Mentorship Program

We are currently seeking Mentors for this program.

The Calgary IIBA^® Chapter is proud and excited to offer the Mentorship program to its membership and invites you to participate in this program. Intake for this program will begin in November. This program is designed to provide you with guidance and advice on moving your career to the next level. Mentoring is the process in which successful individuals go out of their way to help others establish goals and develop the skills to reach them. Mentoring can help you acquire skills, increase confidence, widen your perspective, avoid many errors, enhance your career and life, and help you succeed.

Program Details

WHAT	What It Is 2 people collaborating around the protégé’s: Career goals Professional development goals BA “challenges” at work Contributing to individual growth A networking opportunity	What It Is Not Not a way to prepare for your certification exam Not counselling (i.e. family, work performance, personal conflicts) Not tutoring/teaching Not a way to get a job reference Not counselling in getting a new job Not a constant “gripe” session Not a “quick fix”
POTENTIAL BENEFITS	For Protégé: Faster career growth Faster growth in BA profession Success with immediate BA “challenges” Network with more experienced BAs Earn CDUs towards certification (to be confirmed)	For Mentor: A way to “give back” Sharpen one’s mentoring skills Earn CDUs for recertification (to be confirmed)
WHO	Protégé Any current Calgary IIBA^® Chapter member in good standing Willingness to collaborate in the process Commit to meeting with your mentor regularly over the course of the mentorship term	Mentor Any current Calgary IIBA^® Chapter member in good standing Senior BA – suggested 10 years experience Prior 1-1 mentoring experience (desirable but not required) Willing to share ideas, concepts, and knowledge Commit to meeting with your protégé regularly over the course of the mentorship term
HOW	Guidelines Confidentiality Content/Issues appropriate for dialogues Topics suitable for projects Respectful frankness, but not brutal honesty	How to be successful Mentor’s knowledge and 1-1 skills Protégé’s motivation and readiness Mutual commitments to: Meet regularly Select relevant topics Pursue meaningful activities
WHEN	How long Mentorship program commences in January 2011 Meet regularly (once a month recommended) Mentorship is over the course of 6 months	Commitment Needed Regular communication Prepare and strive to achieve goals/objectives of mentorship relationship Prepare mentor/protégé agreement to include Agreed upon support Expectations Confidentiality Time commitments (i.e. one hour per month, every two months) Complete final evaluation (found here)

The Principles

The Calgary IIBA^® Chapter sponsors this mentoring program which is designed to enhance the professional experience and development of the participants. Participation is strictly voluntary and without financial compensation. Please read the following guidelines/principles regarding participation in the mentoring program.

The duration of the formal mentoring relationship between participants in the program is from January to June. Mentor and protégé agree to actively participate in the program for the full duration of their engagement.
Mentor and protégé agree to be available, responsive to each other’s needs, and willing to adjust schedules as necessary in order to meet according to the agreed upon times.
Information shared between the participants within the context of the formal mentoring relationship is considered to be confidential and is not to be shared outside the relationship without expressed permission from the other participant(s).
An individual pairing of mentor and protégé may prove to be unworkable or unsatisfactory to either/both participants. In this case the Mentorship Program Committee will conduct a reassignment as quickly as possible, with no fault assigned to either party.
It is the responsibility of the Mentor to ensure that all opinions, examples, guidance, advice and suggestion provided as part of the formal mentoring relationship, are accurate to the best of their knowledge and do not recommend or suggestion course(s) of actions for the Protégé that could be construed as illegal, unethical, or immoral
Participants accept responsibility for any costs incurred as part of the formal relationship
The Calgary IIBA^® Chapter provides this mentoring service to its members with the understanding that using the service provides no guarantees regarding the Protégé’s career. Outcomes are the responsibility of the Protégé and not the Mentor or Calgary IIBA^® Chapter
Mentors are volunteers and are not experts or paid consultants. Mentors give only advice and/or information based on their knowledge, experience, perspective, etc. Mentors do not make decision for Protégés.

Responsibilities for a Mentor

Mentors must be willing to accept the commitment of time and energy to provide support for a protégé. A clear understanding of the mentoring process will go a long way toward assuring success. You will need to maintain support and open communication.

You will also:

Be a good listener
Maintain confidentiality
Give constructive feedback
Promote protégé creativity and skill development
Meet at scheduled times
Provide honest advice, be an information source
Help the protégé to develop goals, access resources and build a professional network
Maintain a positive attitude
Encourage independence; not dependence
Remember there is most often more than one way to reach a goal. Support the protégé to the best of your ability, but remember the program success or failure of the protégé is their responsibility.

Avoid these pitfalls:

Don't give advice unless asked.
Don't take responsibility for your protégé's program duties.
Don't allow the protégé to be "apron strings" dependent on you.
Don't complain about your own problems.
Don't do your protégé's work for them.

Responsibilities of a Protégé

You will find that having a supportive mentoring relationship will benefit you as you learn the ins and outs of your new position. Your mentor is a support, but not your crutch. Be receptive to what the mentor has to say and be clear in asking for assistance when you need it. Protégé responsibilities include:

Assume personal responsibility for your professional growth.
Listen and consider alternatives
Maintain confidentiality
Accept constructive feedback willingly
Be willing to take risks, be open to new ideas
Maintain a positive attitude
Demonstrate initiative
Respect your mentor's time
Notify your mentor of problems, concerns or questions
Remember, there is more than one way to reach a goal

Avoid these pitfalls:

Don't rely on your mentor as your only source of information.
Don't expect your mentor to give you all of the answers - think of your mentor as suggesting alternatives.
Don't ask your mentor to do your work for you.
Don't cancel meetings at the last minute.

If you are interested in being a mentor or a protégés, use the following links to access the application forms:

For questions please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it