SociaLink is offering mentoring opportunities for not-for-profit organisations in the Western Bay to help them grow staff capabilities.
SociaLink Mentoring Coordinator Christa George is keen to hear from anyone with leadership experience who can work with people such as general managers, centre managers and board chairs and who understands the joys and constraints of the not-for-profit sector.
“Sharing your experiences and expertise with others is a wonderful way to connect and give back to your community. Mentorship provides several benefits for both mentors and mentees. In addition to growing a mentee’s career and providing them with crucial knowledge that will equip them to be better leaders, mentors also strengthen their own leadership and communication skills. This Programme has been running for a few years and continues to achieve excellent results.”
When approached to become a mentor, SociaLink’s Māori Advisor Irene Walker says she felt privileged but also doubtful if she had the skills or ability.
“But after discussing the mentee and her request, I accepted the challenge knowing that we both could learn from each other’s experience and knowledge. The journey for both mentor and mentee is about having respect for each other and providing time and a safe learning environment.
“As a mentor, it was about listening with the heart, establishing a rapport, getting directly into the core and starting the journey to build trust and respect. It soon became apparent that the knowledge was there, but helping them to release blockages was necessary. Then, fostering confidence and courage to pursue it.
“It was an amazing experience to watch the flower blossom. The mentoring programme provides one-on-one mentor/mentee support and group sessions with peers and other mentors. This is valuable to everyone in the group, and is similar to a ‘tuakana teina’ approach to a Māori learning model – learning and sharing,” she says.
This is a programme I highly recommend to whatever position you enter – mentor or mentee.”