Successful Club Series - Mentoring

Project: Successful Club Series - Mentoring

ACS - Project 11
2nd Jan 2011

Warren Buffett had Ben Graham,

Our late Chief Minister MG Ramachandran had Annadurai,

Super Star Rajnikanth has Balachander

What is it that these successful people had?

Each had a strong person who recognized their potential, cultivated their talents and helped them to succeed. Each had a mentor.

Good evening toastmasters, and guests. Today, I’m going to talk about “MENTORING” and “HOW MENTORING CAN HELP NEW & ESTABLISHED TOASTMASTERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR POTENTIAL”.

(Also read: Mentoring a new member - Checklist)

Who is a Mentor?

A Mentor is a CAR.

·         C (Coach)  - A mentor identifies your potential, teach you effective ways of achieving your goals and helps you to succeed

·         A (Advisor) - A mentor is the go to person when you have questions / doubts

·         R (Role Model) - A mentor inspires you and persuades you to reach greater heights

How can a Mentor help?

Mentors can help both new and experienced toastmasters.

Like a MOM who assists her kid to get adjusted to the world, mentors help new members by “easing the transition”. A new member who enters the club faces unfamiliar situations & unfamiliar people. Like a MOM who teaches the basic life skills to you, mentors help new members with the basic life skills in toastmasters.

·         Mentors explain what an “AH Counter” is … what a “Timer” is etc.,

·         Mentors educate you on the club standards and customs (for ex.,

·         Mentors provide you individual attention and support

·         Mentors shorten your learning curve

If MOM can teach everything, kids do not have to go to school. Mentors also play the role of a TEACHER. Like a TEACHER who assists his/her student to learn advance skills, mentors help experienced toastmasters to “develop special skills”. An experienced toastmaster already knows things like club standards, the meaning of various roles in “Toastmasters” and other basic toastmastering skills. However, an experienced toastmaster may need to develop special skills such as “Humorously speaking”, “Motivational speaking” and “Leadership skills”.

·         Refine your skills

·         Learn new special skills

What are the qualities of a Mentor?

Having known what is mentoring, I know, you all want to be a mentor. What are the qualities that you need to have or you should develop to be a mentor? You just need to have the SPARK, to be a mentor.

·         S (Supportive) – Help your mentees in reaching their goals.

·         P (Patient) – Listen to your mentees views

·         A (Available) – You should be available to your mentees. You must have at least 15 minutes or more each week to help with speeches and answer questions

·         R (Respectful) – Everyone is different. A mentor should respect the differences between himself, the mentee and others.

·         K (Knowledgeable) – First of all, you should be knowledgeable and familiar about the club, its operations, and the educational program. You should’ve completed several speeches in the basic manual, served various meeting roles, and develop enough personal speaking skills to be of help to the mentee.

What are the qualities of a Mentee?

Having talked about the qualities of a Mentor, let us see what a Mentee should have. Basically, a mentee should be a GIRL.

·         G (Grateful) – Mentees appreciate the help their mentors are giving.

·         I (Ideas) – Mentees should be open to new ideas. Mentees should be able to see things from other perspectives.

·         R (Receptive) – Mentees must be open to feedback, viewing it as an opportunity to improve themselves

·         L (Learn) – Eagerness to learn new skills and take on new challenges

What are the steps involved in Mentoring?

·         Explain the various part of the meeting (business section, TT, prepared speeches and evaluations). Explain the various roles in the meeting.

·         Orient the new members to Club customs and procedures – For example, taboo topics, how to use the club mailing list, how to reach out to the officers etc.,

·         Explain how to sign-up for various roles – Ask the VPoE to schedule your mentee’s Ice Breaker speech as soon as possible. Advice the mentee how to sign-up for roles and who to contact if he/she is scheduled to fill a meeting role, but is unable to attend the meeting

·         Help with the Speeches/Assignments – The first few speeches are the most difficult ones to come up with. This is because new members are not only uncomfortable speaking before a group, but also speaking before strangers. Your assistance can help mentee overcome fears and get off to a good start.

·         Make mentees aware of resources – TMI website, Club Library, TMI Magazine, District/Division conferences, Speech Contests etc.,

·         Acknowledge Progress and Provide positive feedback – Assess where your mentee is and provide constant feedback on what they are good at and what needs to be improved

For experienced toastmasters, a mentor should offer suggestions for improving their leadership skills by participating in various division and district events, introducing them to District offices, serving Area Governor or helping to form a new Toastmasters Club. What are the books to read and how the mentee can enhance their humorously speaking skills?

Conclusion

Righ now, each one of you look around this room. Whom can you help become familiar with this club? Whom can you help learn new speaking leadership skills? Who may be able to help you learn new speaking or leadership skills. A mentor/mentee relationship provides many opportunities, offers many challenges and has many rewards. Experience them for yourself. Benefit from the skills of a mentor – then, become a mentor and share those benefits with others.