Bullet Point Basics of a Club Mentoring Plan

The following is from a Club Success Workshop presented at the December 10th TLI.

Why have a mentoring plan?
1. There are benefits for new members. They can:

a. Learn the program, club standards & customs
b. Develop confidence
c. Participate more
d. Quickly learn speaking skills

2. There are also benefits for more experienced members who can:

a. Refine skills
b. Learn new skills
c. Rewards! Remain productive, do something for others, be respected and appreciated by other members

3. Finally, there are benefits for the club which can:

a. Have more members. Turnover is reduced because members quickly become involved in the club & develop friendships
b. Have more satisfied members.  Members continue to learn and grow and enjoy the club experience.
c. Retain more members. When members are satisfied, they stay in their clubs longer.

What resources are available?
1. The Successful Club Series, Mentoring  (item 296 in TI store) may be purchased in print or downloaded all in one zip file from Toastmasters International
OR
items may be downloaded from the D25 Education Resources page. They include:

a. Presentation outline
b. PowerPoint slides
c. Survey form
d. Mentor assignment notice
e. Mentee assignment notice
f. How to Manage Your Club’s Mentor Program

2. Toastmasters Mentoring Program is a Facebook public group

a. Philip Bendeich is the admin
b. Posts links to mentoring webinars
c. Useful documents in the Files link (under the group photo)

3. Search other district websites and the Internet

Educate your members about mentoring.
1. Present the Successful Club Series Mentoring module which counts for ALB or ACS credit
2. Manual speeches can be about mentoring

Match mentors with mentees.
1. Use the Member Interest Survey. You may want to consider:

a. Age and gender
b. Cultural, professional similarities
c. Personality types
d. Availability

2. Use the Mentor and Mentee assignment notices. These are provided by TI in the Mentoring module.

Meetings between mentor and mentee are important.
1. Orientation and education
2. Set expectations
3. Determine mentee’s goals and needs
4. Set a timeline for fulfilling them
5. Provide time during meetings to talk
6. Encourage communication outside the club

Record goals and progress.
1. Keep written record of goals and progress – shared between mentor, mentee and VPE
2. Progress is monitored by VPE
3. Recognize successes of mentees in meetings
4. Recognize successful mentors – there’s a certificate for that!
5. Revisit assignments every year

To conclude:
1. Outline the process your club wants to follow
2. Create any documents needed
3. Submit your club’s mentoring plan to clubsuccess@d25toastmasters.org

Questions?
Ask Jodie Sanders, jodiesanders@d25toastmasters.org