A professional who is a current member of the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce who:

• Demonstrates career expertise in particular mentor focus area (through resume submission)
• Has ability to commit to the mentor/mentee relationship, allocating appropriate time and focus
• Is comfortable delivering constructive feedback in a manner that helps the mentee increase self-awareness and competency while maintaining self-esteem
• Has excellent organizational skills with emphasis on development of action plans leading to goal attainment
• Has sincere interest in sharing knowledge and expertise for the benefit of the mentee, not for self-promotion

Mentors impart their knowledge, skills, expertise and advice to their mentees, thereby assisting their mentees with goal attainment. A mentor should:

• Be a role model, a teacher, an advisor, a facilitator
• Be a professional resource
• Provide feedback
• Have reasonable expectations of the mentee
• Allocate time and energy
• Help the mentee develop an appropriate learning plan
• Follow through on commitments or renegotiate appropriately

The mentor program does not provide counseling or advice on personal matters.

Complete the application which will include submitting your resume or bio. A Selection Committee will review your application and contact you. The program time commitment is one year with a three month minimum at which time there is an opportunity for the mentee to change mentors OR remain to the end of the program. The mentor should:

• Coordinate initial meeting with mentee and arrange regular follow up meetings via email, face to face, phone, etc.
• Offer opportunities to share knowledge and exchange ideas with mentee; not expected to be an expert in every imaginable development area.
• Develop appropriate boundaries for the mentor/mentee relationship; not expected to manage the mentee.
• Frequently examine the relationship to determine if appropriate progress is being made.
• Terminate the relationship with sensitivity if needs or goals are not met or achieved.

Special Note:

The initial launch of the WLA Mentor Program will be a pilot for six months, and participation will be limited to 10 relationships for the pilot period. Selection of the pilot participants is not predetermined, so all interested parties are encouraged to submit their applications and materials as soon as possible. Individuals who are not selected for the pilot will be invited to participate in the program at the end of the pilot period. For those who are selected to participate in the pilot program, unless the relationship is terminated by either party should last for the designated pilot length (six months) at which point the participants will have the option to either end the relationship, or continue for up to one year (an additional six months).

Orientation for new mentors will be conducted quarterly to review expectations, guidelines and requirements.

Copyright 2008 DCRCOC Women's Leadership Alliance Mentor Committee