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

Volunteer Blood Donor Month

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By Nurse Diane

When I was in high school, the blood mobile came to the school for donations.  Nearly everyone who was 18 went to donate because it was a free pass out of class. I was no exception.  When it was my turn to go, I was a little apprehensive, not being one to like being stuck with needles.  Since my veins aren't the best in the world, when I was a baby I had to have an iv surgically inserted in my ankle due to lack of veins, it took several attempts to have the needle stuck in my arms so I could donate.  In fact, every one of the workers there took a turn sticking me.  When they finally struck blood, I only filled a half bag before the well ran dry.  Not only could they not use my blood, but they wouldn’t give it back, and made me go right back to class, without any punch and cookies!

I am the exception, not the rule.  Donating blood is an easy, relatively painless procedure.  And sometimes you even get a free shirt or other gift.

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Since 1970 January has been Volunteer Blood Donor Month.  This month was chosen for many reasons.  Blood donations are the lowest during this month.  With bad weather, holiday schedules, colds or other illnesses keep people home and even the routine volunteers fail to keep appointments to donate.  Icy roads or other accidents also make January one of the busiest times to need blood.

There are a few guidelines for donating blood.  They include:

Be healthy

Be at least 17 years old in most states, or 16 years old with parental consent if allowed by state law

Weigh at least 110 lbs.

Frequency of donations:

Blood (whole blood) Every 56 days

Platelets - Every 7 days, up to 24 times / year

Plasma - Every 28 days, up to 13 times / year

Double Red Cells - Every 112 days, up to 3 times / year

Additional weight requirements apply for donors 18 years old and younger and all high school donors.

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The Red Cross urges everyone to make donating blood a priority this winter. Your help could mean hope for those in need. To find out where you can give blood and to schedule your appointment, go to redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS, for additional information.  If your school, church or place of employment has a blood drive, I would encourage you to participate if you are eligible.  You could save someone's life.

Get Involved it is Family Volunteer Day

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By Diane Forrest

I come from a long line of volunteers.  My family has been involved with many different projects to help others.  My grandmother would help with the voting process on Election Day, and would help grade school papers for prisoners.  My grandfather would tape the Sunday sermons and make copies to take to shut ins who were not able to attend church.  My Father volunteers in any place he can, he does so much he was named the Natchezian of the year.  It’s an honor given to those who selflessly give their time and knowledge to help the community.  My mother was awarded an Unsung Hero award for all her many contributions as well.  They instilled these values in me too.  When I was younger I was a candy striper at the local hospital, and as I got older I became a pink lady, at another hospital.  I have helped at church and the children's home.  It seemed only natural to teach my son these values as well.  When he was only 4 or 5 years old, I would spend the day with him making cards, then we would deliver them to the local nursing homes and spend time visiting with the patients.  He would go through his toys every year at Christmas, and take some to the children's home to share with them.  As he grew older, he took a few mission trips to Bolivia to volunteer his time in helping to build a church, and provide medical assistance.  When he was only 15 years old!  He became an Eagle Scout at a young age, and one of his projects was to clear the weeds and repair fences at a small local cemetery on the edge of town.

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Today is Family Volunteer Day.  There is no age too young to begin this worthwhile family activity.  The younger you start teaching your children; they will continue this tradition for many years to come, making them better individuals, and continuing the cycle with their families.  Some ways you can help volunteer with your family today include:

• Helping the homeless and hungry
• Helping the Elderly
• Helping the disabled
• Helping with children
• Helping with animals
• Helping the environment

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With the recent storms of New York and New Jersey, I have been reading several stories about those who are sick or disabled, who have no way to get out, and need help from the power outages.  People have carried water up to those living in high storied buildings, and provided food and blankets to those in need.  It’s not hard to look around in your area for those in need of help.  You can spend the day cleaning a widow's yard, hold a neighborhood parent's night out, you can gather neighbors old newspapers to deliver to the animal shelters to line the cages with, or collect coats for the coming winter months.  Sharing sometime today with your family while helping others will not only strengthen your family bonds, but will put a glow in your heart too.

Young Reader's Day

 "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go." ~ Dr. Seuss, "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!"

By Diane Forrest

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As I was preparing for this article - this joke came to mind...

The new school librarian decided that instead of checking out children's books by writing the names of borrowers on the book cards herself, she would have the youngsters sign their own names. She would then tell them they were signing a 'Contract' for returning the books on time.

Her first customer was a third grader who looked surprised to see a new librarian. He brought three books to the desk and shoved them across to the librarian, giving her his name as he did so.

The librarian pushed the books back and told him to sign them out. The boy laboriously printed his name on each book card and then handed them to her with a look of utter disgust.

Before the librarian could even start her speech, he said scornfully, "The other librarian we had knew how to write."

Working with young children first learning to read can be a very rewarding time.  When my son was born, my aunt, who is a school teacher, told me right off to read to him every day.  So I started reading to him when he was just a few days old.  I didn't have a big supply of children's books at the time, so I just read the same book over and over again, until I was able to get more.  I would make weekly trips to the store and buy a few baby books at a time.  These were mostly small books with plastic pages with colorful pictures on it.  The selections were very limited, so I ended up writing my own stories and coloring pictures for him to look at.  As he got older, I would take him to the library every week.  I had a large tote bag that we would fill with dozens of books at a time, and come home and read them all over and over again.  By the time he started preschool he had already been introduced to thousands of books and this made his transition to school much easier for him. He continued through school reading and learning, and still to this day he will read books to increase his knowledge.

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Today is Young Reader's Day. It is so important to encourage reading while children are still young.  When I was in school, each day after lunch my teacher would read a chapter of a book to us.  I still remember those stories today, and how she made those books come alive.  Now when there is a gift giving occasion for the children I know, I always send books so they can enjoy them over and over again, and expand their knowledge.   If you have any kids in your life, consider getting them a book for Christmas or just because.  If you don't have any young readers, you might want to volunteer at a local school, library or even church and read a story to them during story time.  Not only will you be rewarded by the smiles and excitement in their faces, but you will get the satisfaction of knowing that for brief time, you made a difference in someone else's life.

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Make a Difference to a Child Month

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By Diane Forrest

When I was growing up, it was the thought of my grandparents that children should be seen and not heard, well until they were able to provide intelligent conversation.  I don't recall spending much time around adults during my youth, except for my teachers in school and church.  When my son was born, the views had completely changed.  He spent more time around adults, and was treated like his opinion mattered.  He was never around any "baby talk" and was communicated the same way as everyone else around him.  I believe this interaction allowed my son to learn and grow more than I had at his age.  He will be the first to tell you that he is smarter than his mother.  But it wasn't so much the type of interaction he was around, but the fact that the adults took the time to spend time with him.  He was surrounded by positive role models who help to teach him and mold him into the person he has become.

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My cousin has a nephew who is in college.  He spends his summers working at a camp for disabled kids in California. You can tell by his excitement when he talks about his work that he really enjoys what he is doing.  While most young men his age shy away from handicapped people, he makes an effort to look past their disabilities and reach the person instead.  The care and compassion he shows really influences these kids and makes a huge difference in their lives.

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Another friend has a granddaughter who recently spent some time as a friend's ranch.  The owner spent so much time with her teaching her about horses, caring for them, and showing her how to ride, that she now wants a horse of her own.  While I am sure she fell in love with the horses, and had a great time with them, the fact that a grown up took the time to spend with her and teach her greatly influenced her views.

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Another friend took his grandson to an amusement park recently.  He spent the afternoon with him, riding the carousel horses and watching him play other games.   He doesn't spend much time with this child, because he lives across the country.  However spending a few hours with him at an amusement park created a lifetime of memories for the child.

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July is Make a Difference to a Child Month.  It doesn't matter how you spend your time with a child.  You may have a special talent to share, or even just reading a book, or sharing a walk, the fact that you make the time will make the child feel ten feet tall, and will not only boost their confidence, but will give you a warm happy feeling inside as well.  This month, make a special effort to enjoy some time with the children in your life, and make some lasting memories for the both of you.

National Volunteer Blood Donor Month

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By Diane Forrest, RN

When I was in high school, the United Blood Drive came to my school to get donations.  You had to be 17 to donate, and of course everyone wanted to donate, because that would mean getting out of class for the period you went.  When it was my turn to go I was a little nervous.  What I expected to be a simple procedure ended up being more complicated than I could have imagined.  It started off simple enough, filling out the required paperwork and answering all the questions.  Then they did a finger prick to determine my blood type.  Next it was time to be stuck with the needle.  It was then that I learned I had no veins.  It took all of the blood drive employees to examine my arms for a suitable vein.  I was told that I had surface veins, and they could not be used. 

Finally after being stuck for the third time a return of blood flow was awarded.  You would have thought they struck oil!  Their elation soon ended when then flow of blood turned into a trickle, then a drop.  The well had gone dry, and I had only filled half of the bag.  They were very disappointed, however not nearly as disappointed as me.  Not only was I sent back to class without a rest time, but I didn't even get any juice or cookies.  The blood could not be used, and had to be discarded.  I failed at donating blood, but that doesn't mean that you can't donate.

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I later learned from my father, that when I was a baby, I dehydrated, and they couldn't find any veins at that time either.  They had to make an incision on my ankle to find a vein to place an IV in so that I could get fluids.

January is National Volunteer Blood Donor Month.  January was chosen because it is the hardest month to recruit volunteers.  Changing weather, busy holiday schedules, increased cold and flu symptoms and even the winter blues can keep the most dedicated blood donors from making or keeping an appointment to give. Yet winter weather can lead to more traumatic injuries on icy roads and may increase the need for blood.  Donating blood is a simple, painless task that not only makes you feel good about helping your fellow man, but also 1 pint of blood can save up to 3 lives.

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For more information about donating blood visit this site: http://www.americasblood.org/

Then call your local blood bank and schedule your appointment to give the gift of life.