Responsible Mentoring

VMP encourages all programs to follow the Elements of Effective Practice, research-based practices for running a responsible mentoring program.

CREATING A RESPONSIBLE MENTORING PROGRAM

Responsible Mentoring:

Is a structured relationship or partnership that focuses on the needs of the mentee
Fosters caring and supportive relationships
Encourages invididuals to develop to their fullest potential
Helps an individual to develop his or her own vision for the future
Is a strategy to develop active community partnerships

A Checklist:

A statement of purpose and a long-range plan that identifies the community need, as well as how the program will work and how it will be funded.
A recruitment plan for mentors and young participants that includes strategies for year-round marketing and public relations, and plans for portraying the benefits of the program for all involved in an accurate way.
An orientation for mentors and participants that includes an overview of the program, a description of the level of commitment expected, and discussion of eligibility, screening and suitability requirements.
Eligibility screening for mentors and participants that features face-to-face interviews and home visits, a formal application process, and reference checks for mentors, including character references, child abuse registry checks, and driving and criminal record checks, where legally permissible.
A readiness and training curriculum for all mentors and participants that includes communication skills development, cultural/heritage sensitivity training, and training in the dos and don’ts of relationship management, among other topics.
A matching strategy that is based on criteria such as gender, age, language requirements, availability, interests and life experiences and that includes teambuilding strategies to reduce the anxiety of the first meeting.
A monitoring process that includes written records; consistent, scheduled meetings with staff, mentors and participants; and a process for managing grievances, praise, interpersonal problem-solving and other issues.
A support, recognition and retention component that includes a formal kickoff event, ongoing peer support groups for volunteers and participants, and newsletters and other communication involved.
Closure steps in case a mentoring relationship has to be terminated, including private and confidential exit interviews and assistance for participants in defining next steps for achieving their personal goals.
An evaluation process that is based on outcome analysis of individual relationships and the program as a whole and that meets the information needs of the board, funders and other supporters in the community.

Responsible Mentoring

CREATING A RESPONSIBLE MENTORING PROGRAM

Responsible Mentoring:

Is a structured relationship or partnership that focuses on the needs of the mentee

Fosters caring and supportive relationships

Encourages invididuals to develop to their fullest potential

Helps an individual to develop his or her own vision for the future

Is a strategy to develop active community partnerships

A Checklist:

A recruitment plan for mentors and young participants that includes strategies for year-round marketing and public relations, and plans for portraying the benefits of the program for all involved in an accurate way.

An orientation for mentors and participants that includes an overview of the program, a description of the level of commitment expected, and discussion of eligibility, screening and suitability requirements.

Eligibility screening for mentors and participants that features face-to-face interviews and home visits, a formal application process, and reference checks for mentors, including character references, child abuse registry checks, and driving and criminal record checks, where legally permissible.

A readiness and training curriculum for all mentors and participants that includes communication skills development, cultural/heritage sensitivity training, and training in the dos and don’ts of relationship management, among other topics.

A matching strategy that is based on criteria such as gender, age, language requirements, availability, interests and life experiences and that includes teambuilding strategies to reduce the anxiety of the first meeting.

A monitoring process that includes written records; consistent, scheduled meetings with staff, mentors and participants; and a process for managing grievances, praise, interpersonal problem-solving and other issues.

A support, recognition and retention component that includes a formal kickoff event, ongoing peer support groups for volunteers and participants, and newsletters and other communication involved.

Closure steps in case a mentoring relationship has to be terminated, including private and confidential exit interviews and assistance for participants in defining next steps for achieving their personal goals.

An evaluation process that is based on outcome analysis of individual relationships and the program as a whole and that meets the information needs of the board, funders and other supporters in the community.

Program Director

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