Communication class teaches students value of charitable giving
Released: November 13, 2006
What do fundraising and small group communication have in common? "Everything," according to University of Wisconsin-Whitewater lecturer Mary Pilgram. In the two semesters she has taught on campus, her small group communication classes have raised more than $1,200 for various nonprofit organizations.
"This class is a way for students to apply small group communication skills like cohesion, cooperation, problem solving and productivity to a service-learning project that benefits the community," she said.
Students are placed into groups at the start of the semester based on a skills and personality inventory. The groups then select a team name, logo and slogan and an organization for which to raise funds. The Jefferson County Humane Society, the American Cancer Society, Lakeland Animal Shelter and Twin Oaks Homeless Shelter are a few of the charities to benefit from this semester's class.
Pilgrim set a $200 minimum fundraising goal for each group, although in the past she said groups have had no problem reaching, or even exceeding, that. "The first semester I did this, the goal was to raise $100," she said. "That turned out to be too easy."
This semester's groups are already well on their way to surpassing the $1,200 Pilgram's previous students raised. As of Nov. 3, the team Crystal Clear Communication has already collected $800 worth of paper goods and products for the Twin Oaks Homeless Shelter in Darien. Team Mosaic, supporting the Lakeland Animal Shelter in Elkhorn, has raised nearly $160 through collection bins at Wal-Mart and Sentry Foods in Whitewater. The other groups are still in the process of holding major fundraising events, including the Fist of Facts all-you-can-eat pizza buffet at Rocky Rococo's held Monday, Nov. 6 and The Mutz hot dog eating contest tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 16.
"I like knowing I can help," Team Mosaic's Matt Budnik, a senior from Muskego, said.
Crystal Clear Communication's Kyla Morris, a senior from Wales, shares Budnik's feelings. "Knowing we can help and make a difference is a great feeling."
What makes Pilgram feel good is seeing the students make connections to the course material all the while doing some good for someone else.
"Although I want the students to leave this project with a greater knowledge of group communication and the complexity of decision-making and problem solving in groups, they have the unique opportunity to help raise funds and awareness for an individual or a cause," she said. "If they have ever questioned the 'real world' applicability of assignments or class projects, then this is an opportunity they should cherish."
Indeed it is.
Pilgram's small group communication students will present their fundraising results beginning Monday, Nov. 27. The class meets from 1:10-2 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Heide Hall, room 301.
For more information on the class or the service-learning project, contact Pilgrim at pilgramm@uww.edu or (262) 472-1720.- Melissa DiMotto,dimottom@uww.edu
