1. Allison Cox, Publications Editor/Website
Phone: (206) 463-3844
E-mail: Allison@dancingleaves.com
Website: www.dancingleaves.com/allison

2. Dr. Andre B. Heuer, Listserv
Phone: (612) 920-5914
E-mail: andreh@usfamily.net

3. Colin McNaughton, Treasurer
Phone: (313) 884-8008
Fax: (313) 884-8005
E-mail: BearHand@aol.com

4. Diane Rooks, Resource Coordinator
Tel (904) 829 1754
Fax (904) 826 0449
diane@storyjourney.com

5. Gail Rosen, Chair
Phone: (410) 486-3551
Fax: (410) 486-5976
E-mail: GailStory@aol.com

6. Laura Simms, Co-Chair
Phone & fax: (212) 674-3479
E-mail: storydevi@earthlink.net

7. Cristy West, Outreach Coordinator
Phone: (202) 966 7746
E-mail: cristywest@aol.com

8. Diane F. Wyzga, Secretary/Newsletter
Phone: (949) 361-3035
Fax: (949) 369-1589
E-mail: dwdragn@attglobal.net

When we formed the Healing Story Alliance Special Interest Group, our stated purpose was "to explore and promote the use of storytelling in healing." The purpose was, and remains, purposefully broad and open to varying definitions and interpretations. With our solid and growing membership, I believe it is time to expand on that original statement. I propose the following as a revised mission and values statement to inform interested and new members about who we are and what we do. I welcome your input regarding the proposed language.

Proposed Mission and Values Statement. The mission of the Healing Story Alliance is to explore and promote the use of storytelling in healing.

By "storytelling in healing" we mean the telling and evoking of stories to support people and communities to find their own way to healing and wholeness, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

Insofar as our mission is broad, we welcome members who hold differing viewpoints, styles, perspectives and opinions about storytelling. As a membership organization, our mutual commitment is to respect and honor our diversity. Gail Rosen, Founder

At the recent HSA meeting at the 2001 NSN conference, members gathered in small groups and shared in story form their ideal vision for the HSA. They were then asked to write out one vision for HSA as it develops in the future. Many wonderful ideas came from this brainstorming session and a summary of this creative endeavor follows. (I've paraphrased and combined the responses to more easily print them here. If I misunderstood anyone's idea, I apologize and please let me know.) The number following each idea indicates the number of members for whom this item was a priority.

HSA goals and visions from attendees of the HSA meeting held at the NSN Conference - July 13, 2001:

1. Form focus groups for specific areas of interest within story and healing (social justice, people with disabilities, hospice, teens, elders, suicide, family relationships, teens, "survivors") - 17

2. Provide a system for peer support/mentorship for storytellers in healing areas - 10

3. Provide a setting for collaboration and/or collaborative training from healthcare professionals and storytellers (regional conferences) - 14

4. Create annual national HSA conference/retreat - 7

5. Form networking connections and opportunities, alliances with healthcare institutions/organizations, outreach to other alternative healing disciplines - 6

6. Create hi-profile international advocacy (PBS special?) for the stories and healing connection, including address community tension around issues of ethnic diversity - 5

7. Publish more "notes from the field" - evaluation of applied storytelling situations - 4

8. Offer story resources by category - 2

9. Create a professional degree program or online course in creative arts therapy (storytelling) - 2

10. Form a speaker's bureau for stories used for healing

11. Hold a healing story swap at the NSN Conference

In every organization there are many wonderful ideas that too often get set aside because no one takes responsibility to bring them to reality. I am reminded of storyteller, Mary Hamilton's, "The Flying Ship" presentation and story: Mary has a thousand ideas but in time realizes that for her ideas to come to life, she must focus and work on one at a time.

That's where you, the members, are so needed. HSA is a membership of volunteers. Our goal is to provide a foundation, help with logistics and facilitate networking for the SIG, but the members themselves will build the future. So, I challenge each of you to carefully consider your healing story work and come up with an action plan or job description for yourself and HSA. Complete the following statement with specific action items, "To promote the goals of HSA and my own personal goals, I commit to do the following . . . " and submit your completed list to Diane Wyzga at dwdragn@attglobal.net to be included in the October issue of the newsletter. Any of our board members will be happy to talk with you if you want to think out loud about an idea.

        Diane Rooks, Resources Coordinator

Newsletter Contents