Welcome MentorsWith you we will build the next generation of water industry workers!

Your work will help the mentee grow and develop, while giving you practice in key leadership skills.

Mentors in the ISAWWA Mentoring Program have the opportunity to sponsor, coach, and facilitate the development of their assigned mentee(s) by:

• sharing their expertise, • connecting mentees with their

network, and • providing guidance when

necessary.

IllinoisSectionAmerican Water Works Association

IllinoisSectionAmerican Water Works Association

To help you have the most successful mentoring relationship possible, the ISAWWA mentoring committee suggests the following:

Let your mentee take the lead by:• Setting meeting dates/times and developing meeting agendas• Developing their own Individual Development Plan (IDP)

Engage and stretch yourself by:• Fully engaging in the mentoring relationship• Participating in orientation, training events, and additional

mentoring activities• Establishing an Individual Development Plan (IDP) for yourself

as a mentor• Challenging yourself to try new and innovative ways to

provide positive facilitation and hands-on growth and development opportunities and experiences for your mentee

• Fine tuning the art of guiding your mentee through the process of discovering their own answers and solutions rather than simply telling them the answer

• Providing honest feedback, coaching and advice to your mentee on a regular basis

• Being available for unscheduled conversations

• Guiding your mentee through completion of the mentoring program

IllinoisSectionAmerican Water Works Association

Partner with your mentee to:• Establish expectations regarding the mentoring relationship• Identify the mentee’s strengths and weaknesses• Fine tune the mentee’s IDP• Discover learning opportunities and growth experiences for the mentee

Communicate your experience by:• Providing feedback: feedback works both ways – be open to

constructive feedback and participate as an active listener when receiving feedback from your mentee

• Sharing your experiences and ideas with the ISAWWA Mentoring Program administrators so that we can continue to improve the program

• Completing and submitting progress reports to program coordinators/employee supervisors as needed (this may be required by a mentee’s employer as a condition of their participating in the program)

Working in such a close relationship also requires patience, confidentiality, openness and honesty. Most important of all - HAVE FUN!

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our program administration.

We can’t wait to see how you build the future of the water industryover the next few generations!