ACT Memo

As you requested, this is your ACT Self-Advocacy Resource Network Memo facilitating a national dialogue among self-advocates and supporters and a clearinghouse for materials and training that support self-advocacy.

November 20, 2008

Day of Listening

Our life stories matter. Self-advocacy is about telling your story—and about honoring the story of others by listening. Here’s a way to do it:

Friday, November 28 is the “first annual day of listening.” The plan is simple: Ask one person his or her story and listen. Just listen. You could even make a recording to share with StoryCorps, the folks behind this national day.

People of all stripes will be taking part. Why not us? Let’s join the listening.

1.	More About this National Project
2.	Group Activity
3.	Resource


1.	More About this National Project
	The National Day of Listening is organized by StoryCorps. Here’s what they are saying about the event: “This holiday season, ask the people around you about their lives—it could be your grandmother, a teacher, or someone from the neighborhood. By listening to their stories, you will be telling them that they matter and they won’t ever be forgotten. It may be the most meaningful time you spend this year.”

2.	Group Activity
	Ask among your group: “Who would like to tell your story?” Make a list. Then make a list of listeners (folks who will listen carefully) and ask questions to help bring that story out. Then set a time and place for each story. If you want, you could try to record them, and take a picture. But if that becomes too complicated, just do the telling. Need ideas for questions to ask? Visit StoryCorps’ page of great questions.

3.	Resource
	National Day of Listening This Web site has a step-by-step guide for having your story recorded as part of the national project. Or, if you just want to do it yourself, click on “Participate,” then on “Do-it-Yourself Guide.”

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Today’s Trivia Question:

Match each country with the month in which a thanksgiving day or harvest festival is celebrated.

1.	Canada	a.	January
2.	Southern India	b.	November
3.	Germany	c.	October
4.	Brazil	d.	August
5.	Ghana	d.	September

(The answer will be published in the next Memo.)

Answer to November 12th Trivia Question: d. 1815 (the War of 1812 ended in 1815, although the peace treaty ending the war was signed in December 1814)

Question was: The War of 1812 was fought between the U.S. and Great Britain. In what year did it end?

a.	1812
b.	1813
c.	1814
d.	1815

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