HOW TO INSPIRE AND MENTOR COUNSELORS

Sofia Sotomayor M.

D4100 Mexico

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE

ROTARIAN COUNSELOR?

To serve as a liaison between the

students, Rotary Club, Host families

and the community at large, the role

of the Rotarian Counselor is crucial

for the success of the Youth

Exchange Program.

The Counselor serves as the

student’s primary contact,

easing his or her transition into

the country and the community

through regular personal contact

throughout the year.

COUNSELOR

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establishing contact with the student before

departure or arrival, explaining the

expectations of the club and the district and

maintaining and documenting regular

contact (at least once a month)

• Counseling the student in matters such as

choosing classes, making friends, and

participating in activities.

• Helping the student adapt to the culture and

language.

• Working with the community and the

student’s school to ensure that the student

is involved in positive activities and

community life.

• Informing the student about abuse and

harassment prevention and creating a

supportive atmosphere in which the student

feels comfortable discussing any concerns.

• Serving as an advocate for the student in

any matter.

HOW DO YOU

THINK WE

ARE DOING?

RESULTS OF 2013 POLL

• 1000 Students surveyed

• 66% had negative comments

• 25% had considered an early return

• 20% had issues with their host families

• 50% complained about their counselors

• 25% see their counselors once a month

• 40% see them less than once a month

• Host counselor rarely contacted me.

• Monthly allowances were late.

• YEO and Counselor were too busy.

• My counselor was not prepared.

• My counselor didn’t help me.

• I didn’t have a counselor.

• I only spoke with my counselor once.

• I only met with my counselor three times.

• I met my counselor 6 months after arrival.

• My relationship with my counselor was not good.

• I didn’t feel welcome!

KEY TO INSPIRE AND MENTOR

SUCCESFUL COUNSELORS

SET A GOAL!

TO MAXIMIZE THE

LEVEL OF

SUCCESS OF THE

STUDENT’S

EXCHANGE YEAR

HOW ARE WE

GOING TO

ACCOMPLISH

THIS?

MOTIVATION

AND

MENTORING!

WHAT IS MOTIVATION?

• The continued effort toward a goal even

though obstacles may exist.

• Motivation is not only the desire to

achieve the goal, but also the love of

learning, the love of challenge, and the

ability to thrive on obstacles.

• These are the greatest gifts we can give

our students.

TYPES OF MOTIVATION

• INTRINSIC: Motivation that comes from inside an individual, comes from the pleasure one gets from the task itself or from the sense of satisfaction in completing or even working on a task.

• EXTRINSIC: Motivation comes from outside the individual. Motivation factors are external, such as payment or recognition. These rewards provide satisfaction that the task itself of being a Counselor will not provide.

KNOW YOUR STUDENTS

INDIVIDUALLY AND

COLLECTIVELY.

• Some COUNSELORS fail to realize the

reasons behind their inability to

communicate with their students. Most

of the time, it is because they do not

know their students as individuals and

as a group.

TYPES OF STUDENTS

(Individually)

• Overactive, They can be highly motivated to do certain

things. They actually have their own plans. They can do

good if they plan to cooperate with you or bad if they

want you down.

• Neutral, they tend to go with the wind. They can be

cooperative or not, depending on the situation.

• Passive, they tend to be aloof or shy. These students

are the least cooperative in the group. They shy away

but it does not necessarily mean that they cannot excel.

TYPES OF STUDENTS

(COLLECTIBLY)

• As a group, students have

hierarchies.

• Those that lead.

• Those that follow.

HANDS ON, WHAT ARE THE BASIC

STEPS TO BECOME A

SUCCESFUL COUNSELOR?

ON YOUR FIRST MEETING

• Discuss your backgrounds, experiences and

interests. The Counselor should explain how he got

to the position.

• Set clear targets and plan the steps that will lead to

reaching those goals. Draw up a timetable of what

needs to be done and review this periodically.

• Set up a calendar for regular meetings, but be open

for “short notice” meetings.

• Announce that progress, goals and achievements

will be reviewed.

DEVELOP AND SUSTAIN TRUST

• To be an effective Counselor, one must establisha line of communication and build a solidfoundation of trust. One of the easiest ways tobuild trust is to be consistent and keep promises,even if the student does not. Let him know thatyou are there for him and what he tells you staysin confidence between the two of you. If it isnecessary that another adult be involved, youdiscuss it with him before you speak to anotheradult.

BE A FRIEND

• A Counselor is not the student's substitute parent, andshouldn’t present himself as an authority figure; eventhough the Rotarian Counselor and his student are in anstructured relationship with boundaries and expectations.

• Leading by example, a counselor should inspire hisstudent to make good decisions. Criticizing his actions putsdistance between the Counselor and the student, stiflingthe flow of communication.

• Focus on establishing a bond, a warm friendship.Successful Counselors are those who can be a true friendwhile maintaining the role of a responsible adult.

BE POSITIVE

• A few encouraging words can lift the self-esteem of a young person. When helping astudent with a difficult situation, find a positiveaspect to build on before tackling challengingissues.

• Building his self-confidence is as important asassisting with a yellow card or a minorviolation.

• Asking the student to explain his solution to theproblem is an example of how to build self-confidence.

ESTABLISH A SENSE OF

BELONGING

• People have a fundamental need to feel connected or

related to other people. In an academic environment,

research shows that students who feel they 'belong'

have a higher degree of intrinsic motivation and

academic confidence.

• According to students, their sense of belonging is

fostered by a Counselor that demonstrates warmth

and openness, encourages student participation, is

enthusiastic, friendly and helpful, and is organized

and prepared.

WAYS TO MOTIVATE YOUR

STUDENTS:

• Make a positive impression, prove to them that you area person who is worth listening to.

• Be vocal, but make sure you submit your opinion at theappropriate time.

• Go the Extra Mile, do more than the average Counseloris expected to do.

• Have a good sense of humor, it can help you toengage your student.

• Be respectful, your student comes from another culture,

with different traditions, shared values, history, that doesnot make him better or less, just different.

More ways…

• Show that you are competent, be humble about it but

don’t hide it.

• Be genuine, the easiest way to lose your student’s

trust is for them to find out you are fake.

• Be energetic, enthusiasm is contagious.

• Put extra effort in your appearance, dress

accordingly to the occasion.

• Give helpful feedback, this will boost your student self

esteem.

“THE BRIGHTEST STARS ARE THOSE WHO SHINE FOR THE BENEFIT OF

OTHERS”

THANK YOU!

Sofia SotomayorD4100 Mexico

Groups 1-8 E Millenium Room 2/3 (Level 4)

Groups 9-12 E Millenium Room 1/3 (Level 4)

Groups 13-16 E Legends (Level 5)

Groups 17-20 E Champions (Level 5)

MEETING LOCATIONS FOR SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS