Step 3 - Guide mentors and mentees

Setting goals and expectations

Goal setting creates a sense of purpose. This is even more important when we are establishing longer term relationships.

– Sonya Harsha, ConnectedLib partner, Algona (IA) Public Library

Plan to support the mentor and mentee relationships regularly over time. Some ideas include:

• Regular checkins
• Orientation sessions
• Facilitation of mentor led programming (helping and working with youth while the mentor shares their expertise)
• Training mentors

You can also provide support materials for mentors such as guides or handbooks. These materials may include:

• Expectations and boundaries: What the mentor’s role is and isn’t
• Best practices for communicating with youth
• Suggestions for building rapport
• Factors affecting teen development (covered in the Youth Development module)

Checking in or evaluating the relationship

How will you evaluate mentoring programs/relationships? Here are a few questions to ask:

• What learning is taking place?
• What were the mentor and mentee’s goals? Are they reaching them?
• If desired or appropriate, how can we sustain the relationship over time?
• Are both parties satisfied with the relationship?

The steps listed in the Outcomes, Assessment, & Evaluation module can be used to evaluate a specific mentoring relationship or an entire program.

---