The Importance of a Nominating Committee and a Focus on Succession Planning

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For continued success, branches must address how they will be filling officer and key chairman roles (such as RAMP) not just one year out, but two or three.  For successful branch operations, we must plan for succession and continuity in key branch jobs.  This is now a key responsibility of the branch Nominating Committee.”

The role of the Nominating Committee Chairman is best understood by:

  • Reviewing the job description, download from http://sirinc.org/MemInfo/PosDesc/NominatingJD.pdf
  • Reviewing the Selecting Leaders video, learning points and potential goals, and actions found at http://sirinc.org/MemInfo/BOTraining2017/  under Selecting Leaders.   It is important that you review this material and ensure that your Nominating Committee Chairman understands it.
  • Participating in a workshop where potential branch goals and actions are discussed and developed.
  • Discussing the recently adopted Sir Leader Valued Behaviors:
    • Enthusiasm – Shows excitement and active interest
      Open-Mindedness – Willing to try new things and open to ideas
      Recognition – Identifies, promotes, and acknowledges excellent performance
      Influence Others – Brings others to his point of view
      Consensus Problem Solving and Decision Making – Involves others in solving problems and making decisions
      Knowledge of SIR – Understands SIR rules, Leader’s Guide and RAMP.
  • Reviewing a suggested “how-to” on recruiting leaders and volunteers.

Bear in mind the following State Rule

RULE 130. Following his election and prior to the end of the year, the Big Sir-elect shall make appointments to all Branch committees to serve at the pleasure of the Big Sir during his service year. In particular, the Big Sir-elect shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three or more members of his Branch, other than himself or the Little Sir elect, to select a slate of nominees to stand for election as Branch Officers in the coming year to serve during the calendar year following election. In addition, the Nominating Committee shall propose to the BEC an Area Governor candidate to serve during the next calendar year, to assist the BEC in its AG nomination responsibility under Rules 155 and 796.

RULE 131. Members appointed to the Nominating Committee shall have served at least one year as a member of the Branch Executive Committee (BEC) or as chairman of any other committee. The Nominating Committee, by May 31, shall inform the Big Sir of the proposed slate of Branch Officers. If the election of officers will not be held in August (per Rule 134) due to an August scheduled event, this May 31 date shall be changed to April 30. Replacement candidates for incumbents in Secretary/Assistant Secretary and Treasurer/Assistant Treasurer positions shall be capable of creating, storing, and transmitting data by electronic means. The names of all nominees including the Area Governor Candidate shall be published in the July Branch bulletin or, if none, by written notice to each member.

Traditionally the role of the Nominating Committee was solely to locate and twist the arms of unsuspecting members and convince them they should fill whatever officer openings the branch needed to fill for the upcoming year.  Once that was done, the Committee could breathe a sigh of relief and say to itself, “Man, I’m glad that’s done, now we can go back to playing golf.  This is not how all Nominating Committees work, but believe me, there’s more truth to the statement than fiction.

For continued success, branches must address how they would be filling officer and key chairman roles (such as RAMP) not just one year out, but two or three.  For successful branch operations, we must plan for succession and continuity in key branch jobs.  This is now a key responsibility of the branch Nominating Committee.

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