What does it mean to be someone's mentor?

When you think mentor, what is the first thing that comes to mind? A person? A teacher? A friend? A guide? According to the Merriam- Webster Dictionary the term mentor means a trusted counselor or guide. The term 'mentor' can be applied to many different people in many different situations. Mentor's can be found at work, at school, in the community or in a friend group. 

Think of the mentors you have worked with in your life. Was there someone who helped you get started in your career, offering advice and guidance, showing you how things worked and how to get things done? Consider your education. Was there a teacher who took a special interest in you and who had an especially positive influence on your life? We all can probably name two people who have had a profound positive effect on our lives. 

What does a mentor actually do?
A mentor:
Takes a personal interest in and helps an inexperienced person (mentee) 
Serves as a role model, coach, and confidante 
Offers knowledge, insight, perspective, and wisdom useful to the mentee 
Helps someone become successful and learns new skills themselves

Most new members join a Toastmasters club because they have the desire to work on their  speaking and/or leadership. They believe that by improving their speaking and/or leadership skills will help them advance in their career or offer them greater personal satisfaction. Think of when you joined a new organization. Did you feel lost? Was there someone there to guide you and help you learn the workings of that organization? 

Being a mentor can be a wonderful experience and rewarding. As a mentor, you can share what you learned in Toastmasters and help a newer member to start working on and achieving their goals. 

Is your New Year's resolution to give back to your community? Maybe this year your resolution can be to help other members meet their goals by becoming a Toastmaster's mentor. 

Triple A Award- District Seven

Contest on January 28th

Visit Yaquina Toastmasters on Tuesday, January 28th at 7 AM for our club speech contest at Newport Pig 'N Pancake!
We will have several speeches and you can vote for your favorites! We will also be hosting an evaluation contest to see who will advanced and take the prize at Districts.
Each contestant at this contest has a chance to move on to the area level of the International Speech Contest to compete. The International Speech contest has six levels: Club, Area, Division, District, Region, International. Come cheer on our contestants and may the best speech win!

Detailed Pathways

Five Levels of Effective Coaching

Mastering Fundamentals

• Ice Breaker
• Evaluation and Feedback
• Researching and Presenting

Learning Your Style

• Understanding Your Leadership Style
• Understanding Your Communication Style
• Introduction to Toastmasters Mentoring

Increasing Knowledge

• Reaching Consensus

Building Skills

• Improvement Through Positive Coaching

Demonstrating Expertise

• High Performance Leadership
• Reflect on Your Path

Member Spotlight: Lauralee's Senior Project

One of our members, Lauralee Norris, wrote this article!

Editor’s note: This is the third and final article in a three-part investigative series on human trafficking. 

According to the FBI, on Oct. 17, Eugene McNeely was sentenced to 14 years in prison and 15 years of supervised release for transporting a minor with the intent to prostitute them. He was also charged with sex trafficking a child and sex trafficking with force, fraud or coercion. McNeely drove from Oakland, Calif., to Salem, Ore., to pick up a 14-year-old minor who he communicated with through text and Facebook Messenger. He took her back to California with him to make her one of his prostitutes. She was trafficked seven days a week for three months.

https://newportnewstimes.com/article/what-is-being-done-to-stop-human-trafficking?fbclid=IwAR3fJPcALtZXGqiCHJv4XJgitTCozC_2LSSuoQdZy-6WETnqolgyU2Vj1yU

Five Levels of Dynamic Leadership

Mastering Fundamentals

• Ice Breaker
• Evaluation and Feedback
• Researching and Presenting

Learning Your Style

• Understanding Your Leadership Style
• Understanding Your Communication Style
• Introduction to Toastmasters Mentoring

Increasing Knowledge

• Negotiate the Best Outcome

Building Skills

• Manage Change

Demonstrating Expertise

• Lead in Any Situation
• Reflect on Your Path