Who are the Mentors and the Scholars?
GEM Mentors are adult women– volunteers from college employees, AAUW members, civic groups and the local community – who are paired with a female junior or senior ECHS student. Each young woman Scholar has been recommended by ECHS principal or counselor to be part of the program. A GEM Steering Committee continually organizes, monitors, and evaluates the different components of the program.
AAUW members who want a smaller time commitment than the bi-monthly mentoring with a Scholar can help with the group meetings. Three times during each fall and spring academic session, they can help locate special speakers, set up the meetings at a place on campus, or provide refreshments for attendees. These additional roles are invaluable to the quality and functioning of the GEM program! Please contact the Steering Committee.
GEM mentor procedure
–Complete the volunteer application form available from the Steering Committee.
–Interview with a GEM Steering Committee member.
–Complete a CFB ISD short background check online. Steering Committee will provide the link.
–Commit to procedural policies and boundaries of the GEM mentoring relationship (outlined below).
–Participate in components of the program: orientation, joint sessions, and regular program functions with scholars.
GEM Program Procedural Policies and Boundaries
Scheduled Mentoring Sessions:
ECHS will dedicate to GEM scholars a specific time on the first and third Tuesday (the default day) of each month for group programs and for Mentor/Scholar sessions. This time varies by academic year. 2024 year default: 11:40 a.m. to 12:20 p.m.
If the dedicated time is unavailable to either the Mentor or Scholar, together they may choose a mutually acceptable alternative time and relay that change to the Steering Committee.
The Mentor and Scholar will meet twice a month unless there are extenuating circumstances. Mentors will post commentary of each session in an online form and will let the Scholar Coordinator know about any scholar absences that aren’t rescheduled.
All meetings with the GEM Scholar will be on campus at Brookhaven.
Length of Mentor Commitment to Program:
The length of commitment by both Mentor and Scholar is one academic year, typically September to May. At the end of each year, Mentors and Scholars will have the option to continue and to maintain the same pairing, to change it or withdraw from the program.