The mentor will be responsible for carrying out the objectives of the mentoring program within the framework of the overall goals of ISU Extension.  The mentor is an advisor, guide and confidant.

Objective:  Complement established orientation program.

The mentor will:

• Contact the mentee within the first week of employment to welcome him/her to the Extension organization.  Consider doing so with a phone call, visit, note or other personal contact.
• Set up an initial meeting within the first 2-4 weeks of the mentee's employment.  Establish a schedule of meetings and other contacts.  Establish specific goals for the mentor/mentee relationship and steps to reach the goals.  Explain what the mentee cane expect from the mentor, both professionally and personally.
• Assist the mentee in understanding the Extension education and program development process.
• Help the mentee identify and access resources.

Objective:  Help new staff understand Extension and its role within Iowa State University.

The mentor will:

• Familiarize the mentee with the Extension organization - its language and culture.  Include a focus on the land grant mission and the role of county, state and federal partners.
• Assess what the mentee already knows about Extension and what questions need to be answered.
• Assist the mentee in learning about Extension and Iowa State University.  Include strategic plan.
• Provide the mentee with practical hints and suggestions for revenue generation and how it fits within the ISU Extension mission.

Objective:  Build helping relationships between peers.

The mentor will:

• Make referrals to appropriate staff in the Extension system or elsewhere, as needed.
• Encourage the mentee to work with others in forming partnerships within and outside the Extension system.  Establish strategies for accomplishing this goal.

Objective:  Help staff realize their potential.

The mentor will:

• Foster a confidential relationship in a safe environment.
• Create an atmosphere of trust in the mentor/mentee relationship.
• Be a good listener and take mentee seriously.
• Advise the mentee in balancing professional, family and personal life.

Objective:  Integrate new staff into Extension personnel network/system.

The mentor will:

• Help the mentee establish a network of staff relationships within the Extension personnel system.

Objective:  Promote benefits of membership in professional associations.

The mentor will:

• Be a role model, sharing his/her own involvement and experiences in professional associations.
• Encourage professionalism, including involvement in professional associations.  Provide written material, meeting times and places, web sites and other information about professional associations.

Objective:  Assist current staff making the transition from one position to another.

The mentor will:

• Share his/her own experiences.
• Help the mentee expand a network of relationships.

Objective:  Provide additional support for current staff.

The mentor will:

• Help the mentee identify and maximize his/her strengths.
• Motivate the mentee and bolster personal confidence.
• Challenge the mentee to adopt a fresh perspective, expand horizons or thing outside the box.