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• File scoped Infra tickets early and track them transparently.
• Post brief status summaries to the dev@ list so everyone understands sequencing and lead times.
• Avoid external “workarounds”; if truly necessary, discuss impacts with mentors first.

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Scenario: Mentors Added for the Wrong Reasons

In one podling proposal, mentors were added late in the process. Some were chosen because they were well-known ASF Members or from the same company as the proposers, rather than because they had time or interest to mentor. Once the project entered incubation, those mentors were largely inactive, leaving the podling without needed guidance on releases, community building, and ASF processes.

Reflection questions

1. What criteria should be used when selecting mentors for a new proposal?
2. How can the IPMC ensure mentors understand and commit to their responsibilities before a vote?
3. What should podlings do if a mentor is unresponsive or lacks relevant experience?

Possible path forward

• Choose mentors based on engagement, availability, and complementary experience, not reputation or affiliation.
• Encourage proposers to work with potential mentors early, before the proposal vote, to confirm mutual understanding.
• If a mentor is inactive, the podling should raise the issue on the incubator list and request a replacement through the normal process.

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Conflict Resolution and Communication

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