Gerald J. Alred Professional Writing Challenge Award - Spring Semester

Gerald J. Alred Professional Writing Challenge

Spring 2026-Case

Background

You are Sunshine Applebaum, a recent college graduate who works at the local branch of Nourishing Americans Now (NAN), a national non-profit organization that receives funding from supporters throughout the U.S. to serve the community that relies on food and other assistance. Your job as Inventory and Supply Manager is to keep track of inventory and replenish food items from area suppliers, which include organic farms. Recently, there has been an increasing demand for your organization’s resources, and you have been assigned the additional duty of increasing the number of suppliers. Your job requires effective professional communication skills with everyone with whom you must interact.

Recently, you received a letter from Robert Greenley, one of NAN’s long-time, major suppliers, who expressed concern about some of the new crew members who pick up fresh produce from his farm to deliver to your branch. Greenley is well respected by other suppliers and could serve as a liaison between you and these suppliers in the community. Greenley was disturbed by what he stated was a lack of courtesy and gratitude for his efforts. He was specifically bothered by their unwillingness to make small talk and their lack of facial expressions, and he has demanded that you discipline these crew members. You are concerned that other suppliers may have also experienced communication issues with new crew members, although you have not witnessed any negative behavior.

It is important that you maintain a positive relationship with Greenley. Many community members rely on his farm’s produce through NAN. You recall reading a recent online article in bizzcombuzz.com, a newsletter that provides suggestions about good professional communication and concerning trends that should be avoided; the article discussed what Greenley described in his letter: A “blank, unexpressive gaze, accompanied by a lack of response to a question.” According to the article, causes for this behavior may be social awkwardness, lack of etiquette, slow processing of information, or even a desire to be “left alone,” which demonstrate poor interpersonal skills in the workplace.

As soon as you received Greenley’s letter, you asked the director of NAN to hold a meeting with all crew members to provide them with training in positive non-verbal and verbal communication with suppliers. The meeting has been scheduled for later this week. Now, you must respond to Greenley to do “damage control.”

Instructions

Write a one-page letter to Robert Greenley using letterhead that you create for NAN. Use professional writing principles to address negative news. Show sensitivity and understanding, and explain steps taken to address his concerns without blaming employees or trying to justify their behavior. Be cautious about how you discuss internal matters. Consider how you can reassure Greenley of NAN’s value and his contributions to support NAN’s mission.

Provide your entry number in the top right corner of your letter. Use Sunshine Applebaum’s name and title instead of your real name.