Going public

My friend and colleague, Principal Matt Hillman, wrote a very good post on LeaderTalk yesterday called "Getting the Word Out." In it he stressed the importance of schools taking their messages to the public beyond "web sites, fliers, or parent nights" and...

personally spreading the news about what we do for kids and our families to folks who might not typically cross paths with school personnel.

Given that in our community fewer than 25% of our households contain public school children, finding effective ways to inform all voters, taxpayers and community opinion leaders about our schools is increasingly important.

Matt's posting is weirdly coincidental since next Monday I will be giving a 20 minute talk* to my Kiwanis Club. Titled "Do You Know More Than a Fifth Grade Teacher?" it has these three objectives:

• To raise the level of respect for teachers in our community (not that they really need the help)
  
• To raise the awareness of the importance of technology in classroom (which really does need help)
  
• To demonstrate the district has spent technology referendum dollars wisely

A letter will go out next week to other service clubs in town, in which I'll offer to give this talk at their meetings as well.

I've done lots of talks for service clubs. The members of these organizations have a high tolerance for bland food. They often meet at ungodly hours. They sing, pray, pledge, and conduct silly rituals.

But I also I find in every case that these club members are interested, involved, supportive and ask good questions. They care about kids and the community. They work hard and are generous with both their time and money. And they make you feel welcome and appreciated. 

My simple suggestions for an effective community talk include:

• Keep it short - 20 minutes max
• Show pictures of happy kids (HPLUKs)
• Wow'm a little
• Stress the positive
• Make it about kids
  
• Make a point
  

Matt concludes:

Groups like Rotary, Kiwanis, and the Lions Club are just a few examples of civic organizations where individuals committed to our communities gather and talk. These are great organizations to engage. What are some public relations efforts you have used to spread the good word in your community?

Well. library and tech folks, how do you engage the larger community? It's vitally important.

_______________________________

My slides for Monday's talk are available on Slideshare. If you are confused by the first few, they are simply there to illustrate this little introductory story:

A pundit once speculated that should a 19th century physician be transported to the present day, he or she would not recognize a modern operating room. A 19th century banker would not be able to function in today's bank. In fact, the writer observed, the only professionals whose working environment would have changed so little that they could begin working immediately would be public classroom teachers.

And the rest of the talk sets out to disprove it.

Have a great weekend.



Update:
The talk went fine. Thanks!

Club member Doug Johnson, Director of Media and Technology for the Mankato Area Public schools updates the club on new technologies used in the classroom at the July 29, 2008 meeting.

Comments

[Scott McLeod]

Doug, I enjoyed your slides, particularly the next-to-last one about kids and buttons. Thanks for sharing!

[Mary Ann]

I had the unexpected opportunity to do a talk on the 21st Century Library for the Rotary Club last spring. Not only were they generous with their time and attention, they were extremely pleased that I was not asking for money. I even had someone approach me and ask how one became a teacher librarian. :) I must have made it sound like the best job ever.
I do find that every time I talk to someone about what it is I do, I end up trying to find a way to educate them about what my job actually is, and why it is important without getting too preachy. It can be a delicate balance.

[Doug Johnson]

@ Thanks, Scott. I thought the button line was pretty good myself. And it is even original, not stolen, as most of my best bon mots are.

Doug

@ Mary Ann,

You are right about the preachy part.

The "elevator" speech advice has almost become cliché, but I believe it is still important. That 30 seconds in which you can quickly and clearly describe what you do and why you do it.

"It's my job to make sure all students can use information and technology to solve problems and answer questions reliably. I do this through providing up-to-date, balanced resources and teaching critical thinking and communication skills. I am a librarian!"

I am sure your talk was outstanding! I hope you get a chance to give it to other clubs in your area.

Do you have the text written out? I'd be happy to share it with Blue Skunk readers!

All the best,

Doug