Where is your effort right now? Let's run down some notes...
We'll call this the halfway point of the school year. And it's now when many staffs start having real troubles.
For high schools the dreaded "senioritis" is probably worse than Covid or the flu. Upperclassmen just-stop-working. It's been around forever and in some cases debilitating for senior high yearbook efforts.
What to do? For HS advisers, don't be afraid to delegate authority to younger students. Go with your kids who have the most drive and interest in the project, not just on seniority. If senior athletes suddenly don't put out much effort, coaches will play those kids who WILL work hard. Do the same with yearbook.
And for middle schools, you have some smart kids somewhere in your group. Start delegating more decisionmaking to them, or give them a little more. Yearbook is a tremendous learning opportunity for kids. Advisers, you have enough on your shoulders these days without having to make every yearbooking decision. Give the kids some responsibility, don't be afraid to push them a little, and be ready to be surprised at their positive response. Many students are hungry for this.
Appoint a few student editors to be the drivers among the group. An editor's main job is to make sure everyone else is doing THEIR jobs. Advisers, again you have enough to worry about. This is a student project - let your leader students guide the rest of the group toward the ultimate goal.
Hitting deadlines is crucial to your success, and for getting your new books when you want them. When other school projects are turned in late they get a reduced grade. In the business world when stuff comes late, the final product is delayed. Yearbooks are produced in the business world and those delays happen because other schools who finished on time jump in front.
If you don't already try mini-deadlines to get your group on task. Every week, set up what needs to be finished that week. Announce it on Mondays and check your progress by Fridays. Then reset the next Monday - and hopefully you're not just repeating the same work week after week. Gradually complete each part of the book one by one, checking them off as you go.
Getting good photos? People often slide back into old habits, in this case just marching up to people, snapping off a few photos and then marching off.
If you need to, use the great lessons on better photography in the Jostens Yearbook Avenue Digital Classroom. Check out the J-class videos on taking pictures, watch the videos with your group, and note all of the instructional and helpful ideas in the area below the video window on that page. For fun try the photos scavenger hunt and toss out a few prizes for the winners.
Staff in the doldrums? Be sure to add one editor position - the FUN Editor. Once a week they come up with an activity to lighten up the work, maybe some snacks or a mini party or watching a video or playing a game. Never let yearbook be a chore, no one enjoys that.
Always keep your eyes and ears open for new ideas in your travels. We're surrounded by ideas on photography, writing, storytelling, design, teamwork, many aspects. See if some grabs your interest, take a note or two, then consider how you could use that with your 2024 effort.
Let's repeat "yearbooking as a purpose" - many yearbook staffs, and advisers, have been in the doldrums in recent years. Kids everywhere want a new PURPOSE for doing yearbook - and there are many out there.
Examples? Make a commitment to tell some story about EVERY student next year. Talk to your guidance office about working together to help improve your school. If someone buys a copy of your book, you guarantee to picture them in the book at least three times. Just for starters...
Have ideas of your own that work for this time of year? Please share, would love to see them!
