The Eldera Mentor Manual.

Getting started

Congratulations, you've been matched with a mentee! This guide explains how Eldera works and offers suggestions to make your first meeting comfortable and successful.

Eldera sets up the initial Zoom meeting between you and your mentee's parent(s). You'll receive a "Getting Started" email with specific ideas for making that first meeting a success.

The "Getting Started" email

The Getting Started email recommends three steps:

1. Respond to your match email before your first session. Share a little more about yourself, maybe a fun fact. Ask the parent whether any subjects are better avoided (perhaps the passing of a grandparent, a family pet, or clowns in general). Suggest an idea for spending the time based on what you enjoy and think would be fun for your match, and ask the parent if they have ideas too.
2. Have a plan for how to start and conduct the call, and share it with your mentee so they know you're embarking on a journey together. A sample agenda for a first conversation appears below. Eldera requires that a parent be present for the first conversation; after that, we leave it to the judgment of the mentor and the parent as to how best to proceed.
3. Follow up after the session with a brief email to the parent about the mentee, the experience, what you enjoyed, and a plan for the next session. Parents are grateful to hear from you.

After your first conversation, email Sherry at community@eldera.ai and let her know the time you agreed on for the next chat. She'll send you and the parent a calendar notice with everything needed for future conversations. You'll use the same Eldera-provided Zoom link and passcode for all of your conversations together. You do not need your own Zoom account. All sessions are recorded for security purposes.

Eldera community guidelines

Parent role during conversations

For the first Eldera conversation, the parent (or legal guardian) must be present with the child. After the first meeting, we leave it to your judgment and the parent's as to how you'd like to proceed.

Frequency and length

Eldera suggests weekly conversations of 30 minutes. Many mentors work out their own schedule with their mentees, and actual meeting lengths may vary.

Special time

Every interaction is special time. Each meeting should feel like a treat to look forward to, not an obligation or assignment. Eldera conversations are not tutoring; they're special one-on-one time. Encourage your mentee to ask questions and enjoy the conversation.

Punctuality

Try to be on time, or even a couple of minutes early. Your mentee is eager to meet with you and has set time aside.

Gratitude

Each of us is here to give and to receive. Take a moment in every session to thank your mentee and share what you enjoyed most about your time together. Ask for their input on what to do next time.

Security

All mentor and mentee sessions are recorded for security purposes. This protects both the mentor and the mentee should any questions or disputes arise, and it lets Eldera share special moments (with permission), such as a mentee graduation.

Meeting issues or problems

If you run into any issue during a conversation, trouble connecting, a difficulty in the mentee relationship, or a concern about how a conversation went, contact Dana Griffin.

Equipment and how to connect

Equipment needed

To take part in Eldera Zoom sessions you'll need:

• An internet connection
• A device that can connect to the internet: computer, laptop, tablet, or phone (Zoom works a little differently on each)
• A webcam (built-in or external)
• A microphone (built-in, external, or a headset)
• Good lighting. Make sure your face is well lit, and avoid having a window behind you

How to connect

Once you're matched, Eldera sends a recurring calendar notice that includes your Eldera Zoom link and passcode. This link is unique to you and your mentee; click it to start a session. The link stays the same for every meeting, even if you request a schedule change.

Sample agenda for a first conversation

Every mentor and mentee relationship is unique. Some of these ideas will work better than others, and you'll quickly discover what fits you both. Here's one comfortable way to shape that first 30 minutes.

Eldera community

You're not doing this alone.

Mentor Council

Twice a month, Eldera hosts a one-hour Zoom Mentor Council, on the second Friday at 1:00 pm ET and the last Wednesday at 5:00 pm ET. Eldera sends an invite with the link. Find out what's happening at Eldera, swap games to play and kid-friendly discussion topics, enjoy occasional special presentations, and join the always-lively discussion. You can send agenda suggestions to Dana Griffin in advance.

Fireside Chats

On occasion, a special guest presents to and interacts with kids, parents, and mentors. This is the time all of Eldera comes together. The speaker might be one of our own members or an outside voice. Either way, it's a time of joy and learning.

Recruiting new mentors

The kids' waitlist is long. Do you know someone who could use a buddy, or a teacher eager to share what they know? Introduce them to Eldera and share the joy.

Using the Library

The Library is where you'll find information on a variety of Eldera topics: updates, mentor tips, policies, and much more. Logging in at eldera.ai takes you to your Eldera dashboard: click Log In on the right of the toolbar and enter your email address to receive a login code. From the dashboard, click Connect in the "Join the Community" box to open the Library. You'll land on your home page, with the most recent posting in each category listed on the right.

Navigating Library topics

Categories / Latest toggle. The Latest and Categories buttons toggle your view, from the category-centric page where you first land to one that shows the most recent posts regardless of category. On the Categories page, click any category title down the left side to open that page and all its posts (for example, "Mentor tips and tricks").

The "All Categories" drop-down. Clicking the "All Categories" button opens a drop-down list of the topic areas on the site. Click a category name to go straight to that page.

Navigating the eldera.ai website

The three bars (the "hamburger"). Another way to move around the site is the three bars near your profile picture in the top-right corner. It opens a menu with access to site topics. One important item here is the FAQ page, which covers Eldera's policies, including Terms of Service, Privacy, and the organization's principles.

Mentors and staff. To see a list of mentors and staff and their recent activity, click the hamburger and select Users.

Search. Click the magnifying glass next to the hamburger and enter a term. Search is specific to the page you're on: from the Home page you can search the whole site; on a topic page, search covers only that page. Terms can include users, posts, tags, categories, and more.

Create a topic. On any topic page, click "+ New Topic" in the upper-right and choose a category. The topic toolbar lets you add web links, images, and more.

Your mentor profile. Mentors are encouraged to set up a profile. Click your image or icon at the top right and select Summary to open a toolbar of actions: Activity, Notifications, Messages, Invites, and Preferences. Preferences is where you can add information about yourself, including background and skills, and the sidebar lets you edit settings such as Security and Notifications.

Settings

Security. In Preferences, the Security page lets you change your password and set up two-factor authentication for an extra layer of protection if you'd like it.

Default Library home page. Preferences also lets you choose which Library page opens when you log in, by setting your Default Home Page.

Email and notification preferences. Set your preferences for notifications and emails here as well.

Logging out. On a private personal computer, you can choose to stay logged in. On a shared computer, log out: click your face icon in the upper-right, then the person symbol, and choose Log Out.

Advanced Zoom usage

Sharing files or windows

Zoom lets you share a file from your computer during a meeting. First, open the file you want to share. Then, in the Zoom toolbar (usually at the bottom of your screen), click the green Share button. A box appears showing the Whiteboard and any files or windows you have open. Click the one you want to share to make it visible to everyone on the call.

Using the whiteboard

The Whiteboard works much like sharing a file: click the green Share button, then choose Whiteboard instead of a file. You can both draw on it, and a toolbar at the top offers Draw, Text, Stamp, and more. You can save the Whiteboard when you're done.

Annotating. Draw, Text, Stamp, and similar tools are also available when sharing files. Click Annotate to bring up a menu like the one on the Whiteboard, so you can draw or add text on top of whatever is on screen.

Backgrounds and filters

You can change your background in Zoom. Use one of Zoom's built-in images or add your own. Click the arrow beside the Video button and choose "Choose Virtual Background" to see the options. The small + lets you add an image or video; choose "NONE" (top-left) to remove it. From the same screen you can pick Video Filters for fun effects, and you may also see Studio Effects for more playful touches. Note the "Apply to all future meetings" checkbox. Some older computers or Zoom versions may not show every option.

Sharing audio and video

You can share computer audio and video files too. After clicking Share, open the Advanced tab. A small checkbox lets you share a video's sound. If it's unchecked, your mentee will hear only what comes through your microphone. The Files tab lets you share files from different sources. The best way to learn these features is to try them; you'll get the hang of it quickly, and they add to the fun.

Changing a meeting time

If you and your mentee want to change your regular meeting time, email Dana Griffin (dana@eldera.ai) and she'll update it. Simply moving it on your own calendar won't change the time on your mentee's calendar; Eldera or your mentee needs to do that. Your Zoom link is always available to you both; it belongs to you.

Sharing books

Many mentors love reading to or with their mentees but aren't sure how to share a book so both can see the pages and pictures. There are several options, some free, some at modest cost. We'll outline them here rather than spell out every step; if you'd like hands-on help, several mentors have offered to walk you through it on Zoom.

Some mentors hold a Kindle, Nook, phone, or physical book up to the camera. That can work, but it's often awkward. Here are easier ways:

• Kindle: if you use Kindle, you can open a book in the online reader and share that with your mentee. Many age-appropriate titles are available to buy. Depending on your device (a Kindle Fire can run Zoom; older e-readers can't), you might use your reader, phone, or tablet to Zoom and share the screen.
• Amazon Prime / Kindle Unlimited: with a Prime or Kindle Unlimited subscription, many children's books are available (though not all you'd like will be included). Use the online Kindle reader to share the book on screen. Your mentee can read while you help with tricky words or ideas.
• Nook: Nook offers an app for reading purchased books on a PC or mobile device; from there you can share your screen with your mentee.
• Apple Books: Apple sells books through Apple Books (formerly iBooks). Its on-screen reading-and-sharing options are more limited than Kindle's.
• Public libraries: most libraries now offer audiobooks, e-books, and more, alongside print and magazines. Libby is a free app for phone, tablet, or computer. Share your screen and sound, or check the same title out of libraries in both of your locations so you each have it in hand during your Zoom.

Activities

The internet is full of educational resources, and a learning game or digital library can add interest to a session. The trick is finding good free ones. Here are two favorites.

Story Creator (ages 5 to 9)

Story Creator lives on PBS Kids. Click the green arrow to begin; it walks you through making your own story from one of five book options. Have the page open and ready in your browser before your Zoom, then share that tab. On the right you'll see bubbles: the red X stops the story, the purple CC toggles captions, the blue icon toggles voices, the orange note toggles music, and the green box makes the story full-screen.

Unite for Literacy (ages 5 to 8)

Unite for Literacy is another easy-to-use site. Share your screen and choose a book to read. You can read it yourself or have it narrated in a number of languages. The books are short and simple, and it's lovely to turn the pages together. Search by category if you're focusing on a topic.

There are many resources out there. It's fun to look for things that match your mentee's specific interests. Have fun exploring!

Gratitude and graduation

Every season has an end.

Knowing when it's time

Eldera's cross-generational pairs gain so much from a window into each other's worlds, and most pairs continue well past six months. Still, mentors aren't always sure how to tell when a relationship has begun to run out of steam and become a chore rather than a joy. Every season has an end, and that's true for Eldera relationships too.

One mentor feared this was the case with a thirteen-year-old mentee after about six months of weekly sessions: enthusiasm seemed to wane, and the calls grew brief. Rather than ask the parents first, the mentor asked the mentee directly whether he'd like to stop, meet less often, or take a break, making clear that, however much the mentor enjoyed their time, the sessions were for him and any choice was fine. His reaction was the opposite of what was expected: he said he looked forward to the sessions and very much wanted to continue. Six months later, they were still going strong.

A younger mentee may call for a different approach, especially when a parent takes part. A few suggestions: outside a session, tell the parent you sense the mentee may be losing interest or feeling pressured, and ask for their read, and perhaps for the mentee's. With the parent's agreement, the start or end of a session could include just the mentee, so they can speak openly; that feedback can then be shared and a decision made about continuing or restructuring. Adjusting the sessions to be more enjoyable models positive problem-solving and the negotiation of an interpersonal relationship, a real life skill.

Alternatively, if you find yourself dreading your sessions, it may be time for a graduation celebration. Contact Dana (dana@eldera.ai), and she can raise the idea with the parents. A graduation gives both of you a positive frame for moving on.

The graduation process

When circumstances or preferences point to an ending, it's a time for celebration and remembrance. Ending regular meetings doesn't mean cutting off contact; occasional, less-frequent calls or emails may be something you both enjoy. While it can be bittersweet, it's a wonderful moment for reflection, joy, feedback, and affirmation. Eldera will send an emailed letter so both parties know the ending is mutually agreed. If the approach below doesn't fit but you still need to wrap up, simply make the last session a celebration in your own style.

Share your selection (or something different) with Dana at Eldera by return email.