Mentor

Primary responsibilities and estimated amount of time:

Time required depends on number of new members, usually 1-2 hours/month

  • Maintain open communication with the VP-Membership. The Mentor Program operates under Membership with similarities to retention and involvement activities. The Mentor Program focuses on our newest members (generally first year).
  • Make contact with new members using the information on the applications provided by the VP-Membership. The Mentor chair will reach out via email to each new member. This email will include:
    • names of activity/committee chairs who lead that activity.
    • mention that the leaders will be contacting them.
    • Or for activities that meet on a regular basis (book group, MahJohgg, etc.), list the possible meeting times and ask the new member to contact you with the one(s) they’re interested in. Then contact that leader with the member’s information.
    • Mention that they will be contacted by these activity leaders and/or added to the leader’s email list.
    • Send a brief email to the activity leader with name/contact information for the new member; ask them to contact the person and/or add them to their e-mail list.
    • encourage attendance at branch meetings and special events.
    • reinforce the importance of getting involved and the mission of AAUW.
    • Use the WSM AAUW directory for information about current activity leaders.
  • Recruit current members for additional mentoring activities:
    • calling new members before the first meeting of the year to encourage them to attend.
    • greeting new members at branch meetings.

The Mentor Program helps strengthen the connection between newer members and our branch. This may lead to increased retention and involvement in AAUW at all levels. Our newer members, when getting involved with various activities,  have the opportunity to learn about our very active organization and will be more likely to continue their membership. Knowledge may increase AAUW participation.

Skills necessary to be successful in this position:

The Mentor Chair should be a good listener, a friendly person, and a clear communicator. It’s a role that requires teamwork, knowledge of AAUW-WSM, and a willingness to learn.