Encourage the Heart Creating Your Team’s Celebratory Crest Objectives • To create a symbol (crest and motto) that represents a team accomplishment. • To develop a sense of identity with, and commitment to, the team or organization. Audience Groups, teams, and organizations that are in the process of celebrating success Time Required 45 minutes Materials and Equipment • Flip chart and different colors of markers • Paper and pens • Copies of blank crest and motto template for each participant • Stickers • Small symbols and simple line drawings to trace • Colored paper • Glue • Scissors Area Setup A workplace with a table for the team to work. If working with multiple teams, a larger space with room for several tables is required. Process 1. Begin by saying, “In Heraldic times, groups, families and principalities developed a crest, shield, or banner to represent their shared vision, purpose, values, and identity. Crests were often placed near the front door of the house or above the mantel of the central fireplace to inform visitors of the shared identity of the family that lived in the house. The crest said, ‘This is who we are, this is what we stand for, and these are our values.’ The crest was their identity. In many cases, the crest also included a brief motto below the symbolic crest, further emphasizing the family’s shared identity. Crests also appeared on battle shields carried by soldiers and warriors. These battle shields represented the identity of the warriors, the principality, or country. Moreover, these symbolic shields also appeared on battle flags and banners. The banners or flags often marked the winner’s spoils. We continue to use crests, shields, mottos, and flags to provide symbols of who we are. For example, most countries have national flags – the United States has the stars and stripes; army units have arm patches that represent their units; and universities and colleges have crests. Can you think of any more examples of crests or shields?” You may wish to write examples of a flip chart. 2. Continue by saying, “What we are going to do is develop a crest, shield, and motto that represents a TSA chapter celebration (win, good fortune, or whatever the team is celebrating). It will be a crest that says ‘this is what we stand for as a team.’ You are to end up with one single crest and motto that represents this celebration. However, if your task is more complicated in that the crest must contain symbols, not words, you will have to think up symbols to represent your celebration. For example, on the American flag, the fifty stars represent the fifty states, and the stripes represent the original thirteen colonies.” “There are many common symbols that you may choose to represent a particular value. For example, a lion is often used in heraldry to represent courage, a dove may represent peace, an outstretched hand represents giving or friendship, a heart symbolizes love and clasped hands might represent working together or teamwork. What are some other symbols we often use? List responses on a flip chart. 3. Continue with, “To assist you, I have made copies of a blank crest.” Pass out copies of the blank crest. “Note that this is the typical design of a crest or shield. You may want to divide the crest evenly into four parts which is often done so people might use four symbols. However, you can design your crest any way you want. Don’t feel required to use this model. At the bottom is a space for a motto. If you can think of a motto that represents your group’s celebration, you might put it in there. But again, don’t feel required to come up with a motto.” “A final note on crests: they often contain symbols not only about who we are, but also who we would like to be. For example, the lion appeared on many battle shields. The lion symbolized that the warriors wanted to be courageous in battle; it was an aspiration, rather than a reality. And the stars on the American flag represent a vision of the fifty states, each independent, but all united. Are there any questions as to the task or crests?” 4. State, “Before designing your crest, it might be helpful to develop a list of what you think you may want to include to represent your celebration. First think of your celebration/win/award. Brainstorm ideas about what symbols represent that celebration. You may identify more than four values or ideas; this means you must prioritize and decide which of these many possibilities are most representative.” Tell them that there are other art supplies available that they can use such as fabric, stickers, and colored paper. “After you have designed your crest, you might think of a motto that symbolizes your team, or this celebration, and put that in the blank under the crest. This motto might verbalize a shared desire to be the best.” 5. Typically, teams plunge into the task without any need for help. Be available if needed. Emphasize that it is the team’s celebration and that the team can design the crest any way it wants. 6. Once the team has completed the crest, ask whether everyone is satisfied with it. 7. Make colored copies of the crest so that each person can have his or her own. Variation • Enlarge that crest or draw a larger one on the flip-chart page and hang it in a prominent place in your TSA meeting room. 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