A Pilot Narrative Workshop in Collaborative Partnership with Neighbour to Neighbour Centre
Welcome! Stories are everywhere. Though it may not seem like it at first, we live in a storytelling culture. We see stories in 140 characters on Twitter, or we piece together stories from photo albums on Facebook and Instagram. Stories help us understand where we come from and where we are headed (Irvine, 2015). Today we get a chance to reflect on our experiences, to learn to share about them and to connect with each other. To start, introduce yourself briefly by telling us what attracted you to this workshop.
Our Stories Matter. Humans are storytelling organisms who, individually and collectively, lead storied lives. Thus, the study of narrative is the study of the ways humans experience the world. - Connelly & Clandinin
Neighbour to Neighbour Centre Neighbour to Neighbour Centre establishes its own narrative as an organization has supported residents with food access programs, family and educational services and other community partnerships for over 30 years (Neighbour to Neighbour Centre).
Purpose of Workshop -
Discover the community narrative of Neighbour to Neighbour Centre through our individual and personal stories Explore our individual experiences and capture personal stories of impact
Your story may be able to: - help someone be comfortable with the programs/services at the Neighbour to Neighbour Centre - encourage others to appreciate what is happening at Neighbour to Neighbour Centre - empower others going through similar struggles
Agenda / Schedule 10:30 – 10:40
Introduction - Names - Our Stories Matter - Purpose of Workshop - Letter of Information/Consent Narratives - Stories vs. Narratives - Narrative Theory
10:40 – 11:00
Story of Self - Brief warm-up (Goals) - Background - A Place I Left Behind - Mapping Your Journey - Identity-defining Events - Challenges
11:00 – 11:10
Coffee/Tea Break
11:10 – 11:30
Story of Us - Feelings - How Am I Connected? - One Word
11:30 – 12:10
Story of Now - Human Needs - Writing Your Story - Sharing - Gratitude (optional)
12:10 – 12:30
Feedback & Thank You
Narrative Why narratives? Narrative approach is a way of understanding how we get knowledge, develop our personality, understand culture and find community. Narratives help make sense of our human experiences, memories and personal identity (Rappaport, 1995).
Narrative Narrative has been a studied in diverse disciplines including psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, philosophy, legal studies, cultural studies, and theology. The practice of narrative of the military, ministry, law, politics, business and the arts (Ganz, 2015).
Stories vs. Narratives Although story and narrative are interchangeable terms in day-to-day conversations,
stories refers to individual experiences and personal stories, while narratives refers to collective stories and community narratives (Rappaport, 1993).
Narrative Theory
Individuals have stories.
Communities and organizations have narratives.
When we use and share narratives/stories, community and organization narratives influence personal stories, and personal stories influence community and organization narratives. Using narratives helps us understand and work with one another (Rappaport, 1993).
Self Story of “Self” Telling a “story of self” allows others to ‘get you’. Your story gives others a chance to experience the values and emotions that guide your experiences at a certain place and time. “Stories of self” are constructed and reconstructed based on the choices made to deal with struggles faced and what is learned from these challenges (Ganz, 2015).
Our very selves are perpetually recreated in stories. Stories do not simply describe the self; they are the self’s medium of being. - Arthur Frank
Goals ____________________________________________________
Self - reflection
I am interested in exploring storytelling and narrative because I want‌ To better know myself To hear myself and/or my thoughts To help others get to know me To understand myself and the values I hold To preserve memories and experiences before they are lost or forgotten To sort out experiences To get through difficult experiences To inspire myself and others To find meaning _____________________________________ _____________________________________ Who is my primary audience? Myself Family Friends The general public
We might be carrying painful memories. Sometimes putting them in a story helps us carry them more gently. - Lil Blume
Think Pair Share
Introduce yourself briefly and share with someone about where home was for you and how you found your way to Hamilton.
Where was home for you? _________________________
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Background
A Place I Left Behind ___________________________________________________________
Writing
Recall a place you left behind. It can be a geographical, physical, spiritual or emotional place. à Tips: Keep your hand moving. Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation or grammar. Include as much details as you can: Give sensory details and don’t analyze it right now. Come up with a title.
I was ready to go ____________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________
Writing
It might be valuable to create an initial outline. Think about major events (identity-defining events and challenges have most struggle and emotion).
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Mapping Your Journey
Planning helps provide a structure that taps into what Michael Chabon calls “the sheer, unstoppable storytelling drive that is independent of plot outlines and thematic schemes, the hidden story that comes snaking in through any ready crack� (Chabon, 2011).
Now, we focus on the emotions and values that guided you. Imagine the emotional weather at those moments and challenges. Rainy
Blizzard
Windy
Foggy
Cloudy
Sunny
Drought
Breezy
Clear
Flurry
Think and identify the values that you hold Authenticity
Accountability
Adventure
Authority
Balance
Beauty
Boldness
Compassion
Collaboration
Community
Contribution
Creativity
Curiosity
Determination
Dignity
Fairness
Faith
Fame
Friendships
Fun
Growth
Happiness
Honesty
Humor
Influence
Inner Harmony
Innovation
Integrity
Justice
Kindness
Knowledge
Leadership
Learning
Love
Loyalty
Meaningful Work
Openness
Optimism
Partnership
Peace
Pleasure
Popularity
Recognition
Religion
Reputation
Respect
Responsibility
Security
Self-Respect
Spirituality
Stability
Success
Status
Trustworthiness
Wealth
Wisdom
Add the emotions and values you identified to your map.
Identity-Defining Events ____________________________________________________
Self - reflection
We experience moments that define our identity and set us apart from others. The most memorable ones are heightened with sensory details and strong emotions. Your identity may have been defined when…. You were forced to go beyond your comfort zone You had to find courage You took a stand for something you believed in You went forward into an unknown future You had to choose to continue the same path or take a different one You didn’t fit in You discovered what you would and would not tolerate _____________________________________ _____________________________________
…It is in the moments of emotional crisis that human beings reveal themselves most accurately. I learned to choose the heightened moments because they are the moments of revelation. - Anaïs Nin
Challenges ___________________________________________________________
Writing
What are some challenges you have faced? Were there any historical events that affected your story? ______________________________
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Writing
Choose a challenge and start to a write about it. How would you finish this sentence? à Tips: Keep your hand moving. Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation or grammar. Include as much details as you can: Give sensory details and don’t analyze it right now. Come up with a title.
I had a hard time ____________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________
Us Story of “Us” Telling a “story of us” allows others to ‘get each other’. Instead of a ‘categorical’ us, we become an ‘experiential’ us. The shared values that are rooted in common experience can encourage our individual stories to join together. Yet, our diversity gives us different perspectives and multiple narratives. The “story of us” is constantly being created and re-created with the sharing of stories and narratives. (Ganz, 2015)
Life [is] an activity and a passion in search of a narrative… [our life] is the field of a constructive activity, by which we attempt to discover…the narrative identity which constitutes us. -
Paul Ricoeur
Satisfied Feelings Inventory __________________________________________________________
Reflection
Highlight any feelings that you may have experience at your first visit in one colour and how do you feel now in another colour. AFFECTIONATE
EXCITED
GRATEFUL
PEACEFUL
Compassionate
Amazed
Appreciative
Calm
Friendly
Animated
Humbled
Clear headed
Loving
Ardent
Moved
Comfortable
Open-Hearted
Astonished
Thankful
Centred
Sympathetic
Curious
Touched
Content
Tender
Dazzled
Warm
Eager Energetic
Fulfilled HOPEFUL Expectant Encouraged
Mellow Quiet
CONFIDENT
Enthusiastic
Empowered
Fascinated
Open
Giddy
Proud
Interested
JOYFUL
Still
Safe
Intrigued
Delighted
Tranquil
Secure
Invigorated
Glad
Trusting
Lively
Happy
Passionate
Jubilant
REFRESHED
Surprised
Pleased
Enlivened
INSPIRED Amazed Awed Wonder
Vibrant
Optimistic
Relaxed Relieved Satisfied
Rejuvenated Renewed Restored Revived
(Centre for Non-Violent Communication)
Not Satisfied Feelings Inventory __________________________________________________________
Reflection
Highlight any feelings that you may have experience at your first visit in one colour and how do you feel now in another colour. AFRAID
CONFUSED
FATIGUE
SAD
Alarmed
Ambivalent
Burnt out
Depressed
Apprehensive
Baffled
Exhausted
Despair
Frightened
Hesitant
Sleepy
Disappointed
Mistrusted
Lost
Tired
Discouraged
Panicked
Mystified
Weary
Gloomy
Restless
Perplexed
Worn out
Heavy-hearted
Scared
Puzzled
Shocked
Torn
Suspicious Surprised Terrified Troubled Worried Uncomfortable
Hopeless Unhappy
PAIN Grief
DISCONNECTED Apathetic Bored Cold
Hurt
TENSE
Miserable
Anxious
Regretful
Cranky
Remorseful
Irritable
Detached
Jittery
Distant
OPEN
Nervous
ANNOYED
Indifferent
Fragile
Overwhelmed
Aggravated
Lonely
Guarded
Restless
Angry
Numb
Helpless
Stressed Out
Dismay
Uninterested
Insecure
Displeased
Withdrawn
Reserved
Frustrated
Sensitive
Furious
EMBARRASSED
Impatient
Ashamed
Irritated
Guilty
Resentful
Self-conscious
Shaky Vulnerable (Centre for Non-Violent Communication)
How Am I Connected? ____________________________________________________
Self - reflection
Think back to when you came to the organization or took part in the program(s). What brought you to Neighbour to Neighbour? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________
Can you think of someone you met during your visit at the Neighbour to Neighbour Centre that you liked?
______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________
What did (s)he do that you liked? Listened
Guided you
Supported
Gave you what you were looking
Challenged
Taught you something
Believed in you
____________________________
Respected
____________________________
Non-judgmental
If you could capture your thoughts about Neighbour to Neighbour in one word,
what would that one word be?
One Word ___________________________________________________________
Writing
Share about how your first visit to Neighbour to Neighbour Centre and why did you choose that word? à Keep your hand moving. Don’t worry about spelling, punctuation or grammar. There is no need to analyze it right now. à Try something new: Avoid using the word “and”.
______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________
Now Story of “Now” The “story of now” comes from the “story of self” and the “story of us”. We will explore the connection that links elements of the “story of self” and “story of us” for the “story of now”. Often, the “story of now” draws on a challenge and ends with a choice (Ganz, 2015).
Some stories may be unjustly forgotten, but no stories are unjustly remembered. - Robert Fulford
Human Needs Inventory __________________________________________________________
Reflection
This list of feelings present human needs that help us with our choices. As a staring point, identifying these needs facilitates self-discovery and makes deeper connection between people. Highlight any needs that you value and add this to your map. CONNECTION
PHYSICAL WELL-BEING
MEANING
Acceptance
Air
Awareness
Affection
Food
Challenge
Appreciation
Movement/Exercise
Clarity
Belonging
Rest/Sleep
Competence
Closeness
Safety
Consciousness
Communication
Shelter
Creativity
Community
Water
Discovery
Cooperation Companionship Compassion Consideration Consistency Empathy Inclusion
HONESTY Authenticity Humour Integrity Joy Presence
Efficacy Effectiveness Growth Hope Learning Mourning Participation
Respect
PEACE
Purpose
Safety
Choice
Self-expression
Security
Equality
To know and to be known
Stability
Freedom
To see and to be seen
Support
Harmony
To understand and to be understood
Trust
Independence
To matter
Warmth
Inspiration Order Space
Writing the Story ___________________________________________________________
Writing
Reconsider your “Mapping Your Journey” to write your story.
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Sharing Stories ____________________________________________________________
Sharing
Some questions to consider when hearing and sharing stories. What connected your story with others? Was there a challenge or were there challenges? Was there hope? What was it?
Gratitude ___________________________________________________________
Writing
Oftentimes, we are drawn to one place to another. When life becomes busy, we forget to smell the flowers and be thankful for the small things. What are some things you are thankful for at Neighbour to Neighbour?
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References ______________________________________________________________________ About Neighbour to Neighbour Centre. (n.d.). Retrieved September 26, 2015, from http://www.n2ncentre.com/about/ Blume, L. (2010). Writing Jewish Family Stories and Memoirs [Pamphlet]. Los Angeles, California: Lil Blume. Chabon, M. (2011). Maps and legends: Reading and writing along the borderlands. Open Road Media. Connelly, F. M., & Clandinin, Feelings Inventory [PDF]. (n.d.). Albuquerque: Centre for Nonviolent Communication. Frank, A. W. (2013). The wounded storyteller: Body, illness, and ethics. University of Chicago Press. Fulford, R. (1999). The triumph of narrative: Storytelling in the age of mass culture. House of Anansi. Ganz, Marshall. Public Narrative: self & us & now. 2015. Management, Leadership and Decision Sciences, Cambridge, MA. PDF file. Irvine, C. (2015, June 9). Narrative Ethics. Lecture presented at Narrative Ethics in New York, New York City. Nin, A. (2012). The Diary of Anais Nin Volume 6 1955-1966: Vol. 6 (1955-1966). Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Rappaport, J. (1993). Narrative studies, personal stories, and identity transformation in the mutual help context. The Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 29(2), 239256. Rappaport, J. (1995). Empowerment meets narrative: Listening to stories and creating settings. American Journal of community psychology, 23(5), 795-807. Ricoeur, P. (1986). Life: A story in search of a narrator. In Facts and values (pp. 121132). Springer Netherlands.
Thank you! Thank you for coming to share your time and stories with us. I am very grateful and honoured to facilitate this workshop and be invited to hear about the special moments in your life. Also, I would like to thank you to Sarah Glen and Krista D’Aoust for their constant support, expertise and guidance.