Applicants complete and submit an application which may include:

• Contact information
• Strengths and special interests
• Previous or current volunteer experience
• Clubs or activities
• Interests
• Reasons they want to be a mentor
• Class schedule
• References’ names and contact information

Parents/ guardians should be made aware of the structure, goals, commitment and expectations of the Teen Mentoring initiative and must provide permission for students to be involved in the initiative. Step 2: Tool B –Teen Mentor Application and Parent/ Guardian Permission Form (Sample) can be adapted to fit your initiative.

The student may require permission from staff to participate in the program, especially if they will be missing class or using spare periods generally dedicated to completing homework or catching up on assignments. This is also a way of communicating with homeroom teachers or administration about the teen mentoring program. Step 3: Tool B School Permission Form (Sample)

An information or orientation session is an opportunity to share important information so that students can make an informed decision about participating as mentors. Orientation sessions serve as a mechanism to weed out prospective participants who do not have the time, motivation or skills to participate at this time.

It is important to communicate the following:

• An overview of the initiative and its goals
• Roles and responsibilities of a mentor
• Qualities of successful mentors
• Eligibility requirements and the screening process
• Time commitment and availability
• Amount of expected regular contact required with staff
• Benefits and rewards of participating for both mentors and mentees. If possible, have a teen mentor speak.

Applicants may be invited for a personal or group interview as an opportunity to better assess whether they are the right fit for the program. This is an opportunity to get to know the student better to further orient the student to the program and to clarify the time commitment, expectations and allow students to ask questions. Discussion can include questions that will provide more information about:

• Motivation for wanting to volunteer as a mentor
• Family and peer relationships and history
• Support network
• Attitudes and belief systems
• Strengths and weaknesses
• Reactions to stressful situations
• Interests and leisure time activities
• Volunteer and work experience
• Activities at and outside of school
• Class schedule and availability
• Level of flexibility, time commitments and ability to commit to the initiative
• Attendance

Step 3: Tool C – Mentor Interview Questions (Sample) provides sample questions that can be adapted to fit your program.

Mentors should not be approved until they have completed the online and/ or in person teen mentor training (see Training section). The training session can also give you valuable insight into the appropriateness of a student as a mentor. Information, resources and support can be found in the Training section of this toolkit.

As you select mentors, it is important to consider the eligibility criteria developed in the planning phase. Applicants who follow through with all of the screening processes and meet the eligibility criteria are notified, congratulated and invited to become mentors in the program. Every student that applies may not meet the program’s requirements so it is important to have a procedure to notify students respectfully if their skills and background do not meet the expectations. Mentors should be selected to represent the many types of groups that exist in your school.

References may be used to learn more about the student’s personality, motivations and to verify the accuracy of information learned in the interview. Applicants’ parents must sign a release and references must be kept confidential. References may be most helpful from teachers or counsellors, especially if you do not have a previous relationship with the student and you require more information about their attendance, grades and school connectedness. Step 3: Tool D – Mentor Reference Questions (Sample) provides general reference questions that can be adapted to fit your program.

Potential mentors sign an agreement to such things as:

• Making a commitment for the full program-length
• Attending training sessions
• Engaging in the relationship with an open mind
• Being on time and prepared for scheduled meetings
• Keeping discussions with youth confidential (except where the youth’s safety or well-being is at risk)
• Asking for help when needed
• Accepting guidance from program staff and teachers
• Notifying staff if they are having difficulty in their mentoring relationship
• Notifying staff of any significant changes in their mentee

Step 3: Tool E – Teen Mentor Contract (Sample) provides a sample contract that can be adapted for your program.