Encore Fellows Program Frequently Asked Questions for Fellows Candidates 1. What is the Encore Fellows program? The Encore Fellows program matches seasoned professionals interested in community service with social purpose organizations for a 1000-hour assignment, typically one year, part time. Unlike customary volunteer work, these assignments are not direct service but rather focus on building agency capacity building using the professional skills of the retiree (Fellow) in areas such as strategy and business development, information technology, marketing and communications, human resources, finance, process improvement, and program/project management. Unlike volunteers, Fellows receive a stipend. 2. What is the history of this program? Civic Ventures, now called Encore.org, along with a number of pioneering corporations and nonprofit agencies, introduced the nationally recognized Encore Fellows Program in 2009. After two successful years in the San Francisco area, Encore.org launched an expansion of the program to eight cities across the US. Social Venture Partners Portland (SVP) hosts the program in the Portland metropolitan area. 3. What is the difference between an Encore Fellow and an SVP Partner? SVP’s Encore Fellows are retired professionals. During their Fellowships, Fellows are also granted SVP Partner status, without the customary financial buy-in. SVP Partners are members of the SVP community who pool their time, expertise, and money financially in local social change initiatives (investees). 4. What are the benefits of being an Encore Fellow? Benefits of being an Encore Fellow include: • • • •
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An opportunity to use and develop your professional skills in a high impact assignment with a social purpose agency in our area. Formal application and interview processes for both Fellow candidates and agencies ensure that you are matched in a high probability of success setting. The ability to flexibly design your work structure (hours/days/location) in partnership with the agency that hosts you. The opportunity to receive mentoring and to develop contacts with leaders in the local social entrepreneurial field including agency leaders, philanthropists, and professionals who have transitioned from for-profit to social purpose careers. Partner status with SVP for the term of your Fellowship, including networking access to local members and participation in SVP functions. A paid stipend for the period of your assignment.
5. What are the benefits to nonprofit agencies in the program? Agencies gain from a significant infusion of talent in an area of strategic importance to their organization’s development at substantially lower costs than the open market. Many agencies that host Fellows subsequently extend employment agreements, consulting and advisory roles or Board seat invitations, thereby cultivating new sources of talent to support their missions. 6. What are the typically success factors for a Fellow? Successful Fellows candidates bring strong professional competencies either directly from their careers, from community work, or from life experience. Successful Fellows candidates demonstrate a desire to learn about a new sector and openness to further their personal development. Finally, successful Fellows bring a high degree of personal initiative tempered with teamwork, humility, and organizational cultural sensitivity. 7. What type of agency might I be matched to as an Encore Fellow, and what are their needs? Local nonprofits large and small with diverse missions including children, youth and families health care; social services; environmental; and arts and culture that also meet application and vetting requirements are included in our portfolio of work hosts. Positions include: strategic planning, human resources, information technology, marketing, business development, communications and public relations, project management and quality management systems. The list changes periodically; see our Encore Fellows application page or contact
[email protected] for up to date information. 8. What is the timeline for applying? Applications are being accepted on a continual basis. In addition to applying online (see FAQ #9), please contact
[email protected] to discuss your particular situation and expectations for timing given available positions in your area of skill/interest and sponsorships. 9. What steps are involved in application to be a Fellow? Fellows candidates can apply online from a link on the Encore Fellows application page. The application will ask for your objectives in joining the program, professional skills, interest areas, work environment preferences, and contact information. After submittal, candidates should also expect to participate in at least one interview to describe their fit for the program as well as have any questions they may have answered, including an overview of available positions matching their areas of interest. The Fellows Program Director can confer with you throughout the application process. Contact
[email protected].
10. How many Fellows are you looking for each year? We have been steadily growing the number of Encore Fellows matches@ depending on available sponsorships, we anticipate matching up to twenty fellows in 2013 and beyond. 11. I am interested in the program, but am not quite ready to apply due to timing considerations; how should I proceed? In addition to accepting agency and Fellows applications for this year we are building a “wait list” for future years. If you feel that you fit in this category please contact
[email protected]. 12. How will Fellows be matched to agencies? The Fellows program is based on a philosophy of “mutual matching.” Agencies and Fellows apply for the program; the Fellows Program Director evaluates them against a set of success factors. The Fellows Program Director will identify potential matches between Fellows candidates and agencies. Agencies and Fellows will then conduct informational interviews with each other to determine if a mutual interest exists (agencies may interview more than one Fellow candidate, and Fellows candidates may interview with more than one agency). Based on independent confidential feedback by agencies and Fellows, the Program Director will affirm the matches. This process results in high levels of joint satisfaction in the program by agencies and Fellows. 13. When will matching take place? Timing on matching depends on available sponsored positions in your area of skill/interest. Contact
[email protected] to discuss your situation. 14. What if no match takes place between a Fellow and an agency? Application for a Fellow does not guarantee that a match will occur. Several factors, including the number of qualified Fellow candidates, availability of vetted agency positions, skill and interest areas of Fellow candidates, work environment fit, and available sponsorships, etc. may influence the matching process. If a match does not take place, your application will remain in our database for future consideration. SVP’s Program Director will contact you if a new position emerges that could be a fit for your needs. 15. How does the Fellow s stipend work? An Encore Fellow s stipend is typically set at $20,000 for a 1,000-hour assignment. Depending on the sponsoring organization, terms may vary and will be discussed with you as part of the matching process. A sponsoring company contributes fifty percent or more of
the stipend and the hosting agency pays the rest. The agency you are matched to will administer a mutually agreed upon Fellowship agreement including job duties and compensation. 16. Will the stipend include benefits? Fellow candidates should expect a stipend of $20,000. Agencies are free to structure the position as either an employee or a contractor. If the agency structures the position as an employee, the agency will be responsible for legally required withholding, and may be responsible for the cost of benefits depending on its policies. If it structures the position as a contractor, the Fellow is responsible for any legally required self-employment withholding and no benefits will be included. Fellows and agencies are advised to consult with tax advisors to ensure compliance with any state or federal requirements. 17. What happens after the match is completed? Once matched to an agency, you will work with its leadership, most often the Executive Director, to complete an agreement on job duties and work plans, integrate into its team, perform the job, participate in regular review and evaluation, and plan for continuity of your work after you complete the assignment. During the period of your assignment, the agency will be your work host and most communication will be between you and their team. SVP is committed to the success of the program throughout the process and will engage with you on a regular basis to ensure effective onboarding, evaluation of the experience for you and your agency, and end of assignment transition. The Fellows program director will reach out to you on a regular basis throughout the year, and will be available on request to consult on any questions or issues that may arise. We want this to be a great experience for everyone. Finally, you can expect to be invited to participate in regular networking and educational events during the year to further your knowledge and networking in the local nonprofit community. 18. The Fellows program sounds interesting, where do I find additional information? Regularly updated program information can be found at SVP’s Encore Fellows page. If you would like to discuss details particular to your situation, please contact Steven Maser, Fellows Program Director, at
[email protected]. 19. I see that SVP is a Partner-based philanthropic organization. I am interested in this approach to high impact community service with like-minded individuals in our area. How can I learn more about the benefits of and process for investing, volunteering, or becoming a SVP Partner?
SVP’s web site has information on getting involved. You can also contact Mark Holloway, Executive Director at
[email protected] for more information or to schedule a time to meet and discuss. Check SVP’s news and events page for upcoming opportunities to meet SVP Partners and to learn more.
