Empowering Georgia Organizations to Achieve Excellence
through Resources and Recognition

Subject Matter Expert Coach Program Overview

What is an SME Coach?

A Subject Matter Expert (SME) Coach is an authority on a particular business subject matter.  Individuals can be involved by attending GCPE Power Tools Sessions and by pledging their volunteer time as a SME Coach in a personal area of significant experience and knowledge. All you need is a passion to help Georgia organizations achieve excellence and knowledge that will be of great value to organizations receiving scholarships. SME Coaches are screened through our SME Coach application process and are paired with organizations whose needs match their area of expertise.

What is the time commitment? 
As a SME Coach, GCPE asks you to volunteer up to 24-hours over 6 months to help organizations in search of knowledge in a particular subject area of their business.  The amount of time you volunteer per month is up to you, depending on your schedule and flexibility. 

What are the benefits of being an SME Coach?
Participation in the program carries several benefits for participants including: listing of name and subject matter expertise on GCPE website, access to develop close relationships with member organizations who request a SME Coach, and SME Coaches who have served scholarship organizations with the highest number of volunteer hours annually will be recognized at the GCPE recognition event and listed in the event brochure.

While participating in the pool within the number of volunteer hours, it is unethical for a SME Coach to in any way solicit payment from the organization or individual they are coaching.  If after the coaching relationship ends and additional support is requested which requires more hours than the SME Coach has pledged to GCPE, a regular consulting arrangement may be made with full consent by GCPE.  Failure to notify GCPE of a consulting relationship with a member organization after initial Coaching program hours expire is unethical and may result in termination of SME Coach’s participation in the program subject to GCPE Board discretion.

How do I become an SME Coach?
Contact us if you are interested in becoming an SME Coach. You will be required to submit a resume and provide a reference.  Once accepted into the program, you will be notified and subsequently matched with a scholarship recipient.