MENTORS
High School Girls who have leadership experience are invited to serve as Mentors for the Ms President US program. Leadership experience may be demonstrated by recent employment or volunteer work, or by involvement in a leadership program such as: Keystone Club, Girl Scouts, Role Model Mentors, Lion’s Heart, Student Council, Debate Club, etc.
Select your chapter of choice below and fill out the application - we look forward to meeting you!
Select your chapter of choice below and fill out the application - we look forward to meeting you!
- Mentor Role: For each session, Mentors facilitate small group discussions following the speaker / panel presentations. See FAQ below.
- Dates & Time Commitment: One to two Fridays per month from October to March, from 3:00-6:00pm. Mentors are asked to attend as many sessions as possible (there are a total of 8 sessions) as well as the final rehearsal and election. We also expect participation in our fundraising events which are run by the Junior Board. Please see below if you wish to use Ms President US as a reference or credit for service hours.
- Location: Most sessions will be held at the local Library. There will also be a trip to the State Capitol which is optional for Mentors.
- Please complete the Mentor Application found above if interested. Given your application is approved, you will be invited to a Mentor Orientation before the program.
- Eligible for Credit / Service Hours. If you want to use Ms President US as a reference for your service then you must attend 6 sessions at a minimum, participate in at least one fundraising event and attend either the rehearsal or final campaign event.
- No cost to Mentors.
What exactly will I be doing? You will be helping the girls in the program with the activity that follows the speaker / panel presentation. Each session is 90 minutes long. The first 30-45 minutes is the speaker / panel segment. Then there is a 15-minute break/snack during which participants (and you!) can meet and greet the panel leaders, take photos, etc. The last 30 minutes of the program is a “small group activity” where you are needed to help ensure the girls in your group have understood the instruction for the activity, and that each in your group is having a chance to contribute. There will be approximately 5 girls in each small group and 1 assigned Mentor.
In January, the girls will start to prepare their own campaign to run for Ms President US (their town). For these sessions, there are many ways you can be of help, including: helping the girls choose a topic to address; listening to the girls speak about their topic(s) and helping ensure they are communicating clearly; giving the girls advice about the content or format of their presentation; and most importantly, making sure the girls have fun!
What is the time commitment? Mentors are asked to attend as many of the 8 sessions as possible as well as the final rehearsal and election day and participate in staffing our fundraising events. We ask that mentors sign in to each session. Greater attendance will result in a better experience for our participants who look up to the mentors for advice and guidance.
Each session is a 3-hour time commitment, from 3-6pm on a Friday. The rehearsal and election are on two consecutive weekend days in the Spring. Ms President US also relies on Mentors and the Junior Board to staff and run fundraising tables at the holiday and spring strolls which we expect participation in at least one.
As noted above, if you wish to use Ms President US as a reference or for service credit then you need to attend at least 6 sessions, participate in at least one fundraiser and attend either the rehearsal or final election day event.
We also use a private Facebook group to communicate and we ask that you check this weekly for any updates and that you respond to any planning requests so that all events go smoothly..
Is there a cost? There is no charge for Mentors. In fact, to thank you for your support, all mentors will receive “swag” (t-shirt and other program materials). The program is intended to be fun and rewarding for all!
Will I be trained? All accepted Mentor applicants will be invited to a Mentor Orientation before the program that will provide an overview of the program and your role in making the program a success. Prior to each session, you will also receive more specific information about that session’s objectives and what you can do to ensure the girls in your group understand the assignment, and are engaged in the activity.
What if I end up having a conflict and cannot attend a session? We fully understand that emergencies happen, sports events get rescheduled, and your availability can change. That said, please attempt to attend each session and provide as much advance notice as possible if you are not able to make one of the sessions. We also post a poll on the private Facebook page before each session and event to ask about expected attendance. Please respond so that we can plan accordingly.
Can I earn Service Hours or Credit? Yes but if you wish to use Ms President US as a reference for service hours or credit then we ask that you attend at least 6 Ms President US sessions, either the final rehearsal or election day and staff at least one of our fundraising events.
Many leadership organizations will provide service hours and/or other forms of credit. Please check with your own organization leader for specific details.
What is the Junior Board and what does it do? The Junior Board has its own fundraising goals, events and outreach and represents a leadership opportunity for mentors. It is also responsible for being a liaison with the Senior Board. Please see Junior Board Position Descriptions for more information.
Junior Board mentors will have a mandatory leadership training held the same day as Mentor Orientation. This training will be open to all Mentors but only mandatory for the Junior Board.
How can I become part of the Junior Board? Junior board members must have complete one year of being a mentor or being involved with Ms President US before they can apply for the Junior Board. Applicants are evaluated based on their commitment to Ms President US including attendance, impact and a short essay and interview. To apply for the Ridgefield Chapter Junior Board, please find the application here. To apply for the Wilton Chapter Junior Board, please find the application here.
In January, the girls will start to prepare their own campaign to run for Ms President US (their town). For these sessions, there are many ways you can be of help, including: helping the girls choose a topic to address; listening to the girls speak about their topic(s) and helping ensure they are communicating clearly; giving the girls advice about the content or format of their presentation; and most importantly, making sure the girls have fun!
What is the time commitment? Mentors are asked to attend as many of the 8 sessions as possible as well as the final rehearsal and election day and participate in staffing our fundraising events. We ask that mentors sign in to each session. Greater attendance will result in a better experience for our participants who look up to the mentors for advice and guidance.
Each session is a 3-hour time commitment, from 3-6pm on a Friday. The rehearsal and election are on two consecutive weekend days in the Spring. Ms President US also relies on Mentors and the Junior Board to staff and run fundraising tables at the holiday and spring strolls which we expect participation in at least one.
As noted above, if you wish to use Ms President US as a reference or for service credit then you need to attend at least 6 sessions, participate in at least one fundraiser and attend either the rehearsal or final election day event.
We also use a private Facebook group to communicate and we ask that you check this weekly for any updates and that you respond to any planning requests so that all events go smoothly..
Is there a cost? There is no charge for Mentors. In fact, to thank you for your support, all mentors will receive “swag” (t-shirt and other program materials). The program is intended to be fun and rewarding for all!
Will I be trained? All accepted Mentor applicants will be invited to a Mentor Orientation before the program that will provide an overview of the program and your role in making the program a success. Prior to each session, you will also receive more specific information about that session’s objectives and what you can do to ensure the girls in your group understand the assignment, and are engaged in the activity.
What if I end up having a conflict and cannot attend a session? We fully understand that emergencies happen, sports events get rescheduled, and your availability can change. That said, please attempt to attend each session and provide as much advance notice as possible if you are not able to make one of the sessions. We also post a poll on the private Facebook page before each session and event to ask about expected attendance. Please respond so that we can plan accordingly.
Can I earn Service Hours or Credit? Yes but if you wish to use Ms President US as a reference for service hours or credit then we ask that you attend at least 6 Ms President US sessions, either the final rehearsal or election day and staff at least one of our fundraising events.
Many leadership organizations will provide service hours and/or other forms of credit. Please check with your own organization leader for specific details.
What is the Junior Board and what does it do? The Junior Board has its own fundraising goals, events and outreach and represents a leadership opportunity for mentors. It is also responsible for being a liaison with the Senior Board. Please see Junior Board Position Descriptions for more information.
Junior Board mentors will have a mandatory leadership training held the same day as Mentor Orientation. This training will be open to all Mentors but only mandatory for the Junior Board.
How can I become part of the Junior Board? Junior board members must have complete one year of being a mentor or being involved with Ms President US before they can apply for the Junior Board. Applicants are evaluated based on their commitment to Ms President US including attendance, impact and a short essay and interview. To apply for the Ridgefield Chapter Junior Board, please find the application here. To apply for the Wilton Chapter Junior Board, please find the application here.
Those are:
What is the Junior Board and what does it do? The Junior Board has its own fundraising goals, events and outreach and represents a leadership opportunity for mentors. It is also responsible for being a liaison with the Senior Board. Please see Junior Board Position Descriptions for more information.
What is the Junior Board and what does it do? The Junior Board has its own fundraising goals, events and outreach and represents a leadership opportunity for mentors. It is also responsible for being a liaison with the Senior Board. Please see Junior Board Position Descriptions for more information.
Will I be trained?
Junior Board mentors will have a mandatory leadership training held the same day as Mentor Orientation. This training will be open to all Mentors but only mandatory for the Junior Board.
Junior Board mentors will have a mandatory leadership training held the same day as Mentor Orientation. This training will be open to all Mentors but only mandatory for the Junior Board.
How can I become part of the Junior Board? Junior board members must have complete one year of being a mentor or being involved with Ms President US before they can apply for the Junior Board. Applicants are evaluated based on their commitment to Ms President US including attendance, impact and a short essay and interview.
All sessions held in the Dayton Room at the Ridgefield Library (472 Main Street) 4:15-5:45pm
October 7th
October 21st
November 18th
December 16th
January 13th via Zoom
February 10th
March 3rd
March 9th (Field Trip to CT Capitol)
March 26th (Campaign & Election)
October 7th
October 21st
November 18th
December 16th
January 13th via Zoom
February 10th
March 3rd
March 9th (Field Trip to CT Capitol)
March 26th (Campaign & Election)
SESSION DATES
September 30th
October 14th
November 11th
December 2nd
January 13th Via Zoom
Feb 10th
March 3rd
March 9th (Field Trip to CT Capitol)
March 26th (Campaign & Election)
September 30th
October 14th
November 11th
December 2nd
January 13th Via Zoom
Feb 10th
March 3rd
March 9th (Field Trip to CT Capitol)
March 26th (Campaign & Election)
Dates to be Announced Soon!
Meetings take place Saturday mornings at the Hamden Public Library 10-11:30am
October 15th
November 5th
December 10th
January 7th
January 13th via Zoom
February 11th
March 4th
March 9th (Field Trip to State Capitol)
March 26th (Campaign and Election)
October 15th
November 5th
December 10th
January 7th
January 13th via Zoom
February 11th
March 4th
March 9th (Field Trip to State Capitol)
March 26th (Campaign and Election)
Dates to be released soon
I have a question not answered above. Please feel free to email us with any additional questions or concerns: [email protected]
We hope that Mentors will have as much fun with the program as the participants. In many cases, you may learn things you didn’t know before – the adult leaders surely will! Mentors are welcome to take notes, and encourage discussions in their assigned break-out group using their own observations.
We hope that Mentors will have as much fun with the program as the participants. In many cases, you may learn things you didn’t know before – the adult leaders surely will! Mentors are welcome to take notes, and encourage discussions in their assigned break-out group using their own observations.
