MentorExchange Listserv
The National Mentoring Center's MentorExchange listserv is our most widely used resource. It is designed for mentoring program coordinators, staff, and volunteers to share ideas, innovations, resources, and successful practices in the field of youth mentoring. This resource creates a virtual community in which mentoring researchers and professionals can empower each other through the open exchange of ideas and information.
Occasionally, NWREL staff will post topics for discussion or announcements of resources or funding opportunities, but MentorExchange is mostly a tool for those working to make a difference in the lives of young people.
Frequently Asked Questions about MentorExchange
How do I receive messages?
The listserv is email-based, meaning that messages will come to your email client (MS Outlook, AOL, etc.) directly. You can read, reply, and post new messages to the list the same ways you do with regular email.
How do I post a message?
The easiest way is to simply send an email to mentorexchange@lyris.nwrel.org. Once your message is approved, it will go out to the whole list. Users can also post a message via the web interface discussed below.
Can I change how I receive the emails?
Yes. There are several options available to you, from receiving messages as they are posted to several types of "daily digests". This option can be changed via the web interface.
How does the web interface work?
The web interface allows you to change your mail options, search and read archived messages, change your email address, and post a new message. Accessing this section of the list is very easy. Simply click this link to open the interface in your web browser: http://lyris.nwrel.org/scripts/lyris.pl?enter=mentorexchange
Simply enter your email address in the first box (leave the password blank) and click the button to enter the list. Once you are "in" you will see a set of fairly self-explanatory buttons that allow you to make the changes and do the activities mentioned above.
What are the rules for posting?
There are few rules governing discussion on the list. We want this to be a forum that you create and make your own. That said, there are some simple ground rules that we ask participants to follow:
- Since NWREL is a federally-funded agency, we are unable to post messages with overt political or partisan themes. Obviously, we want folks to feel open to sharing their opinions and insights related to mentoring, youth work, and education, but please keep in mind that messages that have a strong political slant will not be posted.
- There will likely be a tremendous amount of resource sharing on this list. While we hope you share information widely with the group, we cannot send out documents or text that is under copyright or is proprietary (such as an entire article from a for-fee journal). You can tell everyone about such resources and provide links if they happen to be online. But please do not forward protected information and resources to the group.
- Obviously, things like advertisements for for-profit services or products, jokes, chain-letters, virus warnings, and petitions are not allowed.
- Also, do not send anything as an attachment (word file, PDF, mp3, etc). NWREL screens all messages for computer viruses, but attachments also bog down the listserv software and present myriad problems for users running different operating systems and versions of software. So, no attachments please.
- Finally, a bit of listserv etiquette: When you hit "reply" to a message that you have received from the listserv, please note that you are responding to the entire list, not just the original sender. For this reason, responses addressed to a particular individual will be rejected. Chances are that most replies to a given message will have information that all list members may be interested in. Those replies are encouraged. But personal conversations and messages will be rejected.
Please contact MentorExchange moderator Michael Garringer at garringm@nwrel.org or at 503-275-9647 if you have questions or comments about the listserv.
Sign-up:
To sign-up for MentorExchange, simply fill out the form below with your name and email address. Members have several options on how email is received from the listserv. Please choose the option that works best for you.
