Mentoring Matters

Grenita “Cabbi” Brooks believes in the power of mentoring. To be able to paint a picture of possibilities for young people and to empower them to dream, to do, and to achieve is her raison d’être. She is the founder and executive director of Prosperity Bound, which grew into the International Mentoring Society. Cabbi has developed mentoring programs for youth, trained mentors, and built a small, but mighty board.

I was asked to assist with a board recruitment strategy and to develop and facilitate a board orientation for new and existing members with the goal of growing IMS’s programs: Prosperity Bound, Mount Up, and Step Up. 

One of the challenges that IMS was having was Cabbi’s inclination to recruit people “just like me!” as she told me in our initial meeting. While the IMS board had a dedicated group of volunteer leaders, they lacked diversity. Diversity is a major challenge for many organizations, as we tend to recruit and hire people who are similar to us. As their consultant, I suggested using a board matrix, a helpful tool to ensure that a board of directors has a diverse range of skills, perspectives, and life experience.

As a result of our work together, Cabbi welcomed two new board members, and a volunteer to help with design and social media. IMS also welcomed a new program director for the Mount Up program, which is a program specifically designed to develop young men into leaders.

To learn more about the International Mentoring Society, click here. 

“If you’re looking for a knowledgeable consulting professional to assist you in advancing your organization, and someone who is connected to all aspects of the nonprofit industry, then Dr. Casey Gilbert of PowerWith Consulting is your next best step. I have worked with Casey over and over again to execute pressing goals of International Mentoring Society; from board of directors training and recruitment to executive coaching. You can not go wrong with PowerWith Consulting.” - Cabbi