EDITORS: A good editor is critical to producing a good yearbook. The editor is responsible for the overall content and development of the yearbook. Though the duties are primarily supervisory, he or she cannot be above helping with the day-to-day tasks of putting the yearbook together. The editor must be able to manage and motivate the staff members.

• Works with teacher to select the staff and helps assign roles best suited to staffers’ skills.
• Updates existing staff manual materials and helps set policies and procedures.
• Coordinates summer meeting and workshop schedules and manages the staff at those functions.
• Works with the teacher to set a training schedule for all new and returning staffers.
• Issues assignments and makes sure those assignments are completed on time.
• Manages or delegates all aspects of theme/concept work, including selection, development, design and production of cover, endsheets, title page, opening, dividers, closing and other related details.
• Leads by example as a communicative, prompt, responsible, responsive, effective staffer whose concern is for the staff as a whole.
• Completes the final check of all pages prior to submission and works with the teacher to ensure timely, correct submission of all deadlines to the plant.
• Assists teacher with assessments of each staffer’s participation and contribution following each deadline.
• Modifies policies and procedures as the year progresses to improve the process and the product.

PHOTOGRAPHERS: A good photographer is critical to producing a good yearbook. The photographer is responsible for the visual documentation of school events and memories in a year. The photographer must be able to attend school events and functions during school or outside of school. It is the responsibility of the photographer to lead the photo shoot and direct how the photos are taken.

• Selects and assigns photographers for each event.

• Tracks the school’s activity calender to be sure every event is photographed.

• Notifies subjects when photos are scheduled.

• Makes sure that no photo is used more than once.

• Checks to be sure that everyone has been photographed but no one has been photographed too much.

• Trains photographers to set up easy-to-identify group photos and to get the names of all people in the group.

• Schedules visits of the professional photographer.

• Coordinates the image management system so it’s easy to locate the photo files/negatives when needed.

• Carries a prepared camera at all times and is on the lookout for unexpected shots.

• Brainstorms possibilities for every assignment, including a variety of photo shapes, action, angles and perspectives.

• Notifies the photographers in advance if he or she can’t meet an assignment.

• Confirms with page designers that shots provided fill all needs for the spread; if not arrange for another opportunity to shoot the assignment.

WRITERS: A good writer is critical to producing a good yearbook. The writer is responsible for all of the caption writing of the yearbook. Staff writers are responsible for reporting, rewriting, writing captions, getting story on spread, writing headlines and having captions approved on deadline.

• Brainstorms copy ideas and coverage concepts for each assigned spread.

• Conducts necessary interviews and research for all copy.

• Expands on their topics by adding supporting layers of coverage such as quote bars, timelines, personal profiles and more.

• Writes copy, captions and headlines for each assigned spread.

• Checks spelling of every name on each completed page.

• Spell checks and proofreads all copy before submitting to copy editor.

• Is responsible for making all assigned deadlines.

• Checks copy for correctness, accuracy and completion before submitting it to editors.

• Write and submit stories by deadline

INTERVIEWERS: Interviewers have the responsibility of a reporter. This includes coming up with story topics, writing questions, interviewing people, and whatever other jobs are required from your role to put out a quality yearbook.

• Conduct interviews with a photographer
• Cover assigned events before, during or after school
• Reports to editor or teacher
• Asks questions that lead to either open or closed responses

PAGE DESIGNERS: Direct and design the general staff on concept development and page layout for each page in the yearbook. You are the lead in managing and maintaining consistency in theme and overall layout.

• Assists the editor in finalizing the layout portions of the yearbook style guide.
• Helps the editor complete the overall book plan.
• Trains the staff to design layouts.
• Critiques layouts, suggesting changes and coaching designers so that their work improves as the year progresses.
• Answers all questions regarding design, so the editor can manage other aspects of production.
• Checks all pages for consistency, style and technical errors before they are submitted to editor/adviser for the final check.

• Works with a team to complete assigned spreads.

• Completes photo request forms for each assigned spread.

• Chooses/crops/labels photos for each assigned spread.

• Inputs spreads into computer.

• Checks pages for completion before submission to editors.

• Is responsible for making all assigned deadlines.

SALES MANAGERS: The leader of the book and ad sales campaigns. Larger staffs may have a team that includes a bookkeeper, sales manager, promotions manager and ad designer who report to this position. Smaller staffs may use the advertising/index editor in this position.

• Develops the budget with the adviser and editor.

• Trains and supervises all staff members selling yearbooks.

• Organizes and runs the yearbook sales campaign.

• Makes sure all yearbook bills are paid on time.

• Inventories all kit supplies and orders them well in advance.

• Supervises all fund-raising activities.