Sample Letter Asking Parents For Support In Dysfunctional Team Situations printable pdf download

SAMPLE LETTER ASKING PARENTS FOR SUPPORT IN

DYSFUNCTIONAL TEAM SITUATIONS

To the parents of [list team members’ names]

I am truly sorry to have to write this letter, but as our situation stands now, I see

no alternative. I’ll come straight to the point. Our Odyssey of the Mind team is not

functioning in a satisfactory way. I have spoken many times with the children

about this. I have explained that I could not and would not coach a team that

continued to show disrespect for each other and for the team meetings. Odyssey

is an organization for which I have a great deal of respect and to which I give a

lot of time. The team members need to have an equal amount of respect.

This year I have seen a big split in the team. Some of them are eager to work,

while others seem to be marking time. I don’t have the time to spend several

hours each week meeting with kids who cannot focus and work together as a

team. This is not to say that I am not interested in them. I am. I care about each

of them. It is because I care that I do not want to see this experience wasted.

This group deserves better than what is currently happening.

Will you please talk with your children about their interest in Odyssey? Find out if

they really want to participate. I am concerned about their commitment because

[give examples of behavior that has been unacceptable]. This behavior is not fair

to the team, and I will not be able to coach this team under these circumstances.

They know that the Spontaneous portion of the competition is worth 100 points.

Nevertheless, many of them are not willing to work on this. The acting may be

the most fun, but the work behind the scenes, the stuff that no audience will see

or clap for, is what makes a successful team. In fact, this is the work that gives

the children the greatest lifetime rewards. Your children need to be willing to do it

all, to accept responsibility for it all, and to accept my decisions if they want to

remain on the team.

Before we go any further, I need a firm renewed commitment from each team

member. I really have been asking for this at each meeting and don’t like some of

the attitudes displayed at our meetings. I need your help. Please talk to your

children and make a decision so that we can get to work. Odyssey means

commitment, it means working as a team, it means being willing to do what

needs to be done for the good of the group, and it means hard work as well as

fun.

I am sorry that this comes to you as a letter. I don’t have time to make individual

telephone calls to talk about it, and I didn’t want to take up your valuable time

trying to schedule a meeting of all of the parents. I am very frustrated, but not yet

ready to give up. Please let me hear from you by letter, e-mail or phone call by

__________(date). Thank you.

Sample Letter Asking Parents For Support In Dysfunctional Team Situations