The selection committee read fifty-three proposals-all were outstanding. The entire committee, made up of Joan Stockbridge, Millie Jackson, Karl Hallsten, Gail Catlin, Nick Brink and Diane Rooks, was blown away by the quality of the presenters and the incredible work they are doing with story in many different areas of healing.

The job of selecting ten presenters, 2 in each of the five tracks, seemed impossible. Presenters' names and identifying information were removed from the proposals so knowing the presenters didn't influence the readers. Out of 53, we could only select 10 workshops to be presented twice, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. As the decisions were being made, an anonymous donor allowed us to add six additional workshops for a one time only presentation. But the work of determining the workshops was still difficult. After reading the proposals, all of the readers spoke with excitement about the conference and all of them acknowledged the difficulty of narrowing them down.

But after many conference calls, conversations, and emails, the Saturday workshops will be:

As you read this list of presenters, I hope you catch the enthusiasm that the selection committee felt. Karl Hallsten said, "I enjoyed this process and am more enthused than ever about the worthiness of this conference. This committee has indeed paved new ground in storytelling conferences-a storytelling organization fielding a conference in which so many professions, disciplines, cultural groups, and perspectives are evident."

Gail Catlin said, "I have really enjoyed reviewing the proposals and am very excited about the conference! It is apparent that there is a lot happening 'out there' in the story and healing arena. I hope that there is an opportunity to connect/network/introduce all those who sent proposals to one another's work, as well as to our attendees."

The conference committee is looking into ways to encourage these follow-up connections. We are all encouraged as we see the wonderful ways people are using stories in the world to bring healing and growth in the lives of individuals, the community, and the world.

Now it's your turn as HSA members to help us promote the conference-by registering yourselves and passing the information to every individual and group that might be interested in attending. Look at the HSA website, www.healingstory.org, for the latest information about registration and all the conference details, including hotel reservations. And make copies of the flyer on the website and distribute them everywhere you go.

I hope to see all of you February 25 - 27, 2005 in Minneapolis. If you have any questions, please contact diane@storyjourney.com.

Diane Rooks is the Secretary and Resource Coordinator for the Healing Story Alliance Executive Committee. She has been a member of the Coordinating Committee for the Healing Through Story Conference.

Saturday Workshops

Health Care

(Offered twice)

Joseph Sobol, Ph.D. & Forrest Lang, MD
Storytelling as a Vehicle to Enhance Cancer Patient-Physician Communication

Joel Wish, Ph.D.; Nancy Klein, MA; Terri Pellino, RN, Ph.D.; Stephanie Farrell, Ph.D.
The Healing Images Program: Stories and Tools for Helping Medically Ill Children

(Offered once)

Catherine Conant & James Arnone
More than a Diagnosis: Transforming Illness into Experience with Stories

Maureen Redl, MA
In the Crisis Hides the Opportunity

Mental Health

(Offered twice)

Bill Friedman, MD
Hypnotherapist as Storyteller: Storyteller as Hypnotherapist

Lani Peterson, Psy.D.
Wounded Healers and Flawed Heroes: Growing through our Stories of Imperfection

(Offered once)

Lorna Czarnota, M.Ed.
Dancing at the Crossroads: Mentoring Youth through Story and Metaphor

Nancy Mellon, MA
Building Resilience Through Story Dynamics: The Physiology of Storytelling

Grief and Bereavement

(Offered twice)

Mary Louise Chown and Wilma Holland
Journeying Together: Every story is a healing story

Joseph Galata, MA
I will hire you as a minstrel

(Offered once)

Gail Rosen, MA
Darkness and Dawn: Storytelling in Support of Grieving

Spirituality

(Offered twice)

Vered Hankin, MA
The Healing Power of Story: An Experiential Workshop

Daniel Taylor, Ph.D.
Leaving a Spiritual Legacy: Telling the Master Stories of Your Life

Community and Culture

(Offered twice)

Amy Hill, MA
Using Storytelling and Digital Media to Support Healing and Anti-violence

Barbara Horn, MA and Laura Simms
Transforming Community Trauma (NY - 9/11) with Story

(Offered once)

Noa Baum, MA
Risking Peace