E-033 · Theme 2 · Mentoring & Pathways
Reverse Mentoring Program
Members learn across generations, strengthen relationships and improve shared practices.
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 club leaders and members for practices that would benefit from a different perspective, then choose one question that is specific, changeable and safe to explore. Who could lead it: Program sponsor and coordinator
- Invite people to describe what they can offer and what they want to learn, without assigning mentor or learner status by age, tenure or office. Who could lead it: Program coordinator
- Propose a match privately, disclose any power or role conflict, let both people decline and agree who will support the pair if the relationship becomes uncomfortable. Who could lead it: Program coordinator
- Use the first session to agree the question, two-way learning goals, meeting rhythm, confidentiality, respectful challenge and one small observation or test between sessions. Who could lead it: Mentoring pair
- Hold two further conversations that compare assumptions with experience, test one practical change and record the learning without attributing private comments or speaking for a whole group. Who could lead it: Mentoring pair
What should we look for?
- After 90 days, review Reverse Mentoring Program. Look for suitable matches, regular check-ins and progress against goals chosen by the participating member.
- Matches accepted by both people after the question, power relationship, time commitment and boundaries are disclosed.
- Pairs that complete three conversations and one practical observation or test without unresolved concern or unwanted disclosure.
- Participants who report that learning and challenge moved in both directions and their experience was not tokenised.
- Recommendations that receive a recorded accept, test, adapt or decline decision from the sponsor within 30 days.
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?