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Executive Transitions

Paul Clarke Nonprofit Resource Center

23 @ 4 Series 2011

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We’re small…do we really need a Plan?

YES!

When?

Now.SOURCE: http://www.blueavocado.org/content/succession-planning-nonprofits-all-sizes

big

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Why Plan Transitions?

Poor Planning = Higher Cost

Unplanned = Interruption

No Plans = Lost revenue

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3 Kinds of Succession Planning

• Emergency

• Strategic Leader Development

• Departure-Defined Succession Planning

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Emergency

•Who steps in?

•Which duties taken?

Have plan in place

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Strategic Leader Development

Ongoing plan

•Identifies core competencies

•Clarifies skills needed

•Develops existing staff

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Departure-Defined• 1-4 years out

• Policy in place

• Backup Plan

• Transition Plan

• Job Review

• Compensation Research

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Leadership Succession Planning

• Ongoing

• Focused

• Identifies Skills Needed

• Recruit, Train & Retain Talent

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Succession Readiness

The Book

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Managing Executive Transitions: A Guide for Nonprofits

by Tim Wolfred

Seven Essentials for a Successful Executive Transition

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Readiness Checklist

Plan in placeAnnual E.D. evaluation by

BoardAnnual Board self-evaluationManagement team

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Readiness Checklist

Another person shares E.D. external relationships

3 months’ Financial Reserve

Policies & Procedures Manuals up-to-date

Duties assigned for emergency

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Templates and Guides:• Emergency Plan• Staff Surveys• Board Assessment• Stakeholder Interviews• Checklist• E.D. Legacy Statement

Getting Started

SOURCE: http://www.compasspoint.org/et

Strategic Leadership Development Toolkit

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Transition Tips• Prepare ahead

• Don’t rush

• Have #2 person

• Hire passion, personality

• Skills can be learned

http://www.transitionguides.com/guides-for-executive-board-leaders

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Ready to Leave?

• Am I ready to move on?

• Is it time to leave?• Could someone else do

this job better?• How & When do I tell

the board?

SOURCE: http://www.transitionguides.com/guides-for-executive-board-leaders

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Transition Tools• Managing Executive

Transitions Handbook by NeighborWorks.

• Executive Transition Guides. CompassPoint

• Executive Transition Monographs. funded in part by the Casey Foundation and the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund.

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Paul Clarke Nonprofit Resource Page

http://pcnrc.wordpress.com/

nrc@acpl.info421-1238