Step 2: Setting the Agenda

No two training events are the same. How you choose to structure the day will depend largely on the resources and goals you identified in Step 1.

Select the format, activities and sessions that best meet the needs of your organization and support your desired outcomes.

Overview

Training can be a half-day or full-day event. Every participant needs to attend a Mentor Training Session but beyond that you are limited only by your imagination!

As you read through the following sections, use this agenda template to start sketching out an outline of the day. Check out the sample agendas to help you get started.

Mentor Training

Every potential mentor must participate in the Mentor Training Session. The session takes approximately 1.5 or 2 hours to deliver, depending on group size, and provides guidelines for working with mentees, including communication skills, sharing information, confidentiality, reporting abuse, appropriate roles, and activities.

Types of Sessions

There are three main categories outlined here - click on each category for examples, session descriptions and resources where available.

Group Sessions

attended by all participants
typically in the main hall or group gathering area
opportunity to ensure all participants hear the same message

Breakout Sessions

held in breakout rooms or in round-table format
participation in smaller groups allows for discussion and interaction
participants develop specific skills and learn about one or two topics

Tip: After lunch, between 2:00 and 3:00pm is the slowest, most unproductive time of day for most people. This is a good time to hold an interactive session that gets people involved and moving.

Experiential Sessions

can be held in main hall or breakout rooms
can involve all conference attendees simultaneously or in subsets
gives participants an opportunity to apply the skills they have learned, either directly or indirectly

Breaks:

Unstructured times between sessions for participants to unwind, engage in informal networking, and form relationships and connections. Morning and afternoon breaks are a perfect time to provide snacks and beverages, while lunch break, or immediately after, is an excellent time to incorporate some form of short entertainment such as a dance group or local band.

Click here to access session resources & examples

Tip: Include a “Bingo” page in each participant passport. Have delegates visit each booth and ask a question about the school or a program to receive a stamp. Enter completed forms in a draw for a chance to win door prizes.

TIPS FROM THE TRENCHES

Lecture-style presentations can be boring and difficult for both the participants and presenter. Deliver training in ways that keep participants interested and engaged

use a variety of information-sharing methods including short PowerPoints, online clips, games and handouts
get participants involved in group discussions and problem solving where they can practice what they have learned
in longer sessions, incorporate activity breaks that get people out of their chairs and moving - increased blood flow helps with concentration

Consider holding a resource fair to provide mentors access to supplementary information:

invite representatives from government, local organizations or post-secondary schools
incorporate ½-an-hour into the day for participants to visit the booths, or hold the resource fair during lunch

Participants most frequently identify the following as their favorite things about the day:

speakers and entertainment
the food
meeting new people, including staff from the mentoring organizations
presentations and information about mentoring (Mentor Training session)
teamwork activities
the variety of events
getting to spend time mentoring a younger student
learning by doing something fun

In A Rural Area?

Rural communities have unique opportunities and challenges. Rural communities may find they have limited transportation options, fewer speakers and presenters readily available, and smaller budgets to work with. On the other hand, rural areas are likely to have smaller numbers of participants, which translates to smaller staff requirements, and the ability to move more quickly through group activities such as meals and interviews. Smaller communities are typically quite flexible when coordinating with institutions, allowing for options like school-hour training events and first-hand mentoring practice.

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