std_communication

The ability to communicateclearly in writing is one of the most important skills you will ever master. Itwill help you to get your ideas across effectively and to get the results youwant in your professional and personal life. There is no mystery to goodwriting; it is a skill you can learn.

ABC’SOF GOOD LETTER WRITING

A. A is for accuracy - Be asspecific as possible, giving all the pertinent information as accurately asyou can.
B. B is for brevity - You can takeit for granted that the person you’re writing to hasn’t time to wade througha long letter. As a rule, you can organize your letter into three parts.
Tell why you’re writing.
Give the important facts.
Describe what you would like the recipient to do.
C. C is for:

1. CLEARNESS
Make every statement easy to understand, impossible tomisunderstand. Avoid involved paragraphs and long paragraphs. Avoidflowery language. Simple, direct expression is the best guarantee ofclearness in a business letter.

2. COURTESY
Be sure your message contains no trace of rudeness andno suggestion of critical or superior attitude toward your reader. Tryto be helpful in every way possible. Genuine consideration for thereader helps to win his/her confidence and good will.

3. CONCISENESS
Make every word contribute something to the meaning ofyour message. Avoid empty phrases and irrelevant details. Needless wordswaste time and discourage the reader’s interest.

4. COMPLETENESS
Give the reader all pertinent information that may behelpful to him or her. When you reply to an inquiry containing a numberof questions, be sure you answer all of them.

APPRECIATION

Another form of communication that will help to build betterrelations among fellow officers is by

Sending"thank you" cards or notes every time a fellow officer or sponsor helps inan activity or event.
Make or buy Birthday, Christmas, Easter or ValentineCards.
Buysome candy and make little packages for each person on the board.

THE ABC’S OF SAYING THANKS

Accent the achievement: Bespecific about someone’ contribution and it’s effect on the project.
Basic and Believable: Besure that you mention honest accomplishment. A student knows when aproject has had some rough spots; however, this does not mean that youcannot thank this person for getting beyond these challenges.
Create it cheaply: Mostschools exist on shoe-string budgets, and co-co-curricular activitiesare no different. Therefore, using inexpensive materials is a must.
Do it thoroughly: Keep alist of everyone who helped out in a project in any way on a project.
Enjoy its effectiveness:As people realize their contributions are important, willingness toparticipate will grow.