Mentoring
A 6 month programme where new or aspiring leaders are matched with experienced leaders.
Mentoring
A Mentor will advise, support, guide and challenge their Mentee by:
- Helping them reflect on their current situation and focus areas
- Being a sounding board for ideas and concerns
- Sharing their knowledge, experience and toolkit
- Making connections to relevant people and resources
- Managing funding reconciliations
- Review and suggestions on declined applications
- Challenging and providing accountability
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do this if I’m not currently a leader?
Unfortunately not. This programme is only for those currently working in a leadership role, or about to start one.
Can I be a Mentor and a Mentee?
If you have skills to learn and skills to share, we recommend you start the programme as a Mentee, and in the following year do it as a Mentor. Mentees who have benefited from the programme are encouraged to become Mentors once they gain experience and confidence, to give back to the for-purpose sector.
The For-Purpose Sector Leadership Mentoring Programme is an annual mentoring program facilitated by SociaLink designed to strengthen leadership abilities by pairing Mentors with Mentees, providing support for both current and aspiring leaders within the community sector.
What:
- The programme runs for 6 months, April to September
- Applications open from Jan to mid-March, and runs on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis, taking up to 12 Mentees
- Mentees are matched with a Mentor whose skills and experience overlap with their current needs
- Mentors and Mentees meet monthly, 6 times for 1-2 hours, at an agreed venue
- Mentors and Mentees work together towards identifying focus areas and achieving goals
- The programme is coordinated by the Mentoring Coordinator at SociaLink, who is available for support
- There are 2-3 group sessions with others on the programme at The Kollective, 17th Ave, Tauranga. In 2025 those dates are:
- Tues 1 April, 5pm-6.30pm– induction/networking/setting expectations (Mentees + Mentors)
- Tues 1 July, 5pm-6.30pm – networking/education/prof development (Mentees only)
- Wed 15 Oct, 5pm-6.30pm – wrap-up/feedback (Mentees + Mentors)
What is the time commitment?
- April to September
- 6 face-to-face meetings with your Mentee/Mentor, usually 1-2 hours
- Meeting prep time and implementing agreed actions
- 2-3 group sessions of 1.5 hours with other participants
- Mentees – one catch-up phone call with the Coordinator
What is the timeline/process?
- The Programme Coordinator meets with Mentees/Mentors to understand their needs (Mentees) and skills (Mentors) and contacts referees
- The Coordinator matches Mentees with a Mentor who has the skills and experience that aligns with what they are seeking from a Mentor
- April – First group meeting
- April/May/June – 3x 1-2 hour meetings Mentor + Mentee
- July – Second group meeting
- July/Aug/Sept – 3 x 1-2 hour meetings Mentor + Mentee
- Oct – Third group meeting
Apply for 2026 here:
Why?:
Mentoring is a relationship that supports and encourages the personal leadership journey of individuals and their organisations.
This programme has excellent feedback in relation to the benefits gained by Mentees primarily, but also Mentors as they develop their skills in the process of helping their Mentee.
Who it’s for:
Any not-for-profit or for-purpose organisation operating in the Western Bay of Plenty.
Mentee – Any person currently in a leadership role in Governance or Management, working in a not-for-profit or for-purpose organisation operating in the Western Bay of Plenty, who is ready to learn, take the time to prepare for meetings and implement agreed actions.
Mentor – Any person who has experience and skills in the for-purpose sector and the time and desire to volunteer to support, advise, guide and challenge a Mentee.
Cost:
$250 payable by each Mentee – however, if cost is a barrier, please email leanne@socialink.org.nz as a half price subsidy may be available.
Leanne Rhodes-Robbinson
Mentoring Coordinator
Full of passion and energy, Leanne will help facilitate and coordinate the mentoring programme.
Click to view her bio.
Mentoring – amazing really good. My mentor is fantastic. I haven’t been in the role for very long and had some tricky issues I hadn’t dealt with before, and she was able to help me and guide me, and hold me accountable, and paint a picture of how things should be. And give me tips and tricks that I could use.
– Anonymous (Momentum Research & Evaluation)
I’m in their mentoring programme this year and that is fantastic. Had an initial meet-up and first mentor session and such great matching. [The Mentoring Coordinator] found someone and called to see if she would be okay. She is fantastic. I can see why they paired us together.
– Anonymous (Momentum Research & Evaluation)
It was awesome. I loved it. I got along really well with my mentor. We were really close. Gave me some accountability. I’m a hands-on self-driven person – I was able to sink my teeth in and it gave me some direction.
– Anonymous (Momentum Research & Evaluation)