Southwestern Illinois SCORE Chapter recruiting business mentors

SCORE is recruiting volunteers in Southwestern Illinois to aid start-up entrepreneurs and small-business growth initiatives.

“Our goal is to help the community grow. We rely on our expert volunteers to help small-business owners focus exclusively on their unique needs through confidential counseling sessions. Mentoring has proven effective time and again. Our volunteers provide them assurance, capacity and strength to address the areas in their business that need the most attention,” said Dr. Deborah Bowman, chair of the Southwestern Illinois Chapter of SCORE.

Mentors can be requested through the website, and volunteers can go there to get more information. An application can be found at swillinois.score.org.

For more information about starting or operating a small business, visit the Southwestern Illinois SCORE Chapter online at swillinois.score.org and request a mentor or look for them on Facebook at score0423.

Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 10 million aspiring entrepreneurs and small-business owners through mentoring and business workshops. It does so in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

More than 10,000 volunteer business mentors in 300 chapters serve their communities through entrepreneur education dedicated to the formation, growth and success of small businesses.

SCORE currently has more than 10,500 volunteer business consultants working with entrepreneurs in 300-plus communities donating more than 2.2 million hours in 2016 helping their clients start and/or grow their business.

Volunteers must have:

• Significant experience within their field of expertise as a business owner and/or executive
• Seen both economic highs and lows
• A willingness to donate time and help with specific chapter functions.
• Provide resources and perform in-person and online consulting from your home or office
• Help foster vibrant small-business communities through mentoring and education

SCORE relies on volunteers who also provide invaluable skills helping with chapter finances, email marketing, website/technology management, fundraising, and leading seminars and workshops.

In 2016, SCORE’s clients were 58 percent women, 35 percent minorities and 11 percent veterans.