Matches business owners and leaders for bounded, practical peer mentoring while preventing conflicts, sales capture and unqualified professional advice.
Where this idea came from
Playbook entry
M-T1-BV-06 · Rotary Business Mentorship Network
Theme
Theme 1: Attraction & Visibility · Subtheme BV: Business Visibility
Source material
Existing checked Theme 1 guide
Linked playbook entry
M-T1-BV-06 · Rotary Business Mentorship Network
Why a club might use this
Local enterprises gain decision support and stronger networks, improving resilience and community employment.
Use it when
Small-business owners, social enterprise leaders, experienced executives and vocational mentors. Use when participants can state a specific business challenge and time commitment.
Before the club starts
Program charter covers confidentiality, conflicts, conduct, advice limits and closure.
Profiles collect minimum matching information and are not public by default.
Mentors trained in questioning, referral and avoiding dependency.
Capacity guide
Likely cost
$ — coordination, screening and mentor training.
Lead time
8–10 weeks to launch; 3–4 month cycle.
People
2–3 coordinators plus one mentor per participant.
How to put it into practice
Detailed implementation steps for Rotary Business Mentorship Network
Step
Action
Suggested owner
1
Collect goals, sector conflicts and accessibility preferences.
Network coordinator
2
Screen and propose a conflict-safe match for mutual acceptance.
Matching panel
3
Complete orientation and a six-session mentoring agreement.
Program facilitator
4
Support sessions with midpoint checks and qualified referral options.
Mentor and mentee
5
Close the cycle, evaluate decisions and remove shared access.
Network coordinator
Controls and safeguards
No sales, investment solicitation, board recruitment or supplier preference within a match.
Mentors do not give legal, tax, financial or HR advice outside their authority.
MEDIUM — commercial conflicts, confidentiality, dependency and unqualified advice require structured matching and escalation.
What to measure
Mutually accepted matches.
Follow-up: Check both parties after session one and at midpoint; close formally at session six with optional rematch after a cooling-off review.
Membership HubLegendary Clubs PackageM-T1-BV-06