E-025 · Theme 2 · Mentoring & Pathways
Project Buddy System
Use Project Buddy System 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 the project lead to identify one useful task that can be learned in stages and completed without exposing the member to confidential, unsafe or unauthorised work. Who could lead it: Project lead
- Invite members to opt in as learners or buddies, explain the time commitment and limits, and collect only the information needed to make a workable match. Who could lead it: Project buddy coordinator
- Propose the match privately, let both people decline without penalty, and agree how they will communicate, check progress and ask for help. Who could lead it: Project buddy coordinator
- Brief the pair on the project purpose, task sequence, safety and privacy requirements, then let the learner watch once, try with support and confirm what they can do independently. Who could lead it: Project lead and buddy
- Use two short check-ins to remove obstacles, adjust the task or support level and refer any matter beyond the buddy's role to the project lead. Who could lead it: Buddy and learner
What should we look for?
- After 90 days, review Project Buddy System. Look for suitable matches, regular check-ins and progress against goals chosen by the participating member.
- Proposed matches accepted by both the learner and buddy after they see the task, time commitment and boundaries.
- Learners who complete the defined task with all required safety, privacy and access checks met.
- Learners who can name or demonstrate one capability they gained rather than only reporting attendance.
- Pairs that close the supported period with a recorded continue, handover, change-task or finish decision.
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?