Eugene Stickland

A man with shoulder-length gray hair is speaking into a microphone at an event for Stardale Women's Group Inc. behind him is a colorful banner with the group's name and a painting of a tree and landscape.

Role: Playwright, Writer, Facilitator, "Harvester of Words"

Listen up.

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Group of four young women sitting on chairs, reading papers, with a woman at the end of the row in a business suit and glasses, in a classroom or meeting room setting.

The Spirit They Bring

This person is a humble listener and a vessel for the stories of others. They do not come with an agenda, but with empty hands and an open heart, ready to receive and gently shape the truths that emerge. They understand the power of flipping a harmful word like "commit" into a promise of "committing to life."

Key Characteristics

  • Deep Listener: They possess a rare ability to truly hear others, quietly attuned to the mood in the room and sensitive to unspoken needs. Their questions gently open doors to stories, never imposing or steering with force.

  • Cultural Humility: Approaching each situation with respect, they recognize what they don’t know and honour the wisdom held by youth and elders. Always learning, they never assume authority, but instead foster collaboration.

  • Creative Alchemist: With care, they weave together fragments of conversation, notes, and subtle insights into a narrative that rises naturally from the group, always ensuring that the story belongs to the youth themselves.

  • Holder of Hope: They embody resilient optimism, quietly encouraging the group and reminding everyone that even small acts of listening and understanding can make a profound difference.

What to Look For in Your Community

This could be a local writer, a compassionate teacher, a theatre artist, or a storyteller. Look for someone who is more interested in listening than talking, who sees the value in every person's story, and who has a gentle, encouraging nature.

A man with long hair, sunglasses, and a black blazer speaking into a microphone at an outdoor event under a white canopy, with a crowd in front of him and green foliage in the background.
Group of nine people, including two adults and seven children, standing indoors in front of a wall decorated with framed photographs and posters.
A man and woman are hugging each other, smiling, at a social gathering. The man has blond hair and is wearing a black cardigan over a white shirt, while the woman has blonde hair and is dressed in a floral dress, holding a yellow gift bag.
Three people sitting and talking indoors near a red tablecloth and a Coca-Cola vending machine.
Four women and one man sitting in a row, with a Stanton Women's Group Inc. banner in the background, in a room with green and gray walls.