I’m not quite sure where to share this, but here I am—apologies if this isn’t the right place!
I’m currently the Fundraising Chairman for the National Beta Club at my high school, a role I was elected to earlier this year. Since we’re a relatively new club and this is our first fundraising committee, I started with very little to draw from. As a sophomore, I’ve managed to raise around $5,000 since August, which has really impressed a lot of people! Many members have expressed concerns about what will happen when I graduate, as the President, VP, and adult mentors have noted that my contributions significantly exceed what others have done.
Given these concerns, I’ve decided that I’d like to stay in this position for the next two and a half years until I graduate. I’ve also been considering creating a comprehensive “manual” that includes details about all the events I’ve organized, the contacts I’ve established, practical tips, and lessons learned along the way. My goal is to make the transition easier for whoever takes over after me since I won’t be around to train them directly.
However, I’m a bit anxious that this might be a silly idea. If I commit to documenting everything over the next couple of years, it could turn into a substantial resource, but I worry that it might be overlooked or dismissed when I pass it on. I’d love to hear any advice on this! Thank you!
First of all, congratulations on your impressive fundraising achievements! Raising $5,000 in just a few months is no small feat, and it’s clear that you have a talent for this kind of work. Your idea of creating a manual is actually quite insightful, and I think it shows a great deal of maturity and dedication to the club’s future success.
Documenting your experiences, strategies, and lessons learned can be invaluable for future members. It’s highly likely that the next fundraising chair will appreciate the guidance and insights you provide. Even if they might not use it exactly as you’ve outlined, having a resource to refer to can help them avoid some of the common pitfalls you faced and inspire them to continue building on your success.
To make it even more effective, consider involving other club members in the process. You could gather their input on what they think would be helpful to include or even have them contribute ideas for the manual. This can foster a sense of ownership and continuity within the club, making it less likely that your hard work will be overlooked or discarded.
Remember, investing time in creating this manual is also a great way to enhance your leadership skills. You’ll learn a lot about organization, clarity in communication, and mentorship, all of which are invaluable in any future endeavors you take on.
Don’t worry about being seen as “stupid” for wanting to document your experiences. Your initiative to plan for the future is commendable, and it’s a testament to your commitment to the club. Best of luck, and keep up the amazing work!