As we move into deadline mode, it’s important still to find time for staff bonding. Creating a yearbook is tough work and no one will stick around if it’s not fun. Volunteering is a one way to build an empathetic staff that enjoys spending time together.
Give back at school
For those with precious spare time and busy schedules, contributing to school charity drives is an easy way to volunteer as a staff. At Thanksgiving, student government groups and schools often collect canned goods and boxed food items. Before the winter break, drives expand to clothing and toys. Schools regularly hold drives for Blue Santa and Toys for Tots, making it easy to drop off gifts in the front office.
Two years ago at Claudia Taylor Johnson High School, the Citadel staff traded their Secret Santa party for a volunteer opportunity. They collected toiletries like toothpaste, toothbrushes and mouthwash for Student Council’s holiday drive.
The Citadel staff contributed dental supplies to a student government holiday charity drive. Jag Media photo, reprinted with permission
The school volunteering could also be limited to within just your classroom. Operation Shoebox provides care packages to soldiers at home and abroad. Staffers could bring in heat-resistant candy (like Twizzlers), pens, granola bars, baby wipes and other items to send to troops. After amassing all the items, the staff could write postcards and put together the care packages. The charity accepts packages year-round so staffers could work on the project at any time.
Outside the classroom
If your staff members have more time on their hands, volunteering in the community can elicit staff bonding moments. Animal shelters need help cleaning cages, giving baths and playing with the pets. Soup kitchens and food banks use volunteers to organize food and serve customers. Community centers often need mentors for younger students. Working together in the community can increase students’ compassion, develop leadership skills and foster teamwork.
The Cypress Lakes High School yearbook staff contributed to Rescue Rebuild, an organization that travels the country and rebuilds animal shelters. While the group was in the Houston area, the staffers built about 100 cat scratchers and provided dinner to the group’s volunteers.
While Rescue Rebuild provided the wooded ends, Cy Lakes staffers superglued the rope on the scratchers. Photo by Sara Gonzales
Another way to impact your city is by contributing to fundraising awareness drives. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society regularly holds Light the Night walks across the country. They raise money for treatments, support services and cancer research. Students raise money for the event and then walk together at the one-mile evening event. The American Cancer Society offers a similar event, Relay for Life, where teams walk a track for six to 24 hours. The walking experience can have a profound impact, providing a rewarding volunteer opportunity that also unites the staff.
For staffs looking to get their hands dirty, consider volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. While students need to be at least 16 to work at a site, they can carry lumber, add siding, paint and do yard work. Another option is volunteering for a park cleanup or tree planting. Check the city’s park and services department for events or organizations dedicated to park beautification. A Saturday can provide meaningful and productive work to strengthen both the community and the staff.
Volunteering for a Habitat for Humanity build is a constructive way for staffs to bond and give back to the community. Habitat for Humanity International photo, reprinted with permission
Whether it’s collecting toys and toothbrushes or painting a new house, volunteering can be a healthy influence on the staff. Giving back creates opportunities to be involved in the community and grow as a staff. As the staff bonds over fuzzy friends and late night walks, they establish their best new tradition.
