Consensus builds community, cooperation, and team spirit. Every position should have a written job description, updated annually, shared among all, and available at interview time. Support staffers especially appreciate having clarity on expectations for their own work. Also, they should know what others are doing and how it relates to their own work. Cross-training' also obviously has an impact on the future, as employees with new skills become eligible for promotions and new positions.
Goal setting begins in the staff meeting, and evolves in individual supervisory sessions.
Staff meetings are also a great time for recognizing individual accomplishments. Staffers of longer standing can and should reinforce this message with newcomers. Those who are responsible and loyal to the organization are inevitably rewarded in their own reviews and compensation, and with the increased effectiveness of the alumni and development office. Recognize support staff with handwritten notes, their name in publications, and birthday or occasional celebrative events. Teamwork exercises pull a group together.