Candidate Mentor District Superintendent dCOM Candidacy Registrar

 dCOM assigns mentor in consultation with the DS and the Vocational Discernment Coordinator.  Mentor asked to maintain open communication with dCOM.  An Annual mentor report signed by candidate and mentor is recommended.  Mentor report important part of the certification approval interview.

 The mentor will prepare a report about the candidate’s progress and experiences in the exploratory candidacy studies.  The candidate may read and request modifications to the report.  It is important for candidate and mentor to reach a consensus in this report.

 The candidate’s conversations and files are confidential, and any information from them is to be released only with the candidate’s written consent.  The dCOM may not request information from candidacy/mentor sessions that are not contained in the mentor report.

 The candidate, of course, may voluntarily include any of the information he/she chooses.  The dCOM may ask for clarity and the candidate may add whatever he/she deems necessary.  According to state law, when another person (particularly someone vulnerable) or the candidate is at risk, confidentiality does not apply

 The report provides an introduction of the candidate to the dCOM.  The report outlines issues that may need exploring with the committee.  The dCOM will use the report as one source of information. There will be others.

 A brief description of candidate’s understanding of grace, gifts, fruit and promise (potential) for effectiveness.  The ways candidate has obtained information about the ministries of the deacon, elder and local pastor.  Ways candidate has used information in developing understanding of self and ministry.

 Local church, family, work and other influences that may be important in candidate’s progress toward ministry.  Other insights or comments that may enable the dCOM to understand the candidate better.

 The mentor will be present with the candidate.  The mentor is expected to be primarily an observer with no interaction with the committee except the report.  The mentor is not to try to influence the vote of the committee.  The mentor does not meet with the dCOM without the candidate present

 The candidate and the mentor meet to discuss the interview and the candidate’s understanding of the committee’s comments or recommendations and arrange for follow-through.  The mentor attaches a record of the vote and any recommendations or comments to the mentor report and gives to the dCOM, candidate, and keeps one for self.  The mentor records the dCOM’s decision in OCAS.

 CR oversees the keeping of records on the progress and status of candidates until they are received in associate or provisional membership.  dCOM files are forwarded to BOM when candidate applies for provisional membership.  CR keeps full personnel records for all candidates under the care of the board.

 CR is the key person for information and communication for the candidate and mentor and is available to answer questions and give assistance.  CR ensures training for candidacy mentors.  CR maintains an accountability structure for quality candidacy mentoring.