MENTORING PROGRAM
The goal of the Mid-Day Mentoring Program is to help each woman develop and reach her own potential through NAMES (Networking, Advocacy, Mentoring, Education and Skill-Building).
The Mid-Day Mentoring Program will:
- Provide MDWA members with the opportunity to have a mentor and/or to become a mentor.
- Provide training to both mentors and mentees to help establish confidential and trusting mentoring relationships.
- Match each member who wants a mentor with an appropriate mentor who preferably is a MDWA member.
- Follow up to ensure matches are productive and effective.
- Provide a fun and safe environment for continued growth and follow-up discussions.
What’s in for You?
- Mentees say that having a Mentor increases their knowledge and competence while building self-confidence and providing new perspectives.
- Mentors tell us that being in a mentoring relationship builds their leadership and coaching skills and gives them an opportunity to give back to others, while broadening their perspective.
"I was lucky to have a group of Mentors through the Mid-Day Women's Alliance Mentorship Program through my first year of business as a solopreneur. They helped to keep me on track, troubleshoot problems and encourage me to continue to grow and learn. It was such a wonderful support system to have as a resource."
Cassie Mathis
Mentor & Mentee Expectations
Members who are interested in participating in the Mentoring Program are required to attend the Mentee Training and/or Mentor Training, conducted bi-annually, and facilitated by the program Chairs. Mentoring pairs are most successful when basic roles and responsibilities have been defined and are clearly understood, which are covered in these training sessions.
The Co-Chairs will match the mentoring pairs based on the parameters specified by the Mentee, the life experiences and knowledge of the Mentor, and complementing personal experiences or interests. Mentors and Mentees will be expected to meet face-to-face or via video on a regular basis for up to 12 months, typically every month as jointly agreed to.
Both Mentee and Mentor will gain from the experience of getting to know each other and gaining support from the Mentor. Each one will start with her own personal goals for the mentoring relationship. At every meeting, they will listen, ask questions, share points of view, and give feedback as appropriate. Typically, we find that both learn and grow together, and they will likely form an enduring friendship that lasts beyond the initial year.
Areas of Focus
We use six key areas of focus for matching Mentees with their Mentors (in addition to personal interests and experience). Please note these areas tend to be the most common for our members, however mentoring is not limited to these areas:
1. Career Transitions
2. Continuing Education
3. Life Balance
4. Managing Change and Uncertainty
5. Self-Marketing
6. Small Business Ownership