FEBRUARY 2008 AIP ISSUE

SIGNIFICANCE OF STORY: THEORY, NEW TECHNIQUES AND INSPIRING EXAMPLES

(from Anne Radford)

Two women met at London's Tate Modern overlooking a grey London day. They had

been introduced virtually by a shared colleague who thought they should meet.

Over tea (it was England of course) they began to share stories of their

experiences and practice, and talk more deeply around Stories - their power, the

practice of telling and listening and … and invariably, without their

realizing, the day no longer felt grey, and time whizzed by. They left feeling

energised and committed to sharing and learning more about story - both in their own

work and from a-field…

And that is where you come in.

CALL FOR ARTICLES

This Appreciative Inquiry (AI) Practitioner issue seeks to bring together

people who are using and exploring story in new and rich ways. We hope this will

bring new insights or deepen awareness of the significance of stories as well

as strengthen the practice of story in general.

Even though story (telling, listening, making) has been around for as long as

people have communicated with each other, people are finding new and

wonderful ways to tell their stories or to be there for others when they tell their

stories.

Perhaps you are one of these people?

If you are, we hope you will take up our invitation to contribute.

TO CONTRIBUTE

We invite you to:

-     Send a proposal of not more than 300 words for an article for the

February '08 edition of Appreciate Inquiry Practitioner Journal (AIP) by Wednesday,

October 10th to: Anne Radford annelondon@aol.com or Natalie Shell

natalieshell@gmail.com

Examples of what we are seeking:

-     You may be using story to enable individuals or organisations to deepen

connection and communication or …

-     You may have examples of where stories have played a significant role

throughout the AI process - beyond the familiar appreciative interview in the

Discovery phase - in the Dream, Design or Destiny phases, for example?

-     If you are a storyteller, you may feel you have something valuable to

teach or share with a group of practitioners for whom story, narrative, is at

the heart of their practice.

-     Any new storytelling techniques to share or new insights into the

significance of story and the practice of storytelling

TIMETABLE

When you send us your proposal for an article, please be sure that you can

meet the other dates in the timetable, if your article idea is selected. The

timetable is:

-     Proposal for an article (300 words max) by Wednesday, October 10th

-     Final article due by Wednesday, 21st November - preferably before. You

will be told by 17th October if your article has been selected.

-     Any further edits to be completed by Wednesday, 12th December.

-     Publication date is February 2008

WHAT PROMPTED THIS ISSUE IN RELATION TO APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY?

At the heart of AI is story and inquiry. In an appreciative interview, story

is the vehicle to bring out something of particular significance. Story

enables people involved in the interview to reaffirm something of value in

themselves, reminds them of their strengths and gives them something to build on when

thinking about the future. Part of what makes an appreciative interview so rich

is the interviewer - the person who listens well, invites more discovery

through well chosen questions and focuses entirely on inquiring into the person

who sits with them. Story then, is also the vehicle for building connection

between the storyteller and the story listener. This form of relating quickly

touches the positive core of them both.

OVERALL INTENT/AUDIENCE

This issue is for:

o     Those people who know that stories are a special way of communicating

and relating to another person but may not have known why or would like to be

reminded about what is so special about story.

o     People who may have fallen into a habit of using stories in a

predictable way and who are open to new ways of using stories.

o     Practitioners who know the importance of stories and who are looking

for ways to deepen or enrich the experience

INFORMATION ABOUT THE GUEST EDITORS

Natalie Shell was born in Sydney, Australia. As she says about herself,

“I am a passionate communicator, writer, entrepreneur, (positive) change

agent, facilitator, wonderer, wanderer, catalyst, amateur storyteller, amateur

digital storyteller^ and storycollector with an interest (and occasional

knowledge) in many, many subjects.

I consider my life's work a dialogue project - conversations and stories are

key themes.”

http://natalieshell.com

Anne Radford is an organisational consultant, publisher as well as a coach to

business leaders and consultants.   She has been working with strength-based

approaches to change for many years.

She lives in a rich storytelling part of London - Chaucer wrote his Tales

about people who left from this part of London to go to Canterbury, Marlow and

Shakespeare brought their plays to the Rose, Swan and Globe theatres that were

located here, and there are new stories as people visit the Tate Modern Art

Gallery.

www.aradford.co.uk

MORE ABOUT AI PRACTIONER ISSN 1741-8224

www.aipractitioner.com

The AI Practitioner, formerly known as the AI Newsletter, began in May 1998.

The publication is for people interested in making the world a better place

using Appreciative Inquiry theory and methodology.

The publication carries articles, case studies and examples highlighting

where and how Appreciative Inquiry has been used to bring about positive change.

The articles highlight various aspects of the thinking and methodology of

Appreciative Inquiry such as the life giving forces in a system, compelling images

of the future, designs for living that future and ways to sustain the

relationships and systems necessary for positive change.

Subscribers receive four issues a year in February, May, August and November.

Subscribers and purchasers of single issues have a choice of downloading a

high-resolution copy for printing or a lower solution copy for screen reading.

Any questions about the AI Practitioner can be directed to Anne Radford

editor@aipractitioner.com