Transcript Orientation
Orientation Chapter 4 Promotion Lindsay Campbell, TSBA Communications Specialist Welcome & Thank you! “School boards are unique because education is not just a line item in the budget. It is the only item. We are unique in that we are single-minded and single-focused…we are the voice of public education.” NSBA, National School Boards Association Education Advocate Public education will become stronger as more individuals actively promote the issues and facts. Board’s Community Leadership Roles O Influence State and Federal Legislatures O Develop Commission/City Council Support O Develop Relationships with Other Boards O Work with the Media to Build Support O Generate Parental and Public Support O Turn Employees into Advocates 4-Step Promotion Process O Research – Data gathering & listening O Planning – Timelines & responsibilities O Communicating – Action step O Evaluating – Determining the success 4 Key Communication Factors O Be accountable O Dual role – represent schools and community O Insight and Influence on public opinion O Moral and legal obligation to communication reasons for actions Public Relations: “ A planned and systematic, twoway process of communication intended to encourage public involvement [in schools and the school district] and to earn public understanding and support [for them].” The National School Public Relations Association ‘To Do’s’ to Promote School’s Image O Help the public understand the role of school board members/chairman O Attend school events O Appreciation efforts O Circulate among audience before and after board meetings O Thank-you letters/emails to community members who serve on board committees Our Publics Internal Publics External Publics O Students O Parents O Board members O Businesses O Administrators O Civic Groups O Principals O Elected Officials O Teachers O Media O Bus Drivers O Seniors Other Stakeholders – Staff O Recognize and use expertise of staff O Advocacy starts in the school building O Employee-first communication O Empower, build confidence and build as a team Encourage promotion of staff by: Other Stakeholders – Staff O Implement staff appreciation days – send emails, letters to outstanding staff O Encourage staff input on items before the board O Send out reports after board meetings to staff O Include wide range of staff in planning process, budgets, policy and major changes Three Strategies to Effective Employee Communication 1. Engagement – surveys, focus groups, shared planning 2. Transparency – discuss issues and share information openly and honestly 3. Admit and own mistakes – defuse criticism and critics American School Board Journal , 2011 Generating Public Support Build a positive image and generate support by involving the public. O Generate, expand and cherish relationships. O Share education facts and issues. O Feed them information. O Gather input. Strategies: Using the Media to Build Public Support List one idea for using the below communication outlets as a tool to publicize positive information… • System website • Facebook • Twitter • Newsletter • Blog site • Newspaper Advocacy Action Plan O Do research and contact members of Congress (select most important issues) O Meet with your members of Congress O Contact media to spread news when meeting with members of Congress O Arrange time for members of Congress to visit schools NSBA’s Advocacy Action Plan 2011 Other Stakeholders – Parents & Family Parent and family support… vital to the success of a school. O Feel connected to school O Open door policy O High expectations Other Stakeholders – Parents & Family PTA National Standards 1. Welcome All Families in the School 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Community Communicate Effectively Support Student Success Speaking Up for Every Child Sharing Power Collaborating with Community Strategies: Building Parental Support Identify three things that your board could do to generate parental involvement. Page 4.4 - 4.5 Media Relations Responsibilities “You are the newsmaker, a resource person, a quote person and – too often – a stranger.” Your Rights You have the right to… 1. ask a reporter what an interview is 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. about request a copy of the report/article prior to being published refuse request for information tell your story think about your answers bring inaccuracies to reporter’s attention Media Relations What is the media’s job? Should you talk to the media? What relationships do you want with the media? The Responsibilities O Develop a plan of action O Participate/lead media training sessions O Schedule success stories at board meetings O Meet regularly with local reporters Get Organized O Provide media with basic information packet O Establish a relationship with media managers O Establish story idea list O Meet their deadlines Responding to a Reporter O Find out the deadline and details if unavailable O Jot down your response O Never say “no comment” O You are never “off the record” O Keep you answers short and to the point O Never lie to a reporter A Reporter’s Questions How would you respond? O Student brings a gun to school… O Board adopts dress code… Page 4.11 Quest. 1 & 2 Getting Good News Out 1. Use the telephone or email 2. Take advantage of board meetings 3. Look for alternative media outlets 4. Tip off reporters 5. Write a guest editorial Other Stakeholders – Students 1. Recognize student achievement at board meetings 2. Form student councils at all grade levels – consider adding student advisory member to board 3. Ensure extracurricular programs are available for all students 4. Talk with the students – have honest conversations Questions? Thank you!