TRANSITION FOR SUCCESS

National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower TRANSITION FOR SUCCESS By Travis Townsend, Jr. Managing Partner, Townsend & Lockett Attorneys at Law

WHY IS A GOOD TRANSITION SO IMPORTANT? National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower

A.I.M. to C. Success National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower • Avoidance of Wheel Reinvention • Imminent Opportunities & Challenges • Momentum • Consistency SUCCESS

National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower What happens when you reinvent a good thing. What happens when you build on good design.

Wheel Reinvention National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower • If effective processes, systems and connections to advance the mission of the National Urban League have already been established by your chapter, do not allow your pride of authorship to force you to redo what's been done effectively. • Reinvention of the wheel prevents you from building the next level of advancement in the respective areas of chapter operation. • Build from the foundation and go into your chapter’s future.

Win the Opportunity Game National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower

Imminent Items Must be Addressed National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower • Instead of wasting energy redoing what works, focus on immediate opportunities that were stoked and/or ignited by the outgoing Board so as to avoid missing resources and partnerships that could significantly advance your chapter's objectives. • Along the same lines, you should be able to address pressing challenges immediately upon installment of the new Board to avoid lingering obstacles to the success of the new administration.

Keep Moving with Steam National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower

Keep the Energy Flowing National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower • Your ULYP chapter must capitalize on all positive winds generated by the hard work of the outgoing administration and membership during their term. • A well run chapter will have improved its standing in the community between the commencement of the outgoing administration’s term through its end (regardless of how stellar it was prior). The incoming administration must ride that energy to a thriving term of its own.

Hit the Mark Repeatedly National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower

Consistency Hitting the Mark National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower • A successful transition will result in a consistent experience for your members and other constituents. • Consistency is paramount to engendering trust and confidence in your organization. If you want dollars, celebrity appearance support for events, good turnout for community service, or to be heard when voicing the Urban League's position on an issue, you need to have established yourself as consistent. • Become a pillar. Pillars are sturdy, can be found holding up their charge, and dependable. A chapter that shows strength across administrations becomes a pillar in the community.

You A.I.M. to C. National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower

First Step: See Rita National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower

First Step: Documentation National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower • Documentation is the foundation for institutionalizing knowledge AND most importantly, transferring it. You must not only "DO WORK" for this organization, you must also "RECORD" what you do. • Many of the keys to successful transitioning depend heavily on great records. If you do not have them, you will fall short in your effort to transition well.

Next: Time is of the Essence National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower • The transition plan should be developed prior to election of your new board so its implementation can begin immediately after formal election of the new board. • In fact, it is optimal to have developed a transition plan not less than 6 months prior to your contemplated election date so as to allow time for identification of potential Board candidates. • Additionally, it is recommended that your election date be not less than 2 months prior your official induction of the new board. (Note: This is a minimum requirement; the more lead time you have prior official induction, the more transition training opportunities you have.)

Next: Memorialize Your Plan National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower • Informal transition activities are fine, but they are only complimentary to a formal, structured transition plan. • The chapter President should lead the development of the plan, but should incorporate invaluable input from the entire Board. • Upon completion of the plan, all Board members should receive a copy of the plan. The Board should be charge with commencement of the preliminary portions of the plan not less than 6 months prior election date.

Components of Your Plan National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower • Identification and grooming of potential leadership candidates. Not to be confused with hand picking individuals randomly or for imprudent reasons and encouraging them to consider future leadership in the organization. Focus should be on keeping an eye out for individuals who exhibit a deep interest in the NUL mission, competence, consistency and potential for leadership. Once identified, effort should be made to encourage (i) deeper involvement in the organization, (ii)participation in conferences, and (iii) taking opportunities to exhibit leadership by planning key chapter initiatives and executing key chapter functions. • Initial transition meeting. Between lame duck board members and new board members succeeding their respective offices. • Strategy for transfer. Of documents, materials, contacts and other resources requisite to serve the respective board positions. It is recommended that written and electronic items are stored on USB drives that are given from lame duck members to successors. This can be done at initial transition meeting.

Components of Your Plan National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower • Introductions to key constituents and partners. Each lame duck board member should make formal introductions to key partners and constituents of the chapter; including without limitation, introductions to the Affiliate CEO and staff, NULYP board, sponsor contacts, preferred vendor contacts. • Board meeting observation. Your chapter may elect board members who have not served on a ULYP board before, or any board for that matter. Therefore it is important that prior taking on the responsibility for formal leadership action, all new board members have an opportunity to observe one or two meetings beforehand. This will also provide new Board members insight into the pressing matters that will require attention immediately upon installment. • Inclusion in the remainder. Begin incorporating the Board successors in planning, decision-making and outreach related to their impending duties so they can get first hand experience while still having strong support and experience on hand.

De-lame Lame Duck Board National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower • Lame duck board members must buy into the transition plan and commit to their responsibilities in it. • Extra focus must be given near term’s end. There is a tendency to detach a little from leadership duties at this time. The lame duck Board must understand the importance of the plan and that it is their last important leadership duty to the organization. • Make it easy for lame duck members to execute their transition obligations. Provide tools and direct instruction.

Empower the Newbies National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower • Train and guide, but also empower and embrace the new Board. • Be considerate when obligating the new Board to things while you are trailing off the term. Do not commit the next Board to things you have reason to believe conflict with what their wishes. • Share ideas that you may not be able to implement, but may be good for the chapter. Softball wins for your successor honor you whether or not you get the credit.

No Exchange Lane Fouls National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower

Pass It and Watch ‘Em Go! National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower • Make sure to let go of your authority when the new Board is installed. • Support communication to chapter constituents having difficulty excepting the changeover. Make it clear that the new Board members are to be looked to for chapter leadership interaction and decision-making going forward. • Avoid public second guessing decisions and actions of your successors.

What Does it Look Like?! National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower • The new Board members have contact information for all key chapter stakeholders and are comfortable reaching out to 100% of them. • The new Board has login access, financial institution information, and an overall “term closeout” to start from when taking over. • The new Board has a clear understanding of all Affiliate objectives for the chapter, as well as NULYP objectives. • The membership embraces the new Board and throws its full support behind it just as it has the outgoing Board. • The new Board has a full understanding of every operating component of the chapter and has full confidence that it can execute successfully. • Most importantly, the outgoing Board is…

Resting Easy! National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower

Chapter Wins, Everybody Wins National Urban League Young Professionals 2012 Whitney M Young Leadership Development Conference Project Lead, Learn, Grow & Empower

TRANSITION FOR SUCCESS