“How might your life have been different if there had been a place for you? A place for you to go, a place of women, to help you learn the ways of woman.”
Circle or One-on-One Mentors may be professionals like teachers,
business owners, counselors or doctors or they may be mothers,
grandmothers, ministers or artists. If the idea of offering something
to young girls or guys in our community lights up for you, you have the
pre-requisite for becoming a Mentor.
Fill out the
Registration Form for our next Mentor Training -
September 26-28, 2008 - where you can begin the process
of becoming a mentor in the southern Oregon community.
The Rose Circle approach to mentorship training begins with the premise
that with a small but deliberate shift in perspective, a woman can move
into the mode of listening deeply, asking questions and guiding a young
girl into her own realizations as opposed to the well-worn methods of fixing, advising and telling from one’s own place of judgment and assumption. These cultural patterns are deep for all of us and many women still find their lives plagued with childhood issues. “How can I be a mentor for young girls when I still find myself with judgments that trigger my own wounds?” We propose that with the intention and desire to notice these patterns, the ability to manage them in a different way arises. Having the passion to offer your presence in a girls’ circle is a blessing in spite of what patterns one still may have.
The Mentors are not alone as they sit in the circle with 6-9 young girls or
if they are spending time with an individual girl. In the circle, each
Mentor has a partner that works with them. This partnership is the
primary relationship that influences the girls. Working together in a
flow and respecting and listening to each other demonstrates a way of
Being for the girls. Each team has a Resource Mentor, a more
experienced circle practitioner, who is always in the background,
available for reflection and conversation with the Mentors about
challenges that may be going on in the circle, whether among the
girls or within themselves. Mentor circles are held once a month for all
Mentors where priceless experiences are shared among the Mentors and Resource
Mentors. And surrounding the Mentors are even more women holding
the intention of the Rose Circle. We are gifted with extensive resources
and it’s a wonderful thing to offer our attention in the direction of
young girls.
In addition, Activity Mentors provide special activities at different times
of the year, such as art, dance, singing and outdooor adventures.
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As a Circle Mentor, you are responsible for understanding the circle
model which is covered extensively during the Mentor Training. This
represents the heart of the Rose Circle. Mentors are responsible to
come to each meeting with some plan of activity. A Girls’ Circle Manual
and ideas from other Mentors give a wealth of possibilities that connect
activity with reflection for the girls. Because the first order of business
is a Check-in by each person in the circle, there may arise a topic of
consideration that would pre-empt any plan you might have brought.
Flexibilty is another wonderful trait of a Mentor.
As a one-on-one Mentor, you will be paired with a girl to form a friendship
where you may do simple things that you both enjoy. You may get
together every week or every other week to have fun and maybe
expose the girl to activities that she wouldn't normally experience. Just
hanging out together becomes meaningful when a bond begins to develop.
A sense of relief has come to mentors when realizing that they need not
have the answers to the many situations that the girls may bring.
This is not about having all the answers. It is about being there to listen
to the girls, find value in their own developing sense of self.
and to guide them when there is some appropriate course to take.
The Mentor serves as a role model who offers encouragement and is
witness to what the girls bring. She asks interesting questions that
can stimulate thinking in an individual girl or develop conversation
among the girls.
To become a Mentor, a woman must attend an introductory event where her individual
skills and interests in mentoring are assessed. A weekend training is the next step.
A one year commitment is required for any Mentor relationship and
attendance at the once a month Mentor Circle is imperative
for on-going skill-building and connection with the other Mentors.
If you are interested in becoming a Mentor, Contact us. |
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