About

Helen D. Volk, B.S., J.D.

• Founder and President of Beyond Clutter
• Accomplished motivational speaker
• Experienced, dynamic, interactive workshop leader
• Effective, confidential, caring coach
• Published author of insightful, interactive books, and booklets
• Informative, energetic interview resource for broadcast and print media
• Golden Circle member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO)
• A certified experienced teacher, and licensed attorney, who practiced law for 17 years before creating Beyond Clutter in 1991
• Was a pack rat who lives clutter-free. Her story of transition serves as inspiration to her students and clients
• Practices what she teaches
• Downsized from a ten-room house with a two-car garage, full attic and basement
  - to a six-room condominium with no garage, attic or basement, then
  - to a three-room apartment with den (950 sq. ft.), then
  - to a three-room apartment (801 sq. ft).

Helen is an accomplished author…

• Her first book, De-Clutter, De-Stress® Your Life was published in October, 2001. It had three printings bfore Helen published a revised edition in 2007.
• Published revised editions of Filing 101, the Organized Garage Sale in 2007 and De-Clutter, De-Stress® Your Holiday Season in 2008.
• In 2003, Helen published her second book, Beyond Office Clutter

Awards and Recognitions include…

• Recipient of the “Woman of Excellence” Award for Excellence in Business from the Women’s Business Council of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce.
• Profiled in SUNY Alumni in Business and Industry, a publication honoring selected State University of New York (SUNY) Alumni for their success in business, service to the community, and support of education.
• Profiled twice in Potsdam People, the alumni publication of SUNY Potsdam

An active, well known businesswoman, Helen…

• Is a member of:
  - Choose Cohoes
  - the Cohoes Businesswomen’s Networking Group
• Chaired and hosted:
  - all three NAPO Greater NY Chapter Conferences
  - the NAPO North East Regional Conference
• Is a former member of the Board of:
  - the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce
  - the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce, as chair of its Home-Based Business Council
  - Girls, Inc. of the Capital District
  - Hudson-Mohawk Girl Scout Council
  - the Friends of the Cohoes Public Library
• Led the Simplify-Your-Life Reading Group at local Barnes & Nobles Booksellers

Beyond Clutter is a New York State certified woman-owned business

Click here for speaker’s bio

Biographical Dessert!

Author Donna Smallin, in her book, 7 Simple Steps to Unclutter Your Life wrote:

PROFILE OF SUCCESS: Helen Volk

Former Occupation: Attorney
Current Occupation: Founder and president of Beyond Clutter, professional organizer, speaker, writer.

Helen Volk practiced law for 17 years. Now she helps people de-clutter and de-stress their lives. Helen, who used to be a pack rat herself, believes that you have to empty your life to fulfill it. That’s what she did. She downsized by giving away two thirds of her possessions and moving to a smaller house. “[I realized one day that] not one religious tradition teaches that the purpose of life is owning stuff. But they all stress simple living as a spiritual principle. It was a revelation that shook me to the core of my being,” says Helen. Once she committed to the idea of simplifying her life, the rest was easy. Now, through workshops, seminars and one-on-one sessions, Helen teaches others that they can enjoy fuller, more meaningful lives and feel richer than ever by having less.

7 Simple Steps to Unclutter Your Life, pg. 56
By Donna Smallin © 2000
used with permission