Put The “Success” In Succession

In this issue of The MHEDA Journal, you will read about succession planning and the steps to consider as you plan your exit strategy. One very important component to your succession plan is ensuring that your replacement has the necessary tools to perpetuate the business. As with any good organization, MHEDA has a well-developed process in place that provides the incoming president with engagement in all facets of association operations. Therein is the key to “success” in a succession plan.

The road to the MHEDA presidency can be lengthy, but it prepares each who follows it for the role and responsibilities as the chief volunteer officer of a national trade association. Prior to assuming the presidential office, a member will serve anywhere from two to four years as a board director. Before being elected president, a director also will have served on any variety of committees, including membership, education, networking and industry advocacy, and will, at some point, have been appointed as chairperson of one of those committees.

This provides a deep understanding of MHEDA programming and operations and helps to further prepare the member for the office of president. During a director's term, he or she may be elected to the Executive Committee (EC). Once elected to the EC, the consecutive officer chairs are vice president, treasurer, president-elect and, ultimately, pre-sident. While serving in the officer positions, the individual has a variety of responsibilities, including financial oversight as treasurer and Convention chairperson while serving as president-elect.

The president's role is demanding and requires a commitment of time and energy beyond what is required as a member of the board or EC. The president is actively involved in developing agendas for two board meetings and one EC meeting per year, presides over those meetings, plays an integral role in Convention planning, participates in related association meetings and trade shows, and helps to guide the direction of the association during the course of a one-year term. At any given time, an industry issue or trend will surface that requires the attention of the president. It is the president whom the executive vice president most relies on for counsel and collaboration.

At the end of the president's term, an “Officer's Day” meeting is held at MHEDA headquarters and includes the president, president-elect and executive vice president. The primary purpose of this meeting is to officially transition the role of president to the president-elect. The incoming president is provided the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the MHEDA staff, set the calendar for the year and learn more specifically the duties required throughout the year.

Following the one-year presidential term, the president automatically assumes the office of immediate past president. The immediate past president stays engaged to provide counsel to the president, other officers and staff on outstanding issues and remains an active member of the EC.

This “succession” plan has served the association well in preparing incoming leaders for association roles and responsibilities. We owe a great deal of thanks and gratitude to all the board members and officers, both current and past, who have generously donated their time, energy and financial resources to this association.

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The MHEDA Journal • Third Quarter 2007 • Volume 36, No. 3 • Contents are Copyright © Data Key Communications, Inc.
All rights reserved. • Nothing may be reproduced in whole or part without written permission of the publisher.