Why participate in One Small Step?
To meet a neighbor.
To connect with someone new during COVID time.
To tell your story.
To hear someone else’s story.
To share your story for posterity (recordings will be placed in the Library of Congress with your permission!)
To help those with other political beliefs understand your viewpoint and story.
To better understand those with other beliefs.
To strengthen our community.
Here’s how it works:
Fill out the questionnaire by the end of December.
StoryCorps staff may match you with someone else in the River Valley for a conversation.
Have a conversation by phone or in the StoryCorps online platform, depending on what technology is available to you.
One Small Step is a program of StoryCorps, a non-profit whose mission is to provide the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives. River Valley Commons is providing local support. To learn more about the program, see the One Small Step video or website.
Questions and Answers
Who will see my questionnaire?
If you complete the online questionnaire, only StoryCorps staff will see your responses. They will be matching and selecting participants. If you complete the print questionnaire, River Valley Commons staff will see the questionnaires when they share them with StoryCorps.
How will I know if I have been selected to participate?
StoryCorps staff will be in touch with you in January.
Can I choose who I talk with?
On the questionnaire, you can indicate that you’d like to talk with a specific person. However, StoryCorps staff will make the final selections.
What kinds of questions will we talk about?
Participants help shape the interview and the questions asked. Some possible opening questions are:
Take 5 minutes to each tell your partner your life story as best you can.
What is your earliest memory of politics?
Can you tell me about someone who has been kindest to you in your life?
Why did you want to do this interview today?
Some possible deeper questions are:
Could you describe, in your own words, your personal political values? What issues would you say are the most important to you?
Was there a moment or experience in your life that helped shape your political beliefs?
Do you feel misunderstood by people who have different beliefs than you? How so?
Is there a person that was influential in shaping your political beliefs? What did they teach you?
How do you feel around people with different beliefs than you?
What is it that people say about you that is most painful?
Is there anything you admire about people on the other side of the divide?
Is there someone who you disagree with but still respect? If so, why?
Have you ever experienced doubt in your political beliefs?
What is your biggest hope for your future? For your family’s future?
Who will be facilitating the conversation?
StoryCorps staff will do the facilitation.
Will my conversation be recorded?
Yes. However, what happens with that recording is up to you. If you agree, a copy will be given to each participant, StoryCorps, River Valley Commons, and a copy will be placed in the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.