Purpose of a Mentoring Program

Mentoring is a one-to-one relationship that allows people to share their practised and personal skills and experiences in a structured and professional way.
Offering career guidance based on encouragement, openness, mutual trust, respect, and a willingness to learn and share.

Goals of the Mentor Connect program

The program aims to enhance women’s leadership capacity, encourage cohesion and identity among regional businesspeople, and positively impact economic activity.
An opportunity to capitalise on the power of the WiBRD network and its connections.

Mentor will have the potential to change someone’s life
Mentor will help support valuable talents to stay within the regional community
It can reinforce the business and life lessons Mentors have learnt
It can connect both parties with other areas of their industry
Provides flexibility and mentoring access to anyone, anytime, even in remote locations, to someone who might not otherwise have access to a mentor
An infinite range of expertise at your fingertips
It gives the mentee an instant return without a long-term commitment

WiBRD online mentoring portal will support lodging of mentor and mentee expression of interest forms and mentoring session bookings.
The professional biographies of mentors and a summary of their mentoring industry focus will be displayed for mentee access on the WiBRD mentoring portal.
Mentor Connect portal will include an online orientation session, custom content pieces (guidelines and how-to-do), and inspiration materials in the form of testimonials, spotlights, case studies, and articles (videos, decks, presentation templates, etc.)
Marketing promotion – Series of video snippets showing what has worked and has not, and top 3 tips from professionals.

Prospective mentors will complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form for review and approval by the Steering Committee.
Appropriate screening for mentors, including child abuse checks and criminal records checks
Assessment of each mentor’s willingness to participate in program orientation and a maximum of 5 mentoring sessions
Approved mentors will be listed on the digital portal aligned with their industry of expertise
Mentees can pair themselves off with a mentor in their chosen industry or profession
All it takes is a connection through the digital platform to book a mentor meeting, depending on availability.
Mentor/Mentee will meet for a maximum of 2-hour sessions together. (1 x initial mentorship meeting and 1 x follow-up session)

An orientation session for mentors and mentees is held before each mentoring round.

The purpose of the online orientation session is to:

Provide an overview of the mentoring model and structure.
Clarify the roles and responsibilities of mentors and mentees.
Tips for the Mentor and Mentee on how to get the most out of a mentoring relationship
Mentoring communication, confidentiality, boundaries, and limitations

All participants must be WiBRD members. The mentor and mentees are expected to commit to the relationship and dedicate time to its success.

Read program guidelines and policies.
Sign a mentoring agreement.
Agree on a mentoring schedule and session expectations.
Attend mentoring meetings, prepare appropriately, and attempt any follow-up actions.
Actively participate in meetings and support fellow mentors and mentees.
Be professional, respectful and observe confidentiality.
Contact the program support officer if you have any questions or concerns.
Participate in required evaluations and feedback.

Motivate. Encourage the exploration of ideas and risk-taking in learning
Support and listen. Offer emotional support and know when to refer to a professional when needed.
Counsel. Provide appropriate and timely advice.
Protect. Administer career advice and call out any bias affecting your mentee.

Listen. Your mentor gives you their time and insight, so listen respectfully.
Engage. When meeting with your mentor, take notes, clarify where unsure, and ask questions.
Act. Apply what you have learnt from your mentor to your workspace.

WiBRD’s role is to facilitate mentoring connecting through the online portal
Promoting the program to target potential mentors, and mentees based on identified network professional needs
Provide advice, program approvals and guidance as required.
Facilitate a final closing session for mentees and mentors.

Confidentiality is essential for the mentee to be open and ensure the genuine relationship necessary for success.
Both mentor and mentee sign a Mentoring Agreement documenting mutually agreed-upon goals and parameters that will serve as the foundation for the mentoring relationships.
A code of practice for mentoring will also be made available.

Mentorship programs are a mutual way of giving back. Founded on a give-and-take relationship, this program aims to enrich mentees and mentors with a learning and growing experience and equip them with transferable skills for improving industry activity.
Mentees feeling empowered by the mentoring experience will be encouraged to join an alumnus to foster a peer culture and to support continuing mentoring for WiBRD.

All program participants will be expected to participate in evaluation activities throughout and following the completion of the mentorship program.