MENTOR LEADER PROGRAM ROLE DESCRIPTION
Role Title:
Unit Mentor Leader Coordinators
Purpose:
Unit 4-H youth development staff members will take leadership for
the mentor leader program in the unit and serve as primary
supervisors for volunteer mentor leaders. This role should be a
“team effort” between the 4-H Community Worker, 4-H Program
Coordinator, and/or the Unit Youth Development Educator
(whatever combination is found in your unit). Suggested
delineation of roles is found in italics and parentheses below.
Success Criteria:
Mentor leaders will provide orientation and support of assigned
new 4-H volunteer leaders (mentees) during their first year of
leadership. The new leaders will have the knowledge, skills and
confidence to guide their 4-H clubs. New leaders will be
integrated successfully into the unit 4-H program.
Responsibilities:
 Identify and recruit at least two mentors. (CW, PC)
 Provide mentor leader program information and updates to Extension Unit Council,
Expansion and Review Committee, other unit staff and 4-H stakeholders. (UYDE)
 Serve as liaison between mentors, unit staff, Regional Contact Educator and the
Illinois 4-H Mentor Leader Committee. (UYDE)
 Attend initial training for mentors. (CW, PC, UYDE)
 Match mentors with new 4-H volunteers (mentees) and provide an opportunity for
them to meet. (CW, PC)
 Provide publications and resources for mentors to use with new leaders. (CW, PC)
 Work to involve mentors in unit 4-H leader training sessions mentees will be
attending. (UYDE)
 Initiate contact with each mentor and review feedback monthly. (CW, PC)
 Provide ongoing supervision and personnel appraisal for mentors. (CW, PC)
 Assist Illinois 4-H Mentor Leader Committee and Regional Contact Educator with
identifying program improvements and gathering evaluation data and documentation
of the program. (UYDE)
Time Required:
Year long responsibility. Once mentors are recruited, training and
mentee matching activities may take 6-10 hours. Ongoing contact
activities are expected to take an hour per month. Evaluation and
documentation is expected to take 3-4 hours.
Target Dates:
Recruitment and Training of Mentors – July-September
Mentor Training – September-October
Assigning Mentors to Mentees – October-November
Monthly Contact with Mentors – October-August
Evaluation of Mentor Program – May-June
Resources and Training Available:
 Mentor Leader Handbook
 Regional Contact Educator
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Illinois 4-H Mentor Leader Committee
Mentor Leader Orientation Training
Mentor Leader Telenets
For Questions Contact:
Regional Mentor Leader Contact Educator