Mentoring Research Exploration

Today we will explore foundational mentoring research that informs our program model. All of you will read the first article and then one more article, depending on your group. We have also included additional readings that you can do to if you want to explore the research in more depth. 

We will all read: Wait, what?! Shorter less intensive mentoring relationships can be just as effective. By Jean Rhodes

Rhodes is a mentoring scholar. This article comes from her newsletter, The Chronicle of Evidence-based Mentoring. We recommend you subscribe to the newsletter. As you read the article, reflect on the following:

• Describe how relationship building and goal setting interact in a mentoring relationship
• What are some of the qualities that lead to a successful mentoring relationship?
• What will be your role as a PM for fostering the successful relationships in your cohort?

Below is an excerpt from The Elements of Effective Practice in Youth Mentoring. This is a foundational document that deeply informs our program model. We recommend that you download the entire Elements and refer to it during your time at iMentor. 

Go Beyond Reading: Strengths-based Approach to Mentoring

We believe in taking a strengths-based approach to mentoring. Explore and reflect on the following:

• The book excerpt describes a strengths-based approach to education. How would you apply these ideas to mentoring? How would you define a strengths-based approach to mentoring? How would you describe it to your mentors?
• Why is it important to take a strengths-based approach to our work?
• What are some things that mentors can do to develop a the 5C’s of Positive Youth Development 
  • Competence – identify mentee strengths, involve mentee in decision making, turn mistakes into teachable moments
  • Confidence – make your mentee feels cared for and supported, share stories of when your own confidence dipped
  • Connection – respect your mentee’s privacy, but make them feel seen and heard
  • Character – allow your mentee to make decisions, let your mentee know your values and share if they are doing something that you think if not right
  • Caring—be there even if they are not responding to you\

If you want to read more about this topic, this is an academic article on Positive Youth Development and Mentoring: https://imentor.box.com/s/9um5j3ijyohitjq5f5hj24o0gxv6ctzi

Go Beyond Reading: Elements of Effective Practice: Monitoring and Support

This is a chapter from the Elements for Effective Practice for Mentoring, which is the foundational document that informed how we created our program model. As you read through the article   reflect on the following:

• What are the keys tasks for running a mentoring program?
• How can you assess your pairs’ relationships? 
• What role does gratitude play in a mentoring program?

Go Beyond Reading: Ethical Principles in Youth Mentoring

While we believe in the power of mentoring, we also acknowledge that there are inherent challenges to navigate when working with volunteers.  This short article draws from the American Phycological Association’s ethical principles for mental health professionals but instead puts important principles into the context of volunteer mentors’ behaviors.  As you read through the article, reflect on the following:

• Do you think it is important to have a set of guiding ethical principles for volunteer mentoring? Why or why not?  Additionally, are there any ethical principles you might add?
• What does the phrase “first do no harm” mean to you with regards to volunteer mentoring at iMentor?
• What role do you see yourself playing in supporting mentors toward applying the ethical approach outlined in this article to their mentoring relationship?