Here are some recommended resources to assist you in planning for Executive Succession within your organization.

TransitionGuides

This comprehensive website was developed by consultants, management support organizations and others who specialize in serving nonprofit organizations. It includes a helpful overview of executive transitions for boards and nonprofit leaders, as  well as resources and even an opportunity to ask your own questions and get some specific help through its "Need Help Now" section.

This article by William Bridges and Susan Mitchell from the Leader to Leader Institute draws some useful distinctions between "change" and "transition." The article outlines several practical steps for managing both transition and one's own leadership during a transition. (For more information on this subject, Bridges' 1991 book "Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change" is a good resource.)

This handbook, published by Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation's Community Development Leadership Project, is divided into three sections: "Getting Ready," "Recruiting and Hiring," and "Post-Hiring." The guide is free and provides useful advice in areas such as "Establishing a Transition-Management Team" and "Five Danger Zones in Hiring a New Executive."