Jo Radner, chair of the SIG committee welcomed all of the Special Interest Groups (SIGs) at a special gathering at the Tent on the Hill and introduced Karen Dietz, the executive director of NSN. Karen talked about the importance of the SIGs and the work they do. Jo is drafting a manual of policies and procedures for the SIGs describing what NSN does to support them.

Jo introduced the SIG chairs or their representative to say a few words.

• Storytelling in Organizations (SIO): Madelyn Blair reported that they are looking at ways to use stories with in the organizational setting. They did a marketing project recently for a large Korean company using stories.
• - Producers and Organizers: Ellen Munds stated that Producers and Organizers plans a retreat in January. The group is working on a producer's guide, mentoring programs, a listserv and a preconference program.
• Healing Story Alliance (HSA): Vanita Moore announced that HSA is forming action groups for different interests within the group. The Healing Story Alliance produces

a journal as well as a newsletter three times a year. February 25-27, 2005 are the dates for the Healing through Story conference in Minneapolis.
• Storytelling in Higher Education (SHE): Joseph Sobol explained that they are working with storytelling in colleges and universities in an interdisciplinary way. SHE has a listserv and produces an academic journal. The theme of the upcoming second issue is "Healing."
• Youth, Educators and Storytelling (YES) - Kevin Cordi reported that Educators and Youth SIGs have merged and are trying to spread the word to teachers about using storytelling in the classroom. They are working on a listserv and encouraging Youth Tellebrations.

NSN also includes discussion groups, which include Intergenerational, OUT LOUD!, Interfaith, New Voices, and Environmental. Interested persons form a discussion group by submitting a petition with a statement of purpose and contact information.

Diane Rooks, Secretary and Resource Coordinator, Healing Story Alliance Executive Committee.