SMART Volunteering-Storytelling Guide

Personal Storytelling – Sharing is Caring Step 1: [5 minutes] Think about the experiences that have helped you shape who you are now. Step 2: [20 minutes] Take 20 minutes and write your own brief two-three minute story that connects your challenge, with your choice - with the urgency and opportunity to act. To help structure your story, think of the following questions: • Why is your story important? • What message you wish to convey? • What problems did you face (if any)? (challenge) • How did you overcome your problems? (choice) • What are the suggestions/ solutions you wish to share? (opportunity to act) Your Challenge Your Choice Your Opportunity Step 3: [30 minutes] Share your story with others. In groups of 4- 5 share your story. • What themes do you find in common? • How does your challenge connect to others? • How does your choice connect to others? • How does your opportunity and action connect to others? Step 4 : [30 minutes] Share with the whole group. Share as many stories (of the group) as you have time to with the whole group. -23-