Mentor Guidelines & Expectations

• Demonstrate enthusiasm for mentor role and exemplify positive professional ethics and behavior.
  
• Establish initial contact with the assigned mentee within ten days after receiving notification of the match.
  
• Maintain regular contact with the mentee at least once a month. Mentor and mentee should agree upon the frequency of contacts, the duration of these contacts and the parameters of the relationship itself. Meetings may be in person or via other forms of communication, such as telephone or email. Consider establishing a scheduled time for meetings. Acknowledge the end date for the relationship. (one year postcommencement)
  
• Recognize and evaluate what you can offer the mentee. Acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses. Set a clear structure for the relationship at the beginning. Discuss expectations. Discuss time commitments. Renegotiate these time commitments as needed. Do not expect yourself to fulfill every mentoring function.
  
• Work with the mentee to identify their specific needs; provide assurance that you can fulfill these expectations.
  
• Listen and try to address mentee's concerns on a level which allows them to participate in a thoughtful discussion.
  
• The mentor's role is to respond to the mentee's development needs. The mentor must not impose his/her own agenda. The mentor's role is to challenge and support the mentee. A mentor helps the mentee create their own vision for the future and encourages the mentee to develop to their fullest potential.
  
• If mentors find that mentees are unable to focus their questions or concerns, mentors should guide mentees to a topic.
  
• Whenever possible, mentors should exchange ideas with mentees rather than lecturing them.
  
• Whenever possible, mentors should share their "war stories" with mentees to help them feel more comfortable and learn from the mentor's good and bad experiences.
  
• Allow your mentee to determine what decisions and actions are most appropriate. Guide them towards solutions.
  
• If mentors are unsure about any aspect of their advice, they should consult with their colleagues about how they might handle the issue or consult the Mentor Program Coordinator.
  
• Be considerate of the mentee's schedule. Respect the mentee's time, and answer emails promptly.
  
• Be patient and positive in the relationship. No question is "dumb."
  
• Build trust and respect by being honest and using your experience to guide through constructive dialogue.
  
• Give objective feedback aimed at developing the mentee's capabilities.
  
• Be sure to give constructive criticism, as well as praise. Give suggestions for improvement privately.
  
• Be respectful of the mentee's trust and maintain confidentiality in all matters disclosed during communications.
  
• Be available when needed and as appropriate.
  
• Clarify expectations about the extent to which you will offer professional guidance.
  

I acknowledge that any views, opinions, guidance, or remarks I may make are personal and may not reflect the views, opinions, guidance, or remarks of the Deposition Reporters Association or any other professional associations. I understand that my assignment as a mentor is voluntary. If I elect to discontinue my participation in the program, I agree to promptly email my mentee of this decision, as well as the mentor program coordinator so that another mentor may be assigned to my mentee. DRA does not reimburse any expenditure.

Deposition Reporters Association of California, Inc.
7172 Regional Street #111
Dublin, CA 94568
Phone 888-867-2074/Fax 925-905-2611
Jeri Cain
Mentor Program Coordinator
jcain@meritreporting.com
Email: Cal_dra@yahoo.com
Website: www.caldra.org