Mentoring
Each week a small cadre of Hamilton Rotarians pockets bulging with Uno cards, snack bars, crayons, books, or craft materials, head out to a local elementary school to perform a special kind of magic ------- the magic of mentoring!
Initially inspired by the work of Bob Casey and the Creative Mentoring Program instituted in Delaware, and following the principles of their mission statement, the Rotary Club of Hamilton, NJ embarked on a mentoring project two years ago. The number of trained mentors in the club has grown steadily in those two years. There are now seven trained mentors from their club who spend at least 45 minutes to an hour each week with a child playing games, talking, and sharing the gift of time and attention. With the advent of a new academic year on the horizon they look forward to meeting the children once again and are encouraged that an additional 3 more members have enrolled in the next training session to be held September 10, 2001.
Feedback on the mentoring program from teachers, parents, and school administrators was positive from the beginning. The good news of mentoring spread quickly. District 7510's leadership realized the value of the program and saw the need for additional trained mentors, however a more viable way to train Rotarians was needed. Marie Varga of the Hamilton Club, along with Angela Borgia of the Hamilton-Washington Sunrise Club, and John Jacobson of the Elizabeth Club answered that call to develop a training session based on the Creative Mentoring Model, but tailored to address Rotary's mentoring ideals. During the 2000 - 2001 Rotary year the Rotary Partners in Mentoring (RPM) program was developed, manuals were procured, forms were revised, and two classes consisting of 20 trainees each were taught.
RPM now boasts its own logo, hours of time spent with mentees, a forthcoming newsletter, and more importantly, mentors actively involved in local schools not only from the Hamilton Clubs but also from the Elizabeth and Branchburg clubs.
The Rotary Partners in Mentoring Program targets elementary school students and is conducted in school during regular school hours. The objective is to become a friend to a child in need of a one-on-one friendship. RPM's purpose is to help that child develop their self-esteem, self-confidence and interpersonal skills. By using the mentor/mentee relationship the mentor's goal is to help the student discover his/her own gifts and uniqueness.
The impact a mentor has on a child may be immediate or not be seen for many years, but Rotarians involved in the program know they have made a difference in their communities. The words of the mentees themselves speak volumes. One boy told his teacher that "Thursday is the best day of the week!" When asked why Thursday, the youngster replied, "That's the day my mentor comes". Another 5th grader during a luncheon outing with mentors and mentees succinctly declared, "Mentoring changed my life." Who can argue with such statements?
At the conclusion of this school year, Hamilton's then President, George Martin, presented each of the Club's mentees with a pin bearing an eagle. He reminded the students that eagles do not stay in flocks, much preferring to fly independently and often very high in the sky. With these words he crystallized the mission of Rotary Partners in Mentoring ----- helping a child soar like an eagle.
For additional information about District 7510's Rotary Partners in Mentoring Program or an up-coming training session contact Marie Varga at her e-mail address: MVarga6189@aol.com.