My story about ‘community’ at Iowa Storytellers Project
I loved being part of the Iowa Storytellers Project
Thanks to The Des Moines Register for sharing a video of my recent story.
Finding community in an unexpected place: My Toastmasters Club at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility
Stories help bring people together, especially when they give us perspectives on people with different backgrounds and experiences than our own.
This was the key message of my recent presentation for the Iowa Storytellers Project.
It was my honor to be selected to tell my story during the February 27 event held at Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines. The topic for all stories was “community.”
Each storyteller was unique, and their stories were uplifting and engaging. I loved being part of this experience.
When talking about “community,” I first think of the place where I grew up – rural Humboldt County - and how most people there were pretty much like myself.
But my story was about being part of a community where everyone was not exactly like me - and how the best communities can sometimes be found in unexpected places.
I found an unexpected and inspiring community among incarcerated members of the Changing Winds Toastmasters Club at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility.
The Storytellers Project, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK, was created in 2011 and now has a home in 21 host cities nationwide.
In Iowa, it is organized by The Des Moines Register. In its seventh season here, the Register’s Storytellers Project is dedicated to the idea that oral storytelling and journalism have the same goals: serving and reflecting a community while fostering empathy.
All storytellers were coached ahead of time by Register journalists.
Alyssa Hertel, Des Moines Register sports reporter, was my coach and supporter. She was the best, helping me by suggesting edits, giving me advice, and being a great booster.
I joined the Changing Winds prison club as a volunteer in early 2017.
I credit my Humboldt friend Jim Fevold for encouraging me to visit prison for the first time.
Jim is a well-known community icon for his leadership in prison ministry and reentry for former inmates in our community. He has helped many currently in prison and formerly incarcerated people get another chance in life after their release.
He always told me that it was not a matter of if I would become involved, but a matter of when.
I first visited the Fort Dodge prison with him and his church group, but soon discovered the Toastmasters club. That community was just right for me.
My story told of expectations, experiences, relationships, and connections I had while serving as a prison volunteer.
Unfortunately, the arrival of Covid in early 2020, along with increased violence in some Iowa prisons around that same time, led Iowa prison officials to cease all volunteer visits to prisons since then.
I have to credit Julie Gammack and the Okoboji Writers Retreat, an annual event for writers held in the Lake Okoboji area, for inspiring me to consider applying to be a presenter for the Iowa Storytellers Project.
At our retreat workshop last fall, we were told “Everyone has a story to tell,” as the leaders promoted the Storytellers event. I started thinking, maybe that is true! They encouraged us to apply to be speakers, and I am very happy I did.
The Storytellers experience and my Changing Winds community enriched my life.
Link to program video of all storytellers Feb. 27, 2024.
The Des Moines Storytellers Project will have two more events in Des Moines this year: Travel – June 18, and Overcoming – October 22.
Link to text of my story about community: https://bit.ly/JimSayersStorytellers