Frequently Asked Questions About StoryTelling in Groups
What is a Creative Consultation?
We consult with you about adding storytelling as a new program inclusion or how to enhance and/or support an existing group initiative that offers a platform to share stories. We first talk about your programming logistics, including budget, number of volunteers or staff, timetables for scheduling purposes and what your vision is. Our objective is to make your storytelling program or project successful, even if that means we refer you to another community resource that is better suited to address or support your needs, concerns or goals.
Can we have a virtual or live group program?
Yes. The objective is to encourage story sharing so we customize programs, or projects, according to the best method, which may mean virtually or in-person. Collecting stories can be done in a group setting or may be as simple as sharing a link they can submit their story on.
How are virtual programs different than on-site or live group gatherings?
Since the goal is to collect as many stories as we can to share online, we wanted to offer groups options as to how they help us collect these stories. Taking into consideration the busy schedules of group leaders, directors and organizers, creating some type of program or project that includes virtual sharing stories is recommended. This lessens the investment of time and energy to include storytelling in a group. A virtual program or project may be better suited for a Program Director or Activity Planner who has limited time to dedicate to coordinating, marketing & promoting, and managing a storytelling group. Site visits can be arranged, if requested, however, you must consider the travel and accommodations for one of our Project Managers to properly manage the program or project.
What is included in a program or project budget?
System operational management, collection, distribution and marketing strategy & support. Once you secure your group storytelling program, we assign a Project Manager who will work with you on defining any additional investment such as advertising and printing needs, refreshments or expenses to adding additional 'perks', such as tee-shirts or a trinket that creates a group team spirit feel. Even though all you need is the time, place and a group of staff, members or participants who would participate, you do want to think about how you will make your project inviting and enjoyable. If you decide to host a virtual session, there may be minimal administrative assistance service fees. This will be line itemized for you, and approved by you, in your Creative Consultation before any actual planning begins.
Who runs the program or project?
We provide you with a complete toolkit to manage it yourself, however, we do offer Program Directors and Activity Planners assistance from your own Project Manager at an additional service fee. Your Project Manager will work closely with a designated group coordinator from beginning to end. When hosting a virtual program or project, our team works closely with your designated group coordinator but will have more involvement in the administrative and coordination aspects of your group project, such as creating a database of participants and staying connected with them, coordinating a schedule and best method to virtually meet and the story submission process. An actual plan of action is defined after your Creative Consultation and you decide to proceed.
What kind of support can I expect after my Creative Consultation?
Since we build a database of all StoryTelling Groups, we note strategies, methods and all other pertinent information related to your program or project. This allows us to keep an organized approach to helping all the groups. There may be a one time need for our assistance, or you may need on-going help. That help may simply be as you go along submitting questions via email to us and us replying with direction that can include resource links, contact information and anything else that might be helpful. We are available to provide further feedback or clarification, once we have your consultation and know the direction you are going with your program or project.
Will you partner with or sponsor our program or project?
We do not provide sponsorship or partner with other organizations, nonprofits or agencies in fiduciary ways, however, we openly share our tools, tips and techniques on how to obtain sponsorship, or host a community fundraiser to help offset any program or project expenses you may incur. In fact, our toolkit includes result-driven scripts and planning tools that are designed for you to reach out to your community for support. Be sure to mention you need assistance in this area in your Creative Consultation.
We consult with you about adding storytelling as a new program inclusion or how to enhance and/or support an existing group initiative that offers a platform to share stories. We first talk about your programming logistics, including budget, number of volunteers or staff, timetables for scheduling purposes and what your vision is. Our objective is to make your storytelling program or project successful, even if that means we refer you to another community resource that is better suited to address or support your needs, concerns or goals.
Can we have a virtual or live group program?
Yes. The objective is to encourage story sharing so we customize programs, or projects, according to the best method, which may mean virtually or in-person. Collecting stories can be done in a group setting or may be as simple as sharing a link they can submit their story on.
How are virtual programs different than on-site or live group gatherings?
Since the goal is to collect as many stories as we can to share online, we wanted to offer groups options as to how they help us collect these stories. Taking into consideration the busy schedules of group leaders, directors and organizers, creating some type of program or project that includes virtual sharing stories is recommended. This lessens the investment of time and energy to include storytelling in a group. A virtual program or project may be better suited for a Program Director or Activity Planner who has limited time to dedicate to coordinating, marketing & promoting, and managing a storytelling group. Site visits can be arranged, if requested, however, you must consider the travel and accommodations for one of our Project Managers to properly manage the program or project.
What is included in a program or project budget?
System operational management, collection, distribution and marketing strategy & support. Once you secure your group storytelling program, we assign a Project Manager who will work with you on defining any additional investment such as advertising and printing needs, refreshments or expenses to adding additional 'perks', such as tee-shirts or a trinket that creates a group team spirit feel. Even though all you need is the time, place and a group of staff, members or participants who would participate, you do want to think about how you will make your project inviting and enjoyable. If you decide to host a virtual session, there may be minimal administrative assistance service fees. This will be line itemized for you, and approved by you, in your Creative Consultation before any actual planning begins.
Who runs the program or project?
We provide you with a complete toolkit to manage it yourself, however, we do offer Program Directors and Activity Planners assistance from your own Project Manager at an additional service fee. Your Project Manager will work closely with a designated group coordinator from beginning to end. When hosting a virtual program or project, our team works closely with your designated group coordinator but will have more involvement in the administrative and coordination aspects of your group project, such as creating a database of participants and staying connected with them, coordinating a schedule and best method to virtually meet and the story submission process. An actual plan of action is defined after your Creative Consultation and you decide to proceed.
What kind of support can I expect after my Creative Consultation?
Since we build a database of all StoryTelling Groups, we note strategies, methods and all other pertinent information related to your program or project. This allows us to keep an organized approach to helping all the groups. There may be a one time need for our assistance, or you may need on-going help. That help may simply be as you go along submitting questions via email to us and us replying with direction that can include resource links, contact information and anything else that might be helpful. We are available to provide further feedback or clarification, once we have your consultation and know the direction you are going with your program or project.
Will you partner with or sponsor our program or project?
We do not provide sponsorship or partner with other organizations, nonprofits or agencies in fiduciary ways, however, we openly share our tools, tips and techniques on how to obtain sponsorship, or host a community fundraiser to help offset any program or project expenses you may incur. In fact, our toolkit includes result-driven scripts and planning tools that are designed for you to reach out to your community for support. Be sure to mention you need assistance in this area in your Creative Consultation.