Description of MMP Trainings

Click on the headings below for more information on each training, including dates through December 2013, pricing and locations. You can also download this document for an overview of trainings for 2013.

Advocacy: State Budget Planning (Webinar)
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.

Best Practices in Evaluation - Presented by MMP Partner Programs
This is the first of several presentations by partner programs that have demonstrated high standards of practice throughout their mentoring programming. This presentation will showcase the evaluation methods and results from Project Coach in Springfield and Everybody Wins! Metro Boston. The presentation is appropriate for mentoring program staff involved with evaluation planning, design and implementation. Additionally, participants will learn the results of an informal evaluation methods survey conducted by MMP at the 2012 fall networking meetings. The discussion and survey results will help determine the next presentation/training for MMP programs.

Building a Quality Mentoring Program
This two-day intensive training (May 29 and 30, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days) will help you develop, operate, and sustain your youth mentoring program at the highest level of quality based on the Elements of Effective Practice. The training focuses on the following topics: 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, general policies and procedures; core operational practices such as mentor screening, support, and recruitment; and program evaluation. Lunch on your own. This program has been approved for Social Work Continuing Education hours for re-licensure. Click on the training heading for more details.

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 worldview of others. Participants will also have the opportunity to discuss how culture informs a mentoring program; affects their interaction with mentors, mentees, and families; and influences perceptions of individuals and mentoring programs. This training will help participants learn how to take the first steps towards a higher level of cultural competency and incorporate culturally competent measures into the mentoring program as a whole. This program has been approved for Social Work Continuing Education hours for re-licensure. Click on the training heading for more details.

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 whom you want to become members. Representatives from the MMP marketing team 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 Budget before attending this training.

Grant Writing with MMP - Funding Focus (Webinar)
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.

Introduction to Mentoring A-Z (Building a Mentoring Program) E-Learning Workshop
This is an interactive and introductory 45-minute e-learning workshop on the steps to plan and operate a youth mentoring program based on Elements of Effective Practice. This session provides basic information on developing program models and structures, goals and objectives, core operational practices such as mentor screening and recruitment, and program evaluation. During this self-guided workshop, participants will be able to create outlines of their program design plans and print them out for later use. Participants also receive an introductory handbook on youth mentoring and program development.

Introduction to Program Evaluation Planning
This full-day introductory training will enable youth mentoring programs to understand and implement an evaluation of key components of their programs and their 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. Discussions will also include sharing best practices around conducting data analysis and disseminating the evaluation findings. Lunch on your own.

Match Support: What do Mentors Need from Program Staff to Succeed?
In this interactive, seminar-based training, you will learn from MMP staff and other participants about best practices to help mentors and mentees build and sustain successful relationships with each other. This training aims to increase staff capacity in effective communication, information management, ongoing training and support, and relationship tracking and monitoring. Participants will gain enhanced problem-solving skills to more successfully support and engage with youth, mentors, and families in mentoring relationships. This program has been approved for Social Work Continuing Education hours for re-licensure. Click on the training heading for more details.

Recruitment and Marketing on a Shoestring Budget
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; gain more access to 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. Lunch is on your own. The event is free of charge but pre-registration at least two days in advance is required.

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. This training will cover information on how to build a safe environment at your program and how to support mentors who are matched with this cohort of youth. This workshop will also cover resources on where to find additional information and support for program staff, mentors, families and GLBTQ youth. This program has been approved for Social Work Continuing Education hours for re-licensure. Click on the training heading for more details.

Train the Trainer on Mentee 101
Learn how to prepare a fun workshop for new mentees to help them understand your program.
This full 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 are specific to their program. Participants receive a handbook that includes tools and resources on training and group facilitation for this target audience. Lunch on your own. This program has been approved for Social Work Continuing Education hours for re-licensure. Click on the training heading for more details.

Train the Trainer on Mentoring 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 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 on your own. This program has been approved for Social Work Continuing Education hours for re-licensure. Click on the training heading for more details. Participants are asked to bring a copy of the current training agenda being used to train new mentors.

Other trainings occasionally offered:

Board Development
Participants will learn the basics of recruiting, engaging, and sustaining active board members who will support their youth mentoring programs.

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.

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 is on your own.

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.

Roundtable Breakfast Discussions

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.

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.