Seattle Children's Hospital
Doing something worthwhile for children.
Student Names go here
Small Group Communication – North Seattle Community College
Summer 2011
Where to Begin?

Guidelines

Meeting community
need

Form a group within
course students

Practice principles
introduced in
CMST&230 course.
Group Formation



Mutual interest in a project that serves children in
the community.
Similar availabilities
Initial idea proposed by Susie that sparked group
interest.
Group's Mission

To collect safe toys to help children who are
undergoing difficult and scary procedures in the
Orthopedic department at Seattle Children's
Hospital.
Step by step..



Cooperatively comprised
two letters to send to
potential donors: personal
and corporate.
Listed appropriate options
for donating: stuffed toys,
books, art supplies, and no
potential choking hazards.
Set a deadline for all
donations at July 31st.
Involving the Community


We received a larger
response from local and
personal donors compared
to corporate donors.
Enthusiasm for the person
and project possibly drove
the results.
Go Team!



Each group member sent out 5 letters to businesses
(local and corporate), with mixed responses.
Target in Federal Way donated a gift card for new
toy purchases in their store.
Dragon's Toy Box in Downtown Seattle donated two
large bags of treasures!
“Battle of the Donors”


Corporate

Slower response

Formal legalities

Less donations
Personal

Immediate response

Casual exchange

More donations
Delivery Day!


At Children's Hospital all of the donations were
dropped off to smiles and “thank you's.”
There were so many toys that the prize box was not
big enough!
Delivery Day Cont.!
These bears are about to
go into surgery to have
limbs amputated as a
comfort for the kids who
are going to need their
own amputations.

These are the ones
we didn’t want to let
go. So cuddly
PICTURE OF GROUP
INSERTED HERE
Dora and Diego?!
One gracious donor was
right on track with
donating a Diego doll.
The hospital has a
Dora doll that
introduces stitches
procedures to the
children.
Now they are reunited!
PICTURE INSERT HERE
Children's Hospital



SCH has a colorful, animated
design which benefits the
atmosphere, welcoming
children.
As a group, we felt
comfortable and honored to
work with such a gracious
company.
Children that had been at the
hospital were smiling and
never without a friend by
their side (nurse or parent).
How Did We Do?



Group meetings were via
Skype and in-person on
alternating weeks.
Open, honest interpersonal
communication resulted in a
comfortable group identity.
Deadlines and responsibilities
were delegated by interest
and with respect to each
member's lifestyle.
Reflections


Chrissie: “I have seen how a strong foundation of respect can
have a significant and positive effect on the outcome of a
group...thoroughly enjoyed working on this project with my
team...our genuine appreciation for one another motivated
everyone to work hard.”
Liz: “I was nervous about it, wondering if there was going to be
a few people doing all the work or if the group would be
accepting...the experience was incredible and beyond what I
could of hoped for as...we were totally accepting of each other,
our differences...instantly worked as a team, dividing up the
project, each pulling our own weight...I found our group to be a
safe place I enjoyed participating in and I could rely on my
group members.”
Reflections, cont.



Nasa: “I've learned a lot taking this course...Although we are
different than one another, we had the same goal...and similar interest
for helping the community...I've learned a valuable lesson to listen to
people, understand different culture, and most importantly working as
a team. I've learned to see the bigger picture of things, and not to
take too personally.”
Leigh: “I can't express with words how thankful I am for this group
and the results we achieved. So proud of everyone.”
Candace: “I can think of many reasons why we were successful...the
two that stand out most are dedication and support. We each have
different strengths…we all are dedicated to doing our best work
whatever it takes and…I found it refreshing that the support and
positive encouragement were not anything we talked about initially or
set as a goal, but just something that happened instinctively.”
Special “Thanks!”


The Hardy Family, The Bergstrom Family, The Stavros
Family, The Gregg Family, The Mussler Family, Sage
Samuels, Sarah Fine, Target, and Dragon's Toy Box!
Seattle Children's Hospital for all of the hard work
they do every day for children in the Pacific
Northwest.