How it works
Three levels, one Gathering, one crew
Volunteers, mentees and mentors meet in three places: one Gathering a month, one crew all year, and one pipeline that turns this year's learners into next year's leaders.
Where the hours go each month
| Activity | Volunteers | Mentees | Mentors |
|---|---|---|---|
| SERVE Gathering (all levels, monthly) | 60 min | 60 min | 60 min |
| In the app: faith reading, skill tool, reflection | 60 min | 30 min | 60 min prep |
| Faith Circle (2 × 45 min, taught) | — | 90 min | — |
| Mentor Pod (1 mentor + 3 mentees) | — | 60 min | 60 min |
| Check-ins with mentees (on the platform) | — | — | 30 min |
| Mentor Circle (with the Mentor Lead) | — | — | 90 min |
| Crew planning | in Gathering | in Gathering | 60 min |
| Total each month | 2 hrs | 4 hrs | 6 hrs |
SERVE Crews
A crew is one mentor, their three mentees and four to six volunteers. Each quarter every crew owns a real Mainstay project, and the mentees' responsibility grows across the year.
From learner to leader
- Volunteer → Crew Lead after 6 months and 3 skill badges.
- Crew Lead → Mentor candidate after a full year and the mentor's endorsement.
- Mentee → Junior Lead in Year 2: Gathering openings, peer support, DRIVE junior counselor.
- Junior Lead → Volunteer → Mentor at 18+.
The crews' year
| Quarter | Crew project | Mentee role | Skills |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | Ramadan: iftars, food drive, youth nights | Observe, then assist | Serving, Communications |
| Apr–Jun | Fix one recurring event problem; Muharram majlis operations | Assist, then co-lead | Problem Solving, Communications |
| Jul–Sep | DRIVE retreat support; Arba'een; summer youth events | Lead one function | Leadership |
| Oct–Dec | ENGAGE conference team; Innovation capstone pitch | Lead the pitch | Innovation, all five |