Greater Pennsylvania Chapter Support Group Mentor

Support Group Mentor

Support Group Mentors provide mentoring and training support for facilitators of early stage or caregiver groups. Support Group Mentors closely collaborate with Association staff to provide hands-on assistance where needed to improve the quality and participation in Alzheimer's Association support groups.

Key Activities:

• Responsible for co-training and mentoring active Support Group Facilitators in close collaboration with Alzheimer's Association staff.
• Provide ongoing consultation, support and assistance and evaluate successes, challenges and needs of the group.
• Provide annual quality assurance visits and review evaluation data with support group facilitators to continually improve the constituent experience.
• Consult with support group leaders and staff to devise a plan to grow participation and expand the reach of support groups.
• Serve as a substitute for short-term facilitator absences or co-facilitator for virtual support groups during which time the Mentor assumes the temporary role of Facilitator.

Qualifications:

• Long-term success facilitating and leading support groups.
• Strong listening and effective communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team of volunteers to high performance.
• Ability to promote local groups through in person, print and electronic methods.
• Ability to create and maintain a safe environment where participants’ thoughts and feelings are valued and group members are treated with fairness, equity and respect.
• Demonstrated technology skills and comfort delivering groups or visiting facilitators via virtual platforms.
• Commitment to promote the mission and services of the Association and willingness to act as an extension of the Association.
• Experience with dementia as a family member or health care professional preferred.

Commitment Expected:

• Support Group Mentors commit to a 1-year term. Terms are renewable upon successful completion of annual goal-setting conversation with your staff partner.
• Orientation includes: online general volunteer orientation (1 hour) + program volunteer orientation (1 hour) + self-study or in-person role training with staff partner (~4 hours).
• Support Group Mentors must observe 1 group in the community led by a staff or mentor plus review facilitation skills and demonstrate working with people with cognitive impairment prior to deployment in the community.
• Background checks are required as part of the volunteer selection process.
• Comply with Alzheimer’s Association volunteer policies and procedures.
• Participate in initial training and ongoing education about Alzheimer’s, dementia and the Alzheimer's Association.

Benefits to the Volunteer:

• Perfect your volunteer engagement, quality assurance and people management skills.
• Serve your local community and people you care about.
• Increase your knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
• Be recognized in your community as a leader and resource for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
• Build your resume and skill set.
• Join a network of other volunteers, Alzheimer's Association staff and professionals and caregivers in the aging field.