Monday, March 01, 2010

Succession planning


There is probably a bigger post to be made about transitioning your unit to the next leader, but this isn't that post.

This is just a quick thought, and more of a question:  if something happened to you tomorrow, what would happen to your units?  Would it survive?

Or would it wither and dwindle?

Or would it outright collapse?

Part of the answer is in how involved you are.  If you do everything (one-man shows are common), the effects will be more severe.  If you have a strong committee, the detrimental effect might be more short-lived.

After a lot of thought, I have come up with a "got hit by a bus" plan, and will be approaching those leaders shortly.  The boys shouldn't have to miss a beat, and I'll feel better knowing that there is someone who knows he is to pick up the reins.

Don't get me wrong:  I have no intentions of going anywhere anytime soon.  I've got two more sons to get to Eagle Scout and a grandson to get to Eagle, and hopefully a lot more by then.

But I will "be prepared" and "do my best".

Do you have a plan?  Share it in the comments--I really want to know if anyone else has thought this through.

5 comments:

Charles Johnstone said...

Good post, and something that each of us as leaders need to consider carefully. I recently took over from an enlightened scoutmaster who had a succession plan. I didn't know at the time, but I was his plan.

I resolved to do this too, I just want the person who succeeds me to know they are to take the reins.

Walter Underwood said...

One thing I want to do for our troop is to start a wiki where we can pass on info about camping places, troop traditions, hints for planning Courts of Honor, whatever.

As more things are written down, it is easier to pass on to a new person.

StmpSpaz said...

unfortunately for our troop - we did have to figure this out this past year. The "glue" that held our troop together in our small town was shot and killed. We have had a turbulent year, but will finally be announcing a new scout master this weekend. The tragedy has brought our troop together and made our committee stronger.

Scoutsigns said...

@Charles--good resolution.

@Walter--that is a great idea. How do you plan to go about it?

@Patti--I used your comment to demonstrate that this really does happen. Appreciate your input.

Melissa said...

I am the committee chair for our pack and I'm curious what would happen if I up and left. I know they'd make it happen. We have good leaders and a good committee. But I'm going to put this question out there at our next leader meeting. Thanks!