Talking to people I had often seen in the Centre
but had never talked with.
This interaction is invaluable to our volunteer membership.

Reflections from a volunteer staff development -- Power of Personal Story Workshop
Made possible by Vancity

Home
offered by Community School Interviews

Listen to two of their stories

Family Stories and A Different Kind of Christmas

 

What surprised you?. What you were expecting?
I really didn't know what to expect. I have enjoyed it.

...It was fantastic.

...Everything

...The dynamics of the speaker
How much fun it was.

...The friendly interaction of the group.

.. I was open to learning something new.

 

How could you personally use thse ideas

The art of listening.

Every day we go out and about.
Help to get more people to open out.
Getting to people better.
Being a more friendly centre.
Ask more questions.


Changing places in the interviews.
The interaction in our condo could be improved by the effort of meeting others.
. In my personal life: to make conversation.



What you learned about yourself and others.

I can communicate better than I thought.

To be more open and ready to communicate
I learned things I never knew about others in such a short time.
How the other part of the world have lived.
Listening is so important.

That we all have a story


What was new for you.

  • Changing places for the interviews.
    I tend not to talk about myself because I figure people don't' really care about my story. Maybe they do.
    I'd like another session in the near future to learn more about interrelationships.
    To ask open ended questions.

 

Which of the objectives of the session were most relevant to you?

  • Relating to others.
    Bringing people 'out'
    How to initiate conversation.
    Connecting with strangers.
    Fun. Learned how important it is to ask the correct questions.
    Being open yourself.
    The interviews.

To make me more outgoing.


  • Why you enjoyed it
    The interaction.|
    A lot of fun.
    It was great!
    Got to know more about my fellow volunteers.
    I learned a lot about several other people.
    It is so interesting learning other people's backgrounds
    Christopher made it so interesting.

Humour - all participated
I learned something: eg approaching people.
Mr Bowers was interesting.

 

Learning how the individuals attending lived their lives.
Mixing with others and enjoying their stories.
Talking to people I had often seen in the Centre but had never talked with.

 

Interesting questions you heard or used

  • Where are you from?
    Experiences in painting.
    What changed your life significantly?

 

Being another person, not just a volunteer.

Take the time to hear the stories of the people who come to the Centre.
Be a better listener.
Probably give me more confidence to ask questions of people with whom I rub shoulders.
Be more outgoing , smile and look friendly.

We would love to have another session with Christopher Bowers
This interaction is invaluable to our volunteer membership.

To connect with people at the Centre., learn more about the interests and lives of people

It reminded me to ask more questions.
Dealing with people , making people feel connected and learning about others' interests.