Well I need to be a mentor to access the Novice Network chat channel right? That's where I was answering questions (as a returner). Although maybe it happens, I doubt people whisper mentors. That feels a little bit harder to whisper some stranger, even if they have a mentor badge, than just putting a question out there in a general chat channel, where anyone can answer it. It's also less efficient because you don't know if that one person will answer you, where as in a general chat channel someone probably will.
I like the watering can idea, although the icon is so small it might be hard to make it legible. It wouldn't be a big change, but it might make it a little bit less charged.
If the Novice Network really is toxic, than isn't chat moderation the answer? It's hard to think of requirements they could put in place that would ensure people aren't toxic.