The Philadelphia chapter of SCORE was at Northeast Regional Library last Friday recruiting volunteers.
SCORE was formerly known as the Service Corps of Retired Executives.
Today, people of any age are invited to sign up to volunteer. Ideally, they’d have experience in the business or nonprofit worlds.
The SCORE mission remains the same: to grow small businesses by helping entrepreneurs and existing businesses solve problems through free mentoring and support programs.
In Philadelphia, SCORE works with Sandi King, of the city Department of Commerce.
Appearing at Northeast Regional were Mark Maguire, SCORE’s vice president of community relations and a past president; Irv Gross, vice president of marketing; and Chris Hess, a SCORE partner.
Maguire explained that there are four levels of SCORE membership: mentor, subject matter expert, workshop presenter and volunteer.
“We’ll find a role for you,” Maguire said.
Much of the mentoring takes place at SCORE headquarters at 105 N. 22nd St., though workshops are planned for Northeast Regional and Community College of Philadelphia’s Northeast Regional Center.
The Philadelphia chapter has about 50 volunteers, but gets some 100 requests a month for assistance.
“We cannot meet the demand,” Maguire said.
Maguire said volunteers receive internal satisfaction.
“It’s fun,” he said. “It’s all about giving back and helping people.”
To learn more about volunteering, call 215-231-9880 or visit score.org ••
