USING STORYTELLING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE IN THE LGBTQ+ MOVEMENT Sponsored by FSG

Ground rules for our conversation today 1.Listen actively and do not interrupt if someone is speaking 2.What is said here, stays here; What is learned here leaves here 3.No one knows everything; together we know a lot 4.Notice your experience, emotions and feelings 5.Speak from the I not for the group 6.We cannot be articulate all the time 7.Expect and accept a lack of closure

Agenda 1Why are we here today? 2Why is storytelling powerful? 3 How do we effectively develop and communicate stories? 4Wrap up

Workshop goals 1.Help participants understand the power storytelling can have in the LGBTQ+ movement 2.Support and inspire participants to be more intentional and proactive in incorporating storytelling in their day-to-day work 3.Provide participants with practical tools, skills, and capabilities to enhance their storytelling

Agenda 1Why are we here today? 2Why is storytelling powerful? 3 How do we effectively develop and communicate stories? 4Wrap up

Let’s start with a story Video will be included in final version. File gets too big to send over if I include it Here is a link to the video in case you want to see it. I’m only including the third story staring on the 8:30 minute vjAg vjAg

Storytelling helps us build authentic relationships with our audience(s) and enables us to communicate information in new and creative ways to motivate stakeholders to action Storytelling is an essential tool for changing the way the world tackles social challenges because it starts with changing conversations around what we see, hear, feel and know to be true.

Story Data Vs. The woman in the article is described as a 43- year old, obese émigré from Puerto Rico who had “an endless succession of common-law husbands [and] children at roughly 18-month intervals.” Her apartment was a mess, her children ran wild (eventually running afoul of the law) and the family ate “high priced cuts of meat and [played] the numbers on the days immediately after the welfare check arrived.” Of the 16 years she lived in NYC, 13 were spent on welfare. She was, in short, what Ronald Reagan once labeled a “welfare queen.” The average woman in New York City is on welfare two years on average Q: How hard do people on welfare work to improve their situations? (1=not hard at all, 5=extremely hard) Source: The Goodman Center Fee-Range Thinking Journal, February 2010

“Facts don’t have the power to change someone’s story. Your goal is to introduce a new story that will let your facts in.” Annette Simmons Sources: 1) The Secret to Activating Your Audience’s Brain by Scott Schwertly on The Official SlideShare Blog, 2) The Goodman Center Storytelling Training for FSG employees

Storytelling and cultural competency 1.Developing a high degree of self-awareness 2.Strengthening interpersonal connections and develop a sense of common mission with others 3.Increase empathy and inspire action in the sector

Agenda 1Why are we here today? 2Why is storytelling powerful? 3 How do we effectively develop and communicate stories? 4Wrap up

Elements of a good story 1.Introduction of protagonist 2.Movement toward a desired goal 3.Unexpected event or challenge (or challenges), a crisis that engages our curiosity 4.Choices made in response to the crisis 5.Outcome 6.Reflection Adapted from: Worksheet Telling Your Public Story - Self, Us, Now by Marshall Ganz

Storytelling structure GOAL RESOLUTION PROTAGONIST BARRIERBARRIER BARRIERBARRIER BARRIERBARRIER INCITING INCIDENT IDENTIFICATIONEMOTIONREFLECTION Source: The Goodman Center

Take five minutes to develop your story in response to the following question (feel free to share a story that doesn’t fit this prompt if you would like): When have you been inspired by the power of philanthropy? Let’s practice!

Look for someone you don’t know Introduce yourself and share your story Listen to their story Find something the two of you have in common

Let’s practice! Who would like to share their story with the group?

Q & A