When the chapter system was introduced, term-limit requirements [click to see requirements] were incorporated into the Chapter Constitution (PDF, 79K) because a major objective of our chapter system is to have an increasing number of Thrivent Financial members involved in volunteer leader positions. In addition, term limits are a common and good practice for successful boards to keep them fresh and energized.

Adopt a "staggered term" process
Many chapters are finding that a good long-term recipe for effective chapter leadership boards is to have a continued mix of experienced leaders with new leaders who have fresh ideas and energy. Therefore, they have adopted a "staggered term" process (e.g., elect two new people each year to replace two current leaders). This process produces the following benefits:

• It ensures that all the leaders won't leave the board at the same time.
  
  
• It allows chapters to retain experienced leaders who have a good understanding and background of the chapter system and procedures, the Care Abounds in Communities™ program, and the funding/requesting process; while at the same time bringing on new leaders with fresh ideas and energy.
  
  
• It allows leaders who step off the leadership board after serving three or fewer consecutive terms to be re-elected to the board after only a one-year absence (i.e., versus a two-year absence after serving four consecutive terms).
  
  
• It helps prevent burnout that can occur among volunteer leaders.
  
  
• It can be an advantage to recruiting new people to chapter leadership board positions (e.g., they don't have to worry about being a "life-time" leader if they are elected).

If your chapter doesn't have a policy in place for succession planning, we encourage you to add it to the agenda of an upcoming meeting. Begin thinking now of people you can recruit for next year's chapter leadership board. Chapter leaders are responsible for recruiting successors to the board — many chapters ask leaders to recruit their replacements.

Report available to verify which chapter leaders are in their 3rd or 4th consecutive year
To find out which chapter leaders are serving in their third or fourth consecutive years in an elected chapter leadership position, please see the Leader Terms report in the Chapter Leadership Administration Menu online. To access:

1. Visit www.thrivent.com
2. Click Members/Chapters
3. Click For Chapter Leaders
4. Click Chapter Leadership Administration Menu
5. In the "Reports/Listings" category, click on the drop-down arrow and choose Leader Terms (be sure the current year is picked)
6. Click Go