Storytelling is deeply woven into our work at Flourish Alberta—so much so that it has become a core value within our structure. I’m thrilled that we’re finally bringing this into practice. Personally, I often lean on examples, analogies, and metaphors to explain concepts. While data and metrics are essential and play an important role, I’m increasingly aware that it’s the story behind the data that truly resonates and sticks with us. These stories are often what I recall when sharing lessons I’ve learned elsewhere.

Years ago, I worked with an organization that needed to implement metrics to support its work. There was initial fear among the staff that this focus on data might overshadow the stories of the families they served. We spent a lot of time exploring how data and stories could complement each other, rather than stand in opposition and I learned a lot through that process.

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More recently, I participated in discussions about developing an impact report alongside financial reports. We often treat financials as a separate entity from the stories and impact behind them. It was fascinating to explore ways to bring these two elements together in a more cohesive narrative.

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Beyond simply collecting stories, there's immense value in being able to tell our own stories. These narratives and experiences are a significant part of what makes us who we are. They help us connect, learn about one another, understand different perspectives, and even discover new insights about ourselves as we share them. Some of my most profound realizations have come while recounting stories I thought I already understood. We've seen this firsthand during interviews with Namada resource providers, as interviewees often gain new perspectives on their own work while sharing their stories with us. This is why we remain committed to conducting person-to-person interviews with each resource provider.

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As we continue to develop Flourish Alberta as a platform for your stories, we’re also dedicating space for our team to share their own. This newsletter will serve as that space. Some stories will be brief, others longer, but all will reflect the individuality of the person writing. We look forward to getting to know each other better through these shared experiences!