1. District 1 Staff Meeting March 10, 2010 Storytelling: Advocating for Extension

2. Tell Me a Story

3. "Tell me a fact and I'll learn. Tell me the truth and I'll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever." - Indian Proverb "Tell me a fact and I'll learn. Tell me the truth and I'll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever." - Indian Proverb

4. Communicating Impact Things we count Metrics Indicators Contacts Quantifiables Things we tell about Changed behavior Increased knowledge Improved lives

5. Storytelling Works to: Pass on traditions Train, mentor & coach Empower Recognize others Spread the word Have fun Recruit Market Develop managers Introduce people Start a meeting Illustrate a concept Get a point across Start a conversation Manage change Advocate

6. Storytelling Themes Mistakes and failures Unexpected opportunities Risks and rewards Choices and consequences Lessons learned Obstacles and challenges Advice from a mentor Someone who inspired me

7. Storytelling Criteria Tell something listeners may not know Have a clear and persuasive message Don’t be arrogant or self-serving Avoid sarcasm and negative comments Avoid preaching

8. Storytelling Criteria Use an identifiable concept Relate to a current issue Communicate empathy or understanding Start a conversation Include humor

9. Types of Stories Who I Am Stories Why I Am Here Stories My Vision Story Teaching Stories Values in Action Stories “I know what you are thinking” Stories

10. Storytelling Tips Tell a personal story Use books, fables, fairy tales & events Tell a story about someone else Be honest Be sincere Include a beginning, middle & end Make the story visual

11. Storytelling Tips Incorporate the five senses into your Make eye contact and gesture naturally Pause Speak clearly and breathe normally Practice telling your story out loud Use a story only when it is appropriate Create a bridge to the main message

12. Learning Application Developing Your Extension Advocacy Story Part I – Share a story about: Someone who influenced you How you became an Extension leader Part II - Write Your Extension Story Part III - Tell Your Extension Story

13. Summary When you understand …. that stories work …. and what types of stories to tell …. you can use your story …. to tell the Extension story