26
Communities of Practice
Communities of Practice (CoPs) are volunteer-led, HQ-supported, peer-to-peer groups focusing on a particular area of expertise. CoPs meet on a regular basis to share trends and insights around their expertise so as to ensure we are providing the latest knowledge to SCORE clients. Occasionally, a CoP may introduce a new tool or process to benefit the organization nationally. CoPs are open to all volunteers who have an interest or proficiency in the particular area. CoPs are ongoing year-round, and volunteers can join at any time through the contact email listed next to each group below.
Goal: Lifelong learning, peer-to-peer exchange to improve the collective knowledge within our volunteer community
Scope: Volunteer training, resource development, and knowledge sharing
Outputs/Deliverables: Volunteer training (internal-facing webinars, community forums, etc.) and potentially client-facing resources and training (based on approval from HQ)
Audience: Primarily volunteers
The following CoPs are active and welcoming new participants
- Food Trucks - Led by Lori Karbel, SCORE Las Vegas
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Led by Matthew Krieger, SCORE Fairfield County
- Agriculture (Ag)
More information on CoPs can be found here.
Advisory Groups
Advisory Groups are HQ-led volunteer groups that review and provide feedback and concerns on a particular focus area. These advisory groups may also suggest enhancements that benefit volunteers and clients in relation to their particular area. The Advisory Groups are ongoing. Below are the current Advisory Groups.
Goal: Provide feedback, share concerns and recommendations with HQ staff around specific areas
Audience: Primarily volunteers and staff
Below are the active Advisory Groups. If interested in joining, contact the associated email.
- Regional Workshop Committees - MidAtlantic and Central Region
- Social Media Advocacy Group - [email protected]
- Kristyn Shay, Director of Digital Engagement - HQ
- Austyn Thweatt - Central Virginia
- William Leakas - Rhode Island
- Jim Axelrad - North Cook & Lake Counties
- Charles Morris - Greater Philadelphia
- Robert Smith - Susquehanna Valley
- Dan Reed - Maine
- Technology Advisory Committee - [email protected]
- Candice Stennett, Director of Digital Engagement - HQ
- Charter and members viewed here.
- Website Committee - [email protected]
-
Staff Facilitator: Chad Mendell, Director of Client Services
Goals: The Website Advisory Committee will focus on providing guidance to ensure the organization's website(s) effectively serve our stakeholders. Key goals include:
- Evaluating and recommending improvements to website design, navigation, and user experience
- Ensuring the website aligns with organizational objectives and brand standards
- Providing input on accessibility compliance and mobile responsiveness
- Reviewing analytics and user feedback to guide data-driven decisions
Volunteers
- Charlie Morris - Greater Philadelphia
- Donald Krasnick - Greater Philadelphia
- Carleton Smith - Austin
Staff
- Chad Mendell, Content Manager
-
Task Forces
Task forces are HQ-led volunteer groups that support the design and implementation of key projects on the SCORE national work plan. Members are selected based on their relevant expertise and SCORE experience. Task forces meet regularly according to a project timeline and may dissolve when the project ends. Below are the current task force groups.
Goal: Support the design and development of key projects from the SCORE national work plan.
Outputs/Deliverables: As depicted in each task force charter
Audience: Volunteers and Staff
Staff Lead: Dependent on each task force
Below are the active Task Forces. If interested in joining, please use the forms below or contact the staff facilitator
Click below for more information on each task force:
Content Committee
Staff Facilitator: Chad Mendell, Content Manager
This team of dedicated volunteers helps shape and execute SCORE's content offering and delivery. This group plays a crucial role in curating and presenting valuable content that aligns with SCORE's mission of empowering entrepreneurs and fostering business growth. Their contributions directly impact the organization's ability to provide accessible and relevant resources to individuals seeking guidance and support in their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Client Education Committee
Contact: [email protected]
The purpose of this committee is to guide and advise the headquarters staff and volunteer leaders who provide client education for the organization.
This committee may also serve as a working group reviewing materials to ensure brand consistency and alignment with content guidelines and workshop policies.
Our goal is to deliver high-quality business education across SCORE in ways that make the best use of our volunteers' time and expertise. We aim to reach and help more business owners by improving how we create and deliver our educational programs.
Specifically, we aim to:
- Strengthen the quality and consistency of our training programs and how we deliver them
- Serve more business owners while reducing the time volunteers spend on administrative tasks
- Make the best use of our volunteers' expertise and SCORE's resources
- Create better systems and processes to expand our educational impact
Through these improvements, we will help more entrepreneurs succeed while ensuring our volunteers can focus on what they do best - sharing their knowledge and experience with business owners.
Members
| Name | Region | Chapter/Team |
| Ed Peterlinz | Central | Land of Lincoln |
| George Stobie | North Atlantic | Washington DC |
| Don Krasnick | North Atlantic | Greater Philadelphia |
| Charlie Morris | North Atlantic | Greater Philadelphia |
| Pam Nellis | Central | Twin Cities |
| Linda Zappulla Gensler | West | Kansas City |
| Matthew Hakes | Central | SE Wisconsin |
| Steven Martin | North Atlantic | Western NY |
| Juliette Weiland | Southeast | Charlotte |
| Bill Meyer | Southeast | Jacksonville |
| John Misner | Southeast | Charleston, SC |
| Bill Grosskopf |
Central
|
Austin |
| Kat Shepherd | West | Inland Empire |
| Wesley Perry | West | Southern AZ |
| Dipali Buch | West | Capital Corridor |
| Karla Easton | West | Greater Seattle |
| Shawn Little | HQ | Finance |
| Cody Giblet | HQ | Marketing |
| Candice Stennett | HQ | Marketing |
Chat Mentoring
Staff Facilitator: Mathew Tse, Support Team Manager
Contact: [email protected]
SCORE’s chat mentors provide real-time mentoring to business owners through the chat feature on SCORE.org. We also use this feature to provide customer service for website visitors. The members of this group not only serve as chat mentors and agents, but they also advise on chat strategy, processes, technology, and metrics. Chat mentoring sessions are logged in Engage and “count” as mentoring sessions for those who participate.
We recently added chat to the Support Center so volunteers can receive immediate support for their questions during chat hours. The Support Team staffs the chat during the hours below to provide support to both clients and volunteers who use the platform. Learn more in the LiveChat Process Guide.
