• Learn: The following resources will help chapter leaders discover which members are interested in serving in a formal leadership role.  
• Get to know your chapter members — Reference the Volunteer Facts and the Talent Form.
• Ask potential leaders if and why they want to serve — Use the Nomination Process Form and the Suggested Approach to Recruiting Volunteers.
• Assist potential leaders in gaining developing transferrable professional skills — Utilize the Creating a Volunteer Position Description Guide.
• Educate: The following resources will help leaders educate prospective leaders about the various officer positions.
• Explain the roles and responsibilities of each leadership position by utilizing the Officer Job descriptions.
• Introduce prospective leaders to the many resources available — Reference the I am a Chapter Officer document.
• Apply: Many members are willing to take leadership roles, but often wait for an indication that their chapter needs them to serve. There are resources available to help members recognize their potential abilities and contributions:
• Personally invite prospective leaders to apply for a chapter leadership position by extending a Consent to Serve Form.
• Help the prospective leader through the application process by utilizing the Chapter Elections Document.
• Develop: After potential leaders have been elected to office it is necessary to have a successful leadership transition:
• Share positive and negative experiences of chapter leadership with new leaders —Utilize the Reflections document, as well as the Changing of the Guard document to help facilitate this process.
• Empower: It is the responsibility of the outgoing chapter leaders to empower the new leadership team:
• Have outgoing officers serve in a consulting capacity and make recommendations to the leadership team when requested. Use the State of the Chapter template as a starting point for these discussions.
• Reflect: Energy spent on reflection allows for personal development and discovery. Chapter officers should reflect on past accomplishments and future goals
• Outgoing chapter leaders can spend time with new leaders collecting feedback from members about chapter operations and activities by utilizing the Member Satisfaction Survey.
• Analyze and implement feedback when setting future goals to create a strategic plan for the chapter — Reference the Strategic Planning template.

Click here to listen to chapter leaders talk about their personal leadership experiences and learn more about the stages of succession planning.

Additional Tools

Chapter Resources Database — This database is a great way for chapters to share resources and find helpful information and best practices from other chapters. It includes ideas on programming, retention and recruitment efforts, community service ideas and social events chapters utilize to ensure continued growth.

Chapter Leaders' Playground — This Web site, developed by Cynthia D'Amour, is an interactive site developed specifically as a resource for chapter leaders.