Welcome

1. Welcome Banks County School System P.A.W.S. Program (Positive Adults Winning Students)

2. Mentors • Meet the needs of these young people • Your main purpose is to be a caring and supportive adult. • The manual will help you understand your role as a mentor and to provide tools for you. • You will perform services that enrich, extend, and enhance a child’s daily experience.

3. The Mission of Being A Mentor Banks County P.A.W.S. Mission: The Mission of the PAWS program is to build and strengthen the character and competence of our at-risk children and youth in our community. With committed mentors, we believe they can make a positive impact on the critical needs of their mentees in a secure and non-threatening atomosphere.

4. WHO MENTORED YOU? Who Benefits?

5. Why P.A.W.S. Program? • All of us can remember at least one person outside of your parent(s) that had an impact on your life. The P.A.W.S. program is just that, a program to reach students who may need a little extra attention. • This program is a collaborative effort of Banks County Family Connection, a non-profit organization for the betterment of children and families in Banks County and the Banks County School System.

6. Purpose • The program was established to provide: • An extra, supportive person to area children and youth • To provide role models, friends, motivators • An additional adult who can guide youth on the road to academic and personal success • “I think it's an honor to be a role model to one person or maybe more than that. If you are given a chance to be a role model, I think you should always take it because you can influence a person's life in a positive light, and that's what I want to do. That's what it's all about.” Author:  Tiger Woods 1975-, American Golfer

7. Complete Mentor Application Pass Background Check Attend Training Spend at least 2 hrs. per month with your mentee (Research shows that a minimum of 4 hrs. a month or 1 hr. a week is best.) Keep up-to-date with all relevant forms Attend some school activities Mentors must be willing to develop a positive relationship with the child, teacher, and parent(s) when available Work with teachers, counselors, etc. Recruit new mentors How It Works (Criteria)

8. Who Are You Working With? • The youth are residents of Banks County and enrolled in school • These students are in need of a positive role model . They may be going through a difficult or challenging situation and need another caring adult in their life. • Each student must want to participate in the program • Each student must have consent of the parent or guardian to participate in the program

9. The Importance of Confidentiality Where and how to sign in and out School Procedures in the case of an Emergency Work with school schedule/calendar Know who to communicate problems to (School Counselor or Administration) Know your contact person (School Counselor) Learn your students schedule Where your Mentor Badge. (Remember that you are a visitor and some people in the school will not know you.) School Orientation(Becoming familiar with school policies)

10. Contact school before visiting (Is there anything special happening that day and is you mentee at school?) Honor your commitment to the student. (maintain consistent and regular attendance) Always check in w/school office Sign in: Mentor visitation form in office Do NOT make promises you can’t keep Remember that you are not taking the place of the parent. You are adding a friend and role model to their lives. You are NOT Santa Claus Relay any concerns to the School Counselor or Administration Don’t expect complete transformation We do not require or encourage mentors to spend time with their mentees outside of school. Mentor Expectations-Mentor Manuel

11. Listen Be Flexible (Don’t always do things your way.) Be Consistent (Remember they have had a lot of disappointments) Give Reason Show Affection (use appropriate behavior – Show your affection by letting your mentee know you’ve been thinking about them.) Model Appropriate Behavior Have FUN (Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God. Author:  Karl Barth 1886-1968, Swiss Theologian Recognize Accomplishments (note when they try and succeed) Give Encouragement (Remind them that they can do it.) See them as Individuals (Your mentee is unique and special) Respect Boundaries Remember Details (They truly want to be heard and when you remember it means a lot to them.) Building a relationship is like building a bank account. Every time you do what you said you were going to do is like making a deposit that can later be drawn against. Building a Relationship Takes Time - Mentor’s Do’s

12. A positive role model. Meets consistently with the student. Shows up on time & is committed. Listens & communicates well. Cares about helping a student in need. Is not a judgmental person. Reinforces student’s success. Has an outstanding record of employment & no criminal record. Remember - “People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy.” Oliver Goldsmith Qualities of a successful mentor

13. Criticize the Past (Avoid bringing up past mistakes) Generalize Negative Behaviors (i.e. “you always”) Share personal problems (They have enough of their own.) Pry (Be sensitive) Constantly Teach (Remember that you are a support) Don’t Interrupt (let you mentee finish telling you the story or information. They need to be heard.) Pass Judgement – Wait to be asked before you offer your opinions. Criticize Family (even if you disapprove of what they are doing) Criticize Friends Use lots of “shoulds” (This may shut the door between you and your mentee) Discourage Differences Punish Honesty (Thank them for being honest with you even if you disapprove) Mentoring Don'ts

14. Let them introduce you to their teacher Eat lunch or breakfast with them Find individual likes Talk about goals and goal setting. Have FUN together! Ask them what they would like to do. (Remember you are there for them so find out what their interests) Be CREATIVE! Be positive even when they fail. (“It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.” Theodore Roosevelt Working with Your Mentee

15. Mentor Sign-In Form @school – Know your school’s policy and always where your Mentor Badge. Mentor Program Progress Report Mentor Assignment- 1st visit School-based acknowledgement Mentor Application Background Check Consent Form Forms

16. Banks County P.A.W.S Program We stress that your commitment to this program and to your mentee is a very serious one that requires self-motivation and self-discipline. Mentors are not meant to take the place of parents or teachers. They are role models confidants, advocates, counselors, and friends.

17. THANKS! We will be happy to answer any questions you have.