Book clubs are a great way to encounter fascinating characters with powerful stories. Fascinating characters—like you!
A core premise of our book Living Proof: Telling Your Story to Make a Difference is that all of us have stories worth sharing when it comes to advocating for what we believe in. Why not use a book club to explore your story and those of your fellow book club members?
Reading a book such as Living Proof in a book club setting can be rewarding and enriching. The power that comes with sharing perspectives and discussing topics that are near and dear to one’s heart can elevate learning and deepen the impact of a book’s message.
If your book club is considering delving into Living Proof, here are five valuable tips to ensure a meaningful and enjoyable experience:
Tip 1: Get everyone on board.
Reading Living Proof is intended to be an interactive experience, so be sure everyone in the group is willing not only to read the book but also to complete the exercises and thought-pieces. Everyone in the group should also be willing to explore—and engage in—advocacy storytelling together. Make sure everyone understands from the start that Living Proof is about sharing a story in order to make a difference, not storytelling purely for entertainment or therapeutic reasons (though it very well may be entertaining or therapeutic or both).
Because you’ll be exploring your personal stories together, you may want to set some ground rules to make sure all participants feel comfortable and safe. For example, you may want to let people know that there is no pressure to share, and that all discussions will be kept confidential.
For inspiration and examples of how someone else has worked through the steps outlined in Living Proof, check out these blog posts by LPA cofounder John Capecci:
You may want to time your group’s reading of the book with an appropriate time of year such as National Share a Story Month (May), National Book Month (October), National Make a Difference Day (fourth Saturday of October) or National Day of Listening (the day after Thanksgiving).
Tip 2. Set realistic reading goals and a comfortable schedule.
Living Proof is packed with valuable insights and exercises that require introspection and application. To ensure everyone has ample time to absorb the material and put it into practice, set realistic reading goals. Determine a comfortable pace that allows members to read thoughtfully without feeling rushed. We recommend spreading the book over several meetings or assigning specific chapters or exercises for each meeting.
Tip 3. Encourage personal reflections.
Living Proof is intended to provoke self-reflection and introspection that lead to/are the bedrock of effective advocacy. Encourage book club members to keep notes or personal journals while reading the book. Ask them to jot down key takeaways, thoughts and emotions that arise from the content. During book club meetings, attendees will share their reflections, fostering open and meaningful discussions.
Maybe surprise everyone with their very own “I Am Living Proof” notebook to chart their progress!
Tip 4. Facilitate open discussions.
The success of any book club lies in the quality of the discussions it fosters. As the book club facilitator, ensure that all members have an opportunity to share their thoughts, questions and experiences related to the book. Create a safe and non-judgmental space where everyone feels comfortable expressing their opinions and insights, as well as sharing personal stories. Stay open-minded and respectful, even if some ideas or practices proposed in the book don’t resonate with group participants.
Tip 5. Implement actionable steps.
Living Proof contains actionable steps and exercises designed to bring about positive change. Encourage book club members to actively participate in these exercises, individually or as a group. By sharing progress and challenges individuals can motivate one another and reinforce the book’s teachings. Additionally, supporting each other in the implementation of the book’s principles can foster a stronger sense of community within the book club.
For example, after reading through the foundational sections, you might ask all members to fill out one of the advocacy-talk templates in Chapter 9: Strategic by Design.
In conclusion, reading Living Proof in your book club can be a transformative and empowering experience. By getting everyone on board, setting achievable reading goals, encouraging personal reflections, facilitating open discussions and implementing actionable steps, your book club can maximize the benefits of delving into the world of advocacy storytelling. Remember that the ultimate goal is not just reading the book but applying its wisdom to find the potential each of us has to make a positive impact through sharing lived experience.
Happy reading and growing together!
Share your progress, ideas and book club experiences in the comments below.