Project 1.4 - Identifying and encouraging new leaders

Pillar outcome: A new Member journey (including into leadership)

Issues

The ability to identify and encourage new leaders when people are scared of potential conflict and the time import.

People feel thrown into positions (a universal experience).

Everyone is a leader, but we are tied up with labels.

There is no mentoring between leaders as succession occurs.

Identified task(s)

• Communicate the value of succession planning at all levels (formal and informal leadership);
• Create a framework on how we find good leaders;
• Mentoring: allowing for discernment and handover to guide new leaders in their journey
• Affirmation and feedback from leader to leader
• Socialisation, where we can find emerging leader’s gifts; and
• Assess members and identify leaders.

Success indicator(s)

• New leaders are engaged with formal courses, succession planning and finding inclusivity
• Positions are valued, as is diversity of leaders
• Sharing of a person’s gifts, skills and attitudes
• It takes a good leader to identify a good leader

Related sub-projects

1.5 Leadership skills and training

3.2 The human interactions that support change

3.3 Promoting and sustaining experimentation

3.4 Accountability and following through

Progress

A draft handover template for Conference Presidents has been prepared and trialled in Western Australia and Victoria. The draft template was refined and is going through an internal clearance process.

The handover template includes

• a list of key responsibilities for Conference Presidents
• key activities and initiatives that Conference Presidents may be expected to conduct
• prompt to share key contact details
• prompt to share ongoing projects and commitments
• identifying key challenges and opportunities for the Conference
• prompt to share any personal insights and reflections with the incoming Conference President.

Please contact the National Council Secretariate if you would like to be emailed a copy of the handover template: congress@svdp.org.au 

The Project Team is developing a guide to identifying and encouraging new leaders. This is based off what has worked well across the different areas of the country. It is designed to provide ideas for current Members on different ways of searching for and identifying potential leaders then motivating them to step into the position.

In September 2024, this Project Team combined with Congress Project Team 1.5 to work together for their remaining project deliverables. From the perspective of Congress Project 1.4, the project deliverables include:

• Succession planning
• Networking and partnerships
• Encouraging diversity and inclusion
• Nomination and selection processes
• Continuous feedback and evaluation

Resources

Champion Tom E 

Project team: Michelle C; Paul E; Kerry M; Travis N; Sharky A; Catherine M; Arthur D; Corey M; Claire V; Mark G; David K; Natasha S. Members wishing to join this team should contact congress@svdp.org.au

State / Territory support:

• Tas – Identifying and supporting leaders
• CG – formation program for regional office bearers
• WA – leadership training and succession planning

National Support:

• Establish and maintain Teams site for Project team
• Communicate on website
• Communicate with key internal governance bodies for advice on implementation, such as:
  • National Membership Network
  • National Mission, Membership & Spirituality Standing Committee
  • Spirit of Youth 
• Support each Congress Project Team

• NCS can be contacted on Congress related matters via congress@svdp.org.au

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