GENERAL
- What is AGS/ADGAP Mentor Match?
Mentor Match is a virtual mentorship program for AGS and ADGAP members. Mentor Match allows you to match and participate in meaningful mentorship based on your mentorship goals, schedule and needs. It is available for members of all disciplines and career stages.
- Who can participate and is it free?
Mentor Match is a FREE benefit of membership and is available exclusively to AGS & ADGAP members. Members of all disciplines and career stages can choose to sign up as a mentee, mentor or both.
- How can I participate?
AGS/ADGAP members can login with their AGS/ADGAP member account to 1. enroll, 2. match, and 3.connect & learn.
1. Enroll: Use the mentorship sign up enrollment form to share your mentorship goals and preferences as a mentor and/or mentee. Click here to enroll.
2. Match: View your recommended matches. Mentor Match will highlight matches based on your mentorship goals and preferences that you can use to compare and decide who would be the best match for you.
3. Connect and Learn: Send a mentorship request and begin your mentorship journey. Your dashboard will show you the status of your mentorship request/connection and you’ll be notified via email and Mentor Match message once accepted. Both mentor and mentee will each gain access to a shared mentorship workspace where you can communicate with each other, share resources, schedule meetings, set/track goals, and provide feedback about your mentorship experience.
- How are Mentors and Mentees matched?
During the enrollment process, mentors & mentees select their mentorship preferences and provide information about themselves. Once completed, they are added to the mentorship directory and mentees can browse recommended matches who are best suited to help them achieve their mentorship goals based on their personal preferences. Mentees can click on the mentors names to view and compare, then send a mentorship request through the system which will alert the mentor by email where they can accept or decline the request.
If the Mentor accepts the request, the Mentee will receive a response from the Mentor and they can begin to discuss the goals for your relationship. It is up to the Mentees and Mentors to establish a schedule and system of communication that works for them. If the Mentor declines the request, the mentee will be notified via email. Mentees are then encouraged to search for and request a new Mentor.
FOR MENTORS
- Can I have more than one Mentee?
Yes, you can select the limit the number of Mentees you are willing to accept on the mentorship enrollment form.
- How do I get paired with Mentees?
Mentees will be able to compare Mentors based on how they match with their goals and preferences and send you a mentee request that you will receive by email and through the Mentor Match system. There will be a link to their mentee There will be a link to the mentee profile, where you can find out more about your prospective mentee and their areas of interest. You will be prompted to accept or reject the request.
- Is it okay to reject a request?
Yes, it is up to the mentor to decide whether to accept or reject a request. We encourage you to at least have an initial conversation to explore whether the relationship would be mutually fulfilling. If a potential Mentee has misinterpreted information in your profile, you may find them to be an inappropriate match.
- What happens when I decline a request from a Mentee?
When you select the "decline" button, an email is sent to the Mentee informing them you are unable to fulfill their request and encouraging them to return to the Mentor Directory to make a new request. If you want to provide further reasoning for your decline, you can do so by responding to their message.
- What if I’m going to be on vacation or unavailable for a period of time?
Go to “Edit Mentorship Sign Up” and deselect “mentor”. This will temporarily remove you from the mentorship directory. When you are ready to become a mentor again, you can return to “Edit Mentorship Sign Up” and reselect “Mentor”.
- How do I end a mentoring relationship?
If the mentoring relationship is complete, go your mentorship workspace and update your mentorship status to “completed”.
If the mentoring relationship isn't working out, please kindly discuss your decision to end the relationship with your Mentee. After this discussion, please mark the mentorship status as completed.
- What are the expectations for participating Mentors?
We expect that mentors 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 that you communicate with your Mentees as agreed upon by both 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. If you are both attending the annual meeting, this also offers a convenient venue for getting together with your Mentees over coffee or lunch.
FOR MENTEES
- Who are the Mentors?
Mentors are AGS or ADGAP members who have volunteered their time to support other members.
- Can I have more than one Mentor?
While there is no limit to the number of mentoring relationships you can establish, we recommend that you be judicious in selecting only Mentors who are most suited to your mentoring needs. Please keep in mind that Mentors have limited time to offer and may have other Mentoring relationships.
- How do I find a Mentor?
Once you have enrolled as a Mentee, go to “search and connect to view potential mentor matches. Once you have found a good match, select “connect” to write them a message with your mentorship request.
- What should I do if I don’t hear from the Mentor I requested?
If you don’t hear from the Mentor within one or two weeks, you can withdraw your request and AGS will reach out to you to assist you with finding a new mentor.
- What if the Mentor isn’t the right “fit” for my needs?
Sometimes, regardless of the information provided, Mentors and Mentees don’t always "fit." If this happens, we suggest that you discuss your decision honestly and kindly with your Mentor, thank them for their time then start a new Mentor search. You can end your mentorship relationship by selecting “completed” under mentorship status within your mentorship workspace.
- Where can I meet with my Mentor?
It is up to you and your Mentor to decide how, when and where you want to pursue your mentoring relationship. It is likely that most of your communication will occur by phone or electronically. If you are both attending the annual meeting, this offers a great opportunity to meet in person.
- How long does the mentoring relationship last?
We recommend that you and your Mentor 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.
FEEDBACK
What if I need help or want to report a problem?
If you need help or have experienced unprofessional language or behavior from a mentor or mentee, please contact membership@americangeriatrics.org so that the AGS can investigate further and take appropriate action.
I'd like to provide feedback about my mentorship experience.
Please take our Virtual Mentor Program Survey to tell us more about your mentorship experience. If you'd like to offer your feedback as a testimonial for the program or you wish to be contacted for a follow-up, be sure to leave your contact information on the survey.