1. Welcome to EnvironMentors 2012-13 Preseason Meeting Denver Zoo September 8 and 9, 2012

2. Meeting Objectives Enhance your program through connecting, collaborating, and learning from fellow chapter participants. Develop strategies that meet EM’s four core programmatic areas and this year’s core requirements. Support each other in developing strategies for increased student recruitment, cultivation, and retention.

3. Agenda for the Day 1 Welcome & icebreaker EnvironMentors four core areas Break Review of strategic plan and core requirements Group work (returning & existing chapters) Lunch Sharing solutions to program challenges Self-guided zoo tour Chapter sharing of solutions to program challenges Adjourn

4. EnvironMentors Four Core Areas 1-to-1 Mentoring Environ- mental Ed College Access Experi- mental Research

5. By chapter, please think about and share: Which of the 4 areas does your program most strongly emphasize? Which would you like to enhance? How would you like to build in the coming year?

6. EnvironMentors Core Program Requirements EM staff engaged in strategic planning since Nov. 2011 Developed core requirements with input from advisory board members, chapter coordinators, and chapter directors Goal of ensuring consistent student experience across chapters while encouraging local creativity and flexibility

7. Program Essentials Core RequirementMinimum Expectation Chapters to set a student completion goal based on chapter program structure (recommended student target at 8 to 15+). End of the season student retention should be at least 60% 60% student retention Chapter EnvironMentors programs takes place over a minimum seven-month program period (five months of students and mentors paired, and three months of students conducting and analyzing experimental research). 5-month program period 3-month mentoring period 1-month experimental research period Host regular EnvironMentors meetings over the seven- month program period where chapter staff can support student-mentor relationships and projects through programming and events. 7 meetings

8. Core Student Experiences Core RequirementMinimum Expectation Pair each student participant with at least one designated mentor per academic year. Replace mentors that leave the program Regular, in person student-mentor meetings to occur at least three times per month or 3 hours per month for a 5- month period. 2 hours per month for 5-month period or 3 hours per month for 4-month period Conduct at least one mentor and mentee training event for participants. Host 1 mentor and 1 mentee training opportunity Student completion of inquiry-based experimental research project that includes hands-on, field, laboratory, and/or social science research and present and communicate their findings. Submit copy of research paper, abstract, or poster for all completing students Host skills workshops that guide students through development of projects based on application of the scientific method. Host 2 skills workshops Utilize college campus and resources to prepare students for college experience. Host 1 college access experience Organize at least two field experiences over the program year for students and mentors. Host 2 field experiences

9. Evaluation and Tracking Core RequirementMinimum Expectation Administer pre and post program student surveys and send completed surveys to national office within four weeks of program start and end date. Administer 2 surveys to students Complete and submit the chapter post program survey before National EnvironMentors Fair. Complete survey Submit all student-mentor tracking information in a timely manner, including names/contact information, pairing, student-mentor contact hours, and completing student/project list. Submit all reports

10. Agenda for the Day 2 Welcome 2012-13 program year Chapter reporting requirements Chapter planning Lunch Closing Adjourn

11. National Staff Partner Tahlia HeritageCSUNebraska Jessica ArkansasLSUNCSU Jackie KeanAlabamaAAMU UC- Davis KSU WVU UDC