I included this information in my July 2016 newsletter, but am repeating it since this is so important.

 

One way I stay informed is by looking at what Chicago area tutoring and/or mentoring programs are putting on Twitter and/or Facebook, as well as what they are putting on their web sites. 

Connecting with other programs on Facebook.  The easiest way to learn what other programs are doing is to look at their Facebook pages. The way I've done this is to look at web sites of programs I maintain on this list.  I find their Facebook link, and then visit their page and click on the "like" button. I've created a list of programs on Facebook, so this would be easier for others to do.
 

Then, on a regular basis, daily or weekly, I just click on the Pages Feed button, on the left side of my home page, and scroll down through the listings to see what's being posted. 

Several Chicago youth organizations are very consistent, and creative, in sharing photo stories on a regular basis. Spend time looking at these and add the ideas to your own communications strategy.
 

Then, go a step further. Create graphics that feature some of these programs and share them in social media, to build greater visibility for the entire sector of youth tutor/mentor programs in your city.

 

You can also follow what Chicago and national youth serving organizations are sharing on Twitter, by clicking on my TMPrograms list, then scrolling through what's being posted.  Unfortunately, only a few Chicago programs are active on Twitter. My list includes organizations from around the country, so don't limit where you look to find ideas for your own organization.

 

Looking at program web sites (here's my list) provides the most information about individual youth serving organizations  in the Chicago region. I organize my list by sections of the city and suburbs to make it easier for parents, volunteers, donors, etc. to find programs near where they live or work.  Many of the web sites are full of information. Some don't have as much.

I also point to other youth programs around the country. See the list. 
 

My vision has been that a program's web site should serve as its grant proposal, and that donors and volunteers should be educated to seek out programs in different parts of the city and suburbs, in response to negative news or other reminders.  I created this SHOPPER GUIDE PDF to show a list of things that I feel should be included on a web site, to fully inform site visitors. Very few organizations actually include most of this information on their web sites.

One opportunity that most programs miss, is using blogs to share their vision, successes and challenges with each other and with the public. If you browse articles I've posted since 2005, I'm pretty open about what I'm trying to influence.  If you look at this AllStars Project blog, you'll see a clear statement of some of the challenges non-school youth development programs face.   I would like to be able expand this list of blogs, which I've been building for the past 10 years, where leaders of tutoring and mentoring programs are sharing their own ideas in a similar way. Send me your blog address and I'll add it to the list.
 

Recommended Reading:
 

* Some focus on the act of tutoring or mentoring. I focus on the infrastructure. click here

* Turn your Tutor/Mentor organization into a "learning" organization - click here

* Building personal learning habits - click here

* Does your Tutor/Mentor Program have a written  plan? - click here

* Addressing funding challenges - click here