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Training

Instructions:

Review the list below, and check all items that apply to you with respect to your prospective mentoring relationship.

1. __ I have a sincere interest in helping this person succeed.

2. __ There appears to be mutual interest and compatibility.

3. __ Our assumptions about the process are congruent.

4. __ I am clear about my role.

5. __ I am the right person to help achieve these goals.

6. __ I can enthusiastically engage in helping this person.

7. __ I am willing to use my network of contacts to help this individual.

8. __ I can commit adequate time to mentoring this person.

9. __ I have access to the kind of opportunities that can support this person's learning.

10. __ I have the support that 1 need to be able to engage in this relationship in a meaningful way.

11. __ I am committed to developing my own mentoring skills.

12. __ I have a mentoring development plan in place.

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MENTOR/MENTEE CONTACTS

Although every mentoring relationship is different, there are some general guidelines you
should keep in mind and procedures you should follow when meeting your mentees.

Scheduling:
Often, the most difficult part of the mentor/mentee relationship is scheduling the contacts themselves. Students??just like mentors??have busy schedules, and finding, a convenient time to meet may be a challenge. It may take more than one phone call to reach and/or set a meeting with your mentees. (NOTE: If you make several attempts to contact a student and are unable to reach him/her, contact one of the Mentoring Committee members.)
A note about the first contact: It is not uncommon, when you call mentees for the first time, to find that you need to explain the Mentoring, Program to them. Even though students fill out forms requesting a Mentor, they sometimes forget about this request by the time the Mentor calls, you may have to remind them about the Program. Some mentors find it helpful to prepare a “script” before calling their mentees, so that they will be ready to answer any questions the mentee may have.

Meeting:
Your first meeting with a mentee should be held on campus at a time that is mutually agreeable for both of you. At this first meeting, ask the student to tell you something about his/her background, aspirations, interests, and goals. Reacquaint the student with the concept of the Mentor Project and the things you can do as a mentor. Ask the student if he/she has any questions for you. Also start to think about how you can best help the student. Ask if the student has any problems that may interfere with success at LaGuardia. At the end of this session, plan a day/time to call or meet with the student.

Logs:
After each contact with your mentee, please fill out a Mentoring Log. (A blank copy of the Log and a sample log entry are included at the end of this handbook.) You can be as concise or as detailed in these logs as you like. The main purpose of these logs, aside from administrative recordkeeping, is to help you remember what you have done with your mentee so that you may effectively plan future sessions. Logs should be returned to the Mentoring Committee where they will be kept on file (feel free to make copies of these logs for your own reference).

Referrals:
When a mentee has a problem, which you are not able to solve, you may need to provide a referral. A referral is a way to help your mentee locate and utilize appropriate services in the college.
On the following page you will find a list of helpful resources at the college. You may give any of these numbers to your mentee if you feel this would be helpful. Alternativel, you may want to call these places yourself to inquire as to whether their services are appropriate for your mentee. (This may be the best procedure when dealing with sensitive areas, such as learning disabilities or psychological symptoms). Before you make any formal referral, you must discuss this with your mentee to make sure this is agreeable.
If and when you call these offices, please follow these steps:
1) Identify yourself as a mentor.
2) Explain the reason for your call (presenting issue).
3) Obtain information and/or make an appointment for your mentee.
4) Provide your mentee with the appropriate information (i.e.. contact person; if applicable, appointment date, time. and location). It's best to give the mentees this information in writing.
5) Follow?up to see if the mentee went to the appointment and to see how it went.