It's March and final Yearbook deadlines are near and your staff adviser has just told you they won't be advising next year. Now what!? First, don't panic. Advising on the school yearbook can often be a difficult job and not everyone understands what the staff adviser does. Here are three things you should say and three more things you should immediately do.
1. Thank your staff member for everything they have done this year. Remember when you left the building and noticed a staff member's car still in the lot? That was the yearbook adviser.
2. Ask your staff member to sit and chat about how you can help make his or her life easier next year. A little relief during on-calls may be just the right thing to do.
3. Ask your staff member to become involved in recruiting the new staff adviser. If the staff member is serious about moving on at least they will feel involved and perhaps mentor the new adviser.
Now...here are three things you should start doing immediately.
1. Plan a party. If your school takes delivery of the yearbooks and makes a boring announcement "Yearbooks are in" and nothing more then you may have hit on a school spirit issue. Talk to your representative about distribution day materials. Banners, prizes, autograph supplements and more. Plan a day and time for a huge distribution day party. If the outgoing adviser sees you care perhaps she will reconsider.
2. Speak with your yearbook sales professional immediately. I often work behind the scenes with schools to be sure they ramp up distribution day and planning ahead is the best way to ensure success.
3. Visit the yearbook room. A thank you from the school Principal or VP goes a long way with the students, and again may send just the right message to the staff adviser.
Life is good, yearbooks are amazing and you are appreciated.
Matt Sloan
Yearbookplanet Inc.
Representing Herff Jones
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