Recap of Organizational Meeting, October 19, 2005

As an update to those involved with the program, we held an organizational meeting for the mentor program last night. It was well-attended by mentors, one of the teachers at the school (Sunny) and by Charles Osewalt. We made some good progress, and so here is a summary of the discussion:

1. Update on Recruiting

• - HFNY Volunteer Fair this coming Sunday. For anyone who attends services at Redeemer, Ellice will be providing a testimony at the 9:15am and 10:30am services. Greg will be providing a testimony at the 7pm service. We are very-well represented in front of everyone, so this should be a big boost in our recruiting efforts
• - Screening of New Mentors – Recruiting team is working on a formal application that will be used to screen new applicants. This application can be included on the "How to Become a Mentor" portion of the website. In addition, they are working to formalize and document a process to convert initial interest to a shadow day and ultimately to full-on mentors
• - We are planning a follow-up info session to provide a more in-depth look at the mentor program targeted primarily towards prospective mentors met at the HFNY volunteer fair
• - Lastly, we are planning to have a mentor-only event on a weeknight to serve as a social gathering for mentors, especially those new to the program.

2. Update on Programming

• - Dori Gardner sent out an email update earlier today. To summarize, Saturday will begin the goal-setting/college planning portion of the program.
• - The programming team will target sending out emails detailing the coming week’s program a few days before events.
• - In an effort to foster continuity, mentors are encouraged to bring a notebook with them to each event to help document their interactions with their student.
• - In addition to Saturday’s event, a group of mentors (led by Sheba and Ejike) will take a sub-set of the mentees up to Columbia’s campus to give them a glimpse of college life. Any mentors interested in accompanying are more than welcome.
• - While the program is set for this semester, we’re encouraged to start thinking about events for next semester. Suggestions include a talent show (possible link with ArtsConnection), guest speakers surrounding a theme (i.e., diversity and race).
  

3. Update on WCBS Relationship

• - Sheba is working to broaden the mentor program’s role in WCBS AM’s Adopt-a-School program. The students will be involved (outside the mentor program) in several projects with WCBS AM. Charlie would like us to be involved as mentors. More to come.
  

4. Update on Mentor Relationships

• - An ongoing issue is the spontaneous (and sometimes chaotic) pairings and re-pairings of mentees/mentors when either does not attend (without advanced notice). The two solutions will be (1) back-up mentors and (2) more robust system for accounting for absentees
• - Charlie will send to Mark Kiang (our accountability guru) a mentor and mentee roster. We will be developing a system to notify of absences, which will involve notices to mentees, Mark and the back-up mentor to your student.
  

5. Update from Webmaster

• - We will aim to build greater functionality into the website, to include group discussion list and mentor/mentee profiles (on a voluntary basis).
  

6. Introduction to Morris Internship Proposal

• - We are in the very early planning process to develop a program to seek internships for students and provide the requisite support for students to apply and thrive in such roles. More information will be provided as progress is made.
  

7. Miscellaneous

Writing Skills
We need to encourage the students to write more. Many of the students’ writing skills are below average. While we are not expected necessarily to serve as tutors, it is within our charter to encourage them to write. Suggestions include public discussion groups on the website, an essay contest and creative writing projects. We should be encouraging them, as this will be a gating item for them in both employment and college applications. Some creative ways to implement include, at Charlie’s suggestion, using financial incentives (grant money to the school) to encourage students to write. Lindsy Carpenter, who has had prior experience in such a capacity, volunteered to lead a writing workshop with the Morris students.

New York Times Article
Charlie announced that he expects the New York Times education column in next Tuesday’s (10/25) edition will have a brief mention of Morris Academy and the mentor program.