Storytelling is a foundational element of human communication. It’s how we process thoughts, connect with each other, and understand the world around us.
Storytelling is an especially important tool for social impact organizations and professionals. Nonprofit and social impact organizations that can effectively share the value of the work they do in the context of a story will be able to connect with their audience in ways that will emotionally resonate and inspire action.
This four-part storytelling workshop series will explore how nonprofits, social impact organizations, and professionals can leverage the power of storytelling to connect more effectively with their audience, build stronger communities, and engrain a sense of meaning and purpose in everything they do.
Over the course of the four sessions we'll cover:
The fundamental elements of effective storytelling and why each element is important.
How to find and leverage important stories from within an organization.
How to manage discretion and safety regarding the stories of vulnerable populations.
How to see the world from the perspective of your audience, and connect your story to the stories that are already inside their heads.
How to share stories most effectively across multiple mediums, including choosing the right story for the right platform.
How to incorporate storytelling into fundraising, leadership, community building, and more.
How professionals and organizations can most powerfully share the value of their work through storytelling.
Developing a worldview that appreciates the value and presence of storytelling in everything we do.
All workshops will be conducted online via Zoom. Sessions will be hands-on and interactive, featuring a mix of instruction, writing, and sharing. Participants will be completing important exercises in-session that they can put to work right away.
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The specific information for each session is as follows:
Session 1: Learning the Craft of Powerful Storytelling
Date/Time: Wednesday, January 13, 9-11 a.m. PST
Info: Storytelling is a buzzworthy tool, but what are we actually talking about when we say “storytelling” and how do we make our stories effective? This workshop will go over the basics of storytelling, helping nonprofit and social impact professionals understand the elements of powerful storytelling and how to implement them in their personal and professional lives. We’ll break down storytelling into its component parts and walk participants through a step-by-step process of seeing, understanding, and sharing the stories that exemplify the important work of their organization.
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Session 2: Finding and Leveraging Valuable Organizational Stories
Date/Time: Wednesday, January 27, 9-11 a.m. PST
Info: Important stories happen every day at nonprofits and social impact organizations, but how can your communications team find good stories and put them to work? This workshop will give participants the tools and strategies to identify and capture stories as they happen and creating a culture of sharing these stories for internal team building and growth, or externally outreach communication. These stories will provide organizations with a wealth of important communication material for development, marketing, team building, empathy generating, and more.
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Session 3: Connecting to Your Audience's Story
Date/Time: Wednesday, February 24, 9-11 a.m. PST
Info: Your target audience has a story in their head, and by learning how to tap into it you’ll be able to better understand how to craft and deliver a message that will mesh with their desires and worldview. This workshop walks participants through a process that takes them into the hearts and minds of their target audience; understanding their hopes, dreams, and fears; and developing a set of stories that will capture their attention and inspire them to take action.
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Session 4: Adapting Stories to Multiple Platforms
Date/Time: Tuesday, November 10, 9-11 a.m. PST
Info: To capture the attention of their audience, nonprofits and social impact organizations need to meet them where they are. That can include everything from a website, social media presence, public relations, direct mail, employee relationships, and more. This workshop will cover how nonprofits and social impact organizations can adapt their stories to multiple mediums and platforms to get the most mileage for their communication.
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Workshops will be focused on nonprofits and social impact organizations but can be effective for anybody who wants to learn more about storytelling within the context of community, professional, and organizational communication.
Understanding the power of storytelling and narrative are critical aspects of The New Narrative's mission. We're excited to help community-driven nonprofits and social impact organizations better harness the power of storytelling to further their own missions as well. The hope is that by working together we can one day create a world that is more equitable, sustainable, and fulfilling for us all.
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Registration:
Workshops are priced separately. Rates are $129/per session. Discounts are available for early and/or package registration.
Each session will work as its own stand-alone workshop. You can pick and choose which workshops you’d like to attend, or sign up for all four at a discounted rate.
All sessions will be conducted online via Zoom. We’ll send out the link to join on the day of the workshop.
Only one seat per registration. If you’d like to have multiple people from your organization join, please register them all separately. Group rates can be available for groups of four or more.
Space will be limited to provide the best experience for everybody who registers.
Additional one-on-one coaching and follow up can be available upon request.
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About the Instructor:
Nathan Young is the founder and executive director of The New Narrative, a social initiative that takes a critical look at the primary narratives that influence our cultural lives to see if it’s time to create a “new narrative” that can be more equitable, fulfilling, and sustainable for all.
Nathan Young has been helping individuals and organizations connect with their audience through storytelling for close to ten years. He’s worked with such organizations as TEDxSanDiego, the YMCA, UC San Diego, the Fleet Science Center, and many more. His focus is on storytelling because it has the ability to foster connection and inspire action in a way no other medium can provide. He’s seen first hand how a well-told story can hold an audience’s attention and inspire them to action.
More about Nathan Young and his work in storytelling and communication can be found at NathanCodyYoung.com and TheNewNarrative.org.
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Refund Policy:
Refunds are available up to 72 hours before the start of the session. The refunded amount will be minus the transaction fees. After 72 hours registration can be used as a credit to future sessions. When signing up for multiple workshops, refunds are only available 72 hours before the first session, otherwise the registration amount can be applied towards future sessions.
