Recruiting Yearbook Staffs

THE RECRUITING PROCESS Before recruitment begins

Decide whether you want all students who want to be in yearbook to fill out an application or just the editors and managers. Then, create or edit application and teacher-recommendation forms so they are available to hand out once recruiting begins. An application process will accomplish several things. • Students who apply usually will be serious about yearbook. • The applications let you get to know a little bit about the students if you don’t already know them. • On the application, ask the student to show it to parents.They may realize their child would not be a good fit for yearbook, or can talk to them about what the commitment will mean. • Do not accept students who turn in their applications late. That may mean they can’t make deadlines. Never say never, but there better be a great reason they missed the deadline. Students interested in being on the yearbook staff at Westminster Christian Academy in Town & Country, Missouri, fill out an application in Google Forms created by Scott Vonder Bruegge, the adviser. He said he tasks current staff to recruit students beginning in December. The online form is available on the first day of second semester, and he selects students based on staff recommendations and the applications, which require two teacher recommendations. You can create your own application or use the one Walsworth has online. You can also use the teacher-recommendation form from our “New Advisers Field Guide to Yearbook,” part of our Yearbook Suite curriculum. In the month prior to the course sign-up deadline 1. Announce recruitment. Hang posters around school and share social media graphics and the recruitment video. 2. Deliver notes to students. Make students feel special by having staff members deliver hand-written notes or recruiting cards, inviting them to apply. These can be given to the students recommended by teachers, counselors and current staff members. 3. Conduct an interest meeting. Set a time and day after school, during lunch or other time that might attract students, or hold more than one meeting. Have the current editors explain how the yearbook is created and the types of students needed to produce it. 4. Schedule speaking engagements. Have editors go to English, art, marketing or other classes to explain why it’s great to be on yearbook staff. Also, consider having a student who was hesitant about joining but loves being on staff speak to classes. 5. Make applications available. Make it easy for students to pick up the application and teacher-recommendation forms.

PROCESS THE RERUITING

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