Navigating Leadership Transitions

Registration fee of $50 for up to 3 people from each organization

While there is risk in leadership transitions, there is also tremendous opportunity for reflection, change, and organizational growth. Smaller organizations often face the biggest challenges. They unconsciously build their structures around their leaders, and those individuals’ strengths, skills, and interests. Without a conscious and flexible transition process, you may never seem to find the right fit in your new leader. 

Major transitions for small nonprofits are often particularly challenging – the founder of the organization leaves or steps back, the only paid staff person resigns, or you are hiring your first staff person. How do you provide the next leaders with the knowledge and support they need without stifling their ability to lead the organization? Planning well and flexibly will allow for a positive transition while also creating a stronger organization.

We’ll discuss transition strategies and related considerations, including:

• Interim leadership – the pros and cons of an interim leadership period to give greater space for staff and stakeholders to adjust to the transition.
• Consider whether to promote from within or search outside the organization – no one knows your organization better than those who are already involved. But new blood can bring new ideas and skills that are badly needed.
• Programming pauses or changes – does your programming need to adjust in the short-term to allow for the focus and energy that a leadership transition requires from staff and volunteers?
• Re-evaluating your mission and focus – while a leadership transition shouldn’t pull your entire organization off center, it is also an excellent time to reflect on where you’ve been as an organization and where you’re going.
• Communicating with stakeholders – your stakeholders need to be involved and knowledgeable, without getting lost in the nuts and bolts of a transition.

This workshop is for small organizations with an all volunteer or small paid staff. 

About the presenter: Kevin Ressler is the CEO of the Alliance for Health Equity in Coatesville, PA. Previously, Kevin was the President and CEO at United Way of Lancaster County and the Executive Director of Meals on Wheels Lancaster. He has extensive background in conflict transformation, nonviolent communication, and creating spaces that respect different voices. Kevin attended Eastern Mennonite University and Lancaster Theological Seminary, and currently volunteers with the Brandywine Health and Housing Corporation and the Coatesville Development Corporation. Kevin lives in Lancaster City with his wife, Melissa, and their two daughters.

All sales are non-refundable.