Learn about the process of identifying and selecting members to fill key executive roles as they become vacant.
Succession Planning is vital to ensure the ongoing success of the club once the current executive team has departed. It's the process of identifying and preparing suitable club members to step into key executive roles as they become vacant.
The importance of succession planning
It's important to have a succession plan in place before committee members move out of their role. Committee members will likely have many demands on their time and it's not unusual for them to leave their role earlier than expected. Having a plan on who will step into their role will ensure a smooth transition and continuity in leadership.
How to create a succession plan
Identify the need within the committee to succession plan
- Make it an agenda item at meetings to encourage discussion and follow up on succession planning initiatives.
- Ensure all committee executives maintain thorough documentation regarding their role. For example contact lists, venue hire agreements, planning documents and budgets.
Implement strategies to identify potential upcoming members
- Create sub committee roles within the club to encourage participation in entry level positions. Such positions can include membership officer, fundraising officer, equipment officer etc.
- Communicate to all club members the importance of having an effective committee to generate interest in committee roles and begin dialogue.
- Create “shadow” positions for suitable identified members to receive mentoring from current executives.
- Identify positions that suit club members’ studies and encourage them to use the club as practice for their learning. For example selecting accounting students to undertake a treasurer role.
Ongoing communication and training
- Include potential executives in email communications with other committee executives and dialog with RMIT Student Life.
- Encourage the member to attend Development sessions and opportunities with the current club representatives.
- Explain the RMIT Student Life affiliation and documentation requirements. You may organise a meeting with the Club & Societies Program Coordinator to help explain these requirements.
Emphasis the value and incentives of being a member of the executive committee
- Learn new skills including but not limited to: conflict resolution, managing volunteers, managing projects, budgets and events, communication and teamwork
- Community and club service, which includes building many different social and business networks.
- Ongoing growth and survival of the club, with the ability to actively direct the club to achieve a common goal set by the committee.
- Personal growth and development to practice and develop skills acquired in university studies.
- An opportunity to develop skills complementing university study, which will assist in creating a resume which appeals to future employers.
RMIT Student Life Club Succession Planning Form
Every year your club is required to complete the RMIT Student Life Club Succession Planning Form, which outlines who will taking over each club committee executive role when it becomes vacant.
