Tacoma Community Colleges small group communication class presented recommendations to the Tacoma Area Coalition for Individuals with Disabilities (TACID) March 15 after spending winter quarter reviewing select areas of the organizations practices.
Students were divided into five teams: annual forum, success stories, media and website, publications and presentations, and internal communication.
This project is a way for students to both learn about small group communication by working in teams and to make a difference in the community, said instructor Jeanette Burkett.
Students spent time observing at TACID and created work breakdown structures, graphics standards recommendations and a video featuring success stories. They also secured some donated services.
Along the way they encountered real-world challenges including unplanned circumstances, scheduling conflicts, defining and maintaining the scope of the project, and managing expectations.
We developed teamwork skills, said student Marnie Williams. We had to learn to work in a group on a project, and we had to use some conflict resolution skills.
Student John Caldwell said, Its like a job. I think about things like, can I count on this person and whats this person going to do today?
One of the students overall goals is to help TACID to be more visible in the community.
TACID is appreciative, said student Katje Tupper.
Chris Ensor of TACID stated, There are some very good recommendations from the student groups. We will take them back to TACID and try to implement the suggestions.
