ABOUT
The Civic Mentorship Network is comprised of rural civic leaders who serve as mentors for new women pursuing public service and leadership positions. This network provides a coordinated method for aspiring leaders to make the person-to-person connections that give access to resources that are valuable to enduring success. At 100 Rural Women, we find that success in engaging and mentoring more rural women to serve in public service leadership roles is essential to keeping our democracy strong.
what we’re doing
Last fall we conducted Learn About It meetings. This summer we are creating a pilot Civic Mentorship Network (CMN) to connect civic leader mentors and aspiring mentees to test out engagement strategies and demystify paths to leadership.
where we’re going
Our goal is to use the Civic Mentorship Network to develop an expansive network that provides personal mentorship to help support women as they pursue civic leadership positions. Through this network, 100 Rural Women hopes to help create a future where more women lead.
Civic Mentorship Network
The Civic Mentorship Network Pilot Project WEBINAR: What We Found and What’s Next
Held Tuesday, November 14th at 6:00 pm CST
Please watch our webinar to hear from our amazing 100 Rural Women team about our current research findings. The team walked through our Civic Mentorship Network Pilot research process and results. Here is a recording of the Zoom meeting where we discussed our process and findings, answered participants’ questions, and informed you all about the Civic Mentorship Network Pilot and how this pilot is informing the organization’s future programs and networks.
About OUr Pilot Program
Every couple of weeks a mentor and a mentee met to discuss optional selected topics to help each other grow as community members and leaders!
Project Timeline:
Introductions and Communication skills
Mentors and mentees introduce themselves and get to know each other
Discuss some communication skills that can be used in the workplace
Discuss navigating sexism
Emotional and mental health
Discuss ways to keep yourself mentally and emotionally healthy
Discuss work-life balance
How do you manage stress?
How can you improve your stress management?
Community, Peer Support, and Opportunities -OR- Other Skills
How do you make opportunities and community for yourself?
Discuss how you can find opportunities for yourself in public office
Discuss ways to find peer support and community (especially if you are the only woman in the room) so you don’t feel so lonely in this journey
Progress Interviews
What skills are you trying to further develop that have not yet been addressed yet in the pilot?
CoMPLETE Interviews with Mentors and Mentees
Rural WOmen engagEment, Research, and programs that led us here:
LEARN ABOUT IT SERIES:
Our Civic Mentorship Network conducted a series of Learn About It meetings. Women were invited to interact with civic, rural leaders as they discuss their paths to leadership and barriers they’ve overcome. These sessions facilitated a group mentorship environment meant to inform and inspire women. All these meetings are recorded and listed below.
Julie Rosen
recording
learn more
Julie lucas
Recording
LEARN MORE
RITA ALBRECHT
Recording
LEARN MORE
KELLY LAKE
Tarryl Clark and Sheila Kiscaden
Michelle zehnder Fischer
recording
Learn more
Heidi Heitkamp
recording
LEARN MORE
Luisa Trapero
Recording
LEARN MORE
THE HUMPHREY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS CAPSTONE PROJECT:
“Barriers, Breakthroughs, and Backbone of Rural Elected Women”
Learn more about the capstone project the helped our organization shape the Elected Mentorship Network.
This paper is comprised of the research conducted by threestudents for the capstone project at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. It includes information on our organization, literature review, interview questions and methods, findings, and suggestions.
View Paper
This is the presentation created for the research conducted by the three students for their capstone project. It lists the information from the research paper in a visually summarized format.
Learn More
The capstone project was presented as one of 100 Rural Women’s Breakfast Club webinars; it was presented on April 29th at 10 a.m. CT. Presenters include the students: Naa Korkoi Larmie, Delaney Stekr, and Caitlyn Walker as well as Teresa Kittridge (Founder and Director of 100 Rural Women), Delanie Anderson (graduate student), and Emma Higgins (fellow).
view webinar
These three young and amazing women were the students who conducted this research capstone project. Their names are (from right to left) Caitlyn Walker, Delaney, Stekr, and Naa Korkoi Larmie.
Read Their BiosCIVIC Resources
MN Secretary of State Boards and Commissions LINK