"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."
-- Winston Churchill

Mentoring is truly one of the most rewarding professional activities you can be involved in, and Mentors invariably get as much or more out of the experience than those they are mentoring.

The NZCS Mentoring Programme is the perfect opportunity to give back to the professional community whilst simultaneously helping progress your own professional career.

What is a Mentor?

A Mentor is often described as a professional who undertakes an active interest in the career development of what is often a younger or perhaps less experienced individual in the same profession.

It's important to differentiate Mentoring from Coaching - Mentors should not attempt to advise Mentees directly, but should assist their Mentees to come to their own conclusions as to how best to achieve their goals.

NZCS Mentoring Programme

The NZCS Mentoring Programme matches Mentors and Mentees, provides full training for Mentors, and helps manage the mentoring relationship over time.

The programme is built around "professional development" or career-focused mentoring - helping Mentees set clear career goals and objectives, understand that they have the ability to achieve these, and put a plan in place to do so.

Having a ready supply of quality Mentors keen to contribute to the professional development of others is absolutely pivotal to the success of the programme, and NZCS is proud of the calibre of those who provide mentoring under the programme.

Role and responsibilities of the Mentor

• With your Mentee, decide on the goals of the individual relationship
• Meet with your Mentee once a month, or as agreed with your Mentee. There is a commitment to meet at least 10 times during the 12 month programme
• With your Mentee decide how contact will occur. For example, face-to-face meetings, phone conversation, or some other form of internet communication such as Skype
• Keep the agreed contact commitment
• Respect confidentiality
• Be a good listener and communicate with the Mentee
• Provide guidance and offer relevant advice, encourage your Mentee to find a solution to a problem or issue themselves
• Help your Mentee explore career development opportunities
• Be aware of your own professional knowledge and notify the NZCS Mentoring team if you feel the relationship is not the right match
• Mentors volunteer their time, however receive free mentoring training worth $495+GST

Note that you are not liable for what your Mentee says or does as a result of the mentoring relationship.

Eligibility of Mentors

To take part in the programme, Mentors:

• Must be Full Members of NZCS (MNZCS or above)
• Must have completed the NZCS mentoring training course (see below)
• Must be a "NZCS Accredited Certified Mentor" (achieved after 12 months of NZCS Mentoring experience and positive feedback from Mentees) or working towards this
• Attend periodic refresher sessions (this will include Mentors getting together and talking about lessons learnt and attending events about mentoring with guest speakers etc)

NZCS Mentor Training Programme

To ensure the integrity and quality of the programme a full training package has been established for Mentors. Even if you've mentored before this short course is necessary as it will also explain the unique features and focus of the NZCS Programme.

The Mentoring Course is not arduous - it is a half-day course and is usually conducted prior to a "meet and greet" evening where Mentors and Mentees meet face-to-face for the first time.

The course is normally valued at $495+GST per person but is provided free of charge for Mentors accepted into the NZCS Mentoring Programme, in exchange for a commitment to participate in the programme.

Mentor Accreditation

Mentors will be awarded "NZCS Accredited Mentor" status after they have:

• Completed the Mentor Training Programme
• Mentored through the NZCS Mentoring Programme for at least 12 months
• Mentored at least 2 Mentees successfully, who have provided positive feedback

To maintain the accreditation, Mentors will take part in periodic refresher sessions, as well as continue to participate in the Mentoring Programme over time.

What does it cost?

There is no cost for Mentors to take part in the programme, other than a commitment of time. The full Mentoring Training Programme is provided free for those participating in the programme.

Note that NZCS reserves the right to charge the full cost of the Mentoring Training Programme if a Mentor attends the training then pulls out of the Programme (except where there is a valid reason to not participate).

What are you waiting for?

You can apply to be an NZCS Mentor at any time, at which time a member of the NZCS staff will contact you to discuss.

So what are you waiting for? Apply to be a Mentor here.