Small Business: Efforts to Improve Activities of the Service Corps of Retired Executives
RCED-91-5
Published: Nov 20, 1990. Publicly Released: Dec 21, 1990.
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Highlights
Pursuant to a legislative requirement, GAO reviewed the operations of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), focusing on: (1) how SCORE operates and the services it provides to the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Small Business Development Centers (SBDC); and (2) SCORE management and administration of its chapters.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Service Corps of Retired Executives | Because of the various ways in which chapters interpreted reporting requirements, the President, SCORE, should provide written guidance on reporting to the chapters, as well as guidance for implementing changes to the counseling form and the management information system now being considered. |
Closed – Implemented
SCORE with SBA assistance updated and issued its Standard Operating Manual in January 1991. This manual should standardize reporting requirements and help SCORE and SBA provide better guidance and oversight to its chapters and field offices.
|
| Service Corps of Retired Executives | The President, SCORE, and the Administrator, SBA, should work together to help ensure more accurate reporting of data in the management information system. |
Closed – Implemented
SBA and SCORE officials have worked together to ensure accurate management information system reporting. SBA, with SCORE, has developed a more user-friendly and comprehensive report so local SCORE chapters can review and analyze their results. Also, SBA and SCORE will monitor and review quarterly that data is accurately reported and the counseling and training activities are properly tabulated.
|
| Small Business Administration | The President, SCORE, and the Administrator, SBA, should work together to help ensure more accurate reporting of data in the management information system. |
Closed – Implemented
SBA and SCORE officials have worked together to ensure accurate management information system reporting. SBA, with SCORE, has developed a more user-friendly and comprehensive report so local SCORE chapters can review and analyze their results. Also, SBA and SCORE will monitor and review quarterly that data is accurately reported and the counseling and training activities are properly tabulated.
|
| Small Business Administration | The Administrator, SBA, should conduct joint planning meetings and promote the referral SCORE clients to SBDC, to help foster cooperation between SCORE and SBDC. |
Closed – Implemented
On January 29, 1991, SBA convened a meeting of current presidents of SCORE and SBDC. The meeting's purpose was to improve communications and develop a process to encourage referrals among these resources. Based on this meeting, SBA will redesign existing counseling forms to allow audit and stimulate greater cooperation and referrals among the resources.
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Cooperative agreementsData integrityFunds managementProgram evaluationReporting requirementsSmall business assistanceTechnical assistanceVolunteer servicesSmall businessManagement information systems