ROG

Reaching Our Goals

Mentor Manual

Mission:
To foster an empowering environment for
early adolescent Latino students with an
emphasis on academic achievement and
positive social growth.
 WELCOME TO THE ROG FAMILY

We are excited for this year, and so glad to have you!

As a ROG mentor, you will have opportunities to build

relationships, to lead, and to make a difference. You, the mentor,
are the reason that ROG can exist. You are why the mentees come
each week. Your consistent presence and caring attitude could be
the reason why a youth decides to stay in school and graduate.

The single most important thing you can do for your mentee is to
simply come each week, listen, and be a part of the community that
ROG offers. You could be one of the few adults in these students
life that show them consistent love and support. You could make
all the difference between their outlook on adults, school, their
community, or friendships.

Please always remember that we are here to support you as you

lead this program. Come to us with anything. Your concerns are
our priority, and your ideas coveted.

Thank you for your commitment to changing lives through

leadership. Thank you for being a ROG mentor.

The ROG directors of 2008-2009,

Jenny Kramm, Janet Sully, and Fatima

Omar
 WHAT IS ROG?

The Latino population of Northfield continues to rise despite the challenges

families face while living here. Immigrants that come here confront
language barriers which affect the education of their children.

In 2000, Mexican immigrant parents asked a bilingual student from St. Olaf
if she could help their students with homework since they could not speak
English. ROG was born.

The need for help in school has evolved into a need for a safe place. Today,
ROG provides a refuge for Latino youth: a place where they know they are
respected. The ROG family encourages students to take pride in their
heritage, to empower the youth, and to stress the importance of education.

WHO ARE THE ROG MENTEES?

Clearly every student that comes to ROG is completely unique from the
next. However, several of the students share some similar experiences.

Students that attend ROG are mostly middle-school aged, ranging from 6th
grade up to 10th. We pick most of them up in Northfield, from their homes
located in a nearby trailer-park called Viking Terrace.

Many of the students that attend ROG live with parents that emigrated here
from Mexico. The majority of our students were born in the United States,
but some crossed over the border as well. Some may or may not be
documented.
 WHAT DO I DO AS A MENTOR?
Welcome to ROG where you are the leader.

Seek Out Youth and Get to Know Them

Your first and foremost goal as a ROG mentor is to get to know and support
your mentee and other ROG mentees.

Being a mentor is anything but passive. When you come each week, you are
expected to seek out youth and get to know them. Ask them about their
families, hobbies, hopes, struggles, fears, and friends. Share a bit about
college. Try to find something about them that they are good at and
encourage them to continue doing what they are good at. If you need help
with striking up a conversation, we’ve prepared questions that you can use
when you spend time with mentees (they will be in the Mentor Resource
Binder).

Motto for Interacting with misbehaving youth:

Consistency
Choices
Consequences

Be CONSISTENT about Enforcing Rules

In addition to forming relationships with your mentee and other mentees,

you are also the adult that enforces rules. The main goal of ROG is to
empower youth. Part of empowering youth is being clear about what
behavioral expectations we have and holding youth accountable for their
actions. ALLOWING A STUDENT TO BREAK RULES AND TO BE
DISRESPECTFUL IS NOT DOING THEM A FAVOR. In fact, is doing
them a disservice, because it teaches them that rules are an option. As a
mentor you will form rules with the mentees at the beginning of the year.
Allowing the youth to be a part of the rule setting process helps the youth to
understand why we have rules, and they would be more likely to abide by
their own rules. Remind them when they are misbehaving that they agreed to
follow the rules at the beginning of the year.

You can always use the directors as the “bad guys” if you feel more
comfortable doing that. For example, “Jenny says that we don’t swear in
ROG.”
 Give Mentees CHOICES and CONSEQUENCES

Remind the youth that they have choices. When they make good choices
they should be positively encouraged. When they make poor choices, they
will be given consequences. These consequences given can also be a choice
for the student. In ROG, if a youth violates a rule three times, they are
required to complete a discipline contract. In the discipline contract the
student circles which rule they violated, describes how their actions affected
others, propose what to do differently in the future, and choose their
consequence. The consequence must be carried out. If the student
misbehaves in a similar manner, they are suspended from ROG.

IN ADDITION TO FORMING RELATIONSHIPS WITH MENTEES:

Every mentor that joins ROG will have roles in addition to being a mentor to
a student. Their roles will include the following:

Riding in the Van- goes with a director that drives

• 3 (?) times round trip (# of ROG nights/# mentors)

• Makes sure kids wear seat belts etc.

Stay after and clean up 3 (?) nights

• Putting chairs back
• Bringing game tub to SORC

Mentor MC of the Night-runs night of ROG (# of ROG nights/# mentors)

• Attends director meeting the Sunday before their night to approve

schedule
• Ensures the MPOD and WPOD are printed and out
• Ensures there's extra homework

• Runs the mixer of the night,

• Facilitates basic schedule (Shout-outs, goal check-in etc.)

• Tally MPOD and WPOD

Committees

Monthly Activities, T-shirt Orderer and Contest Facilitator, End of the Year,
Party Planners, Long term projects, Family Leaders,Snack, Goal/Homwork
Rewards, and Birthday Celebration

TYPICAL NIGHT OF ROG*

6:30 Arrival Time (Mentors arrive 5 minutes early at 6:25)**

• Math Problem of the Day

• Word Problem of the Day
• Name Game competition
• Discussion questions with mentor and mentees
• Board Games

7:00 Announcements and All ROG Mixer-A way to get mentors and
mentees to get to know one another, and provide for structured socializing
time. Competitive games can take place in families.

7:15 Family Check-In

7:20 Homework
7:50 Mentor and Mentee Goal check-in
7:55 Shout-outs
8:00 Dismissal (All mentors walk students out to vans)

*If a student has more than a half an hour of homework they are exempted
from all activities in order to work on their homework

**It is imperative that you arrive on time because it sets an example for the
mentees, shows that you care, and is considerate to others’ time and effort.

WHAT ARE THE RULES OF ROG?

Everyone will decide together the first day of ROG what the rules will be
that govern how we treat each other in ROG (For example: respect each
other, don’t talk while another is talking).
Here are some rules that you as mentors will help us as directors enforce in
addition to the rules decided upon on the first day:

Clothing Policy
No hats
No Bandanas
Mentors should model modest clothing choices for mentees
Mentors should never wear shirts with alcohol or other inappropriate
messages

Language and Symbols

No swearing (in either language)
No gang symbols or colors (i.e. Surenos 13 uses Blue, Grey, and White)
No yelling

Building Rules
No gum
No running
A student must have a bathroom pass and permission of their mentor to
leave the room: NO WANDERING IN HALLWAY
Computers can only be used for homework.

Other Rules
No pets
No cell phones
No ipods
No electronics (gameboys etc.)

Please follow these rules yourself. You are the example!

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES FOR BREAKING

RULES?
 VAN INFORMATION

• Procedure
o Meet at 5:20 sharp in the SORC. BE ON TIME PLEASE!!!
o Everyone in the Vans must wear a seatbelt AT ALL TIMES.
o The vans should arrive back at St. Olaf between 6:30 and 7:00.
o The van drivers will leave at 7:55 to get the vans so they are
outside waiting for the kids.
o Make sure to fill out the cards in the van packets completely.
o Return the van keys to the front desk.
o Return the van binder to the top drawer of the ROG filing
cabinet in the SORC.

• If there are any problems with the vans (accidents, flat tires, etc.) call
Public Safety at x3666. For serious problems call 911 first, then
Public Safety.

• Nobody is allowed on the vans unless their parent/guardian has signed

a permission slip. There are extra permission slips in the binder.
Please contact a director before admitting any new students.

WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT FOR ROG?

ROG 2008-2009 Calendar
1) Weekly Meetings (Mandatory)
(All meetings will be held from 6:30pm-8:00pm)

ROG training: 9/16 and 9/23

Mentor/mentee meetings: 9/30, 10/7, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18, 11/25, 12/2, 12/9,
1/6, 1/13, 1/20, 1/27, 2/10, 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28

2) Monthly Activities (Mandatory)

(*****Times and Locations will change)

Date Time (TBA) Location (TBA) Activity

10/18 1-4pm Viking Movie Night

11/1 4-6:30pm Old Main Dia de Los Muertos Celebration

12/6 2-4:30pm Jesse James Lanes Bowling

1/10 5-7:30pm Ytterboe and Girls and Boys Night

Skoglund

2/21 2-4:30pm Middle School Pool Party

3/7 7-9pm St. Olaf College International Night

4/25 3-5:30pm Viking or Pause Talent Show

5/1 5-7pm Thorson End of the Year Party

3) Weekly Director Meetings (Optional but Encouraged)

(All meetings are held in the SORC during community time)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If my mentee doesn’t come, do I stay ROG?

If your mentee doesn’t show up one night be sure to look around and find
any mentee that may not have a mentor there. If all mentees present have
mentors there, talk to the directors, they will need help with something.

Can I miss ROG?

The most important thing you can do as a mentor is to simply show up every
week. We can’t stress that enough. Even though it may or may not feel like
it, the mentees really do care if you are there. If you must miss a ROG for an
emergency, here is what you should do:
1) Email the directors immediately to tell them what the issue is
2) Write a note to your mentee and let them know why you can’t come, that
you’ll be there next week, and that you’re sorry.
3) Put that note in the Reaching Our Goals program mailbox (next to the
Post Office) before the ROG meeting that you will miss

What do I do if my mentee doesn’t bring homework?

Our policy for ROG this year (it’s changed from last year so you may get
complaints) is that if they don’t have homework, they need to do something
else that’s similar in nature (quiet and develops reading, writing or problem
solving skills). If your mentee normally brings homework, and they just
forgot it, you can grab and activity out of the Activity Binder that last around
15-20 minutes. If you notice your mentee consistently “forgets” his/her
homework, refer to the Mentor Resource Binder on the Long Term Mentor
and Mentee Projects idea list and have your mentee choose a long term
project to work on during homework time at ROG (write a magazine or
conduct interviews etc.).
Sitting around, talking, playing games, and/or distracting other pairs is not
an option. It is your responsibility as a mentor to ensure the mentee doing
either homework, an activity, or a long term project with you at this time. If
you need extra help ask the directors for assistance.

Should I remind other mentees to follow the rules, or is that up to their

mentors?
Every mentor needs to consistently enforce all rules with all mentees. Even
if a mentee other than yours is violating a rule, it is your responsibility to
remind that student of the rules.

What if my mentee doesn’t want to talk to me?

Don’t be discouraged if your mentee doesn’t want to talk to you right away.
Give them time to warm up. They may need that time in order to see that
you consistently show up and care. Over time you will build trust. If you
simply cannot connect with your mentee and it’s a problem see the directors.
 COPY OF MENTOR CONTRACT
1.) I will attend ROG on a weekly basis (every Tuesday from 6:30-8:00pm).
2.) I agree to do the following every Tuesday:
a. Be on time (6:25pm)
b. Have a positive attitude and belief in ROG as a program
c. Sit by my mentee upon his or her arrival
d. Make sure my mentee is being quiet for announcements.
e. Establish a healthy mentor/mentee relationship by participating in group
activities, setting and keeping track of goals, and helping him or her with
homework.
f. Check in with my mentee regarding his or her monthly and yearly goals.
g. Take leadership in the program with whatever aspect I can help with.
h. Be reliable and responsible when riding in vans, cleaning up after ROG,
leading the ROG meeting, and engaging in my committee tasks.

3.) I understand that the first semester of ROG begins in September and ends in
December, interim ROG lasts throughout January, and second semester ROG
starts in February and ends in May.

4.) I understand that I may be replaced if I miss three or more Tuesday meetings.
5.) I will enforce the ROG Discipline Plan.
6.) I understand that my paired mentee may change if the relationship is not well
matched, the mentee moves, if the mentee no longer attends ROG.

7.) I understand that I am NOT allowed to take my mentee to any dorms on campus.
Furthermore, I also understand that I am not to leave the delegated ROG rooms
one-on-one with any mentee.

8.) I recognize that I have an obligation to contact the ROG directors if my mentee
tells me something that will bring harm to him or herself or someone else.
If this occurs please contact the ROG Directors:
Email: rog0809@stolaf.edu
 WEBSITE INFORMATION

 Address - http://www.rog.googlepages.com

 Home Section
 Contains a brief summary of what ROG is.
 Will be updated with relevant news. Check often for updates.

 Calendar
 Contains a complete calendar of all ROG events.
 Click on an event, than click “more details” for the location of the event, as
well as other information regarding the event.
 The calendar will be kept as up to date as possible; check often for any
changes.
 If you have any questions, would like to add an event, or would like to make
changes to an existing event, send an e-mail to Tyson (gern@stolaf.edu).
 If you use a calendar application (Google Calendar, Outlook, etc.) talk to
Tyson about how to import the ROG calendar into your program.

 Contact
 Navigate to the contact page to find the personal e-mails of the ROG directors
(For general questions email: rog0708@stolaf.edu).

 Mission Statement and Discipline Plan

 Online copies of these documents are available online. Please refer to these as
needed.

 Driving Schedule
 At the beginning of the year mentors will be asked to sign up to help transport
the students to and/or from St. Olaf. This schedule will be posted on the
website.
 If you see an open time slot when you are available, please e-mail Tyson
(gern@stolaf.edu) so that you can be added.

 Photos
 Please e-mail any photos for the slide show (for banquets, parties, etc.) to
Tyson.
 R.O.G.
Reaching Our Goals

Liability Issues
While YOU might not be liable for many aspects of the program, you
need to display prudence and be on the watch for negligence.

Liability: legal responsibility, determined by court, precedence

Prudence: good judgment, common sense, do what a “reasonable

person” might do

Negligence: a habitual or acute pattern of lacking in care or concern

Because ROG works with students under 18 years of age, ROG is in

loco parentis. ROG must have higher expectations than parents
would have. You must know your role with students and your role
within the program.

You must employ foreseeability. Anticipate the problems that may

occur, based on expertise and good judgment.
R.O.G.
Reaching Our Goals
 R.O.G.
Reaching Our Goals

Boundaries and Roles

●Boundaries
○ Be ethical and professional
○ Clearly define your relationship
What is your relationship with the students?
●What are overall categories of responsibility?
●Friend vs. Mentor
○ What is your role?
●Counseling
○ Are you a trained counselor?
○ What are the limits of confidentiality?
○ If you tell me something where harm will come to yourself
or someone else, I am “required to report it”
○ You are a MANDATED reporter!
 R.O.G.
Reaching Our Goals

Basic Listening Skills: “Can I Talk to You?”

● Attend to what they say and reserve judgment

● Determine limits of confidentiality

● Respond by paraphrasing their 5WHs: Who, What, Where, When, Why,

How

● “I hear you say…” content and feelings

● Determine assets and help with problem (personally, refer, get expert

advice, make a plan)

● Check back in

Reporting

● There are many possible levels of reporting; at ROG, you can report in-

house first, and then together you can report to the appropriate people.

● Report issues in a timely manner (under 24 hours).

● If immediate harm may come to a student, call the police.

● You may be asked to make a report orally and also to write it down.
 R.O.G.
Reaching Our Goals

What DO Students Disclose?

● Drugs and Alcohol

● Pregnancy

● Sexual Harassment

● Criminal Behavior

● Immigration Violations

● Sexual/Physical Abuse

● Date Rape/Sexual Assault

● Racism/Discrimination

If your mentee discloses any of the above information to you please tell a ROG

director and we will take the appropriate steps in the reporting process.

Remember not to make promises you can’t keep. If you hear something that may

cause harm or danger to your mentee or to someone else, please let your mentee

know that you MUST TELL A ROG DIRECTOR. If you don’t feel comfortable

telling your mentee of your responsibility please see a ROG director and we will

help you out. Please let the ROG directors know if you have any concerns at

all. No question or concern is unwelcome!

 IN CASE OF…

Fire
Severe Thunderstorms and Warnings
Dangerous Driving Conditions (Snow)
Flooding
Violent Intruder
If Someone Can’t Breathe or They’re Heart Stops
Have one person call 9-911, another find an AED, and another get Jenny to
administer CPR until the paramedics arrive.
 ROG Emergency Contact Information

AMBULANCE or EMERGENCY PUBLIC SAFETY

911 507-786-3666

POLICE (NON-EMERGENCY)
FIRE (NON-EMERGENCY) 507-645-4477
507-645-4477

JENNY DORM (CO-DIRECTOR)

507-786-6382

AARON STAUFFER
HOSPITAL
507-646-1000 620 228 2675

JANET CELL (CO-DIRECTOR) FATIMA CELL (CO-DIRECTOR)

651-329-6086 612-532-2145
NOTES