StoriesForChange.net is Launched!

Wondering what fellow VISTA Jessica McCoy and I have been collaborating on since September? Check out the launch of a new online project, StoriesForChange.net, sponsored by both of our host organizations!

We're excited to announce the launch of the online social networking portal for community digital storytelling, StoriesForChange.net. This site is sponsored by MassIMPACT, in collaboration with the Center for Digital Storytelling, to provide a meeting and sharing space for those interested in using digital storytelling for community advocacy or grassroots social change.

Here are some of the most exciting reasons to check out StoriesForChange.net (SFC):

• NETWORK with other facilitators online anytime: SFC gives you a chance to meet others who are doing similar work in communities and post questions to the group in the Forums, without having to wait for a yearly conference.
• DISTRIBUTE your stories online in a trusted place: We've put particular attention into the "meta data" or accompanying information that goes with digital stories shared on the site. Your posted stories not only have context, but they can be Creative Commons licensed so you can control how stories are used.
• Tap into a new LIBRARY of stories: Most facilitators show at least one or two digital stories at the beginning of every digital storytelling workshop. SFC intends to become a great library of user contributed stories to help share examples across communities, cultures, languages, and contexts.
• Add your RESOURCES, share your experience: Check out the Share Your Resource option, which allows you to share experience around the creation of stories in various community settings.
• Post your EVENTS to reach a wider audience: Post your upcoming workshops, screenings, and meetings, so others who are geographically close to you can attend.

The best way to get involved with StoriesForChange.net is to signup for a membership on the site and start sharing stories and resources, as well as posting events. We're also hoping to start some great discussions in the Forums section < http://storiesforchange.net/forums >, especially in the topic "Get Involved with SFC Site Development" < http://storiesforchange.net/forum/603 >.

Major funding for building the site was provided by MassIMPACT, which along with the Center for Digital Storytelling and Creative Narrations also supported the first annual Gathering of Community Digital Storytelling (see blog at http://communitydigitalstorytellers.blogspot.com) at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in June 2006. The site was ably built by developers at Float Left and Vernal.