Fun-Loving, Caring Volunteers Wanted

Spellbinders Oral Storytellers of Larimer County is a nonprofit organization of storytellers in schools and other venues to tell time-honored, multicultural, character building stories.

Organization's purpose/mission:  Through the art of oral storytelling, Spellbinders enhances literacy, encourages character development, and builds intergenerational community.

Volunteer coordinator/contact information:  laimerspellbinders@gmail

Volunteer prerequisites:   To become a Spellbinders  storyteller, a volunteer must complete a Training Workshop. The workshop is 9-12 hours spread over 3-5 days. The trainee has the opportunity to shadow experienced tellers in the classroom and may have a mentor to turn to for advice. A background check is required before being able to be assigned a classroom. The next training session will be in August 2014.

Volunteer duties:   Storytellers Are encouraged to give programs on a regular basis. To do this it is necessary to learn two to three stories each month for the first year. Storytellers keep a storytelling log and report the information to their chapter. Monthly meetings are held and provide ongoing training and support, attendance is encouraged and is fun!

Typical time commitment: Monthly meeting Sept thru May. The first Wednesday of the month from 12:45-3:00 at LifePointe Church 900 E Prospect, Fort Collins. Additional time commitment varies as first year tellers need to learn multiple stories. Some volunteers go to one school and tell for one grade level once a month. Programs are 20 to 30 minutes in length so one to one and a half hours telling and about twice that preparing. Others, after building up a repertoire of stories, may tell at multiple locations or classrooms.