My Trail Story > > >
Stories are an essential tool in how humans communicate ideas, experiences, values and so much more. They serve to connect us emotionally, foster empathy, provide context, enhance memorability and give us the means to ensure we reach a receptive and broad audience.
In every presentation, conversation, social media post, or grant application we write, an accompanying narrative—a story—is taking place. Sometimes we carefully consider the narrative and what it might be saying, other times we don’t put a lot of thought into it, allowing others to interpret it freely.
Whether we realize it or not, every single one of us is a story teller, consciously or unconsciously. Recognizing this fact and understanding that everything we do tells a story is the first step toward ensuring our thoughts and ideas achieve their intended objectives.
It is on this idea that the concept for Single Track Communications was born.
I come from 25 years in the wedding and special events industry. Over the latter half of those years, my unique specialty become that of MCing weddings, fundraisers and corporate events. Throughout my professional development for that role, storytelling and the connection between humans and the information those stories delivered became the centre of much of what I became known for.
As I gradually retired from the events world, I became involved in a small not-for-profit organization that aimed to build formal trails in a rural Manitoba community. Soon enough, I found myself becoming the Board chairperson, and my trail story officially began.
Over the next couple of years, myself and a passionate team of volunteers introduced the idea of a formal trail park to the ~2400 members of the town and within 20 months of doing that, we had raised just over $620,000 for this new outdoor recreation facility.
The connection between my past life in the wedding and events world became more and more obvious at every turn. The story telling skills I’d developed and the ability to pay attention to small details contributed to great successes for the organization. I loved crafting the story of our project, relishing in the small details, much like I became known for doing in the events industry. I fell in love with the story that trails can tell and the work that goes into making them come to life. The honour of voluntarily leading that great team is something I continue to do today.
Throughout our journey as a trails organization, which included both successes and valuable learning experiences, I became a dedicated student of the Front Lines MTB Podcast. Over the course of approximately 60 days in late 2021, I listened to all 80+ episodes. Through the incredibly well crafted conversations that podcast host Brent Hillier produced, I came to realize that I might have found my next calling.
Everything we do, from communicating with local trail users, grant writing, establishing landowner use agreements, building strategic partnerships, or even considering the purchase of trail counters, function and stand a better chance at success when we consider the story they tell.
As Single Track Communications now formally hits the ground running (riding?), my goal is to create, seek out, and bring resources to the table for trail organizations, threaded together by a central theme about how they function to help us tell our stories.
Whether you represent a brand new trail organization (welcome!) or a long tenured trail organization (let’s share some ideas!), I am excited to be here for each of you. I am committed to creating and sharing resources and when requested, providing one-on-one services through both donated in-kind and fee-for-service arrangements.
To receive notifications about all future articles and resources that will be shared here, please join the free Single Track Communications email list.
(Rest assured, I won’t spam you or sell your information. I mean, seriously, that’s like someone completely rutting up and wrecking your favourite trail when it is waaaaaay to wet out—just downright annoying and a major frustration. Trust me, I’ve got better things to do than engage in such shenanigans.)
The success of Single Track Communications is tied to your success as an organization and trail advocate. Here’s to our joint success in telling the story of incredible trails for years to come.
Welcome to this exciting and experimental project. Thank you.
Please do not hesitate to reach out for any reason (I truly mean that). I’d love to connect and am eager to talk trails with you. I am always available or feel free to comment below.