If you have management skills and some spare time, the Kansas City chapter of SCORE is looking for volunteers.

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping launch and grow small businesses through education and mentorship. The organization, which has a network of more than 10,000 volunteers nationwide, is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Its volunteers help small business owners maneuver their way through the issues they face, including regulations, finance and personnel matters. SCORE’s services are free to business owners.

SCORE volunteers serve as mentors, office staffers, workshop instructors, and in other areas where they have expertise. Mentors can be retired, semi-retired or still in the workforce.

Three Ways to SCORE

There are three primary ways in which SCORE volunteers interact with business owners: face-to-face meetings, workshops and scans.

“Volunteers meet with clients, offer advice, ask and answer questions,” said Vince Petrillo, membership chairman for the SCORE Kansas City chapter. “We don’t do the work for them, but we do help them understand where they may need more focus.”

The workshops focus on topics such as management, marketing, finance and accounting. The scan provides a team analysis with several mentors examining every aspect of a business, asking the owner tough questions about how he or she plans to make it work. SCORE also has a resource section on its website where business owners can find materials that will help them with issues.

Petrillo said SCORE gets clients from a variety of business sectors. “Our goal is to help people in small businesses to be successful,” he said.

SCORE has 50 to 60 volunteer mentors in Kansas City and could use 20 to 30 more, Petrillo said.

Local Businesses That SCORE’d

SCORE’s clients get a variety of beneficial advice from mentors. Danny O’Neill, founder of The Roasterie was one client that appreciated the assistance.

“My history goes to 1993 with Dick Benner, my SCORE counselor, who was singlehandedly the most impactful advisor that I had,” O’Neill said. “His advice, council and perspective were instrumental in getting the company started and growing.”

LeAnn Luemmen of KC Restoration in Olathe, Kan., is another SCORE client who commends the organization and her mentor, Jerry Gibson. She and her husband started a metal, stone and wood finishing business but knew little about setting prices, reading financial reports or the cost of goods. Gibson examined their reports, determined prices and reviewed contracts. They also got help later from volunteer Ed Reeves and participated in a scan.

They learned that their business may be unique, but there are principles and strategies that are universally beneficial for business. “This was a huge turning point for our business, as we were finally on the path to being profitable,” Luemmen said.

Volunteers give freely of their time, energy and knowledge to help others. They decide how much time they can donate. Petrillo said that although SCORE volunteers aren’t paid, there is the benefit of giving back to the community.

Nationally, SCORE volunteers donate more than 1 million hours of their time each year to support their communities.

“If you are retired, there is the reward of sharing the skills you have developed over a lifetime,” he said. There is also the enjoyment of working with the dynamics of a business and of meeting with colleagues.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or want more information, email or call (816) 235-6675.