Mentor Program

Are you a seasoned donor relations professional who would like to encourage newcomers in their careers? Are you new to the profession, seeking guidance and advice from an experienced insider? Join the Mentor Program, now in its second year!

Signing up is as easy as registering for the conference—just look for the Mentor Program section on the conference registration form and answer a few questions. (Forgot to sign up during registration? It’s not too late! Email [email protected] to sign up to be a mentor or mentee.)

Once you sign up, we’ll follow up with you for more details and provide some additional information about the program. In the months before the conference, we will facilitate an introduction between you and your mentor or mentee. This will allow you to start getting to know each other, and make plans to meet up at the conference (or before!) for one-on-one advice and guidance. We recommend that you and your mentor/mentee attend the Newcomer’s Reception on Tuesday evening, September 29th to have the opportunity to meet other mentors and mentees. And finally, to fully benefit the program, we strongly recommend that you and your mentor/mentee attend at least one “table-talk” during the conference and engage in conversation on areas of special interest or need – in other words, “table-talk”!

As a mentor, we’d like you to:

  • Contact your assigned mentee before conference to introduce yourself beforehand and break the ice!
  • Attend the Newcomers Reception on Tuesday evening, September 29th, and connect with others in the mentor program.
  • Meet with your mentee at least once again during the conference for some one-on-one time.
  • Join at least one “table-talk” which will focus on helping mentees to think critically and strategically about their program needs.

“I found the mentor program at the 2014 ADRP conference the most valuable element of the conference. I came into the program with set mentors and walked away with a dozen additional contacts that have helped me as a newcomer to the field. I was so excited to hear the mentor program was back for its second year that I volunteered to help out. See you in Memphis!”

- Ewan Maclean, 2014 ADRP International Conference attendee