These posts will share some management tricks I use/have used/will never use again!
For as long as I have managed people, I have been told that I am a good leader. I have limited staff turnover in a field where that epidemic is high. Several of my staff tell me I am the best boss they have had, although they know I love a good brown nosing. My staff seem generally happy most of the time. So what's the key to my success?
I really don't have an answer. I have things that I do that seem to work and every month, I would love to share an idea with you!
Today... The Staffle
Get it? Staff Raffle? Staffle? I love this idea as a simple, fun way to recognize staff. Often we can get so bogged down with the everyday responsibilities we have as child care professionals, especially part-time staff. They are often underpaid, over worked, and are expected to be like teachers without proper training. Therefore, I think it is incredibly important to recognize staff. People want to feel important, they want to feel special, and they want to feel like they are making a difference.
A great way to accomplish this is to create a Staffle! I first thought of this idea when I was a program manager in Lawrence, Kansas. I did a raffle every month for members. They earned tickets for various reasons: respect, member of the week, member of the month, accomplishing goals, etc. I thought, why not do this for staff too!? It works fairly similarly to a member raffle. Staff earn tickets for winning staff of the week, staff of the month, winning Color War challenges, and random acts of awesomeness. The set up can look something like this:
Question and Answer Session about the Staffle:
1. How you come up with ideas for what to raffle off?
See sample survey. I also just pick things I think staff will like (i.e. pens, items for their areas, BGC swag, etc.) Another component is budget or donations. Maybe you can reach out to local businesses to see if they could donate $5 gift cards?
2. How do you do the drawings?
Staff earn tickets and put them in the jar representing the prize they would like to earn. A director draws winners. I have tried this a couple of different ways.
a. At the end of each month, I take all of the jars filled with tickets into my staff meeting. I do a live drawing one prize at a time. They go crazy and make fun of each other LOL. It is a lot of fun.
b. I draw in confidence and announce winners at our Club meetings. The kids love it and get excited for their favorite staff!
c. At the end of each month, I draw one prize at a time and draw the top two winners. I do this because I like it when staff don't win more than 2 things to spread the love. The first place gets to choose which prize he/she gets and the remainders go to the 2nd place slots.
This simple idea makes a big impact. It can boost morale, excite staff, and most importantly recognize those who make a difference in the life of a kid.
Warning: it is important to keep this recognition program consistent. I would also advise that you draw winners in front of staff members. Also, this program can become pricey, but it does not have to. Look above at the graphic for more information about free or low cost Staffle items.
Ideas or questions? Subscribe and Submit! Also, next month in Somehow I Manage: The Plus Delta Sheet