“The fabric of a culture tends to unravel in two places at once,
where its young people are rejected and it's old people are forgotten.
Conversely, a culture becomes creative where the dreams of its youth
are revealed and the visions of its elders are revered. Youth and elder
are each visionary states, each mythic conditions more attuned to the
threads of eternity than to the strictures of time.”
—Michael Meade
Shift in Perspective
The Rose Circle approach to mentorship training begins with the premise
that with a small but deliberate shift in perspective, a person can move
into the mode of listening deeply, asking questions and guiding a young
person into their 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
people still find their lives plagued with childhood issues.
“How can I be a mentor for young people 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 circle or one-on-one relationship is a blessing
in spite of what patterns one still may have.
Enter Humbly
A sense of relief has come to mentors when realizing that they need not
have the answers to the many situations that are brought by the youth.
This is not about having all the answers. It is about being there to listen,
finding value in their own developing sense of self
and guiding them when there is some appropriate course to take.
The Mentor serves as a role model who offers encouragement and
witness to what the youth brings. The mentor asks interesting questions
that can stimulate thinking in an individual or develop conversation
within the circle.
Being Held in a Container
The Mentors are not alone as they sit in the circle with 6-9 youth or
if they are spending time with an individual young person. In the circle,
each Mentor has a partner that works with them. This partnership is the
primary relationship that influences the young people. 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
youth 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 and men 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
the youth in our community.
In addition, Activity Mentors provide special activities at different times
of the year, such as art, dance, singing and outdooor adventures.
What Mentors are saying...
“I deeply appreciate my mentor partner. Her
incredible presence, warmth and intelligence gave our girls such a
connected space to land in. I am very grateful to have her as my
partner and absolutely love her strength and confidence.
It sometimes takes a moment to get my head above the waves
and there you are sailing by on your bouncy vessel.
It feels as if we do indeed work wonderful magic together.”
“My partner and I are a good team. I see her as fun, emotionally
available, incredibly encouraging, bright and spontaneous. What I think
I bring is a non-judgemental safety, a calm strength and group
navigation skills. There's a synergy between us that is very
fun.”
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Should I Be a Mentor?
Circle or One-on-One Mentors may be professionals like teachers,
business owners, counselors or doctors or they may be parents, grandparents, ministers or
artists. If the idea of offering something to young girls or boys in our community lights
up for you, you have the pre-requisite for becoming a Mentor.
Generally there are Mentor Trainings in the fall, winter, and spring, dates to be announced.
We recommend that all
interested in being a mentor, fill out and send in an application.
Download an
Application
What Do We Do?
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 Circle Manual
and ideas from other Mentors give a wealth of possibilities that connect
activity with reflection for the youth. 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 youth 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 youth to activities that they wouldn't normally experience. Just
hanging out together becomes meaningful when a bond begins to
develop.
Listen to a Radio Blog Interview
to hear from 17 year old Ella Riley-Adams and Elizabeth Westmoreland
about their circle experience over the last three years.
How to Become a Mentor?
To become a Mentor, a man or woman connects with a member of The Rose Circle
on the telephone or in person where their individual
skills and interests in mentoring are assessed. A mentor training is the
next step and an
Application is filled out.
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.
Fill out the
Application
for our next Mentor Training where you can begin the process
of becoming a mentor in the Southern Oregon community.
Training includes substantial mentor resource materials, assistance in matching you with a youth
and on-going mentor support.
Join a wonderful community of over 250 men and women trained at our
Mentor weekends over the past 6 years.
Training tuition can be paid here or a check can be sent to P.O. Box 116 Talent, OR 97540. Details will follow.
Some scholarships are available.
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