Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) You Have Questions, SCORE Has Answers      What is SCORE?       Prior to this year, SCORE was an acronym for the Service Corps of Retired Executives. Because so many of our volunteers are still active in business, our national office decided to deemphasize the acronym and emphasize SCORE – “Counselors to America’s Small Business.” Nearly 4.5 million people have used SCORE services since our founding in 1964. SCORE members are trained to serve as counselors, advisors and mentors to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners. Nationwide there are 11,500 SCORE counselors in 389 offices plus a CyberChapter where people can get on-line counseling. These services are offered at no charge, as a community service.         Is SCORE just in Portland?       There are six (6) chapters and offices in Oregon: Portland, Eugene, Salem, Redmond, Medford and Cannon Beach; there are two chapters in Southern Washington: Vancouver and Tri-Cities. Plus, there are members who live and do counseling in other communities. Portland is the largest chapter with approximately 80 members.         Doesn’t the name of the chapter, Chapter 11, reflect one of the negative aspects of business?       Well, in some ways, the term, “Chapter 11” is negative when it comes to business. However, in Portland, it is a positive term because we are here to help small business people be successful. The name stems from the fact that we were the 11th chapter to receive national certification.         Because counselors are retired from business, are they up-to-date on the way business is conducted in today’s competitive business environment?       Not all counselors are retired. About 25% of our members are either in business or are semi-retired. One of the reasons counselors join SCORE, is because they were active in business, they do not want to be cut off from what they enjoyed doing. In addition, because our clients represent a wide variety of interests and needs, we have to keep up with the changes that are taking place. Counselors are also challenged to be up-to-date to be ready for our clients.         Who can use SCORE’s help?       There are four business situations we work with: People thinking about going into business People who are in the process of going into business People in business who need help to sustain and grow their business People who want to buy or sell a business       I’m concerned that if I tell someone my idea or confidential information, that it will be stolen or the information will get into someone else’s hands.       SCORE counseling is both private and confidential. Sometimes, we will discuss situations with other counselors, but names and details will only be shared with our client’s permission. In addition, all SCORE counselors abide by the SCORE Code of Ethics, which includes protecting the confidences between client and counselor. Each year, counselors must reaffirm their commitment to the Code of Ethics.         How do I go about getting counseling?       The first step is completing a Request for Counseling form. You can call our office and one will be sent or emailed to you, you can come into the office and complete the form, or fill out a Request for Counseling form on-line. When we receive your completed form, we will assign you to a counselor.         Do I have to come into the office for counseling?       No. Although many of our counselors maintain regular office hours, we can usually assign you to a counselor who will meet with you at your place of business or a mutually agreeable location. In addition, a number of our counselors are on-line so you can work with them via email.         What is email counseling?       Email counseling is an email exchange between you and a SCORE counselor. Email counseling gives you the opportunity to work with a SCORE counselor anywhere in the country.         How do I sign up for email counseling?       There are two ways you can obtain SCORE email counseling: The SCORE National web site, www.score.org offers a special feature where you can pose a business question and receive an answer from a SCORE counselor who is a member of the CyberChapter. You can also choose from a list of counselors with expertise in the business areas that interest you. You may then direct your question to the counselor who is the best match for your business or industry. The listing of those counselors also indicates their geographical location.       Does every counselor know everything about all businesses?       No, they don’t. We don’t expect them to and neither should our clients. A counselor will often call in other counselors for co-counseling when additional expertise is needed.         What does it cost for counseling?       There is no charge. SCORE is a resource partner with the U. S. Small Business Administration; our services are provided by volunteers who donate their time to SCORE.         Do you offer workshops on different aspects of business?       Yes, SCORE offers several workshops, see our Workshops page for more information.         Are counseling and workshops all you do?       No, there are two other services we provide at no charge: The Business Resource Center (BRC) is located in our offices in downtown Portland. The BRC has a library of books and videos on business topics and a computer lab with business software and Internet access. For more information about the BRC, click here . Our Speakers Bureau provides businesses and organizations with speakers that can talk about SCORE and small business issues.       Is there a charge for other services?       There is a nominal fee for our workshops. We have also developed an Excel based Business Planning Software program for small businesses that may be purchased. At times we offer books that we believe are applicable to the needs of our clients. Finally, if you come to the Business Resource Center without a disc, we have discs on hand that you can purchase.         If you don’t charge for counseling, how do you get the money to run your chapter?       We have four sources of income to underwrite our activities: Funds from the Small Business Administration Income from our workshops Donations from firms, associations, organizations and grant giving groups Donations from clients who have, with SCORE’s help, become successful       Can just anyone become a counselor?       We ask that men and women wishing to become counselors have experience in business as owners, managers or other positions of responsibility. SCORE counselors have general management and specific industry experience that can benefit your business. Every new counselor goes through an orientation and training program in all aspects of the Chapter – counseling, staffing the reception desk, client assignments, working in the Business Resource Center and helping in our booth at trade shows.

For more information SCORE telephone numbers and Email address:   Telephone: (503) 326-3441   or (503) 326- 5211 Fax: (503) 326-2808 E-mail: scorepdx@wa-net.com

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