NEXT STEPS

 Succession and Sustainability Planning Workshop for Nonprofit Founders and Executives

During a chief executive transition, there’s a lot at stake for the organization, its mission, its clients, staff, boards, funders and other stakeholders who rely on the organization. With so much at stake and so many questions, you need a solid game plan and an experienced guide you can trust!

Next Steps provides:

• Lessons and best practices acquired from over 20 years of consulting and research in nonprofit succession planning and leadership transitions.
• An opportunity to hear from peer executives who are actively involved in leadership succession and/or transition planning.
• Techniques for managing succession and transition in ways that enhance organizational capacity and sustainability, whether the executive’s departure is 12 months or 5 years away.
• A confidential place to reflect and discuss specific succession and transition concerns with peers and resource consultants.

 Next Steps includes:

• An overview of the succession and executive transition planning processes and the “sustainability audit”.
  
• Understanding appropriate board and staff roles in planning, communications and succession strategies.
• Small group discussions in cohorts that address tailoring the succession plan to your personal needs and to the realities of your organization.
• Brainstorming sessions for sharing emerging strategies to meet the challenges to organizational  succession and sustainability planning that our challenging economy presents.
• A post-workshop check-in call from the facilitators 30 to 90 days after the workshop.

 You will leave Next Steps with:

• A new view of where you are  personally, professionally and organizationally with your succession and eventual transition from the CEO role.
• A rich understanding of what will be required of yourself, your organization and your board to be prepared for your eventual transition.
• A personal and organizational guide to succession, sustainability and transition planning with alternative timelines and processes you can tailor to your situation.
• A clear path and clarity about the action items to be addressed to plan the transition and build capacity and sustainability, whether your departure is one to five years away, or if the date is uncertain.
• Your concerns mitigated by hearing from peers who had similar concerns and successfully transitioned.

After building an organization, deciding when to move on from your role will be one of the most difficult decisions you will face as a founder or chief execuive.

Attend Next Steps and let us guide you through the process.

TransitionGuides has taken the best from over 22 previous sessions and added new content on the connection between leadership succession and organizational sustainability, as well as changing demographics and the need for diverse leadership.

Here's what they are saying:

“Exceedingly valuable session. I expected a lot but it greatly exceeded my expectations. I feel motivated and focused on what to do next.” Trudy McFall, Homes for America

“I have a much deeper understanding of succession planning and its importance and found the whole workshop compelling and thought-provoking. I am so glad I came. I’ve developed an action plan! Thanks.” Margie Hale, West Virginia Kids Count Fund

“A very worthwhile investment in time and money. The training provided me great clarity on my steps towards leaving the organization.” Terry Rubenstein, Joseph and Harvey Meyerhoff Family Funds

“I had been hesitant thinking my departure was too distant, but I am glad I am thinking about this now.” Betsy Nelson, Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers

Here's what others have said about their experience with Next Steps:  

“The workshop helped me make the actual decision! Thank you for providing me with two extremely important days of information, enlightenment and a way to plan my future in a very different manner. When I used to think about my retirement, it seemed as if there was a big flat wall in front of me, but now I’m really looking forward to life after Maine Humanities Council.”  Dorothy Schwartz, Executive Director, Maine Humanities Council (Portland, ME)

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“I attended the Next Steps workshop and found it not only helped provide a structured transition from my previous organization, but it also prepared me for my new chief executive role where I succeeded a retiring long-term executive.  As a younger CEO, I realize that the Next Steps workshop was critical for a successful transition." Glen O’Gilvie, Chief Executive Officer, Center for Nonprofit Advancement (Washington, DC)

Read an informative blog by Next Steps Alumni, Dorothy Asbury, Executive Director, Association of Partners for Public Lands

Cancellations in writing to info@transitionguides.com, received no later than June 29, 2011, will receive a refund less a $50 administrative fee. No refunds will be issued after this date. A credit will be issued that may be applied within 12 months, towards a future Next Steps workshop.

Due to the intense work required of this kind of learning expericence, only 30 places are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Additional registrants will be plae on a waiting list.