Advisor Advice

An involved advisor can make all the difference in a Key Club's success. Here arc tips from Fridley Senior (Minne­sota) High School Key Club advisor and Key of Honor recipient Mary "Crzy Mry" Rowen.

Make a connection.

Greet members as they arrive- at meet­ings. Comment positively on their clothes, hairstyles, test results, recent performance at a sporting event, etc.

Never say never.

Remember that Key Club is student-led and that all decisions ate made by the students. You can guide them tactfully or express your concerns, bur never find yourself saying, "No, you can't do that!"

Make it right.

If you realize you've made a mistake, apologize.

Keep it simple.

It's better to do one highly popular project than many little ones in which only a few can participate. I have the club's publicist submit a news release to your local newspaper before the event.

Capture the moment.

Take active, storytelling photos of all projects.

Show 'em your silly side.

Take time to be silly. Our Key Club goes out to the football field in the middle of December and forms a smiley face or the Key Club logo. The students hold colored cards or beach balls to show the design and have their picture made from the press box.

Acknowledge.

Recognize achieve­ments with inexpensive gag gifts, weird awards and tokens of appreciation.

Our Key Clubbers of the Month receive a plastic plate with flamingos or mon­keys on it. The plate awards can go with them to college where they serve as a fun reminder of their Key Club experience.

Write notes to the students. Enough said.

Serve timely treats.

Our club serves ice cream bars and hot cocoa during December's meeting. We have Valentine cookies and play silly games during February's meeting and celebrate Girl Scout Cookie Day in April.

Update the administration.

Establish a rapport with the principal. Stop by the office regularly and share your Key Club stories and concerns- Send the superin­tendent and principal monthly e-mail reports of Key Club projects.

Attract attention.

Early in the school year, sponsor a popular event, such as a homeless sleep-out. Because only Key Club members can attend, this becomes a useful membership-development tool.

Be open to new ideas.

Encourage the students to take risks. Your club's favorite projects likely were questioned the most, like our teeter-totter marathon.