Partner mentoring leads to rural success
As SPEC continues its efforts to help more taxpayers in rural communities, the RM & partner success stories are building too. The goal is to share as many of these stories as possible, with the premise that they may possibly help others expand their reach in rural areas.
Here’s a rural success story from Tax Consultant Therese (Tess) Armstrong
Describe to us your geographic area and current partnership base.
As the sole SPEC Relationship Manager in Maine, my territory covers the entire state – which is large enough to fit the five other New England states within its geographic borders.
How did your success story begin?
Back in 2008, Maine’s rural strategy plan included expansion into rural Aroostook County, and in partnership with AARP Tax-Aide, a VITA program was proposed at a presentation to local officials in Presque Isle.
What steps did you take next?
Three years after that initial presentation, United Way of Aroostook contacted me about establishing the Aroostook CA$H VITA coalition. Also, as initially proposed, program leaders were encouraged and agreed to volunteer with AARP Tax-Aide to obtain experience in tax preparation, site operation, and to learn the Quality Site Requirements necessary to run a successful VITA site.
How long did it take you to work this opportunity?
The saying, “never give up” is so true. It was five years from the time I initially presented my proposal to Stakeholders in Aroostook County and the actual establishment of their successful VITA program in 2013.
In your opinion, what were the key actions that made this turn out successfully?
Mentoring with AARP Tax-Aide of Maine provided Aroostook CA$H with an understanding of the complexities of operating a VITA site. Aroostook CA$H mentored with AARP Tax-Aide of Maine for one filing season. The next filing season the coalition successfully e-filed 151 federal tax returns, easily surpassing their initial set goal of 50 minimum tax returns. During the 2018 filing season, the coalition e-filed more than 700 federal tax returns.
Consistent leadership and enthusiastic support from United Way of Aroostook (and its board members) has also been integral toward the program’s success.
What advice would you give to fellow TCs/RMs to gain additional successes?
Positive reinforcement and quickly responding to your partner’s questions and concerns is instrumental in your partner’s continued engagement.
Other information:
The program has expanded to Fort Kent, Maine (on the Canadian Border) and Houlton Maine, but it took years to find the ideal sites in those locations. In 2017, County Federal Credit Union joined Aroostook CA$H and expanded the volunteer base to include 21 new Asset Building Coaches.