MINNEAPOLIS CLUB MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. Dear Member:

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1 Dear Member: Thank you for your interest in the Minneapolis Club Mentorship Program ( MCMP ). The MCMP was established by members and staff of the Minneapolis Club in 2015 to further the Club s core principle of building authentic relationships between members. The MCMP Advisory Group, composed of interested Club members, was formed earlier this year to oversee the program. With a special focus on strengthening relationships between Club members of different generations, the MCMP s mission is to promote the personal and professional development of participants by pairing mentor and mentee Club members in a structured 12-month mentoring relationship. Beyond facilitating mentor and mentee matches, and providing guiding principles for a successful mentorship relationship, the MCMP will also arrange quarterly networking events accompanied by lectures on a relevant leadership or personal development topic for the benefit of all MCMP participants. Please review the enclosed materials, including Frequently Asked Questions and the Enrollment Form, which should be returned along with a copy of your résumé or bio to Margaret Leto (Margaretl@mplsclub.org) by Friday, April 24, A representative of the MCMP Advisor Group will notify matched mentors and mentees via by May 22, This notification will also contain an invitation to the MCMP Kickoff Reception the first week of June, where all participants will be invited to meet their mentor or mentee and receive a brief overview on mentoring relationships that will help both mentors and mentees maximize the benefits of their relationship. The MCMP Advisory Group has proposed an initial cap of 20 mentorships in the first three months to ensure that the program is properly structured. All efforts will be made to accommodate interested mentors and mentees. Thank you again to both mentors and mentees for your willingness to participate in this exciting new program. Sincerely, Margaret Leto, Minneapolis Club Membership & Marketing Director Ben Wilmoth, MCMP Member Lead 1

2 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS While nearly everyone is familiar with the concept of mentorship, research indicates that the most successful relationships between mentors and mentees begin with a clear understanding of a mentorship program s purpose and expectations. Though the MCMP encourages mentors and mentees to set their own personal goals, meeting structure and development objectives once paired, please consider the following the most basic guiding principles of the MCMP. If you have any additional questions not addressed below, please contact Margaret Leto (Margaretl@mplsclub.org). What is the general purpose of Mentoring? Mentoring is a mindset of lifelong learning for both a mentor and a mentee as they progress through, and reflect upon, their personal and professional challenges and accomplishments. The MCMP will match a mentor and a more junior mentee Club member for a period of 12 months. Mentors can provide support, information and advice, and share professional and personal skills and experiences. What is NOT the purpose of Mentoring? Because the focus of mentoring is on participants (particularly the mentee s) long-term personal and professional growth, the purpose of mentoring is not on short-term career ambitions or the next promotion. To emphasize this fact, the MCMP will follow the best-practices of other professional mentoring programs by not matching mentors and mentees from the same firm, and in most instances, the same industry. What can the Mentor expect from the MCMP? Mentors play a critical role in helping junior Club Members develop into future leaders. Mentors benefit by expanding their network to include professionals of younger generations; having the opportunity to review one s own career progress, goals and achievements; and receiving the satisfaction of sharing knowledge and skills to help a mentee develop. Many mentors also report the value of learning skills and trends from younger generations there is often more two-way learning than anticipated. How can I be a good Mentor? The mentor should be committed; make time for your mentee and keep scheduled appointments. Demonstrate your willingness to develop a relationship by learning about your mentee s background. Be a good listener and be willing to offer personal advice from your own experiences to help your mentee overcome personal and professional obstacles. Treat your mentee as a colleague; respect his or her confidentiality. View mentoring as an opportunity to share experiences and ideas, and to see something from another person s perspective. What can the Mentee expect from the Mentoring Program? By forming a meaningful relationship with a more experienced mentor, a mentee can expect to receive many benefits of a mentor s personal experience and advice, which often include: improved leadership skills, access to formal and informal networks, assistance with a personal or professional obstacle, feedback on strengths and weaknesses, and an increased self-confidence. 2

3 How can I be a good Mentee? MINNEAPOLIS CLUB MENTORSHIP PROGRAM Mentorships in the MCMP are intended to be mentee-driven. Mentees should take the initiative to schedule appointments, conduct follow-up, and handle other planning details associated with regular interactions. Treat your mentor with the respect that you would show a senior leader at your company or firm. This includes being committed to the relationship, keeping scheduled appointments, and coming to mentorship meetings prepared with goals for each interaction. View mentoring as an opportunity to share experiences and ideas not every interaction may necessarily be about solving a problem. What are the time commitments associated with the Mentoring Program? How often should we meet? Mentors and mentees are encouraged to meet individually once per month for one hour at a time and place of mutual convenience. MCMP mentorship matches are intended to last for 12 months, at which time mentors and mentees may elect to continue their mentorship or form a new relationship. Mentors and mentees are also encouraged to attend quarterly MCMP lectures which consist of networking, a speaker and Q&A. Will I receive training or guidelines on how to maximize my Mentorship experience? The MCMP will distribute mentorship best-practices guides for mentees and mentors. Mentors and mentees may review these materials at their discretion as they set goals and structure monthly interactions. These materials are used in corporate, academic, and philanthropic mentorship programs throughout Minnesota. What should happen in the first meeting between Mentor and Mentee? Beyond introductions, the first meeting between mentor and mentee should consist of goal alignment and setting clear expectations for the relationship. The MCMP recognizes that not all mentorships will seek to accomplish the same thing. What do mentors and mentees hope to accomplish in 12 months? How will you measure success through the course of the relationship? What personal or professional goals do you hope to achieve? What would you like to learn from each other? How formal or informal would you like your monthly meetings to be will the mentee come with something specific to discuss each time, or will the sessions be more conversational? These are just some questions that can be addressed in the first meeting. How are Mentors and Mentees matched? The MCMP Advisor Group attempts to match interested mentors and mentees based on the preferences and interests indicated in the Enrollment Form whenever possible. In most cases, a member of the MCMP Advisor Group will reach out to interested mentees to discuss possible mentor matches so that the mentee has an active role in ranking or choosing his or her mentor from the pool of available mentors. Ultimately, a successful mentorship is based on the willingness of mentors and mentees to invest in building a thoughtful relationship; mentors and mentees do not need to share similar backgrounds or professions following the best-practices of professional mentoring programs, the MCMP will not match a mentor and mentee from the same firm or industry. 3

4 How may I provide feedback on the MCMP in general, or about my specific mentorship in particular? The MCMP is very open to productive feedback intended to improve the overall structure and quality of the Program. The MCMP will specifically solicit feedback from all mentors and mentees through an anonymous survey after the first three months of the program. Should you have any specific concerns at any time during the Program, please contact Margaret Leto (Margaretl@mplsclub.org). 4

5 2015 PROGRAM KEY DATES ITEM DATE MCMP Enrollment Forms Due to Margaret Leto April 24 Mentors and Mentees Notified of Matches Week of May 18 MCMP Kickoff Event for All Program Participants TBD Date, Week of June 1 5