This guidance manual was developed to better support our storytellers and advocates.

Storytelling is the glue of our advocacy work and only exists because of brave Kansans like you who speak up!

As you work to defend democracy and protect civil rights and civil liberties in our state, here’s what to expect and how to protect yourself.

 

 

Table of Contents:

Preparation

               Tactics and what to expect?

               Issue resources

               Cyber security

Writing Process

               How to tell a great story

               How to write about complex subject matter

Aftermath of Storytelling

               How to respond to comments

               Now what?

Stay informed

1. Preparation:

A.Preparation:

A.

Everyone struggles to figure out what they want to say at times. Here are some helpful pointers to get you started.

What to Expect:

Meet one on one with a staff member to brainstorm topics, discuss expectations, and get comfortable with the ACLU KS storytelling environment. This is your opportunity to ask questions and gain insight into advocacy work, but also our opportunity to demonstrate how we can support you in this process.

  • The initial one on one is NOT your only opportunity to ask questions or work with an ACLU KS staff member. Staff can be made available at any point in time during your storytelling process.

2. Public Speaking:

A.Public Speaking:

A.
  • This can come in the form of public speeches, press statements, meetings with officials or roundtables (a meeting/conference promoting a free-flowing exchange of ideas among all participants, occasionally including press).
  • Prepare remarks of 3-5 minutes including the following content:
  1. Introduce yourself
    1. Share why you’re involved in this issue, what motivates you, maybe a specific moment that energized you to take action
  2. Discuss pros or cons of the bill/issue/election/etc.
  3. Make the ask: veto, support, volunteer, etc.

3. Op-eds & Blogs:

A.Op-eds & Blogs:

A.
  • If you are putting together an op-ed/blog, please draft 300-500 words, loosely following this outline:

I.          Introduction

A. 2-3 sentence overview of the issue area

B. Who you are and why you care

II.         Your Story

A. Background of experiences

B. Examples (good or bad things about your issue)

IV.       Advocacy for change

A. Your call to support or oppose the issue

B. Urgency of justice: “we must act now because…”

C. Draw throughline from your issue to bigger picture,

Example: “facilitates anti-democratic practices”

D. Ending sentence: Leave them with something to remember!

4. Testimony:

A.Testimony:

A.
  • Each committee has their own rules and content may need to be tailored to suit committee rules. To learn what these rules may be, visit ksleg.org or ask an ACLU Kansas staff member to assist.
  • Written testimony should be brief and clear in the message you want to get across.
  1. Introduction
  1. [Your First & Last Name]
  2. Regarding [Name of the Committee and/or Agency You are testifying about]
  3. [Date]
  1. Paragraph 1: Introduce yourself and the issue you want to testify about
  1. Give your first and last name and identify yourself. Ex. “My name is Robert Jackson and I am a concerned KS resident/a father of three.”
  2. Tell them what you’re testifying about. Ex. “I am testifying on how the lack of funding for reentry programs and services has made it difficult for me to find housing” or “I am testifying about how police presence in my neighborhood has made me and my neighbors feel less safe.”
  1. Paragraph 2: Tell your story
    1. Pick an event or issue that you have worked directly on or been affected directly by that you are comfortable sharing with the public.
    2.  Tell what services caused this event or issue and how it impacted you.
  2. Paragraph 3: Explain why you felt the need to testify
    1. Tell why you wanted to share your story and what you want Council to take from your story.
    2. What would have helped prevent negative experiences or increase positive experiences.
  3. Paragraph 4:  Give suggestions for solving the issue or problem you have raised.
    1. What do you think the Council should do to make sure others do not have the negative experiences you had or that they have the positive experiences you did?  
    2. What do you think will be helpful in dealing with the issue or problem you talked about?
  4. Paragraph 5: Thank the Councilmembers
    1. Thank the chair of the committee if you know their name for reading/hearing your testimony.
    2. Tell them you hope they consider your testimony and the solutions you have suggested. Ex. “Your consideration of these matters and solutions is very much appreciated.”

5. Videos, Interviews, & Podcasts:

A.Videos, Interviews, & Podcasts:

A.

6. Paying Storytellers:

A.Paying Storytellers:

A.
  • We understand that storytelling is labor. It requires emotional and mental labor to participate in storytelling advocacy, in addition to logistics of writing, planning prep meetings, and preparing for public speaking at an event.
  • In an effort to develop an equitable culture of appropriately compensating people who are impacted by the issues we seek to change, we may offer a storytelling payment. The spirit of this is to cover the time and travel costs used to support our storytelling work.
  • Below is a general overview of our Paid Storytelling guidelines. Storytelling payments are offered to individuals who are impacted by the issues we are organizing around.
    • For example, someone who has experienced incarceration due to our unjust cash bail system may be offered a payment in return for sharing their story in a public setting. Someone who leads an organization that works on criminal justice reform would not be compensated for sharing a story about their work.
  • In-person
    • $50 for in-person speaking engagements such as panel discussions, public speaking at a community event or rally
    • $75 for in-person speaking engagements if the individual is asked to travel over 30 miles.
  • Videos and social media
    • $50 for sharing their story on video to be shared on social media.
  • Written: op-eds or blogs
    • $30 for sharing a story in writing to be shared on our blog or submitted to a media outlet.

7. Issue Resources:

A.Issue Resources:

A.

As storytellers, your experiences in your issue area make you an expert in your field. But for some, lack of transparency or resources may be the root cause of your issue’s significance in the first place. For those looking to garner more information, we have a host of resources available for you:

8. Cybersecurity preparation:

A.Cybersecurity preparation:

A.

Understand your online footprint

  • Remember that the Internet is permanent; anything shared is potentially available for everyone to read forever.
  • Remove any references to your location or physical addresses. Check websites such as White Pages, Spokeo, Yellow Pages, Family Tree Now, DeleteMe, etc.
  • Search your own name/images on Google and set Google Alerts.
  • Think before you share
    • We appreciate you sharing your stories but understand that others might not if they pertain to personal/complex/controversial subject matter.
    • Avoid identifying too much personal information about yourself, or your friends/family, on social media. Never reveal home addresses, places of work or specific locations which could be tied back to you.
    • Photos can be a very powerful tool for conveying emotion or personalization, but be very careful when sharing them, they can be used to identify your personal information or location. 
    • De-identify real people in your stories or images: avoid full names or use fake names.
  • Protect your social media accounts and data
    • Check your social media platform’s privacy settings, make sure your settings are updated to your comfort level and avoid sharing more information than necessary.

9. Writing Process:

A.Writing Process:

A.

Now that we have set a good foundation for storytelling, we can get started on the writing process!

How to tell a great story:

  • Do:
    • Consider your audience — choose a framework and details that will best resonate with your listeners.
    • Identify the moral or message you want to impart.
    • Find inspiration in your life experiences.
    • Include relevant, personal images — artwork, photos, graphics, etc. 
  • Don’t:
    • Assume you don’t have storytelling chops — we all have it in us to tell memorable stories.
    • Tell stories that aren’t yours to tell, or not from your own experience.
    • Overwhelm your story with unnecessary details.
  • Examples: https://hbr.org/2014/07/how-to-tell-a-great-story

10. How to write about complex subject matter:

A.How to write about complex subject matter:

A.

Many of our best stories draw from personal experiences. These stories are important tools for stigma reduction when regarding controversial subjects like abortion or trans rights or criminal legal reform. We believe that giving these stories a platform is one of our most powerful communications tools but understand that the emotional and mental effort required to share these stories can be taxing, stressful, and draining. Read below to learn about the ways to safeguard yourself and the ways we can support you during your storytelling process.

  • The line between being openly vulnerable about difficult experiences and retraumatizing yourself by resurfacing old memories can be hard to navigate.
    • Make sure your writing has a balance of facts and feelings.
  • Tips for protecting your emotional well-being while writing:
    • Create a space: Find a place to work without interruptions and organize your environment.
    • Take breaks: Don't be afraid to step away from a big project if you need to work through something personal.
    • Practice self-care: Eat well, get enough sleep, and do things that boost your mood.
    • Express yourself: Writing about difficult situations can help you release your feelings in a healthy way. For example, you can try writing a letter you never send to express your needs and wishes. 
    • Clarify your locus of control: Make a chart with three columns: what's in your control, what's out of your control, and things you can influence.
    • Don't hold back: Writing is for you first and foremost, so don't worry about grammar, spelling, or what others might think. Your first draft is yours alone, and you can always go back.
    • Speak from your scars, not open wounds: You don’t owe anyone your story of being impacted by an oppressive system. The choice to share your story to energize, encourage, or empower others is yours alone, and you can change your mind at any time. If you aren’t ready to talk about an experience because it is too triggering, give yourself time. Or reframe your story so you can speak from a place of power and not harm yourself by speaking about it in a public setting.
  • Talk it out
    • The writing process can feel isolating at times and can lead to fatigue or depression. Reach out to peers, family members, and ACLU Kansas staff to spur inspiration, garner other perspectives, and remember that you are not alone in this experience. We are here to support you!
    • ACLU Kansas can connect you with resources you may need, ranging from legal services to mental health care.

11. A NOTE ON HOW WE TALK ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY*:

A.A NOTE ON HOW WE TALK ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY*:

A.
  • Speak from your perspective as a community member and a Kansan:
    • Your experience is what makes you a valuable asset in this experience. If you’re concerned about not having the legal expertise or numbers to support your story, leave that to your friends at ACLU Kansas. Your experience and perspective are what is most crucial to your story.
  • Language
    • Some words have underlying connotations that may be harmful to our overall goals. In those cases, it may be best to swap out those words for others. 
    • Example: instead of “felon”, we center people and say “system-impacted people” or “previously incarcerated person”.
    • Example: instead of “pro-life”, we reject any religious connotation and say “pro-forced birthing”.

12. Aftermath of Storytelling:

A.Aftermath of Storytelling:

A.

Powerful stories can lead to emotional responses. The cybersecurity preparation we fulfilled prior to platforming your story is one defense against unwanted responses, but there are more steps we can take to protect you and your story.

Recap:

Meet one on one again with an ACLU KS staff member to recap your experience.

  • Your insight regarding the storytelling process can help us develop even better support systems for future storytellers.

13. Responding to Comments:

A.Responding to Comments:

A.
  • It’s likely that someone who reads your story will relate to what you have to say and want to vocalize their support for your cause. Receiving comments on your story through social media platforms is a great way to boost your content through the algorithm and grow your audience.
    • Feel free to engage with your supporters with professional and courteous replies or by liking comments.
  • On the other hand, it’s likely that there will be those who do not agree with what you have to say. In the event your story receives negative comments, we recommend you ignore them online and report directly to us.
    • The Kansas ACLU is strictly against any hate speech or threats of violence and will take immediate action against those who attempt to facilitate any such thing.
  • Doxing:  publishing information that can be used to identify, locate and contact someone without their consent. It usually refers to publishing an individual's home address, email address, phone number and other contact information online.
    • The Kansas ACLU recognizes that doxing is a prevalent issue in online environments today and is deeply committed to do everything in our power to ensure your information and privacy are protected.
    • In the event of doxing, gather and preserve all evidence and report to us IMMEDIATELY so that we can contact the proper authorities.
  • Your safety above all else is our priority. If you are approached online or in person for comments you made under our facilitation, report this to us IMMEDIATELY so that we can provide you with the best possible protection.

14. Now What?:

A.Now What?:

A.

Now that you are an experienced storyteller for the Kansas ACLU, you are ready to become a leader for future storytellers and transfer your communication skills into other forms of advocacy!