Integration Strategies: A Rural Lawyer’s Guide
Like many other big transitions in life, adjusting to a rural life-style could be difficult at first, but rewarding on the long run. Small towns are closely knit communities. This proximity between social layers makes for more instances of interaction and harmony. As one author put it, even the most “eccentric” of personalities could find acceptance, so long as they conform to a wider set of mores shared by the rest of the group.
Small towns offer a variety of perks that are unique to each community. They value commitment and strong ethics. People in small towns want to know their neighbors and get a sense of what they stand for. This is in contrast with the detached life-style in urban centers where people often run into one another through pre-planning the occasion.
As a rural lawyer, you should take the following steps in order to integrate yourself in your chosen community:
1. When in doubt: Socialize
Consider every generic conversation as an opportunity to get to know others and vice-versa. Leave your comfort zone; be genuinely interested in the conversation and demonstrate your active listening skills. Invite over your neighbors and get to know their acquaintances. The more you socialize, the more likely you are to find out about the challenges that are facing the community. This will help both in practice management and integration.
2. Explore the Community: Don’t be Stranger
Go out for a walk and explore the community. Better yet, ask someone to accompany you for a picnic. Learn about the region and stop by key landmarks. Greet other strangers on the way and don’t be shy to strike a conversation. Ask other residents for their preferred picnic locations.
3. Volunteer and Give Back
One way to demonstrate interest in the community is to volunteer for charitable events. Pick a cause that is important to you and set some time to give back to the community. There is no better way to network with other like-minded people than volunteering. Making new friends helps to facilitate adjustment to the country life-style. New friends could also serve as go-to sources for advice.
4. Be on Good Terms with Local Businesses
As the latest business in town, it is imperative for you to develop ties with the local business community. Shop with the local businesses and build rapport with their managers. Reputation is key to success, and even more so in a small community. You do not want to be called a “cheapskate” or be perceived as someone that does not appreciate the local merchandise. Chances are that the local carpenter offers more competitive prices than the large wholesaler located outside of the town.
5. Treat everyone with respect
Remember that people in rural areas value strong ethics and chastise poor social etiquette. Other residents are not mere a statistic. They are your neighbors, store clerks, family doctors, nurses, friends and potential clients. Consider this fact and act accordingly.
Sources Cited:
1. Cameron, M. Bruce. “Becoming a Rural Lawyer: A Personal Guide to Establishing a Small Town Practice” Lawyer Avenue Press, 2013.
2. Randall, Lowell & Clews, Rosemary. “The Tale That Binds: A Narrative Model For Living and Helping in Rural Communities”
Podcast
3.Urban Professionals Learn to Adjust to Rural Communities, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, April 21, 2015.
Web:
WikiHOW: Living in a Rural Communty