Perhaps one of the most important responsibilities of any Chapter officer is the continued success and future of the Chapter ... long after they have left the Chapter's Board. The most effective way to ensure the long-term success of your Chapter is through meticulous succession planning. A good succession plan not only highlights who will hold the various officers' positions, but also provides for training of those officers for that position.

The Chapter's succession plan is a necessary tool for mapping your Chapter's future. As such, the plan should be in writing and exist outside of your Chapter's bylaws. A copy of your Chapter's plan should be placed on file with ACC Headquarters.

There are a number of methods in which your Chapter can set its succession plan. The most common of which is that the Chapter's Vice President succeeds into the Presidency. The Secretary moves to Vice President, and the Treasurer to Secretary. However, other formats, which include additional officers, can be developed.

Succession planning is not in contradiction to holding nominations and elections from the general membership. Since succession plans generally only involve the Board officer's positions, this still leaves room for the nomination from and election by the general membership. However, with general elections and succession plans, it should be clearly stated in the officer's job description, as well as, in the minds of the members the complete amount of the commitment being made. For example, the election to Vice President means a one-year term as VP and a second year commitment as a one-year term of President.