PAL Program
Volunteer Mentor Job Description
(For School-based Mentoring)

Purpose: The mentor strives to be the student’s friend, role model, motivator and personal advocate. The mentor’s purpose is to build self-esteem, confidence and self-worth, supplementing the work of parents, teachers, counselors and other social and educational professionals.

Duties/Responsibilities: The mentor will be assigned to a young person and will be responsible for meeting with the mentee for one hour per week at school during school hours. A minimum one school-year commitment is required. The mentor will serve as an example/role model to demonstrate that adults can give and should receive respect. Self-realization and improved self-esteem for the young person are important goals of the relationship. It should be emphasized that the volunteer in no way replaces the parent or school counselor. Rather, he or she provides interested, compassionate friendship.

Requirements/Qualifications: A mentor must be at least 18 years old. To be an effective mentor you must have certain characteristics and interests. The effective mentor is one who:


Cares about young people and their future
Communicates and innovates effectively
Listens does not judge
Suggests and guides
Commits time to the mentee and the program
Gives and shares
Adapts to different situations

Procedure:

1.  Submit Application
2.  Screening/Orientation/Training
3.  Reference Check
4.  Background/Fingerprint Check
5.  School & Mentee Assigned
6.  Coordinator, Mentor and Mentee First Meeting at School
7.  Mentor and Mentee Meetings Begin at School
8.  Follow-up Mentor Feedback and Training Meetings

Rules and Guidelines:

All meetings and/or activities with mentee must take place on the school campus or as a part of a school-sponsored field trip or activity.
Consistently meeting with mentee one hour per week at school during school hours.
Off-campus personal contact with mentee is strictly prohibited.
Mentor will not manufacture, possess, distribute or use any illegal substance.
Mentor will sign-in and out of the school office each meeting.
Transporting mentee in any vehicle is strictly prohibited.
Mentor will limit physical contact to holding a hand (if age appropriate), pat on the back or hug initiated by mentee in full view of school officials.
All information shared by mentee is confidential except for information required by law to be reported.
Mentor will maintain regular contact with the PAL Program Coordinator and participate in on-going training.
If a problem arises in the mentor/mentee relationship, mentor will notify PAL Program Coordinator.
Mentor agrees to participate in the end-of-the-year program evaluation.
Mentor will contact school office if unable to meet with mentee.


Email for more information:  palcoordinator@yahoo.com