Staff Positions

Yearbook

Staff positions

There are many positions available in yearbook. These positions all play to various strengths, one scholar may be ideal for the business aspects, while another might be good in photography. Look over each position and consider which ones you would be best at and think about why.

Assignment: Write a short essay (2-3 paragraphs) explaining the position you are applying for and what qualities you poses that you think will make you successful in that position, as well as what you intend to accomplish while in that position (be specific). Have your parent, a teacher, or another adult also write a brief paragraph recommending you for the position and explaining what qualities you posses that they think will make you successful in that position.

Editor-in-Chief
• Manages the publication’s content and quality; manages a staff of peers
• Together with the staff, creates a theme and a plan for using the theme
• Designs or oversees the cover design, endsheets and any theme-related spreads, including opening, closing and dividers
• Writes the colophon (or delegates that to another scholar)
• Conducts weekly staff meetings to review deadlines, as well as upcoming photo and copy coverage
• Works with advisor to Compiles the ladder diagram and approves any changes to the ladder as coverage develops
• Together with the managing editor, plans celebration days and special holiday activities
• Checks and prepares all spreads for submission to Lifetouch
• Establishes all deadlines, including mini-deadlines
• Is actively involved in creating a book sales campaign
Photography Editor
•  Manages the coverage and quality of photos used in the yearbook
•  Manages a staff of scholar photographers; makes photo assignments for all photographers
•  Keeps track of all camera equipment and alerts the adviser when theft has occurred or repairs are required
•  Carries a camera with him/her at all times and accepts photo assignments
•  Covers or ensures coverage when a photographer is unable to shoot an assignment
•  Assists in the selection of photos used in the yearbook
•  Uploads or oversees uploading of photos to the appropriate folder(s) for assigned spreads’ use
•  Oversees the writing of captions for photographs used in the yearbook
•  Checks all captions for accuracy, including the spelling of names and photo credits
Copy Editor
•  Coaches staff members on possible angles, sources and questions prior to interviewing
•  Reads and edits all stories for grammatical accuracy
•  Confers with staff members on stories that need rewriting or clarification
•  Proofreads stories and captions after they are placed on the page
•  Checks the spelling of all names
•  Checks the tone and the accuracy of all headlines
Business Manager
•  Oversees the organizing of yearbook sales campaigns and advertising
•  Promotes the sale of yearbook business and personal ads
People Editor
• Ensures all scholar’s and staff names are spelled correctly
• Oversees the accuracy of all mug pages
• Works to see that all scholars are featured at least 3 times in the yearbook
• Completes the flow of the index after all other pages are complete
• Ensures that candid photos of students without a portrait are published elsewhere in the yearbook so that they will be represented

Sports/Organizations Editor

•  Arranges for all organization photo to be included in the yearbook

•  Identifies names on all group shots; ensures that they are entered and edited

•  Helps determine a coverage plan designed to guarantee that all active organizations are featured

•  Records scores for all games and all sports

•  Collects game/team statistics

•  Encourages and maintains positive working relationships with coaches, their assistants and the athletic director

•  Organizes sports group photos and identifies all team participants

General Staff

• Works with liaison teachers to ensure photos are taken of all important events

•  Designs, photographs, and writes copy for all assigned spreads, following predetermined rules of design, color, font, theme, etc.

•  Carefully tags and checks the spelling of all names on assigned spreads

• Makes sure the proper template is used and that any adjustments to the template are approved by the editor

• If there is a story on the spread, discusses ways to complete the coverage with the copy editor

• Interviews, secures quotes and establishes background for the story or photo caption

• Notes number of photos needed and how many are vertical or horizontal

• Takes high quality photos of all assigned events

• Helps brainstorm photo and theme ideas

• Is responsible for taking his/her own photos, he/she should determine when and where to take the photos

• Writes complete captions. On dominant and action/reaction/emotion photos, secures a quote to go with the caption

• Immediately begins work on special coverage; if the spread requires head-and-shoulder shots and a quote collection, that should begin immediately