Effective Outgoing Officer Transitioning

Student Leadership AdvocatesStudent Organization Summit 2012

Today’s Agenda

• The Importance of Transitioning• Effective Transitioning Practices• Long Term Transitioning Plans• Personal Transitioning Activities

Introductions

Please stand up and share your:• Name• Year• Organization and role• One thing you hope to get out of this breakout

session!

Why is Transitioning Important?

• Student organization timelines are short– One year terms with four year visions

• Continued organizational improvement• Organizational consistency• Benefits organization’s morale

Important Elements• Gain mutual respect and support for each

other’s opinions and goals• Set agreed to goals and objectives for the

outcome of transitioning• Include tasks/operations basics as well as

visioning and goal setting!• It is a mutual process – do not dominate• Ideally, transitioning is a full-term process!

Challenge (Incoming)• The process• Yourself• Strive to make it better– Always room for improvement – Look at it as an opportunity

• Leave a lasting impression

Support (Outgoing)• Be a sounding board• Be honest & realistic about the job• YOU are needed• If you didn’t get re-elected– Don’t let it become a barrier– Go the extra mile to let the person know you’re

there– Understand that things happen for a reason, and

another door will be opened if you allow it.

Create a TimelineTime What to

expect

A month prior to office

Taking office

1st month

1st quarter

Summer

Last month in office

The 4 S’s of Transitioning

Situation

Self

Support

Strategies

Methods of Execution• One-on-One Meetings• Group Meetings• Written Forms (online/electronic/paper)• Retreat• Facilitated Programs

• Troubleshooting: What if you plan these things and your like-officer doesn’t participate?

Strategic Transition Planning• Keeping thorough documentation throughout

officer term – don’t assume people know!• Do SWOT analysis after events and/or mid

year• Keep track of contacts and successful

processes• Program Summary Forms– Example: Student Alumni Council

ACTIVITY!Personal Transition Strategies

• Write down:– How your current officer transition works.– The questions and concerns you have about your

transition process.• Break up into groups to discuss and problem

solve.– SLA facilitators will walk around to assist

Key Ingredients

• Passing on advice and taking advice• Many different methods but written is more

sustainable• What else? Other ideas from your own

experience?

ACTIVITY!Countdown Letter to Your Successor

5 of your favorite things about the position (position you held, position you hold, or position you want to hold)

4 things that happened during your term that you didn’t expect in your role or 4 things that you will expect to do in your role.

3 pieces of advice you have for the next person in your role or that you would like to receive from the outgoing person in the role.

Countdown Letter Continued…

2 positive observations of the person coming in or leading the role and how you think that has been helpful to the position.

1 goal that you have set for yourself in regards to your involvement in the organization.

When you are finished, we have an envelope you can put it in to send to the person.

Overview• Officer Transitioning is critical to your organization’s

success.• The process will take time. It is a full-term

commitment!• YOU are important to the process.• Sharing advice and information is invaluable.• RESOURCES:– SLA facilitators for workshops or transition sessions– Your Advisor – can provide continuity/perspective– Coca-Cola Retreat Packages for officer retreats!

Questions?

Continue the Conversation• Contact SLA– http://ohiounion.osu.edu/get_involved/csls/sla– Email advisor Melissa Rocco at rocco.18@osu.edu– Talk to one of us today!

• Websites:– Coca-Cola Retreat Packages: http://

ohiounion.osu.edu/get_involved/csls/retreat_packages

– Student Org General Resources: http://ohiounion.osu.edu/get_involved/student_organizations/resources