Black Fundraisers Network

1. Black Fundraisers Network Mentoring Scheme Presented by: John Mensah Director: Outreach Management Services Date: Thursday 23rd April 2009

2. What is Mentoring? • Mentoring supports and encourage people to manage their learning in order that they may maximise their potential • To develop skills and improve performance and become the person you want to be. (Eric Parsloe, The Oxford School of Coaching & Mentoring ) • A powerful personal development tool. • An effective way of helping people to progress in their careers. • A partnership between two people sharing similar experiences. • It is a helpful relationship based upon mutual trust and respect.

3. Who is a Mentor? • A mentor is a guide who helps the mentee to find the right direction. • A mentor helps mentee to develop solutions to career issues. • Mentors rely upon having had similar experiences and understanding of mentees issues. • A mentor helps the mentee to believe in him or herself and boost their confidence. • A mentor provides guidance and encouragement.

4. Who is a Mentee? • Mentee is a person who is guided in a professional way by a mentor in a mutual relationship. • Mentees must first look within themselves to identify their needs and work with Mentors to attain their goals. • Mentee are required to take the initiative and do the real work in the relationship. • The final responsibility for actions taken lies with the mentee.

5. BfN Mentoring • BfN’s mentoring scheme:- • Focuses on achieving goals and developing capabilities. • Offers black fundraisers with an effective way of been creative in fundraising. • An effective way of learning from experienced professionals with impressive track record and gaining confidence and skills.

6. Objectives • To facilitate the exploration of needs , desires and skills to assist fundraisers in making lasting change. • To use appropriate techniques to facilitate mentee’s own thought processes in order to identify solutions and actions. • To support mentees in setting appropriate goals and methods of assessing progress in relation to fundraising • To creatively apply tools and techniques including facilitation and networking to achieve desire. • To ensure that mentees develop professional competency.

7. Why Mentoring? BfN’s mentoring creates:- • Access to track record of in-depth of knowledge based relationships • Help mentees to learn focus and deliver efficiently • Access to professional support in developing new ideas and initiatives • Enhanced fundraising skills through direct and practical advice and support

8. Who is BfN Mentoring for? • Members of BfN • All black fundraisers • Senior fundraisers beginning large appeals or setting up fundraising targets • CEOs with lead responsibilities for fundraising • Volunteers Fundraisers needing morale booster

9. Mentoring Team • BfN’s mentoring is facilitated by experienced members of the network. • They mentor through a well coordinated and practical approach

10. Cost • BFN’s mentoring cost nothing at this present time for members. • This may be reviewed in future to enable the Network to continue providing this service.

11. Outcomes • The scheme offers practical system of support, which can be apply directly to work life. • Opportunity to focus on what you want and how you can achieve this. • Focus on the future of your fundraising profession • Offers opportunity to review your strengths and weaknesses. • Able to set achievable targets, which you can implement easily

12. Confidential • All issues between mentor and mentee are strictly confidential • Absolute confidentiality and privacy are assured

13. Action • BfN’s mentoring is carried out on informal basis. • The agreement on the duration of mentoring is between the Mentor and Mentee. • It is flexible and convenient. • BfN has already identified mentors within its membership, (Although we are not restricted to obtaining Mentors solely from BfN). • Presently the demand currently outstrips the supply and we are still seeking potential Mentors who are experienced in fundraising and are willing to share their expertise with others.

14. Management of Scheme • Mentees are required to complete an application form which is reviewed by a board sub committee which is also responsible for matching the mentee with the right mentor. • The scheme is monitored and evaluated regularly to ensure that mentees get the best of their relationship with mentors. • The evaluation also enables mentors and mentees to review any areas of concern. • The mentoring programme also includes field visits etc.

15. Low Bureaucracy • BfN tries to keep the amount of paper work low. • We encourage mentors and mentees to carry out the mentoring relationship in their own time. • Both mentors and mentees are all busy people and so we keep the amount of paper work down to a minimum.

16. Person focused • BfN matches mentors and mentees using our own criteria and taking into consideration personal and career circumstances. • We are able to provide mentoring through associations, meetings and the Yahoogroups discussion forum. • Please let us know if you would like to contribute by becoming a mentor, by completing the Contact Us page on our website.

17. Conclusion • Mentoring is a chance to look more closely at yourself, your issues, opportunities and what you want in life. • Is about becoming more self aware, taking responsibility for your life and directing your life in the direction you decide, rather than leaving it to chance. (Source:-Mentor set)

18. Thank you