MENTOR LEADER PROGRAM ROLE DESCRIPTION

Role Title:Unit Mentor Leader Coordinators

Purpose:Unit 4-H youth development staff members will take leadership for the mentor leader program in the unit and serve as primary supervisors for volunteer mentor leaders. This role should be a “team effort” between the 4-H Community Worker, 4-H Program Coordinator, and/or the Unit Youth Development Educator (whatever combination is found in your unit). Suggested delineation of roles is found in italics and parentheses below.

Success Criteria:Mentor leaders will provide orientation and support of assigned new 4-H volunteer leaders (mentees) during their first year of leadership. The new leaders will have the knowledge, skills and confidence to guide their 4-H clubs. New leaders will be integrated successfully into the unit 4-H program.

Responsibilities:

  • Identify and recruit at least two mentors. (CW, PC)
  • Provide mentor leader program information and updates to Extension Unit Council, Expansion and Review Committee, other unit staff and 4-H stakeholders. (UYDE)
  • Serve as liaison between mentors, unit staff, Regional Contact Educator and the Illinois 4-H Mentor Leader Committee. (UYDE)
  • Attend initial training for mentors. (CW, PC, UYDE)
  • Match mentors with new 4-H volunteers (mentees) and provide an opportunity for them to meet. (CW, PC)
  • Provide publications and resources for mentors to use with new leaders. (CW, PC)
  • Work to involve mentors in unit 4-H leader training sessions mentees will be attending. (UYDE)
  • Initiate contact with each mentor and review feedback monthly. (CW, PC)
  • Provide ongoing supervision and personnel appraisal for mentors. (CW, PC)
  • Assist Illinois 4-H Mentor Leader Committee and Regional Contact Educator with identifying program improvements and gathering evaluation data and documentation of the program. (UYDE)

Time Required:Year long responsibility. Once mentors are recruited, training and mentee matching activities may take 6-10 hours. Ongoing contact activities are expected to take an hour per month. Evaluation and documentation is expected to take 3-4 hours.

Target Dates:Recruitment and Training of Mentors – July-September

Mentor Training – September-October

Assigning Mentors to Mentees – October-November

Monthly Contact with Mentors – October-August

Evaluation of Mentor Program – May-June

Resources and Training Available:

  • Mentor Leader Handbook
  • Regional Contact Educator
  • Illinois 4-H Mentor Leader Committee
  • Mentor Leader Orientation Training
  • Mentor Leader Telenets

For Questions Contact:

Regional Mentor Leader Contact Educator