The new Succession Plan for the International Association of Research Scholars & Administrators (United States, Nigeria, and Ghana) federation ensures leadership continuity, stability, and a smooth transition of institutional knowledge. The association utilizes a "Presidential Line" multi-year escalator system, where individuals are elected years in advance to shadow the current leadership.
The Presidential Leadership Line (3 to 4-Year Cycle)
IARSA uses a Sequential Progression. Once an individual is elected as Vice President or President-Elect, they automatically advance through the ranks each year without needing a re-election.
1. President-Elect (or Vice President)
- Term: 1 Year
- Role: Shadows the current President, learns operational workflows, and chairs the annual conference program committee. This serves as a mandatory training period.
2. President
- Term: 1–2 Years
- Role: Acts as the Chief Executive Officer, leads the executive board, sets the strategic research agenda, and serves as the public face of the association.
3. Immediate Past President
- Term: 1 Year
- Role: Provides institutional memory, advises the current President, and often chairs the nominating committee to find future leaders.
Timeline of Succession
2-Year Term Rotation Succession Plan
The elections are held every two years. The entire cycle spans 6 years for an individual leader, ensuring deep institutional knowledge and long-term stability for strategic research initiatives.
The 2-Year Presidential Line (6-Year Total Cycle)
[President-Elect] ➡️ [President] ➡️ [Immediate Past President]
(Years 1 & 2) (Years 3 & 4) (Years 5 & 6)
1. President-Elect (Vice President)
- Term: 2 Years
- Role: Shadows the President, learns the association’s operational and financial workflows, and typically chairs the Strategic Planning or Annual Conference Committees.
2. President
- Term: 2 Years
- Role: Serves as the Chief Executive Officer. Leads the executive board, oversees research journals/publications, sets the biannual agenda, and represents the association nationally.
3. Immediate Past President
- Term: 2 Years
- Role: Provides continuity, advises the current President, and chairs the Nominating Committee to recruit the next cohort of leaders.
Timeline of Succession
This timeline shows how a single leader progresses through the association's leadership pipeline:
| PHASE | YEARS | ROLE | PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Years 1–2 | President-Elect | Coordinates the next two major annual symposiums and reviews bylaws. |
| Phase 2 | Years 3–4 | President | Directs the board, signs off on research grants, and executes strategic goals. |
| Phase 3 | Years 5–6 | Immediate Past President | Mentors the new president and leads the search for the next President-Elect. |
Emergency Succession Protocol
A 2-year term is a significant time commitment; unexpected vacancies require a rigid protocol to prevent leadership gaps:
- If the President vacates in Year 1 of his/her term: The President-Elect steps up immediately to serve out the remaining 1 year, and then continues on to serve his/her own scheduled 2-year term.
- If the President vacates in Year 2 of their term: The President-Elect takes over early. Because his/her already preparing to take office, this acts as a smooth transition into their official 2-year term.
- If both roles are vacant: The Treasurer or Secretary General assumes the role of Interim President, and the Board of Directors must call a special election within 60 days to fill the President-Elect vacancy.
Legal Compliant
The IARSA legally compliant method in appointing the association global leadership
The Two-Tiered Governance Structure
The Association separates its "Global Vision" from our "Local Legal Liability" by establishing two distinct types of boards:
Tier 1: The Global Advisory Council (The Strategy Board) - This is the overarching international board. They do not have direct local legal liability, but they set the global research agenda, approve brand changes, and coordinate large international grants.
Who they are: A mix of representatives from the US, Ghana, and Nigeria, plus independent international independent international experts.
How they are appointed: They are voted in by existing global council members based on the association international bylaws.
Tier 2: The Local Boards of Directors (The Legal Boards) - These are the separate, localized boards required by the IRS (US), CAC (Nigeria), and RGD (Ghana). These individuals are legally liable for local tax compliance, bank accounts, and employment laws.
- United States Board: Must comply with state corporate laws and IRS regulations regarding fiduciary duties.
- Nigeria Board: Registered as Incorporated Trustees with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
- Ghana Board: Registered as Directors of a Company Limited by Guarantee with the Registrar General’s Department (RGD).