3. Why are you here?
Concerns?
What do you want to learn?
What is your org doing now for
the transition?
Org? Position?
4. Grooming New Leaders
Outgoing Officers New Officers
• Ask questions
• Focus on the team
• Set goals
• Make and implement plans
• Use a checklist
• Pass on information
• Communicate the final
details
• Prepare incoming officers
5. • Organize all notebooks, binders, files
and electronic document files
– Access to budgets, accounts, documents, etc.
• Finish all necessary correspondence
– Any last minute details that need to be
wrapped up? Don’t leave details TBD if the
officers aren’t prepared to take over.
• Develop action plans and timelines for
new officer transitions
– When should they start communicating with
members? Using the budget? Directing
meetings?
• Provide feedback as an outgoing officer
– Find a day & time that works well for as many
people as possible to assess progress made
and create new goals
– Have the new officers shadow you to see what
you do
Awesome Outgoing Officers’ Do This…
6. • Share key information
– Contacts
– Documents (Google drive is a great option!)
– Key activities, initiatives, & events
– Words of Wisdom
– Necessary training/transition activities
• Complete the transfer of information
– Ensure all space is reserved for future
gatherings
– Finish up all bits of correspondence
– Update OrgSync
– Pay their bills!
– Have the new officers shadow you to see what
you do
Stellar Outgoing Officers’ Do This, Too!
7. Smart Incoming Officers Do This…
• Break them down. Be specific: how,
when where, etc.
– Things I want to do starting
right now!
– Things I want to get started on
soon!
– Things the outgoing officer
indicated I should do right
away
• Do I have the skills necessary to
accomplish my goal? Who else in
my organization can help me?
Outside resources and people?
Set Goals
• Read the transition resources.
Orient yourself to what the
organization has been doing before
you assumed the new position.
• Mark your calendar with reasonable
deadlines. Plan several months out.
• Communicate deadlines to your
team. Celebrate meeting the
deadlines.
• Clearly communicate organizational
goals to your officers and members.
Roll Out Plans
8. The New Officers Come Marching In…
Retreat topics
• Teambuilding
• Teamwork plans
– How will you communicate with each
other?
– How often will you meet?
• Past performance evaluation
• Setting goals
• Planning and implementing the goals
9. R 153
G 0
B 51
#990033
R 255
G 179
B 16
#FFB310
R 79
G 85
B 87
#4F5557
R 0
G 0
B 0
Transition Questions to Ask
• What do you consider to be the responsibility of your office?
• What do you wish you had done, but did not?
• What did you try that did not work? Why?
• How do we work with our faculty advisor?
• What problems or areas will require attention within the next year?
• Who/what resources were the most helpful in getting things done?
• What key relationships need to be built?
• What should be done immediately?
• How did you work with other officers?
• What specific paperwork is required of the officer?
– Questions source: University of Virginia Office of the Dean of Students
11. The FIRE Method (T.J. Sullivan)
R 153
G 0
B 51
#990033
R 255
G 179
B 16
#FFB310
R 79
G 85
B 87
#4F5557
R 0
G 0
B 0
Prioritizing Your Programs
• F – Fine, fulfilling, fantastic
– Keep it up! People are satisfied and growing through these programs/events
• I – Improvement needed
– Important, but need some reworking to make them better
• R – Replace
– Goal of the event is valid, but it needs to be completely reworked
• E – Eliminate
– Not necessary, not helpful – remove it from the calendar so you have less to
worry about
12. Know your strengths & weaknesses
R 153
G 0
B 51
#990033
R 255
G 179
B 16
#FFB310
R 79
G 85
B 87
#4F5557
R 0
G 0
B 0
Know Thyself to Work Together
• How do you get your energy?
• Are you more of a planner or do prefer having no plans?
• What’s your go-to method for solving problems?
• Who makes you feel better about yourself? Worse?
• What do you enjoy most about the activities/positions that you’re
in? The least?
• What motivates you? What keeps you going? What brings you
down? Makes it difficult to keep trying?
13. Team Exploration Resources
• Myers Briggs Typology Indicator
– Extroverted/Introverted – Intuitive/Perceiving
– Feeling/Thinking – Judging/Perceiving
• True Colors
– Green – Orange
– Gold – Blue
• DISC
– Dominance – Steadiness
– Influence – Conscientiousness
• Strengths Finder
– Identifies your top 5 strengths
– Some universities offer consultations and support for taking the test
as a group
14. R 153
G 0
B 51
#990033
R 255
G 179
B 16
#FFB310
R 79
G 85
B 87
#4F5557
Cool leaders do this with their members
• Work on the morale of your
group members
• Expect any changes to be
accepted gradually
• Be available when others need
your help
• Let the group members
determine the group’s purpose
• Share the glory
• Encourage brainstorming &
creativity
• Be sure your group has a
common purpose
• Manage conflict, don’t ignore it