Addressing a Leadership Gap

Has the following scenario ever happened to you?

A key member of your executive team – perhaps your long-time chief development officer – has suddenly left your organization. Your nonprofit’s big fundraising event is less than two months away and plans to launch a major capital campaign in the spring have already moved from the “great idea” stage to a regular discussion item at your monthly board meetings.

Losing a valued team member often produces uncertainty and disruption to an organization. It creates gaps in leadership, vision and the execution of daily activities that are crucial to the ongoing success of your strategic goals. It also creates questions and concerns for the executive leaders who remain and for donors, volunteers, and supporters.

What can be done to keep the leadership team positive and the organization moving forward? How will you find the right person to lead your team through this period of transition? What characteristics and skills will the next permanent team member need to possess to be the “right fit” and how long might that process last?

Strawhecker Nonprofit Services is poised and ready to assist your nonprofit in answering these questions and many more! We have the expertise and resources needed to help your organization:

·        Find the right individual to serve as an interim executive and leader.

·        Assess the short-term and long-term needs of the organization and align responsibilities and expectations.

·        Maintain the positive organizational momentum needed to weather a change in leadership.

·        Identify, recruit, and review strong candidates for a permanent leadership position in your organization.

·        Assist your team with employment negotiations and other details related on-boarding a new team member.

There are several ways to fill in the gap. One way is to promote someone within the organization to lead that fundraising event or ask the guild to take over. Another way is to hire a professional event coordinator for a fundraising event or a fundraising consultant for Capital Campaign support. Or maybe a nearby college will provide an opportunity to bring in an intern.