How does it work, and what is the commitment?
PLU faculty and staff who wish to participate (either to receive or offer support) can fill out this electronic form, which asks questions about the nature of the issue and any conditions or preferences for the pairing. Participants can indicate whether they are volunteering to offer support (only if needed), whether they are seeking support, and whether they would be comfortable in a co-supporter option if someone else currently has a similar life challenge. The form also collects some limited demographic and work-role information so as to be able to appropriately satisfy the requests of participants. For example, a colleague seeking support may request to meet only with someone who is outside of their department, etc.
Once matched, the colleagues will be notified and invited to set up a time to meet together for one hour. Coffee cards are provided. To keep the time commitment manageable for both parties, the expectation is to meet a maximum of three times for one hour.
Those that are participating must explicitly understand and agree that this is a voluntary peer mentoring program, that specific outcomes cannot be expected, that colleagues offering support have not been specifically trained and do not hold a state law privilege to protect information, such as the privilege held by a licensed counselor or psychotherapist. It is important to understand these boundaries so that participants understand the nature and role of the program.