Mentor Opportunity for UMaine Students
Volunteering to be a Mentor will Open a Spot for a Maine Teen to Join the Program!
Youth have a Voice is a teen leadership program open to any Maine high school age student who is interested in taking a more active role in serving their local communities, the state, or the country. Youth will learn leadership skills and ways to participate in civic action by completing a service project on a topic of their interest. New members are admitted on a rotating basis as open spots become available.
We invite interested UMaine students to help guide 4-H youth as they develop leadership skills and practice civic engagement! Mentors will be matched with 4-H teens based on their interests for service projects.
No prior experience in 4-H is required. Mentors don’t need to have a deep knowledge of civic engagement either!
Types of 4-H Teen Service Projects:
- Youth Board Member: Serve as a youth representative on a board or council
- Policy Leader: Provide input to a policy or rule being developed
- Public Service Leader: Carry out a community service project
Brief Description of Mentor Duties:
- Build a positive relationship with a 4-H member by supporting their progress through the program and providing insight to the development of their service project.
- Meet with mentees twice a month: Monthly statewide learning sessions with all participants and monthly independent meetings with mentees for project guidance (online or in-person).
- Mentors will attend project related meetings with mentees (when relevant to project completion)
- End-of-program gathering (Program Conclusion) for all members at a central location in the state
UMaine Student Mentor Application Process:
- Completed application form with a faculty reference (to be released later this summer)
- Signed mentor responsibility form (to be released later this summer)
- A brief interview with 4-H program staff
- Orientation, 4-H volunteer training (online), and background check
| Activity | Frequency | Approximate Time |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation and 4-H Volunteer Training | September | Four hours |
| Meetings with Mentee | Monthly, 15-60 minutes | Eight hours |
| Statewide Check-ins by Zoom | Monthly, one and a half hours | 12 hours |
| Material and Direct Project Guidance | Bi-weekly | Varies |
| Program Conclusion | May | Five hours |
| Sum Total for mentoring one teen | These times may be adjusted to meet the needs of internship credits | >50 hours |
| Sum Total for Mentoring a second teen, a group of teens on the same project, or deliver a lesson at a monthly learning session | — | >75 hours |
If you would like to learn more or request an application, please fill out the Mentor Interest Form (Google Form) or contact Andrew Hudacs, 207.581.8204 or andrew.hudacs@maine.edu.
Ready to Apply?
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