This Real Mentors Network User Agreement (the “Agreement”) applies to all Participants (a Participant refers to a Mentor or a Mentee) in the Real Mentors Network (the “Network”).

Specific sponsored or customized Networks (“Real Mentors Network Communities”) within the Network may be covered by additional specific contract documents. “Contract Documents” shall mean the documents listed in this Agreement. Each of the Contract Documents is an essential part of the Agreement between Real Mentors Network and Participants. Contract Documents are intended to be complementary and to describe and provide for a complete Agreement. In the event any conflict among Contract Documents, the order of precedence shall be stated explicitly.

Participation in the Network is voluntary and on an individual basis. To be eligible to participate in the Network, a Participant must be at least eighteen years old. By participating in the Network, you agree to be bound by the terms of the Agreement. If you do not agree to the terms of this Agreement, do not participate in the Network.

• I represent that I am at least eighteen years old.
• I understand and agree that, unless otherwise agreed in by Real Mentors Network, each Mentor is acting in the Mentor’s individual capacity and is not acting as a representative of, or on behalf of, the Mentor’s employer, a professional society, a sponsor, Real Mentors Network, or anyone else.
• I understand and agree that unless, otherwise agreed in by Real Mentors Network, each Mentee is acting in the Mentee’s individual capacity and is not acting as a representative on behalf of the Mentee’s employer, a professional society, a sponsor, Real Mentors Network, or anyone else.
• I agree to complete the required User Profile before beginning my first mentorship. I represent that all information I enter in the User Profile is true or believed to be true. If I willfully enter any false information with deceptive intent, I acknowledge that Real Mentors Network reserves the right to terminate my participation in the Network upon discovery of such false information. If I enter any false information through mistake, without any deceptive intent, I agree to correct such false information upon discovery of, or receipt of notification of, such false information. If I do not timely correct such false information, I acknowledge that Real Mentors Network reserves the right to terminate my participation in the Network. If any information that I have entered should change, I agree to timely update such information. If I do not timely update such information, I acknowledge that Real Mentors Network reserves the right to terminate my participation in the Network.
• I confirm that I have read and understood the Real Mentors Network Codes of Conduct. I agree to abide by the terms of the applicable code of conduct (Real Mentors Network Code of Conduct for Mentors or Real Mentors Network Code of Conduct for Mentees) while I am participating in a mentorship. Real Mentors Network shall notify me of the commencement date of a mentor connection. I acknowledge that Real Mentors Network reserves the right to terminate my participation in the Network if I violate any of the terms of the applicable code of conduct.
• I confirm that I have read and understood the Real Mentors Network Terms of Use and Privacy Policy I agree to abide by its terms and acknowledge that, if I violate any of the Real Mentors Network Terms of Use and Privacy Policy terms, Real Mentors Network reserves the right to terminate my participation in the Network.
• I agree to complete any required Real Mentors Network Training Modules provided by the Network. I acknowledge that Real Mentors Network may periodically require that Participants complete new training modules within a specified period of time to continue participation in the Network.
• I expressly acknowledge and agree that I am participating voluntarily in the Network and that Real Mentors Network is not responsible for my actions or the actions of other Participants.

THE Network IS MADE AVAILABLE “AS IS” WITH NO WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, Real Mentors Network DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES.
Real Mentors Network DOES NOT CONDUCT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS ON ITS PARTICIPANTS.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT WILL Real Mentors Network BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER, WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, GENERAL, SPECIAL, COMPENSATORY, CONSEQUENTIAL, AND/OR INCIDENTAL, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE CONDUCT OF YOU OR ANYONE ELSE IN CONNECTION WITH THE Network, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, BODILY INJURY, EMOTIONAL DISTRESS, AND/OR ANY OTHER DAMAGES RESULTING FROM COMMUNICATIONS OR MEETINGS BETWEEN PARTICIPANTS. THIS INCLUDES ANY CLAIMS, LOSSES, OR DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE CONDUCT OF PARTICIPANTS. TO THE EXTENT A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION FINDS Real Mentors Network LIABLE FOR ANY OF THE FOREGOING, REAL MENTORS NETWORK’S AGGREGATE LIABILITY SHALL NOT EXCEED US $100.00.

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New Mexico without regard to its principles of conflict of law. If any provision of this Agreement is invalid or unenforceable for any reason, it shall be deleted and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and affect. Each party hereto agrees to waive its right to a jury trial. Further each party agrees to bring any claim under this agreement within one (1) year from the date the claim arose. Each party acknowledges that neither party will bring, or participate in, any class action or other class proceeding in connection with any dispute with the other party. Further, neither party agrees to class arbitration or any arbitration where a person brings a dispute as a representative of other person(s).

I confirm that I have read, understood, and agree to abide by the terms of this Agreement.

Real Mentors Network Codes of Conduct

General Information and Guiding Principles

The Real Mentors Network Codes of Conduct govern the behavior of a Mentor and a Mentee during the course of their mentorship. The Real Mentors Network Codes of Conduct include the Real Mentors Network Code of Conduct for Mentors and the Real Mentors Network Code of Conduct for Mentees. All Participants (a Participant refers to a Mentor or a Mentee) in the Real Mentors Network Network shall read the Real Mentors Network Codes of Conduct in its entirety to understand the standard of behavior expected by Real Mentors Network from all its Participants and to know which actions constitute violations that shall be reported to Real Mentors Network.

Guiding Principle for the Real Mentors Network Network. The primary purpose of a mentorship is for a Mentor to foster the professional success of a Mentee. Since the professional life of the Mentee cannot be isolated from the personal life of the Mentee, however, the mentorship will likely address personal issues as well as professional issues.

Guiding Principle for Mentors. The Mentor shall always strive to act in the best interests of the Mentee. In practice, any course of action will usually present specific advantages and specific disadvantages, and the optimum course of action will often not be clearly defined. Under no circumstances, however, shall the Mentor further other interests by intentionally advising the Mentee to follow a course of action that is clearly detrimental to the best interests of the Mentee; for example, the Mentor shall not place the interests of the Mentor, the Mentor’s employer, a professional society, a sponsor, or any other party above the interests of the Mentee.

Guiding Principle for Mentees. The Mentee is ultimately responsible for the Mentee’s own actions. The Mentor provides guidance for pursuing a specific course of action. This guidance will be based on the Mentor’s specific knowledge, specific experience, specific preferences, and specific biases. In practice, any course of action will usually present specific advantages and specific disadvantages, and the optimum course of action will often not be clearly defined. The responsibility for choosing a specific course of action belongs to the Mentee, not to the Mentor.

Real Mentors Network’s Code of Conduct for Mentors

As a participating Mentor in the Real Mentors Network Network, I agree to abide by the Real Mentors Network Code of Conduct for Mentors. I agree that if I violate any rule of the Real Mentors Network Code of Conduct for Mentors, Real Mentors Network may suspend or terminate my participation as a Mentor in the Real Mentors Network Network.

• Rule 1. Confidentiality. Except as provided below, I shall not disclose to any third party any personal details of my communications with my Mentee without prior permission of my Mentee. Exceptions–If my Mentee violates the Real Mentors Network Code of Conduct for Mentees, I shall report the code violations to Real Mentors Network staff at info@realmentors.net.
• Rule 2. Availability. Mentor shall be available for agreed upon time indicated in their profile. If the Mentor will be temporarily unavailable for a short period (for example, the Mentor leaves on a week-long business trip), the Mentor should update their availability with the Mentee in advance or on their calendar. In specific instances, the Mentee may require substantially more time from the Mentor. If the Mentor cannot commit sufficient time to fulfill the Mentee’s needs, the Mentor should update their availability on their profile.
• Rule 3. Communications. In my communications with my Mentee, (1) I shall not use offensive language, and (2) I shall not transmit offensive images. Offensive language includes, but is not limited to, (a) profanity or verbal abuse directed towards the Mentee, (b) sexually suggestive comments directed towards the Mentee, and (c) derogatory remarks directed towards any individual or group of individuals based on religion, race, color, ethnicity, country of origin, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or sexual identity. Offensive images include, but are not limited to, (a) images that are sexually suggestive, lewd, or pornographic and (b) images that include offensive language, as described above. Communications refers to communications via any media; for example, in-person, phone, mail, photographs, voice-mail, audio conferencing, video conferencing, audio recordings, video recordings, e-mail, electronic text messaging, computer files supplied on physical media, and computer files transferred electronically.
• Rule 4. Topics for Discussion. If my Mentee expresses unwillingness, reluctance, or discomfort in discussing any topic that I have raised, I shall promptly cease pursuing that topic. The specific personal issues and the degree of personal detail that are appropriate for discussion will depend strongly on the specific Mentor, the specific Mentee, and the specific circumstances. Therefore, Real Mentors Network does not provide a comprehensive list of appropriate and inappropriate topics and does not provide guidance on the degree of personal detail to be shared: The Mentor and the Mentee should agree on the topics that they are comfortable discussing and on the degree of personal details that they are comfortable sharing. The Mentor, for example, may appropriately initiate discussion of personal topics such as problems with family and friends, religion, and death. The Mentor should, however, approach such topics cautiously and ask the Mentee whether the Mentee wishes to pursue such topics. If the Mentee expresses unwillingness, reluctance, or discomfort in discussing a specific topic, the Mentor shall promptly cease pursuing that specific topic.
• Rule 5. Personal Relationships. I shall not pursue a romantic or sexual relationship with my Mentee.
• Rule 6. Meetings in Person. If my Mentee does not wish to meet in person, I shall not insist on a meeting. If circumstances permit, in-person meetings between the Mentor and the Mentee can be beneficial for developing personal rapport. It is appropriate for the Mentor to invite the Mentee to meet in person; but, if the Mentee does not wish to meet in person, then the Mentor shall not insist on a meeting.
• Rule 7. Prohibited Advice. I shall not provide medical, mental-health, or legal advice to my Mentee. Medical, mental-health, or legal advice should be provided by a qualified professional. Even if the Mentor is coincidentally a qualified professional (for example, if the Mentor is a physician, psychologist, or attorney), the Mentor shall not provide medical, mental-health, or legal advice to the Mentee: Within the Real Mentors Network, the Mentor provides guidance for the professional development of the Mentee. The Mentor should advise the Mentee to seek the assistance of another qualified professional.
• Rule 8. Knowledgeable Advice. I shall provide advice only on topics in which I have knowledge. Mentors shall refrain from providing advice on topics in which they have little or no knowledge. Incorrect advice can have detrimental consequences. In particular, academic and industrial practices can vary substantially from country to country. Thus, if the Mentor has experience only with US practices, and if the Mentee is seeking a position in Germany, then the Mentee should be encouraged to identify a mentor with experience in Germany to seek advice from someone knowledgeable.
• Rule 9. Fees. I shall not charge my Mentee any fees during the period of our mentorship. The Mentor is a volunteer and shall not charge a fee for serving as a mentor. Even if the Mentor is employed such that the Mentor normally charges fees for services related to mentorship (for example, if the Mentor is a professional career coach who normally charges fees for preparing resumes), the Mentor shall not charge the Mentee any fees during the period of mentorship.
• Rule 10. Business Relationships. I shall not pursue a business relationship with my Mentee in which my Mentee derives no benefit from the business relationship. An internship, paid or unpaid, can provide valuable experience for the Mentee. If the internship is paid, then the Mentee obviously derives a financial benefit. If the internship is unpaid, then the internship is appropriate only if the Mentee acquires valuable experience or new skills; for example, if the Mentor is providing guidance, training, and review. If the internship is unpaid, then the internship is not appropriate if the Mentee is only performing a service for the Mentor or other party (such as a sponsor). For example, if the Mentee is a skilled programmer and the Mentor requires the services of a skilled programmer, the Mentor shall not request the Mentee to provide programming services without compensation.
• Rule 11. Duty to Report Code Violations. If I observe any Participant behaving in a manner that violates the Real Mentors Network Code of Conduct for Mentors or the Real Mentors Network Code of Conduct for Mentees, I shall promptly report my observations to Real Mentors Network staff at info@realmentors.net

Real Mentors Network’s Code of Conduct for Mentees

Rule 1.Confidentiality. Except as provided below, I shall not disclose to any third party any personal details of my communications with my Mentor without prior permission of my Mentor. Exception: Code Violations. If my Mentor violates the Real Mentors Network Code of Conduct for Mentors, I shall report the code violations to Real Mentors Network staff at info@realmentors.net.
Rule 2. Availability. Mentee shall be available for agreed upon time indicated in their profile. If the Mentee will be temporarily unavailable for a short period (for example, the Mentor leaves on a week-long business trip), they should update their availability with the Mentee in advance or on their calendar. The Mentor is reserving time to participate in a mentorship. The Mentor’s time is wasted if the Mentee does not also reserve time to participate in the mentorship.
Rule 3. Communications. In my communications with my Mentor, (1) I shall not use offensive language, and (2) I shall not transmit offensive images. Offensive language includes, but is not limited to, (a) profanity or verbal abuse directed towards the Mentor, (b) sexually suggestive comments directed towards the Mentor, and (c) derogatory remarks directed towards any individual or group of individuals based on religion, race, color, ethnicity, country of origin, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or sexual identity. Offensive images include, but are not limited to, (a) images that are sexually suggestive, lewd, or pornographic and (b) images that include offensive language, as described above. Communications refers to communications via any media; for example, in-person, phone, mail, photographs, voice-mail, audio conferencing, video conferencing, audio recordings, video recordings, e-mail, electronic text messaging, computer files supplied on physical media, and computer files transferred electronically
Rule 4. Topics for Discussion. If my Mentor expresses unwillingness, reluctance, or discomfort in discussing any topic that I have raised, I shall promptly cease pursuing that topic. The specific personal issues and the degree of personal detail that are appropriate for discussion will depend strongly on the specific Mentor, the specific Mentee, and the specific circumstances. Therefore, Real Mentors Network does not provide a comprehensive list of appropriate and inappropriate topics and does not provide guidance on the degree of personal detail to be shared: The Mentor and the Mentee should agree on the topics that they are comfortable discussing and on the degree of personal details that they are comfortable sharing. The Mentee, for example, may appropriately initiate discussion of personal topics such as problems with family and friends, religion, and death. The Mentee should, however, approach such topics cautiously and ask the Mentor whether the Mentor wishes to pursue such topics. If the Mentor expresses unwillingness, reluctance, or discomfort in discussing a specific topic, the Mentee shall promptly cease pursuing that specific topic.
Rule 5. Personal Relationships. I shall not pursue a romantic or sexual relationship with my Mentor.
Rule P6. Meetings in Person. If my Mentor does not wish to meet in person, I shall not insist on a meeting. If circumstances permit, in-person meetings between the Mentor and the Mentee can be beneficial for developing personal rapport. It is appropriate for the Mentee to invite the Mentor to meet in person; but, if the Mentor does not wish to meet in person, then the Mentee shall not insist on a meeting.
Rule 7. Prohibited Advice. I shall not seek medical, mental-health, or legal advice from my Mentor. Medical, mental-health, or legal advice should be provided by a qualified professional. Even if the Mentor is coincidentally a qualified professional (for example, if the Mentor is a physician, psychologist, or attorney), the Mentee shall not request the Mentor for medical, mental-health, or legal advice: Within the Real Mentors Network, the Mentor provides guidance for the academic and professional development of the Mentee. The Mentee should seek the assistance of another qualified professional.
Rule 8. Financial Assistance. I shall not ask my Mentor for money. In general, the Mentor should avoid giving money to the Mentee. In specific circumstances, the Mentor may volunteer to give money to the Mentee (for example, to assist the Mentee in paying fees for attending a conference).Under no circumstances, however, is it appropriate for the Mentee to ask the Mentor for money. In no situation shall the Real Mentors Network be responsible for reimbursing monies lent or exchanged by Mentors and Mentees in accordance with the above.
Rule 9. Career Assistance. I shall not expect my Mentor to find me a job. For a Mentee who is about to graduate and is seeking employment, much of the discussions with the Mentor will of course focus on career opportunities. It is appropriate, for example, for the Mentee to ask the Mentor to assist in writing a resume and to review a resume. It is also appropriate for the Mentee to ask the Mentor for advice on conducting interviews and for advice on job-search strategies. It is not appropriate, however, for the Mentee to expect the Mentor to act as a job placement service and to circulate the Mentee’s resume as a matter of course. Under specific circumstances, the Mentor may volunteer to circulate the Mentee’s resume among the Mentor’s colleagues and to inquire whether there is a suitable job opening; however, such assistance is strictly at the discretion of the Mentor, and the Mentee shall not expect, or demand, that the Mentor perform such actions as a requirement of the mentorship.

X. Service Announcements. Real Mentors Network sends service announcements to all Users. As discussed above, Users cannot unsubscribe from service announcements, which contain important information about service changes, problems, outages, and other issues. Real Mentors Network may communicate with Users via e-mail or phone to provide requested services and to address issues related to Users’ accounts.
XI. Notification of Changes and Acceptance of User Agreement. Real Mentors Network reserves the right to modify the Real Mentors Network User Agreement, the Real Mentors Network Codes of Conduct, the Real Mentors Network Information and Privacy Policy, or other Contract Documents at any time, so Real Mentors Network encourages Users to review our website frequently for such notices. A User’s continued use of any portion of our website following posting of the updated privacy statement will constitute the User’s acceptance of the changes.
XII. To the extent permitted by law, Mentor/Mentee agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Real Mentors Network from and against all claims, demands, liabilities, judgments or causes of action of any nature for any relief, elements of recovery or damages recognized by law (including, without limitation, attorney's fees, defense costs, and equitable relief), for any damage or loss incurred by Real Mentors Network arising out of, resulting from, or attributable to any acts or omissions or other conduct of Mentor/Mentee or its agents in connection with the performance of Mentor/Mentee’s or its agents' duties under this Code of Conduct, the Terms and Conditions, as well as the Privacy Policy. This indemnity shall not be construed to limit Real Mentor’s rights, if any, to common law indemnity.