National Mentoring Month

January is National Mentoring Month

Use the opportunity to highlight mentoring, give thanks to those who make it possible, and get more people involved.

The National Mentoring Month website will help you make the most of the month with:

• A campaign toolkit with a message guide, a social media calendar and sample messages, and template press and public official outreach materials.
• A PR toolkit developed by the Minnesota Mentoring Partnership and agency Weber Shandwick.
• Digital materials, including a web badge to show your participation in NMM, a Facebook cover image, a digital thank you card for Thank Your Mentor Day and the NMM logo.
• Public Service Announcement videos and audio recordings featuring two mentor-mentee pairs and General Colin Powell. These web versions can be shared via social media and on your organization's website. Broadcast quality versions for media outlets to download and air on TV and radio are also available.
• Print marketing materials, including posters, recruitment cards, bookmarks and thank you cards.
• A Collaborative Mentoring Webinar Series: Leveraging National Mentoring Month- now online.

Event Ideas

*Don't forget to post events on the DMC calendar*

Host an open house for mentors, mentees, and families. Encourage mentors to bring a friend who might want to be a mentor. It could even be a potluck.

Organize a group tour of a local museum, or park for mentors/mentees. For ideas see: http://www.visitdelaware.com/

Sponsor a photo exhibit with art created by mentees and their mentors. Work with a local cultural center, businesses, mall, etc. to display it.

Work with a local professional, college, or high school athletic team game to host a special mentor/mentee sports clinic or special event at one of their competitions.

Host a service project for mentors and mentees. See and post volunteer opportunities at http://www.volunteerdelaware.org/ and www.idealist.org

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service is in January. See www.mlkday.gov for ideas.

Conduct a college or career focused event such as a site visit or resource fair that will encourage mentees to understand the importance of preparing for their future.

Sponsor a mentor recruitment fair.

Thank Your Mentor Day is January 17^th. Post a tribute here: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/chc/wmy/Thank_Them/intro.html

Hold an intergenerational event where seniors and youth can get to know each other. (Note: Delawareans over the age of 55 can seek volunteer opportunities through the state’s RSVP program - http://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dssc/sov/rsvp.html)

Promote opportunities where mentees can get exposed to career environments with mentors.

Host a guest lecture series where local figures can speak interactively with kids. Invite mentees, their friends and mentors.

Create a legislative showcase that brings state leaders together to illustrate how mentoring is making a positive difference in young people’s lives.

Sponsor a "Mentoring Day" in your town and invite all mentor/mentee pairs out for a fun day with other mentors and mentees.

Collaborate with other mentoring programs to host an event, generate excitement, cut costs, and expand resources/ideas.

Have a party! Celebrate successes, give out awards, and include everyone who is a part of the mentoring process.