CMH1 - Using Mentors to Engage Consumer Board Members

Mentoring is a relationship in which a more experienced person supports and encourages a less experienced person to maximize their potential, develop their skills, and improve their performance to become the person they want to be. In effective health center governance, the voice of consumer board members is essential to assure the center is responding to community needs and providing patient-centered care. Yet, recruiting and retaining consumer board members can be a challenge for health centers. In this session, participants will learn about developing and monitoring a mentor program to support and encourage participation of consumer board members. In addition, participants will hear lessons learned from fellow health center board members who serve as mentors.

• - Inform yourself of elements of a successful mentor program, including the planning, administration, and resources.
• - Identify mentor training and support needed for maintaining successful mentor relationships.
• - Describe "tips" from board member mentors about engaging and retaining consumer board members.