BECOME A MENTOR
AOP Changes 2008-2009 Apprentice Schedule
Wondering why AOP apprentice and mentor applications haven’t been released? Given the busy election season, AOP has decided to adjust the schedule of its cohort term for the next class of apprentices. The upcoming cohort will begin in early 2009, instead of fall 2008, as has been the schedule in the past two cohorts.
We will have more information posted shortly, and expect to release the applications this fall.
What is a Mentor?
A mentor with AOP serves as a guide and supporter for an apprentice who is developing their community organizing skills.
Components of Good Mentoring Relationships
Good AOP mentors work closely with their apprentices to develop a clear understanding about the goals and tasks of the apprenticeship, as well as the responsibilities of both the mentors and apprentices. AOP mentors are also expected to actively participate throughout AOP's development of apprentices.
AOP believes that regular communication between mentors and apprentices is vital to a strong mentoring relationship. Mentors should meet with their apprentices on a regular basis. In the first 2-4 weeks, this may mean almost daily meetings to check in with their apprentices as both adjust to the partnership. Throughout the apprenticeship, mentors should meet with apprentices one-on-one for at least one hour per week. AOP also encourages mentors to communicate with fellow mentors, as well as AOP staff on a regular basis. Traditionally, our most successful mentor/apprentice partnerships have been those in which mentors and apprentices established an open, consistent communications process throughout the partnership.
In addition to the training provided by AOP and the mentoring organization, some of the most important learning in a mentoring relationship occurs while apprentices observe their mentors in their work. We ask all mentors to spend time working with their apprentices in the field, in order to provide apprentices with as much first-hand and in-depth experience as possible.
AOP strongly values developing a network of public relationships across communities. This is not only key to the mission of AOP-- it also strengthens the organizing skills of both mentors and apprentices to learn and understand the craft from a variety of perspectives and styles. Good AOP mentors will introduce apprentices to other organizers, jointly attend community and coalition meetings, and encourage apprentices to develop relationships with other community organizers to learn from their strengths.
Many past mentors, through feedback to AOP, have stressed the importance of recognizing that mentoring an apprentice is less about using an apprentice to get additional work done, and more about nurturing a new community organizer. As this guidance develops, the mentors, apprentices, and mentoring organizations will benefit.