Click on the headings below for more information on each training, including dates through June 2012, pricing and locations.

Advocacy
In this webinar, learn about the Mentoring Line Item and the Massachusetts state budget. We will review the budgeting process and discuss how mentoring programs can help maintain or even increase state investments in mentoring.

Board Development
Participants will learn the basics of recruiting, engaging, and sustaining active board members who will support their youth mentoring programs. Chief Program Officer of MMP, Marty Martinez, will lead the free webinar.

Building a Diversified Funding Base
This introductory full-day training, designed specifically for mentoring programs, will provide practical strategies and tools on the key components of fundraising, including developing a diversified plan, resources, a variety of fundraising avenues – from special events to corporate donations – and donor stewardship. The training will include hands-on practice opportunities, and participants will receive a resource handbook. Recommended for program staff new to the development field. Lunch is provided.

Building a Quality Program
A two-day intensive training so that your youth mentoring program is developed, operated, and sustained at the highest level of quality based on the Elements of Effective Practice. The training focuses on program development, including models and structures, the definition of mentoring, using research as a guide for establishing program practices, setting goals and objectives; assessing community needs and setting goals to meet the need; program management and general policies and procedures; core operational practices such as mentor screening, support, and recruitment; and program evaluation. Lunch is provided.

Communication and Relationship Skills for Match Support Staff
This three-hour training is an advanced training for program staff who have attended the standard MMP Match Support training. This interactive training focuses on strengthening communication between program staff and mentors and parents (caregivers); the role of relationship building between program staff and mentors and parents (caregivers), and the impact of communication and relationship building with conflict resolution. This is being offered the same day as Match Support and lunch will be provided to those who attend both sessions.

Cultural Competency
This three-hour interactive introductory training is for program staff to enhance their cultural competency skills and strengthen this aspect of their mentoring program. Participants will explore their own cultural perspectives and the world view of others. Discussions will include: how does culture inform our mentoring program, our interaction with mentors, mentees, and families, and, how do they perceive us as individuals and our mentoring programs. Taking the first steps towards a higher level of cultural competency for the individual participant and incorporating culturally competent measures in to the mentoring program as a whole will be detailed.

Developing Workplace Partnerships
Learn the “how-to’s” of developing workplace partnerships to effectively recruit potential mentors from the employee pool. This three-hour training will focus on practical tips and strategies, from building a relationship with the staff that can open the right doors at the corporation to recruiting messages that will resonate with the employees who you want to become members. Representatives from the corporate sector will present their perspectives on building partnerships and be available to answer questions. It is recommended that participants attend the Mentor Recruitment and Marketing on a Shoestring before attending this training.

Grant Writing
This introductory-level training, now being offered online, provides a strong foundation on the key skills and knowledge needed to write effective grant proposals for your youth mentoring program. Learn to make your proposals stronger and more effective. Topics to be covered include different types of grants, researching funding sources, developing an action plan to produce the proposal, and a detailed focus on the components of a proposal. The training will include hands-on practice opportunities.

Intro to Mentoring A-Z
This is a basic introductory three-hour workshop on the steps to plan and operate a youth mentoring program based on Elements of Effective Practice. This session provides basic information on program models and structures, setting goals and objectives, core operational practices such as mentor screening and recruitment, and program evaluation. Participants receive an introductory handbook on youth mentoring and program development.

Introduction to Program Evaluation
A full-day introductory training to enable youth mentoring programs to understand and implement an evaluation of key components of their programs and the program's impact on the youth served. Content will include program evaluation principles; models for evaluating mentoring programs, including data collection tools, and qualitative and quantitative processes; and constructing an affordable plan that staff can implement on an annual basis. Discussion will include data collection tools, analysis of data, and how to use and disseminate the evaluation findings. 

Match Support: What do Mentors Need from Program Staff to Succeed?
Learn from MMP staff and each other about the most effective practices to help mentors and mentees build and sustain successful relationships with each other. This three-hour introductory training will focus on topics ranging from communication and feedback between mentors, mentees, and staff on difficult issues to cultural diversity issues that arise in mentoring relationships. This is being offered the same day as Communication and Relationship Skill Building for Match Support Staff (formerly Match Support Level 2) and lunch will be provided to those who attend both sessions.

National Mentoring Month webinar

Recruitment and Marketing on a Shoestring 
This three-hour training provides participants with basic principles for marketing a mentoring program and recruiting volunteers to mentor youth. Topics include how to develop a year-round recruitment plan that includes goals, marketing and outreach strategies, and success measures; develop a persuasive communications plan to promote a mentoring program and recruit the right volunteers; and more easily access resources and build relationships for marketing and mentor recruitment.

Regional Networking Meetings
These are free networking sessions offered a few times throughout the year in various locations across the state. You will have an opportunity to network with colleagues and provide updates for your program. MMP will provide a light lunch for all pre-registered participants. The event is free of charge but pre-registration at least two days in advance is required.

• Boston
• Northeast
• Western MA
• Southeast MA

Roundtable Breakfast Discussions

• Youth in Foster Care
• Youth with Disabilities
• Peer Mentoring

Screening Prospective Mentors for Effectiveness and Youth Safety
This three-hour interactive training draws on the most up-to-date research on the qualities and characteristics that can be sought and nurtured in volunteer adults to help them to build successful mentoring relationships. Participants will learn current screening practices and tools, and monitoring process to maximize safety for youth as recommended by the Elements of Effective Practice, the nationally recognized standards in the field.

NEW Train the Trainer on Mentee 101
This one-day training prepares programs to learn how to facilitate and plan an introductory new mentee training within their own programs. Participants learn how to adapt their current training or to create a new training that is fun, informational, and relevant for age groups that is is specific to their program. Participants receive a handbook that includes tools and resources on training and group facilitation for this target audience. Lunch is provided.

Train the Trainer on Mentor 101
This one-day workshop prepares mentoring program staff to learn how to facilitate and plan an introductory new mentor training within their own programs. The workshop provides participants with tools and skills for group facilitation, including preparation and delivery techniques, strategies to approach challenging situations, and the opportunity to practice skills learned in a safe and comfortable setting. Participants learn MMP’s basic mentor orientation curricula and how the content can be modified to meet specific program’s goals and target audiences. Participants receive a handbook that includes tools and resources on training and group facilitation for this target audience, as well as the Mentoring 101 curriculum. Lunch is provided. Participants are asked to bring a copy of the current training agenda being used to train new mentors.

Other trainings occasionally offered:

Opening the Doors for Male Volunteers
Are you inadvertently closing the doors on men as mentors? Are you screening out instead of screening in? Are your messages getting men to self-select out prematurely during your screening process? This presentation will focus on the overt and inadvertent messages youth mentoring programs may be sending to men during the recruitment and screening processes.

Research on Understanding Quality Matches
This one-hour webinar is based on the research presented at the Summer Institute for Youth Mentoring at Portland State University. Part One will focus on what research calls “relationality” (relationships) and “instrumentality” (goals) in match structure. We will consider the role of match support for strengthening mentoring relationships and goals. Part Two will focus on the meanings of closeness and conflict within matches of different durations as a way to inform match support.

Skills and Resources to Support GLBTQ Youth in Mentoring Programs
In this three-hour training, learn the unique challenges and risks for GLBTQ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning) youth, how to build a safe environment at your program, how to support mentors who are matched with this cohort of youth, and resources on where to find additional information and support for program staff, mentors, families and GLBTQ youth.

Trainings for New Mentors/Mentees
MMP’s new mentor/mentee trainings are tailored to the program’s individual needs. Planning and workshops involve program staff; are held at the program site; and are scheduled for the convenience of program staff and participants. These trainings are usually 1.5 - two hours in length.

Mentoring 101 for Mentors
This introductory training workshop for new mentors helps prepare them for their role in the mentoring relationship. The workshop includes role-playing, interactive exercises and discussions on the roles and tasks of a mentor; addresses expectations and concerns; focuses on communication skills; and increases awareness of issues such as diversity, youth culture, and youth development.

Mentoring 101 for Mentees
This workshop includes group exercises and discussions for youth to help prepare them for the mentoring relationship. The workshop provides new mentees with the opportunity to learn more about what to expect and addresses their concerns and questions prior to being matched with their mentors.

New Match Kick-off
MMP plans and facilitates group activities designed to enable mentors and mentees to comfortably meet and spend time together for the first time.

For questions about any of MMP's trainings, contact Manager of Training and Technical Assistance, Linda Peterson, at lpeterson@massmentors.org or 617.695.2436.