The First Meeting-
The mentor’s duties will vary, depending on whether their mentees are new members or existing members. Provide information over several meetings or several months, so that you do not overwhelm the mentee.
Once the new member has been assigned a mentor, at the first meeting the mentor should:
1. Sit with the new member. Explain the various parts of the meeting, such as the business session, Table Topics,™ prepared speeches, and evaluations as they happen, and answer questions the mentee may have.
2. Orient the new member to club customs and procedures. If your club has special awards or events or other special activities or procedures, explain those to a mentee. Help the mentee become comfortable and a part of the club in any way you can.
3. Explain how to sign up. Advise the mentee regarding what to do and whom to contact about signing up for meeting roles and whom to contact if he or she is scheduled to fill a meeting role but is unable to attend the meeting.
4. Help with the Ice Breaker. Many experienced Toastmasters still consider the first speech to be the most difficult. This is because new members are not only uncomfortable speaking before a group, but they also are speaking before relative strangers. Your assistance can help the mentee overcome fears and get off to a good start. Discuss speech ideas with the mentee and offer suggestions for organization, if necessary. Listen to the mentee practice the speech and offer feedback.
The Next Meeting The next meeting, a mentor should:
1. Make mentees aware of resources. If your club has a library, show it to the mentee. Point out the material in the Toastmaster magazine. Discuss district conferences, and explain the roles of club officers.
2. Provide positive feedback. The first few weeks of membership are critical. Mentees must feel they are already benefiting from the Toastmasters experience. Compliment them on their progress.
3. Explain responsibilities. Membership requires more than just giving speeches and receiving
evaluations. It also means a commitment to helping the club and its members.
4. Help with speeches and other assignments. As you work with mentees on their speeches, be sure to help them use their evaluation feedback to improve their next speech, and then offer your own feedback. When mentees are assigned other meeting roles, explain the roles and offer tips for fulfilling them.
