Talisa Thomas_Hall provides quick tips for developing an effective and active mentoring program. For complete guidelines send a request to BrightIdeas@TheCEOnet.com or visit www.THECEOnet.com.

1. Tips For Building an Effective Mentoring Program Talisa Thomas-Hall, Principal The Center for Effective Organizations (The CEO) …Bringing Your Vision To Life. www.theceonet.com brightideas@theceonet.com

2. Tips For Building an Effective Mentoring Program Mentoring programs can be a major benefit or an unproductive use of time depending on the members' response and use of the program. The following tips will help guide you in developing a mentoring program that is specifically designed to fit the unique culture of your particular constituents. www.TheCEOnet.com

3. Tips For Building an Effective Mentoring Program Identify the needs/expectations of the mentees to help prepare the mentors for their commitment and to help manage the expectations of the mentees. www.TheCEOnet.com

4. Tips For Building an Effective Mentoring Program Define the most effective method(s) of connecting the mentors with mentees. Opportunity. www.TheCEOnet.com

5. Tips For Building an Effective Mentoring Program Define the mentor/mentee relationship (one-on-one or in a social networking platform? For how long: as a conference introduction, a new member introduction, or a more long-term commitment?) www.TheCEOnet.com

6. Tips For Building an Effective Mentoring Program What would be compelling for the mentors? How can you encourage their participation and commitment to the program? Incentives? www.TheCEOnet.com

7. Tips For Building an Effective Mentoring Program What is the staff's time commitment for managing the program? www.TheCEOnet.com

8. Tips For Building an Effective Mentoring Program How can social media tools/technology be used to help manage the mentor/mentee relationship and information sharing? Think out of the box. www.TheCEOnet.com

9. Tips For Building an Effective Mentoring Program Consider developing a concise mentor handbook which will help to consistently train mentors, alleviate apprehensions about committing to be a mentor and help to provide a more structured mentoring program. www.TheCEOnet.com

10. Tips For Building an Effective Mentoring Program Concerning all of the above, consider the culture of your organization and works best for your members/constituents. www.TheCEOnet.com

11. Tips For Building an Effective Mentoring Program Once you've developed the program, introduce it in a big way. Do a call for mentors using the answers to #4. Example: "Support your peers...", "Share your knowledge...", "Calling all leaders in the profession...", "Share your membership experience with a new member colleague..." www.TheCEOnet.com

12. Tips For Building an Effective Mentoring Program Likewise, identify those needing mentoring. Provide an easy way for them to sign up to be a mentee. www.TheCEOnet.com

13. Tips For Building an Effective Mentoring Program Consider partnering with your local, state, or regional chapters/affiliates to help introduce and manage the program. Geographic mentoring programs are sometimes much easier to manage and offer the opportunity to build a local community. www.TheCEOnet.com

14. Tips For Building an Effective Mentoring Program Send periodic reminders to mentors spotlighting a tip from the Mentors' manual and encouraging them to connect with their mentee. Basing these communications around an association event, activity or new product introduction or article provides a good talking point and helps to ease communication and information sharing. www.TheCEOnet.com

15. Tips For Building an Effective Mentoring Program Evaluate your program and make adjustments as needed...Keep it fresh! Include signup information in new member packages, newsletters, on the website and other networking tools. www.TheCEOnet.com

16. Tips For Building an Effective Mentoring Program Encourage mentees to eventually transition into mentors. www.TheCEOnet.com

17. Tips For Building an Effective Mentoring Program Ready to begin developing your mentoring program? The CEO can help: Identify the needs and solutions for addressing them Produce a Mentorship Manual Provide training to staff and volunteers Create a launch campaign for the new program. For these and other solutions to your organization’s needs Contact Talisa Thomas-Hall brightideas@theceonet.com …Bringing Your Vision to Life www.TheCEOnet.com