8:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.

WHERE:         Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center

                        55 South Harrison Road

                        East Lansing, MI 48824

WHAT:            Michigan's Annual Premier Mentoring Conference unites mentoring professionals from around the state with leading authorities who will identify best practices, discuss quality enhancements, and explore other topics to ensure the state's youth have the very best mentoring programs available.  Conference participants will engage in interactive workshops, based on new and effective practices in the field of youth mentoring, and be given ample opportunity to network with colleagues.  Two keynote speakers will address significant issues affecting mentoring programs:

·       Craig Bowman, Common Ground Consulting - The Economics of Trust

Bowman will analyze the economics of trust - offering real world, practical insights to help conference participants spend their time at work, at home, and with colleagues, friends, and family. 

·       Carl S. Taylor, Ph.D., Michigan State University - Two Way Street: Communicating and Mentoring

Dr. Taylor will discuss the importance of communicating and mentoring when dealing with youth.  He maintains that the key to a strong mentoring relationship is open communication.

Workshop sessions will also be held on the following topics: volunteer recruitment, social networking/media, orienting and training mentors, supporting and retaining mentors, mentoring hard-to-reach youth, and much more.  These workshop sessions will be presented by a variety of experts, including First Gentleman Daniel G. Mulhern who discusses recruiting mentors by sharing stories from the heart.

WHO:              Over 200 mentoring professionals from across Michigan.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

One hour a week can make a big difference in a young person's future.  Mentor Michigan supports more than 200 organizations around the state that are changing lives by matching mentors with young people.  Mentor Michigan provides those organizations with training and research.  It fosters partnerships with businesses, faith-based and nonprofit organizations, schools, colleges and universities, and state and local government to support mentoring.  Mentor Michigan also builds public awareness about the importance of and the need for mentors by urging caring adults to "pass it on," because sharing a little of yourself with a young person can reward both of you with lifelong benefits.  Learn more by visiting www.mentormichigan.org.

The 2008 Mentor Michigan conference is sponsored by Mentor Michigan and the Michigan Community Service Commission in partnership with Michigan State University Extension.