Online “Mentoring Marketplace” and Mentoring Program Overview

The main purpose of the GOOD Network mentoring program is to advance the professional development of all parties involved.  Other benefits are to:

  • Create a network of OD mentors and mentees
  • Ensure that GOOD provides development for its members
  • Grow the OD talent in our area
  • Improve skill set, confidence and flexibility of mentors and participants
  • Reduce job related stress and provide an outlet for seeking advice

We have made some updates to our mentoring program in 2010 to make it more “self-service” and easy to manage for both mentors and mentees!  The four primary guidelines from the GOOD Network Leadership Team around mentoring include:

  • Short-term mentoring is okay!  There is no set time commitment that must be achieved as even small “bursts” of mentoring or just a few meetings can provide a mentee with value.  The duration/frequency of meetings between mentors/mentees should be specified within the individual contract developed and signed by both parties.
  • Mentors reserve the right to decline mentee requests for mentoring and should only take on a maximum of two mentees at any one time.  Mentors should provide some response (accept/decline) to initial requests from mentees (that include a Mentee Profile) within 5 business days.
  • Mentors and mentees should develop a Mentoring Contract Form together as part of their first meeting/phone call.
  • At any time, a mentor/mentee pair may agree to conclude the mentoring relationship.

There are four easy steps to creating a “mentor-mentee match-up”!

  • All GOOD Network Members who are currently willing to mentor have added their profiles below for review by potential mentees.  Any interested mentees should review the mentor profiles to determine the best potential match based on their personal interests.  Mentors wishing to have their profile added to the site should download the Mentor Profile Form and email it to the VP Mentorship for review/posting.
  • Interested mentees must then complete a Mentee Profile Form and email it directly to the mentor(s) of their choice (understanding that mentors may or may not be able to pursue the relationship).  Mentees should “cc:” (carbon copy) the VP Mentorship when emailing their profiles to the mentor(s).
  • Once the mentor/mentee pair has come to agreement that a mentoring relationship would be mutually beneficial, they should meet to develop a Mentoring Contract Form.  This form should be submitted to the VP Mentorship as record of the start of the relationship.
  • If the mentor/mentee pair decides to conclude their relationship at any time, they should notify the VP Mentorship via email.  Mentee should submit the Mentoring Program Evaluation Form to the VP Mentorship.

Mentor Profiles for Review

Jeffrey Atwood - Jeffrey Atwood Mentor Profile

Russ Bredholdt - Russ Bredholdt Mentor Profile

Patrick Brown - Patrick Brown Mentor Profile

Carol Emmett - Carol Emmett Mentor Profile

GOOD Network Mentors are typically more senior/experienced members within our organization. Any member can be a mentee, but often mentees are more junior members of our organization or those currently in school. Mentees are usually seeking professional development advice and to develop greater expertise within their particular OD areas of interest.

If you have any questions about the GOOD Network Mentor Program, or would like to become a mentor or mentee, contact our V.P. of Mentorship.

Special Interest Groups

The GOOD Network continues to grow and evolve in order to support the development needs of its members. An example of this growth will be the implementation of Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to address OD/LD topics not covered in our bi-monthly meetings or of interest to a selected group of members.

The Leadership Team is currently considering the format and structure of these groups. Contact Teri Yanovitch at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) with your suggestions or to volunteer to lead a SIG.