Conference wrap up    

Our 2013 biennial conference was held in Auckland last week.  Representatives from 92 organisations from across the youth sector attended.  There was a very strong sense of collaboration with thought provoking presentations and debate.  We were very honoured to have guest presenters that covered the full spectrum from 'policy through to practice' and a few points in between.   

Papers and presentations from our conference presenters are currently being uploaded to the website for people to access. 

At the conference delegates were asked to complete a Strategy Survey to provide input on the direction of the sector.  These are currenlty being analysed and the results will be published just as soon as they are available.

Delegates have also been asked to complete a post conference feedback questionnaire. Again results from the questionnaire will be shared once they have been collated and analysed.  

Final MentorPlus Workshop for 2013 - 1st and 2nd October - places still available

Our final 2 day MentorPlus workshop is to be held in Auckland in 2 weeks time.  Places are still available.  The details are:

Dates:  Tues 1st and Wed 2nd October

Location: Rosepark Hotel, 92 Gladstone Road, Parnell, Auckland

Start time - day one:  The workshop will start at 9.30am to allow for people travelling from out of town. 

Finish time - day two:  The workshop finishes at 4.00pm on Wednesday. 

The Rosepark Hotel offers special accommodation rates for people attending the workshop.   

This is an excellent workshop for anyone working with young people, who would like to add a Mentoring dimension to this role.  During the two day course attendees will learn key skills in:

• communicating effectively with a young person
• managing risk & behaviour when working with a young person
• helping young people explore their identity and culture, and
• assisting personal development

Read more about this programme or register online now. 

Mentoring Matters Workshop: 12 and 13 November 

If you are thinking of establishing a Youth Mentoring programme or want to ensure your current programme is aligned with international best practice, then you should attend this workshop. 

This is what a couple of our recent course attendees had to say: 

'I feel like we have been given good guidelines, timelines and priorities to focus on.  This training has broken down a mammouth task for me and has also helped identify gaps in our existing programmes to address.' Tash Tamiano, Genesis Youth Trust

'This training has given me more confidence - the top tips I need to implement our new mentoring programme. It was very helpful for me to meet others running mentoring programmes and to hear different perspectives'. Kelsey Lyman, YWCA Hamilton.

Topics covered include:

• planning and designing a programme to meet your communities needs
• recruiting mentors
• selection and screening of mentors and mentees
• mentor / mentee orientation and training
• successfully matching mentors and mentees
• supporting the mentor / mentee relationship, and
• Evaluating programme outcomes

Our next course is scheduled for Tues 12th and Wed 13th November.  It is to be held at the Rosepark Hotel, Parnell, Auckland.  Places are still available. 

Read more about this course and register online now. 

In closing

Please pass this e-newsletter on to others in your community that work with young people and have an interest in mentoring.  

Nicki McDonald

General Manager New Zealand Youth Mentoring Network | PO Box 99726 Newmarket M:    027 520 2981       | W:    09 521 8240       E: nicki@youthmentoring.org.nz | W: www.youthmentoring.org.nz