Before getting started, take time to think about:

Type of program: (e.g., one-to-one, group mentoring, team mentoring, e-mentoring)

Population you will be serving: (e.g., young women, high school seniors, foster care youth, or
children in rural communities).

Mentor demographics: (e.g., community members, church members, teachers, coaches, or

company associates).

Purpose and goals of the program: (e.g., increase reading comprehension, teach life skills and
financial literacy, develop young leaders, or prevent drug and alcohol initiation).

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.