What is Deep Canvassing?
Deep canvassing transcends the traditional “knock on the door, sign my petition, have a nice day” approach, favoring fewer more intentional conversations. Our goal isn't just to tick off action items; it's to share stories, elicit emotions, and find common ground. When done right, these conversations can resonate with people for months, creating lasting impressions.
Why Deep Canvassing?
In a landscape crowded with political noise, deep canvassing is our way of cutting through the clutter and making connections. It's about identifying personal touchpoints and reaching those who have the potential to become community leaders, particularly in the niche of energy burden. We're not just talking to anyone; we're engaging with individuals who can spearhead collective action.
Who Am I?
Alongside Laurel Wang and Mahala Pruett Pittman, I was part of the first group of Sierra Club staff members to kickstart deep canvassing in St. Louis. We began in Gravois Park, a neighborhood rich in history and cultural diversity, known for its Eastern-European roots and vibrant Latino-American community along Cherokee Street. However, Gravois Park is also home to some of the St. Louisans most affected by issues of energy burden; those we were most trying to reach. Thus, we began our process there. This ensures our advocacy is rooted in the real needs of the communities we serve.
The Imperfect Days…
Anyone familiar with Missouri weather knows the only consistent thing about it is just how inconsistent it can be. Therefore, not all of our work this summer has been in-person; between the rainy days and heat waves we’ve used phone banking to keep conversations going and to catch some residents we may have missed the first time around.
Although it seems challenging to introduce yourself to someone you can’t make eye contact with, we’ve been lucky enough to have some fantastic conversations. In contrast to canvassing, these calls typically stray far away from the planned touchpoints, but often we don’t even have to ask for stories: people just love to share them organically. There seems to be a distinct comfort in being on the phone that inspires many of these calls to evolve into natural conversations, with some lasting as long as 45 minutes! It’s a fantastic and accessible way to get involved and form connections regardless of Mother Nature.
Our Experience
Kam Reo, Deep Canvassing Intern:
"Our first day on the ground, I was apprehensive. The idea of knocking on a door and just talking had seemed a lot easier when we were practicing in the office. Now, forced into the open, the sun felt scorching as Mahala and I walked down S. Compton Ave.
Approaching the first door, my fist shook as I prepared to knock. I started to forget the script, losing sight of utility, energy burden, and environmental justice. But then... silence. My first few doors continued like this, sparing me the embarrassment for a moment longer. This slowly broke down my nerves enough that I was almost caught off guard when a door finally opened. Behind it stood a shirtless man with a kind face. I began my dialogue as practiced, half-expecting a slam at any moment.
Instead, he stood there just listening. Once I remembered to breathe, he shared his own concerns, particularly about his older neighbors struggling to beat the heat due to outrageous bills. Though unsure how to approach the issue with community action, he engaged fully and offered his condolences for the oppressive heat. The shift from my initial anxiety to a sense of satisfaction was surprising and validating—it confirmed that the issue was real and seen.
This experience taught me the oft-told lesson that life can't be rehearsed or scripted. It also reminded me that many people are looking for real conversations, shared understanding, and nothing more. That first day, amidst the heat and uncertainty, I realized that one good conversation could turn the tides from a bad day to a great one. It was a lesson in the impact of simply showing up."
Laurel Wang, Deep Canvassing Intern:
“When I first started, I’ll admit that I was super anxious: it’s not easy to walk up to someone’s home and ask them to open up their doors and hearts spontaneously to an in-depth conversation about some very real, stressful topics. But on our first canvassing mission, I was surprised by just how receptive and hospitable the people were.
Even though I was speaking with people from many different backgrounds, we could all agree on some simple things: we want to save money, keep our families healthy, and make our communities better places to live. And so conversation came easily—these are crucial ideas that everyone needs to talk about. In just these past few weeks, I’ve spoken with seniors who see parts of their pensions eaten up by rising bills, families trying to keep their kids cool over a long summer break, real estate professionals concerned with energy efficiency, and countless others.
I have learned to become a more open and empathetic listener, and those stories fuel my drive to advocate for stronger, safer environmental policies. Sure, there’s an inevitable amount of rejection that comes with every canvass, but what overshadows those experiences is the success of starting a conversation, forming a connection, and giving someone the space to share their voice. Not every knock will result in a fruitful conversation but just knowing that you’ve put the seed for change into someone’s day and shown them someone cares, that’s what hitting the doors is all about.” - Laurel Wang, Deep Canvassing Intern