maced seeks volunteer fasttrac® business coaches
November 2011
Overview
MACED seeks volunteer business coaches to help facilitate FastTrac® NewVenture™ programs at various locations in Eastern Kentucky. FastTrac® is a hands-on business development program designed to help entrepreneurs hone the skills needed to create, manage and grow a successful business. Programs for 2012 will be offered in Rowan, Floyd, Perry and Rockcastle counties. Each 30-hour program will be conducted over a six week period on Monday and Thursday evenings. In addition to the program sessions, business coaches are required to attend an orientation session. All volunteers will experience the satisfaction of helping entrepreneurs start a new chapter in their lives through small business development.
Background
The Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED) is a 35 year-old multi-strategy sustainable economic development organization that seeks to create economic alternatives that work for people and places in need in Central Appalachia and Kentucky. MACED’s long-term goals are a strong and diverse economy; increased family well-being, particularly for low-income people; healthy and protected land, air and water; and an effective and accountable democracy.
MACED is a fast-paced, dynamic and growing organization with a 32-person staff that manages $21 million in total assets. The organization focuses its efforts on sustainable development and change strategies that generate economic and environmental benefits to people and places. These strategies include: 1) providing financial capital and expertise to individuals, businesses and communities, 2) conducting research and engaging in effective communications to support good public policy, and 3) demonstrating effective community economic development efforts that make a difference. MACED has recently completed a new strategic plan that focuses on two sectors (new energy and sustainable forestry), deepens our commitment to entrepreneur and enterprise development, and promotes the development of a new economic vision in Appalachia and Kentucky.
Enterprise Development
MACED’s enterprise development program combines two of our core strategies—investing capital and providing capacity building efforts to grow entrepreneurs and community leaders. MACED provides loan capital, technical assistance and market knowledge as key tools to help build enterprises and entrepreneurs that provide important development benefits to the region. We lend between $2 and $3 million and provide meaningful technical assistance to more than 50 entrepreneurs a year.
Our efforts are currently focused in three directions—1) developing efforts to strengthen energy efficiency and sustainable forestry related enterprises and opportunities, 2) focusing on enterprises in the community services, natural resources and cultural assets areas, and 3) refining our efforts to provide effective support to micro-entrepreneurs and enterprises. The enterprise development team partners closely with other MACED programs with sector expertise. Our technical assistance strategies include staff- and consultant-delivered one-on-one technical assistance focused on financial systems and reporting, business planning and marketing. We also provide some classroom-based training.
Our enterprise development team consists of six full-time staff and one part-time staff located at three Kentucky offices in Berea, Hazard and Paintsville.
Position Description
The primary responsibilities of the FastTrac® business coaches are to assist program participants with one-on-one coaching/counseling, help with weekly assignments and help participants develop business plans. Coaches also assist the facilitator in creating an effective learning environment during each session. The responsibilities of the business coaches include the following activities:
• Assist the facilitator with module delivery by leading networking breaks and group discussions.
• Meet with assigned participants as a group to guide the business planning process.
• Set up individual consulting sessions with participants to encourage and assist in developing business plans.
• Track participants’ progress and encourage them to complete assignments on time.
• Encourage participants to form peer learning groups.
• Channel participants toward community resources and infrastructure support.
• Review sections of business plans as completed and make useful, detailed comments to evaluate the entrepreneur’s progress.
• Inform the facilitator on the overall progress of participants.
• Review and prepare comments on the final business plan.
• Participate in a post program evaluation.
FastTrac® business coaches are needed in four 2012 program counties: Rowan, Floyd, Rockcastle and Perry. The time commitment for this work is between 30 and 40 hours over the six week period.
Compensation
The FastTrac® business coach is a volunteer position. Each Business Coach will receive a copy of the FastTrac® NewVenture™ Entrepreneur Manual and will be given access to all FastTrac® resource materials extended to program graduates, a $375 value. Business coaches are eligible to receive mileage reimbursement based on IRS approved guidelines. Experienced business coaches will also receive application credit in the event they wish to apply to become a MACED sponsored Certified FastTrac® Facilitator.
All volunteers will experience the satisfaction of helping entrepreneurs start a new chapter in their lives through small business development.
Minimum Qualifications and Characteristics
Knowledge and experience:
Business coaches should have a keen interest in entrepreneurial and small business development. Some education and/or experience in the areas of accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, operations, business planning or risk management is necessary and will help in the coaching experience. Experience in starting and operating a business is highly desirable.
Personal characteristics:
High level of integrity, honesty and accountability; highly self-motivated; keen sense of humor; knowledge of and experience in Appalachia and Kentucky.
Communications:
Excellent verbal communication skills and ability to build rapport and trust; ability to persuade others to take action towards positive outcomes; group facilitation skills; have emotional intelligence, cross cultural awareness and consciousness of working as an “outsider” in a different community or culture.
Additional Information
Please e-mail your resume, contact information for two references and a cover letter to gwillett@maced.org. Your cover letter should describe why you are a good fit as a FastTrac® business coach. Application review will be on-going and continue until all coaching positions are filled. For more information about MACED visit www.maced.org. MACED is an equal opportunity employer.
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