Not sure where to begin? Start here.

This template helps you and your mentor/mentee clarify goals, define how you'll connect, and commit to making the most of your time together.

Download the Ignite Mentorship Agreement →

Meetups should be in person whenever possible — we're wired for face-to-face connection, and intentionally stepping out of our routines to meet helps prioritize the relationship, build trust, and deepen conversation. That being said, planning one virtual meeting during the year is a valuable way to develop communication skills increasingly essential in today's workplace.

Your meetups can take many forms: a site visit, mock interview, networking event, shared meal, outing, or hobby. Inviting a spouse or another mentor pair can spark fresh perspectives. Serving together contributes to the common good, and attending a worship service can encourage spiritual growth.

Simple, consistent rhythms and intentional conversation are what matter most. The priority is keeping the relationship central and creating space for honest, thoughtful dialogue. Reference the Ignite Journal and Resources page for additional meetup ideas.

This list of 40 questions is designed to prompt intentional, meaningful dialog and provide a starting point for each month's theme — not a script, but a guide to help you go deeper together.

Download the Conversation Starter List →

The strength of Ignite is its simplicity. At its core, this program is about relationship — showing up, building trust, being vulnerable, staying curious, and making space for meaningful conversation. It's not about having the perfect meetup or impressing one another.

If you want to know whether you're doing Ignite well, focus on the relationship. Be consistent. Be present. Care about one another. Genuine connection is the main thing.

In many ways, Ignite is a living expression of the George Fox "Be Known" promise. Deep down, what people want most is to be known and to be loved. Everything else is gravy.

Unlocking the Box

Not every mentoring relationship clicks right away — and that's okay. Instead of pulling back, lean in with curiosity. Come as a learner: ask thoughtful questions, listen closely, and look for what you can understand rather than what you can fix. Practice empathy — everyone brings different experiences, expectations, and communication styles to the table. Sometimes the breakthrough isn't a big moment, but a small shift in how you show up. There's always something to learn — and often, that's where the real growth begins.

Check out this Sample Meeting Guide to get started.

Sample Meeting Guide →
Ignite Mentors Activity

How Ignite Works — Cycle Overview

🚀

September

Program Launch

🤝

Sept – April

One in-person meeting per month

🌐

Jan / Feb

Spring Networking Event

🎉

April

Year-End Celebration

8 Pro-Tips for Effective Mentoring

01Protect your time together — honor that commitment and make it a priority.
02Be intentionally curious — listen actively and ask questions like "Tell me more..."
03Come prepared — review notes and be ready to engage & follow up.
04Be open and honest — share what's really going on in your life. Be willing to "be known."
05Focus your time — have a "hot topic" ready for each meeting.
06Follow up after — send a quick text or email to report & check in.
07Check your "inner game" beforehand — be present to this person in the right attitude/mindset.
08Celebrate the wins — celebrate good things, real growth, and acknowledge it when it happens.
Dan Foster, Vice President and Principal Coach at Building Champions, Inc. — 2021 Ignite Launch keynote address.