Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Engagement topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Accessibility Commission advances 'Shared Storytelling' community series; Human Rights and Inclusion Committee expressed interest
Summary
The commission discussed a proposed community program, rebranded as 'Shared Storytelling', modeled on 'human library' ideas to foster connection and cross-community dialogue; HRIC indicated potential interest and possible financial support.
Members of the Town of Danvers Accessibility Commission discussed plans Oct. 23 for a community series called Common Threads, rebranded in the meeting as a "Shared Storytelling" event series that would bring residents together to share personal experiences and build community connections.
A commission member who drafted event language described the series as a range of formats from informal “living room” conversations to a human-library-style program with preselected storytellers. "In a world that can feel increasingly divided, this event is a chance to build bridges, foster a sense of belonging, and strengthen the fabric of our community," the member said, describing the goals for marketing and outreach.
Commissioners talked through logistics and audience: intimate venues, options for the library’s living-room meeting room, senior-center classrooms or outdoor picnic setups in fair weather. Commissioners discussed a pilot event with a limited number of storytellers and a modest audience to test logistics, sound and spacing.
The commission reported outreach to the Human Rights and Inclusion Committee (HRIC), which has indicated interest and may be willing to partner on the program, including financial support through HRIC’s new grant program. Commissioners suggested a subcommittee or point person to coordinate with HRIC and local partners, and several members volunteered to serve as storytellers or to recruit participants from senior-center programs.
Ending Commissioners agreed to continue planning, contact HRIC to define possible funding and participation, and consider a pilot run with preselected storytellers in a small venue to test format and accessibility needs.
