While there are many methods of building a pipeline of potential Board members and leaders, one that is very effective is to create an ‘emerging leaders’ or ‘rising stars’ group.
To do this, one must invest in individuals who stand out. One of my clients named their emerging stars, ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’ and they host special events and training for them. Another association holds quarterly breakfast meetings for their group during which they participate in leadership development training. The goal of these events is to prepare budding leaders to step up into committee or Board positions.
When you keep track of these members, you are better prepared to fill unexpected gaps. If you have open spots on committees, task forces, or on your Board, you can look to this group to fill them quickly and effectively.
This type of practice can be an integral portion of your succession planning, and depending on the sector you are in, there may be funds available for this type of training. Organizations should take advantage of nurturing their budding leaders to ensure that future Boards are comprised of strong, passionate individuals. Look into what your sector has available and keep a look out for opportunities to train your “rising stars”.
