A few weeks ago, I attended “frank 2015,” a gathering for folks who use storytelling and other forms of communications for social change. The event is named for the late Frank Karel, a revered communications leader at the Robert Wood Johnson and Rockefeller Foundations. As his legacy, Karel endowed a chair at the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, which is quickly becoming a vibrant hub in public interest communications.

Countless people could benefit from what I experienced at “frank.” And because the franksters think smart about sharing stuff, anyone can. First, head over to Twitter, where #frank2015 was trending by its second day; there’s a rich archive there. Next, check out the #frank2015 recap, where you can read about or watch nearly everything that happened – minus the schmoozing, food, drink and live music — and sign up to go next year.

In the meantime, here’s a quick tour of some things I learned – what I want to remember as our team at Encore.org works to tell new stories and build a movement around “second acts for the greater good.”

1. Don’t underestimate the power of humor and satire. Chip Geller of Grist explained how his organization raises awareness about environmental issues by ditching the gloom-and-doom rhetoric for a more lighthearted and witty approach. (Best opening line: “So . . . this climate walked into a bar and the bartender asks, ‘who’s the hottie?’”) And for all those who plan meetings: Lizz Winstead, the brilliant (if potty-mouthed) co-creator of Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show, was an inspired emcee, riffing between speakers and keeping her audience engaged over several long days.
2. Gimmicks are powerful, when they work. Jenny Lawson (AKA “The Bloggess“), who blogs about her anxiety and depression, had to be coaxed out of the bathroom to do an onstage interview. The interviewer “found” her in the bathroom and conducted the interview – on camera – with both of them sitting in stalls. Lawson finally emerged, holding a taxidermied bobcat, her “therapy animal.” Straight out of SNL. She spoke powerfully on using humor to create change around mental illness. You can watch it here (it’s a long one – 37 minutes – but worth it).
3. TED-style talks are still compelling (despite what some people think). But not all speakers can carry a 20-minute monologue. Shorter talks – of 3- and 12-minutes – are plenty for smaller ideas, and for less-experienced speakers. It’s also a good idea to shake up how people take control of the stage. David Morse, head of communications for Atlantic Philanthropies, delivered a provocative talk (no video available) about whether his sudden activism in opposition to a potential power line encroaching his property made him an environmentalist. He was seated Spalding Gray-style at a table with a glass of water and a stack of papers on it. And it worked.
4. Good presentations don’t need slides. Ann Christiano (the Frank Karel Chair for Public Communications and grand poobah of frank) captivated the audience with a gorgeous story about Jo Ann Robinson, a little-known figure in the civil rights movement. She used a single prop – a well-chosen book. And no slides.
5. Be creative about audience Q&A. The frank agenda dispensed with the usual post-talk Q&As. Instead, speakers were available for conversations in sessions that followed each cluster of talks. Brilliant.
6. Make it personal. Ai-jen Poo, who has won a MacArthur “genius” grant for her work championing the rights of domestic workers, began her talk by asking us to turn to a neighbor and talk for 5 minutes about someone who’d been a caregiver in our lives. She used the same technique on the floor of the New York City Council when it voted for the first city bill to protect domestic workers’ rights – with a parade of council members sharing their own stories of domestic care. (Her talk is a must-watch. It also happens to have no slides.)
7. Movies move ideas and drive social change: Another score from Ai-jen Poo, who described the “Be the Help” campaign tied to the film, “The Help.” When Octavia Spencer accepted The Golden Globe award with the words “all work has dignity and should be recognized as such,” Poo’s campaign hit millions of viewers and reinforced the value of identifying good spokespeople and properly preparing them.

I could go on and on. But (bonus tip) blogs need to be short. So I urge you to dig into the rest on your own. And if you’re in the business of using ideas to change the world, try to get yourself to #frank2016. Sign up here.

Published: March 23, 2015