Volunteer Opportunities: Management Assistance Program

ESC is seeking interested women and men to join its volunteer corps of consultants.

ESC applies the insights and skills of volunteer professionals to the management, growth, opportunities, and challenges that nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies face. Our consultants have assisted many organizations increase operational and organizational effectiveness in order to deliver valuable programs and services. 

ESC serves many organizations in the Central Indiana area. 

Here are some answers to some commonly asked questions:

1. What is the role of a consultant?
2. What are the most important skills that an ESC consultant needs?
3. How does one become an ESC volunteer consultant?
4. How does ESC prepare new consultants for consulting?
5. How are consultants assigned to projects?
6. What level of commitment is expected of ESC consultants?
7. Do consultants find volunteering for ESC rewarding?

1. What is the role of a consultant?

Our consultants serve in teams on assignments for a wide variety of nonprofit and business clients. The goals of the consulting team are to understand the mission of the organization and how it operates, to identify its opportunities and challenges, and to provide consulting services in a variety of areas including strategic planning, board development, executive mentoring, and knowledge-based areas.

The team first gathers information about the organization and its performance by meeting with the executive director, board chair or board member, key staff, and others; reviewing strategic plans, financial statements, founding documents, and other documents; or researching the general field of endeavor. After analyzing the data, the consulting team develops an initial plan and presents it to the client. After the plan is in place, the consulting begins.

2. What are the most important skills an ESC consultant needs?

ESC consultants come from a variety of professional backgrounds. Be new or seasoned professionals, educators, business executives, public sector managers or nonprofit leaders, the most important skills a consultant needs are the ability to listen, relate to the client, analyze data and information, and communicate effectively.

3. How does one become an ESC volunteer consultant?

The best way is to contact Kelly Porter to set up a meeting. The meeting allows ESC to get to know the candidate and allows the candidate to get to know ESC, its purpose and procedures. If there is a fit between the candidate's interests and abilities with ESC's consulting needs, the candidate will be invited to participate in an orientation and other appropriate training programs.

4. How does ESC prepare new volunteers for consulting?

Although some of ESC's volunteers have had experience as consultants, others have not.  ESC provides training opportunities in the areas of strategic planning, board development, and executive mentoring. There are other opportunities to learn more about emerging trends, tools, and compelling issues that will add to their own vast experience in providing tested solutions to real world problems while volunteering. These learning opportunities are offered throughout the year and are taught by senior ESC consultants and community experts. Additionally, consultants receive valuable on the job training by working on teams with more experienced consultants.

5. How are consultants assigned to projects?

Consultants are assigned to projects based on their skills, experience, training, interests, availability and geography. Initially, new consultants are assigned to teams with more experienced ESC consultants.

6. What level of commitment is expected of ESC consultants?

The level of commitment greatly depends on the consultant. Some consultants prefer to take on only one project at a time and do one or two projects a year. Others take on several projects a year and do several at a time.

7. Do consultants find volunteering for ESC rewarding?

Most ESC consultants are initially motivated by the desire to give back to the larger community; once they start consulting for ESC they find great satisfaction from their service.

If you are interested in becoming an ESC consultant, please contact Kelly Porter.