In leading the 2017 AFP Leadership Academy session Building Your Board of Advisors: Effective Career Mentoring, Kenneth C. Frisch and Benjamin Mohler explore effective ways professionals can engage in mentoring as part of their personal fundraising toolkit and how chapters can engage members in a formal mentoring program.

Career Mentoring Challenges

• Mentoring is undervalued and underutilized as a method for professional development.
• Mentoring is seen as something for the mentees, not also for the mentors.
• If you’re the average of your five closes friends, shouldn't our professional networks mirror this?
• For the sake and future of the profession, reinvestment is critical and should be intentionally used by leaders (both up and downstream).

Professional Advantages to Career Mentoring

For Mentors

• Reinvestment in the success of the next generation of fundraising professionals
• Gain insight on trends and professional innovation emerging from new professionals.
• Know your role: coach, facilitator, advisor, sounding board, learner

For Mentees

• Conduct thoughtful self-assessment to decide where can you grow.
• Gain perspective from seasoned professionals to guide career path and growth plan
• Know your role: learner, doing, teaching

For AFP Chapters

• Can increase membership rolls
• Provides value and new opportunities for existing membership
• Engages seasoned professionals beyond chapter meetings

Helpful Resources to Start an AFP Chapter Mentoring Program

AFP Leadership Academy 2017 Presentation Slides

AFP Northwest Ohio Mentoring Program Application

AFP Northwest Ohio Mentoring Committee Co-Chair Job Description

AFP Northwest Ohio Mentoring Program Guidelines

AFP Charlotte Mentoring Orientation and Guidelines

AFP Chapter Mentoring Certificate Template

Building Your Board of Advisors