Getting Actively Involved in National Mentoring Month – and Beyond

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By Terry Orr

I grew up where mentoring and helping others was a daily occurrence throughout my naval and consultant careers. It is the right thing to do! It is helping others to help themselves and others. Paying it forward!

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There are many organizations, companies, communities and individuals actively participating and making a difference each and every hour of the day.

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“…the gap between the number of mentors and the number of young people who need a mentor continues to grow.  Today, 15 million young people need a caring adult mentor in their lives.” (National Mentoring Month 2013 Press Release)

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After reviewing several sites in research for this article, I believe these ten tips are sound and solid best practices, in any environment.

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Top 10 tips to help you be the best mentor (from Management Mentors):

1.    Listen more often than you speak.

2.    Approach challenges with a positive attitude when strategizing with your mentee in finding solutions.

3.    Be consistent in terms of having contact with your mentoree

4.    Tell the truth. Having an honest exchange about an issue will help build trust in the relationship.

5.    Be objective as much as possible. Your mentoree's perspective in only one viewpoint; so present other views when possible.

6.    Affirm your mentoree when they accomplish something or arrive at a new perspective.

7.    Ask permission when needing to share feedback that may be difficult for the mentoree to hear. This is a gentle way of preparing the mentoree.  If the mentoree opts not to have you share the feedback that is their choice.

8.    Engage the whole person. It's not just about how a mentoree thinks, but also how they feel.

9.    Let them grow and let them go. Be ready to let the person move away from you when the time comes. It's a sign of independence as a result of the work you've done with them.

10. Enjoy the relationship and you will gain as much as you give.

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I personally believe we all have something to share with others and should seek an opportunity to help others.

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References and Links:

http://www.nationalmentoringmonth.org/

http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/initiatives/nmm.asp

http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/focus_areas/index.asp

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/chc/wmy/nmm/intro.htm

http://blog-aauw.org/2013/01/17/nmm-3-tips-from-a-guru/

http://www.management-mentors.com/about/corporate-mentoring-matters-blog/bid/76006/10-tips-to-help-you-be-the-best-mentor

Celebrating the Nation's Volunteers

Long, long ago, in a place called America’s Heart Land, a young fella was raised in a typical family of six, in a nice middle class family neighborhood where it was safe to leave your doors unlock to your home and car.  Often, car keys could be found in the car as well.  As Dad would say, ‘a locked door only keeps the honest crook out’.  Sounded a bit strange then, but as I got older, made a lot of sense. 

Volunteering to help others was just the normal thing to do.  No big fanfare, no photographers, no news or magazines folks around to make a big deal about it – it was how we were raised.  Folks would call if they needed help and we would all pitch in and help – be it moving something, clearing a field, getting the ball field ready for play, painting or whatever, it was and is the right thing to do.

In the last neighborhood where I lived before joining the navy, there were several families with children our age and we worked and played together.  First thing in the morning after breakfast was to do our daily chores: making your bed; cleaning up the room; vacuum the floors or mop the kitchen; wash and dry the dishes (we were the family dishwasher); take out the trash; feed the animals and what other chores that needed to be done.  Then it was outside to accomplish any chores that needed to be done – cutting the grass, racking leaves, shoveling snow. Washing the cars, windows, or what every. We learned quickly that working together, they were finished sooner, done better and we enjoyed doing them, time to have fun and doing things together.  There were a couple of elderly couples on our street and a single mom (Mrs. Harris) who we took care of as part of our daily routines.  They never paid us, nor did we expect them to do so.  Mrs. Harris was a stay-at-home mom, who watched over all of us (unbeknownst to us, our parents paid her for keeping an eye on us and provide food and clothing).

We also helped the elderly with taking in their groceries, doing things around their homes like taking the trash out, moving furniture, washing windows and stuff like that.  We also pitched out Sunday mornings a church – they were just doing the right thing. 

Granny was big on pitching in and helping others and we wanted to help and all of us still continue that practice today.  Each summer, we would all get together, grandkids, cousins and friends to help Granny or one of her neighbor’s in some way.  It was good to get us kids out of the city and into the country, do something good for someone and have a good time doing it.  Those are still fond memories and when we gather from time to time, we reflect on the “good old days” that brings a smile to our face and warms our hearts.

These habits have been a key part to our foundation in life, part of our core values, and knowing the importance of helping others – simply pitch in and do it!  They have served me well throughout my life and are part of the reason for doing this Blog – in some small measure – to help others help themselves.

Please share some of your stories about volunteering – we would love to read them.

In our next post on Volunteering, we will provide some additional links you can read that have a ton of worthwhile information.  One such article is from USA Weekend on last years “Make a Difference Day” and the national awards luncheon this Thursday, April 14 in Washington, D.C.