Let the Story Do the Work

CHAPTER 10

SELLING THE SOCIAL IMPACT OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS WITH STORY

I WAS THRILLED TO HAVE two ministers at my story workshop in the summer of 2015. They worked with a religious organization that had a chapter at the University of California, Santa Barbara, my alma mater, and their compassion and calm demeanor really helped people open up during the workshop. After one session, I approached them, interested in learning about their organization, possibly to contribute. “Tell me,” I said: “what is your organization all about?”

Smiling, they launched into their nonprofit’s history, including leadership succession, followed by a laundry list of current programs. Along the way, they debated details, correcting each other politely, almost forgetting ...