42nd Tutor/Mentor Leadership and Networking Conference since May 1994

I created the Tutor/Mentor Connection in 1993 to begin a formal process of collecting information about Chicago area tutor/mentor programs. In May 1994 I hosted the first Tutor/Mentor Leadership and Networking Conference, inviting programs that I had discovered to come together to network, share ideas, build relationships and work together to increase visibility and the pool of volunteers and operating dollars every program needs. I'm hosting the next conference on Friday, November 7 at the Metcalfe Federal building.

I've always shared maps during these conferences to emphasize that the goal was to help great programs become available in all high poverty neighborhoods, not just a few places.

I've never had significant sponsors dollars for this conference but it's been possible because all speakers have donated their time to do workshops. In 2011 I created the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC to continue support of the Tutor/Mentor Connection in Chicago and to help similar intermediary groups form in other cities. I have a different tax structure than in the past, but the mission is the same. The lack of money is even more severe than between 1993 and 2011.

Before and after the last conference in May 2014, several speakers posted blog articles talking about the Tutor/Mentor Connection, and/or the conference. You can see these on this article.

The agenda for the November 7 conference is posted here and already some of the workshop presenters have created blog articles to show what they will be talking about and to encourage others to attend. I show these below and as others are written I'll add them to this list.

Valerie F. Leonard, Expert in Community and Organizational Development - see article

E. Wilson, Tutoring For Excellence - see article

Mark Carter, One80 Consulting - Mentoring Programs That Answer WHY Before HOW Succeed More - Read article.

JP Paulus, Do-Gooder Consulting - see article

Mitchell Sholar, Executive Director of City Harvest Outreach Ministry uses the home page of his web site to talk about the conference and to invite people to be sponsors

Here's an article by Steve Sewall, of Chicago Civic Media, providing his explanation of what he sees on the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC web sites. I hope more will look at the side the way Steve has done, then spend time sharing what they are learning with their own network.

Here's one of several videos where leaders talk of why the value the conferences:


Conference Capacity from Cabrini Connections on Vimeo.

Registration is now open - click here to register

We have room for 125 people. The full registration fee is $80, but group rates are available for groups of 3 or more and $30 scholarship rates are available upon request. If you'd like more information connect with me on Twitter @tutormentorteam or on the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC Facebook page.