Money raised from ad sales at Shaler Area High School, Pittsburgh, Pa., has continued to increase over the years based on the idea that the more motivated salespeople you have, the more money you can raise.
Each year, advisers and staffs work to develop a theme to unify their yearbook and make it a reflection of the school and students during that particular year. This is one of the most daunting tasks of the entire production process. Themes do not magically appear. It takes thought and hard work. And theme development itself has a process.
Well-written job descriptions are like fences providing defined boundaries for what is inside and outside the enclosure. For students, job descriptions define their role on the yearbook staff and help them meet the expectations of their position. But the descriptions also aid advisers, who can use them to develop their staffs and ensure goals are accomplished.
How many students does it take to misplace the stapler in a classroom?
One. Now multiply that by the number of students on your yearbook staff, and keeping your classroom organized will not happen unless you have a plan.
1. Review last year’s expenses to know where money was spent. Expenses include more than the cost of the book. Determine whether there are less expensive ways of acquiring supplies. Are you spending money on motivational items, such as prizes and pizza? These items are important, but examine whether you can do as much or more with less.
The agenda at a summer yearbook workshop usually allows time for fun and games. Playing “beat the clock” with the cover designer, however, should not be one of them.
Successful staffs look at the conclusion of their summer workshop as a beginning, not an end.
Ah, summer vacation. There is nothing quite like long, lazy days filled with swimming, barbecues and… a yearbook workshop?
“It’s a great way to get a jump start on the school year,” said Mary Ann Akerman, yearbook adviser at Beloit Memorial High School in Beloit, Wis.
Let’s face it. Yearbook is tough, and it’s not always fun and games. The important thing is to take even the toughest and most frustrating moments and learn from them. Sometimes, you can even turn them into something fun.
The Warrior yearbook staff at the Christian Academy of Knoxville, Knoxville, Tenn., recently earned second place in a regional yearbook evaluation conducted by the Association of Christian Schools International.
Need a reliable yearbook partner? We specialize in high-quality yearbook printing and provide learning resources to support your school’s needs.