GCAA Ambassadors Program
The GCAA Ambassadors Program was established in 2017 as a way to build connections with experienced GCAA members and get your membership started off on the right foot. Successful mentor/mentee relationships should be fulfilling and beneficial for all involved!
Lisa Foley, Morgan Properties (Co-Chair)
Heather Madden, Greystar (Co-Chair)
Guidelines for Mentors
- Take the initiative in the relationship - invite your mentee to meet with you, suggest topics to discuss, ask if you can offer advice!
- Raise questions such as “Tell me about your business?” or “What was your main purpose for joining GCAA?” or “What are your talents and expertise?”
- Listening attentively is a big part of effective mentoring; avoid distractions such as phones and other interruptions when meeting with your mentee!
- Make observations or suggestions and offer advice on how your mentee can become involved!
- Respect the privacy and time commitments of your mentee!
- Maintain the strictest confidence about anything that your mentee says to you!
- Introduce and expose your mentee within your own professional circle and to circles outside the industry, as relevant!
- Meet with your mentee once a month during the initial three (3) month period.
- Attend an event with your mentee and spend the first 30 minutes with them networking.
- Attend one committee meeting with them of their choice or one you are currently serving on - one that piques their interest or one you would recommend, based on your initial meeting.
Ambassadors Mentor Commitment Form
Guidelines for Mentees
- Meet with your mentor according to the schedule to which you have agreed!
- Describe how you apportion your time to professional activities! GET INVOLVED!
- Share your career plans and goals!
- Discuss your encounters with multi-family and GCAA thus far!
- Ask for your mentor’s observations and feedback!
- Make time available to meet your mentor’s circle of professional and community contacts!
- Keep the content of your conversations confidential between the two of you!
- Keep an open mind!
Ambassadors Mentee Commitment Form
10 Tips for a More Effective & Productive Relationship
- Keep communications open.
Mentee: Be up front. Let your mentor know what your goals are and what you hope to take away from the program.
Mentor: Help your mentee set realistic expectations. Also, if you know you will be unavailable because of business or personal travel, let them know.
- Offer support.
Mentee: Remember that your mentor is there for you, but as a guide.
Mentor: Encourage communication and participation. Help create a solid plan of action.
- Define expectations.
Mentee: Review your goals. Make sure your mentor knows what to expect from you.
Mentor: Help set up a system to measure achievement.
- Maintain contact.
Mentee: Be polite and courteous. Keep up with your e-mails and ask questions.
Mentor: Respond to your e-mails. Answer questions and provide advice, resources and guidance when appropriate.
- Be honest.
Mentee: Let your mentor know if you don’t understand something or have a differing opinion.
Mentor: Be truthful in your evaluations, but also be tactful.
- Actively participate.
Mentee: Listen. Ask if you can observe your mentor’s practice.
Mentor: Engage in your own learning while you are mentoring, attend a dinner meeting and one committee meeting with your mentee.
- Be innovative and creative.
Mentee: Offer ideas on what and how you would like to become more involved, your interests.
Mentor: Share your ideas, give advice and be a resource for new ideas.
- Get to know each other.
Mentee and Mentor: Remember that people come from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Get to know each other on an individual basis.
- Be reliable and consistent.
Mentee and Mentor: The more consistent you are, the more you will be trusted.
- Stay positive!
Mentee: Remember that your mentor is offering feedback and suggestions.
Mentor: Recognize the work the mentee has done and the progress made.