Quality-Based Membership
Quality-Based Membership is a process for youth mentoring programs to acknowledge and receive recognition for what they are doing well. Created to provide an objective way to assess program quality, it also helps mentoring programs identify practice areas that could be more effective. QBM forges stronger relationships between mentoring organizations and the Grizzlies Mentoring Alliance, formerly known as the Memphis Mentoring Partnership, while giving more meaning to the term “partner.” MENTOR colleagues across the country have adopted this approach to promote and support effective youth mentoring.
The Quality-Based Membership process:
- Provides a meaningful “indicator of quality” for youth mentoring programs;
- Benchmarks program practices against national standards of excellence; and
- Demonstrates your commitment to excellence to potential mentors, funders, parents, and community partners
There are two categories of Quality-Based Membership: Program Partners are organizations running a formal mentoring program according to national standards and Strategic Partners are corporations, community organizations, or other groups that support the Grizzlies Mentoring Alliance in other ways. These include assistance in recruiting volunteers, providing trainers or guest speakers, or hosting or sponsoring events or training session.
All new member programs start on the road to membership by completing a QBM application and participating in a session of “Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring 101” which is offered twice each year in September and March. To earn and retain membership in the Grizzlies Mentoring Alliance, programs must implement the “Elements of Effective Practice for Mentoring,” - the evidence-based national standards - and comply with the participation and reporting requirements specified in the new Memorandum of Agreement.