Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC archive of ideas and strategies.  Apply in any city.

This page shares strategies developed since 1990s by Dan Bassill, founder of Tutor/Mentor Connection (1993-present) and Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC (2011-present).  In other sections of this website you can find ideas of others, which we host in this library and this list of Chicago tutor/mentor programs.

These ideas focus on ways to build and sustain volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs reaching K-12 youth in high poverty areas of Chicago and other cities.  They show what an ideal tutor/mentor program might look like, and what industry and philanthropy leaders, and individuals from all parts of the country, need to do to help such programs be in all places where they are needed.

Please read these, share them with people in your own networks, and use them in actions that help tutor/mentor programs grow in Chicago and other cities. You are invited to help us improve these, create your own versions, and write new articles that we have not yet even thought of.  Visit this page and view visualizations created between 2006 and 2015 by Interns working with T/MC and T/MI.

Read new 2024 long essay showing Dan Bassill's 1993-present efforts to engage universities. click here.  Engage your own students in studying this and other presentations shown on this page, and then in creating similar visualizations and create a page like this on your own website to share your ideas. Share how your are using these. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your comments.   

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View Introductions of Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC

Intro for 3-25-2017 meeting - click here
Intro to T/MI - version 1 -  click here
Intro to T/MI - version 2- click here
Tutor/Mentor Learning Network - click here

Note: many of these PDFs still show a Merchandise Mart PO Box address. Since 2021 that has been closed. Find contact info on this page.

NEW 2024. You can now find many of these PDF visual essays on this page.

Definition of Problem - Why and Where Volunteer-Based Tutor/Mentor Programs are Most Needed

1. Tutor/Mentor Connection Network of Purpose - Why and where tutor/mentor programs are needed, and how we support the growth of volunteer based programs in high poverty neighborhoods
   
2. Tutor/Mentor, Same Words, Different Meaning - defining the terms - understand the difference between tutoring and mentoring
3. Shoppers Guide - What Would you want to see on a tutor/mentor program web site to convince you to donate or volunteer?
4. Tutor/Mentor Connection 4-Part Strategy-Essay;   Tutor/Mentor Connection strategy map (video of flash animation)
5. Role of Volunteer-Based Tutor/Mentor Connection
6. Role of Volunteer-Based Tutor/Mentor Program – We’re all in the TO WORK Business
7. Mentor Role in Larger Youth Development Strategy - essay on Scribd
8. Education to Careers Blueprint shows support youth require from first grade through first job
9. Think of Tutor/Mentor Programs as retail store delivering needed services in a neighborhood
10. Could this be a Jobs Creating strategy to help overcome current unemployment, not just build future workers.

Understanding Availability and Distribution of Volunteer-Based Tutor/Mentor Programs in Chicago

1. Using Internet to find resources that help support growth of volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs - T/MC On-line Resources
2. Planning Cycle - War On  Poverty pdf
3. No General would go to a war without a map - Understanding T/MC use of maps; 
4. Use of maps and data to show where tutor/mentor programs are most needed
   
5. Use of maps by elected leaders. Example: Illinois 7th Congressional District
6. Use of maps: Example, Illinois 14th Senate District.
7. Mapping high dropout schools and political districts as strategy for mobilizing votes 
8. Instructions for using Tutor/Mentor Program Locator web site
9. Help collect and organize information about tutor/mentor programs in Chicago area
10. Intern, volunteer opportunity - Rest Of The Story PDF
11. Building Tutor/Mentor Connection on college campus pdf

Case for Strategic Business Investment and Employee Involvement

1. The Tutor/Mentor Connection Logic Model
2. Tutor/Mentor Connection’s Theory of Change
   
3. Tipping Points - actions that could dramatically change the availability of volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs
4. Value Tutor/Mentor Connection and Tutor/Mentor Institute offer to business and Non-Profits 
5. What will it take to assure that all youth now living in poverty are entering careers by age 25? A Workforce Development Strategy
6. Virtual Corporate Office supporting growth of Tutor/Mentor Programs, role of corporate teams. 
7. Tutor/Mentor Connection – Case for Business Involvement
   
   

   Leadership Strategies

• Role of Leaders
• Role of consultants and talent volunteers in building network capacity
• Network Building - Unleashing Personal Power
• Collective Effort PDF - we can do more working together than working alone 
• Tutor/Mentor Hospital Connection, a strategic plan for forming a leadership group within a hospital
• Model of Business Leadership Team for Tutor/Mentor Connection - Suggested Strategy
• University based Tutor/Mentor Connection. Read blog article. Read strategy plan on Scribd.com.
• Tutor/Mentor Lawyers Connection-Concept
• Strategy for Faith Leaders PDF - version 1;  version 2
• College groups, fraternities as Leaders; PDF;  Youth As Leaders on Scribd
• Tutor/Mentor Connection Quarterly Events. Creating year round visibility.  Video showing animated version by IIT interns
• It takes a village animation video - adapted from animation created by University of Michigan interns.

Collaboration and Capacity Building

• Tutoring/Mentoring as a form of Service-Learning
  See flash animation view of service-learning loop in video
• Role of Tutor/Mentor Connection, and Intermediaries, in a Community Building Strategy
• Collaboration Goals - increase resources for all tutor/mentor programs within a city
• Animated concept map (video) illustrating how we hope to reduce silos of thinking and encourage greater sharing of ideas and collaboration across sector.
• Year Round Event Cycle - PDF ESSAY
  
• Tutor/Mentor Leadership e-Conference – Introduction and Overview
• Understanding needs of tutor/mentor program: summary of 2000-2003 survey data
• Business School Connection Vision (wiki)
• Understanding Tutor/Mentor Connection Network - Social Network Analysis Goals

Volunteer Recruitment Strategies

• How sports, media and arts celebrities can help mobilize volunteers - Make the Connection
• How volunteers become leaders in tutor/mentor programs (video)
• Strategic thinking about volunteering and service2011 (Intern created this)
  
• Recruiting Talent and Pro Bono Volunteers for volunteer-based organizations 
  
• Volunteer Recruitment Ad to be used by business leaders to mobilize volunteers
• Chicagoland Tutor/Mentor Back to School Volunteer Recruitment Campaign
• Using Corporate and Faith Based Advertising to Mobilize Volunteers and Donors

How to Start and Sustain a Volunteer Based Tutor/Mentor Program

• Steps for Starting and Building a new Tutor/Mentor Program
• Operating Principles - for starting, operating and sustaining a tutor/mentor program
• Annual Planning Calendar - way to engage youth, volunteers, stakeholders in mission of program
• Success Steps - plan for career-focused tutor/mentor program

• "Thank You Dan" from 1989-90. Signed by students and volunteers.  click here.
• "Growth and expansion (wiki) of the Tutor/Mentor Institute and Tutor/mentor Connection
• Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC and Tutor/Mentor Connection - A Learning Network Strategy
• Network Building Strategy developed over past 20 years -
  
• Using ideas to stimulate competitive innovation and increase flow of resources - 
  

• Tutor/Mentor Connection – About us 2-page pdf (created by interns in mid 2000s while T/MC still part of Cabrini Connection

• Origin of Tutor/Mentor Connection in 1993 and Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC in 2011 - click here
  
• Daniel Bassill Story: The Tutor/Mentor Business, Sara Caldwell, 1997

Building greater understanding of Tutor/Mentor Connection
These are PDF versions of graphics created between 1995 and 2005 to illustrate T/MC ideas. Up till July 2011 these have not been published  on-line.

1.  Tutor/Mentor Connection 4-part strategy - PDF  1995 version

2.  Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC, Tutor/Mentor Connection 4-part strategy

3.  View visualizations by IIT Interns showing 4-part strategy

How do We Evaluate Impact?

• Read the pdf essays titled Theory of Change, Logic Model, Tipping Points (see above, Case for Business Involvement)
• This report shows the growth of the Tutor/Mentor Connection from 1993 to 2011.
• Decade of Challenges: 2000-2010. Read blog articles showing what T/MC  has achieved and challenges we've faced. View PDF report of 2000-2010
• View Chart of T/MC Goals and Strategy
• Improvement of T/MC - recommendations from DePaul students
• View Metrics Chart - Concept Map (2000-2010)
• View Organizational History and Tracking System (OHATS) history and goals
  This page shows people/organizations who helped T/MC grow from 1993-2002
• Comparison of T/MC to Mentoring Partnerships in other Cities & States
• Matrix showing comparison of T/MC to other Mentoring Partnerships (draft)

Research and Recommended Reading

• Articles in Tutor/Mentor Library on High School Drop Out, No Child Left Behind, etc.
• Rest of the Story - PR strategy/Intern opportunity
• How School-Community Partnership Contribute to Widespread Volunteer Mentoring with Youth: A Study of Environmental Change in Three Communities, by Stergios Tsai Roussos
• Children, Computers and Reading Skills, prof. Edna Aphek, Jerusalem, Israel
• Adolescent Literacy: What Works and Why, by Garland Publishing,The Center for Early Adolescence, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This 1988 report featured the Montgomery Ward/Cabrini-Green Tutoring Program, which was led by Dan Bassill from 1975-1992. The lessons learned from this program are a foundation for Tutor/Mentor Institute ideas.
• DePaul University Freshman Explore Chicago Class Assignment, 2010
• ChicagoBooth 2011 Grad Student review & recommendations

Presentations from past Tutor/Mentor Leadership and Networking Conferences

1. Introduction to Tutor/Mentor Connection, Jan 5, 2012 to Rotary Club members in Chicago
2. Building Support - Strategies of Tutor/Mentor Connection, Oct. 4,2011  Loyola University
3. Introduction to Tutor/Mentor Connection,  Drop Out Prevention Conference workshop, 10/10/2011
4. Tutor/Mentor Connection, April 8, 2010 presentation in Lafayette County, IN
5. Tutor/Mentor Networking Conference Presentation, May 26, 2006 – Successfully Transforming Teens to Career
6. Lawyers Lend A Hand 2005 strategy presentation - http://www.tutormentorexchange.net/images/PDF/corboy-presentation2.pdf
7. T/MC Introduction to Pathways Into Health Conference, September 14, 2007
8. Sharing Knowledge and Bridging Gaps: Children Teaching Children Computer Skills / Theoretical Background, by Prof. Edna Aphek
9. Use of Maps Presentation at Wired.org event

Many of these can be found on Scribd.com

Many are also available on Slideshare.com/tutormentor)