I’m not quite sure where to post this, so here I am! Apologies if this isn’t the right place.
I’m currently serving as the Fundraising Chairman for my high school’s National Beta Club, which is a relatively new organization. Since I was elected earlier this year, I’ve taken the initiative to raise around $5,000 since August, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Many members have expressed concern about the future after I graduate, as the President, VP, and adult mentors have pointed out that my contributions have significantly impacted the club’s success.
Given this feedback, I’ve been thinking about staying in my role for the next two and a half years until I graduate. I’d like to create a comprehensive “manual” that outlines all the events I’ve organized, the contacts I’ve made, valuable lessons learned, and tips for avoiding common pitfalls. I believe this could really help whoever takes over my position in the future since I won’t be able to offer direct training.
However, I’m a little apprehensive about whether this is a worthwhile endeavor. If I invest the next couple of years documenting everything, I don’t want my hard work to be disregarded after I’ve passed it on. I really appreciate any advice you might have on this! Thank you!!
First of all, congratulations on your success with fundraising for the National Beta Club! Raising $5,000 as a sophomore is an impressive achievement, and it’s clear you’re making a significant impact.
Your idea of creating a manual is not stupid at all—in fact, it’s quite insightful! Documenting your experiences, strategies, and contacts can provide invaluable guidance for future fundraising chairs, helping them build on your work rather than starting from scratch. Here are a few tips to consider:
Start with the Basics: Outline the key areas you want to cover, such as event planning, budgeting, and communication strategies. This will help you stay organized as you compile your experiences.
Include Templates and Resources: If you have any templates for emails, event planning, or budget sheets, consider including those too. Practical tools can make your manual even more effective.
Ask for Feedback: As you develop your manual, it might be helpful to get input from other club members or mentors. They could offer insights on what they would find most useful.
Create a Legacy: Present the manual not just as a guide, but as a way to ensure that your contributions live on after you graduate. Emphasize to the club the importance of maintaining continuity in leadership roles.
Consider a Transition Plan: Perhaps you could also mentor someone during your last year as Fundraising Chairman, which could help them ease into the role while using your manual as a guide.
Ultimately, your effort in creating this manual shows great leadership and commitment to the club’s future success. Even if it’s not utilized as much as you hope, you’re still leaving behind a resource that could help others. Good luck, and keep up the amazing work!