Ask any one of America’s 62 million volunteers why they give their time, and you’d probably get nearly 62 million unique answers.
But some reasons for volunteering — and the benefits — are universal: a greater connection to one’s community; an opportunity to share skills or insights; a chance to work toward a personal passion or mission. Then, there are extra advantages that many volunteers enjoy, like studied health benefits.
In April, we celebrate National Volunteer Month to recognize the dedication and of volunteers in all varieties of service, whatever their reason for participating.
At SCORE, we also celebrate volunteers all year long. Every single SCORE mentor is a volunteer! More than 10, 000 volunteers across the United States work one-on-one with local and aspiring business owners in over 300 SCORE chapters and through email and video.
Volunteering benefits small businesses and beyond
Whether SCORE volunteers host meetings with clients, teach workshops, or keep their chapters organized, they all support opportunities for individual business owners to learn and grow. In 2015, SCORE mentors helped create more than 53, 000 new businesses!
At the same time, our volunteer mentors find benefits for themselves, from sharing their expertise, to building connections within their local communities. Many volunteers refine their leadership skills by guiding their chapters or districts.
“On a personal level, SCORE has given me a great amount of pride, not only for our chapter but our community, ” Becky Bywater, a volunteer in central Florida, said. “Giving back and seeing our SCORE volunteers’ dedication to the organization and to the process is just extremely rewarding.”
Mentor Hal Shelton even found a new career through mentoring — as a published author. After guiding hundreds of new entrepreneurs in the Washington, D.C. area through the business planning process, he wrote a book to guide aspiring business owners regardless of location.
“When you get an opportunity to change the trajectory of someone’s life by providing resources and skills and tools that can help them build something successful such as a business, for me it’s exciting to be a part of that, ” Nakia Melecio, a mentor from Atlanta, said of his experience as a volunteer mentor.
Ready to volunteer?
What does it take to be a SCORE mentor? A willingness to help, experience to share and enthusiasm for small business and entrepreneurship are key. Volunteer mentors receive continuing training in the spirit of lifelong learning.
Think being a SCORE mentor is the right volunteer opportunity for you? Sign up today. There’s plenty of excitement to share!