Graduation can be really hectic, and there are a lot of things that need to get done, but which are easy to forget. Here's a timeline and checklist to get through it.
Well ahead of time:
- Find someone to choreograph and lead the Grand March
- Take Badge Orders from the club and graduating class (err on the side of getting badges for anyone who might graduate)
- Get the class started thinking about class hack tips - you'll probably want to mention some hack tips that have been done in the past and worked well (see Big List Of Hack Tips for ideas)
A week ahead:
- Find someone to organize the punch (Brian might be willing)
- Find someone to get/make cake (Barbara Steele has gotten it from Costco in the past)
- Check on the supply levels of cups/plates/forks; if they are low, ask the Treasurer to order more from ecat
- Fill out, print & sign diplomas (Diploma Template.doc, as fonts vary by computer, you might need to pick a new font; aim for something with Chancery in its name)
- Get graduation folders from the locker, or if there aren't enough, talk to the Treasurer
- Tell Ted what the class hack tips will be, and ask about going until 11 on graduation
Before graduation:
- Edit and print graduation handouts
- Get chocolate bars for people who had perfect attendance (don't penalize MIT students who missed review week)
- Assemble graduation folders
- Write up a graduation schedule (see below) and send to Ted, officers, and the class
Graduation
- 7:30 Walkthrus
- 8:00 Club Tip
- 8:15 Class Tip (review & teach of last 4 calls)
- 8:40 Rounds & class meeting to prep hack tip
- 8:50 Hack tip for the Club (run by the class)
- 9:10 Hack tip for the Class (run by the club)
- 9:30 Grand March
- 9:40 Presentation of Diplomas
- 9:50 Announcements/Cake/Rounds
- 10:00 Club Tip (for everyone)
- 10:15 Rounds
- 10:20 Club Tip
- 10:35 Rounds
- 10:40 Club Tip
After Graduation
- Email class list with links to useful mailing lists (tech-squares-discuss, tech-squares-rounds, tech-squares-social)
- Email class list with a survey about their experience in the class (optional, but helpful)
- Add class graduates to tech-squares
- Get the class graduates added to the club roster (usually involves emailing the roster manager)
- Clear the class list
- Make notes on your experience/ what to do differently next time