Managing Change in a New Organization
Kotter's first steps for year one, Bridges on endings versus beginnings, and volunteer-friendly messaging.
5.1 Kotter's 8-step change model (classic)
("Leading Change," HBR Press, 1995) — widely used in management practice. For a new community league, focus on the first four steps in Year 1:
Share the founding vision compellingly. Why does this league need to exist, and why now?
Identify your 3–5 most committed, credible volunteers and build the structure around them
Articulate a 3-year picture in one clear sentence
Repeat the vision at every meeting, in every newsletter, in every subcommittee charter
5.2 Managing resistance in volunteer cultures
Resistance in volunteer organizations is almost always about identity and belonging, not about the specific change being proposed. Applying Bridges' transition model: people resist endings, not beginnings. When launching new processes, acknowledge what is being left behind.