Why We Want Your Story!

Written by: Learn and Serve – Michigan Team

You may notice it seems like everyone wants your story. From the Corporation of National Community Service to NPR to here at Learn and Serve – Michigan, people are begging to hear your story. Why? Because stories are powerful! They can teach us, empower us, and change our minds. They connect people to the mission and vision of an organization. Your stories are some of the best resources an organization can have!

We have heard people tell us again and again they don’t have a good story to share. That can’t possibly be true! The truth is we are all have stories, but probably share them in different ways. A story, like a piece of art, is simply a product of our experience, hopes, and ideas. The building blocks can be found in anyone. Perhaps some of us have more technical skill to document them, but all of us have the ability to produce them. We all have stories to share; it is just getting ourselves to find the right words and the courage to share them that is the trouble.

We all have stories that define us. We just have to bring them out. One way to do that is to answer the question “Why do you do what you do?” In fact there is a worldwide art project [http://www.wdydwyd.com/] to answer the simple question “why do you do what you do?” The project combines an image and text in a creative way. It can be a great way to help you find your story. Take out a piece of paper and free write for five minutes on Why you do what you do. At the end of it see what comes up. You might just find the beginnings of a great story.

Once you have a story, consider your main message. What is your message? For instance in our message about the Michigan Community Service Commission [http://michiganslyc.blogspot.com/2009/12/michigan-needs-recruits.html] the message was “Service is the solution to move Michigan forward.” So what is your message? Is it “Youth should have a voice in the community?” Is it “Service-learning can reach children currently being left behind in the classroom?” What do you want to tell us?

Everyone wants your story and you should want to tell it to them! A good story can help you get funding, support from key stakeholders, and new volunteers. So develop your stories and once you do tell us so we can get them out there!

If you have a good story to share about service-learning or youth service, email it to Angelia Salas at salasa@michigan.gov.