Competency 10: Staff Personnel

All-Staff Monthly Meeting

Conducting an All-Staff Meeting

All-Staff meetings perform many valuable functions, such as bringing the staff together in a personal, non-threatening environment. It also provides a forum for discussion, informing the community of upcoming events, celebrating successes, and working on weaknesses. We all hope that every staff meetings could go smoothly, and that there will be 100% attendance, but that is not the case. Consequently, a competent administrator is prepared for the impediments and employs management theories, leadership concepts, and teamwork processes.

Preparing a Draft

First, every meeting begins with an agenda. Typically, agendas are made with the coordination of multiple contributors. Such is the case at International Academy of Flint. First, the secretary will import the monthly staff meetings from last year and deletes all irrelevant matters. Then, information from the month-to- month calendar for the current academic year is added. This information includes sports schedules, special events, birthdays, board meetings, deadlines, state and federal obligations, and other information from various departments and committees. The draft is presented at an administration meeting, where it is updated and finalized.

Management Theories

It is inevitable that people will be unable to attend all of the meetings, so it is imperative that you have an agenda for the meeting. Not only does this provide talking points for people that miss the meeting, but it also keeps attendees of the meeting on track with the items to be discussed in a predetermined order. It could also be beneficial to email a meeting agenda out prior to the meeting, but at IAF you pick up a paper copy and sign in upon entering the meeting room. Signing in verifies your attendance for reporting purposes and also provides a list of those that are absent from the meeting. Missing staff receive the agenda in their mailboxes.

Leadership Concepts

Staff meetings are an essential part of the educational process. These gatherings provide a forum for the discussion of topics democratically. Also,

Teamwork Processes

Open all meetings with a positive affirmation. At our all-staff meetings, we begin with “applause”. This is a time to give praise, make a positive announcement, or recognize an individual or group for their accomplishment(s). Additionally, all respective members have an opportunity to be part of the meeting. Let the Math committee

Reflection

I attended discipline, administration, and committee meetings during my clinical experience. I enjoyed the opportunity of sharing the lead with my colleague Loraine Brinker at the March All-Staff meeting, Artifact A. I worked with Connie Clark, administrative assistant to the director on completing an agenda, and compared what she assembled with what I assembled. As you can see from Artifact B, I had to increase my communications with the staff to have my draft completed. I learned that she relied mainly on email, as a way to complete the agenda. I also learned that to have it completed by the meeting date, you must start a month ahead of time.

Engaging the attention of a large group is one of the qualities of an administrator that I possess. I enjoy speaking publically, and I have had previous opportunities to speak with groups of over a hundred people. This experience was unique because in my previous public speaking experiences, I was not addressing co-workers. I believe that when you are addressing members of a team, it is important to share that leadership role, and emphasize your role as a leader and member of that team.