TEAM BONDING: APPRECIATION PARCEL
A Dose Of Danspiration- “Team Bonding: Appreciation Parcel”
Every individual wants to feel appreciated and find ways to contribute to the community with which they belong. So often in dance, individuals define their value based on their talent. Yet, there is so much more that is needed to create a positive team environment. It’s not about titles assigned, years of experience, or placement within a formation. It’s about how we show up for each other, how we connect, how we make the space around us better. That’s the kind of value that matters most. Yet, this is not celebrated enough on a daily basis.
This holiday season, why not take a break from the grind and do an activity to show each person how they are VALUED as an individual in your dance program by creating APPRECIATION PARCELS.
WHAT YOU NEED:
· Directions & current team roster (one copy for each person)
· Option A: Blank notecards (Total cards needed is based on the total team roster x each team member).
Example: 25 team members x 25 team members = 625 total notecards. PSST…CHECK OUT THE DOLLAR STORE!
+ One quart size Ziplock bag per team member
· Option B: Each team members’ name on a strip of paper.
Tip: just take the team roster list and give enough space for each member to cut into strips.
+ One legal-size envelope per team member
· Supplies for putting the parcels together
DIRECTIONS
1. Give directions with a current team roster and depdending on option you’ve decided to use, the corresponding supplies to each individual member.
Tip: If you have a large team and writing out a note to each individual may be too much, maybe pair up upper classmen/under classmen or vets/rookies, etc.
Option 1: Step 1- Distribute directions & supplies.
If you use note cards (Option 1), put all items in a quart Ziplock bag that way they can return the completed cards in the bag, contained!
Option 2: Step 1- Distribute directions & supplies.
If using strips (Option 2), give a legal sized envelope for the finished strips to be returned in, contained!
**If you would like an updated version of the directions shown,
each option can be found at the end of the blog.**
2. Have the individual write a note of appreciation to each individual from the list on a notecard/strip. One person per notecard/strip. Remember, these messages should be about how they affect them as a PERSON and a TEAMMATE, not about who they are as a dancer.
Option 1- Step 2: Have each member write an individual appreciation message to each one of their teammates.
Option 2- Step 2: Have each member write an individual appreciation message to each one of their teammates.
3. Have each member turn in their completed stack of cards/strips by the specific date listed on the directions.
Option 1: Step 3- Have each team member return their completed cards by a specific date noted on the directions.
Option 2: Step 3- Have each team member return their completed strips by a specific date noted on the directions.
4. Once all the cards have been collected, sort into piles by name. For example: put all the notes addressed to Abbie C. in one pile. This is Abbie C.’s APPRECIATION PARCEL.
Option 1: Step 4- Sort finished notes into specific individual piles.
Option 2: Step 4- Sort finished notes into specific individual piles.
5. From here, create the finished Appreciation Parcel. You can go as simple or as elaborate as you want (or have time for!)
Some Option 1 examples: Put a rubber band around the stack, maybe a ribbon, or punch a hole in the corner and put a ring through it creating a booklet.
Option 1: Step 5- Create each individual’s Appreciation Parcel
Some Option 2 examples: Put them in a plastic jar with a ribbon around the rim, staple them together, or give them in a legal size envelope.
Option 2: Step 5- Create each individual’s Appreciation Parcel
6. Once the parcels are complete, distribute to the corresponding individual.
Hopefully, once individuals read the messages meant just for them, they will have a sense of pride in what they bring to the team and how even the smallest actions can make the biggest impact on those around them.
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**UPDATED VARIATION OF DIRECTIONS PICTURED ABOVE.
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COPY, PASTE, & EDIT TO FIT YOUR TEAMS’ NEEDS!**
APPRECIATION PARCEL (OPTION 1)
Hey [INSERT TEAM NAME]!
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the incredible people who make up our team. This isn’t about the roles we play as dancers, it’s about who we are as people and how each of us contributes to our team culture.
Use the list below to share with your teammates what you value, admire, and appreciate about them as individuals. Maybe someone has encouraged you during a tough week, or you’ve noticed how their positivity and kindness lift others up.
Let’s take this time to recognize the hearts behind the hard work and celebrate the amazing people who shape our team every day.
Directions:
1. There are [XX] notecards in the Ziplock bag, one for each member of the team, minus yourself. A list is provided below of the team.
2. On one side of the notecard, write the team member’s name.
3. Then on the other side, write a note of appreciation to that specific member. Remember, this is how you appreciate or value them as a person, not about them as a dancer.
4. Then repeat for each member. You should have [XX] cards, one per name (minus yourself) listed below, when you are done.
5. Put the completed cards back in the provided Ziplock bag and turn back into Coach [INSERT NAME] when you are finished.
6. All cards must be turned in by [INSERT DATE]
2025 [INSERT TEAM NAME] MEMBERS
1. [LIST TEAM ROSTER BELOW]
APPRECIATION PARCEL (OPTION 2)
Hey [INSERT TEAM NAME]!
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the incredible people who make up our team. This isn’t about the roles we play as dancers, it’s about who we are as people and how each of us contributes to our team culture.
Use the list below to share with your teammates what you value, admire, and appreciate about them as individuals. Maybe someone has encouraged you during a tough week, or you’ve noticed how their positivity and kindness lift others up.
Let’s take this time to recognize the hearts behind the hard work and celebrate the amazing people who shape our team every day.
Directions:
1. A list is provided below of the team.
2. Please cut along the line to create a strip of paper specific to the name listed.
3. Then under their name, write a note of appreciation to that specific member. Remember, this is how you appreciate or value them as a person, not about them as a dancer.
4. Then repeat for each member. You should have [XX] strips, one per name listed below (minus yourself), when you are done.
5. Put the completed strips back in the provided envelope and turn back into Coach [INSERT NAME] when you are finished.
6. All cards must be turned in by [INSERT DATE]
2025 [INSERT TEAM NAME] MEMBERS
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
[TEAM MEMER #1]
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[TEAM MEMBER #2]
