Each year TransitionGuides focuses our November issue of Leadership Guide on the topic of Gratitude. This November we are dedicating our newsletter to founders and long-serving executives. We salute their contributions to their communities and to the growth and effectiveness of the sector. We invite you to join us in saying "thanks" to the founding and long-serving executives you know.

All executive directors and chief executives of organizations committed to community service and social change are heroes. Each in her or his own way accepts the unique challenge of leading and co-creating with staff and board a mission and work that makes a significant impact in the world. Among these executives, those who found an organization and those who build and transform an organization over many years provide a unique and distinct leadership.

In January 2011, the baby-boom generation transition decade begins. The first of the baby-boom leaders born in 1946 turn 65. Many will continue to serve beyond this traditional retirement date. Others will plan for and complete a transition leaving their executive leadership. In this decade, there will be a 'sea change' in leadership with many founders and long-tenured executives departing. Join us in saluting these leaders and in supporting each and their organization in preparing for and exiting gracefully and with respect when the time is right. Each has given much; we have an opportunity to return the gift. Let's do it for them and the causes they so passionately advance.

As part of our thanks, TransitionGuides will initiate conversations with founders and long-serving executives about ways to meet their unique learning and networking needs and how to better support their personal and organizational transition planning. Look for updates and additional resources in our Leadership Guide newsletter next year.

We are intentionally not defining "long-tenured" executive. Certainly those serving ten or more years would fit most definitions. There are other executives with shorter tenures who have so transformed an organization that their impact is similar to a founder or longer-serving executive. If it feels like you are long-tenured and/or others think of you that way, you probably are. You decide!