Good Advice
Qualities & Guidelines for Mentor & Mentee
By Agenla Lee
Aug 28, 2003, 08:41

The Mentoring Program

Qualities of a Mentee

-         Eager to learn

Be willing to take on new challenges.

-         Receptive

Be open to feedback, viewing it as an opportunity to improve yourself.

-         Open to new ideas

See things from other perspectives.

-         Loyal

Do not violate confidences or trust.

        To be open and frank with their Mentor.

To provide an assessment of where they think they stand in relation to their goals.

To discuss their proposed speech with their Mentor so that the Mentor can offer advice or suggestions.

To ask questions!!!!

Guidelines for the Mentee

Prepare a list of goals and objectives

Meet with your Mentor to discuss your goals and provide input into the assessement.

Jointly (with your Mentor) establish a development plan.

Proactively act on your development plan, keep track of actions taken and progress made.

Initiate progress review meetings with your Mentor on a regular basis.

Advise your Mentor of any difficulties or concerns ˇV remember your Mentor is there to help you.

The Mentoring Program

Mentor Qualities

Available

You must have time to spend with a member ˇV at least 15 minutes each week to help with speeches and questions.

Patient

You should be willing to provide whatever it takes to help the mentee.

Sensitive

Tact and diplomacy are vital.  Always be careful to say and do things that will motivate and encourage the mentee.  Be loyal and take care not to betray menteeˇ¦s confidences.

Respectful

A Mentor respects the differences between himself, the mentee, and others.

Flexible

You must accept that mentees may make decisions with which you may not agree.

Supportive of the Club

Show your pride in Victoria Toastmasters and what it has done - and can do ˇV for members.

Knowledgeable

Be familiar with the Club, its operations, the educational program, and Toastmasters International organization.

Confident

You need to be self-assured and friendly.

A Good Listener

A Mentor must listen carefully. You can enable the mentee to articulate the problem and sort things out.

Concerned about others

You must care about other people and truly want to help them.

Role of the Mentor

To observe their Mentee as they participate in the Toastmaster meetings and provide feedback as necessary.

To establish a development plan for the oncoming period with their Mentee.

To meet with their Mentee on an ongoing basis to review progress.

Guidelines for the Mentor

Build a personal rapport with your Mentee

1.      Sit with your mentee to explain the parts of the meeting.

2.      Orient your mentee member to Club customs and procedures

3.    Encourage your Mentee to serve on a Club Committee.

Discuss your Menteeˇ¦s needs and aspirations.

Help with the Ice Breaker.

         1.  Discuss speech ideas and offer suggestions for organization if necessary. 

         Listten to your mentee practice the speech and offer feedback.

         2. Make the Mentee aware of the Club resources (i.e. training sessions, seminars

         and books)

         3. Provide positive feedback.

Help with speeches and other assignments.

If you know that you will not be attending a meeting where your Mentee is

going to speak, ensure that another Mentor will listen-in during your absence

and offer advice.

Invite the Mentee to other Toastmasters events.

Explain that membership also means a commitment to helping the Club and

The other members be successful.

Tell how you have benefited from the program.  You are proof that they can achieve their own goals.

Ask for time during a Club meeting to mention your mentee and his/her progress

 in the program.

Explain Officerˇ¦s duties.  Describe how the Mentee can develop leadership

skills by serving as a Club Officer.

Explain the purpose and types of speech contests conducted by the Club.

Help the Mentee assess their readiness to participate.

Describe the Toastmasters International organization.

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