There is a story unfolding.
It is being told around the world. It has been shared on stages at colleges and concerts, under tents at music festivals, and in conversations sparked by t-shirts. With The Storytellers, it will now be told between classes, among friends, and in morning announcements. It’s our story, and it’s your story.
You are the storytellers.
You came into this world with a voice—a voice to laugh, to cry, to scream, to sing, to tell the world what matters. You have a voice that deserves to be heard. You have asked us, “How do we join this movement? How do we use our voices to spread this message of hope and healing to our friends on our high school campuses? What is something we can do to make a difference?”
We have an answer for you.
We believe in the power of high school students, and we have witnessed the way your passion combines with compassion to create change. You have a voice that can change your community. The Storytellers High School Campaign is a stage for you. This is a chance for you to create events, sell exclusive TWLOHA bracelets, and share this story to an audience of your peers. It’s an opportunity to do something with that powerful voice of yours.
The idea is simple: invite people who are passionate about TWLOHA, who have a unique platform every day of the school year, to tell our story. We allow your creativity and genius to decide how to tell it, as we give you resources to raise awareness and funds for an organization that matters to you.
The impact of this simple idea is not yet known. We hope to see a movement rise up that declares love and acceptance, holds stories above stereotypes, and leads to conversations about difficult issues such as depression, addiction, and self-injury.
The Storytellers is a way to speak out to your campus and say that hope and healing are real by inviting your friends, your classmates, and your teachers to participate in our story.
You are inviting them to listen to the very stories surrounding them.
You are inviting them to truly live their own stories.
You are inviting them into our story.
You are inviting them into your story.
How the Campaign Works:
- Students submit an application online (applications are currently closed) and return a permission form (located at the end of the application) via email or fax. Students must secure an advisor who is a faculty member or administrator at the school they attend and is willing to supervise their participation for the duration of the campaign. Please be sure to read our FAQs for details on advisor responsibilities and have an advisor attached before applying.
- Upon acceptance, the student organizer will receive a detailed manual explaining the campaign further and be given a variety of tools to help their campaign be as successful as possible. We will provide promotional materials, info cards, bracelets, coin drive stickers, an online fundraising page, an online community to discuss the campaign with other students and promotion via our social media networks. This campaign is of no cost to the student, advisor or school.
- The only fundraising activity we require is the selling of "The Storytellers" bracelets. All student organizers need for the main fundraiser is their energy and willingness to invite as many people possible into the TWLOHA story. Students are not limited to bracelets and may raise funds in a variety of ways if they choose.
- This is not only about fundraising. We believe in the power of community and strongly encourage student organizers to host community events that actively engage their fellow classmates and people in their town. The manual will provide a list and materials for community events, including a Fears vs. Dreams campaign.
Incentives:
Each school accepted will be assigned to a bracket. The top school fundraiser in each bracket will be appreciated with a special TWLOHA event.
This event will include:
- A Video Presentation
- Staff Speaker
- Musical performance by a musician who supports TWLOHA
- TWLOHA merchandise for sale
Special acknowledgement will also be given to:
- Most Creative Event
- Biggest Individual Fundraising Event
- Best Use of Online Media presented by Buzznet.
Please note: all schools participating in The Storytellers will receive recognition for their participation in the campaign.
Dates:
Spring 2012
Applications accepted October 1st to January 15th
Term Runs from: February 1st to May 1st
**International schools may run on different dates/deadlines based on school terms TBD later. AUSTRALIA TERM DATES TBA SOON**
Fall 2012
Applications accepted: TBA
Term Runs from: September 15th to December 15th
Spring 2013
Applications accepted: TBA
Term Runs from: February 1st to May 1st
