Prospect Research Training

Waltman Associates offers an on-site training program, both for beginning development researchers and for experienced researchers and staff needing assistance in problem areas such as office organization or financial research.

"I know where the courthouse is, but I don't know what to look for once I'm there."

Prospect research is a "learn by doing" exercise. One can absorb only so much in a seminar setting. It is by "hands on" experience that one can understand the process.

Our training program integrates an audit of your existing research program with site visits to your local public libraries, historical societies, university libraries, courthouses, and assessor's offices. Actual biographical profiles will be constructed using your prospect list. The focus of the training is to discover the actual resources you will be using for your program. A few days of training can save you months of hunting the stacks in the library and courthouse.

As part of the program, preparatory materials, including a procedures manual and articles on prospect research, are mailed several weeks before the visit. A final report, including recommendations, is submitted on completion of the visit. Follow-up assistance is also included.

"How many people can we train at once?"

To ensure effective training, the maximum number of people for the field trip portion is two or three, although an unlimited number can attend the introductory briefing. This usually is sufficient to satisfy the needs of development staff. If you wish to have more people trained in the field, you may arrange for an extra day of training.

Fees

Program

• Audit interviews and review of systems with staff
• Short introduction for all interested staff, covering basics of prospect
• research
• On-site visits to:
  • Historical society
  • Probate or surrogate court
  • Assessor's office
  • Public library
  • College or university library