Developing the Right Leaders & Succession Planning Presenter: Christopher Castellano ENG’95 Alumni Organization: Rutgers Engineering Society Alumni Leaders

Developing the Right Leaders

& Succession Planning

Presenter: Christopher Castellano ENG’95

Alumni Organization: Rutgers Engineering Society

Alumni Leaders Conference October 22 & 23, 2010

Alumni Association Group Models - Rutgers Engineering Society - Young Alumni Committee - Homecoming Committee - What we did and whySuccession PlanningResultsLessons Learned and Next StepsSummary / Conclusion


Introduction

Introduction (continued)

Goal: Sustain continuous leadership from year to year

Potential challenges to this goal:Drawing leadership from a limited pool - “Limited” - low number of volunteers actively engaged

Choosing leaders for right reasons - Personal power vs. Determination

- Physical attributes vs. Integrity - Charisma vs. Strength of Character


Rutgers Engineering Society Model Structure: Hierarchical


Treasurer SecretaryVice

PresidentPresident

ElectPresident

Line of Progression/Succession

Typically, these are all 2-year terms, although

slates are introduced yearly and voted upon

Rutgers Engineering SocietyModel Structure: Hierarchical

Why this structure works and is sustainable: - Available pool of 12 – 16 attending members, which gives the depth to accommodate this structure

- Numerous activities over the course of a year to engage all members, with many planning tasks to ensure successful events.

- A two-year term is optimal. One year was deemed too short to implement desired legacy, and three years was too long for a timely succession - Presidents are single term

The advantage of this hierarchy is length of service/leadership.


Young Alumni Committee, Homecoming CommitteeModel Structure: Shared Leadership

A co-chair or tri-chair leadership structure was utilized.

Why this structure works and is sustainable: - Workload is distributed and authority is delegated among 2 or 3 active members

- Co- or tri-chairs can focus on different roles (e.g.. planning vs. financials)- Unexpected loss of one co-chair can be managed without leadership “vacuum”

The advantage of this model is that ideals or a bond are shared…the goal is “dual” leadership, and not “duel” leadership!


Succession Planning

Identifying the most-qualified candidates

- Passion and enthusiasm- Willingness to volunteer for tasks & assignments- Willingness to accept tasks & assignments- Puts forth new ideas and/or suggestions- Acts decisively on information at hand- Treats all members fairly and equitably- Likeable; interpersonal skills are paramount- Good communication skills- Knowing the skills necessary for the organization


ResultsThanks to a core of dedicated alumni, I was able to…

- Nominate a President-Elect who took office in July 2010- Long-time member- Showed great enthusiasm and other leadership qualities- Headed up & organized 2 yearly events

- Nominated a Vice President (now Pres.-Elect), new VP, and new Treasurer- All are younger alums and these choices were done with a purpose (I’ll explain…)


Lessons Learned and Next StepsIncrease actively engaged volunteers

- Hope that younger leaders play an active role in recruitment- Meet & Greets to attract local engineering alumni- Increased outreach through social websites (Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.)

Ensure that new officers embrace their respective roles- Regular attendance- Responsibility for events/activities- Familiarizing themselves with RES history (past practices, lessons learned)

Further delegate individual tasks from single events among volunteers- Impart sense of responsibility/ownership- Avoid having officers perform majority of work


Summary/ConclusionIntroductionAlumni Association Group Models - Rutgers Engineering Society - Young Alumni Committee - Homecoming CommitteeModel Structures - What we did and whySuccession PlanningResultsLessons Learned and Next StepsSummary / Conclusion


Thank you!

Questions? Contact me at

[email protected]


Documents

Developing the Right Leaders & Succession Planning Presenter: Christopher Castellano ENG’95 Alumni Organization: Rutgers Engineering Society Alumni Leaders