Quick Note of Progresses

On Frday the Walks were specacular and fun.  We have anice group of people here for the weekend.  We had a great potluck with the Vale community and a story swap circle afterwards in the Yurt due to cold.

Dr Kevin D. Cordi, with a PHD in Storytelling, joins in...

1) Why do an Eco-tellers retreat?

In this pressing age where the needs of the environment is overshadowed by celebrity, as a storyteller I need to be aware of how I can use narratives to keep people aware of the value and urgency of protecting our land, air, and sea. I also want to learn from the many talented and educated storytellers that have done so much in this field. I have much to learn and an eager to listen.

2) What is your intention for the retreat?

I need to fill my resources and awareness of how narrative addresses environmental awareness and concerns. I believe story is strong advocacy and I want to learn and continue to be an advocate for social causes.  

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

"What if..." Using Process Drama, "Ensemble Storytelling" (Cordi, 2007) and narrative to explore the imaginative possibilities of taking care of the environment Drawing on my recent doctoral work in proces drama and what I refer to as "Ensemble Storytelling," we will engage in a fictional world together using narrative and other tools (Vygotsky, 1978) to see the "What if" worlds that could be created when we are able to actively represent environmental change . This will be achieve by achieving by creating a "living-through" (Heathcote, 1990) experience using our collective imaginations as we walk, talk, contest problems in a fictional world with an environmental concerns.. It is my hope that using our narrative imaginations in the fictional world will help us address real soultions and dialogue for the current world. This highly interactive story world will hopefully help us change our own.

Sally Crandall - Columbus Historical Storyteller

1) Why do an Eco-tellers retreat?   

An eco -tellers retreat will allow opportunities for sharing ideas and stories on this topic.  Everyone should come away the richer.

2) What is your intention for the retreat? 

I may have the opportunity to be the artist-in-residence at Homestead National Park in Ne. for a two weeks in late April.  My job, if I am accepted, will be to work with staff and kids to create some kind of storytelling that can continue after I leave.  I'm hoping to get some ideas from the conference.

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

 If I had an hour, I would like to brainstorm interactive environmental storytelling ideas for my upcoming project

Joyce Geary - ESL Teacher and Novice Environmental Storyteller

1) Why do an Eco-tellers retreat?   

I would attend the Eco-tellers retreat for the same reason that I, as the sole ESL teacher in my districts for over 20 years, went to every ESL conference/ meeting I could to meet and visit with kindred spirits to be affirmed  that my ideas were excellent, on target, respected, and appreciated and understood by others as they were by my students! Along with that plus I always learned more and more from fellow teachers/ tellers. I went to an Eco conference in Springfield, IL., some years ago and it was a wonderful experience, but haven't been able to get away to the recent retreats.

2) What is your intention for the retreat? 

I want to meet and greet other tellers of like mind, to learn more stories and methodology, and to just absorb some of that good ol' environment. I like a combination of "formal" workshops, chatting and sharing, experiencing nature, and hearing/ sharing ideas on just what "Eco-telling" is. I've heard a variety of meanings. I want to participate more in this area of storytelling.

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

What would be beneficial to me would be to share in an hour a variety of stories and story types appropriate for this area and also how to market oneself into venues that want the stories. I have some ideas but don't know if I'm heading the right direction.

MyLinda, book publisher, joins the retreat.

1) Why do an Eco-tellers retreat?   

Because individually we pass on what we know to the people where we live and work, but when we get together we share ideas, concepts, and passion with those who share a common thread.

 2) What is your intention for the retreat? 

To meet others who share the need to awaken a sleeping world to eco-telling. To fill my half full cup to overflowing by rubbing shoulders with others in the field and learn from them what I do not yet know.

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

Eco-tales just like my Eco-Fiction books are merely tools we use to teach others about seeing the effects of what we do and how it affects the world around us. So I would like to teach some of the tools we use for broadening the education about the environment and then open it for discussion.

More about MyLinda

Jenn Romaniszak - Goals and intentions

 1) Why do an Eco-tellers retreat?

The exchange of ideas around a broad theme can be beneficial to a broad range of people.  Nature and Environment bring to mind very different types of stories for different people.  Traditional folk tellers, ecological activist tellers, and naturalist educators could learn for each others' styles and perhaps fuse it with their own.  I imagine, for example, someone who tells a really good tortoise and the hare story learning to twist it a bit to inspire a new eco-consious response in the listener.

Like many others have written here, I am interested in how we tell stories relevant to current issues, without painting the world disaster-colored, or creating an enemy of someone who exists in reality.  For both traditional tales meant to inspire respect or warning tales about a man-made environmental issue, it's hard to tell a story that speaks to multiple groups of people or doesn't come across as a thump on the head.

So many nature stories float out there in the ether.  Simply inspiring respect for nature is good, but with so many environmental hot button issues out there, are we, who are calling ourselves "eco-tellers", not called to do something more specific?  Without some degree of recognition to current events and issues, I fear many stories may just be perceived as eulogies, memorials, or memoirs for ideas whose times have passed.

 2) What is your intention for the retreat?

I hope to be a sponge soaking up as much wisdom as there is to share.  I would like to connect with other people doing similar types of work as myself, as well as those who would have relevant insight and critique as to methods.

My project, collecting stories about Mountain Top Removal, could easily have a specific enemy, and I am having a difficult time conceptualizing if/how this could be a non-partisian project.  I hope come come out of the retreat with some insights to frame it better.

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

I would have an open dialogue about the responsibility of storytellers, and question what, if any, responsibility we have to current issues when so many stories are about the past.  I would like to hear testimonies of those who have had to deal directly with the political arena or high stakes issue, with positive or negative outcomes.

Knowledge comes from the past, mistakes and victories.  I personally believe (and I am sure I am not alone) storytelling is the best way to teach.  There is a quote I like, it may be from George  Dawes Green, I am not sure, "If everyone told their story, then we would have the truth."

Jenn Romaniszak

Lisa Homes - Intentions and Answers...

 1) Why do an Eco-tellers retreat?   

By pooling our various approaches in using storytellling and theater we can advance our individual ability to educate the public on these environmental themes.  By learning to be more effective performers we can making it fun and interesting for children and adults to be environmentally educated.

 2) What is your intention for the retreat? 

To share my current work and learn more about what others are doing in environmental storytelling.

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

I would perform my educational plat called "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle." that I have produced and created with the support of the clark county waste management district,  I would love to get feed back from the group.

More on on Lisa Homes

Janelle Reardon concepts for the Retreat.

 1) Why do an Eco-tellers retreat?   

We are scattered far and wide. Many of us work in park systems, while others are independent artists. The big events (national and regional conferences) are great, and usually provide an hour or two of environmental/ecological focus. Though I have not been able to attend past retreats, my belief is that a more focused mission provides increased benefits to those of us promoting environmental awareness and eco-friendly lifestyles while using stories as part of a larger program, or as the communications medium.

 2) What is your intention for the retreat? 

Charging my storytelling batteries -- inspiration, relaxation, self-affirmation -- while renewing acquaintance with people whose work I admire and visiting with old friends. Give and take -- If someone can use what I have, I'll be glad to give!

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

Choose a specific topic from a list submitted by the group and brainstorm: outline a complete program, theme, target audience, activities -- down to the details (as far as we could go with it), stories, pre-and post-activities for teachers (if appropriate), and, of course, appropriate stories. We couldn't finish the exercise, of course, but could go through the basic steps for developing a brand new program.

Thanks for facilitating this, Eric.

Fran Stallings Answers - What she would do with an hour...

 3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

I'm still fretting that what often pass for "environmental" stories are either warm fuzzy Wonders of Nature tales, or else depressing Ain't It Awful stories of catastrophe past current and future. Therapists note that neither upbeat happy stories nor sagas of failure are as effective as "redemptive" stories which acknowledge suffering and struggle, but show a path to recovery. I think we need to develop more of those.

So I'd like to spend an hour discussing the parallels between the redemptive "healing stories" therapists find effective, and stories which might help heal humans' relationship with our planet. We could ask attendees to bring resources for developing such stories. Examples: species saved from extinction, whistleblowers finally heeded, new approaches to energy water etc conservation moving from garage invention to green-job-creating enterprises...

The Wonders tales are fine for Aware and Care levels, and mixed audiences usually appreciate more of that. The awful cautionary tales can help convince skeptics that we're in jeopardy, but too heavy a dose risks triggering revulsion and paralysis rather than action. I think redemptive tales may be the best models for action (Dare).

Harold Wright plans for the retreat.

1) Why do a an eco-tellers retreat?   (Big Picture)

To explore ideas with  other storytellers   involved in  environmental  concerns, and how we, as tellers, can reach more people.

2) What is your intention for the retreat?  (Personal Focus)

Mostly to learn and listen. But  I will be happy to share in any brainstorming sessions.

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

I would be happy to share (with Jonatha)  a summary  our storytelling successes, especially in the area concerning  Ohio waters.  We tell stories involving  The Ohio River, the Great Lakes,  the wetlands like the Great Black Swamp,    local rivers and creeks,  all kinds of lakes (natural and man made),  the 19th century canal system, the great flood of 1913, and  the solutions to   the Miami Valley flooding  completed by Arthur Morgan, who later became President of Antioch college. We also have some cute stories about frogs and fish.

We did present this to the group of Eco Storytellers who where at the 2007 Eco Retreat at the Shaw Aboretum west of St. Louis.  The program has grown since that time, and entered new water topics.

Harold Wright of http://www.jonathaandharold.com

Jonatha Wright on the event...

 1) Why do a an eco-tellers retreat?   (Big Picture)

Keeping the dialog alive via story, an easier 'pill' (message) to take than the naked truth, is more critical each day as our Earth suffers from our constant abuse.  Perhaps we can change minds toward a movement to take care of Mother Earth, one story at a time, one storyteller at a time, one listener at a time....

This is a chance for Eco minded storytellers to regroup, energize, renew and brainstorm about a more healthy future.

2) What is your intention for the retreat?  (Personal Focus)

To share ideas to help me focus on my personal best plan that can make a difference, however small, in the years ahead.

3) If you have only one hour of the time with the whole group of 15 to 20 people what would you do?

Participate in a dialog of past and current successes in youth education in ecology efforts, with the goal of capitalizing on the positive:  what reaches the youth, what have youth ecologists been doing, how do the youth see their path to a healthy future. and such.

Eric Wolf Answers the question - Why we gather....

Storytelling is the most effective form of communication available to environmentalists. As environmental storytellers we have a lot of work cut out for us and we can not hope to achieve any level of success without mutual aid and support.

My intention for this weekend is to support all attendees in their passion and pursuit of place based, ecology inspired or earth balanced storytelling. I am very excited about this upcoming weekend. I am most likely going to share three things.

1) Learning Earth Theater - Sharing the ideas behind a unique form of interactive environmental activist education I have been working on for years.
2) Medicine Stories Work and Life - Native elder and storyteller.
3) Setting up a recording session for a donation CD for a local environmental nonprofit say the Tecumseh Land Trust..

In addition I will post back here with future draft schedules of events.