Checking References, Selecting a Consultant, and Creating a Contract

Checking References

After completing the interview process, check references of candidates in which you are still interested. Focus on what the consultant helped the referring organization accomplish regarding inclusiveness or diversity. Place less emphasis on whether or not the person providing the reference liked the training. (Because inclusiveness can be a difficult subject for many people and can cause turmoil within an organization, training sessions may not always be enjoyable or fun.) Ask if the consultant worked with them to meet their goals, if they felt that the training session effectively moved the organization further toward inclusiveness, and if the consultant strived to communicate effectively with and listen to the organization's members. Ask open-ended questions whenever possible.

After you contact the references provided to you by the consultant, you may want to call organizations with whom the consultant has worked, but who were not listed as references. This can deepen your understanding of the consultant's expertise.

Selecting a Consultant

Based on the proposals, interviews, and reference checks, offer the contract to the consultant who best fits your organization's needs.

Creating a Contract

Your organization may have a standard contract for consultants or you may wish to ask the consultant if he/she has a contract template that can be customized and used for your organization. It is always prudent to consult your legal counsel in matters of contract law. Local nonprofit associations may also share samples of consultant contracts, or you may find samples of such contracts at websites designed to provide technical support to nonprofit organizations.

As you create a contract, it's very important to discuss roles with your consultant. Based on completion of the exercises in this module, describe what the organization will do and what you expect the consultant will do. Establish an effective arrangement for your working relationship. You may even want to create a workplan or a training syllabus with the consultant. These documents can (and should) be adjusted as needs and expectations shift throughout work with the consultant.

Responsibility for Hiring a Consultant and Developing a Request for Proposals (RFP) 

Identifying Consultant Prospects and Interviewing Candidates

Monitoring Your Work with Your Consultant