Offering a Mentoring Program

Four Guidelines for offering a mentoring program

1) Base the program on voluntary participation

Dos - It's ok to discuss the benefits of the mentoring program

Dos - Tell potential participants that it won't be held against them if they choose not to participate in the program

Don'ts - In no way should you pressure anyone -- mentor or mentee -- to participate

2) Provide an opportunity to match needs with skills

Dos - Have a mentee create a list of her goals and needs

Dos - Ask her to review a list of each potential mentor's skills and areas of expertise

Dos - The mentee should choose at least two possible mentors, just in case her first choice declines for some reason

Don'ts - Don't let the mentee make her choices until she's had the opportunity to compare her list to the mentor's lists.

3) Allow the mentee to choose a mentor

Dos - Accept the mentee's choices.

Dos - The best way to respond is to tell the mentee that the choice of mentor is hers alone to make.

Dos - When the mentee makes her choice, tell her you will contact her preferred mentor -- her "first choice" as it were -- as soon as possible.

Dos - When you contact the potential mentor, do so without the mentee present.

Don'ts - Don't make the choice for the mentee.

Don'ts - Don't recommend a mentor, even if the mentee asks.

Don'ts - Don't express your opinion if the mentee makes a choice that you disagree with.

4) Give the potential mentor the right to accept or decline

Dos - When talking to the mentee, you need to make it clear that the mentor might decline. You should assure the mentee that if the potential mentor declines, you will then ask the second mentor she chose.

Dos - When you contact the potential mentor, give him the mentee's list of needs and goals.

Dos - Let the potential mentor decide whether to accept or decline the mentee's invitation.

Don'ts - Don't say anything that will influence the mentor's decision.

Don'ts - Don't pressure the mentor in any way.