When a board member leaves, the organization faces uncertainty. Stakeholders worry about the changes that come with selecting a new member.
Board administrators feel the pressure to identify the right candidate and bring them on quickly. From conducting a board assessment to interviewing candidates, the process takes time. The best moment to craft a plan is before a resignation occurs.
An effective board chair succession plan is a key cornerstone of strong governance. In fact, conducting routine board assessments prepares the board, when the time comes, for a smooth and seamless transition.
It ensures continuity of board leadership, preserves board effectiveness, and aligns strategic guidance with the organization’s long-term focus and direction. Unlike general board member succession, planning for the board chair roles requires special attention due to their outsized influence on the effectiveness of the board and the organization at large.
What Is a Board Chair Succession Plan?
You want a smooth and effective transfer of power when a board chair retires or leaves the organization. The board chair succession plan is a documented process for finding a new board chair. The plan identifies a path for identifying, developing, and selecting the new director, making the process run more smoothly.
A board chair succession plan is essential for many reasons and brings a slew of benefits. This plan can create a sense of stability and continuity. A well-crafted succession plan can provide support to the CEO and improve board performance. Stakeholders gain a sense of calm determination from the board as they follow the plan.
The comprehensive blueprint for selecting a results-driven board management vendor.
Board Chair Succession Planning Best Practices
When you have a board chair succession plan, the entire process becomes easier, and you’re able to focus on making the best decision for the organization. Here’s a look at some of the best practices:
1. Start Early and Make It Ongoing
With board term limits in place, you know a new board chair will be needed. Start the process early instead of waiting for the current chair to step down. Keep it ongoing so the seat stays vacant for as little time as possible. A smooth, timely transition demonstrates your maturity and ability to handle business effectively.
2. Use a Skills and Attributes Matrix
Each board member brings unique strengths. A skills and attributes matrix helps you identify the skills you already have and the ones you lack. Use this information to shape the description of your new board chair. Seek someone who fills the gaps and ensures a well-rounded board.
3. Evaluate Through Committee Leadership and Engagement
Engage all board members in finding a successor. Committees such as the compensation committee can evaluate candidates and share feedback. Assign specific succession tasks to committee leaders so the process remains organized and thorough.
4. Prioritize Board Culture and Fit
Every board has its own culture. If your board leans conservative, a progressive director eager to make sweeping changes may disrupt the group. Prioritize candidates who complement the existing culture and fit seamlessly into the board’s dynamic.
5. Formalize the Process and Document It
Once you finalize the plan, formalize and document it. List the committees involved, the qualities you’re seeking, and the evaluation methods you’ll use. Keep the written plan accessible so you can act immediately when the chair steps down.
Introducing OnBoard AI
OnBoard AI is designed to streamline board governance by offering a complete suite of AI-enabled tools, including a board meeting agenda builder, that enhance every phase of the board meeting process.
Here are the primary benefits:
- Automated Drafting: OnBoard AI uses meeting recordings, agenda, and notes to auto-generate a draft of the meeting minutes, reducing manual effort and speeding up documentation.
- Smart Transcription and Summarization: It securely records meetings and provides a searchable transcript that highlights key points, decisions, motions, and actions, transforming real-time conversations into structured outcomes.
- Time Savings: Reduces the need for manual transcription and note-taking, freeing staff from the tedious process of capturing meeting minutes.
- Enhanced Accuracy: AI reduces the risk of human error, ensuring important decisions and motions are accurately captured and easy to reference.
- Governance-Ready: Unlike general transcription tools or chatbots, OnBoard AI is built specifically for board governance with security, workflows, and context needed by board professionals.
How OnBoard Improves Succession Planning
When a board chair resigns, your business may struggle to take the next steps. A strong succession plan eliminates that uncertainty and makes the transition seamless. By supporting the nomination committee and helping identify the best candidates, the plan creates a clear framework for hiring the next board chair.
OnBoard gives you the tools to put that plan into action. The platform organizes and analyzes critical information, stores your formal plan, and provides transparency to the board and beyond.
You can build agendas, record interviews and meetings, and keep everything in one secure location. OnBoard even tracks board term limits and prepares you for succession by giving you the framework to start your search.
Ready to make your board processes more efficient and cost-effective? Submit a Trial Request today and see how quickly OnBoard helps you reach that goal.
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Ready to upgrade your board’s effectiveness with OnBoard the board intelligence platform? Schedule a demo or request a free trial.
About The Author
- Josh Palmer serves as OnBoard's Head of Content. An experienced content creator, his previous roles have spanned numerous industries including B2C and B2B home improvement, healthcare, and software-as-a-service (SaaS). An Indianapolis native and graduate of Indiana University, Palmer currently resides in Fishers, Ind.
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