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 Mentee become 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.
How can I apply?
Fill in an application form using the links on this page.
The For-Purpose Sector Leadership Mentoring Programme is an annual SociaLink programme that connects emerging and experienced leaders in the Western Bay of Plenty for six months of one-to-one mentoring.
Mentoring provides a supportive relationship where leaders can reflect, learn, build confidence and work towards their goals. The programme also provides Mentors with an opportunity to share their experience and develop their own skills through the mentoring relationship.
Who it’s for:
Mentees – People currently in a governance or management role in a not-for-profit or for-purpose organisation in the Western Bay of Plenty who are ready to learn, set goals and take action.
Mentors – People with experience and skills in the for-purpose sector who are willing to volunteer their time to support, advise, guide and challenge a Mentee.
What to expect:
- Up to 12 Mentees are accepted each year on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Mentees are matched with a Mentor based on their experience, skills and development needs.
- Mentors and Mentees meet monthly from April to September, for six 1-2 hour sessions at an agreed venue.
- Together, they identify focus areas, set goals and work towards them.
- The SociaLink Mentoring Coordinator provides support throughout the programme.
- Two group sessions are held at The Kollective, 17th Ave, Tauranga:
- April: induction, networking and setting expectations
- November: wrap-up and feedback
- June: Mentees have a phone check-in with the coordinator, and Mentors can join a voluntary online catch-up.
Time commitment:
For Mentees:
- 30-minute meeting with the Mentoring Coordinator to establish development needs
- Six 1-2 hour mentoring meetings
- Preparation and time to follow through on agreed actions
- Two 1.5-hour group sessions
- Short phone call with the Mentoring Coordinator to check progress
For Mentors:
- Six 1-2 hour mentoring meetings
- Preparation and follow-up as agreed with your Mentee
- Two 1.5-hour group sessions
Timeline:
- Now: Applications open
- End Feb: Applications close, or when places are full
- February-March: Coordinator meets applicants and contacts referees
- March: Mentor matches confirmed
- Early April: First group session
- April-September: Six mentoring sessions
- June: Mentee check-in and Mentor online catch-up
- November: Final group session
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. She will take all the information given to match the right mentor with the right mentee.
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)