Gone but not forgotten.

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

One concern shared by associations of all types and sizes is defining the appropriate role for the past president (or chair) of the organization.

Historically, the issue has been difficult to address. Some feel that once a president has completed his or her term of office it's best to make room for new and different ideas. Some believe the very presence of past presidents serves to inhibit their successors, with a worstcase scenario being a group of past presidents who refuse to relinquish control.

Others believe that the unique skills, experience, and sense of organizational history past presidents possess are far too valuable to disregard. This group advocates keeping past presidents actively involved.

When this issue was raised recently at the Professional Insurance Agents of Texas, Austin, I was at a loss to contribute much in the way of information. Even ASAE's Information Central files contained just one brief Association Management article on the subject from 1983.

To find out how other organizations address the issue, I conducted an informal survey by writing letters to about 20 associations identified by Information Central as having programs for past presidents.

The survey found that most organizations do not formally define new roles for past presidents. But the most common role that is defined is chair of the subsequent nominating committee.

A committee role

This role probably has evolved from the compassion of organizations that do recognize the psychological difficulties most past presidents experience in their first year out of office.

Despite what they may say about getting back to their own businesses or professions, past presidents find themselves moving quickly from center stage in an industry to offstage--a tough transition to make. Serving as chair of the nominating committee or another body may allow for a smoother, more satisfying transition.

Former chairs of the Texas Automobile Dealers Association, Austin, go on to chair TADA's for-profit subsidiary. Six of the association's past presidents also serve as trustees of its group insurance trust.

Relatively few associations, however, permit past presidents to retain full voting privileges on the board of directors. Most who do specify a certain time period for such rights.

Acting as advisers

Several associations use past presidents as advisers. The bylaws of the Florida Association of Life Underwriters, Tampa, designate the four eligible preceding past presidents as the "senior council." This group serves as an advisory committee to the president and board of directors.

The establishment of such advisory bodies raises the traditional specter of a "shadow board" that could potentially obstruct the progress of the main governing body. What constitutes advice for some may represent interference for others. To avoid misunderstandings, it's best to specifically define the roles and responsibilities of any advisory body or position.

Interestingly, several associations make former leaders' participation conditional upon their remaining active. The National Restaurant Association, Washington, D.C., defines "active" as having attended "two of the last three regular board meetings." Presumably, leaders must also remain active in an organization's trade or profession.

Many associations regard past presidents as an informal talent pool from which to draw from time to time for special projects.

While the National Association of Life Underwriters, Washington, D.C., for example, has a formal set of roles for its past presidents, it also asked seven of its past leaders to form a committee to plan NALU's recent centennial year celebration.

Other special projects sometimes assigned to past presidents include promoting the organization's political action committee, providing a formal orientation program to new association members at the annual convention, and representing the organization before other groups.

Recognition counts

As important as what past presidents do is how associations recognize the contributions of these former leaders.

Many associations conduct annual dinners for past presidents. Some include the current board of directors in the function, while others reserve it for past presidents. One group doesn't even permit the current president to attend. The retiring president is the guest of honor and is toasted at this event.

Several associations dedicate a place within the organization's headquarters to display photographs of past presidents.

The Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), Des Plaines, Illinois--an organization that represents the highest achievers within the competitive life insurance sales profession--makes a strong statement to members with its special treatment of past presidents.

Former leaders receive a tailored jacket with a special pocket emblem that is worn at the annual convention. They host a special guest reception at the convention and participate in a First Timer orientation for new attendees.

Annual membership dues and registration fees for the convention are waived for past MDRT presidents--a bylaw provision. Each also receives a birthday card signed by the executive committee and staff every year.

MDRT's executive vice president schedules a telephone call to a past president each week. A memorial contribution of $2,500 is made to the charity designated by each past president's family at his or her death, and widows of MDRT presidents receive a letter and flowers each year on their birthdays from the current and past presidents. To support these activities, MDRT budgets a substantial expense allocation for its past presidents committee.

As these examples illustrate, some organizations have identified meaningful roles for their past presidents. Most, however, are still struggling to define what these roles should be.

Whatever role former leaders end up playing, it's important to recognize their contributions. Not only have our past presidents earned this recognition, but by honoring them, we encourage future leaders to make a commitment to service.

Steven Hacker, CAE, is executive vice president of the Professional Insurance Agents of Texas, Austin.