E-019 · Theme 2 · Mentoring & Pathways
Member Mentoring Circles
Use Member Mentoring Circles to make mentoring and personal development easier to find, choose and sustain.
Developed further: this summary now draws on an initiative-specific internal editorial draft and attributed references. Human review has not started and will open only at the Full-Corpus Review Build.
What could this idea change?
It helps knowledge, confidence and encouragement move between members instead of resting with a few people.
It may suit: Members seeking guidance or a new challenge, and the people offering practical support.
A simple way to start
- Ask interested members which goals, questions or transitions would make a circle worthwhile, and test whether a mixed-experience group is preferable to one-to-one mentoring. Who could lead it: Mentoring coordinator
- Invite opt-in expressions of interest, explain what the circle can and cannot provide, and collect only the information needed to form workable groups. Who could lead it: Mentoring coordinator
- Form circles of four to six people, check the proposed mix privately with every participant and brief one facilitator for each group. Who could lead it: Mentoring coordinator with inclusion contact
- Open the first meeting by agreeing the charter, letting each person name one goal and one contribution, and choosing one realistic action before the next meeting. Who could lead it: Circle facilitator
- Run two further monthly conversations using a check-in, one or two member cases, peer questions and a closing commitment; refer matters outside the circle's competence rather than improvising advice. Who could lead it: Circle facilitator and participants
What should we look for?
- After 90 days, review Member Mentoring Circles. Look for suitable matches, regular check-ins and progress against goals chosen by the participating member.
- Invited participants who accept the proposed circle after seeing its purpose, membership and boundaries.
- Circles that complete all three planned conversations with no unresolved access request or unassigned concern.
- Participants who complete at least one action linked to a goal they chose themselves.
- Participants who make an explicit continue, rematch, move or conclude decision at the 90-day review.
Before we say yes
- Does it fit a real local need?
- Can people take part safely and fairly?
- Are the facts, permissions and Rotary branding right?
- Who will lead it, and when will we review it?