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Mentor Program

In furtherance of its mission to promote the advancement of its members and in response to requests from members, Women in Development of Greater Boston has designed and implemented a Mentor Program.

Mentoring is traditionally seen as a nurturing relationship, which occurs whenever a person with more experience (Mentor) takes a strong personal interest and assists in the development of a person with lesser experience (Mentee) through conversation, coaching, email, fax and other methods.

While such relationships are probably best when they occur spontaneously and randomly, WID recognizes that it has grown into a large organization and that its members may be better assisted in connecting with each other through a structured program.

Benefits:

Mentors

• advance the professional development of others by volunteering support and sharing experience
• learn or augment their coaching and consulting skills
• participate in Mentor training
• enjoy a professionally rewarding experience

Mentees

• enhance their skills as Development professionals with the committed support of a seasoned Development professional in a one-on-one relationship
• gain important insights to advance career effectiveness

When might a mentoring relationship be beneficial to you? Here are some thoughts to consider:

Mentor

• Given your depth and breadth of expertise, have you thought about assisting others in the profession?
• Do you have a particular skill or area of emphasis that you could share?
• Do you want to make a difference and to further the Development profession?

Mentee

• Do you work in a small shop where the guidance of more experienced or the opinion of other Development professionals is not available?
• Have you changed or are you changing the area of focus in your Development career?
• Are you still new to the field of Development?

The Role of the Mentor:

• Signs a letter of agreement, mutually agreed upon by Mentor and Mentee, specifying the term, frequency and method of support, and the context of the coaching relationship
• Provides guidance (though not in-depth training) in area of expertise, as defined in the letter of agreement
• Maintains periodic contact with the Mentee, as defined in the letter of agreement
• Acts as a coach, confidante, and sounding board
• Honors confidentiality

The Role of the Mentee:

• Signs a letter of agreement, mutually agreed upon by Mentor and Mentee, specifying the term, frequency and method of support, and the context of the coaching relationship
• Prepares for mentor telephone calls, meetings, and email communications by concisely presenting questions and summarizing issues
• Clearly communicates progress toward expressed goals
• Honors confidentiality

Frequently Asked Questions

Mentor Program Application Form