Negative Message Memo
Memo
To: Carolyn Smythe
From: Director of Human Resources
Date: April 20, 2011
Subject: Volunteer Program
I am writing this memo in response to the email request that you sent me about adding the Center for Non-Violence to our volunteer program. I would like to start off by saying that we here at Dawson & Engels greatly appreciate your input and your interest in expanding our volunteer program to better help the community. However, we are not going to be able to include the program you suggested in our list of company volunteer programs.
The reason we cannot include this program is not because of what it currently does, but because of how it’s past may concern certain members of our company. The organization in question has a history of protesting military action in response to political problems. This specific part of the organization's background could offend veterans and the families of soldiers who are currently active. In order to ensure that none of our customers or employees are upset, declining this particular organization seems like the best decision.
I understand your reasons for suggesting this organization, because they do a lot of great work with helping to provide conflict resolutions in schools. I have gotten to see how this program works first hand and I agree that it does help out with the vast number of violent outbreaks that are going on in schools. Even though this program could not be added to our company list, I encourage you to help out with the organization in anyway you can. With help of people like you, the organizations’ image could be changed so that companies, like ours, would be interested in supporting and helping out.
Even though the company was not able to accept this proposal, I hope that you will continue to give us feedback and suggestions on how we could further improve this company. If you have any questions or concerns that you would like to discuss with me, feel free to contact me at
To: Carolyn Smythe
From: Director of Human Resources
Date: April 20, 2011
Subject: Volunteer Program
I am writing this memo in response to the email request that you sent me about adding the Center for Non-Violence to our volunteer program. I would like to start off by saying that we here at Dawson & Engels greatly appreciate your input and your interest in expanding our volunteer program to better help the community. However, we are not going to be able to include the program you suggested in our list of company volunteer programs.
The reason we cannot include this program is not because of what it currently does, but because of how it’s past may concern certain members of our company. The organization in question has a history of protesting military action in response to political problems. This specific part of the organization's background could offend veterans and the families of soldiers who are currently active. In order to ensure that none of our customers or employees are upset, declining this particular organization seems like the best decision.
I understand your reasons for suggesting this organization, because they do a lot of great work with helping to provide conflict resolutions in schools. I have gotten to see how this program works first hand and I agree that it does help out with the vast number of violent outbreaks that are going on in schools. Even though this program could not be added to our company list, I encourage you to help out with the organization in anyway you can. With help of people like you, the organizations’ image could be changed so that companies, like ours, would be interested in supporting and helping out.
Even though the company was not able to accept this proposal, I hope that you will continue to give us feedback and suggestions on how we could further improve this company. If you have any questions or concerns that you would like to discuss with me, feel free to contact me at