[Heritage] Two weeks left to apply for free Mentor assistance!

[INFO Heritage * OPRD]

Two weeks left to apply for free Mentor assistance!

Have a project but don't know where to start?
Need help developing processes or procedures?
Need basic collection care advice?
Have no idea what you need and would love to talk it out with someone in the field?
Looking for vetted resources?
Need some advice on writing a grant?

Heritage organizations around the state are now eligible to apply for free<https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/9e65c15ec618465582cbdccd940fbc3a> professional technical assistance from the Oregon Heritage MentorCorps<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/pages/mentorcorps.aspx#:~:text=The%20MentorCorps%20is%20a%20trained,%2C%20and%20non-profit%20management.> program. MentorCorps started as an initiative of the Oregon Heritage Commission<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/oh/pages/commissions.aspx> following results and recommendations that came from the 2011 Oregon Heritage Vitality Study. This program supports the "Pursue Best Practices" goal of the 2020-2025 Oregon Heritage Plan<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/Documents/2020_Oregon_Heritage_Plan.pdf>. Organizations can expect advice and support from volunteer professionals with backgrounds in museum collections management, curatorship, archives, preservation, heritage interpretation, non-profit management, disaster preparedness and much more.

The role of Mentors is to assist with projects that are challenging volunteers and staff at heritage organizations. This can include guidance in project management or planning, grant reviews, collections assessments, policy development, or simply prioritization of work if folks do not know where to start.

"MentorCorps' goal is to support organizations in achieving better practices on their way to best practices," says Cam Amabile, Technical Resources Coordinator for Oregon Heritage. "Our program is meant to serve as a guide to resources, or a stepping stone on the way to a fully implemented plan or action. We aim to be a program that helps, particularly small organizations with limited capacities, meet their mission without being overwhelmed. To do that we pair them with our experienced practitioners as guides, with the added benefit of continuing to hone the mentor's skills."

This service is offered free to any heritage organization operating within the state of Oregon, but primarily serves museums, libraries, archives, and cultural institutions. Applications close on August 15, 2023 for the 2023-2024 assistance year. Organizations can reach out to Oregon Heritage Technical Resources Coordinator, Cam Amabile with questions about projects or applications at 971-720-8998 or cam.amabile at oprd.oregon.gov<mailto:cam.amabile at oprd.oregon.gov>.

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Oregon Heritage News is a service of Oregon Heritage, a division of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The news editor can be contacted at heritage.info at oregon.gov<mailto:heritage.info at oregon.gov>.

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