A call for storytellers...

“IMAGINE The Difference...

 Stories of Celebration from Our Communities”

 "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

-- Gandhi

 What does community mean? What does it feel like?

 What does it mean to respond to the ‘call’ of another?

 Do you know someone who has made a difference through his or her actions of kindness, commitment, or simply by his or her presence? 

 Do you realize your power to ‘be the difference’ in someone’s life?

Imagine the difference we can make when we are connected to our natural impulse to be kind.  When we are empowered to use our unique gifts to contribute to the lives of each other, whether it is through simple acts of kindness, through a deep commitment to the dreams of another, or simply through our presence.

Community is a place of diversity and abundance. How might we learn to discover and include the gifts of everyone?

There is the gift of love within families.  We often see unconditional love and commitment in action as families respond to challenges together.

There are the gifts of people with a passion and commitment to working for a better world, who tirelessly persevere in the midst of difficulty.

There are the people who offer a quiet gift in our lives simply through their presence.

And there are the difficult realities of many people’s lives. Some are marked with adversity, isolation, rejection and suffering.  What can people who have lived on the margins teach us about the love, generosity and caring of the human spirit?

We are a community of citizens, privileged to experience the unique contributions of many extra-ordinary people, whether it is a person who lives with unusual circumstances and has experienced adversity, a family member, a friend or a courageous co-worker.

Too often we have not taken the time to share and celebrate our unique experiences. 

We invite you, writers and artists of all ages, to share your stories.  Stories that highlight and celebrate how we can be the difference we wish to see in the world. We invite you to share your stories of inspiration; stories that reflect the many ways we as people make a difference for each other.

GUIDELINES FOR ENTRIES:

We invite stories that highlight the love, challenges, hope and courage of the human spirit as experienced in community life. Stories must reflect the following values:

·                     A healthy community is a diverse community, including and welcoming everyone.

·                     One person has the potential to make a huge difference in the life of another. One person can empower the dreams and capabilities of another.

·                     Relationships are key to our growth. We need one another.

·                     We can contribute deeply to each other’s lives through our presence.

·                     We can change lives through deep listening.

·                     There are times when all we can do is accompany one another through difficulties.

·                     We each have unique values and gifts to contribute.

·                     Actions showing the love of the human spirit transform both giver and receiver.

·                     People who have experienced adversity sometimes have incredible contributions to make to our own growth and to the growth of our communities.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

1.   You do not have to attend the conference to submit a story.

2.  Stories may be told through visual displays (pictures) or poetry.

3.  All entries will be considered for publication in an anthology.  Storytellers whose stories are chosen for the anthology will be notified by April 30th.  Once anthology selections have been made, additional entries will be destroyed.

4.  Identifying-information within stories should be changed to protect personal and group privacy unless formal written permission is supplied along with the entry.

5.  Storytellers who require assistance expressing their story may contact IMAGINE the Difference Committee liaison Karen Hansen, who will link storytellers to a volunteer writing assistant. Every effort will be made to support individual storytellers to contribute. Karen can be contacted at imaginethedifference@yahoo.ca

6.  Entries should be typed and double-spaced. Typing support is available for those who may need assistance, contact Karen Hansen to arrange.

7.  Entries must include a cover page, listing the name, address, email address and phone number of the storyteller.

8.  Storytellers are to submit their story by email and hard copy if possible. Send your entry in the body of your email to imaginethedifference@yahoo.ca . Send hard copies of your entries to: IMAGINE the Difference, Storytelling Project c/o 6059 190th Street Surrey, BC, V3S 8A4.

9.  The IMAGINE the Difference Committee reserves the right to edit all entries included in the anthology. 

10.    No entries will be returned. If you would like receipt of your entry acknowledged, please enclose a stamped self-addressed postcard with your entry.

11. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: March 31st’05.

 AWARDS:

·                     Awards for stories that most reflect the values of the IMAGINE Conference will be given at the Conference on April 19th.  Storytellers who are to receive an award will be notified by April 10th’05.

·                     Conference Committee members or judges will not comment on individual entries.
 

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