Partner Toolkit
Your guide for collecting stories and promoting California Chronicles.
This toolkit offers story criteria, types of submission, sample social media posts, graphics & hashtags, and a sample promotional email/article.
Story Criteria
California Chronicle’s goal is to illuminate the struggles, triumphs, and actions that brought about change. We seek to share stories about social justice, racial equity, combating ageism, homelessness, poverty, addiction, substance abuse, LGBTQ pride, successes, failures, joys, difficulties, and community connections. Do not worry if your story doesn’t fall under these suggestions. California Chronicles wants to share everyone’s unique experiences.
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All Californians have a legacy to share. But how can we turn that legacy into an engaging story? When telling your story, address the following: Tell us what successes, failures, joys, difficulties you faced as a Californian. Highlight the impact it had on yourself and others. If you have any lessons you learned from your experience, now is the time to share.
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Including some of these details will make your story more interesting to an audience. But remember, the most important thing is that you tell your story naturally and from your own, unique perspective. Share your story the way it should be told.
Types of Submissions
Share your story, your way. We accept the following types of storytelling:
Social Media
Use these social media posts and graphics to help us get the word out! Share across social media, email, and newsletters
By illuminating our struggles, triumphs, and actions that brought change, our legacies spark connections between Californians of all ages. Learn how you can share your story: www.calchronicles.com
We all have a story - share yours today! #CaliforniaChronicles highlights the invaluable experiences and contributions of older Californians through storytelling. Learn more: www.calchronicles.com
#WhatsYourLegacy? How did you bring change for your family, community, or California? We want to know. Share your story: www.calchronicles.com
Articles
Article 1
Do you want to share your story?
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This May, The California Department of Aging, California State Library, and UC Berkeley Bancroft Library are launching the California Chronicles - a diverse collection of stories that shine a light on the invaluable experiences and contributions of older Californians. By illuminating the struggles, triumphs, and actions that brought about change, these legacies spark connections between Californians of all ages.
Join us in contributing and collecting stories. Submissions can take the form of video or audio recording, written, photo, oral history, or artwork.
Visit California Chronicles (www.calchronicles.com) to share your legacy and check out story criteria, tips & tricks, and promotional materials.
Article 2
Each May, the Administration for Community Living leads the celebration of Older Americans Month (OAM). This year’s theme is Communities of Strength, recognizing the important role older adults play in fostering the connection and engagement that build strong, resilient communities.
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Strength is built and shown not only by bold acts, but also small ones of day-to-day life—a conversation shared with a friend, working in the garden, trying a new recipe, or taking time for a cup of tea on a busy day. And when we share these activities with others—even virtually or by telling about the experience later—we help them build resilience too.
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This year, CDA will celebrate OAM by launching California Chronicles. We will be encouraging community members to share their experiences. In our community, older adults are a key source of this strength. Through these experiences, successes, and difficulties, they have built resilience that helps them to face new challenges. When communities tap into this, they become stronger too. Together, we can find strength—and create a stronger future.
When people of different ages, backgrounds, abilities, and talents share experiences—through action, story, or service—we help build strong communities. Please join CDA in strengthening our community – share your story today (www.calchronicles.com)!
