Advisor FAQ
Advisors often have questions about volunteering for the Vesper Service Network. You will find answers to the most commonly asked questions here.
What is Vesper Service Network?The Vesper Service Network is an online community of people of faith and faith-based, not-for-profit organizations. Here, individuals can connect to mission-driven organizations that need their business skills. Organizations can find the help they need, at an attractive cost.
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Is Vesper Service Network a not-for-profit organization?No. Vesper Service Network is a social venture enterprise, jointly owned by a for-profit consulting firm and a foundation. Some of the proceeds of our work are reinvested in the company and some of the proceeds support not-for-profit organizations that strengthen our communities.^ top ^
How does Vesper Service Network connect advisors and organizations?Vesper Advisors submit information about their business and volunteer experiences when they join Vesper Service Network. This information becomes part of a searchable database. Client organizations search this database when they are looking for help with projects. Vesper Service Network helps organizations and advisors communicate and come to an agreement on what they want to accomplish and how to do the work. We believe if we give smart people the tools they need to find each other they will accomplish great things together.^ top ^
How does Vesper Service Network support organizations and advisors once connections are made?Organizations and advisors can use the website to keep track of their projects throughout the process. Advisors can log in and see a list of the projects they have been invited to, projects they are currently working on and projects they have completed. Organizations can also see their projects in the creation stage, those that are active and completed projects. Both organizations and advisors can use discussion forums to post general questions or get project advice from other Vesper Service Network members. Once a project is complete the advisor and the organization can rate their experience, which becomes part of their online record.^ top ^
What resources does Vesper Service Network provide?We look for resources that help individuals discover their strengths and how to use them to create significance in their lives and the mission of the organizations with which they work. We also look for resources to help not-for-profit organizations effectively achieve their missions. We post links to these resources on the Vesper Service Network website. We are always looking for suggestions and recommendations so please let us know if you have a favorite resource.^ top ^
What kind of people become advisors?People who want to use the skills and experience they have acquired in their professional lives to benefit their faith community. It doesn’t matter what kind of work you do. Faith-based organizations need all kinds of people to help out with all kinds of projects.^ top ^
What are the benefits of being an Advisor?Advisor benefits include the opportunity to work with people who are passionate about ministry. Advisors see first-hand the work that God is doing through His people. And Advisors gain valuable experience by working in different situations, while knowing they are doing something that makes a significant impact in their communities.^ top ^
What types of organizations are looking for Advisors?Most of our clients are small, faith-based organizations that make significant impact in the lives of individuals and families in our communities. Clients include churches, parishes, outreach organizations, social ministries, and various organizations that have a mission to serve.^ top ^
What skills are organizations looking for?Organizations are looking for a wide variety of skills. Those in greatest demand include planning, helping to manage or attract financial resources, or assistance in telling more effectively the story of the organization.
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What is my commitment as an Advisor?You are joining an online community when you join the Vesper Service Network. We encourage you to participate in online discussions to get the most from your membership. You have no minimum requirement of advising hours or projects, just a requirement that you want to be a part of the community. The greater your contribution to the community, the greater your reward.^ top ^
How many hours will a project take?That depends on the type of project and what the client is trying to accomplish. If you elect to take on a project, you and your client will agree together on the number of hours (in days) it will take.^ top ^
Do I receive any compensation?We believe that compensation helps demonstrate that your time and skills are important to Client organizations. Advisors receive $100 a day for their time. We also know that you aren't doing this for the money. If you want to, you may return your compensation to the organization for which you worked.^ top ^
How is compensation determined?Compensation is determined by the number of days you and the Client agree it will take to complete the project. The total number of days become part of the project agreement that both you and the Client accept before work begins. You will receive an honorarium of $100 per day.^ top ^
How do I get paid?Both you and the Client organization will mark the project as complete on the Vesper Service Network website after the project is done. Once that happens, you will receive a check in the mail from the Vesper Service Network in the amount of your agreed-upon honorarium.^ top ^
Will I be able to select the projects I want to work on?You will be invited to work on projects by Clients, based on how well your skills and experience match their needs. You may accept or decline a project invitation. You are not required to accept any projects to which you are invited. If you are looking for more projects, it helps to stay active in the discussion groups, which can help client organizations get a better feel for your skills and working style.^ top ^
Am I able to refuse a request for service?You may decline a project at any point in the invitation process. The most successful projects are ones in which both the Advisors and the Client are comfortable with the relationship fit of the project team. We want you to choose those projects that feel right to you.^ top ^
How will I know if I'm on track when working on a project?We encourage all project teams to stay in frequent contact with each other. The Vesper Service Network Project Creation Tool helps to identify what Clients want to accomplish with the project and how they will measure success. It's important to agree on these two points before starting a project, and then use them to check if the project is on track. ^ top ^
What happens if the project requested turns into a more complex assignment than originally thought?It's important to be as clear as possible about the Client's expectations before agreeing to the project. If it isn't clear, don't be afraid to ask the Client to be more specific before you agree to do the work. Also, it's important to be in close communication with the Client throughout the project. If the project is more complex than you expected, have a discussion with the Client, and use the project agreement as a starting point. If you both agree that the project should take more time, you can revise the project agreement on the Vesper Service Network to include the appropriate amount of time. The Client may also engage an additional Advisor if the project is bigger than you can do alone.^ top ^
How will I know if the project was successful?Before every project, the Vesper Service Network Project Creation Tool asks Clients to name how they will measure success. It's important for you to understand and agree to the Client's definition of success before you agree to do the project. If this is defined clearly at the start of the project, both you and the Client will know if you have been successful.^ top ^
Will I get feedback after a project is completed?Yes. After a project is completed, the Client is asked to submit feedback on the project and your performance. This feedback becomes part of your Advisor profile, similar to seller ratings on popular online auction sites. At the same time, you will have the opportunity to rate the Client and your level of satisfaction working with the organization. This becomes part of the Client's profile and will help other Advisors make an informed choice about accepting projects from this Client in the future.^ top ^
Will I be able to network with other Advisors?Yes. One of the greatest benefits, we hope, of your membership is the opportunity to connect with other people of faith who care about their community as you do. By participating in the discussion forums, you can meet others like you, exchange ideas, and get help with questions on how to use your skills to serve. And in the near future, we will be adding other ways to connect, like blogging, video uploads, and even local gatherings for other Advisors in your community.^ top ^
