M-T1-AN-07 · Detailed guide · Theme 1

Alumni Mentorship Program

Matches alumni around a specific goal in a time-bounded, mutual-learning relationship with privacy, conflicts and expectations set before contact details are exchanged.

Where this idea came from

Playbook entry
M-T1-AN-07 · Alumni Mentorship Program
Theme
Theme 1: Attraction & Visibility · Subtheme AN: Alumni Networks
Source material
Existing checked Theme 1 guide
Linked playbook entry
M-T1-AN-07 · Alumni Mentorship Program

Why a club might use this

Expertise circulates across cohorts and participants gain practical support beyond their immediate network.

Use it when

  • Adult Rotary alumni seeking or offering career, service, study or community-leadership guidance. Use when alumni have identified a concrete mentoring need and realistic time commitment.

Before the club starts

  • Eligibility, scope, conduct, complaints, matching and closure rules approved.
  • Mentors briefed not to provide regulated advice outside qualifications.
  • Conflict, confidentiality and data-sharing choices captured before matching.

Capacity guide

Likely cost
$ — coordination, training and an approved matching system.
Lead time
8–10 weeks to recruit and match; 12-week cycle.
People
2–3 coordinators plus one mentor per mentee.

How to put it into practice

Detailed implementation steps for Alumni Mentorship Program
StepActionSuggested owner
1Collect goal, availability and boundary preferences using minimum fields.Mentoring coordinator
2Screen for conflicts and propose—not impose—a match.Matching panel
3Run a joint orientation and one-page mentoring agreement.Program facilitator
4Support a defined session cycle with private pulse checks.Mentor and mentee
5Close formally, evaluate the goal and offer rematching only by request.Mentoring coordinator

Controls and safeguards

  • No guarantee of employment, funding, admission, migration outcome or Rotary role.
  • Financial dealings, sales and recruitment between matched participants are prohibited during the match.
  • MEDIUM — confidentiality, conflicts, regulated advice and power imbalance require trained matching and independent complaints handling.

What to measure

  • Matches mutually accepted.

Follow-up: Check both parties separately after the first session and midway; close records and contact permissions at cycle end unless renewed.

Related playbook entries

  • M-T1-AN-04
  • M-T1-AN-17
  • M-T1-AN-18

Before your club says yes

Does the idea fit?

Talk with the people it is meant to serve and check that the need is real.

Who can say yes?

Name the person or group that can approve the work, spending and any safety arrangements.

Are people protected?

Check privacy, consent and safety. Collect only the information you genuinely need.

Can everyone take part?

Check the language, format, place, technology and cost for barriers.

Are the facts and permissions right?

Check names, claims, images, quotations, partner references and Rotary branding.

How will we learn?

Note where things stand now, check in at 30, 60 and 90 days, and decide what to do next.