What can you learn about Volunteer Management from your mentorship experience?

1 The benefits of mentorship

Mentorship is a mutually rewarding process that can help you grow as a volunteer manager and as a person. As a mentor, you can share your knowledge, experience, and advice with someone who is eager to learn from you. You can also enhance your leadership, communication, and coaching skills, and gain a fresh perspective on your own work. As a mentee, you can learn from someone who has been in your shoes, who can offer you guidance, feedback, and support. You can also develop your confidence, skills, and network, and explore new opportunities and challenges.

2 How to find a mentor or a mentee

Finding a mentor or a mentee can be easier than you think. You can start by looking within your own organization, or reaching out to other volunteer managers in your community or online. You can also join professional associations, networks, or platforms that offer mentorship programs or opportunities. For example, the Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada (VMPC) has a national mentorship program that matches volunteer managers based on their interests, goals, and availability. You can also use social media, blogs, podcasts, or webinars to connect with potential mentors or mentees.

3 How to establish a mentorship relationship

Once you find a mentor or a mentee, you need to establish a clear and respectful relationship that works for both of you. You should communicate your expectations, goals, and boundaries, and agree on how often and how long you will meet, and what methods you will use. You should also set some ground rules for confidentiality, feedback, and accountability, and review them regularly. You should also be open-minded, flexible, and honest, and respect each other's time, opinions, and learning styles.

4 How to plan your mentorship sessions

To make the most of your mentorship sessions, you should plan them ahead of time and follow a structure that suits your needs. You can use a simple framework like the GROW model, which stands for Goal, Reality, Options, and Way forward. This model can help you define your objectives, assess your current situation, explore your alternatives, and decide on your actions. You should also prepare some questions, topics, or challenges that you want to discuss, and take notes during and after the session.

5 How to evaluate your mentorship progress

Evaluating your mentorship progress is important to measure your achievements, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and adjust your plans if needed. You can use various tools and methods to evaluate your progress, such as feedback forms, surveys, quizzes, self-reflections, or portfolios. You should also celebrate your successes, acknowledge your challenges, and appreciate your efforts. You should also seek and give constructive feedback to your mentor or mentee, and express your gratitude and recognition.

6 How to end your mentorship relationship

Ending your mentorship relationship can be a natural and positive step, especially if you have reached your goals, completed your program, or moved on to a different stage in your career. You should plan your final session carefully, and review your journey, outcomes, and learnings. You should also thank your mentor or mentee for their time, support, and contribution, and exchange feedback and recommendations. You should also maintain your connection, and follow up on your progress and achievements.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?