One is that fluid, self-organizing aspect of being an SAP Mentor. Example: I'm part of a small group that is driving a discussion/dialogue with SAP on SAP certification improvements. We banded together mostly because of shared interest in that area. I see other loose affiliations of SAP Mentors crop up all the time when a key concern of theirs comes to the fore.

You also are dead on with: "It's not about being a star. It's about giving." Many of the SAP Mentors are active on Twitter (@sapmentors follows all of us so you can find us there). And while Twitter is just one medium, to me, our collective Twitter presence is about putting ourselves out there in the open, in accordance with what many of us call our unofficial motto, "open thinking." SAP Mentors should not be held up as rock stars but immersed in community projects and accessible, and I think we all strive in our way to embody that.

One other point you didn't get into is that, in my opinion, our relationship with SAP is complicated and messy in the best sense of the two words. By that I mean, we don't view ourselves as mouthpieces for SAP and in many cases, are challenging SAP in terms of future product/company direction. Some of those challenges happen behind the scenes, of course, in more private forums, but not all. Sometimes we raise issues in the open. One that comes to mind right away is Jim Spath's ongoing SCN blog posts on his ups and downs with Solution Manager. It's fair, specific, and unflinching. The one thing we try to hold up collectively, however, is to go beyond criticism into finding constructive solutions for SAP-related issues.

One final thing: I see many SAP Mentors have a big picture focus beyond SAP. Look no further than the talented Mentors involved in the ESME project, an "Enterprise Social Messaging Experiment" with implications well beyond SAP, or Anne Petteroe's important role in organizing Facebook users in the Facebook terms of service controversy.

Anyhow, thanks for writing about us and look forward to future installments.

You hit the mark when you write that beyond expertise it is passion that is the thread that connects all of the SAP Mentors and that makes this group so exceptional.

Had to smile when I read about performance review. Mentorship is giving on an annual basis and most mentors were so active over the year, that it is no question.

Others I try to ping early to check in, you haven't been as active lately, can we do something together?

Often work catches up with people and once they have finished a project they engage with new vigor and expertise.

In most cases the mentors come forward themselves and announce: I have moved on and lay down my mentorship, to give my seat to someone who is more engaged.

I have great respect for them and have an open door in case they change their mind.

Love this paragraph: "Mentor," refers to a wise and trusted counselor or teacher. It's not about being a star. It's about giving.

That is what we are aspiring to be and do, Mark.