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Giving Your Time to NFTE |
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As a NFTE Volunteer, you will join a community of business professionals who inspire young people from low-income neighborhoods to believe that it's possible to find positive pathways to prosperity--and that by making better choices, they can create a better life.
3 Ways You Can Get Involved as an In-Class* Volunteer
NFTE teachers guide our students through a "mini-MBA" program which requires 70-100 hours of class time. One of the ways our students develop "an entrepreneurial mindset" is by learning how to write a business plan, in preparation for an in-class Business Plan Competition. Twice a year, winning students from our region proudly present their business plans to a panel of judges comprised of invited DC area business leaders. These students compete for seed capital investment prizes ranging from $250 to $1,500. There are three ways you can help our students with this process.
Please fill out this volunteer registration form.
- In-Class Guest Speaker - Inspire youth to be curious about business.
NFTE Guest Speakers are business and community leaders who enrich NFTE students' classroom experience. Speakers have a very powerful impact on students, offering their specialized knowledge, as well as life lessons.
In-Class Guest Speakers:
- Discuss business related topics, lead case studies, speak about entrepreneurship.
- Share personal business successes and challenges with students, and entertain a question and answer session.
Time commitment: Minimum 1 classroom speaking engagement per semester @ 30-55 minutes. Guest speakers may elect to serve for one or two semesters.
- In-Class Business Plan Coach - Work one-on-one with students on their business plans.
Business Plan Competitions are important events in a NFTE student's experience. In-Class Business Plan Coaches provide information, encouragement, and help with presentation skills.
In-Class Business Plan Coaches:
- Participate in a one-hour tele-seminar training, which includes: an overview of the NFTE Business Plan template and tips on how to encourage students to apply what they learn from their NFTE teacher.
- Work with students in a NFTE class to help them prepare for the in-class competition.
- Are invited to attend Semifinal and Final Business Plan Competitions as observers.
Time commitment: 3 sessions per semester. Coaches may elect to serve for one or two semesters.
- Fall semester: 1 class session in October and 2 sessions in November
- Spring Semester: 1 Class session in March and 2 sessions in April.
- In-Class Business Plan Competition Judge - Decide which students will progress to the Semifinal Competition.
Business Plan Competition Judges observe and evaluate NFTE student business plan presentations. In-class competitions take place every December and April.
In-Class Business Plan Competition Judges:
- Prepare for this work by reviewing a sample business plan and participating in a mini-training over the phone of what to look for in a winning youth Business Plan.
- Review student business plan presentations, engage in Q & A with local youth entrepreneurs following each presentation, provide feedback for each student, and convene with the other judges to determine youth winners
Time commitment: 4 hours. Judges may elect to serve for one or two semesters.
*Note: A Background Check (criminal only) Authorization Form and Volunteer Conduct Policy Agreement are required of all volunteers. Forms will be provided during Volunteer orientation or an interview with NFTE Volunteer Coordinator.
Additional Volunteer Opportunities:
- Business Plan Review Panel
Reviewers meet in the NFTE offices to read all Semifinal business plan submissions and choose the 16 that will be presented in the Semifinals.
Time Commitment: Three to four hours for one evening, depending on the number of submissions. Review panels meet in January and May.
- Coaching Nights to Prepare for Semifinal Competition
- We match you with a NFTE student looking for guidance on his or her PowerPoint business plan in preparation for the Semifinal competition in January and May.
- To prepare for this work, we send you a sample plan to review and conduct a mini-training over the phone of what to look for in a winning youth Business Plan. Youth that make it to the Semifinal Competitions can advance to both Final and Nationwide Competitions.
- Coaches and students meet at the NFTE office.
Time commitment: Two to four hours each semester.
Please fill out this volunteer registration form.
Questions about NFTE-Greater Washington volunteer opportunities?
Contact Alissa Perine at alissa.perine@nfte.com or 202-467-6383 x102.
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