How to Win Your School Board’s Support

California School Library AssociationAnnual Conference, Pasadena

November 12, 2011

John McGinnis

High School English Teacher & LibrarianNewport Harbor High School

Dean, Library and Learning Resource CenterCerritos Community College

Member, Board of EducationLong Beach Unified School District

Chapter IOPENING

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 Chapterss

I. Opening

II. Organizing

III.Preparing

IV.Delivering

V. Closing

VI.Do’s & Don’t’s

VII.Powerpoint Tips

Chapter IIORGANIZING

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 IIIPREPARING

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 IVDELIVERING

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 VCLOSING

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.