Finding a Co-Leader

Leading alone is exhausting. Here’s how to find the right partner to share the load.

If you’re chairing your local cultural council solo, you already know the weight of it. You’re the point person for grantees, the liaison to town government, the meeting organizer, the one who remembers the deadlines. And when something falls through the cracks, you feel it personally.

A co-leader changes the equation entirely. Not by cutting your work in half—that’s rarely how it works—but by giving you a thinking partner, a backup, and someone to share accountability with.

What to look for

The best co-leader isn’t your clone. Look for someone whose strengths complement yours. If you’re great at vision and community relationships but less excited about spreadsheets and compliance deadlines, find someone who loves the operational side. If you’re detail-oriented but struggle to delegate, look for someone with natural people skills who can rally the group.

Where to find them

Start with your existing council. Is there a member who consistently shows up, asks good questions, and follows through? That’s your candidate. If your council is small or under-resourced, cast a wider net: talk to the town clerk about recruiting new members, post on community boards, or reach out to local civic organizations. Wheaton College students, for example, might be looking for community engagement opportunities.

How to ask

Be direct and specific. Rather than “Would you want to help lead the council?” try: “I’d love to share leadership responsibilities with you. I’m thinking you’d take the lead on grant cycle communications while I handle event coordination. Would that interest you?” Clarity makes it easier to say yes.

Define the partnership

Before you start, get on the same page about how you’ll work together. Who handles what? How will you communicate between meetings? What happens if one of you needs to step back? Even a brief conversation about expectations prevents a lot of friction down the road.

The pitch to your council

Some councils may not have a formal co-chair structure. That’s fine—you don’t necessarily need to change the bylaws. You can frame it as a “vice chair” role, a “co-coordinator” arrangement, or simply a division of responsibilities. What matters is that two people are carrying the leadership load instead of one.

Cultural council leadership shouldn’t be a solo endurance sport. Finding the right co-leader makes the work more sustainable, more creative, and a lot more fun.