The ultimate health of a toastmasters club is based on the satisfaction of its members and in order for the members to get the most out of their club, they need to know what is offered.  The best way to learn this is from someone who already knows, a mentor.

Mentorship. The concept has been around for centuries, although no one knew early on that it was to be called Mentorship. Would Plato have become a philosopher without Socrates? Well… who knows the answers to those thought provoking questions, but there is one thing we do know. Mentorship is a good thing, especially in Toastmasters. The mere act of mentorship helps us transcend selfishness. We can learn humility and patience by allowing people time and space to make mistakes, to suffer and to learn, as we did. We can let people develop in their own time and we can offer our support.

The most important lesson here: It's not about a mentoring relationship. It's about a mentoring mentality. "You don't need a single mentor who you keep throughout your Toastmaster career. You should have many, but for newer members, one mentor can make all the difference in the world. What you need is a mind-set that allows you to learn from those around you, no matter who they are and no matter where you are in the process. Studies have shown that in business, a well-planned orientation can effectively contribute to the length of employment. In our clubs, this principle may contribute to greater member retention when a mentorship program is part of the process. So, how can you make mentoring a rewarding experience? Lets think about Mentoring New Members. Begin by being organized and enthusiastic. When the prospective member presents an application for membership, conduct an induction ceremony. The ceremony may include escorting all non-members from the room by the Sergeant At Arms, while the membership discusses and votes on the motion to accept the application. After the vote has been taken, the applicant is escorted back into the room and informed of the results of the vote. The vote is nearly always affirmative which may seem to some, that the vote redundant.

Voting is an important aspect because in the event that this member becomes a destructive influence to the club, he or she can also be voted out of the club. The new member stands with the Club officers who take a moment to congratulate him or her. The Vice President of Membership then presents him or her with a Toastmaster pin. The new member is reminded to wear this at Toastmasters functions and elsewhere. The Vice President Education gives a copy of the Icebreaker Speech to the new member in order to begin practicing for his or her first presentation. He or she is given a Toastmasters International card, indicating their membership and reads the "Toastmaster's Promise" on the reverse side.

This information is all available in the "New Member Orientation Kit For Clubs" #1162. The new member should then be introduced to the member who has volunteered to serve as a mentor. This is the person who will be responsible for guiding the new member through the “sometimes difficult” transition period while he or she learns about the organization and prepares for involvement in their club. Just as the new member is given the tools to begin their transition in the Toastmasters experience, the mentor is perfecting the art of being an outstanding mentor. The outcome should be an outstanding protégé and a very proud mentor. This process needs to be rehearsed in order to be organized, and should end with applause to welcome the new member into the club.

WHAT

These are mentors.  A mentor is someone who is a role model and a coach and who offers his/her wisdom to a less experienced person.  A mentor takes a special interest in the less experienced person so that person can learn and grow.  Toastmasters clubs can benefit from mentors as do businesses and schools.

A good mentor is available for at least 15 minutes a week to a new member to answer questions and help with manual speeches.  Mentors are patient and realize that some people need more help than others.  Mentors are tactful and take care in what they say and how they say it.  They are respectful of the differences between himself and the mentee and flexible when things go wrong.  A good mentor knows about the club, its educational program, the toastmasters international organization, contests and conferences.

WHY

When people join a toastmasters club it is usually because they have a specific goal such as speaking in front of an audience or gaining confidence in small groups or career advancement.  When they attend a meeting as a guest or a new member, we forget that they are not familiar with our club or with toastmasters yet we expect them to participate in giving speeches or in an assigned role when they may be terrified to do this.  We usually expect them to do this by reading the toastmasters manual.

Anyone would have difficulty succeeding in that sort of scenario.  The situation is unfamiliar and they need support and reassurance.  If new members had someone to explain them the program and show them how to prepare for the various roles, they would feel much more comfortable.  They need ongoing support and mentors supply that support.

A mentor can teach a new member about the basic manual and preparing for the various roles as well as teach the new member the clubs customs and standards because different clubs vary from that standard.  For example, per the manual most clubs call the general evaluator up in the middle of the meeting to introduce the speech evaluators.  A new member would be confused if he had to rely solely on the manual for instruction. 

A mentor can provide positive feedback and when they are supportive, the new member builds confidence and participates more in club activities.

Mentors are not just for new members.  For example, someone with a CTM might want to expand their involvement in toastmasters and become an area governor or a division governor.  There are modules such as the one I am doing today as well as other opportunities to meet new people and expand their skills.  A “senior” member might want a mentor to help with speech organization or humor.  Or perhaps the senior member would like to refine his speaking skills.  Senior members can also benefit from a mentor.

Mentors also benefit from the experience of being a mentor.  They learn from their mentee.  Often new members have observations that are valid and useful but the mentor has gotten used to the way things are so doesn’t notice that there is room for improvement.  Mentors continue to use their skills and most importantly, they receive pleasure from helping someone else achieve their goals.  Mentors earn the respect of their club members and the gratitude of their mentees.

The club benefits because the members are happier because their needs are being met and there is less turnaround.  As mentioned earlier, people leave a club mostly because of dissatisfaction with what that club has to offer and with a mentor, the member is offered all of the rewards of toastmasters.  The members continue to learn and grow and the club is healthy.  Friendships develop and the members are satisfied.  Everyone must make a commitment to helping our new members and helping one another.

HOW

How do we become good mentors?  The duties of a mentor vary depending on who they are mentoring.  The first thing a mentor of a new member should do is sit with the new member and explain the various parts of the meeting and answer any questions then orient the new member to club procedures and customs.

Tell the mentee how to schedule his icebreaker speech and how to sign up for roles and what to do if he cannot attend.  Help with the icebreaker speech by offering suggestions in speech organization and overcoming nervousness.  Listen to the icebreaker speech and offer suggestions.

At a later meeting, tell the mentee about the resources of the club and of toastmasters.  Help him prepare for the various roles and remind the new member of the toastmasters promise.  New members should be told about the officers duties and the benefits of serving as a club officer.  They need to know about the purpose of contests and how the contestants can progress to the district, region and international levels.  Eventually the mentor should invite the mentee to contests and conferences and acknowledge your mentee’s progress to the club. 

If a mentee is a more experienced member you may not need to explain the club or the organization but rather focus on one or two aspects that the experienced speaker has chosen to improve on.  If the mentee wants to learn leadership skills, you could encourage him to act as a club officer or area governor.

MENTEES

Mentees have obligations as well.  They are eager to learn and take on new challenges and receptive to feedback.  While the mentor/mentee relationship does not last forever it will most likely turn into a friendship so that former mentees become mentors.

Mentorship is not only about receiving help with manual speeches but about having happy members and a healthy club.  It is about building friendships and personal satisfaction from giving something of yourself to others and learning yourself along the way.