What is the Mentor Connector Program? The Mentor Connector Program is a 12-month program designed to pair an experienced professional with a member who has identified a personal professional development need to create one-on-one interactions that enhance the skill sets and contributions to the industry of both members.
Who can participate? Any professional, allied, young professional or student member can participate in the program.
How do I become a Mentor/Mentee? Complete the application and review the mentor or mentee handbook found on the IAVM website (Mentor Connector Program Overview).
How long is the partnership? The partnership is a 12-month program with suggested milestones to help the members achieve their goals throughout the year.
What is the time commitment for this program? The commitment is based upon what you and your mentor/mentee agree upon. The more time you are able to commit to each other, the more you will benefit from this program. We understand that everyone has their full-time job, and personal lives, but if you can create a plan that works best for your partnership whether it be emails and phone calls, video conferences, or even face to face meetings, each person will gain valuable knowledge/experience participating.
Who can I contact for more questions? If you have any questions, contact IAVM’s Membership Services at 972.906.7441.
Can I participate more than once? Of course! The mentor connector program is an added benefit of your IAVM Membership. We are constantly learning so if you would like to participate multiple times as a mentee to learn and connect with more mentors, or give back and take the time to mentor others, we would love the opportunity to keep working with you.
Can I obtain certification points through my involvement? You sure do! Participants who successfully complete the mentor connector program cycle qualify for points toward the Certified Venue Executive designation and continuing education as follows:
Limit in Teaching Category = 50
Mentor: 5 points per partnership per year; Maximum 1 partnership per year. Limit in Teaching Category = 50
Mentee: 2 points per partnership per year; Maximum 1 partnership per year. Limit in Participation Category = 20
How do I receive my points? After each cycle is completed, IAVM will go in and update membership profiles to reflect the points earned based on the role you had in the program and if you successfully completed it.
What qualifications are needed? The only qualifications required to participate in the program are that you are a member of IAVM during the cycle period that you participate in. This includes student, young professionals, professional and allied members. You will be required to fill out an application to join and once the Mentor Connector Committee reviews your application, you will be paired with a Mentor/Mentee/Coach if one is applicable to your needs.
How long before I can become a Mentor? As long as you are an active member of IAVM then you can sign up to be a Mentor, Mentee. We encourage all of our members to participate in any role that they feel comfortable in regardless of experience level.
What are the responsibilities of the Mentor/Mentee?
Mentee Responsibilities:
Complete the Mentor Connector application
Sign & submit the Partnership Agreement once paired
Work with other members of the partnership to set a schedule to connect and have meaningful and ongoing interaction with one another over the course of the cycle period.
Mentor Responsibilities:
Complete the Mentor Connector application
Sign & submit the Partnership Agreement once paired
Work with other members of the partnership to set a schedule to connect and have meaningful and ongoing interaction with one another over the course of the cycle period.
How do I start off the partnership? Once accepted into the current cycle and given your pairing, simply reach out via phone or email to your Mentor/Mentee and set a date for your first partnership call. On this call you will want to develop a plan for when your calls will take place and how often over the cycle period. This is completely up to you and your partners to discuss and decide on based on your schedules. Once that is decided, discuss what your goals are through participating in this program and how you wish to achieve them through your partnership calls. From there, continue to keep in contact with your Mentor/Mentee on the date and time that you set with each other and let the partnership run its course!
What goals should a partnership have? This is up to the mentee. The mentee drives the partnership hence they can determine what they want to get out of it. The Mentor Connector program recommends the use of S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-Bound) goals to determine which goals they would like to achieve throughout the cycle.
What topics should be discussed during a partnership? This is up to the partnership. The Mentor Connector program is mentee driven. Hence, it is expected of the mentee to reach out to the mentor throughout the cycle. The Mentor Connector Handbook is a great guide for partnerships, though its use is not required. Developing S.M.A.R.T goals at the beginning of each cycle may assist with discussion points in a partnership.
What to do if your partnership doesn’t get off the ground? If your partnership doesn’t get off the ground, please refer to your coach. One of the responsibilities of a coach is to become the liaison if the mentor or mentee isn’t able to contact each other. If the coach becomes unsuccessful, they will reach out to the Mentoring Committee who will attempt to make contact as well. After additional unsuccessful contacts, the Committee may terminate the partnership and seek another member to participate or see if there is interest to participate in the next cycle of the Mentor Connector program.
Is there a cost to participate? There is no cost to participate in the Mentor Connector program. You do have to be a member of the International Association of Venue Managers to be able to participate.
