Mentee Guidelines
The purpose of the mentoring program is to match experienced development professionals with those seeking guidance in their career growth, development experience or seeking general advice.
Click here to complete the online mentee application
Participant requirements:
Mentees:
- AFP Member with less than five years of development experience.
- Commitment to participate for at least six months to one year.
- Meet with your assigned mentor regularly as mutually agreed upon.
- Willingness to complete a program evaluation periodically.
Mentors:
- AFP Member with a minimum of five years of development experience.
- Commitment to participate for at least six months to one year.
- Initiate the first contact with assigned mentee.
- Meet with assigned mentee regularly as mutually agreed upon.
- Willingness to complete a program evaluation periodically.
Suggested time commitment: 2-4 hours a month as jointly determined by mentor and mentee.
Please direct your questions to Melissa Jones by emailing mjones@sluh.org or calling 314-269-2186.
The Mentoring Committee will review all applications and match mentors and mentees according to common interests and skills.
The Role of the Mentee
Successful mentoring involves a dynamic process whereby each participant learns to respect and trust the partner’s commitment, expertise, and individuality. As a mentee, it is anticipated that you may seek advice on topics such as:
- Integrated nature of development programs
- Board development and relationships
- Annual giving
- Capital campaigns
- Planned giving
- Event Planning
- Volunteer Management
- Grant Writing
- Creating an environment for philanthropy
- Development program evaluation
- Career development
- AFP Code of Ethical Practices and Standards of Professional Practice
While this advice pertains to the career field of development, your conversations with your mentor may include other topics, such as meshing a career with a personal life and family or changing career paths.
Some general suggestions:
- Ask for advice and welcome constructive criticism. Often, people are hesitant to offer advice when they do not know you very well. Be as specific as possible when asking for advice. For example, instead of asking what goes on at an event, it would be more beneficial to know whether you are asking about conducting prospect research before the event or whether you want to know when/how to enlist volunteers at some point. A good mentor will offer both constructive criticism and suggestions for your work, so be open to both.
- Be considerate of your mentor’s time. Mentors are by definition more established in their careers. However, they have chosen to participate in this program and to be your mentor. You can expect quality time from them, but, in return, you need to be considerate of their time. Return phone calls and emails promptly and be on time. Be sure to ask how much time your mentor has to spend with you and abide by that request. You might discuss setting aside a particular time every few weeks to talk.
- Seriously consider the advice give to you by your mentor, even if your immediate reaction is not positive. A mentor seldom offers advice or criticism lightly. It’s very reasonable to ask for time to consider advice and then to get back to him/her with your response. While you certainly don’t have to follow the advice, remember that he/she does have experience and skills that you haven’t mastered yet.
Make only positive or neutral comments about your mentor to others. If, after a period of time, you don’t believe that your mentoring relationship is proving effective, then don’t be averse to discussing this with your mentor and possibly ending the relationship. If the relationship does end, if at all possible, try to end it on professional terms. It is no reflection on either of you if a particular pair isn’t suitable. - Keep the door open with your mentor. Show appreciation for assistance given to you, too. Let your mentor know how advice worked for your situation. You never know when a future situation will come up in which you can use some good advice.
Potential Pitfalls
- Limited time—Experience has shown that finding the time and energy for a mentor and mentee to get together is a great obstacle. Take advantage of email, the telephone, etc. as ways of staying in touch.
- Lack of knowledge and skills—After a mentor has accepted a role as a mentor, he or she may discover that there is not really the common ground between the two that was expected or that the mentee wants assistance in an area in which the mentor does not feel particularly competent to advise. In this situation, the mentor can either contact someone else or assist his/her mentee in locating others who can be of more help.
- Over-dependence—Over dependence can go in either direction in a mentoring relationship, however, it is not wise to become over-dependent on your mentor. It should be everyone’s goal to grow in professional development although it is valuable for the former mentee to have someone to contact for advice in the future.
Evaluation:
Periodically during the agreed to commitment period, mentors and mentees will be asked to evaluate their mentoring match. The AFP St. Louis Chapter Mentoring Committee uses this information to track successes and the mentoring program, as a whole. We appreciate your involvement in the mentoring program and your input to promote its continued success.