Carmichael Mentoring Programme
To date over 200 CEOs and managers of nonprofit organisations have benefited from the Carmichael Mentoring Programme.
Being the leader of an organisation can be tough anywhere but it is especially true in the nonprofit sector. The value of a mentor is having someone who can ask questions that clarify the situation and can help relieve the anxiety that builds when there is nowhere to articulate the doubts and concerns that the CEO may feel.
The purpose of the Carmichael Mentor scheme is to help meet with this need by using our panel of very experienced mentors who bring a range of skills, insights and backgrounds in a range of sector such as large corporate, SME, public sector and the nonprofit sector. Our mentors are volunteers and will provide confidential one-to-one advice and guidance.
The mentoring period typically involves 6-8 sessions over a 7-9 month period with approximately 2 hours per session. The programme is completely free for successful applicants. The programme is only available to those working in the nonprofit sector.
If you would like to participate in the Autumn 2023 round of mentoring, please complete a Mentee Application Form.
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please complete a New Mentor Details Form.
If you have any questions about the programme, contact roisin@carmichaelireland.ie
Common themes that feature on the programme include:
- Strategic Planning
- Financial Management
- Grant Applications
- Fundraising
- Communications & PR
- Marketing
- Social Media
- Website Development
- Service Delivery
Role of the Mentor
- Share knowledge and insights learned through the years.
- Listen and provide context to issues and problems.
- Assist in the exploration of consequences of potential decisions.
- Act as a sounding board.
- Provide information and feedback.
- Facilitate self-discovery.
- Challenge assumptions and perspectives.
- Encourage exploration of new ideas and alternate ways of thinking.
Role of the Mentee
- Drive the process.
- Set the agenda in line with development needs.
- Show willingness to engage.
- Be open-minded and listen.
- Seek opportunities to put new knowledge into practice.
- Practice taking different viewpoints and perceptions.
- Be honest, especially about strengths and weaknesses.
Benefits to Mentor
- An opportunity to “give something back” by sharing expertise in a supportive and encouraging manner.
- An opportunity to learn and gain insights from a different type of organisation and activity.
- Expand his/her network to other mentors and mentees.
- Gain extra skills in communication and understanding.
Benefits to Mentee
- An opportunity to explore his/her strengths, weaknesses & ambitions in confidence with someone who has “been there before”.
- A source of challenge to his/her assumptions about the job, how it should be done or addressed.
- Growth in self-confidence, self-awareness and self-development.
- An informal audience to try out new ideas and approaches before presenting them to colleagues or to the Board of Directors.
- Opportunity to learn from someone else’s mistakes.
- Insights into decision-making processes and structures of other organisations.
More Information
This programme is kindly sponsored by BHP Insurances.
