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The
fall is here as time draws near for the President-Elect to assume the reins of
command. Ten things you can do now
before your term starts.
To
Do List ...
- Re-read your
association's bylaws, strategic initiatives and statement of policy
- Meet with
your Association Executive and current President to evaluate what
initiatives will be carried over into your term
- Meet with
your Association Executive and your President-Elect to map out what new
initiatives will be spear-headed
- Prioritize
all initiatives (residual and new); Create a business plan for each;
identifying budgetary concerns, analyze how the objective will best be
attained (PAG, committee, work group), who will be the team leader of the
initiative; how long it will take to accomplish; how it's success will be
measured
- Select all
Committee Chairs - selecting the best possible choices for the position; aim
for geographic balance, representational spectrum of membership with regard
to size of firms. Insure that
your President-Elects' committee Vice-Chair appointments are in harmony with
momentum of the committees
- In
conjunction with your President-Elect, assist the committee
Chairs/Vice-Chairs in creating an agenda of objectives for their year with
corresponding business plan for each objective
- Identify and
target potential 'rising stars' within the association and utilize them in
strategic ways
- Discuss
Crisis Management plans with your AE - stuff happens when you least expect
it - understand the protocols in place when emergencies arise
- Solidify
your concentric circles of advisors; remembering that your Association
Executive and President-Elect are the first circle, National Leaders and
past State Presidents are your next, followed by rings of peripheral
professionals that will be available to offer you perspectives so that you
can balance yours.
- Know your
job and empower others to do theirs. Plan
a day for leadership training so that everyone on your team will know their
job, what is expected, your agenda of initiatives, methods of communication,
appropriate interfacing with the staff and process for getting things done
efficiently and effectively for your year.
If
'Rising to the Next Level' is something you aspire to then remember these Five
Golden Rules of the "Don't Go
There" list ...
The
Don't List ...
- Avoid
Micromanaging the efforts of others, especially your Association Executive.
Micromanagement symbolizes a lack of trust.
Trust those hired, elected and appointed to do their job after given
instructions, objectives and timelines.
- Don't delude
yourself into believing that you can change the world in your year.
Changing systems, revamping attitudes and policies are an
evolutionary process that may require the consolidated agreement of many
Presidents (and their executive teams)
- Prepare your
team that the mantra " ... But We've always done it this way" will
no longer be an appropriate response.
- Don't
condone 'Sniper Fire'. Insist
that if a member of the team is not pleased with an outcome of any event,
that they must also be prepared to offer a few potential solutions to
correct the outcome.
- Don't hog
the spotlight. There will be
plenty of opportunity for you to shine.
Remember that the President always looks good if your team looks
good. The results of your team
will frame the image of your legacy. Recognize, commend and compliment the
efforts of any members that promote your vision and the positive, pro-active
aspects of your team's initiatives. This effort will repay you many times
over.
Remember
that the current President is in office until the last minute of the last hour
of their term as defined by your bylaws. Allow
them their time. Yours will come
soon enough and then you will be the one who won't want to leave.
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