Volunteer Opportunities From: United Way of the Blue Mountains

Are you looking to contribute your skills to nonprofits in your community? Do you have a broad understanding of nonprofit administration and/or expertise in small business development? If so, look no further than becoming a Pathways consultant with 501 Commons. As a Pathways Consultant, you will have the opportunity to make a fundamental difference in an organization’s ability to more effectively deliver their mission!

Are you looking to contribute your skills to nonprofits in your community? Do you have a broad understanding of nonprofit administration and/or expertise in small business development? If so, look no further than becoming a Pathways consultant with 501 Commons. As a Pathways Consultant, you will have the opportunity to make a fundamental difference in an organization’s ability to more effectively deliver their mission!

Pathways is a short consultative process that provides a framework for what it means to be a healthy nonprofit, tips on how an organization can "easily" move themselves up the ladder, and personalized assistance working through their more challenging issues. It is meant to help organizations take stock of where they are at and daylight a way forward.

Grounded in the Five Elements of a Healthy Nonprofit Assessment, Pathways helps organizations reflect on their own ability to:

Exercise strong governance and oversight Demonstrate good management practices and a healthy organizational culture Secure the resources needed to carry out their missions and be accountable for the management of funds Communicate and steward relationships with people who give them money, use what they create, help them meet their mission, and carry their message Deliver efficient and effective programs, services, and administrative systems

Pathways consultants work in teams of two to:

Facilitate the self-assessment process and help an organization come to a consensus on where they are in regards to each of the five elements Discuss easily addressed opportunities and help the organization determine priorities for additional consultation Refer to curated recommendations in addition to doing a little research of their own to compose tailored suggestions to help the organization move the needle in a positive way

The entire Pathways process includes a series of four meetings held over the course of 2-3 months and approximately 25 hours of service per consultant.

Apply to volunteer with 501 Commons and prepare to make a difference in your own community. For more information about Pathways or volunteering with 501 Commons, reply to this posting.

Many nonprofits lack the capacity, resources, and knowledge to raise the funds they need in order to sustain themselves financially and deliver their missions. You can help by contributing your fundraising expertise and boosting the capacity of local nonprofits while also enhancing your own consulting skills.

501 Commons provides high-quality, affordable consulting, coaching, and training services to nonprofits, schools, and public agencies thanks to a corps of skilled volunteers who share their time and talent. The Executive Service Corps, a program of 501 Commons, is dedicated to connecting the skills and expertise of volunteer consultants with organizations in need of planning and management consulting. As a fund development consultant with 501 Commons, you can help build the capacity of nonprofits to effectively fundraise by:

Assessing and improving organizational readiness Developing case statements for support Creating fund development plans, and more

As a Service Corp Member, you will:

Have access to our resource library and professional development workshops Learn new skills applicable to personal and professional situations Apply your background and expertise towards supporting the nonprofit community

While the requirements of each project vary, consultants typically work in pairs and serve approximately 10-12 hours per month each, over the course of 2-4 months.

For more information about how you can utilize your professional expertise to benefit the nonprofit community, visit 501commons.org and click on Engage.

Nonprofit organizations need your help more now than ever!! Many lack the capacity and resources they need to support their missions and the numerous people they serve. Your professional expertise and passion for contributing to the community will play an essential role in helping these organizations realize their full potential.                                                                                 

Who are we? 501 Commons provides high-quality, affordable consulting, coaching, and training services to nonprofits, schools, and public agencies thanks to volunteer consultants who generously give of their time and talents. The Executive Service Corps, a program of 501 Commons, is dedicated to connecting the skills and expertise of volunteer consultants with organizations in need of planning and management consulting.                                                                                                                                            

How does it work? Members of 501 Commons’ Service Corps support nonprofits by acting as:

Consultants on well-defined projects that are guided by a consulting contract Facilitators of meetings, retreats, and conferences Coaches for nonprofit leaders                                   

While the requirements of each project vary, on average consultants can expect to serve 6-12 hours per month throughout the course of  4-6 months, and work on projects in pairs. All volunteers are covered by 501 Commons' Professional Liability coverage.                                                                                                                                 

What’s in it for you? As a service corps member, you will:

Learn new skills that fuel personal and professional growth Have access to our online training, resource library, and professional development workshops Apply your background and expertise towards supporting the nonprofit community                                                                                

How do you start? For more information about this opportunity and how to join the service corps, please visit the "engage" section of our website www.501commons.org or reply to this posting.