LLHSM Mentors Program
Support for this program provided in part by the Windham Foundation, as well as generous individual donors.
The Vermont Historical Society’s League of Local Historical Societies & Museums (LLHSM) Mentors Program aims to match local historical societies and museums with a museum/cultural heritage professional to tackle a specific issue at their institution via one-on-one assistance. Participating organizations can be matched with a mentor to help with anything from collections management to exhibits to board planning.
How it Works
Local historical societies and museums are encouraged to identify a critical need, problem, or initiative for which they could use professional input and assistance. After completing the application, organizations will be matched by VHS with a Mentor with the appropriate skills and experience. Mentors and organizations will then work together to determine the best way to tackle the problem. This may include a site visit, virtual visits, or correspondence. There is a small fee for each mentorship to help cover the cost of the mentor’s time.
Mentorship Details & Requirements
- The program is open to any historical society or museum in Vermont.
- A $50 fee for VHS Members/ $100 non-members is required at the time a match is made with a Mentor.
- One application per organization per 12-month period.
- A limited number of mentorships are available per year. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. If an excessive number of applications is received, priority may be given to all-volunteer organizations and/or VHS institutional members.
- VHS may refer applicants to different assistance programs that may better fit their needs.
- Mentors will be expected to provide 6-8 hours of their time under this agreement. Further work/assistance by a Mentor may incur professional fees/costs for their time.
- VHS and/or Mentors may ask for additional information from an organization prior to the mentorship. Failure to supply requested information may result in a delayed or cancelled mentorship.
- Mentorships should be concluded no more than 8 months after approval.
- Mentee organizations will be required to complete a short report/evaluation about their experience. Experiences and products from the mentorships may be shared with the LLHSM community via the VHS website or other media.
You can apply for a mentorship online using the button below, or download a form here.
Questions & Applications to:
Eileen P. Corcoran
Community Outreach Manager
director.outreach@vermonthistory.org
(802) 479-8522
Want to be a Mentor?
We are looking for cultural heritage professionals with all types of experiences to serve as Mentors. If you'd like to help, complete the application found below, or download a form here. . Thank you for sharing your knowledge and skills with the museum community!
Mentor Details
- Mentors will be expected to provide 6-8 hours of their time under this agreement. A Mentor may choose to provide further assistance to the organization, but it is not expected or required.
- Whenever possible, an in-person visit is preferred, but mentorships may be completed virtually or via correspondence. Mentors are responsible for coordinating visits and communications directly with the mentee organization once a match is made.
- A $375 fee is paid to the Mentor upon completion of the mentorship.
- Mentorships should be concluded no more than 8 months after approval.
- Mentors will be required to complete a short report outlining their recommendations and discussions. Experiences and products from the mentorships may be shared with the LLHSM community via the VHS website or other media.
