Leadership Transition Planning Guide

“It’s only a movement if it moves without you.” The following planning guide will ensure you are able to leave a legacy of leadership with your chapter as you graduate or transition leadership positions. The guide includes the following items:

• Why plan a leadership transition?
• Sample transition timelines
• Transition questions for incoming and outgoing officers to answer

Anna Mahalak, UNA-USA Youth Engagement Manager, is always available to help lead a virtual transition meeting for your chapter. Email her at amahalak@unausa.org to set up a call.

Why plan a leadership transition?

• Provide for the transfer of significant organizational knowledge.
• Minimizes the confusion of leadership changeover.
• Gives outgoing leaders a sense of closure.
• Celebrates the valuable contributions of experienced leaders.
• Helps incoming leadership absorb the special expertise of the outgoing leadership.
• Increases the knowledge and confidence of the new leadership.
• Minimizes the loss of momentum and accomplishments for the group.

Sample Transition Timeline

Spring Semester Transitions –

• February: Have current officers present at a meeting about what they do. Encourage members to get coffee with officers to learn about their positions.
• March: Elections or applications open. New officers selected after spring break.
• April: New and old officer retreat (before final exams). New officers register for UNA-USA Leadership Summit in Washington D.C.
• Late April/Early May: New officers meet for goal setting.

Fall Semester Transitions –

• October: Have current officers present at a meeting about what they do. Encourage members to get coffee with officers to learn about their positions.
• Early November: Elections or applications open. New officers selected before Thanksgiving.
• December: New and old officer retreat (before final exams).
• December/January: New officers meet for goal setting (before start of spring semester).

Transition Questions for Incoming Officers to Answer

• Goals for the position?
• What position-specific questions do I want to know about (timelines, duties, etc.)?
• Things I should do or want to do over the summer?
• Other students, faculty, and staff I should get to know?
• Resources and services I need to know about?
• Things I need to know about working with my campus advisor?
• One university policy I really want to know about?
• Other questions I want answered?

Transition Questions for Outgoing Officers to Answer

• Contact Information (cell phone, future email) and preferred method of contact?
• Email, website, or social media accounts/passwords to share?
• Timelines of important tasks/events?
• What forms does this officer position need to complete?
• How would you like to stay involved with the chapter (as an alumnus/a, serving on a committee or as an advisor, etc.)?
• What made you successful in the position?
• What challenges did you face in the position?
• Who did you work with in this role?
• What is a goal you had that you were not able to start/complete?
• Any other unfinished business for the incoming officer to be aware of?
• Things I wish I’d known before I took office were…
• One university policy I didn’t expect or really had trouble with was…