Mentoring & Retaining

Youth/Young Adults

Extension CouncilYouth Leadership

(ECYL)Topic #6

Produced by the Council Leadership Development Committee ― Missouri Council Leadership Development - a partnership of the Missouri Extension County Council Leadership Council and University of Missouri Extension

(c) 2007 University of Missouri Board of Curators. Updated October 2011.

University of Missouri Extension does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran in employment or program. Funding for this project was made possible by a grant from the Surdna Foundation and the National 4-H Council.

Extension Council Youth Leadership

(ECYL)Topic #6

LearningObjectives:

• Understand what factors contribute to a young person’s success in serving on a local board or council.

• Identify how mentoring determines retention or attrition of young people.

• Grasp what youth are looking for in a council mentor.

• Understand and apply good mentoring practices.

• Demonstrate facilitation and group process techniques that engage younger members.

Mentoring & Retaining Youth/Young Adults

• Characteristics of a good mentor

• Guidelines for pairing youth with mentors

• When something isn’t working

Excerpt from 15 Points: Successfully Involving Young People in Decision-Making. (2006).  Youth on Board, Inc.: Somerville, MA.  http://www.youthonboard.org.

Mentoring & Retaining Youth/Young Adults

• Characteristics of a good mentor– Ability to relate to young people– Enthusiasm– Patience– Knowledge base– Overall personality

Excerpt from 15 Points: Successfully Involving Young People in Decision-Making. (2006).  Youth on Board, Inc.: Somerville, MA.  http://www.youthonboard.org.

Mentoring & Retaining Youth/Young Adults

• Guidelines for pairing youth with a mentor

– Know each other already– Live nearby (transportation to meetings)– Male to male, female to female– Common vocations or interests– Parental approval– Allow young people voice in the match

Excerpt from 15 Points: Successfully Involving Young People in Decision-Making. (2006).  Youth on Board, Inc.: Somerville, MA.  http://www.youthonboard.org.

Mentoring & Retaining Youth/Young Adults

• What if something isn’t working?– Designate a staff person to coordinate– Schedule periodic check-ins with youth members– Ask for informal evaluations of pairings after a

few council meetings – Spend time with youth outside of meetings– Involve parents Excerpt from 15 Points: Successfully Involving Young People in Decision-Making. (2006).  Youth on Board, Inc.: Somerville, MA. 

http://www.youthonboard.org.

Mentoring Youth Representatives

Actions to Ensure Youth Are:

Informed + Engaged + Supported= Retained Members

Informed Engaged Supported

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Mentoring & Retaining Youth/Young Adults

Action Step…• Identify two persons who will serve as

mentors to new youth/young adult members.

• Record steps mentors will take to ensure young people are informed, engaged, and supported.

County Extension Council Training Module

Extension Council Youth Leadership (ECYL)

Produced by the Council Leadership Development Committee a partnership of the Missouri Extension County Council Leadership Council and University of

Missouri Extensionhttp://extension.missouri.edu/extcouncil/training/

Funding for this project was made possible by a grant from the Surdna Foundation and the National 4-H Council.