The Firefighter Story: New Non-Profit Uses Storytelling to Bring Quality to Parks

The mission at Quality Parks, a nonprofit organization, is two-fold: to consult park managers on how to more effectively bring quality to their park systems, while at the same time educating the public about the importance of, and participation in, conservation. But their way of merging these goals with money raising efforts is unique: they are producing a book. The Firefighter Story (working title) uses reader volunteers, corporate sponsors, and authors to create a continual learning environment that will ultimately benefit communities and their natural resources.

Port Jefferson, NY (PRWeb) February 28, 2007 -- The mission at Quality Parks, a nonprofit organization, is two-fold: to consult park managers on how to more effectively bring quality to their park systems, while at the same time educating the public about the importance of, and participation in, conservation. But their way of merging these goals with money raising efforts is unique: they are producing a book. The Firefighter Story (working title) uses reader volunteers, corporate sponsors, and authors to create a continual learning environment that will ultimately benefit communities and their natural resources.

Mindy Block, an environmental advocate and the founder of Quality Parks, created the nonprofit after she obtained an M.S. in Environmental Studies from Antioch New England. After studying how concepts like storytelling were utilized in the healthcare sector to improve patient treatment, Ms. Block implemented the idea in her organization.

"I wanted to work on natural resource conservation by applying quality management tools. Quality is a business strategy that ensures a continual learning environment for positive environmental change."

Ms. Block and co-author Gretchen Saule are the "guinea pigs" for Quality Parks' first book project. They are purposely using an unconventional approach to writing the manuscript by enlisting the help of volunteers to review chapters as they are written. This creates a "continual learning environment," Block says, "…and a safe place for people to imagine green solutions in a non-threatening environment."

Over 50 reviewers, or contributors as Quality Parks credits them, have participated so far. Block believes this approach will generate "some preliminary understanding of the conservation challenge being presented" while at the same time building a "network of support so that we can reach out to more young adults and the young at heart with this inspirational story that not only teaches environmental good, but also teaches young adults how to be good leaders."

The Firefighter Story is still in production, but when it is complete they will seek a professional publisher to publish it. Authors agree to give Quality Parks a 15% commission along with an agreed upon charitable donation from net profits once the book is published. With the proceeds, Quality Parks will continue their outreach programs and their advocacy of conservation through storytelling.

Block already has plans in place for the next project: an anthology. For now, however, she encourages as many as possible to contribute. She makes that easy to do by accepting both volunteers to review chapters or by accepting monetary donations. She would especially like to see more companies and corporations getting involved.

For additional information, or to learn how you can become involved, visit www.qualityparks.org.

For information on how to become a corporate sponsor, contact: Mindy Block, Quality Parks, P.O. Box, 143, Port Jefferson, NY, 11777-0143, 631-473-6760.

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