Setting the Pace

Officer Transition

Adapted from Drexel University’s Office of Campus Activities Leadership Development Program

Officer Transition– What is it?

• How do you ensure that new officers are ready to continue to provide your organization with strong leadership?

• What do new officers need to know to be effective in their new roles?

What does an effective Transition look like?• A plan set in place that is:

– The responsibility of both the outgoing and incoming officers

– A way to help the group avoid starting over or starting from scratch every year

– A transfer of significant organizational knowledge– A way to minimize the confusion of leadership

changeover– A way to give outgoing leaders a sense of closure– A great opportunity for outgoing leaders to evaluate the

year– An orientation process for new leaders

What do you need to transition?• LAL’s three-step recipe

– Incoming officer/outgoing officer surveys– An officer handbook– A meeting schedule:

• 1-on-1 training• Old e-board and new e-board transitioning• Follow up meeting (i.e. by phone or e-mail)

Surveys

• If you’re an outgoing officer, complete an Outgoing Officer Survey– This should help guide or direct you as to what the

Incoming Officer needs to know

• If you’re an incoming officer, complete an Incoming Officer Survey– This should help organize your thoughts and

prioritize your needs

Officer HandbookAll officers should receive:

– Copy of Constitution and by-laws *– Position description of officers and members *– List of committees and their description *– Member & officer contact list (Secretary)– Contact information of important people/offices on campus *– List of basic annual procedures and/or calendar of annual events *– Web page and webmaster information (Public Relations) – Mission, philosophy, goals and/or purpose statement of

organization *– Financial records (Co-Chairs; Treasurer)– Evaluations of previous and current projects *– Meeting minutes and agendas (Secretary)– Any historical records of the organization (Community Relations)

Meetings

• One-on-One: Outgoing and incoming officer meet 1-on-1 to go over all of the details of the position– Try to transfer as much information as

possible either electronically or on paper.– Look at your calendar from the past year

and one for the upcoming year.– Make introductions to resources.

Meetings (con’t)

• Old e-board and new e-board– Use this as an opportunity to set

goals for your organization.– Ensure that meetings are run

professionally. E-boards tend to be composed of peers and when we all get together…

Meetings (con’t)

• Follow up… don’t leave a new e-board hanging!– Offer your advice. You were once in

that new officer’s shoes.

Q & A