What is the Order of Canada Mentorship Program?
The Order of Canada is the centerpiece of Canada’s honors system and recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. Its motto is “THEY DESIRE A BETTER COUNTRY”. Members of the Order are people from all sectors of society. Their contributions are varied, yet they have all enriched the lives of others and made a difference to this country. So many of our young Canadians are also making this difference in the lives of others.
The Order of Canada Mentorship Program was established in 2008 by the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, to provide an opportunity for members of the Order of Canada to mentor young Canadians, aged between 18 and 25, in their fields of interest or in their endeavors.
The one-year program involves a gathering of 25 young participants and their 25 mentors in Ottawa, followed by an online mentorship during which time participants will be invited to join in live chats with the Governor General. They will also be invited to post blogs and to share updates on their projects with others and with visitors of the www.citizenvoices.gg.ca website.
How did this idea originate?
The governor general dreamt of a mentoring program that would unite young people and members of the Order of Canada in a spirit of reciprocity, one in which the generations can learn from one another and create relationships of trust and sharing. She thinks that pairing members of the Order with young Canadians who have already demonstrated an attachment to their community in volunteering and helping others will create lasting ties between generations and provide each participant with the opportunity to learn a great deal from each other.
It was also important to the governor general that these relationships benefit other Canadians. That is why it has been decided to use an online platform for the program and to have participants post blogs and take part in forums. Not only does it help in minimizing distance, but it provides the chance to make parts of these relationships public, for others to learn from.
What are the eligibility and selection criteria?
ELIGIBILTY CRITERIA
Applicants must:
• Be between the ages of 18 and 25 as of July 31, 2009;
• Be a Canadian citizen;
• Provide proof of community or volunteer work;
• Provide two written references using the form found at the end of this document, to be filled out by the
people of your choice; and
• Be committed to contributing to discussions and forums which will require access to online
communication tools.
SELECTION CRITERIA
• Participants will be chosen based on the quality of their written essays and the information provided
in their application, as well as the impact of their community involvement.
• Participants will be selected based on their ability to communicate effectively in English or French.
• Selections will be representative of all social, ethnic and regional backgrounds.
What does the selection process consist of?
The Chancellery of Honours receives applications from youth across the country. The deadline is September 17, 2009. Those who have most relevant answers will be selected as finalists. Once the applications have been short listed, they will be submitted to the selection committee for final decision on the 25 young participants.
What are the essay questions?
Q1: “Why do you want to be considered for the Order of Canada Mentorship Program?”
Q2: “What influence do you think your experience with the Order of Canada Mentorship Program will have on your intended vocation and how will it enable you to foster social change in your community?”
Why do the participants have to be aged between 18 and 25 ?
The youth targeted for the program must be between the ages of 18 to 25 as of July 31, 2009 to be considered. Young adults at this age are at a turning point where their vocation and career goals are becoming more defined. Mentorship can be the perfect spring board when one hopes to attain certain professional and personal endeavours. That is why this year's Mentorship program is focusing on this particular age group. Last year’s program was in its first year and participants where mainly suggested by Youth In Motion “Top 20 Under 20™” program, which is why some participants where under the age of 18.
Timeline
Application deadline : September 17, 2009
Selection process : September 18 to Mid-October 2009
Selected participants will be contacted Mid-October 2009
Mentoring: November 2009 to summer 2010
For Additional information please call 1-613-991-0901 or e-mail us at infomentor@gg.ca.
Application Form (PDF)
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