some volunteers had experience with door knocking, others were new to it. This tool was developed to support those efforts by offering guidance that reduces uncertainty and helps volunteers feel more prepared when approaching unfamiliar neighbors. The Door Knocking Guide provides a straightforward plan to make outreach more approachable and effective.All the templates in this toolkit are meant to be flexible—feel free to adapt the language or structure to fit your own tone, context, and community.