I'm Dan Bassill. I encourage you to read these blogs weekly and share them with your networks.

Tutor/Mentor Blog

Mapping for Justice Blog

Tutor/Mentor Exchange Blog

Intern blog - click here

Substack.com - click here

Read/Listen to articles on Medium - click here

Listen to Podcast describing Tutor/Mentor Connection (1993-present) and Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC (2011-present)  - click here

New additions to the library - click here

To help you navigate the site, we've numbered sections of the home page on this graphic.

1) this is a progression of steps you should take to better understand issues, build a geographic distribution of resources and programs, involved leadership from all sectors, start new programs where needed, etc.

2) this is a list of links to other web sites we host with additional information

3) these are links to blog articles that connect the information on the web site to current events and attempt to build greater support for tutor/mentor programs in more places

4) the menu bar at the top of the page points to information spread throughout the site, and to visualizations done by interns to help build a better understanding of our strategies

5) this points to a list of Chicago tutor/mentor programs where you can volunteer time or talent; and to pages where you can offer support for helping continue the work being done by Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC.

6) this section includes history, mission, planning resources, etc.

7-9) The middle section of the web site will be refreshed regularly to focus on some of the ideas contained in the sections along either side of the home page. Once you browse through the site and the links you'll see that this web site provides a wide range of information in many different sections. It may be difficult for first-time visitors to know where to start, or what to look for.

View this video to help you navigate this site,  created by an intern from South Korea and IIT in Chicago

Know your network. Use your Network.

This graphic is part of an essay that you can read at this link.  It describes a need to share ideas from the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC with a growing number of people in Chicago and around the country if we are to achieve long-term success in connecting larger numbers of inner city K-12 youth with adult tutors/mentors through well-organized non-school and school-based tutor/mentor programs.

What is Network Analysis?
If you have not thought much about network analysis, or how networks of people need to work together to solve complex problems, the links below provide a path for your learning.

How does this impact youth?
If you would like to follow our progress in mapping and understanding the Tutor/Mentor Connection network which has grown since 1975 when founder Dan Bassill began his leadership of a volunteer-based tutor/mentor program in Chicago, follow the links below.

Understand Geographic Mapping, Too.
Tutor/Mentor Connection has piloted uses of GIS maps since 1994. See ideas here, here, and here.

Links to follow:
*  Social Network Analysis Workspace for Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC and Tutor/Mentor Connection - here

•  Read report showing analysis of 1994-2014 Tutor/Mentor Conferences by IVMOOC2015 team at Indiana University. Looking for researchers who will do follow up on this work
• Read the 2025 report from the IVMOOC team that introduces a new, open-source resource, that anyone can use to map participation in events that they organize

* Collaboration and Community building articles - library

* Social Capital articles and research articles - Library

* Articles on Tutor/Mentor Blog. a) Network Building, b) Network Analysis c) Networking d) Mapping Participation

* Social Capital links in Wordpress blog

• Mapping social network using NodeXL - tutorial
• Mapping networks and ideas using Kumu.io - articles

* Talent needed to support this work - network map (this could be used as worksheet for any organization)

Work Done to Map Tutor/Mentor Connection Network Growth

* Tutor/Mentor Conference analysis - 2008-2009
* Maps showing Tutor/Mentor Conference participation
* Growth of Ning network from 2007-2012 - Intern project
* Building Networks of Purpose - Network Analysis using Facebook Group . This also is an example of how SNA could demonstrate value of long-term tutor/mentor programs.

New advances in network mapping -
Visit the ICouldBe web site and follow the work they have started to expand social capital and map network growth of their students.

Between 1993 and 2015 interns from many colleges and universities helped the Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection and Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC share ideas and strategies by creating visualizations that interpreted ideas they saw on our blogs.  Many were interns from South Korea and China. Most were from IIT in Chicago.  

On this page are some of the visualizations created using Adobe Flash animation, which is no longer supported. These have been embedded into videos so you can still view them.  As you look at these consider ways your own students might interpret the same ideas, but focused on your community, not on Chicago.   

Visit this page to see additional videos and additional visualizations created by interns. View articles on this blog showing work done by interns.

Note. Most of these videos were created prior to 2018 and still show a PO Box mailing address.  Use the contact us page to find current information. 

This animated strategy map. View the video version - click here 

This is a second video with this animation. 

View this blog article showing how this project was first created by Alan Yoo and Rack Hyu Shin in January 2009, then updated in the fall by Gun Woong Go and Sung Joong Kim. The narration was provided by Chris Warren, our 2008-09 NUPIP  Fellow.

Resources available on the Tutor/Mentor Connection website.    click here

 
This was a second project created in 2009 by Gun Woong Go and Sung Joong Kim. Since flash animation no longer works you can view the animation in the video link shown above.

Year-round strategy animation/video - click here

This Flash Animation was created in 2010 by Eunsoo Lee and Jawon Koo, from South Korea. Read about it in this blog article.this blog article.

Push-pull strategy visualized in this animation. View video at click here

This blog article shows the original version used to create this animation.

This an

Volunteering as a form of adult service learning.  click here

Read this article to see how In Hee Cho, and intern from South Korea, created this animation in 2011.   In this article you can see the first version of this animation, created in 2007 by an intern from Hong Kong. 

 

Volunteer Growth Cycle - view video  click here

This presentation was created in 2010 by Li Li, a University of Michigan graduate student who was part of an Alternative Spring Break Program - click here

Enough is Enough animation -   click here

This animation was created by an intern from South Korea in 2011, using this article as a starting point. 

How to start a tutor/mentor program - click here

This animation was created by Sam Lee, an intern from South Korea, in 2011.

Interns can make a difference.   click here

This Prezi visualization was created by SunJoong Yoo in 2014 to show work done by previous interns.   This type of project could be done in many schools, helping connect people and ideas from past years. 

Role of many leaders - animation.  click here   

This was the second part of a Flash Animation project created by Eunsoo Lee and Jawon Koo in 2010.

Learning Path to understand and adopt Tutor/Mentor strategies - click here

 This video was created in 2015 by Wona Chang, and intern from South Korea to draw attention to the information in this concept map. 

Growth of the Network - Mina Song, 2012 - click here

Visit this blog article to see network analysis work done in 2012 by Mina Song and Chul Wan Park, interns from South Korea.

Getting to Know the Tutor/Mentor Connection, by Song Me Lee, intern from South Korea. 2012- click here

 

The work done by interns that is shown on this and other pages demonstrates a role that students at any college or high school could take.  Imagine going to your school's website and find a collection of visualizations similar to what I show on these pages. 

"We Will be Hope" animation sharing who the Tutor/Mentor Connection is.  By Song Me Lee, 2012
click here

PSA created in 2014 to call attention to Shoppers Guide pdf - click here

This is one of four PSA videos created in 2014 by Sun Jong Yoo, an intern from South Korea.  View the Shoppers Guide pdf at this link. 

PSA created in 2014 to call attention to planning strategies shared on Tutor/Mentor blog - click here

This is one of four PSA videos created in 2014 by Sun Jong Yoo, an intern from South Korea.  View the PDF at this link. 

Help make mentor-rich programs available to youth throughout Chicago and other cities.

Read article titled ROLE OF LEADERS

Read more about National Mentoring Month and ways to get involved.  Follow Tutor/Mentor Institute blog articles and build your involvement.

Become a sponsor of the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC and my efforts.

Read my Dec. 2016 Holiday Letter

Daniel F. Bassill, D.H.L.
Tutor/Mentor Connection,  Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC

The graphic below shows the talents that the Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC seeks to combine in a team of people and organizations working to help more and better volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs reach kids living in high poverty areas of the world. That's our mission. This is the team we need to build to achieve it.

One section of this graphic focuses on "knowledge management" and includes visualization and social network analysis. Such talents are needed to turn this graphic from a static image, to a concept map such as this, to an interactive platform where people can log in, choose what group they want to be part of, then show up on an updated version of the concept map.

Another role of knowledge management and visualization would be to create debategraphs, like this one, to help organize the ideas we're talking about and show how they connect to each other in an on-going process aimed at building and sustaining our work for many years. In this case, the goal is not just to sustain Tutor/Mentor Institute, but to help sustain hundreds, if not thousands, of individual tutor/mentor programs operating in multiple cities.

If we can create these tools and apply them to our own team building, we can share them to help with team-building in any tutor/mentor program, any intermediary network, and any social benefit cause. If we can earn income from leasing these or training people to use them we can sustain our efforts without dependence on government or philanthropic support.

If you want to be part of this team introduce yourself on the T/MC Forum or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Since 1993 the Tutor/Mentor Connection has been sending print and email newsletters to share information that others can use to help youth in high poverty areas connect with extra adults and learning in organized, volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs.  Since 2011 these newsletters have come from Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC.

Visit the links below to see past newsletters.

2026 T/MC - T/MI newsletters - click here
2025 T/MC - T/MI newsletters - click here
2024 T/MC - T/MI newsletters - click here
2023 T/MC - T/MI newsletters - click here
2022 T/MC - T/MI newsletters - click here
2021 T/MC - T/MI newsletters - click here

Scroll to bottom of this list to view printed newsletters from pre 2000.

2020 newsletters will be in the Google Drive archive

2019 newsletters will be in the Google Drive archive

2018 newsletters will be in the Google Drive archive

12-1-17 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

10-24-17 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

9-25-17 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

8-22-17 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

7-25-17 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

6-20-17 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

5-23-17 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

4-19-17 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

3-21-17 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

2-21-17 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

1-23-17 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

11-22-16 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

10-23-16 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

9-23-16 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

8-23-16 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

7-20-16 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

6-21-16 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

4-27-16 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

3-21-16 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

2-12-16 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

1-19-16 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

12-15-15 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

11-9-15 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

10-6-15 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

9-1-15 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

7-28-15 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

5-28-15 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

4-28-15 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

3-25-15 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

2-11-15 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

1-13-15 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

12-1-14 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

10.22.14 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

9.21.14 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

8.25.14 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

7.28.14 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

4.22.14 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

3.20.14 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

2.10.14 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

1.20.14 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

12.17.13 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter
11.15.13 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter http://tinyurl.com/Nov2013-TMI-eNews

9.17.13 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

8.18.13 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

7.22.13 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

6.22.13 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

5.25.13 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

4.15.13 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

3.11.13 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

2.13.13 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

1.10.13 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

12.12.2012 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

10.17.2012 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

9.21.2012 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

8.13.2012 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

7.10.2012 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

5.28.2012 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

4.19.2012 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

3.15.2012 Tutor/Mentor Institute Newsletter

2009 to 2013 eNews archive - click here
2007-2009 eNews archive - click here
2000 to 2006 eNews archive - click here

COPIES OF PRINT NEWSLETTERS FROM PRE-2000

Note: Address and all contact information is now different from what is in these newsletters.
The strategy is now led by Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC. The goals are the same. The reasons to
do this work have not changed.

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to become involved

Feb. 2004T/MC Report newsletter (PDF)

Fall 1999 T/MC Report newsletter (PDF)

Summer 1999 T/MC Report Newsletter (PDF) w/Barack Obama

Jan-Feb 1999 T/MC Report newsletter (PDF)

Jan-Feb 1998 T/MC Report Newsletter (PDF)

Jan-Feb 1997 T/MC Report Newsletter (PDF)

Jan-Feb 1996 T/MC Report Newsletter (PDF) w/CPS CEO Paul Vallas

Summer 1995 T/MC Report Newsletter (PDF)

Fall 1994 T/MC Report Newsletter (PDF)

Open this archive to see all 1993-2003 Cabrini Connections and Tutor/Mentor Connection print newsletters

Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC archive of ideas and strategies.  Apply in any city.

This page shares strategies developed since 1990s by Dan Bassill, founder of Tutor/Mentor Connection (1993-present) and Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC (2011-present).  In other sections of this website you can find ideas of others, which we host in this library and this list of Chicago tutor/mentor programs.

These ideas focus on ways to build and sustain volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs reaching K-12 youth in high poverty areas of Chicago and other cities.  They show what an ideal tutor/mentor program might look like, and what industry and philanthropy leaders, and individuals from all parts of the country, need to do to help such programs be in all places where they are needed.

Please read these, share them with people in your own networks, and use them in actions that help tutor/mentor programs grow in Chicago and other cities. You are invited to help us improve these, create your own versions, and write new articles that we have not yet even thought of.  Visit this page and view visualizations created between 2006 and 2015 by Interns working with T/MC and T/MI.

Read new 2024 long essay showing Dan Bassill's 1993-present efforts to engage universities. click here.  Engage your own students in studying this and other presentations shown on this page, and then in creating similar visualizations and create a page like this on your own website to share your ideas. Share how your are using these. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your comments.   

Show your support with a contribution. 

View Introductions of Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC

Intro to T/MI - version 1 -  click here
Intro to T/MI - version 2- click here
Tutor/Mentor Learning Network - click here

Note: many of these PDFs still show a Merchandise Mart PO Box address. Since 2021 that has been closed. Find contact info on this page.

NEW 2024. You can now find many of these PDF visual essays on this page.

Definition of Problem - Why and Where Volunteer-Based Tutor/Mentor Programs are Most Needed

1. Tutor/Mentor Connection Network of Purpose - Why and where tutor/mentor programs are needed, and how we support the growth of volunteer based programs in high poverty neighborhoods
   
2. Tutor/Mentor, Same Words, Different Meaning - defining the terms - understand the difference between tutoring and mentoring
3. Shoppers Guide - What Would you want to see on a tutor/mentor program web site to convince you to donate or volunteer?
4. Tutor/Mentor Connection 4-Part Strategy-Essay;   Tutor/Mentor Connection strategy map (video of flash animation)
5. Role of Volunteer-Based Tutor/Mentor Connection
6. Role of Volunteer-Based Tutor/Mentor Program – We’re all in the TO WORK Business
7. Mentor Role in Larger Youth Development Strategy - essay on Scribd
8. Education to Careers Blueprint shows support youth require from first grade through first job
9. Think of Tutor/Mentor Programs as retail store delivering needed services in a neighborhood
10. Could this be a Jobs Creating strategy to help overcome current unemployment, not just build future workers.

Understanding Availability and Distribution of Volunteer-Based Tutor/Mentor Programs in Chicago

1. Using Internet to find resources that help support growth of volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs - T/MC On-line Resources
2. Planning Cycle - War On  Poverty pdf
3. No General would go to a war without a map - Understanding T/MC use of maps; 
4. Use of maps and data to show where tutor/mentor programs are most needed
   
5. Use of maps by elected leaders. Example: Illinois 7th Congressional District
6. Use of maps: Example, Illinois 14th Senate District.
7. Mapping high dropout schools and political districts as strategy for mobilizing votes 
8. Instructions for using Tutor/Mentor Program Locator web site (now only available as an archive)
9. Help collect and organize information about tutor/mentor programs in Chicago area
10. Intern, volunteer opportunity - Rest Of The Story PDF
11. Building Tutor/Mentor Connection on college campus. View this pdf

Case for Strategic Business Investment and Employee Involvement

1. The Tutor/Mentor Connection Logic Model
2. Tutor/Mentor Connection’s Theory of Change
   
3. Tipping Points - actions that could dramatically change the availability of volunteer-based tutor/mentor programs
4. Value Tutor/Mentor Connection and Tutor/Mentor Institute offer to business and Non-Profits 
5. What will it take to assure that all youth now living in poverty are entering careers by age 25? A Workforce Development Strategy
6. Virtual Corporate Office supporting growth of Tutor/Mentor Programs, role of corporate teams. 
7. Tutor/Mentor Connection – Case for Business Involvement
   
   

Leadership Strategies

• Role of Leaders
• Role of consultants and talent volunteers in building network capacity
• Network Building - Unleashing Personal Power
• Collective Effort PDF - we can do more working together than working alone 
• Tutor/Mentor Hospital Connection, a strategic plan for forming a leadership group within a hospital
• University based Tutor/Mentor Connection. Read blog article showing 30-year outreach and goal. Read strategy plan on Scribd.com.
• Tutor/Mentor Lawyers Connection-Concept
• Strategy for Faith Leaders PDF - version 1;  version 2
• College groups, fraternities as Leaders; PDF;  Youth As Leaders on Scribd
• Tutor/Mentor Connection Quarterly Events. Creating year round visibility.  Video showing animated version by IIT interns
• It takes a village animation video - adapted from animation created by University of Michigan interns.

Collaboration and Capacity Building

• Tutoring/Mentoring as a form of Service-Learning
  See flash animation view of service-learning loop in video
• Role of Tutor/Mentor Connection, and Intermediaries, in a Community Building Strategy
• Collaboration Goals - increase resources for all tutor/mentor programs within a city
• Animated concept map (video) illustrating how we hope to reduce silos of thinking and encourage greater sharing of ideas and collaboration across sector.
• Year Round Event Cycle - PDF ESSAY
  
• Tutor/Mentor Leadership e-Conference – Introduction and Overview
• Understanding needs of tutor/mentor program: summary of 2000-2003 survey data
• Business School Connection Vision (wiki)
• Understanding Tutor/Mentor Connection Network - Social Network Analysis Goals

Volunteer Recruitment Strategies

• How sports, media and arts celebrities can help mobilize volunteers - Make the Connection
• How volunteers become leaders in tutor/mentor programs (video); view blog article
• Strategic thinking about volunteering and service2011 (Intern created this)
  
• Recruiting Talent and Pro Bono Volunteers for volunteer-based organizations 
• Chicagoland Tutor/Mentor Back to School Volunteer Recruitment Campaign

How to Start and Sustain a Volunteer Based Tutor/Mentor Program

• Steps for Starting and Building a new Tutor/Mentor Program
• Operating Principles - for starting, operating and sustaining a tutor/mentor program
• Annual Planning Calendar - way to engage youth, volunteers, stakeholders in mission of program
• Success Steps - plan for career-focused tutor/mentor program

• "Thank You Dan" from 1989-90. Signed by students and volunteers.  click here.
• "Growth and expansion (wiki) of the Tutor/Mentor Institute and Tutor/mentor Connection
• Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC and Tutor/Mentor Connection - A Learning Network Strategy
• Network Building Strategy developed over past 20 years -
  
• Using ideas to stimulate competitive innovation and increase flow of resources - 
  

• Tutor/Mentor Connection – About us 2-page pdf (created by interns in mid 2000s while T/MC still part of Cabrini Connection

• Origin of Tutor/Mentor Connection in 1993 and Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC in 2011 - click here
  
• Daniel Bassill Story: The Tutor/Mentor Business, Sara Caldwell, 1997

Building greater understanding of Tutor/Mentor Connection
These are PDF versions of graphics created between 1995 and 2005 to illustrate T/MC ideas. Up till July 2011 these have not been published  on-line.

1.  Tutor/Mentor Connection 4-part strategy - PDF  1995 version

2.  Tutor/Mentor Institute, LLC, Tutor/Mentor Connection 4-part strategy

3.  View visualizations by IIT Interns showing 4-part strategy

How do We Evaluate Impact?

• Read the pdf essays shown above, titled Theory of Change, Logic Model, Tipping Points and Case for Business Involvement)
• This report shows the growth of the Tutor/Mentor Connection from 1993 to 2011.
• Decade of Challenges: 2000-2010. Read blog articles showing what T/MC has achieved and challenges we've faced. View PDF report of 2000-2010
• View Chart of  GOALS and STRATEGY 
• Improvement of T/MC - recommendations from DePaul students
• View Metrics Chart - Concept Map (2000-2010)
• View Organizational History and Tracking System (OHATS) history and goals
  This page shows people/organizations who helped T/MC grow from 1993-2002
• Comparison of T/MC to Mentoring Partnerships in other Cities & States

Research and Recommended Reading

• Articles in Tutor/Mentor Library on High School Drop Out, No Child Left Behind, etc.
• Rest of the Story - PR strategy/Intern opportunity
• Adolescent Literacy: What Works and Why, by Garland Publishing,The Center for Early Adolescence, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This 1988 report featured the Montgomery Ward/Cabrini-Green Tutoring Program, which was led by Dan Bassill from 1975-1992. The lessons learned from this program are a foundation for Tutor/Mentor Institute ideas.
  
• DePaul University student marketing review - early  2000s. click here
• DePaul University Freshman Explore Chicago Class Assignment, 2010

Many of these visual essays can also be found on Scribd.com

Many are also available on Slideshare.com/tutormentor)