Leadership Out of Class
Yearbook work doesn't stop when class ends, so I believe in supporting staffers outside of class. These are my two favorite ways to lead remotely.
Master To-Do List
One example of my leadership inside and outside of the classroom is through my Master To-Do lists for each deadline and how I use them. Once the deadline gets started, and teams know what they’re covering, I make a huge list on google docs. I put everything that a team has to do under their designer's name. This is accessible to everyone on staff, making it a resource to see the state of the deadline.
Sunday Check-Ins
With this Master To-Do List, every sunday I do what I call a “Sunday Check In” for each team. I open the master to-do list, and each team’s google drive. I then look through every part of their drive, and see what’s done. I take things off of the Master To-Do that are finished, and add comments on the Master To-Do if progress is being made, just not finished.
After I go through every team’s drive, I then send messages out on GroupMe to each team, and the class as a whole. In a message to a team I write everything they still have to do for the deadline in a to-do list. I try to start and end on a positive note, with more hard-hitting truths in the middle. In the message to the whole class I wish everyone a happy Sunday, and encourage people to use part of their day to work.
Why do I do this?
I do this because I believe that communication is key when it comes to teamwork and leadership. The communication aspect of check-ins puts everyone on the same page, and reminds people of what they need to work on, in case they forgot. I also find that communication in team group chats is more active after a Sunday check in. Staffers try to figure out the plan for those pictures that’s still a little fuzzy, and offer to help each other.
I also use the Master To-Do list in class, especially when we’re close to a deadline. It allows me to easily see who I need to work with more closely to finish. It also shows me, and anyone in class how much work is left and where to help.