Does your organization have a process for establishing chief executive compensation? The CEO Compensation Checklist from BoardSource outlines 11 key items to consider when creating a compensation plan to help your organization recruit and retain the best possible chief executive.
In Letting Go and Leaving: The Founder's Role in a Successful Transition, executive transition expert Tom Adams shares the story of a successful executive transition and tips for letting go (©2003 Common Ground, North Carolina Center for Nonprofits).
Adapt RoadMap Consulting's "Leadership Transitions Work Plan Example" to get a jump start on the executive transition process and timeline.
Tom Adams with CompassPoint developed this sample job description for an interim executive director that you can adapt for your own purposes.
"Interim Executive Directors: The Power in the Middle" by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund explains the benefits and basics of using an interim executive director in a leadership transition. Interim executive directors are highly skilled managers who temporarily take the helm of an organization, help the board and staff address important systems and capacity issues, and lay the groundwork for the permanent leader’s success.
Acting and Interim Chief Executives - During a chief executive transition, nonprofits generally rely on transition leadership to bridge the gap between the former executive's departure and hiring a new CEO. However, the type of transition leadership an organization chooses depends on a number of factors.
Nonprofit Quarterly's "Exit Agreements for Nonprofit CEOs: A Guide for Boards and Executives" provides a context and a set of choices when considering whether an exit agreement is needed and, if so, what might be included. Learn the important difference between an exit agreement and a separation agreement.
BoardSource's Executive Transition Timeline provides a timeline that nonprofits can use to help prepare for an upcoming transition or update their succession planning process.
Tim Wolfred of CompassPoint Nonprofit Services emphasizes the importance of backing up the executive director’s key functions within the organization to provide stability in the event of an unplanned absence. Use "Emergency Backup and Cross-Training Plan" to create plans for your nonprofit.
Adapt this template called, "Confidentiality Agreement for Service on the Search and Transition Committee" from the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits to help committee members be clear about the do's and don'ts around their committee work.