Page 36 - 2019 March Voices

PERSPECTIVES

Celebrating World Storytelling Day

Donna Stark, DTM - Immediate Past District Director

I like March. There are lots of reasons. My We arranged the chairs in a cozy circle, as if
daughters have March birthdays. The madness around a campfire, and our master storytellers
that is NCAA basketball. Spring and all that shared their gifts. Tossing “another log” on our
comes with it (especially welcomed given the virtual campfire in between stories added to

snow of a few short weeks ago). I have added a the atmosphere. Our Table Topics session, a
new event to my list of March favorites. . . World progressive story, was great fun! One person
Storytelling Day! started off with the opening phrase and
World Storytelling Day was March 20th and subsequent speakers built on the storyline from

occurs each year on the vernal equinox. The idea where the previous speaker left off. The story took
behind World Storytelling Day is to promote unexpected twists and turns, and generated lots
oral storytelling all over the world by having as of laughter! Our guests felt welcomed. Everyone
many people tell and listen to as many stories, in got the opportunity to add a little of their own

as many languages, at as many places as possible. personality to the tale, and it was wrapped up in
Does this sound like it’s right up a Toastmaster’s a neat package with a happy ending.
alley or what! Toastmasters is a great place to get
Stories enhance any type of presentation, comfortable with public speaking. Are you

help your audience connect with you, and can getting too comfortable? Look for opportunities
create an atmosphere of pure, entertaining fun! to do things differently. Themed meetings,
Imagine my delight when I discovered that this special events, or simply arranging the room
year, World Storytelling Day fell on the same day differently, can add a little spark to the same

as my Toastmasters Storytelling Club meeting. old routine. April includes such opportunities as
What an opportunity to have a special event National Talk Like Shakespeare Day, National
and to tap into the talents of some of the club’s Dissertation Day, and National Great Poetry
gifted storytellers. Reading Day. How will you celebrate?

36 ONE COMMUNITY