Christian Camping International/Canada

 
The Camp Board Chairman’s Checklist

Whether the call comes from the camp/conference director or one must be made to the camp/conference director, it’s a dreaded situation when the camp/conference director resigns.  The question becomes: what needs to be done and in what order so that the institution stays robust, on course, morale stays high, and the right successor is found and installed?

  The Announcement

First determine what should be said without damage to the person or the institution.  Secondly depending on the constituency involved, the announcement may be handled in differing ways.
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  Is Interim Leadership Needed?

If the camp/conference director will be leaving before a search can be done, temporary leadership should be in place.  Perhaps two or three direct reports will act as a temporary “Office of the Camp/conference director ” with frequent consultation with the Chairman of the Board.  Maybe the Chairman, other Board Member, or a previous camp/conference director, or a professional interim camp/conference director might be selected.  When selecting an interim camp/conference director several characteristics should be evident…       
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  Choosing a Search Committee Chairman and Committee Members

Having worked successfully with over thirty-five search committees let us share some insights.  Some of these suggestions are crucial for search committee success.

Selecting the Chairman

The Board of Directors has the fiduciary responsibility for providing the overall strategic leadership of the organization with one of its specific duties being the selection of the CEO.  Learn more

  What is needed in the Next Leader?

The Board is responsible for determining the future direction of the organization.  Therefore, it would be inappropriate to seek a camp/conference director who would bring a vision different than that of the Board’s.  Rather the Board should project, “This is who we are and generally where we are going…now we need someone who can take us there.”

The Board should do a strategic analysis of where they are and where they want to go:
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  Should Outside Assistance Be Used?

Conducting a well done camp/conference directorial search needs expertise, time, manpower and experience.  If the Search Committee does not have these abilities within itself then using an executive search consultant may be wise.                       
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  How to Select a Search Firm

In determining which executive search consultant is most appropriate, find several who seem right for your need.    In fairness to the consultants invite them to come make an hour-long presentation to the committee with the institution paying their travel expenses if they’re not selected.  Follow this link for a guide on how to choose between search firms.            
How to Select a Search Firm

  The Handling of Internal Candidates

Often there are people within the organization who feel they should get the job or at least be considered.  If the search committee handles them respectfully, their loyalty to the organization can be maintained, but if not then that loyalty may be needlessly lost and they may even leave the organization.     
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  The Search and Selection Process

There is more to this than one might think.  The elements include:
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  Fashioning and Negotiating a Compensation Package

Any well run organization will have a compensation range for a position and hopefully the person enters at or below the mid-point of that range so there is room for increases later.  However, when hiring a CEO…       
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  Making the Job Offer and Getting Acceptance

Once the offer is made and depending on the person’s current situation, the question perhaps should be asked of the candidate, “How do you think your current employer is going to react?  How would you respond to a counter offer?” 
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  Setting Performance Expectations and Performance Review Periods

As part of the candidate’s accepting the position, the Board’s Executive Committee should have addressed performance expectations and periodic reviews with the candidate.  No wise candidate will accept a position without knowing what will be expected of him or her, the metrics involved and the process for performance reviews.

  Integrating the New Camp/conference director and Family

The new camp/conference director and family will transition and integrate into the new community easier with the Board’s assistance.  Perhaps another spouse with a similar family situation can “befriend” the candidate’s spouse and help make introductions to doctors, school or friends. 

Special thanks to THE DINGMAN COMPANY, INC.

CONSULTANTS  FOR  EXECUTIVE  SELECTION

www.dingman.com for this article and resource.