This page summarizes the toolbox for mentor program leaders. It is a collection of tools and documents created or collected by LSN in service to our customers. Our particular focus is EQUIPPING organizations to recruit, develop and retain volunteer mentors.
Suggested Mentor Leader Role Description
Volunteer mentors are critical contributors to the success of the organization’s mission. We seek to enable our mentors to serve to their purpose, passion and potential. As the Mentor Program Leader, your role is to shape the mentor program “roadmap”, lead mentor training and development and ensure that mentees make progress toward their goals.
Note: this role may be combined with a Volunteer Leader or Programming Leader role.
Responsibilities
- Own the Mentor Program Vision and associated goals and metrics. Track and assess root cause gaps of key metrics. Maintain a Mentor Dashboard.
- Ensure Best Practices are followed and assessed for Mentors and Mentees and guide improvements.
- Recruitment (with Volunteer Leader)
- Screening (with Volunteer Leader)
- Training
- Matching
- Monitoring and Support
- Closure
- Document key Work Processes to ensure sustainability. Lead implementation of improvement ideas.
- Create an expectation and process for ongoing mentor development. Use the Mentoring Principles and Skills Assessment Tool to guide development.
- Develop and own the Coaching Roadmap (with the Programming Leader).
Click here to see our collection of downloadable generic role descriptions.
Mentor Development
- Mentor Development Planning introduces you to an overall process for mentor development, from initial orientation to ongoing development.
Mentor Role Description
Click here for a generic starting point to develop your own mentor role description.
Dream Book
The Dream Book is a tool that can be used in a 1:1 mentoring relationship or simply as a person reference. The concept is that a “resource” binder is gifted for documenting a “life plan” including reflection, planning and learning. The goal should be to support mentee or personal growth holistically and include things such as spiritual, physical, emotional and intellectual explorations. The physical manifestation can be electronic (e.g. OneNote), a 3-ring binder with one or more tabs with life skill lessons, reading and worksheets or a journal-type book. The content can take many forms based on the needs and desires of the mentee or the agency supporting the mentees.
Click here to download a detailed discussion of the Dream Book concept.
Mentor and Mentee Application Templates
Click here for starting Mentee Application. Click here for starting Mentor application. Edit to match your organization’s needs.
Volunteer Mentor Interview Questions:
Click here for Volunteer Interview Questions.
Mentor Program Best Practices
The Mentoring.org web site has a wealth of resources. In particular, their Best Practices documentation is excellent and should be used to guide the program implementation and improvements. The Checklist condenses the work into 4 pages. Mentoring.org is not affiliated with the Life Solutions Network but we strongly support it.