Mentor North is the nonprofit parent organization of the Mentor Duluth and Mentor Superior youth mentoring programs. Our mission is to celebrate youth and support their families through one-on-one mentorship and community engagement.
We match carefully screened adult volunteers with Twin Ports youth between the ages of 7 and 17 based on interests, personality, identities, lived experiences, and goals. We ask mentors to spend 4-6 hours a month with their mentee and commit to at least one year of service. We provide wrap-around support for each mentor-mentee match. We welcome mentors and youth of all identities and backgrounds, and our goal is to create a vibrant and inclusive mentoring community.
What are the benefits of joining the Mentor North board?
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You gain the satisfaction of contributing to the continued success of an organization with 75+ years of experience uplifting youth in the Twin Ports.
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Board service allows you to apply and enhance your skills to support your community!
Board Function and Responsibilities
The Mentor North Board of Directors provides overall leadership and strategic direction for Mentor North. The Board will steer the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as by making sure the nonprofit has adequate resources to advance its mission.
Board responsibilities include the following:
Leadership, governance and oversight
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Be informed and involved, actively participate in discussions and meetings, ask questions, rely on dependable sources of information, hold staff and other board members accountable
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Clearly define and articulate Mentor North’s mission, accomplishments, and goals to gain support from the community and enhance the organization’s public image
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Support and evaluate the Executive Director
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Set long-range goals and make strategic decisions
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Evaluate opportunities to improve and enhance Mentor North
Financial stability and accountability
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Assist in the development of and approve Mentor North’s annual budget
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Review and approve monthly financial statements
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Create opportunities for donors to support Mentor North
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Ensure sound management of Mentor North’s resources
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Safeguard the interests of donors
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Contribute to fundraising events and initiatives
Mentor North invites a broad range of talented individuals to serve on our board.
The vision of the Mentor North board is to have ⅓ constituents (families/mentors), ⅓ business representation, and ⅓ stakeholders (youth serving agencies, educators, etc.). We are looking for individuals with a broad spectrum of talents including (but not limited to) program management, youth development, marketing, fundraising, legal guidance, event planning and understanding of the needs and realities of the youth and families we serve. Board members are not required to have formal background in these areas; we are seeking a diverse group of individuals who can make active contributions to the organization.
Board terms are three years, and board service requires four to six hours per month (including a monthly meeting) depending on current projects.
Expectations for Board members:
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Regularly attend board meetings and important related meetings
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Make a commitment to participate actively in board/committee work, participating in at least one Mentor North committee
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Volunteer for and willingly accept assignments and complete them thoroughly and on time
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Stay informed about board/committee matters, prepare well for meetings and review and comment on minutes and reports
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Actively recruit and engage with board/committee members, get to know other members and build a collegial working relationship that contributes to consensus
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Participate in the board’s annual evaluation and planning efforts
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Participate in fundraising for the organization. Board members will also independently focus on community outreach and mentor recruitment within their own areas of interest.
To request more information or an application, please email info@mentornorth.org.
