Youth Mentoring Conference NZ Building Partnerships for Mentoring: Understanding participant perspectives Judith MacCallum Murdoch University Youth Mentoring Conference NZ 25 May 2007

Introductions Judy Participants

Overview A mix of activities and brief presentation What is mentoring? Who is involved in a mentoring program? Does everyone come with the same expectations and concerns? What factors are important for successful programs?

What is Mentoring? Activity - Think-Pair-Share Consider your own experiences of mentoring or mentoring-like experiences - when someone has provided you with a learning experience that allowed you to move forward on a significant issue or changed your thinking in a way that really helped you… when you helped someone uncover an aspect or ability that prior to this, had lain dormant… What were the elements of that experience for you?

Elements from group feedback Affirming each other Importance of one moment or sentence Good feeling Helping others - came from within Providing clarity Being met where you are Safety of others Readiness to develop Authenticity Looking at the situation, to make informed decisions Being present, being available.

Development of partnerships A formal mentoring program creates opportunities for the building of many relationships, such as mentor - young person, coordinator - mentor, and young person – young person, ….., and provides a context in which each participant learns from each other, about each other and about themselves. (MacCallum, 2001)

What factors are important? Activity - Group activity Perspectives of: Coordinator Mentor Young person Board/Funding body Parent/family member Question - What do you think are the most important factors that need to be taken into account in developing a mentoring program? Expectations? Concerns?

Findings Coordinator perspective Expectations: Positive relationship, time and finances, support form communities, finding mentors, establishing networks etc, mentors influential, frequent meetings, mentors attend training, effective training, evaluation of processes and outcomes. Concerns: Control of gov or funding about goals, lack of commitment for different participants.

Mentor perspective Expectations: Commitment?, am I good enough?, will I be liked?, accept me, fit?, support and training?, what happens if doesn’t work?, boundaries? Future expectations form program? What involve? Confidentiality, trust system, program, yp?, can I be myself? 24 hrs? Concerns: Trust, what are the commitments?

Young Person perspective Expectations: Fun, not too intense, try new things and activities, goals program - passing courses, consistency, someone to listen not lecture. Concerns: What will my friends think? Will you tell my parents what I say?

Board/Funding body perspective Expectations: Criteria followed, funding application, reports from program, outcomes, progress, audited and legitimate. Concerns: Cultural awareness, community participation.

Parent/family member perspective Expectations: Confidentiality, my child’s needs met, mentor not undermine my values, trusting organisation, safety for child, mentor committed and trust, credibility, know systems in place for concerns and communication. Concerns: Am I a bad parents? Is someone taking over my role?

From the group discussion: Different participants have different expectations and concerns Importance of including all perspectives in planning People with multiple participant roles need to be clear which perspective they are representing.

Sustaining partnerships Planning with involvement of all stakeholders Clearly articulated and shared goals Cultural awareness Ongoing communication with all stakeholders and support where necessary Mechanisms for feedback from all participants and opportunities to contribute to evaluation

References and sources Beltman, S. & MacCallum, J. (2006) Mentoring and the development of resilience. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 8(1), 21-32. MacCallum, J. (2001) Creating partnerships through mentoring. Invited presentation at the 2001 Education Foundation Summit, Melbourne, October 2001. MacCallum, J., & Beltman, S. (1999) Mentoring in schools by members of the community: A report of the Quality Outcomes Programme International Year of Older Persons Mentoring Research Project. Canberra: Commonwealth of Australia. Available http:// www.detya.gov.au/schools/publications/index.htm

Contact Judy MacCallum - jamac@murdoch.edu.au