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Leadership Transition Brings Opportunity

STLF Co-Founder Greg Tehven will be moving on from STLF during Summer 2010.  Greg's transition will make way for a new perspective and will be a giant step towards sustainability for the organization.  He will have tirelessly served STLF for 7 years by the time of his departure in August.

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Author: Greg Tehven, STLF

Succession Planning for Sustainability.

Over one year ago, we gathered as a staff in Chippewa Falls at the home of Tom and Pam Holsinger-Fuch's to discuss STLF's strategy for the upcoming year. We discussed expansion strategies, celebrated our work, and discovered that we needed to focus on how a successful succession plan could be created to ensure STLF's long term sustainability. Brian and Cody, after touring the city, came up with a simple approach.  They suggested that we use our chapter approach of sustaining the Core Model - meaning we would continue the core model with a rotation of leadership.  This would allow for varying levels of experience amongst STLF's Co-Executive Directors, and a system to sustain the organization's leadership. Could the same idea work for our Co-Executive Directors?

We hurried back home to create a plan. We met with Board members and community leaders to see if they thought it could work. They pushed back on a few of the ideas and celebrated many other parts. We redefined the strategy and presented to our board with approval. A time table had not been declared, but a strategy was put in place to allow ourselves the flexibility to listen to our hearts and our interests as we each personally considered life after STLF.

Deciding to Move On by August 2010.

In July, I attended a retreat with a group of friends in Northern California hosted by the Shinnyo-En Foundation that focused on Deeping the Relationship with Peace, and Spirituality. During this retreat, I discovered in order for me to deepen my understanding of myself, I needed to move beyond my role at STLF. Upon finding clarity, an internal conversation began. Would I disappoint people? Was it too soon? Did it make sense? What would I do next?

I met with Irene and Brian on Labor Day to discuss my situation. I shared with them my desire to move on and I asked their permission. Being such great friends, we jumped into the pros and cons, and reminded ourselves we had a plan in place. We agreed it would be in the best interest of STLF and ourselves to begin the transition process, working with our Board of Directors and the support of Social Venture Partners.  I will be departing STLF during August of 2010, and look forward to working with my colleagues and my replacement yet to be determined to make this a smooth and effective first transition for our organization.

After several strategy meetings, it became clear STLF would be ready to begin the process. We decided to continue with our core model and replace my role of Co-Executive Director and Director of Development. We began to experience the strength of the Core Model as we uncovered how several members of our staff are connected to our key relationships. We also realized that creating a timeline and strategy takes a great deal of time. We are confident that with the support of several individuals helping us through the strategy, STLF will continue to reveal leadership in both young people, and our staff.

Six Years of Memories and a New Chapter in My Life...

For me personally, this decision has been very difficult. I've had the greatest experience of my life working with my best friends. I've had the honor of working towards a vision of energizing generations of servant leaders, something I believe to be crucial for the development of our world. For six years, I've woke up with a sense of urgency and excitement that has fueled my drive. I've been able to serve in parts of our country I did not know existed, meet young people who are committed to finding ways to eliminate social challenges, and discover the value of a community coming together to support my generation. 

And yet, it is time to move on. My decision comes with limited understanding of what may be next. I'm following my heart and intuition with this move. My relationship with my teammates is at an all time high, the growth of STLF continues to excite me, and the mission is more important to me today than ever before. I've considered taking time to traveling, working in a coffee shop, or finding an organization that aligns with my values and is committed to bettering the lives of young people. I'm leaving myself open to finding an experience that will challenge me and help me learn more about the world I'm part of.

New Opportunities for STLF.

My decision comes with great confidence that the organization will continue to do impacting work.  This is our opportunity to bring new perspective to the organization, and to prove sustainability of our organization. We have a Board of Directors that are engaged in ensuring long term significance. We have a staff that works hard because of their desire to change the world. Our student volunteers continue to find better ways to create change. Our financial supporters give with a sense of hope and an understanding of investing in leadership as a solution to many of our world's dilemmas and challenges. 

Its hard for me to believe that for over six years, I've had the good fortune and resources to focus on a cause that I believe is part of the solution. I've worked with some of my best friends and been mentored by some of our country's best leaders. 

It is now time for me to fulfill STLF's mission. We are focused on revealing leadership through service, relationships, and action. I'm taking a step in my life that I hope leads to greater action with more impact. Challenging myself, much like we ask our students, to discover my next opportunity to make an impact.

Thank you to all who have inspired, challenged, and encouraged me to be bold, take risks, and do what I love. I am forever grateful.

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