10/13/16 breakout session i: community heart & soul: how story-telling strengthens rural towns -...

October 12 – 14, 2016 University of Iowa

Community Heart & Soul™How Storytelling Strengthens Rural Towns

Jason Neises, Community Development Coordinator, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque

Alexis Halbert, Senior Associate of Programs, Orton Family Foundation

Menu- Community Heart & SoulTM

~ How & Why ~

- Storytelling & Placemaking

* Who is in your community? * What’s your story? * Stories create places

how do we keep our

somewhere from becoming

anywhere?

Image: Smart Growth America

Image: Baltimore Post Examiner

Less of this…

?

? ? ? ??

? ? ? ??

? ? ? ??neighbors

traditions

placesheritage culture

character

values

More

of this…

Involve everyoneFocus on what mattersPlay the long game

PRINCIPLES

www.orton.org

PHASES

Flickr: AZ Chaps

PRINCIPLE 1: INVOLVE EVERYONE

Who’s in your community?

PRINCIPLE 2: FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS

I don’t know how.

too soft and fluffy.

storytelling? story listening?

I don’t have any good stories.

I’m not a storyteller

Storytelling

Why do you live where you live?

What makes that place special?

What concerns you about the

future?

What matters most to you about

your community?

In small groups, take turns sharing something personal to you about where you live.

If I look at the mass, I will never act.

If I look at the one, I will.

Mother Teresa

• Stories draw in new people• Story sharing reveals common values & builds relationships• Stories brings the community’s past and present to life

Story Circles Video/Audio Interview

Video Booth Neighborhood Conversations

Story Book

Hey! Storytelling really works!

STORYTELLING = DATA

Opportunities for EngagementPass the Mic

https://youtu.be/3juugB7mDsI

StoriesH&S

Statements ActionActive Outdoors/Environment

We value being an active, healthy

community that appreciates the outdoors and our connection to the natural

environment.

We value Clear Creek as a Heart & Soul element of Golden and will actively

preserve and enhance its character for future generations.

PRINCIPLE 3: PLAY THE LONG GAME

Arts in action: examples from Heart & Soul TownsGalesburg, Illinois

Arts in action: examples from Heart & Soul TownsGalesburg, Illinois

The Galesburg Portrait Project

Arts in action: examples from Heart & Soul TownsBiddeford, Maine

Arts in action: examples from Heart & Soul TownsEssex, Vermont

We value our rich historical heritage and respect the ancient cultures that inhabited our area before us, the many different cultures in our community now, and their rich cultural background.

Heart & Soul

Based Decisions

Thinking

differently

REFLECTION ON YOUR STORY:

WHAT ACTIONS CAN YOU IMAGINE TAKING TO PRESERVE OR GROW WHAT

YOU CARE ABOUT IN YOUR TOWN?

General information – Contact Rachel Moyer info@orton.org

Go to Orton.org to download the field guide

Alexis Halbert ahalbert@orton.orgJason Neises Jason@dbqfoundation.org