This is a pilot program for something that might be used in all the Tactical Gamer game communities. Sign up if you qualify and are interested.

The TG Mentorship Program

In the best tradition of the TGU, and inspired by Azura's Dedicated Learn TG Squad thread, I offer you the TG Mentorship Program.

Why a Mentorship Program?
The TGU is a wonderful resource, but we're suffering a lack of teachers with time and energy to spend organizing classes. Organizing the classes we do have takes a long time, and signups are always heavy. The classes are focused and very good, but sometimes new people need a more general overlook of the game they're playing and how TG does things.

It's hard for new members to know who to contact for help. Since TG is so much more than a group of gamers, there's a lot of realestate on the forums to get lost in, let alone trying to parse all the rules and regulations we have. A one on one relationship with a more experienced member would go a long way towards helping new people get settled in quickly and with a minimum of pain.

What does it take to be a Mentor?
You need to be friendly and approachable, patient and well spoken, and above all, available.

You need to have been a member of TG (not necessarily a supporting member) for at least 6 months, and know the lay of the land on the forums, how to sign up for events, have taken at least one TGU class and be able to explain what they're like, how to find the rules and SOP's, what the Primer is for, and what the Gentleman's Agreement is.

You should have a good idea who the admins are for your game, who your gaming officer is, and how to contact them.

You should have accounts on one or two instant messaging utilities, and monitor them a couple times a day, and have an email you're willing to give out to your students. You should have a mic, and spend a little time on TS as many days a week as you can.

Be willing to squad lead a group of students a couple times a week, until they know what is expected of them and they would perform well under any TG squad leader.

Be able to set appointments with your students to meet in game, and make them.

What would the TG Mentorship Program look like?
Well, that's up in the air right now, and I need your input.

I'm imagining a thread that is stickied in the general forums for each game, detailing what the Mentorship Program is, and the available openings each Mentor has currently. Maybe each Mentor could talk a little about their available times, and what they feel like they have to offer so that new students could pick and choose what they would like to learn.

Perhaps Mentors could have a little badge or link in their signature that would indicate that they are willing to help new members, and link them to the mentoring thread. I don't have any specifics on this, and I have no images.

I'm imagining each Mentor taking on up to 5 students at a time, and generally holding their hands through learning about TG and what we have to offer. When you get them in game, teach them the TG way, and help them overcome their reluctance to talk on TS to people they don't know.


Where do I sign up?
Right here, or you could PM me or sc1ence.

If you're interested in Mentoring AND helping us organize this program, please jump right into the brainstorming, if necessary I will set up a separate thread for it.

As I said, depending on how this works, it might be a model for all of TG. Get in while it's still cool!