On May 4th OLV gathered to share epic stories of volunteering and how story and inspire people to action and volunteer stories have inspired us all!
If you want to create your own epic STARWARS theme story – try this https://starwarsintrocreator.kassellabs.io/
Some storytelling reflection questions:
How can storytelling be used to make the volunteer experience more relatable and appealing to potential volunteers?
What are some key elements that should be included in a volunteer recruitment story to make it effective?
How can storytelling help to build a sense of community and belonging among volunteers?
What are some examples of successful volunteer recruitment and inspiration campaigns that have utilized storytelling effectively?
How can storytelling be incorporated into ongoing volunteer engagement efforts to keep volunteers motivated and inspired over time?
Using a story telling prompt can help you write your volunteerism stories.
[Protagonist] is a [description of protagonist]. One day, [inciting incident occurs] which sets them off on a journey to [goal]. Along the way, they meet [supporting characters] who [description of how they help protagonist]. However, they also face [obstacles and challenges], and [internal conflict]. With the help of their new friends, they are able to overcome these challenges and [resolution]. In the end, they [outcome].
Here is an example:
Emma is a shy high school student who loves to write poetry. One day, her favorite teacher announces a poetry contest with a prize of $1,000. Emma is thrilled and decides to enter. Along the way, she joins a club where volunteer poets’ mentor younger poets and offer feedback and encouragement. However, she struggles with self-doubt and fears that her poetry isn’t good enough. As she works on her entry, she faces writer’s block and doubts whether she should even bother submitting. With the help of her new community, Emma is able to find her voice and gain confidence in her abilities. Together, they brainstorm ideas and work through obstacles. Eventually, Emma musters up the courage to submit her poem and learns that the contest was about more than just winning. In the end, she may or may not win the contest, but she feels proud of herself and her work, and grateful to belong in such a caring community.