Are you interested in volunteering but not sure you have the time to make a long term commitment? Do you want to apply your experience and skills to a worthy cause, but would prefer to work within a self-determined schedule to produce a specific result? If you answered "yes" to either of these questions, then Volunteer Frederick's Pro-Bono Consulting program may be just right for you!

In a nutshell, Pro Bono Consulting features worthy community non-profit projects that involve a flexible schedule, a work product, resources, and a willing volunteer who has the right expertise. Many pro bono volunteers are working adults or active retirees.

Here's how it works. Volunteer Frederick collaborates with area non-profit agencies to determine and document their project needs, then seeks volunteers with appropriate skills and expertise to fit the need. Or, willing volunteers identify their skills and availability, which are then offered to nonprofit service agencies for a good project fit. Agencies and Volunteer Frederick then sit down together with volunteers to discuss the project, and make sure that all aspects are agreeable to all parties. The role of Pro Bono Consulting is to connect the right volunteer to the right project to produce the right result. Every completed project helps strengthen Frederick County's social infrastructure.

Willing adult professionals of all ages and types are welcome to serve as Pro Bono Consultants. Many of these volunteers do the majority of the work at home. All parties work together to accomplish the project. At the end of each project, everybody involved gets the chance to evaluate the work and to suggest improvements for the future. Volunteers then "graduate" to other agencies and projects, do another project for the original agency, choose a different way to serve through Volunteer Frederick, or just take a break and come back again later if they wish.

Pro Bono Consulting offers the opportunity to work in a broad array of fields that include information technology, program leadership, legal, marketing, event planning, skilled trades, fund raising, graphic arts, grant research and applications, accounting, and much more. Pro Bono Consulting volunteers have produced a variety of good results, serving a wide spectrum of community missions. These volunteers have completed their projects feeling a strong sense of personal reward, knowing that they have helped a good cause by giving the gift of what they do best.

The Frederick area needs your good and experienced help! If you are interested in one of these short term projects, or if you would just like to learn more about the Pro-Bono Consulting program, contact Diana Halleman at dianah@volunteerfrederick.org or Jim Cox at jimcoxjr@volunteerfrederick.org , or call 301-663-5214, or log onto www.volunteerfrederick.org and click on "Pro Bono Consulting" on the home page.