*Civil Air Patrol*

*Drug Demand Reduction Program*

*Lesson 2*

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*Mentorship*

*This Lesson Plan Produced By Your Drug Demand Reduction Program*

Mentorship

PART I

GENERAL Information

LESSON OBJECTIVES: The objective of this lesson is for each member to:

1\. Become aware of the CAP mentorship program.

2\. Understand what the relationship is between a mentor and the
subordinate mentee.

Desired Learning Outcomes: Each cadet should:

1\. Know how to seek mentorship guidance when encountering a difficult
situation.

2\. Be able to determine how to select a helpful mentor.

3\. Know your relationship with a mentor.

LENGTH OF LESSON: 30 -- 35 minutes

METHOD: Lecture and Discussion

REFERENCES:

1\. Civil Air Patrol Pamphlet 52-6, *Mentoring*

2\. Civil Air Patrol Pamphlet 50-7, *Mentoring: Building Our Members*

3\. Civil Air Patrol Regulation 52-16, *Cadet Program*

4\. Civil Air Patrol Pamphlet 50-2, *CAP Core Values*

VISUAL AIDS/HANDOUTS/ACTIVITY MATERIALS:

1\. 10 Slides

2\. Handout per student: CAPP 52-6, *Mentoring*

READINGS:

1\. Civil Air Patrol Pamphlet 52-6, *Mentoring*

2\. Civil Air Patrol Pamphlet 50-7, *Mentoring: Building Our Members*

WEBSITES: [www.cap.gov](http://www.cap.gov/)

[www.af.mil](http://www.af.mil/)

[www.drugfree.org](http://www.drugfree.org/)

KEYS TO IMPLEMENTING LESSON OBJECTIVES:

1\. Review and understand the directives on mentorship.

2\. Know how mentorship can improve a cadet's life.

3\. Review applicable websites for additional information.

PART II

LESSON PLAN

##### 

##### INTRODUCTION

##### SLIDE 1 - MENTORSHIP

##### During this discussion we will examine your role of being a mentee while seeking guidance and advice from a knowledgeable mentor. We will also look at how to prepare/enable you to become a mentor while being aware of the mentorship process, being mentored, and how this will provide you the tools for being a better CAP cadet. What is mentorship?

BODY

##### SLIDE 2 -- WHAT IS MENTORSHIP?

According to *Webster's New Millennium Dictionary of English,*
mentorship is "a formal relationship between a student and a
professional adult to further the student's knowledge, skills, or
career." Just what does that definition have to do with you as a CAP
cadet? Where do you fit in the mentorship process?

"What does mentorship have to do with you?" First of all, you are a
student and cadet, not yet a wise professional that may have the correct
answers to all your questions. Therefore, more senior CAP cadets or
adult members should be looked up to for "all the correct answers." Is
this always the case? NO! It is not. No one person has all the correct
answers and you, the seeker of help, must determine in your own mind
which person will best suit you as a helpful mentor during a certain
situation.

"Where do you fit in the mentorship process"? Since you are seeking help
on a particular situation -- let's say you need help with pressure being
applied to you regarding a particular illegal drug -- you are the mentee
seeking assistance on the current drug problem from a mentor that is
knowledgeable of dangers of illegal drugs. Lynn Stuart in a Rocky
Mountain Region Newsletter stated, "Peer influence has been identified
as the most important precursor of adolescent drug abuse.  Peer groups
can affect teenage attitudes and behavior in both positive and negative
ways, either by providing support for healthy adolescent development or
by encouraging problem behavior."

SLIDE 3 -- HOW TO BE AN EFFECTIVE MENTEE

As a cadet seeking assistance on a drug problem, you have to want to be
a partner in the mentorship process. To that end, prepare and do
appropriate homework for meetings with your chosen mentor. Establish a
goal or goals that you wish to attain and focus on those goals
throughout the mentorship process.

Be aware of your needs and able to discuss them clearly with your
mentor. Also, look inside yourself to identify those areas that may need
improvement and share them with your mentor.

As the mentee, take personal responsibility for your near-term and
lifetime goals. Although you may have the benefit of your chosen
mentor's guidance and knowledge, you are responsible for your own path.
Your mentor may guide you on the route to better understanding your
feelings toward drugs, but it is up to you to understand and complete
the work associated with that decision.

Receive and act on constructive feedback in response to your personal
situation, whatever it is, from your mentor's viewpoint. A major value
in the mentor-mentee relationship is the ability to have a more
experienced person's viewpoint on your situation. Taking all this into
consideration will help you to fully understand and complete that
difficult decision concerning illegal drugs.

SLIDE 4 -- WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A MENTOR

Here are some helpful tips on what to look for in a mentor:

-   The most important consideration is to pick someone that you can or
    do respect. That person should be someone that you admire and has
    accomplished those things that you hope to achieve.

-   Naturally, your primary goal as a CAP cadet is advancement in grade
    and responsibility. You should be looking for a mentor that has
    things in common with you, but older and wiser.

-   Look for a person that is patient and has the time to discuss your
    goals and work with you on your plan of action.

-   Select a person who is genuinely interested in the people they work
    with, has a desire to help others, and knows how to effectively
    communicate and actively listen.

-   Seek out someone who takes pride in his unit, relishes challenges,
    and understands the mission, vision and values of Civil Air Patrol.

Since this series of lessons is devoted to the Drug Demand Reduction
Program, let's take a closer look at a possible scenario in which you
may seek guidance on a drug-related issue.

SLIDE 5 -- SCENARIO -- LIFELONG FRIEND

How does this scenario apply to your relationship with your mentor?
Hypothetically, this following situation could happen to any of you
during your lifetime. Let's say you have a close school friend that you
have known since kindergarten. Both of you have shared similar
experiences over the years. Your buddy has always been forthright and
truthful until just recently.

You have noticed subtle changes in your buddy that just don't seem right
to you. Since drug users are generally secretive about their "problem,"
it is kind of hard to tell what the exact problem is. Here are some
tell-tale signs that might indicate a probable drug-related problem.

SLIDE 6 -- TELL-TALE SIGNS

-   Avoids contact with you

-   Difficulty in concentrating on anything

-   Stops doing those things that have been a big part of his/her life

-   Seems withdrawn

-   Eating and sleeping patterns have changed

-   Runny nose not related to a cold

-   Feels run down

-   Sounds self-centered and doesn't care about others

-   Getting in trouble at school or even with the police

-   Appears to be drunk or high fairly often

-   Tendency to lie about drug abuse

These are just some of the overt signs that could lead you to believe
your buddy has a possible drug-related problem.

SLIDE 7 -- WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Let's discuss just where you fit in this scenario? You desire to help
your buddy and you want him/her to remain just that -- your buddy. Do
you believe that confronting you friend with your observations will be
good for your relationship? If you deal directly with your friend you
might lose that friendship. The best thing to do is seek assistance from
someone that is older and wiser than you -- an adult mentor. This could
be your parents, one of your teachers or coaches, a guidance counselor,
or any other adult in your life that could help you understand and sort
out your feelings about this situation.

The mentorship process can help solve a drug-related problem that could
save the life of your friend. With the assistance of an experienced
mentor, you can reach out to your friend and help him/her get back on
the right track. However, you should not feel guilty if, after doing all
that you believe is right, your friend does not help himself succeed in
correcting his drug-related problem. At least, you will feel better
knowing you tried to improve your buddy's situation.

PART III

CONCLUSION

SLIDE 8 - SUMMARY

During this lesson we discussed the CAP mentorship program from your
perspective. You have been provided insights into what is expected of
you as a potential mentee and what to expect of your mentor. Once your
mentor has been chosen, either by you or assigned to you, you should
enter into a relationship with that person that will aid you in
achieving your established goals. In turn, as you become a mentor, you
should provide those cadets seeking your help, the same quality help
that you received as a mentee.

Whether it is drug-related issue, or any other situation in or outside
of CAP that you are involved in, don't be afraid to ask for assistance.
Asking for assistance is better than receiving counseling for being
deficient in your studies, or destroying your life through drug abuse.
This also applies to any other challenging situation that occurs during
your lifetime.

##### This introduction to mentorship is only one part of the CAP Drug Demand Reduction Program. There are other DDRP lessons on various illegal drugs that you should be aware of and avoid. By being aware of all the opportunities available to you in CAP, we will remain a drug-free organization.

##### SLIDE 9 -- LESSON PLAN RESOURCES

As you progress in CAP grade, you will be looked at to provide guidance
to those junior to you. To further help you understand the mentorship
process in the cadet program, you should read and become familiar with
Civil Air Patrol Pamphlet 52-6, *Mentoring,* which is provided to you as
a handout for this lesson. As you progress to the senior NCO and junior
officer grades of the cadet program, it is recommended you also read
Civil Air Patrol Pamphlet 50-7, *Mentoring: Building Our Members*.
Although this latter pamphlet is applicable to adult CAP members, you
will find information relevant to your responsibilities as a cadet
senior NCO or junior officer. Civil Air Patrol Pamphlet 50-2, *CAP Core
Values* and Civil Air Patrol Regulation 52-16, *Cadet Program* are two
additional sources that might prove helpful.

##### 

LESSON REVIEW

SLIDE 10 -- QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1\. What is mentorship? Mentorship is a "formal relationship between a
student and a professional adult to further the student's knowledge,
skills or career."

2\. Is it possible to be a Mentor and a Mentee at the same time? Yes. A
Mentor has the answers you need on a particular subject while as Mentee
you are seeking information or help or both on a different subject.

3\. What do you think mentorship involves? One-on-one advice,
encouragement, befriending, or any similar definition.