WE ANSWER QUESTIONS.

The SCORE office was buzzing with activity today.  Drop-in clients were waiting in line to see the counselor.  Before noon, he had talked to one client about how to get a new business started and another client about the steps she should take to get a business loan.  He set up future appointments for both of these new clients to meet with a SCORE counselor.  One of the clients needed the expertise of a different counselor, so an appointment was made for him to meet the other counselor at the client’s place of business. 

PERSONAL HELPERS.

The client who needs a business loan was given an assignment to get additional information she will need for her business plan.  She was given the home phone number of today’s desk duty counselor so she will be able to call him when she is ready for her next appointment, when she has gathered the remaining information.  The project may take several appointments.  In this case, the Desk Duty counselor’s expertise is a perfect match for the type of business she is starting.

Today’s activity in the SCORE office is an example of how you can take advantage of our free and confidential counseling services.  You can call for an appointment or just walk in our office during the hours of 10 am and 3 pm.  Each day during those hours, a SCORE counselor has “Desk Duty.”  That is, the counselor is waiting for your call or visit.  SCORE volunteers take turns as the Desk Duty counselor.

Each SCORE counselor has a different set of expertise and experience.  Clients are matched with the most appropriate counselor.  Sometimes the most appropriate counselor is the counselor who has desk duty when the client arrives at the office so that counselor assists the client that day and/or agrees to meet with the client on a future date.  Sometimes the most appropriate counselor is not the person who has desk duty on the day the client requests assistance.  Then our assignment person arranges for the client to meet with an appropriate SCORE counselor.

Economic activities are flourishing in eastern Iowa.  New and existing businesses are not waiting for spring to get started.  The time to get help from SCORE is now.

Jean Kruse,
SCORE Chairperson