The transition of leadership for your organization can be a smooth
and positive experience. Transition may determine the effectiveness
of the group for years to come.
A smooth transition is:
- The responsibility of both the outgoing and incoming members
- A way to help the group to move forward
- A transfer of significant organizational knowledge
- Providing a sense of closure for outgoing members
- Using the valuable contributions of experienced leaders
- A time for the new leadership to learn from the out-going
members
- A great opportunity for outgoing leaders to reflect on the
past year
- An orientation process for new leaders
- The leadership changeover period
- A time to ask questions and to give advice
- An outgoing leader's last chance today "Try this…",
or "I have learned this…".
When working with new officer:
- Share what has worked
- Share problems, helpful ideas, procedures and recommendations
- Go over reports that contain what has happened in the past
year
- Go through organizational files
- Acquaint them with office surroundings (where applicable)
- Meet together with the group's advisor(s)
- Introduce them to important campus personnel
Specific information to give new officers:
- Job descriptions of officers and membership
- Constitution and Bylaws
- Description of committees
- Resource or contact list of important/helpful people
- Organization member and phone lists
- Calendar of annual events (rough estimate of what happens
each month)
- Reservation confirmations (for meetings of special events)
- Mission, or purpose statement of organization
- List of goals for organization
- List of expectation of members
- Financial reports (Treasurer's Manual)
- Status reports on current and continuing projects
- Meeting minutes and agendas
In addition to these suggestions, try having a retreat. This
will not only help each position get to know their responsibilities,
it will also help the new people see how each position functions
as a part of a team. It can include outgoing officers or just
new ones. Things to include during this retreat include icebreakers,
evaluation/discussion of year's events, officer exchanges. Check
out Points of Leadership on "Ice Breakers",
or "Planning a Retreat"
for ideas or contact the Student Life Center.
Utilize your advisor and be sure to spend time establishing what
the next year should bring the organization
