Be a Mentor

The vision of the YPLF is to allow youth, who have already shown an interest in stamp collecting, an enriching and dynamic experience with a specific aspect of the hobby. Youth, ages 13 through 17, are Junior Fellows and youth, ages 18 through 25, are Senior Fellows. Junior Fellows participate in the Fellowship for one year and Senior Fellows participate for two years. Junior and Senior Fellows, after an introduction to the program, will choose one of three tracks on which their year will focus: Dealer Track, Exhibitor Track, and Author Track.

Be a YPLF Mentor who will meet with a Fellow to guide and instruct him or her in their chosen track. Mentors should have experience as a dealer, exhibitor, or author and willing to help a young person achieve his or her goals. Through a detailed application process, these mentors are chosen based on their knowledge of philately, their willingness to assist young people to succeed in their chosen goals, and their history of commitment to the hobby of stamp collecting.

If you have an interest in assisting a Fellow on their chosen path throughout the program, apply to be a Mentor. If you have questions or just a general interest, complete the form linked here.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is my time commitment?
Junior Fellows are in the program for a year while Senior Fellows participate for two years. A Mentor assigned to a Junior Fellow is asked to commit one year in helping the Fellow. A Mentor assigned to a Senior Fellow may commit to one or two years.

What is expected of me?
The Mentor communicates with the Fellow by mail, email, or phone as the Fellow completes his or her program requirements within the chosen track. Mentors provide philatelic supervision and advice. For more details regarding the Fellows’ program requirements, contact Gretchen Moody, or 814-933-3810.

What is my financial commitment?
Mentors will meet with their Fellows at three APS stamp shows, two summer shows and 1 winter show. Mentors will need to cover their transportation, housing, and meal costs for the shows. Other potential costs may involve postage when communicating with the Fellow.

How do I apply?
An application form will soon be available for potential Mentors. Beyond the routine information necessary, a Mentor applicant will need to provide a personal reference, a philatelic reference, and answer two questions explaining why they are interested in being a Mentor and what, if any, experience the applicant has working with youth in any setting, i.e. coaching, parenting, teaching, etc.

Why is a background check necessary?
Child safety is a top priority for the Young Philatelic Leaders Fellowship.  Screening adults working closely with youth who are in our care is a necessary part of the YPLF program. There is no cost to the Mentor applicant. Reports sent to the American Philatelic Society are viewed only by the APS Controller and are confidentially and securely filed. Copies can be sent to the Mentor applicant upon request.

How are Mentors recognized?
We recognize volunteers such as Mentors in the April issue of the American Philatelist magazine, the APS’ premiere publication. We will also list Mentors on the YPLF website and in publications, such as programs brochures at various YPLF events. If a Mentor does not wish to be recognized, that is respected. 

How will the APS handle complaints?
While we are assured that all participants have the best of intentions, conflict can arise to make participation uncomfortable, awkward or unpleasant. In an effort to be proactive, the YPLF offers mediation upon request, whether initiated by the Fellow or by the Mentor. In the event that a Fellow/Mentor relationship would need to be dissolved, the APS will work to find another Mentor for the remaining time the Fellow is in the program.

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