The Healing Voice of Story

The Healing Voice of Story:
Transforming Lives and Communities

The Healing Voice of Story: HSA Story Concert
Tuesday July 6, 7-9 pm

Come and be warmed by stories of challenge, transformation, reconciliation and laughter told from the hearts by Cynthia Changaris, Gay Ducey and HSA chair Gail Rosen. Allison Cox will be our evening's mc. This evening concert is open to all Preconference attendees as well as HSA members.
HSA members: $5
Non-members: $10

Transforming Lives and Communities: HSA Preconference
Wednesday July 7, 8:30 am - 4:45 pm

On Wednesday morning, HSA chair Gail Rosen will conduct a short information session. Drawing from the strength of our storytelling community, Allison Cox, our Preconference opener, will bring us together in the spirit of mutual support for our day's journey. Participants will then choose between two workshop intensives, Participants will then choose between two workshop intensives. Cynthia Changaris's "Power Stories: the Roots of Healing" and Gay Ducey's "Risks and Roses: Stories about Social Change", which will continue into the afternoon.

When the intensives draw to a close in the afternoon, we will gather in Story Circles to exchange tales we have found useful in specific healing applications, and to share practical methods for working with them. Story Circle themes are: metaphorical and spontaneous stories, peace and justice stories, personal stories, stories for adults, stories for children, and stories for grieving. Story circle hosts will be selected before the Preconference; if you are interested in being a story circle host, please contact Elisa Pearmain at elisa@ wisdomtales.com.

At the end of the day, we will reconvene for a closing gathering with Allison Cox, as she shares hopes and possibilities for carrying our hearts' work back into our communities.

Workshop Titles and Presenters

Power Stories: The Roots of Healing - Cynthia Changaris

Cynthia's workshop will address the power of personal story as a form of communicating and healing, beginning with basic tools for finding material from our own lives and for developing and shaping personal story, and exploring the relationship between humor and trauma. Participants will then have an opportunity to work with partners to develop a personal story. Through experiencing the process, participants will discover ways to use personal story in many healing environments.

Throughout it all, Cynthia encourages us to "be prepared to laugh as much as you might think you'd cry in this sensitive yet rollicking adventure with story."

Risks and Roses: Stories about Social Change - Gay Ducey

From the street theater of the 60s to monologues of Korean American, Margaret Cho, stories continue to march in the grand parade for social change. It is important work, for community health depends upon it.

During this day of exploration and celebration of storytelling in service to social issues, we will step into the line ourselves. Using the tools of storytellers and gadflies of every epoch, humor, empathy and transformation, we will explore adaptable, effective ways to develop stories of social justice and issues.

Along the parade route we will pause to share our own stories of class distinctions, cultural divides, privilege and want. Our personal stories help us to see the progression from understanding to action. Other story genres are fruitful as well. We will explore the relevance of historical stories of struggle in today's restless, forgetful world. Traditional stories are replete with lessons of fairness and an open heart, and we will identify the strengths f these ancient stories as witnesses to contemporary issues.

Stereotypes about social justice tales are legion. We will puncture several, including the assumption that each story must be served up with a side dish of guilt. And we will not overlook the pitfalls that can send even a righteous tale tumbling down.

Our work will be personal, collegial and collective. Plenty of opportunities to tell and to listen. Participants should bring the following: a generous spirit and tools for fracturing categories, especially one's own.

Remember, as Emma Goldman said:
"If I can't dance, it's not my revolution."

Additional information about the Conference:
Western Washington University
NSN Registration Page

Return to HSA Events	The Healing Story Alliance Preconference July 2004	Return to HSA Events
	The Healing Voice of Story: Transforming Lives and Communities The Healing Voice of Story: HSA Story Concert Tuesday July 6, 7-9 pm Come and be warmed by stories of challenge, transformation, reconciliation and laughter told from the hearts by Cynthia Changaris, Gay Ducey and HSA chair Gail Rosen. Allison Cox will be our evening's mc. This evening concert is open to all Preconference attendees as well as HSA members. HSA members: $5 Non-members: $10 Transforming Lives and Communities: HSA Preconference Wednesday July 7, 8:30 am - 4:45 pm On Wednesday morning, HSA chair Gail Rosen will conduct a short information session. Drawing from the strength of our storytelling community, Allison Cox, our Preconference opener, will bring us together in the spirit of mutual support for our day's journey. Participants will then choose between two workshop intensives, Participants will then choose between two workshop intensives. Cynthia Changaris's "Power Stories: the Roots of Healing" and Gay Ducey's "Risks and Roses: Stories about Social Change", which will continue into the afternoon. When the intensives draw to a close in the afternoon, we will gather in Story Circles to exchange tales we have found useful in specific healing applications, and to share practical methods for working with them. Story Circle themes are: metaphorical and spontaneous stories, peace and justice stories, personal stories, stories for adults, stories for children, and stories for grieving. Story circle hosts will be selected before the Preconference; if you are interested in being a story circle host, please contact Elisa Pearmain at elisa@ wisdomtales.com. At the end of the day, we will reconvene for a closing gathering with Allison Cox, as she shares hopes and possibilities for carrying our hearts' work back into our communities. Workshop Titles and Presenters Power Stories: The Roots of Healing - Cynthia Changaris Cynthia's workshop will address the power of personal story as a form of communicating and healing, beginning with basic tools for finding material from our own lives and for developing and shaping personal story, and exploring the relationship between humor and trauma. Participants will then have an opportunity to work with partners to develop a personal story. Through experiencing the process, participants will discover ways to use personal story in many healing environments. Throughout it all, Cynthia encourages us to "be prepared to laugh as much as you might think you'd cry in this sensitive yet rollicking adventure with story." Risks and Roses: Stories about Social Change - Gay Ducey From the street theater of the 60s to monologues of Korean American, Margaret Cho, stories continue to march in the grand parade for social change. It is important work, for community health depends upon it. During this day of exploration and celebration of storytelling in service to social issues, we will step into the line ourselves. Using the tools of storytellers and gadflies of every epoch, humor, empathy and transformation, we will explore adaptable, effective ways to develop stories of social justice and issues. Along the parade route we will pause to share our own stories of class distinctions, cultural divides, privilege and want. Our personal stories help us to see the progression from understanding to action. Other story genres are fruitful as well. We will explore the relevance of historical stories of struggle in today's restless, forgetful world. Traditional stories are replete with lessons of fairness and an open heart, and we will identify the strengths f these ancient stories as witnesses to contemporary issues. Stereotypes about social justice tales are legion. We will puncture several, including the assumption that each story must be served up with a side dish of guilt. And we will not overlook the pitfalls that can send even a righteous tale tumbling down. Our work will be personal, collegial and collective. Plenty of opportunities to tell and to listen. Participants should bring the following: a generous spirit and tools for fracturing categories, especially one's own. Remember, as Emma Goldman said: "If I can't dance, it's not my revolution." Additional information about the Conference: Western Washington University NSN Registration Page