Jim Jordan's 40 Things To Do After The Yearbook Is Done

I give a year-in-review summary of all that went into putting the book together, but the editors-in-chief are always the masters of ceremonies, passing out fun and creative awards to each and every staff member. Staffers might get a gag gift or a trophy around a specific theme. One year, we gave little Academy Award trophies, and everyone always gets a theme-based certificate created by the editors. I then take the opportunity to thank and speak about the accomplishments of every senior, and end by celebrating the amazing accomplishments of each editor. We end the night with a slideshow of photos, gathered throughout the year, of us creating the book. The hugs and group photos that happen before we all leave always leave me with a great sense of accomplishment and pride about what the year we have just completed means to me, the staff and their parents, together. Many staffs hold this kind of event on campus, but wherever you have it, be sure to plan this kind of a year-end celebration. 22. PLAN A STAFF SIGNING PARTY The evening before the book is distributed, the staff gathers at a staffer’s house to eat, laugh, admire our baby and sign each other’s books. It’s relaxed and fun. Usually, we have someone’s parent barbecue hamburgers and hot dogs, and the staff brings the rest of the food. The weather is usually great. Sometimes, we are at a house with a pool and everyone swims. One of the main reasons we have spring delivery is so everyone can continue that great American tradition of signing yearbooks, and the staff gets a head start on everyone else. 23. MAKE STAFF THEME SHIRTS The editors always design a T-shirt with an echo of the cover design on it along with every staffer’s name and position. The goal is to wear it on distribution day and beyond to promote the book. In recent years, we have had two T-shirts: one, in the fall, for staffers to wear when they are out on assignment; the other, to promote the book at distribution time as well as to wear with pride, celebrating they are a yearbook staff member.

Our Time to Sign. Gather as a staff to sign your yearbooks before you distribute it to the entire school.

Staff Shirts. Design a shirt to promote your theme on distribution day

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