1. The Boston Club Peer Mentoring Program
Advancing Women Leaders Through Peer Mentoring
Introduction to Peer Mentoring

2. What’s the History? Launched in 2003
Designed as peer-to-peer mentoring (not top down)
32 women participated in – a Club favorite
“…I think the program is excellent, well run, and very beneficial”
“…It is structured to enable you to get out what you put in.”
The program has been running successfully for 13 years
It’s distinct because it is peer to peer vs other mentoring relationships you may have experienced
It has consistently been a top program for Boston Club
Approximately 30 mentor/mentee pairings per year
Last year about half of the program members were veterans of the program (did at least one year)

3. Overview It’s a journey (typically October to May)
Matches made by the Committee based on completed applications
It’s a journey (typically October to May)
Explore and discover!
Mentors - provide experience and commitment
Mentees - benefit from objectivity, support, and dedication
Learn from each other
“…someone unattached to listen and be a sounding board.”
“…felt like I provided a lot of value…”
Six month journey where 2 people will learn from each other and, we hope, build a lasting and beneficial relationship.
As a mentor, you will provide your experience and commitment to enhancing another person’s personal and professional growth.
As a mentee, you will benefit from the objectivity, support and dedication that your mentor offers as you work together towards achieving your goals.

4. Program Structure Pairs develop goals Customize for what works best
Support from the Mentoring Committee
Pairs are matched by members of the Mentoring Committee
Each mentor/mentee pair develops goals that best address their individual needs and expectations
It’s a process of exploration and discovery and the pair will find ways to customize this process as they discover what works best
Pairs are formally supported by the Mentoring Committee during the course of the program
“…appreciated receiving analysis from mentor”
“…I liked the flexible structure and had a good experience”

5. Keys to Success Mentee “drives” the program
Mentor is reliable, responsive, and focused
Set clear expectations and agreements
Tap into the Mentoring Committee for support
Mentoring is not coaching
The mentee drives the program (i.e., initiates meetings with mentor, identifies personal goals and objectives)
The mentor “shows up,” meets and/or is in touch with mentee at agreed upon intervals
Be open to the process and let the relationship develop
Set clear expectations and agreements up front
Know that the Mentoring Committee is the support & “safety net” for participants
Understand that mentoring is not coaching
“...opportunity to focus on myself…I needed a push” “…showing up, being there, being reliable…”

6. Time Commitment Program runs October to May
Pairs should be in touch at least monthly (in person, by phone, Skype)
Three all-program meetings:
Kick-off session in the fall (required)
Midpoint meeting (pre-Winter Fest; recommended)
Wrap-up meeting in the spring (recommended)

7. From Past Mentees
“…the opportunity to work one on one with accomplished women is one of the greatest benefits of The Boston Club.”
“My mentor always provided an entirely new perspective, and I felt reinvigorated after every meeting with her.”
“…a luxury to have conversations with a thoughtful, intelligent, caring person…”
“I found the structure of the program, particularly the fact that it was mentee driven, to be really good.”
“This experience was really an opportunity for me to focus on myself, which I needed. My mentor also pushed me, which I also needed.”
“You get what you put into it. After each session, I had a to-do list with an assignment and was able to stay on track. It was helpful to have someone unattached to listen and be a sounding board.”
“Struck by how quickly she established trust with her mentor. It truly was a relationship.”
“Her mentor completely energized her. She felt like she wanted to run home after every session. Her mentor was so positive and provided thinking from a different perspective.”
“Liked that the process was mentee driven. I came prepared for each session. Really enjoyed getting to know each other.”
“Appreciated receiving analysis from mentor rather than the regular self-analysis we regularly do ourselves.”
“It was a luxury to have conversations with a thoughtful, intelligent, caring person that was most interested in me. Really appreciated the “process” and the “experience.””
Mentee Quotes
“My mentor made several suggestions on organizations that would be helpful for my business development” - mentee
“I think it is a great way to get some personal attention from some very talented women” – mentee
“The opportunity to work 1 on 1 with accomplished women is one of the greatest benefits on TBC” – mentee
“My mentor always provided an entirely new perspective, and I felt reinvigorated after every meeting with her” – mentee
“I found the structure of the program, particularly the fact that it was mentee driven, to be really good. I hadn’t participated in a mentee driven program before and I think it is great as a mentee to be able to outline the topics of discussion and issues I would like help from my mentor with” – mentee
“Extremely well run; great way to meet a new woman and gain perspective on what’s happening in my life and career” – mentee

8. From the Mentors
“…you know what you have inside you but you don’t know your own capabilities…”
“…it is one of the best structured and run programs I have ever participated in. And it is the main reason that I am still a Boston Club member.”
“…it has helped me connect and develop relations in the Club more than any other aspect.”
“I felt like I provided a lot of value by being a 3rd party sounding board.”
“Importance of showing up, being there, being reliable – all invaluable pieces of the process”
“You know what you have inside you but you don’t know your own capabilities”
“Finding a location to put the mentee in a comfortable place is key”
“Women are amazing in terms of their willingness to connect with each other, build relationships and bonds.”
“Being present and in the moment is key. It helps to establish the relationship right away.”
“It was easy. I was totally on my mentee’s schedule. I provided structure for her.”
“Be open to the process.”
“The gift is the relationship. I think it’s the easiest and best place to make meaningful relationships in The Boston Club.”
Mentor Quotes from
“I’m a big fan of the program. It has helped me connected and develop relations in the club more than any other aspect. There feels like there is some depth to it” – mentor
“I think the program is excellent, well run, and very beneficial” – mentor
“I think the program is a great way to help others as well as work on your own development and growth in a very comfortable relaxed manner” – mentor
“It is structured such as to enable you to get out what you put in. I liked the flexible structure and had a good experience” – both a mentor and mentee
“It is one of the best structured and run programs I have ever participated in. And it is the main reason that I am still a Boston Club member” – mentor
“I think it is a great opportunity to connect women on a deeper level. The mentee can get a lot out of having an objective, supportive, structured resource for their thinking. The mentor can get a lot out of providing this level of support” – mentor

9. Timeline – 2018/19 Program July August Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. … May
You are
here
Kickoff Meeting
September 25
Pre-Winter Fest Meeting
January 29
Program Intro
July
August
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan. …
May
Application
DUE DATE is Sept. 7
Check-In from Committee Members with Participants
Check-In from Committee Members with Participants
Program Celebration and Wrap-Up Meeting
May
Mentee/Mentor Application Process – Jul-Aug
Committee Matching of Pairs - Sep
Program Kick-Off Session and Announcement of Pairs – late Sep/early Oct
Mentoring Sessions – Oct to May
Mid-Way Check In Meetings – Nov & Jan
Mentoring Program Wrap Up Meeting - May

10. Application period will close on September 7 at midnight.
What’s next?
To apply, please click on or write down the link below and use it to complete the online application form. It should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. Remember that the more details you give us in your application, the better we will be able to match you.
Application period will close on September 7 at midnight.

11. Questions? Please contact: Barbara Weidlich (bvweidlich@aol.com) or
Susan Newton
Thank you for your time! We truly hope you will be able to participate in our Peer Mentoring Program this year.