Why does mentoring require several months to at least one years commitment?
Because relationships and a sense of bonding occur over time, the duration and consistency of a mentoring relationship is very important. At a minimum, mentors and mentees should meet regularly at least four hours per month for at least a year. There are exceptions, such as school-based mentoring, which usually coincides with the school year, and other types of special mentoring initiatives. In such special circumstances, mentees should know from the outset how long the mentoring relationship will last so they can adjust their expectations accordingly. References Jean E. Rhodes, Ph.D., Stand by Me: The Risks and Rewards of Mentoring Today’s Youth. (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 2002.) How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program using the Elements of Effective Practice. MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership, 2005. http://www.mentoring.org/program_staff/eeptoolkit/index.php, accessed 11/7/05.
