Storytelling for Community Planning

STORYTELLING FOR COMMUNITY PLANNING
: AN OVERVIEW :

watchingthe slideshow
gather a group (if possible)
download the worksheet
http://www.orton.org/resources/hs_handbook/storytelling
3. start the slideshow
4. pause and watch stories
5. complete the exercises
6. give us feedback

wherewe’re headed
first half
setting the stage
definitions & context
why storytelling matters
values & issues
challenges
second half
the tour

setting the stage
When we dream alone,
it’s just a dream.
But when we dream together,
it’s the beginning of a
new reality.
: Brazilian proverb :
“
”
Original Photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattpettengill/2880947744/

{PAUSE}
http://bit.ly/mnwt1o
View Damariscotta’s Story : :
to be human
is to sharestories

definitions and context
STORY
thepersonal expression of our experienceswith
placeandcommunity
STORYTELLING
the act and process of
sharing and listening
to story

{PAUSE}
view Biddeford’s digital story : : http://youtu.be/p77OpPlN1Xg
Biddeford’s Palace Diner

storytelling

why storytelling matters
“
At first I was skeptical about telling stories and getting the feelings of the community.
I thought,‘We kind of know all of that.’
As it has developed, I think that [storytelling] worked for a lot of folks in town,and it helps bridge that gap between newcomers and old-timers. Those activities worked.
: Victor, Idaho citizen :
”

{PAUSE}
view the slideshow celebration of stories : :
http://tinyurl.com/starksborostories
what
can storytelling
do
for us
?

the storyspiral
build
trust
listen
celebrate
share

imagine…

{PAUSE}
exercise in storytelling : : map your connection

values and issues
the cycle of stories
in Damariscotta, Maine

story-to-values
in Victor, Idaho

stories supportreflection anddialogue

story focus
non-physical
human community
history
cultural heritage
spirituality
physical
built environment
natural environments
geography
climate
natural resources

{PAUSE}
exercise in storytelling : : finding values in stories
hand out 5 sticky notes per person
think back to the stories you shared earlier
each person write down, one to a sticky note, 5 values expressed through those stories
stick all the notes to a wall (or tabletop)
discuss what patterns emerge -- any surprises?

the many
shapes and sizes
of heart & soul stories

considerations
Whatkinds of stories are you looking to gather?
How will you gather the stories?
How will the values and issuesbe identified?
How will the values and issuesbe confirmed by the community?
How will the stories be used to spark community dialogue
& lead to concrete actions?
How will you share, store and archive the stories?
How will they live on?
HOW WILL THE STORIES BE USED?

{PAUSE}
watch Biddeford Voices : :
http://bit.ly/lZpPcl
storytelling brings in newvoices

storytelling creates connections

storytelling builds empathy

Wordle of values from Damariscotta storytelling event
storytelling reveals our values

storytelling
teaches us the consequences of our actions

storytelling can give ushope for the future

storytelling engages youth

storytellingtransforms planning

storytelling isaction

recap:
what can stories and storytelling do for us?
RECAP: What Can Stories & Storytelling Do for Us?
lessons of the past
realities of the present
hopes for the future
community engagement
reconciliation
sense of belonging

{PAUSE}
discussion : : reasons for storytelling
which of these reasons
resonate
with you
and what you
know of
your community?

at the
of a project, stories:
celebrate community
invite the full community to participate
build trust and relationships
highlight common ground
identify values

in the
reach out to groups that have yet to participate
bring groups together from across community divides
continue to celebrate the community
focus on specific values, themes and issues

at the
ground planning processes in community experience
diffuse tension during challenging meetings
celebrate community
continue to engage the community
gather detailed information about values & themes
acknowledge and reflect on accomplishments
promote action

challenges
Original photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/yinto/3213182939

moving beyond the past while honoring it

{PAUSE}
view Golden’s digital story : : http://youtu.be/lSWqyQq6KMg
Golden storiesfrom past to present

{PAUSE}
discussion : : from the past to the future
how does your town
view the past?
how might that impact
planning for the future?

Original Photo by
http://www.flickr.com/photos/h-k-d
understanding the languages we speak
what we mean by story | values | themes & issues

Moving Slow to Go Fast
Orton Image Here
moving slow to go fast

listening
actively
deeply
objectively

thorny issues and difficult stories
finding common ground

town-wide participation
vs.
volunteerburnout

finding
the story
asking great questions
finding and entering the space within the story

{PAUSE}
view Victor’s digital story : : http://bit.ly/kBNXqx
youth interview with Hunter Grosse

{PAUSE}
discussion : : storytelling challenges
what are some challenges to anticipate
in your community?

the tour
matching
stories to the project

{PAUSE}
discussion : : storytelling examples
share examples
of community storytelling
you’ve seen in action.

story
circles

neighborhood and city-wide story circles
site-specific
events
walking
story circles
celebrations
thematic
events

story circle challenges

story
interviews

{PAUSE}
view Golden’s video : : http://youtu.be/I6fMOmL1vzA
Golden stories from past to present
Golden, Colorado tells its story

story interview challenges

other audio stories
personal narratives
audio theater stories
on-the-street interviews
story tours
the sounds of town
community radio stories

pros and cons of audio stories
they:
they need:

visual stories
visual artwork (exhibitions, murals, posters, quilts)
slide stories
postcards
comics
calendars
locative installations
Photo by Caitlin Cusack
Starksboro’ssign project

multimedia
stories
text and image

solo
stories
Vermont Young Writers Project
Essay Competition
http://youngwritersproject.org/
Golden Stories on Community Almanac
http://communityalmanac.org

who is listening?
solo story challenges

not-so-expected stories
list stories
sounds of town
Image-only stories
poems, maps
Story mosaics/quilts, wishing walls
Wish book, traveling storybook
a day in the life of the town
story quests
performance storytelling
stories in the landscapekiosk
bulletin board
[murmur]-type project
tours
story boxes, story benches
Original Photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/jessedraper

{PAUSE}
discussion : : first reactions to the story types
which of these types seem like a possible
match for your community?
which do you want to
find out more about?
visual stories
story circles
story interviews
text stories
multimedia stories

story and community planning

There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.
: Meg Wheatley :
“
”

planning tips

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Storytelling for Community Planning

by Orton Family Foundation on Jun 21, 2011

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Storytelling for Community Planning — Webinar Transcript