Every ACT project is screened by one or more volunteer project screeners to determine its suitability for an ACT project and to scope the project into a manageable size for both the client and ACT project volunteers.
Effective project screening is critical to the success of the project with an emphasis by the screener on four key elements.
| Focus | Project clearly scoped with defined deliverables |
|---|---|
| Alignment | ED, board chair, and chair of strategic planning fully in support |
| Time | Timing must fit situation and client must commit resources to support |
| Implementation | Client must have resources to implement recommendations |
Screening Process
Step 1: Interest Form Review
- Client submits interest form
- Call with ACT screener(s) to determine preliminary mutual fit
- If yes, ACT sends client link to online application
Step 2: Application Review
- ACT screener(s) conduct interview with board chair and executive director
- Outline scope and objectives
- Assess feasibility and fit
- Confirm alignment/time commitment
- If yes, begin project scoping
Step 3: Scoping & Prioritizing
- Scope project objectives, deliverables, and likely activities/skill sets
- Explore capacity of client to staff project
- Determine fast track versus full team
- ACT weighs all submissions and determines which move forward
Step 4: Project Posting & Recruitment
- ACT prepares posting for volunteer recruitment
- Review with client for approval
- Go/no go depending on recruitment, ACT’s ability to staff
Step 5: Briefing & Sounding Board
- ACT project leader comes on board (for full team engagements)
- Sounding board meeting with volunteers, screener(s), and client
- Project leaders or fast track consultants refine scope, objectives, and outline work plan with client
Step 6: Project Kickoff
- Work plan sign-off by client executive director and board chair
- ACT team begins work with client on project