Spellbinders Standards and Guidelines
Through the art of oral storytelling, Spellbinders® enhances literacy, encourages character development, and builds intergenerational community.
(1) Spellbinders® trained volunteers must have successfully completed a Spellbinders® Certified Training Workshop.
(2) Spellbinders® trained volunteers must complete and pass a Colrado Bureau of Investigation or other state recognized background check.
(3) All active Spellbinders® trained volunteers must agree to uphold the Spellbinders® Preamble, Purpose and Principles and sign a commitment to comply with these Standards and Guidelines.
(4) Spellbinders® trained volunteers must ensure that a member of the school/facility staff is present while telling stories to children in schools and institutions to preserve a safe and respectful environment for all. The presence of a school/facility staff member is a state requirement in Colorado and is an issue of legal liability.
(5) Spellbinders® trained volunteers understand that performance or “platform” storytelling for a large audience is not an appropriate setting for a Spellbinders® program. Spellbinders® mission is best fulfilled in small, informal settings.
(6) Spellbinders® trained volunteers endeavor not only to entertain their audiences, but also to tell stories that are age-appropriate, respectful of the audience, and encourage positive character development and cross-cultural understanding.
(7) Spellbinders® trained volunteers respect and honor the stories they tell, the sources of their stories, and their responsibility to the art of storytelling.
(8) Spellbinders® trained volunteers must not discuss religious, political, or sexual matters with their listeners while storytelling or while interacting with audiences as a Spellbinders Storyteller.
(9) Spellbinders® trained volunteers should never initiate any close physical contact with the children.
(10) Spellbinders® trained volunteers understand that they are accountable for their storytelling commitments by either keeping their commitments or making alternative arrangements.
(11) Spellbinders® trained volunteers take responsibility for continuing education and for seeking feedback and evaluating their own performance as a storyteller. I understand that I may receive continuing education by attending local storyteller organization meetings, Story Circles, Trainer’s Forums, Leadership Academies, and the Spellbinders® Annual Meeting.
(12) Spellbinders® trained volunteers share their own experiences and talents with other Spellbinders® storytellers and are encouraged to participate regularly in monthly meetings of their Licensed Local Storytelling Organization (LLSO).
(13) Spellbinders® trained volunteers document their storytelling activities and regularly report that data to the designated person in their LLSO.
(14) Spellbinders® trained volunteers should wear Spellbinders® identification while volunteering as a Spellbinders® Trained Volunteer Storyteller.
(15) Spellbinders® Trained Volunteer Storytellers do not charge a fee for storytelling.
(16) Nothing in these Standards and Guidelines shall prohibit Spellbinders® volunteers from accepting reimbursement for their travel expenses.
(17) Nothing in this document shall prohibit Spellbinders® Licensed Organizations from accepting donations.
The Spellbinders® Trained Volunteer Storyteller must agree to these Standards and Guidelines and indicate so by signing the Spellbinders® Trained Volunteer Storyteller Commitment form. I also understand that when giving programs under Spellbinders® auspices, I am performing as a volunteer representing the organization in ways consistent with the Spellbinders® Preamble, Purpose, and Principles of Spellbinders®.