NCJ Number
195723
Date Published
February 2001
Length
50 pages
Annotation
Drawing on effective practices used by volunteer-based
organizations and on research findings about mentoring, this
manual describes recruitment strategies that programs can adapt
to meet their particular circumstances.
Abstract
The first section outlines key steps in developing and
implementing any targeted mentor recruitment plan. The following
two basic principles apply to all mentor recruitment efforts:
maintain broad name recognition for the program in the community
and then target recruitment; and create a written plan. The
written plan should contain goals, a time line of scheduled
activities, the name of the person responsible for each item in
the time line, and a budget. In presenting guidelines for the
development of a recruitment plan, suggestions are to identify
characteristics of the program that could positively or
negatively impact the recruitment of particular groups of
mentors; identify the groups that are most likely to respond to
recruitment efforts; draw up a list of requirements and
preference for mentors; identify factors that could motivate
people to volunteer for the program; write a mentor job
description; create the recruitment message and materials; use a
range of strategies to present the message to the community; and
forge linkages with organizations that can help the program gain
credibility and gain access to groups targeted for recruitment.
Other sections of the manual suggest specific approaches for
recruiting two large groups of potential mentors: college
students and older adults. The manual concludes by listing some
important next steps after recruitment. Materials include a
checklist and worksheets to help guide planning, a list of
additional resources, and appended sample forms and useful
readings.
Date Published: February 1, 2001