Share your FOR history with us!
Read below how to submit your story and some tips for crafting a great one. Each of us holds a puzzle piece of our history and they connect in incredible ways. Take a moment to remember when you first became connected to FOR or a moment you are grateful to have been part of the shared FOR success. Your story can start anytime from last year to 50 years ago. See below for submission information.
Our goal
Our goal is to collect a timeline of stories (written, audio and video) ranging from 1973 to 2023 that tell the story of the first 50 years of Friends of the River’s history – as we head into the next 50 years!
We hope to collect 50 stories by the end of the summer. Join us!
The Who & the how to submit
We are reaching out to FOR members, volunteers and staff – present and past to share stories. You can contribute a story by emailing it to the address below.
We are seeking people to write short stories with an accompanying photo, or short 3-5 minute video stories.
Stories highlighting how a specific event(s) changed you and connected you or others to FOR are ideal for the Project.
Keep an eye out for new emails and social media alerts as new stories emerge.
Submit stories by: emailing info@friendsoftheriver.org.
The what
Written stories.
- 1-2 pictures & approximately 300-800 words
- Although longer ones are welcome too, please break your life story into smaller ones for the audience.
Videos.
- Phone videos are just fine. Please make sure your video is horizontal (not vertical).
- Aim for 3-10 minutes. Prepare what you will (generally) say ahead of time, but try not to read off notes. Consider doing a practice video before your final.
Story tips.
Pick a story that tells a piece of your story with Friends of the River that helps tell a part of our larger story.
- Funny moment or misunderstanding/confusion
- A beginning or end of something
- A time when you did not know what would happen next
- Your first introduction to FOR
- An accomplishment that took many people
A few reminders of what makes a good story:
- Begin with a sentence that captures our attention!
- Select a specific event/time/person to focus the story on
- Stories that focus on how a single chapter of your life changed what came after are even more fun than the Cliff Notes of the novel of your life.
- Tell us what changed – you, others, laws?
- Be vivid and concise with your writing. Show us, don’t tell us.
- Make sure your closing points to a larger conclusion (what your story showed/taught you/connected you to)
- Can your photo help you tell the story?
Contact info@friendsoftheriver.org with any questions or submissions.