In addition to the general safety rules, expectations, and boundaries within the iMentor program, each iMentor region has distinct rules put in place through our partnerships with the local school districts and state authorities. Please review the following Chicago region specific expectations.

Additional Communication Rules

Chicago Public Schools does not allow mentors and mentees to communicate with one another through the following services:

• SMS texting (Verizon, T-Mobile)
• Wi-fi based texting (whatsapp, viber)
• Voice calls or messages
• Third party based communications (online gaming, etc.)

Mentors also may not reach out to a mentee's parent using these services. Instead, pairs should utilize the iMentor platform and the iMentor app to communicate with one another, and request support from their Program Manager if they require parental engagement.

Gift Giving Rules

There may be times during your pair relationship where you would like to give a gift or provide support for your mentee. While gift giving is generally allowed, you must reach out to your Program Manager for approval of the gift before you give it to your mentee.

Guidance for giving gifts:

1. Gifts to celebrate or recognize a milestone or achievement (birthday gift, holiday gift, graduation gift, etc.).
2. Gifts should not be extravagant; it is best when gifts are appropriately priced and connected to your mentee's interests, hobbies, or post-secondary aspirations.
3. Gifts should only be for your student; mentors should refrain from providing gifts for a mentee's household.
4. Gifts should be one off, and not of a continuous nature (phone plans, subscriptions, etc.).
5. Mentors may pay for experiences with a mentee during a Pair Expedition (see Pair Expedition Rules), like a movie ticket, a dinner, or to help cover the cost of transportation. 

Pair Expedition Rules

Pair Expeditions are are a way for you to meet with your mentee beyond the monthly facilitated pair events. Pair Expeditions allow you and your mentee to expand on the curriculum through further exploration of their interests and aspirations. In Chicago, Pairs may meet in-person for Pair Expeditions. 

However, pairs MAY NOT meet virtually (facetime, zoom, etc.) outside of facilitated iMentor activities.

How can I qualify to be Pair Expedition approved?

Pair Expeditions may only take place:

1. After a pair has been matched and participating in the program for at least three [3] months (with some exceptions for seniors);
2. Once a signed Pair Expedition consent form has been received by iMentor; and 
3. After a mentor has been formally approved for an individual activity by their Program Manager. 

Meeting with a mentee outside of facilitated iMentor activities without this approval may lead to your dismissal from the program.

To learn more about how to become approved for Pair Expeditions, see the Pair Expeditions Article. 

What are the rules of Pair Expeditions?

Once you have been approved to go on a Pair Expedition, mentors are responsible for the following rules:

1. Pairs may go on one [1] Pair Expedition a month, with some exceptions - ask your Program Manager for more information. 
2. Mentors may take a student to an activity during reasonable hours (ex. not going to a concert that starts late on a school night). 
3. Activities should be appropriate for the age of the mentee (ex. Do not go to a Rated R film with a 15 year old student, do not play a Mature rated video game online with a student under 18).
4. Activities should take place at appropriate venues in public spaces (baseball game, not a bar).
5. Mentors should refrain from drinking while with their mentee.
6. Mentors may only take their approved mentee and/or the mentee's parent/guardian on a Pair Expedition. Younger siblings, friends of the mentee, and/or friends of the mentor are not permitted.
7. Pairs may travel using public transportation together to and from an activity (including cabs).
8. Mentors and mentees are NOT allowed to be at each other's homes, regardless of parental approval.
9. Pairs may NOT travel overnight to activities together, or share accommodations. 
10. Pairs may NOT participate in water related activities. 
11. Pairs may NOT participate in activities that require additional parental consent (skydiving, axe throwing, etc.).
12. In certain circumstances, Pairs may be able to invite a third party to a Pair Expedition for the purposes of an informational interview. Please speak with your Program Manager for details. 

For further questions about Pair Expeditions, please reach out to your Program Manager.