BAYBERRY HOSTS WATERBURY HOSPITAL TEAM-BUILDING

We had the great honor yesterday of hosting the department managers of Waterbury Hospital and their Chief Operating Officer (COO) for an afternoon of team-building. Betty custom-tailored a workshop for the team that assured that each team member would learn something new; would be challenged to doing something they had never done before and most important, each would go home with a 'take-away'; some enjoyable and important experiences and a tangible result that the team could use to do something good.

Betty's instructors, Jan (left) and Linda (right) monitor each
individual's progress. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

The team included the COO, Mary and 10 of her department managers. All have been working closely together to keep Waterbury Hospital operating smoothly while providing health services to the central Connecticut area. Of the 11 managers, 9 were women and 2 were men. While the assignment was difficult enough for the women, few of which had ever knitted before, it was a special challenge for the men in a few different ways. This was especially true for Frank who though a 'south paw', insisted on knitting right-handed.

Team leader, Mary (standing right), an accomplished 

knitter helping her team in their team-building exercise. 

In the background, Betty (stand rear center) and her

 instructors (Linda, Mert and Jan (white sweater) help 

the team move toward their goal. (Click on photo to 

enlarge.)

The project was for each member of the team to knit a square measuring 5" by 5". When everyone finished his or her square, the eleven squares would be knitted together by Mary to produce a comfortable 55" scarf that the team will donate. After a short session by Betty to introduce the basics of knitting and how to get started, the team was off and running with their individual squares. Meanwhile, Betty's assistants Mert, Jan and Linda went around to each team member to check technique, correct mistakes and help the team toward their goal of developing their colorful and comfortable scarf. Otherwise, the team worked together, cheered each other on with encouragements and with a few pokes and prods between friends. It was a delight to watch a great team in operation!

Later on in the afternoon, the team members in turn completed their squares and left them for their leader to 'pull together' as she does during their hospital operations back in Waterbury. Congratulations to the Waterbury Hospital team. You are all good sports. We were honored that you chose Bayberry Knitting to be part of this important team-building event.  We hope that you will return!

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