How do I become a Mentor?
If you are a member, click here to enroll as a Mentor. You will be instructed to choose your preferences for various demographics and also to complete your member profile.
Who are the Mentees?
Mentees are VHMA members seeking to grow as veterinary management professionals. Whether new to practice management or seeking to strengthen specific skills, mentees are individuals who want guidance, fresh perspectives, and real-world insights from experienced peers
Can I have more than one Mentee?
While there is no limit to the number of mentoring relationships you can establish, we recommend that you be judicious in selecting only Mentees who are most suited to learn from your expertise and experience. You can limit the number of Mentee requests you are willing to accept on the Mentoring enrollment page.
How do I find Mentees?
Once you have enrolled as a Mentor, go to the "Find a Mentee" page and select the criteria you want to use for your Mentee search. Click on the Mentees' names to view their profiles. Once you have found a good match, click the Mentee badge (below the Mentee's profile image) to send the Mentee an email request.
How will I know if a Mentee has selected me as their Mentor?
You will receive an email from the Mentee requesting you to be their Mentor. You will be prompted to accept or reject the request.
Is it okay to reject a request?
Yes, finding the right fit is important for a successful mentoring relationship. We encourage you to start with an initial conversation to determine if your goals, experience, and expectations align.
If you feel the match isn't the right fit, for example, if there's a mismatch in needs or experience, you can decline the request. Taking the time to find the right match helps ensure a more valuable and rewarding experience for both participants.
If you want to decline a request, go to the "My Mentoring Relationships" page and check the "decline" button next to the specific request.
What if I'm going to be on vacation or unavailable for a period of time?
Go to the "Mentor Enrollment" page, click the "Mentor Status" link, then click on the check box next to "Temporarily Not Participating." Doing this will indicate that you are not accepting any Mentee requests at the moment, and your mentoring profile will not be included in a Mentee's search for a Mentor. It is your responsibility to communicate your availability to your existing Mentees.
How do I end a mentoring relationship?
If the mentoring relationship is complete, go to the "My Mentoring Relationships" page and mark the relationship as "completed.”
If the mentoring relationship isn't working out, please kindly discuss your decision to end the relationship with your Mentee. Go to the "My Mentoring Relationships" page and mark the relationship as "completed."
What are the expectations for participating Mentors?
We expect that you will fulfill your commitment to develop at least one mentoring relationship. We expect you to respond to initial requests from Mentees in a timely manner and to communicate with your Mentees as agreed upon by you and your Mentees.
How much time will I need to invest as a Mentor?
We recommend that you and your Mentees agree on a schedule that works best for both of you. The most important thing is to discuss your mutual expectations about time and communication at the start of your relationship. Keep in mind that mentoring doesn't necessarily require large amounts of your time. Even brief phone calls or e-mail exchanges with you can make a big difference to your Mentees. VHMA conferences also provide a venue for meeting with your Mentees to build the relationship.
What benefits do I receive from the organization if I participate as a Mentor in the program?
All Mentors are volunteers. As an active program participant, you will receive a ribbon identifying you as a Mentor.