MARS (Ministry Automation Response System) is a password secured system to protect your personal information and the integrity of the information provided by people asking for help.  This new computer system will enable us to more effectively serve both you and the many people on the internet asking for help.  Here are more details about the upcoming changes, and we would strongly urge you to read through this entire tutorial.

Why the change?

The high volume of volunteers and help requests has outgrown our mostly manual method of matching mentors. In addition, we are now facing strict legal guidelines on the privacy issues related to collection, storage and access of personal information, which includes both your private information and that of the people asking for help.

What will this change accomplish?

You will receive your mentor email much like you receive an e-card. You will get an email with a url that you will click on to read your mentor email. Your responses will then be sent from the mentoring system rather than your own computer, improving your security and privacy. All personal information and help requests will be securely stored in the MARS database in our offices.

Who can access the information?

Your personal information, the person(s) assigned to you AND your responses to them will only be accessible to you and to our department staff. No other volunteer will be able to view any of this data. Your operations with the mentoree will all be in this database. (like on-line banking)

What is the benefit for me - the mentor?

• Your security and privacy will be better protected because the MARS system sends your responses on your behalf;
• You will be able to easily refer back to previous responses you have sent;
• You will have access to a growing database of stock answers that are being created;
• You will be able to maintain your own private pre-written responses if you so desire to do that. (In some cases our mentors deal with similar issues and can put together some form emails that they personalize. For example, one of our mentors deals with infant death - and she has prepared several types of emails that she personalizes. One such example is "why does God allow this?" So you can create several types of form letters and then personalize them if you wish).

What if the mentoree and I wish to continue our correspondence? How can they write me back and where do I read that email?

The system will assist us in matching replies from mentorees to your previous responses, and so you will be able to carry on continued correspondence. However, the mentoree will only receive your personal email in the event that you choose to give it to that person - otherwise all of your interactions will be accessible to you when you log-in to this password protected area. (Again, much like online banking). Some of our mentor relationships go on for many months. If you choose at some point to exchange emails with the mentoree, you can then take the correspondence out of the MARS system and connect with them personally. The initial response needs to take place through the system as your email address is hidden to protect you.

How will it work?

You will soon begin receiving help emails in a different format. Instead of reading the entire help request from your email inbox, you will:

• receive a notification email from Terry that contains a link to the actual mentor request;
• access the prayer/mentor request via your web browser by clicking on that URL or by "cutting and pasting" it into your web browser.

Which browser?

A web browser is the program you click on to access anything on the Internet, such as Internet Explorer or Netscape. The new mentoring system has been successfully tested with a variety of browsers. In the event of a problem or incompatibility, you will be able to contact our technical staff for assistance.

How do I get help?

Either email our MARS helpdesk or if you really need to talk to someone in person call our office at [1] 604-514-1952 or 1-800-563-1106 ext.208, during Pacific Time Zone office hours Monday-Friday. Ask for the Mentoring Department.

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