Training and Transition
The momentum of an organization can be brought to a halt when officers step down without properly training incoming officers. Change is constant, and it is possible to function effectively while undergoing leadership changes.
As an Outgoing Officer:
Think back to when you just took over your office. Were you scared, confused, overwhelmed? Here's some suggestions about how you can show the next officer "the ropes" and make their lives a lot easier.
- Keep accurate records, including the constitution, by-laws, goals and objectives, evaluations of previous projects, job descriptions and anything else they need to know.
- Tie up any loose ends of current projects or inform the new officer of what's going on.
- Think back to when you were the fresh new spirit of leadership, what were the things you wanted or needed to know but no one told you? Brainstorm.
- Along the same lines, how do you think you could have improved. Remember, we're not perfect beings, there is always room for improvement.
- Introduce the new officers to important resource people, they will feel more comfortable after they meet them, instead of having a list of names.
- Set aside an adequate amount of time to exchange all of this information.
As an Incoming Officer:
- Determine what you need to learn. Write out all the questions you have for the outgoing officers so they can all be answered at once.
- Find out who you need to talk to for your training and transition and track them down. They have valuable information and make your life a lot easier.