Go ahead and Google the benefits of being a mentor. Then be prepared to spend hours reading all the answers. There’s really no limit to what you can gain by sharing your skills and experience with someone who wants to get better at something you know how to do. In the context of SMART, becoming a facilitator mentor means providing guidance, motivation, and support that will not only directly benefit your mentee, but it will also ripple across a pool of people who are looking for help from that person. A true multiplier effect.

Other benefits include the personal satisfaction of helping someone else and seeing them progress in what they are doing, improved leadership and communication skills, confidence in what you do, and appreciation for the value you have to offer.

So go ahead and explore mentoring. We think you’ll find it’s all it’s said to be, and more.  

The SMART Recovery Facilitator Mentoring Program will allow those who are interested in becoming a SMART Recovery volunteer to capitalize on the knowledge and skills of experienced SMART Recovery facilitators. Mentors will offer support and guidance for both starting and maintaining SMART Recovery meetings. While the program will be offered to any trained facilitator, the primary focus will be for new training grads.

If you are interested in becoming a SMART Recovery Facilitator Mentor, click here to apply. If you are currently mentoring someone who is or wants to become a SMART Recovery volunteer, please indicate that on the form.

Minimum requirements to become a SMART Recovery facilitator mentor:

• 1 year experience running SMART Recovery meetings.
• Active as a facilitator within the last 18 months.
• No active and founded problematic complaints.

Expectations for SMART Recovery facilitator mentor:

• Encourage and empower mentee to reach their goals as a SMART Recovery Volunteer.
• Meet with mentee by phone, virtual meeting or in person a minimum of 1 time each month.
• Invite mentee to attend their meetings (local or local online).
• Encourage mentee to co-facilitate their meetings if possible.
• Attend mentee’s meetings if possible and provide feedback.
• Respond to mentee’s questions in a timely manner. “Timely” is defined and agreed on by mentor and mentee.
• Inform mentoring team if they are unable to continue mentoring by emailing mentoring@smartrecovery.org.
• Share SMART Meeting Management (SMM) information with mentee and encourage attendance.
• Link mentee with Regional Coordinator if applicable.
• Discuss each of the following items with mentee:
  • The importance of a team approach to facilitating
  • How to “bring up” new volunteers/co-facilitators from their meeting participants
  • Registering meetings and keeping them updated
  • Meeting promotion
  • Discuss volunteer burnout and compassion fatigue and ways to prevent them
  • Discuss transitioning to face-to-face if applicable
• Submit feedback form monthly.
• Complete final survey when mentor/mentee relationship ends.