Mentor Opportunity for UMaine Students
We are Seeking UMaine Students to Serve as Mentors for a New 4-H Teen Leadership Pilot Program!
This nine-month program is for high school-age teens who are interested in taking a more active role in serving their local communities, the state, or the country. The purpose of the program is for Maine teens to be introduced to civic processes, connect with peers and adults through civic engagement, and complete a service project in their community.
We invite interested UMaine students to help guide 4-H youth as they develop leadership skills and practice civic engagement! No prior experience in 4-H is required. Mentors will be matched with 4-H teens based on their knowledge, skills, and interests for service projects.
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 service project, assisting their learning of civic processes, and informing their strategies to meet project goals.
- 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 civic engagement meetings with mentees (when relevant to the project)
- 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, one-hour | Eight hours |
| Statewide Check-ins by Zoom | Monthly, one and a half hours | 12 hours |
| Material and Direct Project Guidance | Bi-weekly | 50 hours |
| Program Conclusion | May | Eight hours |
| Sum Total for mentoring one teen | — | 82 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 | — | 125 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?
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 Boudreau Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).