Introduction to the Mentor Program
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Over the past 5 years, we have run a mentorship program using manual pairings of Mentors and Mentees. This process required the diligent work of at least 3 committee members to pair people, track their progress, and follow up on the process. Our new program is hosted directly within Facebook and is a more automated system that will allow Mentees to select from a pool of qualified Mentors based on their profile and described skills.
Read below to see how our new 8-week PromoKitchen Mentorship Program works.
To sign up for the program:
Go to https://www.promokitchen.org/mentorship-1 and select either ‘I Need a Mentor’ or ‘I Want to Be a Mentor’, to be directed to our PromoKitchen Mentors and Mentees Facebook group.
Answer the question prompts so the community can see what you have to offer and your objectives in being part of the group.
Once you are approved as a member, click the Mentorship tab to see the available pool of Mentors, or sign up to be a Mentor yourself.
Start a conversation! Remember, the mentoring program is as beneficial to the Mentors as the Mentees so keep connecting. Reach out, ask questions, and have fun!
For Mentors:
Speak to your strong points… what fuels you and where you excel. Share your strengths and skills.
Mention your hobbies or interests.
Explain why you want to help people, and what inspires you to give back.
Indicate preferred methods of communication and best times for messaging. The strongest relationships are made through easy, clear connection times and methods.
For Mentees:
Share what you’d like to learn, be specific. Talk about the kind of support you are seeking, what you’re looking to achieve. Your best guidance will come if you can explain what you need.
Be yourself. Not everyone will be a good fit for you, so ask the right questions early on to determine fit.
List your preferred methods of contact and best times for communication.
8 Step Program:
Now you will move into the new 8-week program for mentorship. This program will prompt you regularly through FB messenger to stay active and follow the 8 steps, but you can also terminate the mentorship at any time if you find it’s not working.
Week 1: Get to know each other.
This week is all about introductions, sharing what you hope to get out of the program, getting to know each other. Find out what will make this pairing a success for both parties. Talk about your current job and your dream job. Discuss your life, and what you’d like to achieve.
Week 2: Discuss your strengths.
Knowing where you excel is the easiest way to identify where you would like help.
Weeks 3: Agree on a Goal.
Having a goal will help you get the most out of the program.
Week 4: Know the plan.
Figuring out how you are going to work toward your goal helps ensure that future check-ins are more meaningful.
Week 5: Check in.
Now is a great time to adjust the plan if needed.
Week 6: Keep it going.
Review recent progress, making course corrections along the way.
Week 7: Recognize Progress.
Take a moment to celebrate recent wins.
Week 8: Look Ahead.
This is the last step in the structured portion of the Mentorship plan, but you can continue to communicate with your Mentor or Mentee. Plan for the future using your new skills to set new goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can request a Mentor?
Any group member can ask someone to mentor them when they see that person listed as a Mentor. Group members can also offer to mentor people.
How much time per week should I commit to this Mentorship program?
Most people spend about an hour per week talking to their partner and reviewing program steps. Include information about your preferred method of communication and how often you prefer to communicate when you sign up so people can decide if your availability matches their needs.
Who can become a Mentor?
Anyone who has experience and a skill to share can offer support in the Mentorship program. Your Mentor's advice is their own opinion, and not that of Facebook or PromoKitchen. All participation is voluntary. Your Mentor's advice is not meant to be a substitute for professional advice.
Do I get to decide who my partner is?
Yes. You can browse the profiles of potential partners and start a conversation with people who seem promising. Group members may also see your profile and send you a message if they think you may be a good match. You'll have a few days to get to know each other and make sure you want to continue the mentorship. As more people join the program, you'll be able to see their profiles on the Mentorship tab.
How do I communicate with my partner about the Mentorship?
You and your mentorship partner will be connected one-on-one in Facebook Messenger. There you'll receive program guidance and be able to send and receive messages to each other. All participation is voluntary, and no money should be exchanged through this program. If you decide to meet up in person, be safe and meet in a public place.
Is it ok to recommend products or services in my mentorship?
The rules of your group apply within your mentorship profile and program. Any recommendations must comply with the same rules for your group concerning commerce or promotional material.
What if I don’t have Facebook?
You can create a free account here: www.facebook.com
PromoKitchen Mentor Program Disclaimer: Your Mentor's advice is their own opinion, and not that of Facebook or PromoKitchen. The advice of your Mentor is not meant to be a substitute for professional advice. All participation is voluntary.