The story behind SNL Incirlik 2 Published Nov. 5, 2013 By Master Sgt. Gloria Wilson 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- People are still buzzing about what occurred Saturday Nov 2. here, so much so, that if someone didn't witness it first-hand they may start asking the question that seems to be on more than 250 attendees' lips--when will it happen again? The 'when' is still to be determined and in order to have a repeat performance people need to understand what it's about and how they can get involved. The event was Saturday Night Live Incirlik 2, a comedy show inspired by the actual SNL and put on by a base organization called the Raconteurs. Incirlik's Raconteurs was created to provide members an opportunity to improve their speaking skills both on and off duty. Their motto, "We are Speakers. We are Storytellers. We are Raconteurs" is a testament to the confidence they want to instill in each of their members. Airmen and people affiliated with the military will most likely find themselves speaking in front of an audience and this is a means, offered to anyone interested, to develop and enhance those skills. Staff Sgt. Peter Ising Jr., American Forces Network-Incirlik NCO in charge of radio, has been part of Raconteurs, before the first SNLI, which debuted in February. Since it went over so well, he and Master Sgt. Patrick Hodge, 728th Air Mobility Squadron superintendent, decided to do another one. "The first SNL was a huge success and because of it the next Raconteurs meetings were packed," said Ising. "When the previous leaders of Raconteurs left, they kinda passed on the torch to me and Master Sgt. Hodge. When we realized attendance was starting to dwindle we decided to put on another SNL. We felt it was an opportunity to get things going again." Hodge added that even though two and a half months of hard work and dedication was put into the event, it was worth it. It was for a good cause and he said he loved doing it. "Raconteurs used to be Toastmasters on base, but we wanted to get away from the formality that seemed to be associated with Toastmasters," said Hodge. "Raconteurs is more informal and I feel the environment encourages people to not only attend, but to be more receptive to constructive feedback. Plus, not only were both SNLs fun, the Raconteurs meetings are fun too." SNL is not the only thing Raconteurs has been involved with as the group has touched upon a number of things to include Storytellers. Raconteurs members helped prepare Airmen who shared their personal stories in what's now an initiative that has spread across the Air Force. The group is always ready to assist and help others become better speakers and communicators. They are also dedicated to having a great time while doing it. "I've noticed that the people in Raconteurs have their hands in almost everything on base," said Ising. "In my opinion it's the heart of this base. Not so much the group, but the people in it. They are what make Incirlik the assignment it is, and that's a real tight-knit community." Anyone who is interested can join Raconteurs. Their next meeting will be 6 p.m Nov. 7, at the After Six . Many people have been asking when is the next SNL, but to make that happen Raconteurs needs members as there are a number of people within the core group who are departing. One of those leaving added the following: "We need people who are passionate about improving their public speaking; we need people who want to have fun and commit," said Ising. "If you commit to us, we'll commit to you. If you commit to wanting to become a better public speaker and you commit to wanting to put your best foot forward in the group--the family that we have--we are going to commit to making you better."