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| Storytelling |
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NFPN News Notes in past months has largely focused on the research
project that the National Family Preservation Network is conducting
this year. The project will be completed by October 31, and I plan to
share the final report with you next month. But this month I want to go
in a totally different direction.
Last week I attended the Idaho statewide nonprofit conference in Boise, Idaho. One of the presenters encouraged us to "tell more stories." I come from a great line of storytellers. When my family gathers we use storytelling for communicating, rewarding each other, and bonding, although we never discuss those purposes. I also use storytelling when I speak publicly, but I've never found much opportunity to use it in my writings at work. So, this will be my debut and perhaps also my swan song! I live a two-hour drive from Boise. Before I left for the conference last week, a friend of mine, who is an antique dealer, asked me to transport an iron cart that she had purchased in Boise and had no way of hauling home. Another friend of hers would meet me during the noon break of the conference to make the transfer. On the drive up, after briefly contemplating how two women were going to lift a 350-pound cart and move it from one pick-up truck to another, I decided it would be best not to dwell on it. It turned out that the woman thoughtfully brought along her father who is an engineer. He had levers, roll bars, and other tricks that moved the cart halfway between the vehicles. Unfortunately, the rest was uphill, and the cart would not budge. I was just getting ready to bid my fingers and back a fond farewell when a young man happened by and offered to help. The engineer politely declined the offer of assistance while I loudly accepted. In a split second, the cart was in the back of my pick-up, and I was back in the conference with all my digits and spine intact. And the best part is that when I delivered the cart to my friend, she gave me an iron fence section that I had been wanting for some time. Here's the thing (I always say "here's the thing" when I get to the moral of the story): Every day many of you whose job it is to help people are faced with a giant obstacle—a deeply troubled family, a youth heading down the wrong path, a baby who never smiles. Along comes an administrator or supervisor, who uses their experience to help you get started. Then you push and pull things along until you hit a wall and can't make any further headway. Out of the blue comes a rescuer in the form of a co-worker with a suggestion, or a team staffing that recommends a new approach, or a friend who says, "You'll come up with a solution, you always do." And then there is the breakthrough and the unexpected reward of a family who says "thank you" for helping them stay together, a youth who tells other youth that you're cool, and a baby with a big, sloppy smile. It's the little things in life that count and that add up to a big deal! Now, here's your homework: Tell a story to someone this week and see if it helps you to better connect with that person. Rescue a colleague by offering a nugget from your wealth of experience. Reward clients for taking a difficult step by giving them your undivided attention, a well-deserved compliment, or even buying them lunch. And, thanks for all that you do, day in and day out, to help families. It may seem to go unseen and unrewarded, but it makes such a tremendous difference in the lives of those we serve! |
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