I was recently invited to sit on a Board for a local non-profit, which specializes in economic empowerment.
Truth be told, my next-door neighbor, the one on the other side of our bamboo, has been hounding me for a while. Carol created Crossroads Jobs about five years ago in the middle of the worst of the last major downturn, offering individualized job search and placement services to unemployed and underemployed area residents who are not well served by conventional job banks and agencies. On a shoe string, she has created a much-needed public service for those most in need.
I attended my first Board meeting a couple of weeks ago, which was a relaxed free-for-all mix of good intentions and smart business an interesting blend of well-intentioned public policy advocates with commercially savvy realists coupled with a variety of political persuasions bound by a single bond of assisting those most needing help in finding a job.
I live in the wealthiest county in America.
We are fueled by Washington, DC to the east and the center of the internet universe borders the major running path that transects our county. From my home along the Potomac I am 30 minutes from the Blue Ridge Mountains. Yet in the wealthiest county in America I was surprised to learn that so many are still looking for basic work.
My first task is to model the need requirement and benefit provided by the charity; in other words, what is the bang received for the buck spent?
On my day job, I have noticed an increasing number of calls from people in our industry looking for work. Not specifically that they are without, but that they are looking to augment and increase what they have. What I dont know is if they are simply planning for the upcoming change of season, or if there is something more in play. I guess only time will tell.
