From the Board

Monday June 20, 2011

Storytelling is the world’s oldest art. Born from our unique nature as a social yet self-conscious animal, it has been fundamental in helping mankind develop community, science, religion, education, politics, and health and wellbeing. No human in the world can move a day without encountering the impact of our craft. It is therefore our pleasure to be giving our time to our Society for Storytelling, so that we may bear the standard for the artform.

In our efforts to promote a greater public awareness and respect for storytelling, we have recognised that much of what our art has come to shape we must now turn to for shaping our Society – especially community, science, politics, and health and wellbeing. If 2010’s AGM marked a year of transition, then 2011’s AGM has begun a year of change. We hope you will agree that it has never been a more exciting time to be a part of the Society for Storytelling.

First: community. In the two months since our Gathering, Chip Colquhoun – our newly-elected Chair – has been assembling the new team of Area Reps who are receiving revised materials to help them broach fresh partnerships between our Society and other organisations, ready to see the importance and benefits of storytelling recognised by a broader cross-section of the nation. Within the next week, you will receive an announcement that it is now possible to contact your Area Rep through the website. Please do contact them to say hello! And if you spot that your area is missing a Rep, please contact admin@sfs.org.uk to find out how you could volunteer for the role.

Second: science. Our website is now developing at a roaring pace, especially now it is under the oversight of newly-appointed director Tom Goodale and recently engaged project manager William Shaw. The latest in storytelling news and events can be accessed direct from our homepage, and also via Facebook, Twitter, RSS and LinkedIn. Before the end of July, your SfS membership will allow you to access extra site content, with an account that also lets you post messages on our Forums. There’s still much to be done, and there are more ways you could get involved. Have an idea for an article or info sheet you want to see online? Want to write it yourself, or want to see the Board commission someone else to do the research? Please email admin@sfs.org.uk with your suggestions!

Third: politics. With the Patron of the National Literacy Trust, the Duchess of Cornwall, attending events in celebration of National Storytelling Week, and organisations such as the Oxford University Press launching a new reading tree for schools based on “Traditional Tales”, it is clear that the benefits of storytelling are high on many institutions’ agendas. The SfS started National Storytelling Week, and are now discussing ways we can support it even more, such as by supplying events organisers with official NSW logos and marketing materials, and applying for funding to mount a YouTube campaign. If you are a member with any expertise in videography, this is a great time to contact admin@sfs.org.uk and let us know.

Fourth: health and wellbeing. In light of feedback from the 2011 Gathering, the importance of ensuring accessibility for the greatest number possible is a high priority for many of you. As such, it has become a high priority for the Board. Newly-appointed director Adrian Johnson has been liaising with Abid Hussain, the Relationship Manager for Diversity in Arts Practice at the Arts Council, for professional guidance towards your Society drafting a renewed equality policy, and the subject has been top of the agenda at all of our meetings since May. In addition, an info sheet on the subject and its relevance to storytelling clubs and events is being prepared, and a Forum will be created especially to discuss the issue. Should you wish to raise a concern directly with the Board, you can do so by emailing chair@sfs.org.uk.

All of which barely leaves us space to mention the other exciting actions being taken by your SfS, such as: a new investigation into how we can promote our publications; an enquiry into membership cards, and how we could negotiate benefits for those who hold them; and our support of Young Storyteller of Wales. News of these, and much more, will appear on www.SfS.org.uk, and in Storylines, as soon as it happens.

May we finish by announcing the election of David Harry as our new Treasurer. David has already begun exercising his specialist knowledge and connections to help reduce some of the Society’s regular expenditure, and is in the process of transferring our finances to CAF Bank, which provides additional benefits to charities in the form of greater security and interest rates. If you pay your membership by standing order, please note that the latter development may affect you. We intend to contact you shortly, but if you fear we have somehow missed you from our list please don’t hesitate to enquire at admin@sfs.org.uk for further details.

Thank you again for your continued support. Storytelling will never die... Let us be the Society that keeps it forever full of vitality!