Mentors Needed For Social Agency Managers

SociaLink, the umbrella organisation for Western Bay of Plenty social agencies and charities, is looking for experienced local leaders to mentor up-and-coming managers in the not-for-profit sector.

SociaLink has appointed a Mentoring Programme Coordinator to link aspiring not-for-profit managers with experienced and skilled people who can mentor them through changing times.

Jo Weise is an experienced coach who is passionate about the social sector and keen to help people in leadership roles develop their skills. She has been coaching people in developing their strengths and talents, and has run her own coaching business for several years.

Jo has a science degree and also trained as a secondary school teacher, but realised her passion was helping people reach their potential, so completed a career diploma and worked in a number of volunteer roles in Taranaki, including a suicide prevention retreat, a Taranaki Trust and a community cafe.

She says SociaLink has some experienced mentors signed up, but is keen to hear from more people who are involved in leadership roles, on boards or in governance, both in not-for-profit agencies or other areas.

“They need to be willing to give up to two hours a month and attend three workshops over six months. The volunteer mentors also get a lot out of it themselves, by contributing to the growth of another and mixing with budding leaders and other mentors.

“Our programme is mentee driven and you get to develop your capacity, and meet with others who are also stretching themselves and their skills.”

Jo meets with potential mentees to understand what they want to gain from a mentor, and matches them with a mentor with the right skills and experience. One-on-one meetings with the mentor are held at least monthly. Educational and networking meetings with mentees and mentors are also held over a six-month period.

The mentors help grow leadership skills for general managers, chairs of boards, presidents of committees, practice leaders in the community, social, sport and creative sectors.

“The feedback from the mentoring programme last year was exciting, and those involved found it a great experience.”

Not-for-profit organisations can also have an organisational needs assessment to identify strengths and areas for improvement. They discuss the detailed results with SociaLink’s Organisational Advisor Luke Wilson to identify priorities and get access to training and resources.

The mentoring programme costs $250 per mentee.

Potential mentors can contact Jo Weise at jo@soci HYPERLINK "mailto:jo@socialink.org.nz"alink.org.nz

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