How to Win Your School Board’s Support California School Library Association Annual Conference, Pasadena November 12, 2011

John McGinnis High School English Teacher & Librarian Newport Harbor High School Dean, Library and Learning Resource Center Cerritos Community College Member, Board of Education Long Beach Unified School District

Chapter I OPENING

You are here because you believe you might, at some point, lose your job. And you might. You want to know how you can convince your board that your library program and what you do are critical to your students’ education.

You are here because you believe you might, at some point, lose your job. And you might. You want to know how you can convince your board that your library program and what you do are critical to your students’ education.

You are here because you believe you might, at some point, lose your job. And you might. You want to know how you can convince your board that your library program and what you do are critical to your students’ education.

First Lesson Your audience cares less about your problems than they do about their own... unless you share a common problem.

Establish Rapport & Credibility Personalize your opening with a genuine expression of appreciation humorous anecdote story with an emotional connection

The Road Map Make your “ask” in your first 20 seconds; then you will... justify your request with 3 points close by reiterating your request.

Today’s Chapters s I. Opening II. Organizing III. Preparing IV. Delivering V. Closing VI. Do’s & Don’t’s VII. Powerpoint Tips

Chapter II ORGANIZING

Doing Your Research Audience expectations Your message

Audience Expectations What do you know about them individually? How do their experiences prepare them to understand you? What do you want them to do? How well informed are they on your topic? How enthusiastic are they about your topic? What do they expect to gain from you?

Your Message Think about your presentation. What is the problem or issue you want them to understand? What are the elements of the issue? What is the solution you want your board to provide? Other questions?

Your Message Outline about your presentation. Write out the purpose in one sentence. Write out the 3 main points to support your position. Support each point with specific examples.

Your Message Write your presentation. Writing out your presentation will focus your thoughts. Make sure each paragraph has a topic sentence. And each topic sentence is supported with specific examples.

Your Message Order, evaluate and edit what you’ve written. Does every sentence contribute to your purpose? Is each point in the right place? Do transitions to ease the flow from point to point? Will the tone have a positive impact on your board?

Your Message Polish what you’ve written. Can you streamline your message? Can you eliminate unnecessary modifiers or redundancies? Is your central point clear or is it lost in a laundry list? Is your message too dense with information & statistics?

Chapter III PREPARING

Leading up to the Presentation Knowing your topic... builds confidence. Rehearsing your presentation... projects competence and professionalism.

Leading up to the Presentation Question your topic... Is it easy and logical to follow? Do points build off each other? Is every point relevant? Are any points redundant? Does momentum slow in places?

Leading up to the Presentation Rehearsing Practice in front of volunteers Have your volunteers deliver your remarks to you Expect success Visualize yourself at the podium delivering your remarks Practice both out loud and in your mind

Second Lesson Preparation and practice build confidence and communicate respect to your audience.

Chapter IV DELIVERING

How to Start a Lousy Presentation Approach the podium... Looking disinterested or apprehensive Looking sloppy and unprofessionally dressed Looking unprepared and uncertain

Presentation Tips Dress professionally Deliver the way you talk, but cheerfully Make eye-contact with each board member Enunciate clearly into the microphone Smile Pause occasionally Bring visuals Do not apologize. Have nothing to apologize for.

Chapter V CLOSING

Wrapping Up Your Comments Reiterate your request in your closing End early so no one has to tell you your time is up Smile and make eye-contact as you close Do not invite questions but be prepared to answer them succinctly Do not use questions to give another presentation

Some Do’s & Don’t’s Communicate regularly Include a variety of supporters Understand others’ positions Learn the history Don’t burn bridgesDon’t whineDon’t take short cutsDon’t do end runs

Three Axioms An axiom is “A self-evident and universally recognized truth...” The American Heritage Dictionary

Axiom Number One This isn’t about your job.

Axiom Number Two This isn’t about your job. Before you talk to your board, you actually have to do your job.

Axiom Number Three This isn’t about your job. Before you talk to your board, you actually have to do your job. You cannot convince your board to believe anything your students, your classroom teachers or your principals don’t already believe.

Final Lesson The best advocacy is doing your job well.