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National Association of Women Business Owners, Orange County

NAWBO-OC Mentoring Program

The 2008 Mentoring applications are closed and we have 40 women enrolled. Matching will be done in February and the Kick-off/Training event for those involved will be held March 7th at the Summit House Restaurant. Congratulations to all mentees who have applied, and thanks to all the wonderful mentors that have volunteered to help another women business owner on her journey of discovery. For questions, please contact Dee Elliott, Mentoring Founder/Director at 714-813-7190.

mentor  (men' tôr)  n. 1. A wise, loyal advisor. 2. A teacher or coach, a communicator, a guide who helps you plan your journey of discovery.

I would like to commend the mentoring program for matching me with a very committed mentor. She is always available, concerned, and truly has my best interests in mind. She is innovative, enthusiastic, and engaging. We brainstorm well together, and she has included me in her social and business networking circle. The match between mentor and mentee has been amazing. We have so much in common, very similar taste, and an undaunting drive and ambition. By the end of the mentoring program I aspire to share another commonality with her.... to become a successful and well respected businesswoman. I am honored to be in the mentoring Program, and thank you for putting it together.
- Bettina Rogers

I just have to say that my mentor is AWESOME! She is a tremendous sounding board, and asks me clarifying questions that really challenge me and make me think. We are working on improving my goal setting and accountability. She also helps me to understand my profitability numbers. I am faced with some business alliance definition questions with my networking partners and she has been instrumental in helping me with these. This mentoring relationship is definitely working for me, and I can't thank the program enough!
- Sharon Kim

Mentoring Overview
GOALS OF THE NAWBO MENTORING PROGRAM:
To use available resources within the NAWBO organization to help other NAWBO members achieve their personal and professional goals more effectively through mentoring.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MENTORS:
1) You must be a NAWBO member, established business owner, or corporate sponsor.
2) You must be a good listener, be proactive and be a proven leader.
3) You must have a proven track record of success
4) You must be able to keep the program and your mentor/mentee relationship confidential, and commit to taking no money for your services from your mentee.
5) You must be able to commit to the time requirements (2-3 hours/month plus the 4 hour training seminar). You must fill out the program application on line. (New mentors will be interviewed to be certain they are right for the position)

REQUIREMENTS FOR MENTEES:
1) You must be an active NAWBO member and have been so for 3 months.
2) You must complete the application form completely.
3) You must be able to commit to the time requirements that are put forth by the program, including the kick off training, mid year and year end meetings.
4) You must pay an administrative fee of $100.00 prior to the start of the program.
5) You must sign a letter of commitment, committing you to the full 8 months and a liability letter to NAWBO-OC

Definition of a Mentor: A wise, loyal advisor. A teacher or coach, a communicator, a guide who helps you plan your journey of discovery.

Mentoring is the latest buzzword of the new millennium. We've heard it in business and in our personal lives. Businesses currently invest thousands of dollars in mentoring programs. Our program provides similar benefits to NAWBO members. Research has found that the quickest way to achieve your goals is by having a single dedicated person help you along the way. The mentoring program will allow you to partner with someone who wishes guidance to identify her goals and help her attain her personal and professional objectives. You and your mentee do not necessarily have to be in the same profession. Mentors only need to possess skills in the areas where you want to grow and more importantly have similar values to her mentee. The Mentoring Program is not designed to help you make new business contacts, although this may be a by-product of the program. Mentoring is about someone’s personal and professional development. As a mentor, you will grow and share your knowledge and expertise with someone who wants to learn. As a mentee you will gain valuable experience from someone who has been on this path before you.

When you apply to the program you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire which will help us to match you. Please be honest in your answers since this is the only way the program will work. The information that you give us here will be kept confidential and will be shared with no one but the Mentoring Committee. Below we have given you an overview of the role of a Mentor and becoming an effective Mentee so that you can better understand the program. continued below...

The mentoring program has been the greatest and most honorable example I have ever experienced of women helping other women in business, or in any work environment. I have been in the field of nursing for many years, with a 2 year break to start a business 20 years ago when support systems did not exist, especially for women.

My mentor and this program have provided me with the highest level of tools to expand my dreams, my horizon, and my palpable worth to serving others. My legacy, I hope, is the foundation of my recently founded business where I can provide care plans to the adults that have been impacted in some manner by their senior parents or other senior family members.

Barri has been patient and kind, but stern when needed. She has listened to me intently and has skillfully directed me in valuable areas. I know without a doubt that her ethical and professional standards and advice will have an ever-lasting effect on my business life, and the lives of those I hope to touch around me.

Thank you for this outstanding and benevolent opportunity! It will forever be appreciated and cherished!
- Kari Buist-Baker

Gloria has been instrumental in looking at my business and helping me transition from working one on one with clients and their health and wellness to focusing on how I can help small businesses & corporations, particularly women owned businesses, with affordable, effective wellness programs. With her guidance I feel confident that my transition will be a successful one.

Working with and being mentored by Gloria Robbins of Specialized Marketing Services, has been truly a privilege. Her expertise, insight, and questions have challenged me to look at what makes my business unique and how I can deliver superior wellness programs over my competitors that are custom tailored to meet the needs of my clients. She has become my trusted counselor and teacher.

Gloria, through her mentoring, has inspired me to dream more, learn more and become more. To me she represents a true business leader, mentor and entrepreneur. I cannot thank Gloria or the NAWBO mentoring program enough for providing me the opportunity to participant in this truly exceptional program.
- Kristin Menapace

Role of the Mentor:

  • Communicator
    Mentees respond best to mentors who listen well, ask open-ended questions, and establish an environment for open interaction. A successful partnership is characterized by a two-way exchange of information, with mentors sharing examples based on their successes and failures and providing honest and candid feedback.
  • Guide
    The best mentors become guides who help mentees plan their own journey of discovery. Because most mentors are natural problem-solvers, they must curb their tendency to tell rather than coach. Mentors can point to opportunities and pitfalls but they should not make the mentees decisions. Mentees learn most from mentors who present a variety of options, allowing the mentees to work through the analysis and make the final decision.
  • Ally
    An honest ally is essential in the mentee/mentor partnership. As an ally, the mentor should be able to appraise behaviors and demonstrate how others may perceive them. Because the mentoring partnership is built on trust, confidence, and commitment, mentees can receive honest feedback about their strengths and weaknesses – feedback that few people have the opportunity to receive. The mentor also serves as a sounding board, providing a risk-free environment for those who want to vent frustrations, share difficulties, and seek other perspectives.
  • Catalyst
    A catalyst is the outside force that inspires action. Mentors can help their mentees look at unanticipated possibilities and not just concentrate on what they expect to happen.

Becoming an effective Mentee:
The power of mentoring has been recognized throughout the ages. Your membership in NAWBO allows you to take advantage of this unique and rewarding mentoring experience.

Through our research, we have observed the behaviors that lead to the most effective and productive partnerships. What we have learned is that the best partnerships occur when mentees:

  • Respect the commitment being made by their partner.
    This respect manifests itself by being prepared and on time for meetings, following through on action items, and acknowledging the mentor’s dedication and support.
  • Participate fully in the program.
    Commitment to the program and your peers is essential if you are to reap the benefits of your mentoring experience. For example, attending monthly meetings and building networking and support relationships with your peers show your commitment.
  • Assume responsibility for the partnership.
    The responsibility for managing the mentoring partnership clearly belongs to the mentee. The best mentoring experiences occur when mentees take ownership for their growth, invest in the partnership, and create a vision for their journey of discovery. Where mentees lead, mentors will follow; mentees should select the destination and make the journey memorable.
  • Be open to new ideas.
    The purpose of the mentoring experience is to open mentees to new possibilities and perspectives. The best mentees are willing to consider new ideas and recognize that growth can sometimes be uncomfortable; they come to the program wanting to learn and not expecting to be taught.
  • Make honest communication a priority.
    Communication is key to the success of the partnership. Mentees have responsibility for accepting and encouraging honest feedback from their mentors and for providing the same kind of feedback to their partners. Mentors, like mentees, want to know how they’re doing.

"LOOK AT YOURSELF THROUGH SOMEONE ELSE’S EYES"

NAWBO OC does not guarantee a mentee or mentor spot for everyone who applies and reserves the right to match those best suited for the program. Mentor and mentee applications can be obtained by contacting the NAWBO-OC office.

My Mentor is everything I hoped for in a mentor. She is there to give me advice and guidance, and offers her business expertise. Most of all, she shares her wisdom from her experiences as a business entrepreneur, mother and coach. She listens and then points me in the right direction. She is perceptive and has an in-depth understanding of the challenges I face as a new entrepreneur.

My mentor has provided me with invaluable advice that will help shape the future of my company. I am fortunate to have been chosen to be a part of this program and matched with her.
- Kathi Tabrizi

"I love the mentoring program. I’m working with Patricia Hirsch 3 days a month (once in person and twice over the phone). We've already covered balancing my schedule/calendar, projecting income for 2 years and being aware of one's self (body language and communication). We’ve also worked on being accountable and it’s all working. I'm more focused than I've been for a long time. Thanks for this 'fabulous' opportunity!"

- Elise Rainey, Beauti Control

2008 Program Timeline/Schedule of Events
The items marked in red are mandatory that each mentee/mentor must attend or complete. See below for time commitments for this program.

  1. Dec 22: Application, overview and timeline on website.
  2. Jan 11: 2nd email reminder to membership regarding program, if space is still available.
  3. Jan 30: Applications due from membership.
  4. Feb 7: Committee meets to match mentors/mentees.
  5. Feb 11: Match results given to mentors/mentees.
  6. Mar 7: Orientation/luncheon 9–11:30am: Training session. 12–1pm: Lunch at Summit House in Fullerton.
  7. May 1: Mentors-only meeting in Irvine. What's working, what's not? Best practices for mentors. Networking.
  8. S.O.M.E. Meetings: Sessions Organized for Mentoring Education. Prior to NAWBO regular meetings (4:30pm) Open to mentees and mentors. May 6, June 3, August 5 at 4:30pm.
  9. June 19: Mid-Program workshop – Education session and review of program, dinner and networking. Mandatory for mentees. Optional for mentors
  10. Nov (TBD): All mentors/mentees wrap up meeting with survey results. Last formal meeting for this group. Best practices and educational session. Dinner and networking. Mandatory for mentees. Optional for mentors.

TIME COMMITMENTS: EACH MENTOR/MENTEE GROUP must commit to meet 2-3 HOURS EACH MONTH AND MUST ATTEND THE TRAINING SESSION. MENTEES MUST ALSO ATTEND THE MID-YEAR AND YEAR-END MEETINGS. For questions please contact Dee Elliott, Mentoring Founder/Director at 714-813-7190.

Note: Copyright of this Mentoring Program by Dee Elliott. Not to be copied or used by anyone without her written permission.

Creating Successful Mentoring Programs
by Vicki Torres of NAWBO-LA

For chapters considering a mentoring program, the Orange County chapter could serve as a model... Dee Putman-Elliott, of Executive Moving Systems, chaired the committee that created the eight-month-long program in Orange County. It drew interest from existing members and from four women business owners who joined the chapter specifically because of the program, she said.

Keys to a successful program, Putman-Elliott said, are:

• Thorough preparation and research on mentoring.
• Training and testing of both mentors and mentees.
• Establishment of a formal program with a beginning and an end.
• A committee to oversee the endeavor, make any needed adjustments, and evaluate results.

Putman-Elliott had previously created mentoring programs for other organizations and had gathered extensive research, plus information from professional mentoring services. She knew that mentoring partners must be paired according to shared values to ensure the greatest success of the match, and the OC program included professional values tests. "Values are more important than being in the same industry," she said.

A March training session provided 14 participants (7 mentoring partnerships), with the basics about their roles. The mentees were told not to expect a "fix" for an ailing company. The mentors were told not to "run" their mentees' companies. The emphasis was on guidance, assistance and communication. All participants signed a waiver of liability for the chapter.

The participants met for 2 to 3 hours in person monthly, with phone calls or emails in between. The program officially ended with another group meeting and final evaluation.

Putman-Elliott stressed that a formal structure and operations, not just a casual list of volunteer mentors, is crucial to providing real value. "Overall, it was highly successful," Putman-Elliott said of the effort. "A couple of partners developed such a close relationship that they will continue as friends and other mentees decided to hire their mentors afterward as coaches."


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