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RVID Toolkit 6: Volunteer as Mentor �
Capacity Building Toolkit 6
THE VOLUNTEER AS MENTOR
IN THIS TOOLKIT
KSAMatrixandLearningPlan................................................................................... 2
WhatIsaMentor?....................................................................................................... 2
MODELS, CONCEpTS, AND CASES........................................................................ 5
Mentoring:PerceptionsfromPeaceCorpsHostCountryStaff................................... 5
WhatMentorsDo........................................................................................................ 6
SixKeyTypesofMentorAssistance........................................................................... 7
BehaviorstoAvoidinMentoring............................................................................... 10
DevelopingaMentoringPartnership......................................................................... 12
WorkingwithYoungPeople: HelpfulHintsfromAYouthPerspective.................................................................... 14
MoreTipsforMentorsWhoWorkwithChildrenandAdolescents.......................... 16
CulturalCautionsforMentors................................................................................... 17
OrganizingMentoringPrograms............................................................................... 18
StoriesfromtheField:Ecuador,Guinea,andThailand............................................. 19
IDEAS AND ACTIVITIES fOR pRACTICINg yOUR ROLE AS A MENTOR........................................................ 21
ReflectingonMentorsinYourPast............................................................................ 21
IdentifyingYourMentoringResources...................................................................... 23
ActiveListeningPractice........................................................................................... 25
BrainstormingaboutMentoringLinksintheLocalCommunity.............................. 26
KEy RESOURCES fOR MORE INfORMATION AND INSIgHT............................................................... 27
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VOLUNTEER AS MENTOR
KSA MATRIx AND LEARNINg pLAN
KNOWLEDgE SKILLS ATTITUDES
Knowledge, Examplesofsuccessful Modelingskills;relation- Respectandtrustinothers;skills, and mentoringmodels;youth shipbuilding;coaching patienceandperseverance;attitudes developmentmodels,issues, skillssuchasguidingwith consistencyandreliability;(KSAs) you andpracticesrelatedto questions;interpersonal desiretohelpselfandothersneed for this workingeffectivelywith communicationskillssuch growpersonallyandrole youth asactivelisteningand professionally;giveand feedbackskills receivefeedback;self-esteem
Your Whatknowledgeyoustill Skillsyouneedtogainor Thingsthatwillhelpyouinitiatives to needandwheretofindit: improveandhowyou changeanyattitudesthatwilllearn more mightworkonfurtherskill hinderyourrole: development:(Make a plan) – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
WHAT IS A MENTOR?Webster’sdictionarydefinesmentoras:“Awiseandtrustedteacherorcounselor.”ThetermcomestousfromGreekmythology—Odysseus,KingofIthacaaskedhistrustedfriend,Mentor,tolookafterhissonwhilehefoughttheTrojanWar.Inthecontextofcapacitybuilding,mentoringisapersonalorprofessionalrelationshipinwhichamoreexperiencedindividual(thementor)actsasaguide,rolemodel,coach,andsponsortoaless-experiencedperson(thementee).Inthisrelation-ship,thementor:
• offersknowledge,insight,perspectiveorwisdomthatisespeciallyusefultothementee;
• listens,affirms,counsels,encourages,andseeksinputtohelpthelearnerdevelopskills,expertise,and/ordirection;and
• clarifiesexpectationsabouttherelationshipand,insomecases,establishesmeasuresofsuccesswiththementee.
[A note on the term “mentee”: most people consider the term “mentee” more neutral than the term “protégé,” which for years was used to describe the relationship of an older, more senior person (e.g., a bank vice-president) guiding a younger person (e.g., a junior manager). In our text here, “mentee” refers simply to “the person being mentored”.]
MENTORINg
RVID Toolkit 6: Volunteer as Mentor �
Mentoringrelationshipsvaryintermsofthedegreeofstructure(frominformaltomoreformalstruc-ture)andlengthofengagement(fromspontaneous,short-terminteractiontolong-terminvestment).Decisionsabouthowmuchstructureyouneedandhowlongyoushouldmaintaintherelationshipwilldependonthepeopleinvolvedandthecontext.
DuringyourPeaceCorpsservice,youwilllikelyencounterseveralopportunitiestobothbe a mentorandbe mentored.Sometimesyoumayfindthatcertainpeopleinthecommunitychooseyoutobetheirmentorbecausetheyregardyouasarolemodel—youmayhavelittlesayinthematterotherthantocontinuebeingagoodexample!ManyVolunteersreportanenormoussenseoffulfillmentandrewardfromtheirexperiencesinmentoringacolleagueorafriend,inlargepartbecauseofthereciprocalnatureoftherelationship—bothpeoplehelplearnfromoneanother.AvividexampleofthissortofmentoringisthepartnershipbetweenaVolunteerandhisorherCounterpart.BoththeVolunteerandCounterparthavesomethingvaluabletooffertheotheratvarioustimesalongthewayintheirrelationship;theirsuccessaspartnersindevelopmentdependsingreatpartontheirwillingnesstogiveandaskforhelpfromoneanother.Inotherwords,theypassthe“mentoringstick”backandforthbetweenthem.
Animportantbutindirectcapacitybuildingroleistohelppotentialmentorsandmenteesinyourcommunityororganizationlinkupwithoneanother.Forexample,youmightencourageanoldergirltohelpayoungergirlcopewithpeerpressureandsocialrelationshipissues.Inmanycountries,girlsandyoungwomeninparticularcanbenefitfrommentoringactivitiesthathelpthemincreasetheirself-esteem,senseofself-worth,andawarenessoftheirpotentialandoptionsopentothem.
ExAMpLES Of THE MENTORINg ROLE IN THE pEACE CORpS
Kelly,ahealthVolunteer,meetsregularlywithElena,ahealthworkerinherlocalclinic.Elenahasgoodinterpersonalskillsandnaturalgiftsasagroupfacilitator.ShehasaskedKellytocoachherinsomenewmethodsforworkingwithgroupsandhelphermovetowardhergoalofbecomingalocalleader.KellysharesideasandresourceswithElenaandtriestomodelgoodleadershipbehaviors.Elena,inturn,ishelpingKellypracticethelocaltraditionofstorytellinganduseittoaddresssensitivehealthissues.Wheneverpossible,theyobserveoneanotherfacilitatingmeetings,andafterwardsdiscusstheexperienceintermsofskilldevelopment.
Mark,asmallbusinessVolunteer,hasorganizedasmallschool-basedprogramfor linking young people with professionals in the community, including,amongothers,ateacher,nurse,agronomist,publicofficial,businessmanager,andartisan.Basedon their individual interests,eachstudentselectsoneoftheprofessionalworkerstomeetwithand“shadow”overthecourseofthesemester,exploringdifferentperspectivesandopportunities.Attheendoftheterm,thestudentssharetheirinsightsfromtheexperienceandrelatethemtotheirfutureaspirations.
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Sabrina,aneducationVolunteer,organizedagirls’clubandiscurrentlyleadingtheparticipantsinaseriesofworkshopsfocusingonlifeskillssuchasleadership,assertivecommunication,anddecisionmaking.Overtheweeks,asthegirlsaddressedcriticalissuessuchasHIV/AIDS,teenpregnancy,anddruguse,theyexpressedconcernforthewell-beingoftheiryoungersistersandgirlfriends.Theywantedtohelptheseyoungerpeopleunderstandthechoicestheyhave,feelmoreconfident,andmakeinformeddecisions.Toaddressthisexpressedneed,Sabrinaandtheoldergirlsareinitiatingaprograminwhichtheoldergirlsmentortheyoungerones.Sometimesallthegirlsgettogetherasalargegrouptodiscuss“hot”topics;othertimes,theymeetinpairsortriostotalkconfidentiallyaboutcriticalsituationsordecisionpointsintheirlives(forexample,decidingtosay“no”toaboyfriend’ssexualadvances).
Jerome was a National ParksVolunteer who worked in projects to raiseenvironmentalawarenessamongfamilieslivingincommunitiesthatborderonparkboundaries.Aboutayearintohisservice,hemetayoungboy,Miguel,whowasanenergeticparticipantinseveraloftheprojects.Afteroneofthemeetings,MiguelaskedJeromeifhecouldvisithimathisofficetoseesomeofhisconservationbooksandothermaterials.ThatvisitlaunchedaninformalmentoringpartnershipthatlastedfortherestofJerome’sservice.JerometaughtMiguelaboutbiologyandecology;MiguelandhisfamilytaughtJeromeabouttheindigenouspeople’sdeepties,bothphysicalandspiritual,totheforestlands.BeforeJeromeendedhisservice,hepersuadedtheParkdirectortohireMiguelpart-timeasajuniorranger.Nowayearlater,theNationalParkisconnectedtotheInternetandJeromeandMiguelare“virtual”friends,usinge-mailtostayintouch,exchangeconservationinformation,andsharestories.
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You don’t truly know something yourself
until you take it from your own mind
and put it into somebody else’s.
— Jazz great Milt Hinton(born 1923)
RVID Toolkit 6: Volunteer as Mentor �
Capacity Building Toolkit 6
MODELS, CONCEpTS, AND CASES
MENTORINg: pERCEpTIONS fROM pEACE CORpS HOST COUNTRy STAff
Inaworkshop,PeaceCorpsLanguage/Cross-CulturalTrainersfrom11differentcountriesexploredwhatitmeanstoserveasamentor.Thetablebelowcapturestheirinitialthoughtsandexperiences.
Foryou,whatdoes Knowledge,options,nice,advisor,promotesdiversityofideas,“mentoring”imply? enhances,change,responsibility,goodcounselor,leader,guidance, competencies,experience,monitoringandevaluation,specificneeds, support,resourceperson,outcomes,sharesideas,capacitybuilder, facilitator,empowering,initiator,helpstofillagap,instructor
Whoisgenerallyinvolvedin Trainers,parents,wholeorganizations,someonewhoneedshelp,amentoringrelationship? trainees,teachers,experiencedpeople,alearner
Whenismentoring Whenappropriate—whenneeded,askedfor,wanted,specific,fillsaappropriateandwhenitis gap,sharedgoalsandunderstanding,agreedonstrategy,knowledgeablenotappropriate? andprofessional,one-on-one
WhenNOTappropriate—noneed,imposed,notqualified,notserious, whenculturallyinappropriate
Howisitinitiated– Spontaneous,notplanned,consensus,referralformally,informally?
Whatistheroleofthementor? Patienceandhonesty,activelistener,helper,providesguidance, developsstrategy,createsnewopportunitiestolearn,ishumble,adapt knowledgetoasituation,goodfacilitator,rolemodel,setsanexample, supportive,flexible,motivator,resource,assists
Whatistheroleofthe Patienceandhonesty,activelistener,identifiesneeds,seeksoutsidepersonbeingmentored? opinion,wantingtolearn,self-confidence,nottotallydependent,sets expectations,flexibleandopentochange
Howdoyouknowwhenthe Skillsaretransferred,feelsbetter,feedback,results(notalwaysinstant),mentoringissuccessful? follow-up,sustainability,ongoing,positivechange
Thinkaboutsomeoneyou Developsindividualtalents,non-judgmental,knowledgeable,resource-consideragoodmentor.What ful,easytoapproach,workswithlocalresources,realistic,creative,aresomeofthethingsthat supportive,empathetic,opentopersonalgrowth,humorous,available,makehimorhergood? interpersonalcommunicationsskills,flexiblebutorganized,iscredible, hasappropriateskills,delegates,createscomfort,safeenvironment, awareofculture,valuesdiversity
FromaLanguage/Cross-CulturalMentorWorkshop,October,2000,Washington,DC.
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WHAT MENTORS DO…
Hereisalistofthingsmentorsfrequentlydotohelptheirmentees.Thelistisnotexhaustive—youmaywanttoaddsomeactionsbasedonyourownpastorcurrentexperiences.
Others have I’ve done this
MENTOR SKILL OR ACTIVITy done this for me for others
1. Sethighexpectationsofperformance.
2. Offerchallengingideas.
3. Helpbuildself-confidence.
4. Encourageprofessionalbehavior.
5. Offerfriendship.
6. Providepositivereinforcementandencouragement.
7. Listentopersonalproblems.
8. Teachbyexample.
9. Inspirethroughactionsandwords.
10. Encouragerisktaking.
11. Confrontnegativebehaviorsandattitudes.
12. Offerwisecounsel.
13. Sharecriticalknowledge.
14. Assistwithcareerdevelopment.
15. Suggestwaystoexcel.
16. Areavailablewhenneeded.
17. Teachspecificskills.
18. Triggerself-awareness.
19. Explainhowtheorganizationworks.
20. Provideaccesstokeypeopleandinformation.
[Adaptedwithpermissionfrom:mentoring byGordonF.Shea,CrispPublications,Inc.,1200HamiltonCourt,MenloPark,California94025.1997.]
RVID Toolkit 6: Volunteer as Mentor �
SIx KEy TypES Of MENTOR ASSISTANCE
Thesearesixparticularlyhelpfulwaystoencouragepersonaldevelopment.Theyarecriticalcompo-nentsofahealthygrowthprocessforallofus.Theirstrengthliesnotinthenotionthattheymeetallthementee’sneeds—theydon’t.Buttheymeetkeyneeds,andwhenofferedatimportantjuncturesinaperson’slifetheycanhelpthepersonresolveaproblemordecisionandmoveon.
�. Helpingapersonshiftherorhismentalcontext(envisioningoutcomes/goals)
�. Listeningwhenthementeehasaproblem;identifyingmenteefeelingsandverifyingthem(activelistening)
�. Effectivelyconfrontingnegativeintentionsorbehaviors(using“I”statements/feedback)
�. Providingpositivereinforcement
�. Providingappropriateinformationwhenneeded
6. Encouragingexplorationofoptions(askingquestions,suggestingalternatives)
HELpINg A pERSON SHIfT MENTAL CONTExTImaginationisacriticalcomponentofone’sdevelopment.Asmentors,wehelpourmenteescreateapersonalvisionofhealthychange.They,ontheirown,willdomostofthethingsneededtobringthevisiontoreality.Thefollowingexerciseswillhelpyoubetterunderstandhowtoshiftcontext:
• Thinkbacktoanimportantdecisionyouhavehadtomakeinyourownlifewhereyouweretornbetweenalternatives.Listthreethingsyouneededfrompeopleclosetoyoutohelpyoumakethebestdecision.
• Thinkbacktoatimeinyourpastwhenyoumadeorwereabouttomakeaseriousmistakeorerrorinjudgment.Identifythreethingsthatsomeoneelsedidorcouldhavedonetokeepthatsituationfromturningoutbad.
• Envisiononepersonalgoalyouwouldliketoachieve.Pictureyourselfbeingthere.Focusonthe“what,”notthe“how.”
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LISTENINg ACTIVELy WHEN THE MENTEE HAS A pROBLEM
Allofusneedsomeonetotalkto,someonetoserveasasoundingboardwhenwehaveproblemsorissuesweighingusdown.Providingalisteningear—withouttakingontheotherperson’sproblem,givingadvice,orjoiningherinthe“blamegame”—canserveasapowerfulaidtoamentee.Manymentorsbelievethatrespectfullisteningisthepremiermentoringart.Respectfullisteningistheabilitytobecomeabsorbedinwhattheotherpersonissayingaboutherproblem,treatingherwordsasconfidential,notinterjectingourownviews,opinions,orsuggestions.Whenrespectfullisteningoccurs,theotherpersonhasanopportunitytogaininsightintoherproblembyarticulatingit,tosortthingsout,perhapstodevelopsomealternativesolutions,andalmostalwaystogainemotionalrelieffromtheissuesbeforeher.
Whenyoulistenactivelyandrespectfully,youacceptwhatthepersonissayingasgenuineandtryto“hear”thefeelingandmeaninginthewords.Thefactsinamessagearetheobjectivereality;howapersonfeelsaboutthemusuallyidentifieswhetherornotaproblemexists,thedimensionsoftheproblem,andoftenitsimportance.
Active listening is… Active listening is not…
Empathizing: ArguingNodding,eyecontact,attending
Questioning(who,what,how): Givingthe“facts”“Howdoyoufeelabout…?”“Whataresomeexamplesof…?”
Clarifying(paraphrasing): Jumpingtoprematureconclusions“You’rereallyfrustratedabout…”“So,you’resuggesting…”
Encouragingtheindividualto Givingtheanswergeneratesolutions:“Howdoyoupicture…?”“Whatmightthatlooklike?”“Ifyouwereinherplace,whatwould…?”“Ifyoucoulddoitagain,howwould…?”
[AdaptedwithpermissionofTheMcGraw-HillCompaniesfromthe Diversity tool KitIV,byLeeGardenswartzandAnitaRowe,IrwinProfessionalPublishing,1994.]
pRODUCTIVE CONfRONTATIONSometimesamentorfindsitimportanttoconfronttheattitude,behavior,orplansofthementee.Tocriticizeorpressurethementeetoadoptanothercoursemaylowerthementee’sself-esteemorpushawaythementeeandhurt therelationship.Ahelpfulway tocommunicate in this typeofsituation is tousean“I”message—anauthenticstatementdirectlyfromthementor.An“I”statementshouldcontain:
• aclearbutneutralstatementoftheproblemasyouseeit;
• astatementofthenegativeconsequencesyouperceivefromthementee’saction;and
• astatementofyourfeelingsorconcernsaboutthementee’sbehaviororintention.
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RVID Toolkit 6: Volunteer as Mentor �
Example:
Yourmenteehasstatedwithforcethathewantstoquitschoolbecausetheheadmasterispickingonhimandmakinghimdomenialchoresthatotherstudentsdon’tgetassignedtothem.Youhavebeenawareofsomeissuesbetweenthetwo,butdidnotrealizetheconflicthadgottenmoreserious.
“I” Message:
“I’mconcernedthatyouareconsideringquittingschoolaltogetherasawaytoavoidtheinterpersonalconflictbetweenyouandtheheadmaster.I’mafraidyou’lllosethevaluableeducationalopportunityyouhavenowandwon’tfindanothereasilyinthefuture.I’dliketohelpyoufigureoutawaytodealwiththeheadmasterandstayontrackwithyourstudies,too.”
pROVIDINg pOSITIVE REINfORCEMENTWhendonesincerely,positivereinforcementcanbeapowerfultoolforbuildingtrustandencour-agingrepeatbehavior.Asmentors,weshouldalwaysbeonthelookoutforopportunitiestopraiseoutstandingperformance.Althoughthereisnoprescribedmannertogivingpraise,manymentoringteacherssuggestthesethreesteps:(1)statewhatthepersondidthatwaspositive,(2)saysomethingaboutitsvalue—theresultsordifferenceitmadetoothers,and(3)expressappreciation.Beawarethatpraisinginpublicisconsideredinappropriateinsomeculturesandmayresultinunintendedembarrassmentforthereceiver.Insuchcases,youwillneedtoadjustyourapproachtomakeitmoreculturallycomfortable.
pROVIDINg AppROpRIATE INfORMATION WHEN NEEDED
Thekeywordshereare“whenneeded.”Mentorsfrequentlymakethemistakeofprovidingadviceintheguiseofinformationoroverwhelmingthementeewithatonofideas,data,andmaterials.Inmanycases,especiallyones involvingpersonalproblemsolving, it isbetter towait for thementee to ask for informationandthenprovidetargetedideas.Tobuildfurther independence,wecanalsoteachmenteeswheretogotoaccessthekindsofinformationtheyneedandthenletthemtaketheinitiative.
ENCOURAgINg ExpLORATION Of OpTIONSThepurposeofthistypeofassistanceisnottofindthe“right”answers,buttocreatealistofcoursesofactionoralternatives.Thequantityofoptionsissometimesmoreimportantthanthequality(i.e.,thequalitycanbeworkedonlater).Thementor’staskhereistocreateanopenandstimulatingenvironmentforidentifyingpossibilities.Bothmentorandmenteeneedtoguardagainstsnuffingcreativity(“Itcan’tbedone,”“They’llneveragreetothat,”andsoon).Ifyoufindyourselffallingintothattrap,tryplayingthe“whatif ”game(“Whatifyouhadsomeonepartneringwithyouonyourproject…?”“WhatifyouwontheWIDscholarship…?”).Itisokayforyoutoofferacoupleofsuggestionsbasedonyourownexperienceandexpertise,buttheyshouldnotbeconsideredanymoreorlessvalidthantheotherideasonthelist.
[Adaptedwithpermissionfrommentoring byGordonF.Shea.CrispPublications,Inc.,1200HamiltonCourt,MenloPark,California94025.1997.]
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BEHAVIORS TO AvoId IN MENTORINg
Sometimesinamentoringrelationship,wereverttobehaviorsthatarelessthanhelpfultotheprocessofpersonalorprofessionaldevelopment.Criticismandgivingadvicearetwosuchbehaviors.
CRITICISMCriticismisevaluativeandjudgmentalnomatterhownicelywemaysayit.Wemaybetryingtobeconstructive,butourintentionmayinadvertentlydamagetheself-esteemofthementee.Avoidingcriticismdoesnotmeanacceptingnegativebehaviorsorself-defeating,repetitiveactions.Whatitmeansisfindingobjectiveandcreativeapproachestoencouragepositivechange.Whenapersonisnotperforminguptohisorherpotential,heorshemayneedinformationratherthancriticism.Mentorsoftengivetheirbestwhentheyhelptheirmenteesbreakoutofrepetitivenegativepatternsofbehavior.Onewaytodothisistohelpthementeeviewtheproblemasagapbetweenwhatisneededandwhatisbeingproduced.Thegapcanbedescribedandmeasuredandthenaplanmadeforclosingit.Inthisway,thegapisdescribedinneutraltermsandclosingthegapisviewedasafeattobeaccomplished.
WHAT’SpRODUCED
—
WHAT’SNEEDED
+
IMpROVEMENT/CHANgE
RVID Toolkit 6: Volunteer as Mentor ��
gIVINg ADVICE (“WHy DON’T yOU…”)
Whenwegiveadvice,weassumewehavesuperiorknowledge,insight,orwisdomrelatedtothesubjectathand.Ifweareengagedinageneralprofessionalconversationwithourmentee,thatmaybetrue.Butifwearetryingtohelpthementeedealwithapersonalproblem,job-relatedornot,thementeeislikelytoknowmuchmoreabouttheproblemthanweeverwill—especiallysoincross-culturalmentoringsituations.Whenweattempttogiveadviceaboutpersonalproblems,weoftenencounterresistanceofvariousforms(“yes,buts,”downcastfaces,awithdrawalofattentiontotheconversation,andsoforth).Itispresumptuoustoassumeweknowmoreaboutanotherperson’sproblemsthanthatpersondoes.Often,wecanserveourmenteesbestby:
Listeningcarefullyastheydescribetheproblem;
Feedingbacktheemotionswehearthemexpressing,toconfirmthatweheardandunderstoodthenatureoftheirdifficulty;and
Providingideasorinformation,whentheyask,whichtheycanusetohelpbuildtheirownsolution.
This sortofapproachencouragesgreater independenceanddecisionmakingon thepartof thementee.
personal Reflection Activity…
Considering Constructive Alternatives to Criticism and Advice
• Listfivethingsanotherpersoncandotohelpyouchangeforthebetter(helpyouadjusttoanewculture,stopsmoking,exerciseregularly,etc.)
• What causesyou to feelbestwhenyouaremakingprogress towardasignificantpersonalgoal?Listfivethingsthathelpyourprogress.
• Whenyoutrysomethingandgetintroubleforit,howdoyouwantpeopleclosetoyoutobehave?Listfivebehaviorsyouwouldlikefromthem.
• Askahostcountrytrainerorcolleaguethesesamequestionsandcontemplatethesimilarities/differencesbetweentheiranswersandyours.
[AdaptedwithpermissionfrommentoringbyGordonF.Shea.CrispPublications,Inc.,1200HamiltonCourt,MenloPark,California94025.1997.]
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DEVELOpINg A MENTORINg pARTNERSHIp
Inasuccessfulmentoringexperience,bothpartiescontributetoandbenefitfromtherelationship.Thereisnosupervisoryhierarchy.Perhapsthementorismoreexperiencedthanthementee,butheorsheisnot better or more importantthantheother.Thespiritofmentoringismoreoneoftwopeopletakingajourneytogetherwheretheyhavesomeideasabouttheirultimatedestination,buttheyaren’texactlysurewhattheroadslooklikeorwhatitmighttaketofinallyarrive.Onewaytoviewtheevolutionarynatureofmentoringrelationshipsistothinkofthemintermsofstagesofdevelopment.
STAgES Of DEVELOpMENT IN A MENTORINg pARTNERSHIp
Stage �: Thementorandmenteebecomeacquaintedandinformallyclarifytheircommoninterests,sharedvalues,andprofessionalgoals.
Stage �: Thementor andmenteecommunicate initial expectationsofoneanother andagreeuponsomecommonproceduresasastartingpoint.Ifthetwoindividualssenseamajordisparitybetweentheirneedsandinterests—andwhereneitherpartycanaccommodatetheother—thepairisabletopartcompanyonafriendlybasisbeforetheactualmentoringandinevitablefrustrationbegin.
Stage �: The mentoring meetings and conversations happen. Gradually, needs are fulfilled.Objectivesaremet.Professionaland/orpersonalgrowthtakesplace.Newchallengesarepresentedandachieved.Thisstagemaylastformonthsoryears.
Stage �: The mentor and mentee redefine their relationship as colleagues, partners, peers,and/orfriends.
gETTINg STARTED Asyoucontemplateamentoringpartnershipwithsomeone,discusswhatyouwantfromandcangivetooneanother.Here’saworksheettohelpyouorganizeyourthoughts:
RVID Toolkit 6: Volunteer as Mentor ��
fROM THE MENTOR’S pERSpECTIVE
Contribute to Partnership Gain from Partnership________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
fROM THE MENTEE’S pERSpECTIVE
Contribute to Partnership Gain from Partnership________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Onceyouhaveageneralideaofwhatyouandyourmentoringpartnerwantfromtheexperience,makean agreement about how you can work together most effectively. Since a mentoring relationship isvoluntary,it’sagoodideatosetsomegroundrulesanddevelopsomesharedexpectationsattheoutset.Herearesomesamplequestions**youcanuseasaframeofreferencetogainabetterunderstandingofyourmentee:
�. Whatarethemostimportantthingsyouwouldliketogetfromthisrelationship?
�. HereisalistofthingsIbelieveIamparticularlygoodat.Areanyofthemofparticularinteresttoyou?
�. Whatdevelopmentalneeds,knowledge,skills,etc.wouldbeofgreatestvaluetoyou?
�. Whatisyourpreferredmethodoflearning?(throughexamplesorcases,demonstration,hands-onpractice,observation,etc.)
�. WhatcanIdotoincreasethelevelofcomfortbetweenus?
6. Whatcaneachofusdotomakesurewestartoffontherighttrack?
�. IsthereanythingIneedtoknowaboutyourightnowthatwouldbehelpfultome?
�. Whatelseisimportantforyou?
�. Howoftenshouldwemeetandforhowlong?
�0. Wherewillwemeet?
��. Whatarethebestwayswecancontactoneanother?
��. Ifweneedtocancelameeting,howwouldwegoaboutthat?
��. Whatideasdowehaveforgettingouractivitiesorganized?
** Aswithanysamplelist,thesequestionsshouldbeadaptedtosuityourparticularmentoringfocusandtheculturaland
organizationalcontextinwhichyouwork.
[Adaptedwithpermissionfrommentoring: Participant’s notebook.BrainstormDynamics,Inc.,Phoenix,Maryland.1998,andfromthementor teacher handbook, Stages of Development in a mentoring Partnership,RitaW.Peterson,UniversityofCaliforniaatIrvine,http://www.gse.uci.edu/doehome/EdResource/Publications/MentorTeacher/Chapter3.1.html,dateaccessed:April4,2002.]
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WORKINg WITH yOUNg pEOpLE: HELpfUL HINTS fROM A yOUTH pERSpECTIVE
this excerpted article was written by matlhogonolo mogapi, a 19-year-old woman from Gaborone, Botswana, who has worked as a peer educator in AIDS and who was a UnICeF-sponsored participant in “Young People in Action,” the 8th International Conference on AIDS in Africa, December 1993. the article was originally included in a UnICeF report from that conference.
WHy INVOLVE yOUNg pEOpLE:• Weareenthusiastic.
• Weknowourneedsbest.
• Weareatastagewhenwecanlearnandchange.
• Wearemoreopentonewideas.
• Weareveryimpressionable,wecanbeinfluencedeasily,andtheinfluencecanbepositive.
• Mostyouthareverypassionate;onceweareconvincedaboutsomething,westicktowhatwebelievein.
• Wearecreative,andsocanbeinapositiontolendadviceabouthowissuesthataffectuscanbeapproachedinascreativeamanneraspossible,andonethatwillappealtous.
fOR EffECTIVE yOUTH pARTICIpATION:Use “our” language;itisimportantthatweareabletounderstandyou.
Be honest and upfrontwhendealingwithyoungpeople.Youshouldstateexactlywhatitisyouexpectoftheminasconciseamanneraspossible.Beveryclearanddirect,andthatwaytheywillbehonestenoughtotellyouexactlywhatitistheycanorcannotdo.
Be patient.Someyoungpeoplewillhaveinvaluableideas,butwillnotbeabletoarticulatewellwhatitistheywanttoseehappening.Havethepatiencetoputthematease.Thiswillshowthemhowmuchyouvaluetheirideasandsowillmakethemmoreacceptingofyou.
Let the young people outline for themselves what they feel they want to do and can do.Inthatwayyouwillnotbedelegatingdutiesforthemthattheymightfinduninterestingandunchallenging,oroverwhelmingandtotallyoutoftheirscope.
RVID Toolkit 6: Volunteer as Mentor ��
Allow them to learn from experience. Nevertellyoungpeoplethattheycanneverdosomething.Evenifyoufeeltheirseemingly“idealistic”ideasaretooambitious,donotdisillusionordiscouragethem.Lettheyouthexploretheirowncapacitiesandinthatwaytheywillknowtheirlimits.
Be non-directive when initiating a discussion.Ask the youth open-endedquestionssuchas,“Whatdoyouthinkwecando?”“Whatwouldyouliketoseehappen?”Inthatwaytheyouthwillendupnotevenneedingyoutoprodthemforanswers.Astheytalkaboutsomeoftheirideas,theywillneedonlyyourguidanceastheirfacilitator,toputthembackontrackofwhathadinitiallybeentheissues.
Be fair,andadmitwhenyouarewrongordonotknowsomething.Lettheyouthteachyouwhattheyknow,especiallyonissuesregardingthem.Beveryopen-mindedwhenworkingwithyoungpeopleandexpectofthemwhatyoucanexpectofyourself,too.
Be neutral in the face of disagreementsbetweenyourselfandyoungpeople.Trytoseethingstheirway.Ifyoufeeltheyaregivingyouahardtime,feelfreetotellthemhowyoufeelandhowitisaffectingyou.Ifyoudothat,theywillseeyouasahumanbeingwithfeelingsandwillactinyourbestinterestsifyoudosoforthem,too.
Be consistent; alwayskeeptowhatyouprofesstobelievein.Youngpeoplewillseeyouassomeonetheycantrust.
Show them you have faith in themandthatwillenablethemtomakeindependentdecisionsandsobeabletobuildgoodleadershipskillsforthemselves.
I learned wisdom from all my teachers
and teaching from all my students.
— Ben EzraSecond Century AD
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MORE TIpS fOR MENTORS WHO WORK WITH CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
Maintain regular contact.Thiscannotbeoverstated.Consistencyiscrucial,especiallyduringtheall-importanttrust-buildingphaseoftherelationship.Mentorsmustbewillingtomakeaconsiderabletimecommitment.
Take the time to develop trust.Manyyoungpeoplehavenothadpositiverelationshipswithadultsinthepast.Mutualtrustandrespectaregoalstoworktoward,notagiven.Keepyourpromises,speaktruthfully,stateyourexpectations,andsetclearboundaries.Inaddition,rememberthatmostyouthareverysensitiveaboutbeinglabeled.Avoidusingphraseslike“streetkid”or“abusivefamilies.”
Don’t preach. Inworkingwithyourmentees,practice active listening and try to help them solvetheir problems.Offeralternativesinsteadofanswers.It is important toworktogether todetermineactivitiesanddefinethedirectionoftherelationship.Amentorisanadvocate,friend,rolemodel,sponsor,nurturer,orcoach.Amentorisnotaparent,therapist,judge,rescuer,authorityfigure,employer,orbank.
Identify areas of need.Don’texpecteachconversationtobeaconfession.Onceproblemareasareidentified,worktofindwaystoaddressthose areas of need and give support. Somementeesmaynoteasilyaccepthelp.Youcanbeastrongandcommittedvoiceofsupport.Stayalerttochangingindividualneeds.
Access resources.Helpyourmenteeaccesscommunityresources.Insteadofdoingtheresearchyourself,modeltheprocessyouusewhenseekinginformationandservice.Thenguideyourmenteethroughabrainstormingprocesstostarttargetingappropriateresources.
Debrief with supervisors and peers.Mentoringcanbebothexhilaratingandfrus-trating.Findtimetoshareyourstories(buttakecarenottobetrayconfidences).Seekingtheadviceofotherswillhelpstrengthenyourcommunicationandproblem-solvingskills.
[Adaptedwithpermissionfrom“Tips for Mentors,” NorthwestRegionalEducationalLaboratoryProjectLearns,www.nwrel.org/learns/resources/mentor/index.html,websitelastupdated:March1,2002.]
RVID Toolkit 6: Volunteer as Mentor ��
CULTURAL CAUTIONS fOR MENTORS
Thenatureofmentoringcallsforspecialattentiontotheculturalenvironmentinwhichweareworking.Asmentors,wegetinvolvedinone-on-onerelationships,weengageinconversationsthataddresspersonal and sometimes sensitive issues, andweofferhelp andsupportwiththebestintentions.Toensureourintentionshavethepositiveimpactwedesire,wemustmakeourselvesawareofthesnaresthatmaybehiddenintheculturallandscape.Hereareafewpotentiallydifficultsituationstorecognizeandaddress:
Two people meeting alone may draw suspicions from people in the neighborhood orcommunity.Thissituationcanhappentoalmostanytypeofmentoringpartnership:anadultandayoungperson,awomanandaman,twomen,etc.Preventraisingeyebrowsbychoosingpublic,openplacesformentoringmeetings.Insomecases,youmayalsoneedtoconsiderwhetheritispermissible/advisableforyoutoplayamentoringrolewithcertainpeople(forexample,amemberoftheoppositegenderaboutyourageoryounger).
Sometimesthementorsandmenteesmisinterprettheirrelationshipandstartacting(andappearing)morelikefriendsorbrothers/sistersorparentandchildorcompanions.Insuchcases,youmayneedtoreestablishtherolesandgoalsofrelationshipor,ifthemetamorphosishasgonetoofar, link thementeeupwithanotherpersonwhocanbehisorhermentorinsteadofyou.
AVolunteermayinadvertentlyencourageamenteetotakeacourseofactionthatisbeyondtheboundariesofacceptablebehavior,andinsodoing,exposethementeetoreprimandorchastisementfromhisorherfamilyorcommunity.OneVolunteer,forexample,persuadedawomantoattendalocalmeetingofawomen’sgroupwithoutthepermissionofherhusband,wholaterbeatherfordisobeyinghim.Inanothercase,aVolunteer’sattemptstohelpayoungfriendbemoreassertivebackfiredwhenthementee’sfatherwhippedhimfor“talkingback.”Boundariesforbehaviorareoftensubtleanddifficultforculturaloutsiderstoperceive.Trainyourselfandyourmenteetoconsiderthepossibleconsequences(positiveandnegative)ofaparticularcourseofaction.
Other(askyourhostcountrytrainers,colleagues,and/orCounterparttohelpyouidentifyotherculture-relatedpitfallsorcautionsformentors).
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ORgANIzINg MENTORINg pROgRAMS
Mentoringprogramscanbedesignedforanysegmentofthepopulation,butthemajorityofthemfocusonschool-agechildrenoryoungpeoplestartingoutintheircraft,trade,orprofession.Mostmentoringprogramsemphasizeoneormoreofthefollowingelements:
EDUCATIONTheseprogramstypicallyfocusonimprovingoverallschoolachievementthroughtutoringandstudyskillsenhancement.Mentorsalsoofferencouragementandcounselingtobuildorbolsterthestudent’sself-esteem.
CAREER DEVELOpMENTMentoring programs can provide a new avenue for exploring educational andcareerpaths.Tohelpstudentsmakethetransitionfromschooltowork,studentsarepairedwithprofessionals,introducedtorolemodels,andencouragedtovisitvariousworkenvironments.
pERSONAL DEVELOpMENTThesetypesofprogramsusuallyfocusonreducinghigh-riskbehaviors inyouth,e.g.,druguse,sexualactivity,andtruancy.Theymayinterveneatacriticalpointinthestudent’slifeandfocusonprovidingguidancefordecisionmakingandassertiveness.
pROfESSIONAL ADVANCEMENTMany organizations have mentoring programs in which senior or seasoned staff mentor junioror newly arrived staff, helping them develop organizational savvy, leadership, networks, and/orspecializedexpertise.Duringyourservice,youwillstumbleupon(ormaycreate)somewonderfulopportunitiestolinkpeopleinyourcommunitytogetherinmentoringpartnerships.YourCounterpartandothercommunitymembers may also be interested in setting up a structured mentoring program involving localschools,businesses,churches,NGOs,orotherinstitutions.Ifyouandyourcommunitygetinvolvedinorganizingstructuredmentoringprogramsthatinvolveanumberofdifferentstakeholders(e.g.,youth,theirparents,thementors,and/orthehostingorganization),youwillneedtoapproachthetaskwithcarefulplanning.Forexample,theICEpublicationBeyond the Classroom: Empowering Girls,offersanexcellentplanningformatfora“TakeYourDaughtertoWorkDay”project;refertothisandotherresourceslistedonthelastpageofthisToolkit.Also,consultwithyourAPCD,yoursupervisor,and/orcolleagueswhohavepriorexperiencewithdesigningand implementingmentoringprojects.
[Adaptedwithpermissionfrom“Types of Programs,” NorthwestRegionalEducationalLaboratoryProjectLearns,www.nwrel.org/learns/resources/mentor/index.html,websitelastupdated:March1,2002.]
RVID Toolkit 6: Volunteer as Mentor ��
STORIES fROM THE fIELD:
EcuAdor
AVolunteer was a professional large-scale mural painter intheUnitedStatesbeforeherPeaceCorpsservice.HercurrentsiteisthecapitalofEcuador,Quito.Knowingthatpaintcanlastonawallupwardsoffiveyears,sheenteredtheCenterforRehabilitationforBoyswiththeideatopreparethemforworkthatwouldlastalittlebitlongerthanjustthatonenight.Sheusedart,inthiscasemuralprojects,asatooltoapproachandaddressamultifacetedprogramagendatocreateatransitionperiodbetweenlifeinapenalinstitutionandlifeoutsideofone.Thenatureoftheworkispublicandveryvisible.Itisanavenuefortheboystolinkupagainwiththeculturethattheyfindthemselvesatoddswith,ontheirownterms,andwithasophisticatedlanguage.
Shemeta16-year-oldboyby thenameofPablo.Pablohadbeen livingon thestreetsforeightyearsandhadonlygonetoschoolthroughthefifthgrade.Hehadattemptedtoliveinseveralofthehomessetupforyouthbuthadfoundlifepreferableonthestreets.Prostitutionhasbeenhismainmoneymakingactivity,whichhewouldneverallowtobeknowntoanyone.Hesleptthroughoutthedayandstayedupduringthenighttokeepwarmandalive.HestartedpaintingmuralswiththeVolunteerbecausehehadtoldherpreviouslythathewasinterestedindrawing.TheVolunteersecuredpermissionfromtherehabilitationcenterforPablotolivethereduringthemonthstheypaintedontheproject.Itwasduringtherainyseason,anditwasthefirsttimethattheboyhadbeenwarminmonths.Hecertainlystartedtolookbetterwithinthefirstfewdays.Pablohadactuallybeenlookingforsomethingforalongtime.Hedidn’thaveproperpapers,hehadnodiplomas,andhehadnoconnectionsexceptthoseofthestreet.Therewasnowaythathecouldreconnecthimselftosociety.Thesmallsalarythattheywereabletopayhim(theequivalentof30Americandollarsamonth)wenttowardrentforasmallroom.Withthissmallroom,hewasabletoestablishanaddress,aplacetogoto,andaplacewherehecouldkeephisthings.Thissmallsenseofsecurityallowedhimtobegintotakenightclassesandcontinuehiseducation,andtheconnectiontothemuralprojectallowedforabasewherehecouldreachoutandfindother,morepermanentemployment,withreadyreferencesfromthefoundation.
MuralmakingallowedPablotoparticipateinaveryactivewayinaprojectfromitsbeginningallthewaytoitsconclusion,andateverylevel.Inherentintheprojectaremechanismsforcreatingself-esteem.Theparticipantscreatesomethingthatisphysicallylargerthanthemselvesandispermanent.Pablochangedwithoutmuchdirectintervention.
TheVolunteer’splanistomakethisactivityapermanentpartoftheFundación Estrella del Mañana (MorningStarFoundation),withEcuadorianartiststakingoverherroleoncetheprogramhasbeenestablished.Thereareplanstomoveontotherehabilitationcentersforgirls,andtodevelopprojectsinotherpartsofthecountry,talkinglargelyandloudlythewholeway.
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GuInEA
HELpINg gIRLS STAy IN SCHOOL
Volunteers have institutionalized the Girls’ Conference.Everyyear,Volunteersineachregiongathertogetherintheregionalcapital.Theybringyoungschoolgirlswiththemtodiscussissuesthatfemalestudentsfaceintheclassroom,andtocomeupwithsomeworkablesolutionsthatempowerfemalestudentsinthelearningprocess.Thisyear,sessionsincludedthefollowingtopics:ReproductiveHealth,Stayingin School,Test-taking Skills and Good Study Habits,CareerDay (participants “shadowed”awomanworkingin a non-traditional career), andAfrican vs.AmericanFeminism.Manyofthegirlswhoattendedtheworkshopsdidpresentationsatprimaryandsecondaryschoolswhentheyreturnedtotheirtownsandvillages.
ThAIlAndAVolunteer,basedatKunJaeNationalPark,hasspenthisfreeweekendshelpingattheorphanagehome in Chiangmai. Supported by private funds, this orphanage is the home of approximately20childrenfromthreeto15yearsofagewhoseparentshavediedofAIDSandwhohavenofamilymembertotakecareofthem.AllofthesechildrenarefreeofAIDSandcametothisorphanagedirectly from the crowded government orphanage home.While working at the orphanage, theVolunteerplayssportsandmusic,reads,anddoesotherrecreationalactivitiesorhouseholdchoreswithandforthechildren.Hehasbecomeknownas“UncleEd.”Heservesasamalerolemodelandfatherfigureforthechildren.Moreimportant,hehasestablishedalinkagebetweentheparkandtheorphanage.Forexample,hebroughtthesechildrentolearnaboutnaturebystayingafewnightsatthepark.Itisworthnotingthat,eversincetheseorphanagechildrenwerebroughttothepark,manyoftheparkstaffhavetakentheirowninitiativebyassistingorparticipatingintheorphanageactivitieswhenevertheycan.
RVID Toolkit 6: Volunteer as Mentor ��
IDEAS AND ACTIVITIES fOR pRACTICINg yOUR ROLE AS A MENTOR
REfLECTINg ON MENTORS IN yOUR pAST
pURpOSETolearnfromapastmentoringexperiencewheresomeonehadapositiveeffectonyourlifeoryouwereabletohelpsomeone
ACTIVITy�. Thinkbackintoyourpastandrecalltimeswhenyoumadeimportantchanges.Identifythepeople
whohavesignificantlyinfluencedyouandmadepositivecontributionstoyourlife.
Someonewhoinspiredyoutoshiftthedirectionofyourlifeinaconstructiveway:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Someonewhoprovidedsomethingtohelpyougrowindepthoffeeling,character,orethicalintegrityorwhohashelpedyoudevelopadeepercommitmenttoyourvalues:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Someonewhogaveyousomeformofhelpatjusttherighttime:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Someonewhoarrangedanunusuallearningexperienceforyouthatallowedyoutoseesomethingfromadifferentperspectiveorwithadeepermeaningorinsight:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
�. Relateanexperiencewhereyoureachedouttoanotherpersonwhowasdeeplyinneed,andyour
helpappearedtomakeabeneficialdifferencetothatperson._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Describeanexperienceyouobserved,read,orheardaboutwheresomeonereachedouttoanotherpersontohelpinanunusualway.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Describeonementoringexperienceyouhavehadthatdidnotfitthedirect,one-to-onepersonalaspectofmentoring(forexample,aspecialparentalmessage,aspeech,aquotefromliterature,andsoon).
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
�. Usingthesesamereflectionquestions,askyourhostfamily,communityfriends,orprofessionalcounterparts about their experiences in mentoring. Explore with them the possible culturalsimilaritiesanddifferencesinmentoring.
�. Shareyourreflectionswithyourcolleagues,trainers,Counterparts,and/orcommunityfriends.Together,haveaconversationaboutthepossibilitiesofmentoringinthenewcontextinwhichyouwillbelivingandworking.Usingyourcollectiveexperiencesandyourculturalunderstanding,writesomeguidelinesthatwillhelpyougetstartedwellinthiscapacity-buildingrole.
[Adaptedwithpermissionfrommentoring, byGordonF.Shea.CrispPublications,Inc.,1200HamiltonCourt,MenloPark,California94025.1997.]
RVID Toolkit 6: Volunteer as Mentor ��
IDEAS & ACTIVITIES
IDENTIfyINg yOUR MENTORINg RESOURCES
pURpOSEThisexercisewillhelpyoubecomeawareofthepersonaland/orprofessionalassetsyouhavetobringtoamentoringpartnership.Theseresourceswillvaryaccordingtoyourjob,personality,interests,experiences,networkoffriendsandassociates,andavailabletime.
ACTIVITyOntheworksheetbelow,identifysomeofyourspecialassetsyoubringtoamentoringpartnership.
My position and work experience:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Things I like to do:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My education, training, and/or experience:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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My pastimes, hobbies, and/or clubs:______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My special skills and knowledge:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
My special passion(s):__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Any other asset:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
[Adaptedwithpermissionfrommentoring,byGordonF.Shea.CrispPublications,Inc.,1200HamiltonCourt,MenloPark,California94025.1997.]
RVID Toolkit 6: Volunteer as Mentor ��
IDEAS & ACTIVITIES
ACTIVE LISTENINg pRACTICE
pURpOSETobuildskillsinusingactivelisteninginthecontextofmentoring(forexample,tohelpamenteeclarifyandresolveaproblem)
ACTIVITyYouandtwoofyourfellowTraineesorcolleagueswilljointogethertoformatriadforroleplaypractice.Therewillbethreeroundswitheachpersoninthetriadhavingachancetoplaytheroleofmentee,mentor,andobserver(seediagrambelow).
A A = Mentee B = Mentor C = Observer B C
InpreparationforyourturnasMentee,youshouldthinkofarealissueorproblemyouareexperienc-ingorhavefacedrecently(asituationyouarewillingtosharewithyourtwocolleagues).InRoundOne,theMenteetalksabouthisproblem.TheMentorusesactivelisteningskillsinrespondingtotheMentee,helpinghimsolvetheproblem.TheObserverwatchestheinteraction,usingtheActiveListeningtable(page8ofthisToolkit)totallythenumberoftimestheMentorusesthedifferentbehaviors.Attheendoftheinteraction,theObservergivestheMentorfeedback.Thetriadthenrotatestherolestwomoretimes,givingeachparticipantachancetoplayallthreeroles.Afterthethreeroundsareover,discussthepracticeusingthefollowingquestionsasaguide:
• Howdiditfeeltoactivelylisten?
• Whatdidyoudowell?
• Whichbehaviorswereeasy?Difficult?
• WhatdidyoulearnfromyourObserver’sfeedback?WhatdidyoulearnwhilebeingtheObserver?
• Underwhatconditionscanyouenvisionusingthisskillinyourprofessionalworkandinter-personalrelationships?
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IDEAS & ACTIVITIES
BRAINSTORMINg ABOUT MENTORINg LINKS IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITy
pURpOSETobecomemoreawareofthementoringopportunitiesthatexistinagivencommunity
ACTIVITyInasmallgroupwithyourfellowTrainees,trainers,and/orcommunitypartners,considerallthepossiblewayspeopleinthelocalcommunitymightlinkupinmentoringrelationships.Thinkaboutlessstructuredormorestructured,andshort-termorlong-termopportunities.Thementoringoptionsmayormaynotberelatedtoyourtechnicalsector.
Usethebrainstormingtechniquetogenerateasmanymentoringlinksaspossibleandwritethemdownonaflipchart.Don’tstoptoevaluateanyoftheideasuntilyouhaveexhaustedyourimagina-tionandmemory.Afterwards,reviewtheoptionsandclusterorcategorizethembywhatevermeansismostusefultoyou(forexample,degreeofstructure,lengthofrelationship,potentialforgettingstarted,andsoforth).
DiscussmorespecificallywhatroletheVolunteermightplayineachtypeofmentoringopportunity(forexample,servingdirectlyasamentor,orencouragingotherstolinktogetherinamentoringpartnership,ortrainingothersinmentoringskills,andsoon).
RVID Toolkit 6: Volunteer as Mentor ��
KEy RESOURCES fOR MORE INfORMATION AND INSIgHT
Beyond the Classroom: empowering Girls. Idea Book Series.(PeaceCorps,Washington,DC).[ICEM0080]
Children’s Participation: theory and Practice of Involving Young Citizens in Community Develop-ment and environmental Care.RogerHart.(UNICEF,NewYork,NY).1997.
Coaching for Development: Skills for managers and team Leaders.MarianneMinor.(CrispPub-lications,Inc.,MenloPark,CA).1995.
Developing managers as Coaches: A training Guide.FrankS.Dalisburg.(McGraw-Hill,NewYork,NY).1994.
Life Skills manual.(PeaceCorps,Washington,DC).2000.[ICEM0063]
mentoring.GordonF.Shea.(CrispPublications,Inc.,1200HamiltonCourt,MenloPark,California94025).1997.
What Did You Say? the Art of Giving and receiving Feedback.CharlesSeashore,EdithWhitfieldSeashore,andGeraldWeinberg.(BinghamHouseBooks,Columbia,MD).1997.
Well done is better than well said.
— Benjamin Franklin