Overview of the Mentoring Scheme

1. Information sessions - The first step if you are interested in becoming a mentee or a mentor is to sign up for one of the information sessions which will be held on the 26th of January 2012 (1-2pm) by emailing Training.Development@dcu.ie
   
   
2. Training - The next step will be to accept the invitation to attend a training session which will provide an overview of the mentoring scheme and the roles of the mentor and mentee.   The training session for mentors will take place on the 1st of February 2012 (9.30-1pm) and for mentees on the 3rd of February 2012 (9.30am-1pm).  Please email Training.Development@dcu.ie to book a place on the training sessions.  Please click on the following link for an outline of the training session.
   
   
3. Expression of Interest forms - Following the training, you will be asked to fill out a short (two pages) mentor/mentee application form. 
   
   
4. Matching Process - Following the training Mentees will be matched with mentors using the information on the expression of interest forms to get the best fit between them – alternatively, the mentee (following the training) can arrange their own mentor and we will try to accommodate that mentee/mentor pair on the programme.
   
   
5. First Meeting -  After the matching process the first meeting will be set-up.  At their first meeting the mentor and mentee pairings will work through a questionnaire that  will help them to set some goals for the mentoring relationship and agree some groundrules for how the relationship is maintained.
   
   
6. Ongoing Meetings - The expectation of the DCU Mentoring Scheme is that the mentoring relationships will normally meet once a month for one hour over a 12 month period. The frequency can be agreed to be a two hour meeting every two months if both the mentor and mentee would prefer this option.
   
   
7. Mentoring circles - As the mentoring relationships start, Training & Development  will facilitate two “mentoring circles” which will gather the mentees for a one hour meeting to (a) share what they are learning; and (b) give each other tips about how to get the best out of their mentoring relationships and (c) discuss how mentees can continue to support each other. Please click on the following link for more information on mentoring circles.
   
   
8. Evaluation of the Programme - After six months and at the end of the scheme, Training & Development will send out short evaluation forms to the mentors and mentees.
   
   
9. Occasional gatherings - We will organise occasional gatherings of mentees, mentors and interested parties to hear the outcome of evaluations and to celebrate the achievements of the scheme.