Storytelling Cascade

Slide1: 

Please set all cell phones to silent, pager, vibrate, “stun” or whatever setting will keep us from hearing your favorite snippet of Bach, Beatles, Beastie Boys or whatever music you happen to like. Thank you.

Slide2: 

We’ve got a problem.

The Role of Family and Community in Mentoring Alienated Youth in the American Midwest: 

The Role of Family and Community in Mentoring Alienated Youth in the American Midwest At-risk youth from blended family in farm belt. Suffers severe head trauma from extreme weather event. Undertakes high-risk journey to distant, mineral-based urban center. Accompanied by three homeless adults. Pursued by malevolent person of color (and airborne primates). Briefly struggles with opium addiction.

Slide4: 

“The Wizard of Oz” (At-risk youth) (Person of color)

Friends of the Children (Friends) is an intervention program for the most vulnerable children living in seriously high-risk environments: 

Friends of the Children (Friends) is an intervention program for the most vulnerable children living in seriously high-risk environments Avoid involvement in criminal justice system Avoid early parenting Graduate from high school with a plan for the future Outcomes for children Most vulnerable children are selected based on research-based risk factors Children receive early intervention starting in kindergarten or first grade and long-term mentoring and support continuing through high school graduation Children spend one-on-one quality time with a “Friend” who is a full-time, carefully selected, and trained professional Children are offered comprehensive services to meet their academic, social, emotional, and physical needs Service model Teachers, Firefighters, and Friends*—Friends will become part of the “social fabric” of our communities; helping our nation’s most vulnerable children develop the relationships, goals, and skills necessary to break the cycles of poverty, abuse, and violence and become contributing members of their community Vision

Friends’ unique program is specifically designed to identify and support our nation’s most vulnerable children: 

Friends’ unique program is specifically designed to identify and support our nation’s most vulnerable children Identify the most vulnerable children early… Proactive child selection process Research shows that early risk factors can identify young children most likely to fall victim to later serious negative outcomes Friends works with schools in high-poverty areas to select children based on risk factors and then conducts extensive outreach to families to enroll children Early intervention Children enter by the end of first grade …and provide them with a supportive, qualified adult Supportive, qualified adult Professional Friends Full time, paid employees College educated Are experience and talented working with high-risk youth Selected through rigorous hiring process Receive extensive initial and ongoing training Are highly supported and supervised by program staff … and holistic services over a sustained period of time Holistic approach Friends develop quality one-on-one relationship with child Meet with each child 8 times for 16 hours/month Develop and update individualized goal plan for child Engage in community service and other activities Friends and program staff work to support each child’s academic, physical, emotional, social, and mental health needs

To start the business planning process, Friends developed a comprehensive Theory of Change for the network: 

To start the business planning process, Friends developed a comprehensive Theory of Change for the network Helping our most vulnerable children living in seriously high-risk environments develop the relationships, goals, skills, and resources necessary to thrive.   Intermediate Social and Emotional Development Strong relationships with adults, peers, and community Improved mental and emotional health Making Good Choices Reduced aggression and problem behaviors Avoidance of substance abuse School Success Academic performance and progress (attendance, appropriate classroom behavior, progression in reading/math/ computer literacy and promotion) Other Improved health care (both physical and mental including reproductive when appropriate) Plan and skills for the future (post high school)  Long-term Avoid Involvement in the Criminal Justice System Avoid Early Parenting Succeed in School with a minimum of a high school diploma (1st choice) or GED      

Slide9: 

“I was bad…”

Slide10: 

T.R. and Zach

Slide11: 

T.R. (#2) Fall 2003

Slide12: 

Storytelling as Best Practice How stories strengthen your organization, engage your audience, and advance your mission.

Slide13: 

Why is narrative so powerful? How do you build a lasting storytelling culture? What makes a good story?

Slide14: 

Storytelling is an integral part of our history, identities, culture, and even how we remember.

Slide15: 

HISTORY “…the primate who tells stories…”

Slide17: 

“I don’t know any stories.”

Slide18: 

The “How We Met” Story The “Where I Was on 9/11” Story The “Why I Prefer Dogs over Cats” Story The “My Annoying Teenager” Story The “I Should Be on American Idol” Story The “Why I Do What I Do” Story STORIES YOU WANT TO TELL - STORIES NOBODY WANTS TO HEAR STORIES YOU TELL (YOU) IDENTITY

Slide19: 

The Mob at the Gates The Triumphant Individual The Benevolent Community Rot at the Top CULTURE

Slide20: 

1 out of 21

Slide21: 

soap and shoe in a sentence 8 out of 21 “...”

Slide22: 

soap and shoe in a question 16 out of 21 “ ? ”

Slide23: 

16 out of 21 “ ? ”

Slide24: 

Good stories have a time-tested structure that engages our emotions and delivers what we all seek: meaning.

Slide25: 

“It’s going to be okay, Jennifer.”

Slide26: 

RESOLUTION

Slide28: 

While an occasional disinclination to exercise is exhibited by all age cohorts, the likelihood of positive health outcomes makes even mildly strenuous physical activity all the more imperative. What if a nonprofit had created Nike’s slogan?

Slide31: 

IDENTITY

Slide32: 

CULTURE

Slide33: 

The “Nature of our Challenge” Story The “How We Started” Story ORG ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTITY AND CULTURE

Slide34: 

Airborne ‘04 annual sales: $90-mill. No FDA testing or approval No independent scientific evidence of effectiveness “Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.”

Slide35: 

The “Nature of our Challenge” Story The “How We Started” Story The “Emblematic Success” Stories The “Performance” Stories The “Striving-to-Improve” Story The “Where We Are Going” Story ORG ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTITY AND CULTURE

Slide36: 

The New York Times • October 16, 2005

Slide37: 

The “Nature of our Challenge” Story The “How We Started” Story The “Emblematic Success” Stories The “Performance” Stories The “Striving-to-Improve” Story The “Where We Are Going” Story ORG ORGANIZATIONAL IDENTITY AND CULTURE

Slide38: 

Questions & Comments

Slide39: 

Lakota Indians

Slide40: 

Jane Goodall’s Sacred Bundle of Hope

Slide41: 

andy@agoodmanonline.com Not The End (hopefully)

Slide42: 

“All successful leaders - political, military, religious, academic or industrial - are successful to the extent that they tell and embody persuasive stories about where the institutions they lead should be going and how they will get there.” Howard Gardner, author, Leading Minds