We are all here on a mission to ensure every child has a mentor. This project is how you make that happen.
But before that, hear from Gautham!
| Metric | Target |
|---|---|
| Sourcing leads generated | 3× your volunteer requirement |
| Volunteer requirement met | 90% by August Week 1 |
| Volunteers allocated to class | 100% on the same day as RW |
Lock these before you plan anything:
| 2:5 ratio | Every 2 volunteers support 5 children. This number drives your volunteer requirement, your sourcing target, everything. Don't start planning until this is clear. |
| Fix your RW date early | All timelines work backwards from this one date. Lock it and don't move it. |
Guardrails and best practices for the project:
| 🔴 | RSVPs go out to applicants 7 days before RW |
| 🔴 | Selected volunteers allocated to class sections on the same day as RW |
| 🔴 | Everything lives on Platform Commons — not personal sheets or forms |
Sourcing is done when your target is hit, every applicant has filled the application form, and all leads are tracked on Platform Commons.
Before your chapter sources a single lead — know your numbers. Child count, continuing volunteers, volunteer requirement, sourcing target. These live in the Sourcing Microsite.
→Check out the Sourcing Microsite to become a Sourcing Pro!!
The microsite covers everything: target calculation, sourcing strategies, elevator pitches, your plan of action, and how to track leads on PC.
A few things to keep in mind as you run Phase 1:
| 🔥 Launch together | Use your LC, NYLP, Care Camp or Zero Hour to align the chapter and signal: sourcing starts now! Here's your chapter sourcing link. A collective moment creates momentum. |
| 📅 Make it weekly |
Sourcing that happens once and stops dies quickly. Every fellow, every week — that's what keeps the pipeline alive. Here's your sourcing collateral kit! |
| 📊 Track on PC weekly |
Not at the end. Every week, Till your target is met. Watch the short video to see how to track applicants for your chapter |
Phase 2 is complete only when every selected volunteer is allocated to a class section — on the same day as the RW.
The RW is not just an interview. Done well, it's the first experience a volunteer has of MAD culture. A volunteer who walks out feeling seen and excited shows up consistently. A volunteer who walks out confused is a dropout risk from Day 1.
Before you begin Phase 2 — three things must be true:
| ✅ RW date is fixed | Everything works backwards from here |
| ✅ Three sub-teams formed | Applicant Engagement · Logistics · Evaluators |
| ✅ RSVPs ready to go | 7 days before RW — not 5, not 3 |
| ✅ PC Login sorted for evaluators | Platform Commons |
Checkout the Recruitment Microsite!
The microsite covers everything your team needs — applicant engagement, logistics, evaluator training, dry run, and closing strong.
Work through it with your sub-teams before RW day and use RW Manager sheet to keep track progress.
RW Deck: Your ready-to-use facilitation deck for conducting the workshop.
| What's happening | What to do |
|---|---|
| Sourcing leads are low | Check if fellows are sourcing weekly or just once. Switch strategies — if college partnerships aren't working, try referrals or on-ground. |
| Applicant dropout before RW | Engagement was too light. Run a 1:1 check-in call 2-3 days before RW, not just a WhatsApp message. |
| Low RW turnout | Usually a sourcing problem — if 3× target wasn't hit, RW will always feel thin. |
| Class allocation didn't happen on RW day | Do it within 24 hours. Every day of delay creates confusion for new volunteers. |