A trusted advisor, a role model, a relationship that can last a lifetime. A short, interactive tour of the Lions mentoring program — basic and advanced — and what it takes to guide a new Lion well.
~20 min readMind map + mentoring journeySelf-check quiz
More than just a teacher, a mentor is often a trusted advisor and role model.
What you'll be able to do
By the end of this lesson you will be able to:
Explain what a mentor is, and how the role differs from a sponsor.
Describe the basic and advanced mentoring programs and their levels.
Identify the characteristics that make a mentoring relationship succeed.
Outline the steps to start and track a mentoring relationship in your club.
The Lions mentoring program — mind map
Five stages carry a new Lion from orientation to recognition. Tap any branch to see what it actually involves.
Mentoring Program
It would be surprising if mentoring weren't already happening informally in most clubs — members with common goals naturally form friendships. The Lions mentoring program simply formalizes that process, and rewards the participants for it.
Four characteristics of a successful mentoring relationship
Knowledge and goals are only part of it — the relationship itself matters just as much.
Mutual Respect
Mentors bring years of knowledge and wisdom; mentees bring enthusiasm and a sincere desire to serve. Each side must recognize the other's strengths and celebrate shared wins.
Trust
Built through open, honest communication, reliability, consistency and loyalty — to each other and to the club.
Relationship Building
Mentoring is an active journey for both partners: communicate clearly and often, and address any problem without delay.
Being Realistic
Mentees must be realistic about how much time their mentor — and they themselves — can truly devote to the partnership.
Building your mentoring journey
From joining a club to leading beyond it. Tap any box to see how it plays out.
Start with a sponsor
Assign a mentor
Grow through advanced mentoring
Reach beyond your club
Basic mentoring has clear timeframes — orientation within three months, relationships within six. Advanced mentoring gives no fixed timeframe at all; it depends on how far each Lion wants to go.
Who brings what to the partnership
Sponsor, mentor and mentee each play a distinct part. Tap a card to learn more.
For one presenter, the mentoring relationship that began thirty years ago, on his very first day as a Lion, is still going strong today — he still calls his friend 'my mentor.'
How to start a mentoring relationship
Ask and appoint
A new Lion asks their sponsor or club president about the basic mentoring program; the president then appoints a mentor after consulting the sponsor and the mentee.
Meet face-to-face
Schedule the first meeting and decide together how often you'll meet in person, and how often you'll talk by phone or email in between.
Put it in writing
Review the Lions Basic Mentoring guide together so you both understand it, then write down your goals and plan so progress can be tracked.
Track, then submit
Meet on your regular schedule, give and receive honest feedback, and once complete, jointly submit the achievement form with your club secretary and president.
Scale the program to your club — a small club doesn't need heavy paperwork to mentor well. And watch for one common pitfall: strongly opinionated veteran Lions can unintentionally scare off newer members, so listen, acknowledge their experience, and blend it with fresh ideas rather than letting one voice dominate.
Why it's worth the effort
Motivation and faster advancement
Mentees know the organization is invested in their success, and are better prepared to take on leadership responsibilities sooner.
Skills and networks that outlast the club
Mentees acquire knowledge and skills applicable within and outside their Lions club, and cultivate valuable contacts along the way.
Recognition for both partners
Successful completion earns a certificate of achievement for basic mentoring, and a lapel pin for advanced mentoring — for mentor and mentee alike.
Healthy mentoring vs. common pitfalls
Do
Meet regularly and put the plan in writing
Give — and expect to receive — honest, candid feedback
Match mentor and mentee by shared interests where possible
Scale the program's formality to fit your club's size
Avoid
Assuming the sponsor is automatically the mentor too
Letting one strong personality's opinion end the conversation
Piling on so much reporting that small clubs give up on it
Waiting until it's convenient — start within the first three months
Check yourself
Eight quick questions. Pick an answer to see instant feedback.
1. What is a mentor, according to the lesson?
2. What are the two levels of the basic mentoring program called?
3. Within how many months should a new Lion ideally complete the orientation part of basic mentoring?
4. What are the two levels of the advanced mentoring program called?
5. Who appoints a Lion's mentor?
6. Can a Lions club appoint more than one mentor?
7. What is the key distinction between a sponsor and a mentor?
8. What recognition is given upon completing the programs?
Bring it home
Does every new Lion in your club have both a sponsor and a mentor, or are the two roles being blurred together?
Which of the four characteristics — respect, trust, relationship building, or being realistic — is weakest in your club's mentoring today?
Is there a Lion in your club ready to move from basic to advanced mentoring — and who could mentor them through it?
This interactive lesson was written by Amman Royal Swords Lions Club from the material presented in Lions University Course 128 (Mentoring a New Lion), part of the Bachelor's Program, presented by PDG Doug White. For the official webinar, handout and the graded quiz, visit the official course page.
Official course