Qualities of a Mentor

• Available.
  You must have time to spend with a member - at least 15 minutes each week to help with speeches and questions.
   

• Patient.
  You should be willing to provide whatever it takes to help the mentee.
   

• Sensitive.  
  Tact and diplomacy are vital. Always be careful to say and do things that will motivate and encourage the mentee. Be loyal and take care not to betray mentee's confidences.
   

• Respectful.  
  A mentor respects the differences between himself, the mentee, and others.
   

• Flexible.  
  You must accept that mentees may make decisions with which you may not agree.
   

• Supportive of the Club.  
  Show your pride in Parliament Hill Toastmasters and what it has done - and can do - for members.
   

• Knowledgeable.  
  Be familiar with the Club, its operations, the educational program, and Toastmasters International organization.
   

• Confident.  
  You need to be self-assured and friendly.
   

• A good listener.  
  A mentor must listen carefully. You can enable the mentee to articulate the problem and sort things out.
   

• Concerned about others.  
  You must care about other people and truly want to help them.

• To assess Mentee's needs based on the information provided by the Mentee in the "New Member Profile" and by talking to them
   

•  To observe their Mentee as they participate in the Toastmaster meetings and provide feedback as necessary
    

• To establish a development plan for the oncoming period with their Mentee
   

• To help their Mentee get resources needed to fulfill the development plan
   

• To meet with their Mentee on an ongoing basis to review progress
   

• To assess at the completion of the first three speeches if goals and plans are still on target and adjust the plan as necessary 

Guidelines for the Mentor

• Build a personal rapport with your Mentee

  • Sit with your mentee to explain the parts of the meeting.
     

  • Orient your mentee member to Club customs and procedures.
     

  • Encourage your mentee to serve on a Club Committee.
     

• Discuss your Mentee's needs and aspirations
   

• Translate your Mentee's needs into Toastmaster program levels:

  • discuss the effort and commitment needed to meet the goals
     

  • establish a development worksheet
     

  • set appropriate goals and objectives with your Mentee
     

•  Help with the Ice Breaker.

  • Discuss speech ideas and offer suggestions for organization if necessary. Listen to your mentee practice the speech and offer feedback.
     

  • Make the mentee aware of the Club resources (i.e. training sessions, seminars, books)
     

  • Provide positive feedback.
     

• Provide ongoing developmental support

  • Explain that membership also means a commitment to helping the Club and the other members be successful.
     

  • Help with speeches and other assignments.
     

  • If you know that you will not be attending a meeting where your Mentee is going to speak, ensure that another Mentor will listen-in during your absence and offer advice
    

  • Tell how you've benefited from the program. You are proof that they can achieve their own goals.
     

  • Invite the mentee to other Toastmaster events.
     

  • Ask for time during a Club meeting to mention your mentee and his/her progress in the program.
     

  • Explain Officers' duties. Describe how the mentee can develop leadership skills by serving as a Club Officer.
     

  • Explain the purpose and types of speech contests conducted by the Club. Help the mentee assess their readiness to participate.
     

  • Describe the TI organization.
    

• If conflicts occur try to work them out. If they continue, and if you are not comfortable with being a mentor to your assigned member, contact the VP Education.