Friendships sustain volunteer newspaper for 21 years

Abstract

After the community of Almena, Kansas, lost its newspaper, citizens formed an all-volunteer organization to publish the hyperlocal Prairie Dog Press, which has existed for 21 years. This study examines the dynamics of the organization and volunteers’ motivations and finds collective efficacy and civic engagement at least partially explain the organization’s longevity. Volunteers’ strong bonds with one another have been key to sustaining the newspaper’s production.