The Board of Directors of Emmet County Kinship did some soul-searching Wednesday night in an attempt to chart its future course.

Things are going well for the organization that works to match caring adult role models with youth who can benefit from their advice and companionship. There are currently 15 matches between mentors and mentees. However, the Kinship board - as well as a growing list of anxious mentees - would like to see more mentors come to the program.

Toward that end, Kevin Stirtz, Kinship, Inc., executive director from Minneapolis, met with the Emmet County Kinship board and helped them lay out goals and directions for the upcoming year.

At the heart of those goals is finding new mentors to match with mentees. And, most particularly, Emmet County Kinship is looking for male mentors who would like to help a child.

The child benefits by having a caring adult role model. And the mentor benefits by having someone look up to him or her.

If you've ever thought of being a mentor but were either hesitant or didn't think you had the time, maybe it's time you reconsidered.

It takes just one hour a week. That's one hour of going to a movie, playing ball, going on a hike, sharing a hobby or helping a young person with homework. That's just one hour a week of support and encouragement that you could give. Think of it as pouring water on a flower and watching it grow. Just imagine how rewarding that would feel.

Kids are far from judgmental. All they want is to know there's someone out there they can talk to and who cares.

Or if you're the type who is just a workaholic and you've convinced yourself that you don't have the time, think of it this way. You can either work yourself to death, or else you can take off that one hour a week and spend it doing something you really enjoy with a child. You'll live longer and you'll make a child's life a lot richer.

You don't have to be a doctor or lawyer or rocket scientist to be a mentor. You can be just an average Joe who likes to tinker with old cars or machines. Just imagine how much that could excite some little guy!

All it takes to be a mentor is to care about kids and to be open and honest with them. If you think you can do that, and you are interested in being a mentor, call Emmet County Kinship now at 362-2828.

Emmet County Kinship is also holding a book sale at its bookstore next to Sievert's Furniture on Central Avenue in Estherville. Come in and take out all the books you can carry for a freewill donation from 1-7 p.m. today (Thursday), 9 a.m. to noon Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. next Wednesday, Dec. 23 - what an economical way to shop for Christmas!