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As a team
Off the
Wall
Nov. 29,
2007
Many years ago while attending high school, I knew
a fellow who was really quite good at playing basketball. When
it came to making baskets from the corners, he rarely missed.
When he tossed the ball, from afar, it always would go into the
netting.
As I recall, when names were announced who was going
to make the team that one particular year, his name was posted
on the bulletin board as being one of the lucky ones to represent
the school. You can imagine how proud he must have felt when
he saw his name written so all who looked could read it.
There was only one problem. Every time another school
would come to challenge his, or vice versa, most all the other
athletes on the team got to play except him.
At first, this lad, I assume, figured he would sit
out a game or two and eventually would get to play, so he continued
to practice with all his heart. In his mind he hoped that the
coach would turn to him during a game, and tell him, "Go
in for 39."
But, the coaching staff never once let him play
even though some of the point spreads were lopsided. He, along
with two or three others, sat on the bench the whole season.
Now to some people, that's not a big deal. But in
my opinion, if one is chosen to be a part of a team, practice
with the members, he certainly must be able to play as well.
When I was in high school, I was on the rifle team.
No matter how bad one shot, all participated. Some days I came
away feeling good about my contributions and other days not so
good. But I practiced, did my part and scored. It was a confidence
booster of sorts.
So many years after the basketball player graduated
from his alma mater, I learned that for many years the teen's
emotional stability was affected to the point that his confidence
level dropped dramatically. He never felt quite good enough to
do things that he may have done well. And to think things might
have been different if he would have heard, "Vener, get
in there. We need some points. Give it all you got!"
Team participation doesn't always happen on basketball
courts, football fields or in swimming pools. Wherever there
are a group of people working together for a common goal it requires
team effort.
I have been working for newspapers now for close
to 50 years. That, to some, sounds like a long time. In that
time period I learned to put out a newspaper, every member of
the organization must work together efficiently or the tabloid
will be late for distribution. All employees know what they have
to do and must do it to the best of their ability.
Very often members of various church denominations
are called upon to form groups in order to accomplish needs within
the organizations. Leaders may distribute flyers asking for help.
It should be second nature to people to come to their aid when
there is need. Here again, teamwork displays itself as carrying
out a goal for a particular purpose.
But just like the basketball player, if one is asked
to participate because there is need to from a team, each person
must be given a chance to do something since he was asked. For
the participant always will act on the premonition that because
there seems to be a void, there must be a need to fill it. For
the conscientious, stepping up to the plate, so to speak, requires
almost no meditation. There are always a few who will say "I'll
do it!" But, if there is going to be a request for helpers,
it is imperative that all who respond be given a chance to contribute
something to some degree.
Outside of competitive sport tryouts, what sense
does it make to ask one to participate in certain group activities
only to find out there is no intent to include the applicant.
Sounds a little like the ball player who really wants to join
his fellow players, but never is allowed off the bench. Couldn't
these actions affect people emotionally as well?
Paul J. Volkmann
11/20/07
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