Member Center

Affinity Programs & Benefits

Awards, Contests, and Club Grants

Club Manual

Forms

Fundraising

Gold and Silver Pins

Membership

State Federations and GFWC Clubs Websites

Training Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

» Member Center » Training Programs

Adjust Font Size:
Small | Medium | Large

"Listening is one of the greatest skills a Mentor can have. Our job is not to solve someone's problem, but to help a clubwoman solve her own problem" Bonnie Walden, GFWC Mentor 2004-present

GFWC - Mentors

Mentors

"I didn't realize being [Club] President … would bring so much extra responsibilities that I don't know and am a little afraid to handle. Thank goodness for the Mentor program. I need someone who can be objective to help me ….." [Quote from a new club president]

GFWC Mentors are experienced members with proven ability and passion for membership-related issues. GFWC Mentors help individuals, clubs, districts, and states deal with unique or difficult situations that can benefit from an objective perspective and extra measure of attention.

A GFWC Mentor Selection Committee chooses from a pool of applicants who demonstrate their depth of experience and appreciation of the objectives of the GFWC Mentor program. Mentors receive specialized training from GFWC in conflict resolution, parliamentary procedure, and organization building.

Mentors advise, counsel, and encourage members at every level of Federation. GFWC initiated the mentor program in 2003 to assist elected officers whose responsibilities do not allow the extra time that is sometimes required to address and resolve sticky situations. Assistance from a GFWC Mentor can help prevent the loss of members or a club.

GFWC Mentors can work with a member to

resolve a difficult personality conflict within a club
use parliamentary guidance to solve a procedural issue
assist in organizing, promoting, and holding a recruiting event
help to build a new club

To learn more about GFWC Mentors and request that one be assigned to you, contact GFWC Membership Director Debbe Gladstone by e-mail or call 202/347-3168 ext. 142. A Mentor will be assigned based on the specific issues at hand, and the Mentor initiates contact with the requesting clubwoman directly to begin a relationship. The GFWC Mentor works with the member in the strictest confidence until a resolution or mutually acceptable solution is reached.