e-Newsletter: Connect to Solutions
Succession Planning for Nonprofit Boards
by Susan Griffin, Director of Operations, Center for Nonprofit Excellence
Do you know where your next board leaders will be found?
Does your nonprofit have a plan to build board leadership skills to enable a seamless
transition from one term to the next?
When nonprofits think about succession planning, they often equate it only with staff – what do we do when our Executive Director is planning on retiring? But succession planning is a serious issue for nonprofit boards as well. This issue has always been a part of board life, but has been exacerbated in recent years by the rapid changes in demographics, and in the change in the way people now volunteer.
To ensure appropriate leadership skills are present in the next generation of board leaders, organizations need to implement a process that will ensure training and development, and not leave to chance that the next leader will have the skill sets required.
Some of the areas that can be included in a board succession plan are:
1. Identification of the core values, mission and vision which are clearly described and shared with current and potential board membership
2. Development of a recruitment plan to diversify the pool of board applicants – by age, race, sex, work history, personality, community connections, etc. and use of a board recruitment matrix to focus on skills/characteristics that are needed in the future
3. Development of a mentoring or buddy program for new board members, with particular emphasis on development of leadership skills for officers and committee chairs
4. Use of committees as the first stage in developing potential board members and leaders – in a smaller, less formal setting, “lessons” are more easily transmitted and accepted
5. Identification of a board process (consent agendas, focus on strategic plan goals, committee structure based on short-term projects) that supports how multiple generations think, relate and work
6. Creation of opportunities for board leadership development – attendance at trainings, participation in community services like Leadership Akron, specific coaching services, and involvement in organizational activities that enable potential leaders to understand the full scope of the organization’s services and mission
7. Use of technology to facilitate access and information sharing of organizational materials, i.e. data available through the website, conference calls instead of face-to-face meetings, webinars
8. Inclusion of opportunities for social interaction and relationship building among board members to help build understanding of board politics and operational style
Board membership is a significant time commitment, so developing a relationship with a potential or new member is an important role for both the Board Chair and the Executive Director/CEO. People need to feel recognized, valued, and utilized, and they want to be given the information needed to make the important board decisions required. A board succession plan will support your nonprofit’s sustainability by ensuring the development of the next generation of leaders.
Contact Elaine Woloshyn at (330) 762-9670 or woloshyn@cfnpe.org to explore how CNE can help your nonprofit address board succession planning.
Resources & Sources
CNE has developed a board recruitment matrix for use with our consulting clients. Contact Sara Thorne-Briechle at (330) 996-5327 or center@cfnpe.org to learn more about this tool.
CNE's Resource Center has the following books available to view or check out at no cost.
Andringa, Robert C. The Nonprofit Board Answer Book: A Practical Guide for Board Members and Chief Executives. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2007. Print.
Gifford, Gayle L. How Are We Doing?: A 1-Hour Guide to Evaluating Your Performance As a Nonprofit Board. Medfield, MA: Emerson & Church, 2007. Print.
Gottlieb, Hildy. Board Recruitment and Orientation: A Step-by-Step, Common Sense Guide. Basic training 4 nonprofits. Tucson, Ariz: Renaissance Press, 2001. Print.
Robinson, Andy. Great Boards for Small Groups: A 1-Hour Guide to Governing a Growing Nonprofit. Medfield, MA: Emerson & Church, Publishers, 2006. Print.
Weisman, Carol E. Build a Better Board in 30 Days: A Practical Guide for Busy Trustees, Volume 1. St. Louis, Mo: F.E. Robbins & Sons Press, 1998. Print.