Timeline And Resource Guide For Mentors

SEPTEMBER CHECKLIST AND RESOURCES

“ One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination.” John C. Maxwell

While some schools start after Labor Day and then do not get out of school until late in June, a majority of the schools around the country start earlier in August. At least they can look forward to being out for summer by late May. Whenever school starts for you, September is a crucial month. First deadlines will be arriving sometime in October for most schools, and September is when things start getting serious. You must have the staff ready to move from the training process into the production process. You will be making decisions and setting up systems this month that will determine the success of your year. Staff training is in full swing . From the first day of school through the end of September, be in the mode of training your staff. Depending on how many returning staff you have each year (in my case nearly ¾ of the staff was new each year), start the year reviewing caption writing, interviewing, basic journalistic story writing and design principles. Photography training will also be ongoing with your photo staff. Every staffer is a potential designer , so have everyone keep a design portfolio. As part of your basic design training, have every staff member keep their own ongoing design portfolio where every day they gather interesting design ideas they find. If you have many freshmen, sophomores and even juniors, this process will help you find new potential designers. Nail it down. Finalize your ladder, your theme and your designs. Be sure you understand and love your theme. At some point this month, you will need to turn from planning and discussing possibilities to finalizing decisions that will allow you to actually produce the book. This was always difficult for me as these decisions put limits on what would follow. On the other hand, this was a wonderful time as you now can get on the path to creating beautiful stories on fresh pages and move closer to finishing the book. Staff bonding and team building is a major priority . Before the work gets rigorous and the deadlines are looming, work to build your team and bond as a staff. Never forget: whatever kind of book you do, the process is supposed to be fun! This is the time when many staffs hold a mock wedding ceremony where they agree to be there for each other all year long. The ceremony may even have invitations, rings and cake! Attend an Elite Weekend in your region . Consider attending an Elite Weekend in your region. Walsworth’s Elite Weekends are probably the best way to take your book to that next level. For three days, your staff will meet with several of the best yearbook advisers in the country, all who helped their own students earn top national awards. They will give you frank and helpful suggestions to improve all aspects of your book. You just need to be willing to listen, learn and implement the changes you feel comfortable making. If you can’t travel to one, attend our virtual Elite Weekend online.

SEPTEMBER CHECKLIST

AND RESOURCES

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