Application Process and Timeline
(2023 - 2024 Academic Year)
- Apply to become a volunteer
- Application Reviews occur from February 1st to September 1st
- Interviews are scheduled from March 1st to September 1st
- Decisions are announced two weeks after the interview
- New volunteers must complete the mandatory background check and child safety training
- Orientation and training emails are sent in August
- The program begins in September
Virtual Info Sessions
If you are interested in volunteering and would like more info, join us at a virtual info session by clicking one of the dates below. We look forward to meeting you!
May Sessions
May 24, 2022: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)
June Sessions
June 7, 2022: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)
June 21, 2022: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)
July Sessions
July 7, 2022: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)
July 21, 2022: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)
August Sessions
August 4, 2022: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)
August 18, 2022: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)
August 30, 2022: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CDT)
Volunteer Roles
Minds Matter Chicago describes itself as “volunteer-led,” but perhaps a more appropriate description would be “volunteer-made.” We simply would not exist, let alone function at our current rate of success for students, without the dedicated efforts of our volunteer squad. Different volunteer tracks are available. Our mentors and tutors work closely with students, developing individual relationships over time as they work hand-in-hand on everything from test-prep to college apps. MarCom, IT, Data & Analytics, Volunteer Management, and the Associate Board represent our equally important “back office”; these volunteers make it all ‘happen without a hitch’ for the mentors and mentees.
Mentor
- Possess 4-year undergraduate degree
- Commit to Saturday sessions 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM from September to May
- Work and communicate with co-mentor to support one high school student over their three years in the program
SAT Test Prep Instructors & Tutors
- Possess 4-year undergraduate degree
- Commit to Saturday sessions 10:30 PM to 2:30 PM from September to May
- Work with small groups of 4-6 students
- Tutor math and/or reading/writing based on expertise
Other Volunteer Roles
Lend professional experience to support the team
Marketing-Communications Team
- Create attractive print, social media, video communication materials for student, volunteer, and donor engagement
- Tell MMC stories in multimedia and written formats
- Chronicle and share MMC impact with program community and public
- 2-4 hours per week which includes meetings and project work
Data & Analytics Team
- “Use the sales-FORCE:” be our ‘analytics-Jedi’ and manage MMC Salesforce data collection, interpretation, and reporting
- Communicate critical data with appropriate volunteer teams and Board
- 2-4 hours per week which includes meetings and project work
Volunteer Management Team
- Possess unquenchable optimism and positivity to empower students and co-volunteers
- Organize and manage ‘back-office’ logistics and planning
- Forge lifelong connections with students and within program network
- 2-4 hours per week which includes meetings and project work
IT Team
- Maintain MMC website, with focus on improving user experience and ensuring ‘peak-possible’ functionality
- Keep MMC current by exploring new technology options for record-keeping, student use, and general online presence
- 2-4 hours per week which includes meetings and project work
Associate Board
- Emerging leaders leverage personal and professional skills and connections to advocate for MMC
- Drive fundraising and donor base-building efforts
- 2-4 hours per week which includes meetings and project work