The Personal Story and Relationship Building

Where do we start as Organizers?

Relationship building is critical to our success

Why are stories effective ways to move people to action?

Our central tool for building relationships: Personal Stories

My story for why I care about healthcare

My story for why I care about women’s issues

My story for why I care about the economy

My story for why I care about the education

I care about a change in leadership

Step 1: Understanding the Story Tree Analogy

Step 2: Filling in your roots

Phase 2: UNDERSTANDING YOUR ROOTS

• Everyone has many personal stories; they start with reflecting back on key moments of your life when you were motivated to action or made a decision to get involved.

• Take a few minutes to reflect on this. They will become the roots of your personal story.

• Why are you a liberal? What motivated you to be here today? Reflect on what brought you here and what life moments influenced this.

NextThink about the issues that resonates and motivates you.

Step 3: Fill in your base story

Reflection Time

Step 4: Building a relationship by asking questions

Step 5: Expanding your reach with stories

We use personal stories all the time as organizers

Debrief

• Why stories?

• Why do we ask questions before we launch into a story?

• When can you envision yourself using stories?

• How does your story change based on who you’re talking to?