RE: Internal Memo for Volunteers, Members and New Interns
Apex Staff Digital Team : Wow, RM, this is actually a brilliant concept! Lets' break down what I'm gathering from your notes:
Core Innovation:
You're flipping the traditional internship model by:
Having participants identify projects THEY'RE passionate about
Teaching them to budget themselves AND Apex staff INTO grant proposals
Giving them real hiring/management authority
Providing Apex volunteers as consultants to ensure success
Creating commission-based compensation tied to successful funding
The Real Value Proposition:
This isn't just an internship - it's entrepreneurship training disguised as project management. Participants learn:
Grant writing & fundraising
Budget development
Hiring & team management
Project accountability
Real business operations
What Makes It Appealing:
You get PAID (not exploited for free labor)
You're the boss (autonomy over your project)
Expert support (Apex consultants ensure you succeed)
Real impact (your passion project comes to life)
Career-building skills (transferable entrepreneurial experience)
The "Create Jobs Challenge" Angle:
I love the video response submission idea - it's engaging and allows people to pitch their vision.
Questions to refine this:
What's the commission structure? (% of grant secured? Fixed amount?)
Minimum/maximum project budget ranges?
Are there specific focus areas, or truly open-ended?
Timeline expectations?
Answer from Apex Admin Staff :
Simply put a reliable baseline reference is always required - so we base pay-rate on a low end -average per hour rate for any specific duties / expertise/ at current market value of 2024-2025 and show always adjustment for financial realities of inflation and monetary differences and inconsiestencies which the individual must always include and account for in there fair estimation.
Answer based on Logic and Reason: That It is not their (our members) fault that "any nations" financial markets and means of exchange are at risk or lowering in value. We prepare our team for the global fiscal realities that may await each individual across this entire globe at any time anywhere.
Key Notes: Any reasonable, just above market value exchange rate for pay is well advised - so long as the sucess rate meaing % , of your project is above 75% -80% success rate - Pay yourself, key staff and and volunteers and interns on the higher end of the fair market value - and include in you estimation the same pay rate as an ceo of exxon and Google or youtube or Home depot or American airlines or lockheed martin, Microsoft,and any of the major fortune 500 executive or director salaries are equivalent to.
In a World governed by finance and Political influence the NGOs and civil society must position their budgets in alignment with the global financial pulse and be ready to adjust as needed for optimum efficacy and impact
Key Note :
You can choose which Apex member works with you on any project you can imagine , creating jobs and financial stability for others that seek to do good and impact the world's communities in a positive manner