This is our favorite question and it's the most common one we get.  We are committed to putting the members back into this membership-driven organization. That does not mean that our course will be charted by each and every member whim. It does mean strong membership initiatives that fuel our strategic plan will be the norm. Members throughout the nation networked in a common strategic cause will be the backbone of this organization.  So, what can you do to help right now?

1. Spread the word to every story lover you know that NSN is strong and implementing new strategies to support storytellers and story listeners nationally. . . join us, come back, come home…

Our actions are predicated on the belief that we are here for the long haul. Rather than viewing this time in our history as a death knell, view it as a controlled growing pain!

As we rebuild our reserves and firmly tie our expenses to our strategic plan, NSN will mature into the national storytelling organization it was intended to be. However, we need a passionate membership to bring this to pass. This is the ideal time for newcomers to join us and old friends to return. You are the link to this growth. As you share your enthusiasm and commitment to the vision of our future you will be supporting NSN in the most fundamental way. Connect with your story loving and telling friends, talk it up, reflect on the faces you haven’t seen for a while and give them a call.

Membership forms can be downloaded from: http://www.storynet.org/NSNMembership/index.html

Contact your State Liaison through:  http://www.storynet.org/stateliaisons.html

Ask for NSN brochures or invite them to promote NSN at your next event.

2. Come to the 2008 NSN National Storytelling Conference in Gatlinburg, Tennessee . . .

 Go to http://www.storynet.org/Events/Conference/2008 for more information.  “Making Connections” is the theme of this conference! There’s more opportunity for member-driven input than ever before. Brain-trust sessions, ongoing regional performances, Back Stage Forums, Special Interest Group specific tracks, Fringe performances, Master Classes, and much, much more will provide dynamic, interactive space for all. The membership meeting promises to be lively and energetic.

Come to Gatlinburg and join in driving the future of NSN!

 3. Take part in the 2008 NSN Heroes Campaign . . .

What is an NSN Hero and how does one participate? An NSN Hero is someone who commits to producing an NSN Benefit Storytelling Event – a concert, a workshop, a Slam, you name it – in their community prior to July 1^st.

Similar in their intent to Tellabration!, these events have multiple objectives:

• First, a surge of storytelling events across the nation taking place within a few weeks of each other will keep storytelling in the forefront of everyone’s attention and in the news.

• Second, the concerts can introduce newcomers to storytelling as well as provide performance space and publicity to storytellers throughout the nation. We all know the shortest distance between two hearts is a story. What better way to connect and entice new and returning members to NSN than through a storytelling event?

• And finally, of course, the financial surge gained from all these benefit concerts completed early in the year will help carry NSN forward during its leanest fiscal season.

This is a tangible, hands-on way for all of our membership to offer a boost to NSN. There’s no limit to the number of events each state can produce. Consider a Benefit Series, or special Summer Camp, or a weekly Story Slam in the park – the sky’s the limit with what you can produce! Be sure to keep us informed of your plans via your State Liaison and nsninfo@gmail.com. We can’t wait to spread the word about what you are doing and how you are doing it!