By Jason Browne
In September 2024, I found myself in an unexpected situation: I was “held hostage” by an entity whimsically named Mr. Privilege. He forced me into a disaster simulator where my water was scarce, my light extinguished, and my shelter stripped away. It wasn’t a physical abduction but a self-imposed journey to confront the comforts we often take for granted. By living without basic necessities, I shared a reality that so many worldwide face daily.
This adventure began in March 2024 at a Rotary conference. A seemingly innocent observation was shared with my friend Bill Tobin, Rotary Relations Manager at ShelterBox USA. “You have such great stories – why don’t you share them more on social media?” I asked candidly. ShelterBox Trust, founded as a Rotary Club initiative in 2000, provides emergency shelter and essential supplies to families devastated by disasters and conflict. ShelterBox Trust’s partnership with Rotary has been instrumental in reaching communities worldwide. Yet, it felt like ShelterBox USA’s storytelling didn’t fully capture the human impact of their efforts.
Bill listened thoughtfully and posed a challenge: “Why don’t you help us tell these stories?” I was taken aback. Me? My observation was only meant to be a critique, not to express a passive interest in volunteering! But Bill’s suggestion ignited a spark.
What if we told their stories in a way never done before in Rotary or in ShelterBox? What if we took all the lessons learned from public image and brought Rotarians together across the United States online and in person? What if there were no restrictions on our storytelling?
The answer: The Mr. Privilege Saga
Six months after that conversation with Bill, I embarked on a storytelling journey online and in person. And since every good story needs a villain, a character named Mr. Privilege was created based on my then recent TEDx talk on the “Possibilities of Privilege.”
I crafted a Matrix and Neo-style narrative where I was “kidnapped” by Mr. Privilege and thrust into conditions mirroring those faced by disaster victims. Websites were created through ShelterBox and my own personal site. A series of videos were written, edited on my smartphone, and produced online. Events were created across the country to celebrate the cause and the story. Rotarians supported this creative project without hesitation.
The climax of the story coincided with my arrival in Echo, Oregon, where I entered a simulated disaster scenario (this simulation is very similar to what ShelterBox USA creates for select participants at its bi-annual event SAFE). Every day each video told the story of shelter and disaster from around the world in what we hoped to be uniquely captivating. To add a sense of immersion, props, actors, and my survival experiences were used to carry the narrative, and my battle against Mr. Privilege, through to its thrilling final act.
The ShelterBox Mr. Privilege Saga is fantastical. And I propose that it’s not only okay to be weirdly creative – it is necessary. We should be even more adventurous when telling our stories. By stepping outside traditional methods of communication, I was able to engage new audiences and hopefully inspire others to think differently about how we share our work.
I shared the story on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube (the latter being the best place to view it in its most complete form.) While the views, likes, and shares weren’t as high as I had hoped, the resulting content was more than I could have imagined. If these videos inspire a service-minded content creator, ShelterBox ambassador, or Rotarian to share their story more uniquely, then this project was successful.
We can’t be afraid to take leaps and be creative with our storytelling. Facts and figures inform, but the stories – the unconventional, the personal, the heartfelt – truly inspire action. By embracing creativity, we can find new ways to connect with others and share the good we all do around the world.
I encourage everyone within the Rotary family and beyond to think outside the box when it comes to sharing their stories. Don’t be afraid to be bold, to be different, to challenge the norms. Your unique perspective could be the key to engaging someone who might not have listened otherwise. Thank you to everyone who helped me on this journey (even you, Mr. Privilege), and I look forward to seeing what stories you choose to tell.
Jason is the past president of the Downtown Rotary Club of State College, Pennsylvania, USA, Rollin’ with Rotary founding member, and a former Zone 28 & 29 assistant public image coordinator. He has presented to Rotarians around the world at various district conferences, membership conferences, Presidents-Elect Training Seminars (PETS), Rotary International conventions, and online conferences.
https://blog.rotary.org/2024/11/07/mr-privilege-teaches-about-hunger-poverty-and-the-power-of-creative-storytelling/