Succession Issues
Things are humming along smoothly with your Club. From the beginning, you’ve kept your eye out for your replacement – this permits you to hew to your Club’s bylaws and avoid the dreaded “leader burn-out.”
President for Life?
The remark by the leader: “I really think we need a new Chairperson or President” is so often met with the objection, “You are doing such a good job. We just think you should continue.” This reinforces the feeling we often have that “I really am doing a good job. I think that I’d like to finish up a couple of things before I give up this work.” That can be a barrier to a healthy transition of leadership.
Establish a Game Plan
Part of your work as a Club Leader is to help set the succession ground rules for the Club. That will make a transition clear and smooth. Many organizations set a limit on the number of years its leaders can serve, which makes it clear to everyone when a new leader is needed. The leader doesn’t need to think he/she isn’t wanted. The BAA sets a good example by electing a President-elect who can learn the ropes and then automatically take over prepared. It is very healthy if your role as immediate past chair/president is somehow recognized, perhaps with continuing membership for one year as President Emeritus or Chairperson Emeritus on the Club’s Board of Directors.
Seek New Challenges
The BAA is hungry for the leadership and inspiration of experienced volunteer leaders and may have other opportunities within its own ranks. You are a presence. Make the presence positive in this way instead of it being an unspoken negative burden on your successor. It’s great to be the leader. It can also be great to be a former leader. Set up the procedures that will maximize the chance of the transition being positive!
