a. Mentoring Program – The ASTA Mentoring Program creates a professional relationship between two individuals matched up by ASTA. The ASTA Mentor Program has two goals: 1) to improve student learning and 2) to assist new teachers in growing professionally.

b. Not Trained Counseling Professional –While ASTA is providing Mentors with certain training and information, all guidance provided by Mentor is their own and not ASTA’s. Mentor’s guidance, recommendations, assignments or any other information passed from a Mentor to Mentee should not be considered mandatory for Mentee, and participation in this program is not mandatory for either Mentor or Mentee. It is important to note that Mentor is not a trained counselor and should not provide counseling or mental health guidance.

c. Volunteer – Both the Mentor and Mentee are taking part in the program and providing and/or receiving resources to/from ASTA fully voluntarily. As such, both Mentor and Mentee are considered Volunteers. Each Volunteer understands that the scope of their relationship with the Mentoring Program through ASTA is limited to a volunteer position and that no compensation is expected in return for services provided by the Volunteer and/or received by the Volunteer; and that ASTA will not provide any benefits traditionally associated with employment to the Volunteer.

As a Participant in the ASTA Mentoring Program, we would like you to agree to the following expectations.

a. Meet (weekly if possible) to provide consistent support and connection for each of the ASTA Mentor Program Participants. For mentees, dedicate time to examine growth as a teacher and to improve student proficiency in the teaching of the mentee.

b. Become aware of the content videos available to ASTA Mentor Program Participants (and let us know of videos you would like to see).

c. Communicate with your ASTA Mentorship Committee Consultant or the ASTA Mentorship Committee Chair/Vice Chair with the areas in which you need more information.

d. Honor the confidentiality of the Mentor/Mentee relationship both during period when you meet and after that period has concluded;

e. Understand that the ASTA Mentor Program is a resource, being provided for educational purposes only, and that any guidance provided to Mentee, remaining within the guidelines and relevant laws and policies, is at the sole discretion of Mentor;

f. Understand that Mentor and their Mentee are responsible for any actions taken or conclusions drawn, and ASTA Mentor Program Participant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless ASTA in the event of any liability arising out of the Program due to any actions of an ASTA Mentor Program Participant.

This Release and Waiver of Liability (the "release") releases the American String Teachers Association (ASTA), a nonprofit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Iowa, with its principal place of business in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and each of its directors, officers, employees, and agents for any liability based on the below.

a. Waiver and Release: In consideration of the opportunity to participate in the ASTA Mentoring Program, I, the Volunteer, release and forever discharge and hold harmless ASTA and its successors and assigns from any and all liability, claims, and demands of whatever kind or nature, either in law or in equity, which arise or may hereafter arise from the services I provide to ASTA.

b. Publicity Release: I grant and convey to ASTA all right, title, and interests in any and all photographs, images, video, or audio recordings of me or my likeness or voice made by ASTA in connection with my providing volunteer services to the ASTA.

c. Legal Status: As a volunteer, I expressly agree that this Release is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and that this Release shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia. I agree that in the event that any clause or provision of this Release is deemed invalid, the enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Release shall not be affected.

By completing this Agreement, I understand and intend to enter into this Release and Waiver of Liability willingly and voluntarily.

This Agreement may be executed by facsimile or by electronic signatures and in two or more counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one instrument.

This Agreement represents the complete agreement by and between each ASTA and the ASTA Mentor Program Participant. This Agreement supersedes any prior agreements among the parties, whether written or oral, on the subject matter hereof. Both parties have read this Agreement and understand all its terms. Both parties have signed this Agreement voluntarily, with full knowledge of its significance. Both parties warrant that the fiduciaries executing this Agreement have authority to bind parties to this Agreement.