FUNDRAISING APPEAL 

for the SC-CC StorySave Special Project 2013

[ This is fund raising appeal for a special project from Storytellers of Canada. It is reprinted here with permission from SC-CC. ] 

As most of you know, Storytellers of Canada - Conteurs du Canada (SC-CC) is this country’s national storytelling organization.  One of its main programs is StorySave whose aim is to preserve, with a series of audio recordings, elder voices of some of Canada’s most respected and seasoned veterans of the oral storytelling tradition.  To date, there have been ten elder voices selected for production of triple CD projects, approximately one person chosen per year over the past eleven or so years.  And there are more to come.

For 2013 the StorySave committee has chosen to embark on a one-time Special Project to honour Jan Andrews, the originator of StorySave and one of the founders of SC-CC itself. 

Last year, her admirers and colleagues nominated her to be among the exceptional tellers honoured in the StorySave series.  Between the time of the nomination and the regular selection process, Jan discovered that she was facing a life-threatening illness. The selection committee approved Jan’s nomination, and to give more flexibility to her recording, they designated her CD a Special Project separate from the 2013 and 2014 awards. 

Jan is now poised to record a sampling of the wonderful work she has offered to audiences over the years.   She has reassured us recently (late March) that, “I think folks should know I don't seem to be about to pop off any minute!”.  We intend to hold her to her word on that point.

More than a decade ago, Jan recognized the importance of preserving the voices of Canadians who have made a unique contribution to storytelling in this country. And as ever when she has an idea worth pursuing, she threw her prodigious intellect and energies into initiating the “StorySave” project. 

As well, she found time to be an award-winning author short-listed for the Governor General’s Award, storyteller/writer-in-residence in Manitoba and Tasmania, director of two ground-breaking storytelling series, and co-founder of a storytelling company. In her spare time, she has entertained audiences across Canada, Scotland, Wales, and Australia.

Jan Andrews has been a leading visionary in the Canadian storytelling community for many years.  It’s time for us to come together to celebrate Jan’s contribution. 

Supporters of the artists involved in this series raise the funds to produce the CDs. One important piece of the campaign to fund Jan’s CD is the letter that you are reading and your response to it. A national appeal is unusual, but we feel it is justified because the impact of Jan’s efforts artistically and nationally in areas such as her fight to have storytelling widely recognized as an art form, one supported by funders.

We would like to offer you an opportunity to play a part in this great project by making a contribution to the recording, production, and distribution of these CDs.

We believe that those who have heard Jan tell will be happy that they have helped preserve her gentle cadence, her lovely accent, her power and her humour for others to enjoy.

The time-line for this Project is not firmly established but the actual audio recording is beginning in early spring, 2013.  The Project completion and release details are to be determined but will likely come to fruition within the coming year, depending on a number of logistical factors.  

Later this year an Ottawa area committee will be spear-heading and guiding this Project toward completion. Most of those people are currently somewhat occupied with planning the annual conference of the SC-CC in July 2013.

So this is where we need YOU:

In order to get the Project off the ground, we are now launching a general fundraising appeal to SC-CC members, friends of Jan Andrews, friends of SC-CC and all friends of storytelling everywhere. 

How to contribute: On-line electronically is what Peterborough Storytellers is suggesting will be the most convenient.  Contributions of $20.00 or more will get you a tax deductible receipt with either method (but the electronic method is a lot faster and easier).  The instructions are as follows.

On-line electronic (very fast and easy)

Electronic donations are made by following these easy directions:

1.    Go to the SC-CC website home page http://www.storytellers-conteurs.ca/

2.    Click on the box on the right side that says “Donate Now through CanadaHelps.org”

3.    Type in the amount you wish to contribute and the frequency (one time or repeating)

4.     Click on the Fund/Designation drop-down menu and choose StorySave

5.    Type the letters “JASP” or the words “Jan Andrews StorySave Project” in the Message/Instructions for Storytellers of Canada dialogue box

6.    Click “Continue”

7.    The next page is “The Giving Basket” that suggests a small contribution.  The CanadaHelps.org service costs us a small amount to use.  You can decide this for yourself.

8.    The next page asks for an e-mail address so you will promptly receive a tax deductible receipt. 

9.    The following page will ask for specific information for the income tax receipt

10.  Then follow the prompts, fill in the blanks and make your payments using methods such as a credit card or PayPal.   You should receive an e-mailed receipt almost immediately.

Jan was right to think that we who believe deeply in our oral heritage should do what we can to keep significant voices available. 

Thank you for your commitment to the art. Thank you for reading this letter. And if you are able to make a contribution, whether small or large, thank you very much for that!  

Watch for further developments in the coming months as this Special Project honouring Jan Andrews comes to fruition. We will post updates on our Tales and Tips blog for your review.

Jan Andrews is a fount of good ideas, a tireless worker, and a magnificent Canadian storyteller. It’s high time to capture her unique voice and contribution to the art.

April 2, 2013