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We are Stamily, which is an international organisation for people who stutter (pws) and our allies from all over the world, founded in 2020, rich in diversity and bound by one shared experience: we stutter. Stamily strives to raise awareness and improve the lives of people who stutter, innovate, create an inclusive, safe space, support everyone on their personal journey as a person who stutters and connect the stuttering community through online and in-person events, as well as courses. Together, we can make a difference and create a more inclusive world for those who stutter. More about Stamily at stamily.org/ |
At the European Youth Exchanges, young adults who stutter are challenged to face their fears and find their voices. This not only helps them realize their strengths and stand up for themselves, but also highlights the importance of joining hands, supporting each other on our journeys, and raising our voices together. In 2018, participants from the Youth Exchanges began discussing how they could achieve this, and in 2020, Stamily was officially founded.
Like any organization, there are challenges. Practical challenges include paperwork and outreach, while organizational challenges involve responsibilities, goals, and visions. However, the most important challenge is ensuring that the organization is not only for the members but also by the members. We realized that the best way to achieve this is to always ask the members and involve them in everything we do.
Members can sign up to run projects, whether they are existing ones or their own ideas. They can help with or suggest activities, both online and in-person events. They can provide advice on WhatsApp subgroups, start Stamily cafés, listen in on open board meetings, and give feedback on what they want the organization to focus on. With the approval of its members, Stamily hosts the Declaration of the Right to Stutter, which you can find at our website.
Giving members so many tools can create challenges for the board, as ideas and wishes are not always easy to implement due to organizational issues. However, the strength of running an organization as a community, rather than just a board, makes these challenges worth the effort.
The active participation of members has fostered a strong sense of community and shared responsibility, making the organization more dynamic and responsive to its members’ needs. This collaborative approach not only addresses the unique challenges faced by Stamily but also highlights the power of unity and the importance of giving a voice to those who stutter. And this voice is growing. From humble but courageous beginnings in 2020, Stamily now has nearly 200 members from every continent on earth.
If you’re interested in learning more about the challenges we faced as an organisation, and how we together found our strengths, feel free to reach out.
It’s inspiring to see how y’all empower people who stutter by building a truly member-led community. Turning challenges into shared strength, and giving everyone a voice, shows how powerful collective action can be. The growth since 2020 is proof of the impact this kind of inclusive approach can have.
Hello
Thank you for reading and for responding.
Yes, Stamily is indeed a member-led community. While there is a Board, the purpose of the Board is to provide the required organizational support, and at times to create some initiatives. Members are encouraged to created and manage initiatives themselves.
All the best,
Hanan
Hi! I really enjoyed reading about the perspectives you shared as a stutterer and the story of Stamily! It’s incredible to see how community and personal growth all come together, overall demonstrating support to people who stutter by giving them a platform! What has been the most rewarding part of seeing the community grow across the world?
The principle of being “not only for the members but also by the members” is what makes Stamily so special and successful – for anyone reading this who is not a member, please do join. It’s a fantastic group of people 🙂
Hi,
I really enjoyed reading about the growth of Stamily, from a small group of individuals to now a much bigger community that empowers people who stutter to share their voices! I really liked the emphasis on collaboration, how the organization is “not just for members but by members.” This is what makes a community feel supportive! Thank you for sharing these insights and for creating an inclusive space where people feel comfortable to share their stories!
Stamily is so much more than just an organisation. It’s the friendship, the respect, the support, the inclusion, being seen and heard, whether thats online or in person, and the strong connection and friendship with our dear allies, all together towards the same goal.
It’s so amazing that this organisation started from youth camps, where young people who stutter found their voices and decided to make the world listen, now being an international organisation for people from all over the world and all ages, and yet keeping that personal focus, where everyone is acknowledged and being given the opportunity to get involved. I’m so happy to have been a member from the very start, and still feeling at home, surrounded by friends. 🙂
Anita