P.E.O. LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Successfully Passing the Baton
by Julee Carucci, P.E.O. Leadership Development Committee
to Newly-Elected Chapter Leaders You have just finished your President’s Letter and are poised to “retire” from your chapter leadership position. You have reflected on your tenure of the last year or two with pride as your teamnavigated the many challenges created by the pandemic. It is time to pass the baton to the new chapter leaders. Whether you thrived or struggled this year, you will want to ensure that your chapter is well-positioned to renew, refresh and move forward.
The actual training of officers should be the last item on the agenda, since time required for training varies significantly by position. As the incoming officer receives training from the outgoing officer she will feel immediately connected, confident and ready. Proper instruction will provide the incoming officers support and self-assurance. In turn, they will provide positive leadership for the chapter. A well thought-out and executed plan for the meeting will empower a chapter’s leadership team. Their dedication and preparation, in turn, will enhance chapter and philanthropic vitality. They will firmly grasp that baton and sprint forward while you enjoy your mountain vacation, confident that your chapter is in good hands.
Wait! Before you pack for that well deserved, spring break at your cousin’s mountain cabin, you have one more task to complete… Your officer transition meeting! The best place to start as you prepare for this important meeting, which should be held between the election of officers and the next regular meeting, is with the “Outline of Yearly Meeting for Local Chapter Officers.” This document guides the president through the meeting and sets her agenda. The transition meeting is for both outgoing and incoming officers. Having both there facilitates the transfer of materials and knowledge. It also builds team dynamics, broadens the understanding of all officers and provides closure for the outgoing officers. Remember, the process of bringing in new officers involves more than merely replacing one person with another or shifting supplies from one set of hands to another. It encompasses the passing on of P.E.O.’s mission and goals as well as organizational knowledge that has developed over time.
Start the meeting with a discussion of the health of the chapter . Many presidents find it helpful to complete a Chapter Trends Assessment, which is a short questionnaire that charts your chapter’s membership and philanthropy trends. The officers can use this information to focus on the future. The incoming president can share her theme for the year and all the officers can participate in a discussion of ideas to build chapter and philanthropic vitality. It is important to listen to each sister’s input as you renew, refresh and chart your way forward. This is the time to review the supplies and records of each office. Check the current year List of Supplies and each officer’s Retention Record in the Instructions to Officers of Local Chapters. The outgoing officer can help clean house and get rid of outdated forms and records before she passes on her notebook, files or storage box.
Each of the resources mentioned in this article is available on the P.E.O. International member website. For more tips and tools to enable a productive meeting, you can view the video or PowerPoint titled, “Successful Officer Transitions,” available on the P.E.O. International member website in the Leadership Development Resources section.
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THE P.E.O. RECORD | March–April 2022
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