Building A Leadership Pipeline

Suggested Ways To Create a Leadership Pipeline Build a bigger chapter volunteer pool Rethink and redefine chapter leadership positions Actively engage in recruitment and development of your leaders Spend energy finding hidden leaders Create the role for a current leader or leaders to scout for leaders Develop a leadership training or mentoring program

Building Out the Volunteer Pool “Microvolunteering” recognizes the busy schedule of members Smaller roles at events (greeting, check-in, point of contact for new members) Editing or proofing chapter documents Notetaking or writing a recap of a meeting or webinar Point of Contact on specific issue (such as legislative calls to action) Larger, but not yet leading the chapter Committee chair or co-chair Liaison with other organizations Leading an Ad-Hoc committee Make the volunteer experience meaningful

Rethink or Redefine Chapter Positions Is too much falling on to one position? Can responsibilities be delegated to other positions? Does the description of the positions match the actual roles and responsibilities each position has? Should you create a position that appeals directly to active members of the chapter as a recruitment tool? Do you publish position descriptions to ensure clarity when recruiting nominees for positions? Do you need to undergo a review of your bylaws to have the roles and responsibilities updated to support your focus on chapter leadership and sustainability?

Recruitment! Clear explanation of the role & responsibilities Description of skills and experience required Share the supports in place to ensure success – Manuals Documentation Connection to previous volunteer Development opportunities Benefits such as professional advancement/skill building Clear up misperceptions such as the workload or time commitment What group or perspective is not being represented?

Hidden Leaders Attention to your volunteers and what they enjoy doing Member intel Past chapter leadership are a good resource for suggestions on whom to approach Who is in a leadership role for another organization? Who is talking to whom about skills they wish to develop to advance their career? Who is already on top of something like following the legislature’s activities or the Board of Regents? Who is not represented currently in the leadership team?

Scouting for Potential Leaders Be Intentional Make this part of the roles and responsibilities for 1 or more leadership positions Are their institutions not represented or positions (chairs, students, directors)? Hold a session at your conference to meet chapter leaders and share on the open positions Interview a leader for your newsletter or to post on your website Committees, including a young professionals committee is a way to cultivate new leaders

Develop A Leadership Training or Mentoring Program Transition meetings between predecessor and new leader Attending executive or leadership meetings prior to assuming the new role to observe and learn Easy access to documentation Recommended webinars or videos Informational interviews with past leaders, leaders in the same position in partner organization Mentorship meetings Check-ins