So You Inherited the Binder—Now What?

How to confidently take over a volunteer role and turn chaos into clarity—with a little help from Tracy.

Welcome to the Binder Club (We’ve All Been There)

You didn’t exactly sign up—you were handed the binder. Maybe it came with a smile and a “Good luck!” or maybe it was dropped off anonymously on your porch. Either way, you’re now the proud owner of a chaotic collection of papers, spreadsheets, and mystery passwords.

If you’re a woman juggling work, family, and now a volunteer leadership role, this post is for you.

Step 1: Take Inventory Without the Panic

Before you start organizing, take a calm walkthrough of what’s inside:

• Contacts: Vendors, volunteers, school staff, board members

• Events: Annual fundraisers, seasonal programs, recurring tasks

• Financials: Budgets, donation records, receipts

• Logins: Email, social media, fundraising platforms

You’re not expected to fix everything today—just understand what you’ve inherited.

Step 2: Declutter and Digitize

Let’s be honest: some of those papers are older than your youngest child. Keep what’s useful and scan the rest into a shared Google Drive or Dropbox folder. This makes collaboration easier and sets the stage for a smoother transition later.

No more lugging the binder to every meeting.

Step 3: Identify What’s Working (and What’s Not)

Ask yourself:

• Which events actually raise money or build community?

• What systems are repeatable and sustainable?

• Where do volunteers consistently get stuck or burned out?

This is your chance to improve—not just maintain—what’s been done before.

Step 4: Build Your Support Squad

You don’t have to do this alone. Reach out to:

• Past volunteers

• Current committee members

• Your predecessor (if they’re still around)

Ask them what worked, what didn’t, and what they wish they’d known. You’ll gain insight and build trust.

Step 5: Create a Simple System That Lasts

Now that you’ve decluttered and gathered intel, build a system that works for you—and the next person after you:

• A shared calendar for events and deadlines

• A central folder for documents and templates

• A quick-start guide for future volunteers

Your goal isn’t perfection—it’s clarity and sustainability.

Bonus Tip: Don’t Do It Alone—Bring in Tracy

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or just unsure where to start, this is exactly where Tracy shines. As a volunteer and fundraising consultant, she helps women like you:

• Build systems that reduce burnout

• Create fundraisers that actually work

• Transition leadership roles with confidence

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Book a free call with Tracy and get expert guidance tailored to your unique situation.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This

Inheriting the binder might feel like a burden, but it’s also a vote of confidence. Someone believed you could lead—and they were right.

Start small. Ask questions. Build systems. And when it’s your turn to pass the binder on, it’ll be a gift, not a mess.