Executive Women in Government Mentorship Program Executive Women in Government is pleased to announce its expanded Mentorship Program.
 | Mentors Peg Weir and Maria Vickers
share a moment with their proteges
Carolyn Cole and Betsy Smidinger. |
Over the years EWG has held Flash Mentoring events, SES preparation sessions and other various mentoring related activities. These events have been very successful. They provide an opportunity to hear from senior executive women and to initiate potential mentoring relationships. Last year, we proposed expanding mentoring activities to include a mentor-protégé program that would further engage our membership over a longer period of time and also provide contact with more senior executives from varying backgrounds.
Therefore the EWG Board approved the establishment of a four-part EWG Mentorship Program. Adding to the Flash Mentoring Sessions and SES Preparation Workshops are the new EWG Mentor-Protégé Program and the Transitions Workshop.
The EWG Mentorship Program is an opportunity for EWG members – to assist each other with career-change decisions, professional growth, explore other potential career areas, and prepare for post-government life. The opportunities are endless and invaluable!
The program’s mission is to encourage personal and career growth for EWG members through a series of guided quality discussions with other executive women. The program provides networking opportunities for both mentors and protégés.
Questions regarding the EWG Mentorship Program may be directed to Margaret (Peg) Weir, Paula Farrell, Mary Josie Blanchard, or Vicki Allums.
EWG MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
4-part program: Flash Mentoring Sessions, SES Preparation Sessions, EWG Mentor-Protégé Program and Transitions Workshop
FLASH MENTORING SESSIONS
Flash Mentoring sessions: During the course of the year, one Flash Mentoring session will be provided to EWG members.
Flash Mentoring is an adaptation of “speed dating” transported to the world of mentoring and busy executive women. Many executive women are too busy to commit to a formal mentoring program, either as a mentor or protégé. Most of us can commit to participating in mentoring events which require an investment of a few hours and provides an opportunity to exchange ideas with more than one mentor/protégé. It is a quick, fun, and productive way to engage in mentoring.
Session details:
To address these needs and wants, EWG will bring together Senior Executives with participants who want to talk to a mentor in a flash.
The two and a half hour session begins with a Mentor and several participants at each table addressing one question to generate discussion. After thirty minutes, the participants will move to second table of their choice to discuss the second question with a different Mentor.
The process continues for three rounds, but the concept can be extended to more rounds as time permits.
Recorders at each table will capture the advice provided by the Mentors during the discussions. The combined advice or the “pearls of wisdom” will be collated, organized and shared on the EWG website. Exchange of business cards and discussions are encouraged beyond the Flash Mentoring Sessions. While the event is done in a flash the benefits are long lasting. Learn more about the 2009-10 Flash Mentoring event!
SES PREPARATION SESSIONS
SES Preparation sessions: During the course of the year, one (or two) SES Preparation sessions will be provided to EWG members and non members.
Over the years, EWG has provided workshops, presentations, and discussions on SES preparation. At least one session will be provided each year to give EWG membership an opportunity to understand the underpinnings of putting together a successful SES package. This is an extremely beneficial workshop conducted by an expert in presenting practical tips for assembling the SES certification package or direction in various segments of the SES process.
These sessions are very engaging for potential SES candidates. They are also very informative for existing SES executive women by keeping them current on the process thus allowing them to better assist potential SES candidates. The SES Prep sessions are usually held for 2 hours.
Learn more about the 2009-10 SES Preparation session!
EWG MENTOR-PROTEGE PROGRAM (NEW!)
During the course of the year, one EWG Mentor-Protégé Program will be held consisting of 3 events: an Orientation and 2 mentoring sessions.
Through three, 2-hour sessions, the EWG Mentor-Protégé program provides a platform for success via light refreshments, networking, a short talk on a topic of interest, and an hour of one-on-one mentoring for protégés with an experienced mentor. Proteges are matched with 3 different Mentors. Proteges and new Mentors complete applications to participate in the program well in advance of the program start date. This allows plenty of time to prepare for a successful program and ensure the best matches are made between the Mentors and the Proteges. Similar programs have proven very successful and EWG recognizes the value and need within the Federal government to provide such a program for future leaders.
Mentor-Protégé Program Details:
Each year EWG will hold one Mentor-Protégé Program. Applications will be accepted for each program using the EWG web site. EWG members interested in participating as a Protégé or Mentor can apply via the web. Twenty protégés will be accepted into each program. Mentors are encouraged to apply to ensure a large group of executive women are available for matching with the protégés. Due to the substantial commitment and cost by EWG for the Mentor-Protégé Program, Protégés are expected to commit to all 3 sessions.
Protégé Requirements:
- Highly recommended for GS-15s and GS-14s (EWG members and non members) Members will be given first consideration.
- Must complete an application and be accepted into the program as described below
- Proteges must attend all 3 sessions (emergency make-up sessions will be considered on a case-by-case basis)
- Fee of $100 to cover all 3 sessions
Mentor Requirements:
- Must be an EWG member
- Must have significant and varied leadership experience
- Must be able to reveal opportunities and potential to others
- Must possess the following skills: listening, advocacy, teaching, and sharing
- Must complete an application and be accepted into the program as described below.
- New Mentors are expected to attend all 3 sessions
Program format:
EWG will accept new Mentors and 20 Protégés into each Mentor-Protégé Program session.
Orientation: (Mandatory for new Mentors and all Protégés)
The orientation will be conducted by a facilitator so that program ground rules are established and some guidance will be given to the mentors and proteges. This will take about 45 minutes. Once this is completed then the matches will be announced and a mentoring session will take place. This will take 60 minutes.
Mentoring sessions – 2 sessions will use the following format:
Scheduled: 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Networking: 30 minutes
Speaker on topic of interest: 30 minutes
Protégé and Mentor matches and mentoring – 60 minutes
Registration:
Applications are reviewed and accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Mentors: There is no cost to become a Mentor, however, all mentors are required to be an EWG member.
Protégés: After being accepted into the program, the $100 program fee is required to be paid prior to the Orientation session. The program acceptance notice will provide information regarding this payment.
EWG members can be both a Mentor and Protégé but not within the same Mentor-Protégé Program.
The application form is now closed to Protégés. Potential Mentors may still complete the form.
Please stay tuned for applications to future Mentor-Protege classes. Mentor-Protege Program Update (as of July 20, 2010)
The Application process for Proteges for the Mentor-Protege Program is now closed. Potential Mentors may still apply by clicking here. The Mentorship Committee will be contacting each of you to let you know whether you are part of this first class or will need to reapply for future classes. We thank you for your interest and are very excited about launching this new program.
The sessions will be held from 5 pm to 7 pm in Rosslyn with access to Metro and parking. The dates of the sessions are:
- Thursday, August 5, 2010 (Orientation and Mentoring)
- Thursday, September 16, 2010 (Mentoring)
- Thursday, October 28, 2010 (Mentoring)
The program is limited to 20 proteges.
EWG senior-level executives will act as mentors.
For protégés, the 3-part program fee is $100. This program is considered training and reimbursable for Federal employees.
There is no cost to be a mentor.
TRANSITIONS WORKSHOP (NEW!)
As background, last year we held a workshop called “Planning for Life after Retirement” featuring Margarita Rozenfeld, Senior Consultant, CI International. This workshop focused on planning for the future after you leave the government. At some point, we get to that crossroad between government-life and retiring from the government. The other 3 areas of the Mentorship Program focus on helping our members to become Senior Executives, to cultivate that leadership role where sometime you are the mentor and other times you are the protege, and so the fourth leg of this journey is to encourage a rewarding and fun transition following your very own life plan.
A Transitions workshop will be held each year, so that we are reaching out to all groups of our membership. This workshop may focus on planning to make the transition from work to non-work, to new careers or volunteerism, to finally pursuing travel, hobbies, moving to a new area, etc. It could also focus on finances or investments. Or staying healthy, health issues, etc. An expert on a selected topic will lead these workshops. |
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