Process for becoming a Mentor and Mentoring on the decision...

I would like to understand the process to become a Mentor.

I would also like to read some advice that would help me make the decision to become one or not. What are you looking for in a Mentor that isn't "in writing?"

Thanks!

MC

I find myself disinterested in mentors and mentoring from what I've seen. There are a lot of smart ones. But, really, I have no problem being simply helpful without a title or access. I have found independent volunteer groups to be way more productive with much less baggage. (=_=)

EmCee:

Go to this page and fill out a brief application:

http://secondlife.com/community/volunteer.php

The requirements for being a Mentor change from time to time. At one point, 6 months experience was required. I'm not entirely sure what the requirement is now.

If you like to help people, you may enjoy being a Mentor (I do). If you do not like large groups and email lists that have a lot of traffic on them, you may not like it.

But why not apply anyway, even if you're not sure? You can always resign if you find that the group isn't to your taste.

While you're waiting for the Lindens to process your application, you can do a lot of helping WITHOUT being a mentor. Join one or more of the third party helper groups, such as NCI, Help People! or GQ Start. Pick up a copy of Lucrezia Lamont's Newbie Info Kit and hand it out to everyone you meet. Or just go and hang out at Orientation Island Public, Help Island Public, or any of the Welcome Areas/Infohubs. If you go to these places, wear your MystiTool or other movelock shield, and spend most of your time sitting safely on a prim. There Be Tygers!

Since H4 killed Brash attachments, movelocks aren't needed as much anymore... I still never wear one. (^_^)

Movelock's still a good idea, IMO. Not against overt attacks, but for the rude newbie who bumps into you before you've rezzed and pushes you halfway across the room.

I think LL was going to close the enrollment for a while to clear out the waiting list, and then reopen it with some new requirements. If you go to sign up and can't, check back in a couple of weeks.

As far as what you need... Patience. People who need help are often upset and obviously having trouble, so you will need to be endlessly patient with them. Also, the mentor group itself can be a little trying at times, so if you have knee-jerk reactions to group chat, it's probably not for you.

The other thing you need is a willingness to learn about things you don't already know. You will get a lot of questions about building, scripting, land, griefing and more, and while nobody expects you to know everything, you will do the best if you know where to go to get the information you need. You should know how to use the knowledge base and the support portal. You should read the SL blog and also the Vteam blog on a regular basis. This will help you a LOT. But seriously, if you are willing to put in the time and legwork to help people, you will learn a lot just by doing. Someone asks you a question you don't know and you find them the answer, you are both smarter.

I enjoy mentoring but the longer I am in the program the more I realize I just enjoy helping people, whatever tag I am wearing. You can sit on help island and stuff to see how it might go, but remember that mentoring doesn't mean you have to help on help island... you can help anywhere you see a need for it.

SL mentors are very helpful (one gave me the NCI Kuula LM back at Help Island, allowing me to bypas the weclome areas), but right now I'm still figuring things out and I don't have alot of time or a stable enough connection for it.

I still help out as much as I can (if I can't I will try to find some one who can) when I'm not busy on something, Unoffical mentors/helpers have way more freedom any way

Of course no one needs a tag to be helpful in SL™.
But I believe there is a level of accountability with the Second Life Mentors program. Its still for many of us a personal honor and one that I wouldn’t want to jeopardize by acting inappropriately (in public /w tag on) or against CS or TOS. And we are to reflect those values (in public /w tag on) That's something other Help Groups may not specifically require or promote.

I preffer helping at NCI I spent a few years as a mentor but I find the level of knowledge much higher at NCI. NCI will be celebrating its 3rd year soon. That is a wonderful tribute in itself.

I've found I'm a very patient person and I've helped get two very unpleasant characters banned from Welfare Island without resorting to bad language.

I've also found I'm a good listener and hope to train with the UK's Samaritans emergency 'phone listening charity.

The high email traffic sounds off putting though...maybe I'll start with the Help People group first and see how that goes.

Well, to be fair, you don't HAVE to be on the email group to be a mentor. The only required group of any kind is the Second Life Mentor group in world. That's not nearly as spammy, as it's meant really only to be a beacon channel when someone needs another mentor to TP to help them or (more often) needs help in another language. And if it's bugging you, you can always close that window, too. There's nothing that says you need to always be listening.

I think it's always important to stress to people that mentors aren't cops. A mentor is only there to teach people new things and help them get the information they need. Think of it as more of a librarian role than a policeman. Mentors often choose to work in high-traffic and often griefed areas (Help Island Public) but that's optional, and griefers are everyone's responsibility. Mentor ARs get no special cred with LL.

Just wanted to mention that, as I think a lot of people (mentor and non-mentor alike) don't always realize that.

Hello,

I filled in the volunteer apply i think 6 months ago and yes i like to help other second lifer further in the world but i didnt heard nothing till this time from linden.
I think i have enought experiance since i started sl with this 2de avatar in nov 2006
I speak also english ,german ,dutch polnish and a bit norwegian...
I hope i hear sometime to ebcome a member to

Best regards Denise wirtanen

Denise,

I'm sure your experience and talents (especially languages!) will be welcomed. Send a notecard or an IM to Blue Linden or Lexie Linden in-world and call their attention to your application.

I'm w/ Imnotgoing on this one. I know a few great mentors who are happily! wonderful help.
I'm still always having questions, finding or giving answers or helping on the spot.

There was a flurry of acceptances from around November of last year through March. People were applying and with in days being accepted. Prior to that some people had to wait almost a year to have their application approved. If you applied during that time which was about six months ago, I’m surprised you’ve not heard anything. Could be any number of reasons but I too think you should contact one of the Lindens with the VTeam. Review your application. Make sure you get as close to 500 words as possible. Mine was exactly 500 words (proving just how anal I am). Look at your application too see if there is something in it that would reflect negatively.
We really do need more multi-lingual Mentors!
Best of Luck to you

Hello,
Yes i think to contact blue linden about it and ask how my appy is going on and no it wasnt 500 words...pffff thats a lot of words and i am mostly to be so good and clear as possible to help others in so less as possible words ))
Thanks for the nice ans quick answers and i will let you know how it work out...

Best regards Denise

recently while making yet ANOTHER Jumpman alt (THEY ARE ALL MEH!) I ran into a pair of sl mentors. the chick was decidely NOT hot but proceeded to act as if she were Callie Cline or somebody 9both hot and stylish). The guy had on just the freebie skin i was iming tards to send me (once again); so, I asked the dude if he would bive it to meh. let me have it and all. he was like this skin cost me money! i laffed at him and was like no it didnt its a freely (i purposely used that word instead of free BIE so he'd continue to think i had just started). He said if its a FREELY then go get one. SURPRISE SURPIRSE mIKE'S PHOTOREALISTIC SKIN APPEARED IN MY INVENTORY THANX TO A TARD PAL OF MINE. i DONNED IT and even Ms. N0t-So-Hot-As-Callie Cline laughed in this tard's face.
then off i went from the tutorial dump to stir up more fun and spirited mischief! and you know some of the WORST griefer scum i know are sl mentors with their primaries lmao! When i get all my alts back im gonna make an old one wthat doesnt have any disciplinary problems to be a sl mentor

You’ll do the group proud I’m sure.
Hey I’ve seen some colorful Mentors who have been very helpful to new residents. Hell we don’t have to be freaking puritans. And you know Jumpman, one of the most asked questions from newbies is “what do we do here?” I’d bet you’d be all over that!

well i've applied under my main ( Jumpman Lane ) and have yet to hear a peep. (er i'm currently banned until around 2pm slt TODAY!). And i emailed the Linden in charge askin for a special dispensation you know over lookin my er disciplinary scrapes (er trollin flaming harrasment on the forums, preventing people from entering a sim with scripted objects, spamming-repetitave content, abuse of support staff [the great watermelon his d@m self no less]) so are ya sayin i should keep my fingers crosssed. can ya put in a good word for meh! I HAVE helped 4 noobs. maybe 5 i cant remember ...oh yeah it was 4.

HAHA!

I signed up before you and I'm still waiting... Get in the back of the line please. (=_=)

i imed the Linden in charge i'm jockyin for a quicker response. let the peons wait. I'm Jumpman Lane!

oh ya think its funneh
well u dont know meh monneh!

and i have helped FOUR noobs!

Sh'right! Enjoy your ban. (^_^)y