2010/11/21 Neville A. Cross <nacross@gmail.com>

Today I was asked once more off list how to achieve that mentor status.

I was thinking that one of the standards, milestones or proof of being
ready to be mentor may be that the ambassador has conducted one
workshop (live or IRC) of ambassadors tips and training. There has
been three or four of such workshops on fedora-class room. I think
that this is not a full anwser, and do not solve all the questions
raised around this topic. But it may be one point among others to
discuss.

Something along the line... "If you feel ready to face a bunch of
people to tell them how to conduct as ambassador, and also reply
inreal time any question they may have about that, then you are
getting closer to be candidate to be mentor"

I am offering this as suggestion, to be part of a more complex
explanation of the people/soft skills expected from ambassadors who
takes this extra work.

IMHO, the requirements to become a mentors could be put into three parts:

Organizationally, mentor knows the procedures of checks listed on the FP wiki pages, such as FAS account set up, CLA cert set up, user page on wiki, subscription of ambassador list, etc.
Spiritually, mentor knows the meanings of ambassadors beyond code of conduct on the FP wiki pages, such as how to find and fit in the existing Fedora or general Linux community in their town/city/country, how to introduce Fedora to non-users, how to take all opportunities for telling people that you are a proud Fedora Ambassador and Fedora Contributor.
Physically, mentor knows how to handle all questions raised from ambassadors. If mentor does not know the answer, would do their best to research it with the ambassadors timely. Mentor is patient and out-going, too. As Neville said, they should do workshops in fedora-class also.

At the end of the day, it is may not be an academic way with textbooks and exams, but mentor way with communication and reviews.

Regards,
kaio