Awkward Calls and Long Pauses: How to Handle Negative Responses in Phonathons

Advancement // March 12, 2015

In a perfect world, every call during a phoneathon would end in a cash donation and a monthly commitment for more. But reality often gives us more awkward—or even angry!—responses when your volunteers call the development office’s list of leads. To prevent your volunteers from becoming the proverbial “deer in the headlights,” give them some direction to try to change that “No” into a “Yes,” even if it’s only a “yes” next year.

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Dealing with Dishonesty: Applications and Confidentiality Issues

Advancement // March 11, 2015

Let's say you have reason to believe a parent may have lied on an application based on something you learned "in confidence." Maybe a father neglected to mention a student's learning disability that your school isn't equipped to accommodate, and you discovered the omission after reading a former teacher's confidential reference letter. Perhaps a mother laughed off suggestions of troubles at home that have proved problematic to previous instructors. The situation must be addressed, but carefully, considering your sources may have requested (or required!) anonymity to come forward. The ways to do so vary, depending on the personality and strengths of the admission staff involved, but we have a few pointers to get you started on the right foot.

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Keeping Your Social Media Current

Advancement // March 11, 2015

Social media can excite your audience. It's an opportunity to connect on a more personal and immediate level with your constituents, drawing them in and immersing them in the daily activities of life on campus. They present a positive picture of your school to prospective students, and remind current families why they chose you in the first place. Of course, such campaigns require time and resources, which can be at a premium in the Admission Office. To make sure you give your social media strategy the attention it deserves, we've got some recommendations to make good use of what limited time you have.

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Ask ISM's Health Care Reform Specialist

Business and Operations // March 4, 2015

Q. I had an employee come to me today and ask for “Form 1095” so she could complete her taxes. I had never heard of this form! What is it, and how do I get it for the employee?

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4 Reasons Why You Should Be on LinkedIn

Business and Operations // March 3, 2015

LinkedIn, calling itself “the world’s largest professional network,” may have once been only for recruiters and the unemployed, but no longer. Since the inauguration of its long-form article platform and news aggregate service, LinkedIn has become the place for professionals from every career and company to gather, learn, and network—including you, Business Officers. We can list four reasons why you should spruce up your profile (or create one!).

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Practical Points of a BYOD Program

Business and Operations // March 3, 2015

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs might seem like the perfect solution to your school’s desire to stay up-to-date with the latest educational tools with little added cost to your technology budget—but beware! Don’t view BYOD through rose-colored glasses. Without proper planning, such programs can be riddled with hidden obstacles. Consider these three stumbling blocks while your school ponders implementing a BYOD program.

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Five Key Reasons to Develop a Head Evaluation Process

Board of Trustees // February 25, 2015

When it comes to evaluating the School Head, many Boards simply avoid the process. Their rationale is, “Everything’s fine! Why take on another time-consuming, bureaucratic task?” In other schools, the Board President distributes an all-purpose leadership ratings form of some sort, tallies the results, and sets up a meeting with the Head to make a few suggestions. Neither tactic proves helpful for the School Head looking for direction and support. So, why go to all the trouble of setting up a true evaluation process—forming a Head Support and Evaluation Committee (HSEC), determining criteria and method, putting it into practice, and fine-tuning it yearly as ISM suggests? Here are five key reasons.

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You're Brilliant! You Will Get Through These Winter Doldrums

Business and Operations // February 25, 2015

Finding motivation midwinter can be a struggle. Less sunlight, post holiday cheer, and colder temperatures have been linked to seasonal depression (SADD), known to affect thousands of people each season. It’s a very real concern for organizations and individuals alike, as both struggle to keep motivation high and sanity balanced.

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When the School Head Leaves "Under a Cloud"

Board of Trustees // February 25, 2015

Sometimes a change in school leadership is the result of an abrupt rupture in the relationship between the Board and the School Head. In such a situation, the Board must act quickly to reassure all constituencies there will be a graceful transition.

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What’s On Your Printer?

Business and Operations // February 25, 2015

Data security risks are typically thought of as unsecure Web-based software, outdated servers, viruses, and poor password maintenance. Yet, data risks extend beyond your computer files and cloud storage. All the things you copy in the office—tax returns, medical records, financial information, student records, and more—could end up in someone else's hands. If your Data Security Plan (Risk Communication Plan) doesn’t incorporate printers and multifunctional devices, consider them for your next revision—or emergency amendment.

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