ESTABLISHING A MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
Every temple community can benefit from a mentorship program where each devotee is sheltered by an one-on-one mentorship relationship. The Mentorship Team is here to assist in setting up the program at your center.
Steps include:
• Seeking devotees that could be good candidates to be a mentor
• Criteria should include, for example, those that are strong in sadhana, have exhibited exemplary behavior, humble, have a mood of service, and able to dedicate the time and energy to mentoring; please see more guideline of a mentor examples under A True Sheltering Relationship here
• A background check
• Have candidates participate in the Mentorship Training course and receive the Mentorship certificate
• Temple Management are welcome to take the course for insight into the details of program and the mentor's responsibilities and guidelines
• Informing your community of the mentorship program and its sheltering benefits and encourage each devotee that is chanting at least 4 rounds of japa to become a mentee by choosing a mentor based on their comfort and ashram guidelines
• Contact the team for assistance and support
BECOMING A MENTOR
Mentors are a vital aspect to helping to retain devotees by keeping them inspired, supported and encouraged. Mentorship takes dedication, patience, energy and time. A mentor is strong in their own sadhana, non-judgmental, compassionate and exhibits vaishnava etiquette.
The Mentorship Team welcomes you to the family! We support mentors with training, ongoing communication, encouragement, seminars, sangas, retreats, lifelong learning, continuing education, and more. NA Mentorship team members are dedicated to ensuring that mentors are fully supported.
Please touch base with your center's management to express your interest in becoming a mentor and then register for the training course by clicking here.
OTHER RESOURCES
The North America Mentorship Team provides training and support but also complements many other available ISKCON Resources.
Karuna Care Education
Vaisnava Family Resources/Grihastha Vision Team
Devotee Care Course for North America
The Sanga Initiative - Empowering Youth
Vaishnava Etiquette Handbook
ISKCON Mentorship Training
ISKCON Code of Ethics