Greetings!
Please enjoy the first edition of the Michigan 4-H Youth Mentoring News! This newsletter will provide information on professional development opportunities, vacancy announcements, and upcoming 4-H mentoring events. If you do not want to continue to receive these emails, please unsubscribe at the bottom of the screen.
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Professional Development Workshops Approved for Certified Educational Units (CEU) |
 MSU Extension is pleased to announce that the following professional development opportunities have been approved by Michigan State University Department of Family & Child Ecology for .5 CEU credits. For those who choose to earn CEUs, there is an additional $20 administration fee.
These skill building workshops are designed to assist youth mentoring professionals, AmeriCorps members and volunteer administrators in efforts to meet the Michigan Quality Program Standards for Youth Mentoring. Sessions are designed from the youth mentoring perspective, however; all interested participants are welcome.
Crossing the Gap: Communicating Across Generations: April 22, 2010 - Eaton County MSUE, Charlotte
This interactive workshop will begin with activities and discussion to better understand the different perspectives of various generations and how these differences impact work style, communication, goals, and outlooks. In the afternoon, we will move into a train-the-trainer format and share resources and activities that can be used to share this information with your volunteers, participants or staff members.
Interviewing Skills and Mentor Screening: April 28, 2010 - Wayne County MSUE, Detroit
In this interactive session, participants will learn the importance volunteer screening and some of the tools available to assist programs in meeting Quality Program Standard number three: eligibility screening. Participants will learn and practice techniques for interviewing potential mentors and mentees.
Train the Trainer 2: New Training Activities: May 6, 2010 - Ottawa County MSUE, West Olive
This interactive workshop is designed for experienced trainers and individuals who have already attended Train the Trainer: Mentor Training. In this session, we will introduce new mentor training curriculum and activities that can be used to enhance your current training.
Matching, Monitoring, and Closing Mentor Matches: May 17, 2010 - Transfiguration Episcopal Church, Indian River
In this interactive session, participants will learn strategies for making and monitoring mentee-mentor matches, examine ways to support and recognize matches, and learn the importance of using a formal match closure procedure and ways this procedure can be structured.
Increasing Cultural Competency in Mentoring Relationships: May 25, 2010 - Ottawa County MSUE, West Olive
Mentoring relationships often bring together individuals with diverse cultures and backgrounds. It is important to be aware of one's own values and beliefs when entering into a relationship with a young person whose experiences may color his or her world differently in order to move forward with a friendship based on mutual respect. This interactive workshop will begin with activities and discussion related to stereotypes, poverty, and cultural competency. In the afternoon, we will move into a train-the-trainer format and share resources and curriculum that can be used when training volunteers, participants or staff members.
We are also pleased to offer the following webinar:
Tools for Conducting Background Checks: May 5, 2010 -- Webinar
This webinar is a follow-up to the Interviewing Skills and Mentor Screening workshop. Navigating the variety of background checks that are available and choosing what is right for your program can be intimidating and confusing. During this session participants will learn how to access and use the various background check options including: ICHAT, FBI Fingerprint checks, SafetyNET, Michigan Sex Offender Registry, Child Abuse Registry, Sex Offender Registry, and local law enforcement agency checks. This session is designed for those who are unfamiliar with these resources or those who want to explore the advantages and disadvantages of the different resources.
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Now Seeking Sponsors for 2010 4-H Mentoring Weekend |
 For the past two summers, Michigan State University Extension has hosted 4-H Mentoring Weekend at the Kettunen Center in Tustin, MI. 4-H Mentor Michigan Initiative AmeriCorps members partner with MSUE staff to provide mentor matches from around the state an opportunity to enjoy a camp experience. Participants engage in outdoor recreational activities, crafts, service projects and team building experiences designed to strengthen their mentoring relationship.
The third annual 4-H Mentoring Weekend will be held on July 16, 17, and 18, at the Kettunen Center in Tustin, MI. Mentoring Weekend is designed to strengthen and support the mentoring community across the state. The event is coordinated by 4-H Mentor Michigan Initiative AmeriCorps members with support from MSUE 4-H staff and is open to mentoring matches from programs throughout Michigan.
The main focus of 4-H Mentoring Weekend is to continue the crucial support for youth involved in these programs. Youth who attend 4-H Mentoring Weekend will be exposed to a number of opportunities and new experiences, like improving communication skills with adults and peers, experiencing opportunities for leadership and teamwork, developing a network of support with other mentees, learning about positive outdoor and indoor social recreational activities and gaining vital developmental assets including confidence, a sense of belonging, service to others, and exposure to diversity.
Many youth who participate in mentoring programs come from low-income families that are unable to afford the costs of the weekend. The estimated cost for this weekend is $175/person for two-nights lodging, six meals, and all activities. We want to offer the weekend to mentors and mentees for $30 per person or less. We are seeking partnerships and sponsors to help up bridge the financial gap and ensure that all mentoring participants have access to this event.
It is only through the assistance of community partnerss that we are able to continue serving youth in the mentoring community. Please consider how you can help us make a positive difference for these youth. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or would like to know more about 4-H Mentoring Weekend, please contact Jillian Tremonti by phone at 517-353-9418 or email at tremont5@msu.edu. |
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Vacancy Announcement: Wayne County MSUE |
 Wayne County MSU Extension is seeking a full-time Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development-Mentoring. This position is responsible for coordinating the partnership between The Michigan State University Extension 4-H Mentoring Program and the Wayne County Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) and will provide youth development and mentoring programs for at-risk youth in Wayne County. This position is part of the MSUE Children and Youth Institute and will work jointly with the other 4-H Mentoring Extension Educators, 4-H Mentoring Program Associates, Wayne County Department of Children and Family Services staff and other Extension staff in the county, district, and state to implement youth mentoring programs and build assets in youth and families across the life cycle. The application deadline is April 30th. For more information, please see MSU Extension Vacancy Announcments. |
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MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
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