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Illinois School Board Journal
November/December 2005

How to say thanks?
Let's count the ways!
by William D. Smith

William D. Smith of Orland Park, Illinois, was superintendent of schools in Alsip for 31 years before his retirement.

The feeling of being appreciated is at the core of relationship building and job satisfaction. Employees often value appreciation more than a raise, and a survey by Yahoo's HotJobs.com found that two-thirds of employees would quit a job where they didn't feel appreciated.

Students also value appreciation from teachers as well as administrators. Some schools have instituted special rewards and recognition for students "caught" doing the right thing in any number of situations.

Districts can get mired in what has been called a "praise deficit." Their culture lacks the simple appreciation for a job well done that can make the difference between being good and being great.

Fostering a culture of praise also can have benefits in the community. Done correctly, praise for good work in the district can translate into positive public relations outside your buildings as well.

Boards of education may find they can overcome apathy and indifference by personally making "thank you" a part of their conversations and dealings with the public, whether internal or external.

How can this be accomplished? Here are 30 ways that board members and superintendents can show they have a grateful attitude:

Begin each school board meeting with a time to say "thank you" and share "good news" announcements.

Have a large "good news" bulletin board prominently displayed on the wall or on a stand in the meeting room so that everyone can see it as they arrive. Feature student and staff work, including newspaper articles about your schools.

Before the meeting, note agenda items where you can offer your thanks or make positive comments.

Set a time for awards and presentation photos just before the meeting. Have office staff send the photos, with captions identifying all present, to the local newspaper; post the photos on the district Web site; or publish the photos in a district newsletter.

Start each board meeting with awards (i.e. recognize spelling bee champions, athletic team captains, "mathletes," poster winners, etc.).

Make certain someone has a camera at board meetings to take "thank you" award photos.

Thank your parent organizations regularly. Invite PTO/PTA officers to attend board meetings to share reports and receive your gratitude.

Circulate congratulatory cards for board member signatures so that they can be sent to recognize special events as well as signing cards to express condolences and get well wishes.

Circulate cards at board meetings to remember staff retirees as well as former board members.

Include information on the agenda when faculty and staff attain a new degree or receive an award or honor outside of the district.

Urge the superintendent to include a "thank you" in all board correspondence, including letters from the school board.

Develop a school board "Happy Gram" form and use them at board meetings to jot down "thank you" notes. Leave them for the superintendent's secretary to route or mail the next day.

Say "thank you" to those important people who make your board meeting work: the superintendent, board secretary and the custodian, who sets up the room.

End each board meeting by making the last item before adjournment the "president's prerogative," where the board president can end each meeting on a positive note.

The superintendent should send out a news release the day after the board meeting, including the "thank yous" and positive news. In addition, send a meeting "capsule" to all staff the morning after the meeting, including the "thank yous."

Display the "good news" bulletin board at the entrance to the administrative offices for visitors to see.

Include "thank yous" and "good news" about students, parents, staff and the community in the district newsletter.

Find ways for the school board and the district to say "thank you" to volunteers (i.e., a luncheon, dinner, gift certificates, etc.).

Invite all former school board members to special events (graduations, dedications, etc.) and introduce them.

Before or during "Teacher Appreciation Week," ask board members to write a "thank you" to a teacher who made a difference in their lives. Read some of the letters at a board meeting.

Each year, plant a tree at a school to honor someone and invite that person and/or their family to a ceremony, possibly on Arbor Day.

Each June, say "thank you" to all those staff members with perfect attendance. Praise these steady, reliable staff who are "always there."

Honor veteran staff members at set intervals (10, 15, 20 years, etc.) with a special dinner. Say "thank you" in many ways during all award-night programs.

Redirect any personal praise you get as a board member to teachers, students, parents, staff, administrators and others. Be humble, raising up others when you receive praise.

Credit "good ideas that work" to the person who suggested it and to those who made it work. Don't take credit; give it to others.

Find a way to say "thank you" in every speech, presentation and introduction.

Show your feelings with your feet by attending school events, retirements, weddings, wakes, funerals and visiting hospitals. Walk the talk.

Have "Happy Gram" forms at home, at work, in your car and in your briefcase to make note of good reasons to say "well done," "thank you" or "good job."

Before attending a school event, prepare "thank yous" to put in school mailboxes before you leave.

Give physical "pats on the back," with "well done" handshakes to express your "thank yous."

Don't take anyone or any task for granted. Indifference is the greatest negative response possible. If you make saying "thank you" a regular part of your board culture, others in the district will copy it and increase civility.

Source
http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobseeker/about/press_releases/031203.html