What happens when your executive director doesn’t come to work tomorrow? Too often, boards are forced to improvise in the middle of a crisis are risking organizational stability, staff morale, and public trust. Leadership transitions are inevitable, but emergencies rarely arrive on a schedule. Proactive boards treat emergency leadership planning as a core governance responsibility, not an afterthought.
This session equips nonprofit board members and executives with a clear, practical roadmap to prepare for sudden leadership changes. Drawing on real-world scenarios and tested governance strategies, participants will learn how to: Build a simple, actionable emergency transition plan. Define clear board and staff roles during a leadership crisis. Establish interim leadership and communication protocols that maintain stability. Integrate emergency planning into routine governance so the organization is never caught off guard. Attendees will receive adaptable templates and checklists they can bring to their next board meeting. By the end, participants will be equipped to turn a potential leadership crisis into a moment of resilience, clarity, and continuity.

Presenter: Dr. Jeff Aulgur