Every year, when National Mentoring Month rolls around, we all look for ways to celebrate it and showcase how mentoring helps us, our peers, communities, and society. It sounds like this big thing, and it is, but there are some easy ways you can join in on the celebrations within your own program! Here are our suggestions:
1. Ask participants to recognize and thank a mentor
Whether they mentor through a formal program or informal relationship, mentors are mentors, who deserve recognition. So encourage your mentees to send them some kudos and thanks, whether it’s their current mentor or someone who mentored them in a previous role. You can ask your people to:
- Record a quick video of themselves thanking that special mentor or write it as a message if they prefer. (See ours for inspiration!)
- Post their video or message on LinkedIn, your Slack channel, or on Teams!
This not only helps strengthen the culture of mentoring at your organization, it also has the added benefit of giving visibility to the fantastic work you’re doing and promoting your program.
So get everyone, especially your senior leaders and those with strong networks, involved! This would really bring home that feeling of community which helps strengthen your culture of mentoring.
Tip: Why not kick things off by being the first to send a thank you to a mentor who has shaped your own development? 😉
2. Remember why you started and how far you’ve come
Why did you and your organization start a mentoring program in the first place? How many unique connections have been made as a result? Mentoring Month is a great opportunity to reconnect with the original purpose of your program and remind the rest of the organization.
3. Celebrate your Mentoring Champions
Who are the strongest advocates for mentoring in your program and organization? Your Mentoring Champions! Give them a big kudos and make sure to recognize them during Mentoring Month! After all, they’re the ones who keep that culture of mentoring alive.
4. Recruit more participants
Whilst recruiting people to your program isn’t the primary purpose of Mentoring Month, it’s a time when people are optimistic and looking for ways to attack the year with more purpose. So, you might as well take advantage!
If it’s applicable to your program, squeeze in a short and sweet recruitment push! Simply include the signup link to your program in all the comms you send out and you may well find yourself welcoming new mentors and mentees into your program!
5. Run a referral campaign
Mentoring Month is a good time to remind your participants to reflect on their experiences and the impact mentoring has had on their lives. Then, encourage them to think of a peer or colleague who might also benefit from mentoring and refer them to the program.
Whether you want to go big or low-key, there’s a way for you to celebrate the magic and the power of mentoring in your organization or community, or society as a whole.
The Origin and Purpose of National Mentoring Month
National Mentoring Month was initiated in 2002 by the Harvard School of Public Health and the Corporation for National and Community Service. The purpose was clear: to promote the importance of mentoring as a strong foundation for future success. It aims to inspire individuals to connect and share their experiences, encouraging others to step up and take on mentoring roles.
Think back to a time when someone guided you or gave you advice—what did it mean for you? That’s the essence of mentorship, creating bonds that transcend generations, and instilling values that last a lifetime.
Planning Your National Mentoring Month Celebration
Ready to make an impact? Planning a celebration for National Mentoring Month can amplify your message and reach more people. But how do you set the stage?
First, consider your objectives. Are you looking to recruit new mentors, celebrate existing relationships, or raise awareness? Setting clear goals will guide your celebration and ensure you’re covering all your bases.
Setting Goals for Your Celebration
Establishing achievable goals is crucial for any successful event. Whether you intend to engage a specific number of participants, partner with local organizations, or create social media buzz, it’s essential to define what success looks like for you.
Choosing the Right Activities
Now it’s time to get creative! Selecting activities that resonate with your audience can significantly enhance your celebration. Think about what will engage and inspire your participants. Will you host community events, webinars, or informal meetups?
- Community service projects
- Panel discussions featuring successful mentors
- Short video stories shared via social media
The activities you choose should allow for interaction, learning, and connection. After all, the goal is to foster an environment where mentorship thrives!
Engaging Activities for National Mentoring Month
With planning underway, let’s delve into some engaging activities that will breathe life into your celebration! The sky’s the limit when it comes to creativity, and your events can be as structured or casual as you wish.
Organizing Mentor-Mentee Meetups
One fantastic way to celebrate is through mentor-mentee meetups. Hosting a casual gathering where existing pairs can come together strengthens their bonds and allows them to share their experiences with others. This can serve as a source of inspiration for potential newcomers to the mentoring scene.
How about organizing an icebreaker activity or discussion round? It’s a great opportunity for mentors to share their journeys and for mentees to speak about their aspirations. Fostering these conversations can lead to enriching connections that may blossom into long-lasting mentoring relationships.
Hosting Mentoring Workshops
Workshops can serve dual purposes: educating participants and promoting mentorship. Whether focused on skill development or career pathways, these sessions provide valuable resources to both mentors and mentees.
Invite industry experts to share their insights. Perhaps they can offer advice on navigating specific challenges or enriching one’s skill set. Engaging content—paired with interactive exercises—will keep participants attentive and excited!
Promoting National Mentoring Month
With your events planned, it’s time to amplify the message through effective promotion. Awareness is key! How will you spread the word about National Mentoring Month?
Using Social Media to Raise Awareness
Social media has the power to connect with a broad audience, so make the most of it! Create engaging posts, share inspiring stories, and encourage others to use dedicated hashtags to foster a sense of community. Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook can serve as gateways to increase visibility.
Can you think of a creative campaign that would catch people’s attention? Perhaps a “Mentorship Monday” series featuring quotes and stories from local mentors and mentees could do the trick!
Collaborating with Local Organizations
Partnering with local organizations opens up opportunities for broader outreach. By collaborating with schools, community centers, or professional establishments, you create a larger platform to promote your celebration. Joint events can attract more participants and enrich community involvement.
Think about organizations that align with the values of mentorship—working together can amplify your efforts and strengthen the message that mentorship is a force for good!
Reflecting on National Mentoring Month
As the month wraps up, it’s time to reflect on what you’ve achieved. How did your celebration impact your community and your relationships with mentors and mentees?
Gather feedback from participants to assess the effectiveness of your events. Consider utilizing surveys or informal discussions to determine what worked well and what could be improved for future celebrations.
Reflection is a key part of growth. Through evaluation, you can identify trends, success rates, and areas that need more attention—making each iteration of your celebration even better than the last!
Carrying the Spirit of Mentoring Beyond January
Let’s not treat National Mentoring Month as merely a fleeting event to check off the calendar. Carry the spirit of mentorship forward, and encourage ongoing connections throughout the year. How can you continue building relationships and fostering growth?
Consider establishing regular meet-ups, creating a mentorship network, or continuing workshops to keep the momentum alive. Remember, mentorship is not a seasonal endeavor; it’s a lifelong commitment that can change lives for the better.
In the end, celebrating National Mentoring Month offers more than just an outward demonstration of mentorship values. It fosters a culture of learning and support that can yield profound impacts—making the world a better place, one relationship at a time.
As you reflect on the transformative power of mentorship and the celebration of National Mentoring Month, consider taking your next step with Mentorloop. Our platform is designed to help you run the most effective mentoring program, offering tools for getting started, matching mentors and mentees, building momentum, and measuring your success. Whether you’re an HR or L&D Leader, a Functional Leader of a large team, a Community Manager, or a Leader in Professional Development, Mentorloop is tailored to support your goals. And if you’re part of a Charity or Nonprofit, our Community Support Program is here to help you make an even greater impact. Ready to elevate your mentoring initiatives? Book a Demo with Mentorloop today and see how we can enhance your mentoring journey.
