Ethical Storytelling with Memory Fox's Carly Euler

Transcript

1. From Survey to Solutions: Insights from the Ethical Storytelling Report
2. CARLY EULER Marketing Director, MemoryFox Organized & created the 2023 & 2024 Ethical Storytelling Reports 9 years working in the nonprofit space. Specialized in communications, peer- to-peer campaigns, sponsorships and special events. Where I've been: Breast Cancer Coalition, Code of Support Foundation, The Wily Network, Kenya Lacrosse Association, The BOMA Project
3. 4 panelists 60 minutes “Ask Me Anything” Style Panel
4. 4 panelists 60 minutes “Ask Me Anything” Style Panel 400+ individuals registered 150+ multi-faceted, tough questions
5. 4 panelists 60 minutes 400+ individuals registered 150+ multi-faceted, tough questions “Ask Me Anything” Style Panel
6. Learn advice, strategies, & insights about: ethical story collection trauma-informed interviews stereotype stories consent privacy from 30+ storytelling experts & boots-on-the-ground nonprofit professionals Free Download memoryfox.io/ethical-storytelling
7. Maria Bryan Candace Cody Rachel D’Souza Mike Esposito Diana Farias Heinrich Caliopy Glaros David Hartstein Cody Hays Susan Kirkpatrick Sabrina Walker Hernandez Cherian Koshy Allie Levene Tim Lockie Jordana Merkin Marshall Stowell Erik Tomalis Geng Wang Rachel Zant MEET THE CONTRIBUTORS THOUGHT LEADERS & CONSULTANTS
8. Holly Beech Beth McGorry Derria Ford Angela Powers Frank Velásquez Jr. Carly Euler Chris Miano Danielle Miano Natalie Monroe Joshua Parrish MEET THE CONTRIBUTORS NONPROFIT PROFESSIONALS & MEMORYFOX
9. MEET THE CONTRIBUTORS ETHICAL STORYTELLING CASE STUDIES I
10. TODAY’S JOURNEY State of the Sector - Survey Results Ethical Story Collection Ethical Story Sharing Consent Ethical Storytelling Case Study Anonymous Storytelling Key Takeaways
11. STATE OF THE SECTOR
12. How important is ethical storytelling? (%) (on a scale of 1-5)
13. To You How important is ethical storytelling? (%) (on a scale of 1-5) 2023 2024 1. N ot Im portant At A ll 2. N ot Very Im portant 3. A Little Im portant 4. Very Im portant 5. Extrem ely Im portant 0 20 40 60 80 100 1 3 10 13 89 84
14. How important is ethical storytelling? (%) (on a scale of 1-5) To You 2023 2024 1. N ot Im portant At A ll 2. N ot Very Im portant 3. A Little Im portant 4. Very Im portant 5. Extrem ely Im portant 0 20 40 60 80 100 1 3 10 13 89 84 2023 2024 1. N ot Im portant At A ll 2. N ot Very Im portant 3. A Little Im portant 4. Very Im portant 5. Extrem ely Im portant 0 20 40 60 80 100 1 3 2 4 6 21 20 73 72 100 To Your Org
15. The most important part of story collection is consent. 2023 2024 1. N ot Im portant At A ll 2. N ot Very Im portant 3. A Little Im portant 4. Very Im portant 5. Extrem ely Im portant 0 20 40 60 80 100 2 1 4 2 8 14 89 81 Chart G: On a scale of 1-5, how important is consent when it comes to sharing stories from my community? (%)
16. The most important part of story collection is consent. But many feel their organization does NOT have a solid system in place. 2023 2024 1. N ot Im portant At A ll 2. N ot Very Im portant 3. A Little Im portant 4. Very Im portant 5. Extrem ely Im portant 0 20 40 60 80 100 2 1 4 2 8 14 89 81 Chart G: On a scale of 1-5, how important is consent when it comes to sharing stories from my community? (%) 2023 2024 1. I Strongly Disagree 2. I Disagree 3. N either Agree or Disagree 4. I Agree 5. I Strongly Agree 0 20 40 60 80 100 5 6 19 18 24 22 31 30 21 24 100 Chart H: On a scale of 1-5, I feel my organization has a solid system in place when it comes to collecting consent for stories. (%)
17. What steps does your organization currently take to ensure stories are collected and shared ethically?
18. What are the biggest challenges your organization faces in adhering to ethical storytelling practices? Drop your answer in the chat!
19. What are the biggest challenges your organization faces in adhering to ethical storytelling practices?
20. ETHICAL STORY COLLECTION
21. 5 Keys to Ethical Story Collection Community-generated content collected & shared as part of successful fundraising event!
22. 5 Keys to Ethical Story Collection 2. Encourage sharing where/when they are comfortable. 4. Use prompts with strength-based messaging. 5. Capture stories in real-time & all year long. 1. Give your community the microphone. 3. Be upfront about how you intend to use the story.
23. Examples of inspirational nonprofits 8 Ethical Storytelling Guide Must-Haves Communications guidelines, sorted by channel Strength-based alternatives & replacements Deficit-based phrases to avoid Mission-focused terms & phrases Exercises to practice the new language Commitment to reevaluation Team Signatures To Show Commitment
24. Strength-Based Messaging Guide Source: Horizons Strength-Based Messaging Guide
25. ETHICAL STORY SHARING
26. 4 Things to Remember When Writing An Emotional Story 1. Consider the “Golden Rule”.
27. 4 Things to Remember When Writing An Emotional Story 1. Consider the “Golden Rule”. 2. Positive emotions ARE emotions.
28. 4 Things to Remember When Writing An Emotional Story 1. Consider the “Golden Rule”. 2. Positive emotions ARE emotions. 3. “Big Trauma” is not a necessity in all stories.
29. 4 Things to Remember When Writing An Emotional Story 1. Consider the “Golden Rule”. 2. Positive emotions ARE emotions. 3. “Big Trauma” is not a necessity in all stories. 4. Words matter, even if you don’t know the “right” ones.
30. What is the best way to share stories while still being sensitive toward triggering others? “Content warnings allow us to share lived experiences while supporting the individual agency & the well-being of our audiences.” MARIA BRYAN Trauma-Informed Storytelling Trainer, Maria Bryan Creative
31. Recommended Content Warnings Sexual assault Domestic abuse or child abuse Animal cruelty or animal death Self-harm or suicide Eating disorders Violence
32. CONSENT
33. 4 Keys to Consent 1. Get written or electronic consent Not verbal or implied Gather group consent upfront 2. Strive for informed consent Walk through consent with storyteller Provide alternative ways to understand consent language (translator, video, audio)
34. 4 Keys to Consent 3. Consent is not in perpetuity Provide the option for removal Check back in regularly 4. Consider the risks Consult legal council & state laws Identify, assess, manage & monitor all risks “Making this change felt empowering. It reminded us that ethical storytelling is not just a practice but a responsibility to ensure every voice we share is treated with dignity and respect.” -Amina Mohamed, Founder & Executive Director
35. ETHICAL STORYTELLING CASE STUDY
36. Following the pandemic, IWRBR sought to find new funding sources. They knew storytelling was a successful strategy. Since one component of their Educate & Elevate program is trauma-informed literacy support, they knew the sensitive nature of their student’s background stories. A classic storytelling dilemma: How do we share impactful stories without our families feeling shame or embarrassed? The Problem
37. Made an org-wide policy to focus their storytelling efforts on the progress their students have made, their learning experience and their accolades. Storytelling prompts would only use strength- based language and never ask about the needs students have that are caused by their trauma. The Solution
38. Strength-Based Prompts For Students: What is your favorite thing that we do in Educate & Elevate? Tell me one thing you love about yourself. What have you learned in Educate & Elevate? For Teachers/Staff: What's a story that warms your heart from the times you've been tutoring? When you pick up the kids, are they excited? What are some things they say?
39. 50 Videos From Children 1 Composite Video The Outcome
40. NOTE: This video has been edited for length & clarity. The full video is available on YouTube.
41. 50 Videos From Children $32k Raised After Showing Composite Video 75% More Raised Than Original Goal 1 Composite Video The Outcome
42. ANONYMOUS STORYTELLING
43. Generate Images & Videos Using AI 7 Anonymous Storytelling Strategies Build a Composite Video With Short Clips Share From Another Perspective Record a Voiceover Testimonial Write a Composite Story Use Visuals That Relate To Your Mission Tell The Story Of An Object
44. T CLAY BUCK, CFRE Founder & Principal, TCB Fundraising Tell The Story Of An Object “Agents of Good in Canada did this brilliantly when they told the story of people experiencing food insecurity through the point of view of the delivery truck!” Food Bank Delivery Truck After School or Summer Program Brown Paper Bag Building Homes Hammer
45. KEY TAKEAWAYS
46. 4 Key Takeaways 1. Craft an Ethical Storytelling Standards Guide. 3. Always give the storyteller the final “yes” or “no”. 2. Be upfront about options: anonymity, platform, timeframe. 4. Consent. Consent. Consent.
47. Final Thought: What great stories are at your fingertips?
48. Enter Our US Open Giveaway for a chance to WIN a 12 month MemoryFox membership Sign up to be matched with a US Open Golfer 1 place nonprofit/golfer will win a 12 month MemoryFox membership st 2 , 3 , & 4 will receive a $1,000 donation* nd rd th All other participants receive a $250 donation* *All donations are contingent on your nonprofit becoming a MemoryFox Storyteller by June 30th https://www.memoryfox.io/usopen2025/