The Role of a Support Committee Chair: Leading Through Teamwork

By: Paul Preikschas, Executive Director – The Army Cadet League of Canada (Ontario)

When someone steps into the role of Support Committee Chair within the Army Cadet League of Canada (Ontario), it’s easy to assume the job is all about taking charge and doing everything yourself. While leadership is central to the position, one of the most important—and often overlooked—aspects of the role is recognizing that success depends on teamwork.

The most effective Chairs understand the value of building a strong, collaborative team. They delegate responsibilities, foster a sense of shared ownership, and empower others to contribute.

What Does a Support Committee Chair Do?

The Chair plays a key leadership role at the corps level, with responsibilities that typically include:

  • Organizing and leading Support Committee meetings

  • Coordinating fundraising and other committee activities

  • Supporting cadet training through logistics and administration

  • Liaising with the Commanding Officer (CO)

  • Ensuring compliance with League policies and procedures

  • Recruiting and retaining volunteers

These tasks are important, but the Chair is not expected to handle them alone. The Support Committee functions best as a team of volunteers—each contributing their time, skills, and energy. The Chair’s role is to guide, support, and coordinate that team—not carry the entire load themselves.

Leadership Through Delegation

Taking on every task may seem noble, but it often leads to burnout—and limits the committee’s overall potential. Effective Chairs lead by delegation. That means:

  • Assigning tasks based on individual skills and availability

  • Trusting committee members to follow through

  • Encouraging open communication and feedback

Delegation doesn’t just ease the Chair’s workload—it builds trust, strengthens the team, and keeps volunteers engaged.

Building a Strong, Committed Team

A successful committee is built on clear roles, mutual respect, and a shared sense of purpose. As Chair, fostering this culture is essential. Aim to:

  • Make volunteers feel welcomed and appreciated

  • Ensure everyone understands their responsibilities

  • Encourage participation and new ideas

Regular check-ins, recognizing individual contributions, and celebrating collective successes help keep the team motivated and connected.

Supporting the Chair = Supporting the Corps

Ultimately, the Chair’s leadership directly influences the success of the Army Cadet program at the local level. But this leadership doesn’t—and shouldn’t—mean doing everything alone. When a Chair leads with a team-first mindset, everyone benefits: the CO receives better support, cadet activities run more smoothly, and volunteers remain engaged and enthusiastic.

To every Chair: You are a leader, not a one-person army. Build your team. Trust their strengths. And work together toward a shared mission—helping our youth grow into the leaders of tomorrow.