The MentorCorps is a trained group of volunteers with professional experience in collections care, emergency management, and non-profit management. Its members are ready to help your organization get the training and tools it needs to get the job done.
Some of the ways mentors can help include (but are not limited to):
- A collection assessment to help prioritize collection needs and projects
- Staff/volunteer trainings on collection care basics, board roles and responsibilities, specific types of collections, volunteer recruitment, digitization, and more
- Provide advice and resources for specific projects
- Lend out equipment including temperature and humidity data loggers, light meters, and PastPerfect training cds and manual
All nonprofit and government archives, libraries
and museums can access the free service.
Questions about applying for Mentor assistance? Feel free to contact our program coordinator, Cam Amabile (cam.amabile@oprd.oregon.gov). Applications for the 2024/2025 mentor year are now closed. They will reopen in July 2025.
Not needing a full mentorship, but want to stay in touch with our resources? Attend one of our quarterly topic-driven Q&A sessions online. To be notified of upcoming Q&A session, join the Oregon Heritage News Listserv here.
What is a Mentor Q&A Session?
Q&A sessions are open to the public and encourage open discussion with our mentor about your curiosities and challenges with the topic. There is no planned presentation from the mentors and they are there to answer your burning questions.
Next Q&A Sessions:
Check back soon! Other opportunities for the future Q&A sessions are still being tinkered with. Have an idea for a session? Reach out to the program coordinator.
Applying to MentorCorps
Presenter: Cam Amabile, MentorCorps Coordinator
Date: June 11, 2025
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Location: Virtual, via Zoom
Registration: Register here!
Keeping Your Historic Building Historic: Maintaining Historic Landscape Character
Presenter: Joy Sears, Oregon SHPO Restoration Specialist
Date: July 15, 2025
Time: 1:30pm - 3pm
Location: Virtual, via Zoom
Registration: Register here!
Overview
Organizations requesting a mentor will apply during the open application period between July-Aug. They will then be assigned a mentor for a 10 month period. This allows the organization and mentor to form a relationship and to have time to assess and prioritize projects.
We take into consideration the following when matching organization's with a mentor:
- Geography
- Type of assistance requested
- Skills and abilities
Depending on mentor availability and the type of assistance requested, mentors assigned to an organizaton may reside in a different region of the state which would require virtual help as oppossed to on-site help. Caution due to the ongoing pandemic might also affect on-site vs. virtual assistance.
Cost of Participating: FREE
Types of Assistance
Mentors can provide the following assistance:
- Project prioritization
- Project planning
- Trainings such as collections care basics, topics related to board roles and responsibilities, disaster preparedeness, volunteer management, and more
- Grant application advice and review
- Recommendation of resources and references
- And more!
Timeline
- July- Aug.: Application open for organizations requesting assistance
- August: Organizations matched with a mentor
- September: Agreements issued and signed
- Sept.-June: Mentors assist organizations
What if we missed the application period? What type of assistance is available in between application periods?
- There will be virtual "Ask a Mentor" opportunities quarterly posted to the MentorCorps page
- Sign up for the Oregon Heritage News Listserve to recieve notifications of upcoming Oregon Heritage events.
- You can find information for upcoming Oregon Heritage Workshops, and the Summit and Conference here.
- Visit our Technical Resources page for access to Heritage Bulletins or other resources.
To be matched with a mentor to assist your organization you must submit an application.
Things to consider prior to submitting an application:
- Discuss this program with your board and consider making participation in the program an action item on the agenda so the board is aware of the request for assistance.
- Take some time to think about what your organization's priorities are. If you are not sure but just have some general concerns, please indicate that in the application.
- Mentors provide assistance and resource referrals but do not do the projects for the organization as a consultant would. They may recommend aspects of the projects that may benefit from hiring a consultant.
- Upon being matched with a mentor, an agreement is signed between the organization, the mentor, and Oregon Heritage to make sure all parties are on the same page about the type of assistance offered and the process and timeline of assistance.
- At the end of the period of assistance, we ask that organizations fill out an evaluation to help us better the program.
Application Process: Applications are closed for 2024.
Deadline: Applications are closed for 2024. Applications reopen July 2025.
Overview
Mentors are a critical component of the technical assistance offered by Oregon Heritage. They provide planning and project guidance to organizations that request help and need a trained professional to give advice and provide vetted resources. Being a mentor gives you access to expanding your heritage network in addition to having access to training and expanding your skills and abilities.
Qualifications
- Preference will be given to underrepresented geographic locations where there is a greater need for mentors.
- A willingness to approach training and organizations without judgement and with encouragement.
- Strong communication skills.
- A willingness to learn and help others learn.
- Skill in at least one of the listed skills or subject matters in the application is required.
- At least one year of experience working in a heritage organization, or comparable nonprofit.
- Previous experience in collections care or management is preferred. However, mentors come from a wide variety of experience and training. They will be encouraged to build their knowledge through other training programs offered by Oregon Heritage, MentorCorps partners, national heritage, and emergency response organizations.
- Access to broadband internet for communication and training.
- A valid Oregon driver’s license or the ability to arrange transportation to visit heritage organizations in their region.
- Ability to attend in person or virtually the annual MentorCorps Meeting
Benefits
- Oregon Heritage will provide at least one mentor training each year.
- Support from Oregon Heritage will include:
- Coordination of matching mentors to heritage organizations
- Provide free registration and lodging (when budget allows) to attend the Oregon Heritage Conference
- Share information about training opportunities and resources
- Free trainings specifically for mentors when opportunities arise
- Promote the MentorCorps program
- Provide reminders for quarterly reports
- Opportunities for mentors to connect and network with each other
Compensation
This is a volunteer position. Oregon Heritage will compensate mileage payments up to $100 dollars per quarter if requested. Compensation will only be paid if a mileage report is filled out and returned.
Process
- Those interested can fill out the Heritage Mentor application at any point during the year.
- The program coordinator will be in touch to arrange an interview.
- If accepted as a mentor, the program coordinator will be in touch with the next available orientation date.
- After the orientation, new mentors are expected to attend the annual mentor meeting in April.
- Mentors are then ready to be matched with an organization during the next cycle.
Have more questions?
Contact program coordinator Cam Amabile (cam.amabile@oprd.oregon.gov).
The Equipment Lending Program serves as a free resource for organizations to borrow for reasons including:
- Testing out equipment before making decisions to purchase
- Documentation to help support grant requests
- Small and/or short term projects
- Saving money
Equipment is located in various
organizations across the state and can either be picked up or mailed
depending on availability, location, and staff capacity.
The length of the equipment loan
depends on availability. Organizations requesting equipment will need
fill out a loan form.
The following smaller equipment can be requested using this form:
- Data loggers to capture temperature and humidity readings in collection storage and exhibit areas
- Light meters to measure exposure in collection storage and exhibit areas
- PastPerfect manuals and training CDs
The larger items below may take more logistics, please contact katie.henry@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-877-8834 for information and scheduling.
- Vacuum with HEPA filter for collection housekeeping
- Book Scanner for larger books, documents, scrapbooks, and more
- Flatbed scanner kits that include a flatbed scanner, computer, and hard drive
- Camera kits that include a Nikon camera, copy stand, copy lights, tripod, and a light box with backgrounds